Can I travel from Thailand to Malaysia by ferry for my DTV visa application?

Question

Hi! I live in Thailand and currently I've only 1 visa run this year and 1 last year on my passport. I'm about to travel to  🇲🇾Malasya from South of Thailand to apply for DTV soft power (gym/Muay thai)(letter from them for 6months course). I need your suggestions:

- ⛴️ can i go to malasya by ferry (ko lipe to langkawi) or is necessary the flight ticket? 
- 🎫 do I need a flight back into thailand ? (And if yes, how long I consider for having already the visa grant?)
- 💰 I have the bank statement in italian , can I translate to english myself?
- any additional tip?

🙏🏻 Thanks everyone.

Ask Thailand · Answer

A user currently in Thailand planning to obtain a DTV visa by traveling to Malaysia asks for advice on the feasibility of using a ferry for their journey and additional requirements for their visa application. The community offers insights that ferries are acceptable, but having a return flight ticket is often recommended. They emphasize the importance of official translation for bank statements and suggest confirming details directly with the Malaysian embassy due to the varying requirements. Additionally, it's advised to ensure all paperwork is thorough and to stay outside of Thailand until the visa is granted.

Robin ********* · Answer

You can enter and exit Thailand any way that is legit, no green border stuff 😁 (embassys might require a flight ticket to Thailand though in order to grant a visa)

David ******* · Answer

How are you 'living' in Thailand - it sounds like you don't have an appropriate visa and you are just trying to get around the Thai visa system.

James ******** · Answer

So you have already done a border bounce in 2026 ? How many days stamp did you get on reentry into Thailand?

What is your passport nation?

Are you Malaysian?

Where are you living in Thailand?

Suggest you carefully listen to the replies as Kuala Lumpur is a difficult Thai Embassy to obtain the DTV visa.

Wannikea ********* · Answer

Make sure your gym has a history of DTV approvals and at which embassy?

Bao*** · Answer

• Ferry vs flight: Ferry (Koh Lipe → Langkawi) is fine. No rule that you must fly.

• Ticket back to Thailand: Often requested, sometimes not. Best to have a flexible/refundable onward ticket just in case.

• Bank statement: Don’t self-translate. It should be in English or officially translated.

• Tips:

• Course letter must clearly show your name + 6-month duration

• Bring printed copies of everything

• Stay outside Thailand until the visa is approved

Rules can vary by consulate, so worth double-checking with the Malaysian one before you go.

Kurt ************* · Answer

If you dont have a ptoper visa you dont live in thailand but your visiting.

There is a diffrence trying to live, and actually living.

I would not go to KL to try to get visa. They are one of the most difficult embassies. I recommend vientiane or hanoi to get a dtv.

Atle ******** · Answer

I just had a meeting with Siam Legal and they recommended Laos, in Laos you can be called in for inteview at the embassy while in other countries a lot of paperwork🙏

Andi *********** · Answer

Malaysia is infamous for being the most difficult embassy to gain approval for the DTV as many posts detail. Much easier to get approved nearby in Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam. Entry visa ferry is ok, flight to Thailand required along with 6mths of booked accommodation and 6mths of bank statements with 500k THB. Self translated bank statements are ok with many embassies but Malaysia has been known to ask for official/certified  translated docs

Can I travel from Thailand to Malaysia by ferry for my DTV visa application?

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