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Can visa-waiver applicants apply for a DTV visa and travel to Thailand on a tourist waiver simultaneously?

Mar 18, 2025
a year ago
Have anyone from a „visa-waiver” country tried to apply for DTV visa in their home country then go and visit Thailand (on a 60-day tourist waiver) while waiting for the DTV? Any issues with that?

I plan to file for the DTV then immediately after go for a short trip, 2 weeks max, to find a property for rent, then fly back home and re-enter in another 4-6 weeks as I gather my stuff and (hopefully) get my DTV approved… Does that make sense to you?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the implications of applying for a DTV visa while also entering Thailand on a 60-day tourist waiver. Community members express concerns about the risks involved, noting that it may be against the rules to travel after applying. It's emphasized that staying in the country where one applies is advisable, as leaving could jeopardize the application.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Jonathan ******
It takes like 2-3 days to get approved and back to you? I don't understand your issue?
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jonathan *****
I called The Embassy in my country, they stated it takes 2 to 4 WEEKS to get approved, usually a minimum of 15 days…
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Anonymous *************
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for your answers… Wow, TBH I’m a little bit disappointed - that complicates manners for me, I travel quite a lot, and finding a month or more to sit in one place and wait for the approval could be extraordinary tricky for at this point… anyway it’s great to know, and again thank ya all! 🙏
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Anna *********
You need to stay where you apply from until approved You may be asked to attend an interview or for proof of where you are

Both would be difficult if you go somewhere else
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Dany ********
yes. my friend got invited for an in-person interview to the embassy. so that didnt go well. but with just a 2 week trip it might go well.
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James ********
Don't do it 🚫❌. Stay in the country where you applied until the decision is known.
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
Thanks for the info!

So technically what you’re saying is that I’m grounded even if I wish to go to Zanzibar for vacation, right?
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James ********
Anonymous participant yep 👍. STAY IN THE COUNTRY WHERE YOU SUBMIT YOUR DTV APPLICATION.
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James ********
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Wesley ********
it has worked for some people. But that’s no guarantee it will.

Technically it is against the rules. You could be caught and denied, you could be called into an interview in the home country.
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John **********
You should stay in whatever country you apply in until the application process is complete. Leaving the country risks the DTV application being rejected. Thai embassies take the view that, even though the application is online, that you need to treat it as if you had physically applied at the embassy and they had retained your passport
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
wow that’s interesting! So you’re basically saying they technically could reject a DTV application even if the applicant goes for a vacation to Zanzibar?
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John **********
Anonymous participant yes. And bear in mind embassies have been known to ask for copies of every page in a passport or even call people in for interview to ensure they remain in the country they applied in.
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Roxana ******
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Roxana ******
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