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Can I enter Thailand on a visa waiver while my DTV visa is being processed?

DTV visaThailand visa waivervisa application processexpat adviceimmigration rules
Nov 10, 2024
11 days ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
So I already applied for the DTV visa, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I might need to travel to Thailand before I get it.

Does anyone think there would be any issue if I entered Thailand on the regular visa waiver while my DTV is being processed? I would then use the DTV visa upon my next entry.

Has anyone tried this or had any issues?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user has applied for a DTV visa but may need to travel to Thailand before receiving it. They seek advice on entering Thailand on a visa waiver while their DTV visa is still being processed. Community members shared their experiences, noting that many have successfully traveled under similar circumstances, though there's a risk of complications such as additional document requests from the consulate. Overall consensus suggests that while it's not officially encouraged to be outside your application country, entering Thailand on a visa waiver may not lead to issues if the DTV visa is activated upon re-entry.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Romain ****
If you check evisa website it’s clearly mentioned that you need to be in the country where you apply during the whole application process. This can include additional documents or interview. If you get screwed you will thank the people saying it’s fine !
11 days ago
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Helen ********
Some posted in another group they had issue with this when Vietnam asked for proof they were still in country. Someone posted had the same issue with France but they weren't a French citizen. Some embassies state you must remain in country until your visa is issued, South Korea being one. If it doesn't state anything like that you might be okay.
11 days ago
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Luit *****************
@Helen *******
 if it does not state clearly you have to be in the country, it might be difficult to find on the website, but the rules is simply you should be in the country during the process. They can ask extra info or even interview you.

Chances they do any of this are low, but it can happen, and then result in rejection of the application.

Everybody has to decide by themselfes if they like to gamble.
9 days ago
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James ********
@Helen *******
 Correct ✅
11 days ago
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James ********
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Samantha **********
No issue at all

Husband is waiting for his approval. We went and came back, no problems at all
11 days ago
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John *******
I believe technically you are supposed to stay put, in the country where you are applying, but realistically, for many it has not been an issue to travel. However, there have been some who have received additional requests, such as photocopies of all pages of the passport, etc. if that happens and you are back in Thailand, you would be rejected if they see entry stamp or you didn’t answer their request. How many days have you been waiting? What embassy?
11 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
 it’s been about a week and I applied at the Chicago embassy
11 days ago
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James ********
Anonymous participant Suggest you don't leave the US until you have the DTV visa approved. It's possible that you may be asked for ADDED documents. The Chicago Thai Consulate is VERY helpful. Have you tried calling them? They are known to answer the phone.

Which State do you live in?

5 days is way too soon...be patient. It's worth changing the ticket departing USA for Thailand.
11 days ago
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John **********
Anonymous participant the Chicago consulate quotes a 15 working days processing time so you've a bit to wait yet. It also only allows applications from certain states.
11 days ago
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John *******
Anonymous participant - Oh, US-based embassies are notorious for being long. They say you are supposed to wait a month. They might not come back and ask for proof that you are still there though. That tends to be the consulates located close to Thailand.
11 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
 I’m more concerned about the overlap of the DTV and a visa waiver stamp upon entry
11 days ago
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John *******
Anonymous participant - if concerned, just wait for the DTV
11 days ago
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John *******
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AllSabai ******
No problem with that..

But as soon as you get your DTV

You should Immediately leave and come in to activate your DTV.

If you late leaving... you may get a reject entry.
11 days ago
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Luit *****************
@AllSabai *****
 your DTV is active from the moment on it is issued till the expiration date 5 years later. There is no such thing as an activation procedure.

There is no need to hurry to enter Thailand with the DTV.

But of course you should not be in Thailand the moment they process your application, just like in almost all countries in the world you apply for a visa outside the country, and wait till you get approved before entering the country.
9 days ago
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AllSabai ******
@Luit ****************
 you think what you want to think.

And we say what we know about work.

No obligation to you to listen to what we say.
9 days ago
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Luit *****************
@AllSabai *****
 I listen to what you say, but there is absolutely no need to travel to Thailand to use DTV for the first time within days.

Most embassies tell you to apply at least 1 month before you travel, and up to 3 months.

When what you say would be true this would mean when the embassy decides in 1 or 2 weeks, you would have to change plans and travel immediately.
9 days ago
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AllSabai ******
@Luit ****************
 if you just read what we said..

We said if you are in Thailand after application been submitted and many are doing that after specially apply in Cambodia or laos and we know that and they wait till they get the Email that visa issued

Then

This is the case we said ( you have to leave immediately)

To avoid getting a reject entry

And to activate the DTV, means to back to Thailand using it...

It is our work and we know that people doing around

So it was just a free advice without any aim of any type of Benefit...

You guys free to take it or leave it...

And we are as well not here to argue who is correct about what been posted.
9 days ago
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Luit *****************
@AllSabai *****
 I agree you should not be in Thailand during the visa process. In that case you are wrong anyway. Does it help in that case to be fast?
9 days ago
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Luit *****************
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@AllSabai *****
 why does it matter if I leave quickly or after a few weeks once I get the DTV?
11 days ago
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AllSabai ******
Anonymous participant

The answer is inside what we said...

You might get a reject entry.

And let us teach you one important note if you wish to live here.

The immigration have the right to reject you and we believe this rule is applicable many countries.

However the immediate here refers to the next day for example , because in reality, you should not be in Thailand while that happening

Just take the advice
11 days ago
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AllSabai ******
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Pete *******
No issues with that plan. Once you receive your DTV simply exit and re-enter to activate.
11 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pete ******
 have you heard of someone having done this already?
11 days ago
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Pete *******
Anonymous participant there have been several reports of this happening without issue.
11 days ago
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James ********
@Pete ******
 correct ✅ but it's Best to stay in the country where you made the application until its approved. Especially as we are seeing increased requests for added information or documents from Thai Embassy's and Consulates.
9 days ago
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James ********
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Luit *****************
You might be lucky, but there is a small chance your visa application will be cancelled
11 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luit ****************
 why do you think so? Technically, I did apply outside Thailand :)
11 days ago
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Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer because the official rule is you should not be in the country you apply a visa during the process. This is a rule most countries have for their visa.

But chances you get rejected are low, because most times they do not check.

It is up to you if you take the risk
11 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant yeah clearly it’s a grey area, it appreciate the input
11 days ago
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Michael *******
Participant(e) anonyme not Grey area, it is explicitly said in the process of the visa.
11 days ago
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Michael *******
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Stuart *********
Anonymous participant I recall seeing a post from someone (who used perhaps the Cambodia embassy) where they stated that once you had applied for the visa in that country you were free to travel to any other country except Thailand whilst the application was processing.

Others have posted about successfully applying for a visa having entered Thailand prior to getting accepted and then doing a border bounce to activate it.
11 days ago
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Stuart *********
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