Answered7 months ago

Can I enter Thailand while my DTV application is processing?

DTV Visa Thailand Visa Rules Multiple Entry Tourist Visa Remote Work Visa Visa Processing Travel to Thailand

Anonymous *************

asked Mar 15, 2026

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Hi everyone, I have a multiple entry tourist visa (used once) at the moment. I’m planning to apply for the DTV visa as a remote worker at the end of the month and from what I’ve seen on here applications take about 2 months and some weeks to process at my embassy. (My visit visa took 1 month) however, I have a friend who wants to meet up in Thailand in April. Will I be allowed in whilst the DTV is still processing? Or will they think that I’ve come in to work whilst waiting? I’m also considering holding off on the application till after the April trip.

Answer summary

The user is currently holding a multiple entry tourist visa (METV) and plans to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) for remote work. The user is concerned about visiting Thailand in April while the DTV application is still processing, as they worry about the implications of holding two valid visas or being denied entry. Comments indicate that one cannot apply for a DTV while a METV is still valid, and staying in the jurisdiction during the processing of a visa is typically required. Although it's technically against the rules to enter Thailand while waiting for a visa decision, some believe it could still be possible without issues.

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DTV_Be*******

Two points- you can’t apply for a new visa while your METV is still valid. Either need to get it canceled or wait to it gets expired. Once you apply for a visa, you need to stay within that country/jurisdiction until the visa is issued. No trips to Thailand while you wait for a decision.

7 months ago

John **********

You won't be able to apply for a DTV until your METV is no longer valid. As you can't hold 2 visas at the same time your DTV application would get rejected

7 months ago

Anonymous *************

@John *********

omg I had no idea. It expires in May, I definitely don’t want to wait that long

7 months ago

John **********

Anonymous participant then your only option is to try and cancel the METV which you may struggle to do, the consulate that issued it might do so but that's about the only place. But why does waiting matter? You have a visa that allows you to enter Thailand for tourism, why not take advantage of it?

7 months ago

Anonymous *************

@John *********

unfortunately, that seems to be the case for Nigeria

7 months ago

John **********

Anonymous participant you can apply for a DTV in a nearby country, processing is unlikely to take 2 months

7 months ago

Anonymous *************

@John *********

I guess this time I wanted to enter and find an apartment and get myself settled in and all that instead of leaving when my visa expires and waiting two months for the dtv to be processed 🫠

7 months ago

Greg ********

It has been known for embassies to cancel applications if they find out you are in Thailand while you DTV application is being processed. You are meant to stay in the country you applied while the application is being processed.

7 months ago

Frank-Steven ***********

The embassy might likely refuse to issue you a DTV while still holding a valid METV. As for your other question: The embassies would like for you to stay in their juristiction while processing your DTV - as you might be invited for an interview. Having said that, practically, you will not likely have issues entering Thailand even in between.

7 months ago

Anonymous *************

@Frank-Steven **********

Thanks for this info. Not that it makes a difference but the embassy I’m applying through is located in a different country.

7 months ago

Frank-Steven ***********

Anonymous participant Technically that is against the rules. But practically, I am somewhat positive it might still work.

7 months ago

Anonymous *************

@Frank-Steven **********

my country doesn’t have an embassy so we are mandated to apply via a specific embassy in a different country 😇

7 months ago