Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Can I enter Thailand on a visa-exempt basis while waiting for my DTV application to process?

Dec 2, 2024
a year ago
Jeffrey *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey all, anyone have personal experiences with entering Thailand on visa exempt while waiting for their DTV? My application is about 11 days old, but New York takes about a month. I know it's not allowed but I've read a lot of people just go to Thailand while their visa is pending and get approved no issues, anyone do this and run into an issue? Thanks in advance
922
views
21
all likes
10
replies
3
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses entering Thailand on a visa exemption while waiting for a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) application, which is currently pending. Users share experiences noting that while it's generally not allowed, some have successfully entered Thailand and later activated their visa with a border bounce, as long as they manage potential inquiries about proof of residency.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
John *********
If you arrive in Thailand before you receive your DTV by email, you will get a 60 day visa exemption upon arrival. Sometime after that, you must cross a border and return to Thailand to activate your DTV.
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
If they ask you for proof of your location again you might have some issues. But if they don't, then you'll be fine and just need to do a border bounce to activate your visa.
Like
Reply
Jeffrey *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
For proof of location I just put my NY state ID, I read most people just do that, hope that's acceptable to them. It got "pending approval" status in a day.

Also do you think I absolutely need to border bounce or can I just stay on my exempt stamp? I only intend to be there for a month or so.
Like
Reply
John *******
@Jeffrey ****
they sometimes have come back and asked for photos of each page of your passport. If you had since entered Thailand, they would then see the stamp. It is a risk, but one others have done.
Like
Reply
Jeffrey *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
What if I just took pictures of my passport before I left? Haha
Like
Reply
Robert ***********
@Jeffrey ****
You should be fine unless the system shows you are presently in Thailand. But still...Should not be an issue you just use your DTV on the bounce.
Like
Reply
John *******
@Jeffrey ****
You could, but it is always a risk. Not sure why you didn’t plan accordingly. If couldn’t wait the time, better option would have been to travel to Vietnam or another close by country where the process takes only 5-10 days.
Like
Reply
Jeffrey *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
I was thinking of that as well, not sure if two DTV applications at once might pose a bigger issue though
Like
Reply
John *******
@Jeffrey ****
then why not just wait the month? Maybe you get earlier. It is an amazing 5 year visa. I would not want to do anything to mess up the opportunity
Like
Reply
Reply to
John *******
Reply
Graham ******
@Jeffrey ****
no need to bounce then, use your DTV next time
Like
Reply
Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.