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Do I have to stay in Indonesia while my DTV application is being processed if I hold a METV?
Jan 29, 2026
3 months ago
Asia ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am a METV holder, but applied for my DTV in Jakarta last week. It started processing on 1/22, so I flew to KL to wait for approval. Do I have to physically be in Indonesia for approval? Truth is I am tired of living out of a suitcase with a toddler, and ready to fly back to Bangkok on my METV. Will my DTV application be denied if I enter Thailand before approval?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A METV holder who applied for a DTV in Indonesia must remain in the country during the application process. Leaving for Malaysia may risk rejection of the DTV application, as immigration rules typically require applicants to stay in the jurisdiction where they applied. Entering Thailand before the DTV is approved poses a high chance of denial. Most comments emphasize the importance of adhering to these regulations to avoid complications.
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Duncan *******
You need to be in the country you applied in.
Copper*******
You'll be fine if you applied out side of Thailand originally, I returned on a Metv when processing as it was still valid, I got approved while in Thailand and haven't had an issue when returning
Begp*****
Wow after reading the comments, you sound unbearable.
DioPar******
You left the country you applied at and you applied while having a valid visa. Not a smart move, don't be surprised if your application gets rejected
John **********
You can't have two valid visas at the same time so you should not have applied for the DTV until your METV has expired. If it's close to expiry they may wait until it has before processing your DTV application.
Further when you apply for a visa at a Thai consulate you need to be in a location served by that consulate and remain there until the application process completes
Further when you apply for a visa at a Thai consulate you need to be in a location served by that consulate and remain there until the application process completes
James ********
Correct 💯
Asia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
and in the thai embassy rukes, it just says you have to be outside of Thailand to apply. There is nothing written that says you MUST stay in the country you applied in...if you find that rule, please share itJohn **********
@Asia *******
that will be exactly why consulates ask for copies of every page of a passport to check you haven't left the country, or call you in for interview at the consulate you applied through, or even get you to sign an affidavit when you apply that you will remain in that country until the process completes. What you fail to understand is that just because you apply online Thai consulates still treat your application in the same way they did when you physically handed over your passportAsia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
there was no request for any of those things you mentioned when we appliedCiaran ****
@Asia *******
so you don’t want to believe what you’re being told by experts in the Visa forum. You apparently think you know everything so you continue the way you are. When your visa is declined, then you can come back and let us all know how it went for you.ThatsSo ***********
I was waiting for someone to say it. She already has all of the answers atp let her do her. Geez! They tried. I’m learning so thank you all. ❤️
Brandon ************
@Asia *******
they don't ask for it when you apply. They ask for it after you applyReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Asia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
well, that does not make much sense since PLENTY of people move from one visa to another all the time, i.e student visa→ work visa → long stay visa→ etc. Nowhere does it say one has to be expired before you can apply for another one...especially since the dtv only avtivates once I re-enter thailandBob **********
@Asia *******
no John is right they canceled before receiving a different visaดาร่า ********
@Asia *******
It's AWFUL to have two, if you cross immigration you will be turned away, it happened to me. I had 3 days left on my Non-O and entered with an fresh TR 60 day I got at the Los Angeles embassy. Don't risk it, just don't do it.John **********
@Asia *******
they change from one to the other by first cancelling one then applying for the other. A DTV is active the moment it is issued, the 5 year clock starts right then.Asia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
that is not true. It activates when you enter thailand with itRoxana ******
@Asia *******
no. Do your homework.John **********
@Asia *******
no it is active, as it the 5 years start from the point it is issued but you need to enter Thailand to get stamped in on it which would be for 180 days from the point of entryJames ********
Nope...look at the DATE ISSUED PLUS 5 YEARS... that is the important date a DTV visa is valid.
DTV_Be*******
@Asia *******
- Again, you are wrong. What do you mean by the term “activates”? The visa is has a validity start and end date. It is a valid visa as soon as it is issued. You are not allowed to have two valid visas. You mentioned ED and work visas - so you must know that you have to actively submit paperwork to end them before you exit Thailand and as you know you can’t apply for a DTV while in Thailand, so you literally terminate the visa or it expires, you travel to another country and then apply for the DTVAnonymous ******************
@Asia *******
The DTV is valid for 5 years from the issuance date. There are notices on embassies websites warning you can't stay in Thailand during the process. Finally, people have to cancel their visa before applying for the DTV since you can't hold two visas at the same time.Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
DTV_Be*******
Two issues here - you are supposed to stay in the jurisdiction where your visa is being processed and you are only allowed one valid visa at a time. If you had a METV, if they notice it, they will cancel your application and you will lose your application fee.
Asia ********
ORIGINAL POSTERDTV_BegPecker the Thai immigration officer told me i could apply for a dtv, so i will listen to her
Brandon ************
@Asia *******
Thai immigration know nothing about how embassies work. It's a completely different government agency.Anonymous ******************
@Asia *******
If they don’t have the full context (like applying in Thailand on a METV), plus the language barrier and heavy workload, what one officer says isn’t always accurate, unfortunately.DTV_Be*******
@Asia *******
- Curious, what Thai immigration officer told you that? Also, just for clarity, visas are reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is a completely differently government agency than the Dept of Immigration, but happy that you got guidance from a different agency not responsible for issuing visasReply to
DTV_Be*******
Reply
Maksym ***********
Anyway you will not get DTV while METV visa is active, so you can return back 😅
Copper*******
@Maksym **********
you know nothing , can get dtv while still having an active Metv, just enter on dtv when it's approvedAsia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Maksym **********
not true at all, so I dont even know why you bothered answering with a stupid laughing emojiMaksym ***********
@Asia *******
I have friends that have same issue, and minimum 3 cases in group. Embassy can't issue DTV while any other open TR Visa exists. They will ask to cancel it first. So you can get your stupid comment back to you 🤷Asia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Maksym **********
that is your friends, and im sure that they dont override what an actual thai immigration officer specifically told me soBrandon ************
@Asia *******
immigration officers do not work at embassies.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
DTV_Be*******
@Asia *******
That is true!Reply to
DTV_Be*******
Reply
John *********
Just follow the rules, no leaving Indonesia or say bye bye to the dtv. Either you want it or uou don't 🤔
Asia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ********
please show me where it says you cant leave the country you apply in. Im really trying to get real written rules, not conjecture....so please paste the rule here if you canJohn *********
@Asia *******
just follow the rules or face the consequences, don’t try to use western logic in Thailand, the prize is a 5 year DTV, which works exceptionally well, seamless travel in and out of Thailand. GL keep us posted as to what the outcome isAsia ********
ORIGINAL POSTERDTV_BegPecker please post the whole thing, becausr I do not see this on the enbassy's page.
Todd *********
@Asia *******
you are clearly in over your head here. Listen to the advice. Rest in place until DTV is issued. Or prepare not to receive oneDTV_Be*******
@Asia *******
- You do realize you are coming across as hostile. You can be a little more proactive and do a search in the group and see the other applicants with METV and their cancellationsReply to
DTV_Be*******
Reply
Anonymous ******************
You risk being denied. You should already be staying in Indonesia instead of Malaysia.
Asia ********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 979 ugh...i guess we will head back to indonesia
Brandon ************
@Asia *******
you already broke the rules. If they ask to see your passport or call you in for an interview, they'll be able to see you left and will reject your application regardless of if you return.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
As a general rule you need to stay out of Thailand (preferably in the country you applied in).
Some people do get approval once in Thailand, but it generally causes the visa to be denied/rejected.
Some people do get approval once in Thailand, but it generally causes the visa to be denied/rejected.
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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