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Can non-residents apply for a DTV visa at the Thai embassy in Seoul?

DTV Visa Thai Visa Application Tourist Visa Thailand Immigration Medical Visa Non-Resident Application K-ETA

May 18, 2025

a month ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Update: reached out to the Thai embassy in Seoul. After multiple back and forth, they confirmed tourists who entered Korea with K-ETA can apply for the DTV. They stressed the approval could take about a month.

Hi, has anyone applied in Seoul as a non-resident (tourist) and got approved?

I’m a US citizen on a tourist visa undergoing tests in Seoul for a recently diagnosed illness. I’m hoping to apply for DTV under soft power (medical) to continue with tests and treatment in Bangkok. I see on the Thai embassy website that I would need to be residing in South Korea - i find this a bit vague, does this mean the application is only open to residents, or can non-residents (tourists) apply as well as long as they’re in SK until the DTV is issued? 

Grateful for any advice, thank you.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A US citizen in South Korea is seeking advice on applying for a DTV visa to continue medical treatment in Thailand. They have confirmed with the Thai embassy that tourists with K-ETA can apply for the DTV, but there is uncertainty about the residency requirement for applicants. While some embassies may restrict applications to residents, there are anecdotal reports of tourists successfully applying. The individual is looking for further clarification on the definition of 'reside' as it pertains to their application.

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Lizzie *****

My partner who is a Brit got under workcation It was easier for him than I Korean who don’t live in Korea through Seoul embassy :)

a month ago

Wannikea *********

Make your way to Thailand, get a diagnosis, and treatment plan with follow-up appointments lasting 6+ months. Get the hospital to write it all up for you, go to a neighboring country and apply

a month ago

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

@Wannikea ********

no need. dont overthink it as i started to do. just get a health checkup package, mine was from bnh, which knows the proper format for the dtv specific letter. i used baan thai law office for reassurance.

a month ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 919 which health package did you go with? I’m in touch with Bumrungrad but they’re taking a while to provide the invitation letter. I also reached out to bnh but haven’t heard back.

a month ago

Reply to

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

James ********

@Wannikea ********

wise advice ✅

a month ago

Reply to

James ********

John *******

Some Thai embassies only allow residents to apply, including South Korea. However, one or two people on this page have stated they were able to do so as a tourist (I can't verify how true that is though). As a tourist, you are not a resident.

a month ago

John **********

You aren't a resident if you are there as a tourist. You need to have the right to reside there

a month ago

Shandy ********

@John *********

I see the Seoul embassy says that visa applicants need to "reside' in Korea. But they don't say what their definition of "reside" is. For instance, the Thai e-visa system uses "residency" interchangeably with "physical presence." Applicants in Vietnam, for example, are not residing there, but they are asked to provide their "residency," using the same word, to provide their address of temporary stay. You are best off asking the embassy directly by email. The Seoul embassy did approve a DTV for a tourist on at least one occasion, as some in this group reported. Maybe they don't get many DTV applications, so they're willing to review applications from short-term visitors.

a month ago

Reply to

Shandy ********

Can I apply for the DTV visa while in Greece without being a resident?

28 comments

2 months ago

Can I submit a DTV application in the US and travel to Thailand while waiting for approval?

2 comments

5 months ago

Am I eligible to apply for a South Korean visa while on a DTV visa in Thailand?

14 comments

5 months ago