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Answered3 days ago

Can I use the autogate when entering Thailand on a DTV visa instead of a visa exemption?

Anonymous *************
asked Nov 9, 2026
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If I have a DTV entering BKK airport and would be leaving thailand in a few days, could I use the autogate instead? Meaning I would be entering on visa exempt instead of the 180days on dtv. Would that work? If yes, would it have future implications regarding my dtv?

It is the high season and I would like to avoid long queue if possible
Answer summary
If you hold a DTV visa, you cannot use the autogate for entry into Thailand; you must go through manual immigration. This is because visa holders are required to have their visas stamped by an immigration officer, which the automated gates do not facilitate. Attempting to enter via the autogate while holding a DTV visa may lead to complications, including potential cancellation of your visa. Many users emphasize that despite the long wait at immigration, it is necessary to adhere to the rules regarding visa entry.
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Kasia ********
Kasia ********
I’ve entered on the DTV and left via egates at BKK like 3 times already. No issue 😉 Entering is another story, but for leaving - it doesn’t matter ☺️
Anthony ********
Anthony ********
I thought high season was 18th December till 2nd January now ?
เดวิด **********
เดวิด **********
I don’t know the answer but given what is happening. Why take the chance to save 30 minutes ?
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@เดวิด *********
because it could be 90min. But i get it
เดวิด **********
เดวิด **********
Anonymous participant I’ve landed in Bangkok 100 times. I’ve only ever waited that long during covid. I think it’s exaggerated and always beat my suitcases. Which is the real delay. 1 hour of your life for potential trouble just not worth it.
Cliff *********
Cliff *********
No.

This is asked daily.

It’s not for visa holders.
Paul **********
When is high season?
Rud **********
The Egate has your visainformation and will send you to immigration > The Egate is only for exemption with a history. First time visitor goes to immigration..
Rud **********
Rud **********
The Egate has your visainformation and will send you to immigration > The Egate is only for exemption with a history. First time visitor goes to immigration..
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Rud *********
yes we know
Rud **********
Rud **********
Anonym deltaker 👍
Paul **********
Paul **********
When is high season?
Elías ********
Elías ********
@Paul *********
December-March is the peak
Paul **********
Paul **********
@Elías *******
yeah mid December, not November
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Paul *********
it just started. End of rainy season start of cold season. Start of nov
Tommaso *********
Tommaso *********
It perfectly works
EfficientD**********
EfficientD**********
179day
John **********
You can't. Trying to do so will cost you even more time as you'll be refused by the egates and then have to go queue at a desk
John **********
John **********
You can't. Trying to do so will cost you even more time as you'll be refused by the egates and then have to go queue at a desk
Dave ***********
Dave ***********
@John *********
you dont go to the back of the queue though they send you to the priority desk so its still quicker , happened to me last Monday
Mark *********
Mark *********
won't work, it will show an ❌
Oli *********
Oli *********
Apparently your whole DTV visa can be canceled if you do this. There was an article about it, that when people enter via autogate with long term visa by mistake, they have to go and fix this in special department, so research more, but you are risking canceling your DTV altogehter
Humble******
Humble******
Don't forget to book your Muay Thai for 10 days 😂
HumbleCate***********
HumbleCate***********
HumbleJanken only for Mexican singers tho
Li ******
Li ******
Everyone says you cant, but what does actually happen if you try???
Elías ********
Elías ********
@Li *****
the screen shows an error message. Many people has tried.
Toni *******
Toni *******
@Li *****
it tells you to go normal gate
Li ******
Li ******
PleasantP*********
PleasantP*********
I was curious about this also. I have a DTV and I'm entering for 10 days..
Henrik *****
Henrik *****
You can not choose to enter visa excempt, when you hold another visa, and why should you ?

To save 10 minutes in a queue, after having payed 10.000+ baht to have a multientry visa.

If thinking about timesavers, unsolicited present a (laminated) copy of tour DTV, and a print of the TDAC, together with your passport, then the Immigration Officer may be impressed for having things in order, and let you through without asking questions.
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Henrik ****
the queue can reach up to 90min during this period. My previous entry in August took 40min
Hors*****
Hors*****
I’m also a DTV visa holder, so you still need to go through the manual immigration counter because immigration will stamp your passport with the relevant details, even if you’re only staying for one day. As far as I know, the automatic gates are only available to citizens of certain countries.
Elías ********
Elías ********
No, you can't. Visa holders can't use the autogates for entry. Also, you can't enter in visa exemption if you have a valid and active visa.
SwiftRasp*********
SwiftRasp*********
No
Yung *****
Yung *****
I been entering for short stays via the autogates
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Yung ****
you have a dtv correct? I am assuming you are entering on visa exempt while having an active dtv?
Yung *****
Yung *****
Anonymous participant yes correct
Elías ********
Elías ********
Participante anónimo you can't do that
Yung *****
Yung *****
@Elías *******
do you work for immigration i use the same passport
Elías ********
Elías ********
@Yung ****
this is not possible, if it worked it's because the passport number you have associated with your DTV is not the same you've used to enter now visa exempt.
Yung *****
Yung *****
@Don ******
yes I alternate if its a long stay or short stay
Don *******
Don *******
@Yung ****
Your DTV isn’t valid if you go through an autogate and get your 30 days.
Yung *****
Yung *****
IjustwannaknowNow it works for me
Ijustwan*********
Ijustwan*********
@Yung ****
? You cannot switch back and forth between dtv and exempt.
Tommaso *********
Tommaso *********
@Yung ****
yes I confirm, you can do it
Yung *****
Yung *****
@Elías *******
you can elect go use the auto gates to enter visa exempt if you have a e passport with biometric cor stays shorter so you dont need to see the manual immigration counter to save time and not use your dtv for every entry. Hope this helps
Elías ********
Elías ********
@Yung ****
what are we talking about? Using the entry autogates as a visa holder? Entering visa exempt as a visa holder? Both?
Yung *****
Yung *****
@Elías *******
try it next time instead of saying no🤦‍♂️
Elías ********
Elías ********
Yung *****
Yung *****
@Elías *******
you literally can though
Will ************
Will ************
Leave via Egate. Enter via normal passport control .
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Will ***********
the reason is to avoid the long queue as I will be in thailand for only a couple days
Fixx ****
Fixx ****
Anonymous participant if there is a long queue, at the egates there will be the same long queue. I don't think anything will happen to you if you wait 20 minutes in the queue🙄
Will ************
Will ************
Anonymous participant you might end up with no DTV , more likely the E gate will reject you and send you to the back of the line, your decision
Partly_en*********
Partly_en*********
You will be stamped only with the DTV and not as per your choice!

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