Do I need to be in the US to apply for a DTV Visa if I'm currently traveling?

Oct 27, 2024
2 months ago
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm a US citizen. On round the world trip currently.

I flew from Bangkok to Malaysia to exit Thailand so I could apply for the DTV Visa.

Am I misunderstanding something -- do I need to be physically in the US to apply for the DTV through the e-visa option?

Have no intention of flying back to the US this year.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A US citizen traveling from Thailand to apply for a DTV visa does not need to be back in the US. Instead, applicants must be in a foreign country and apply through the corresponding Thai embassy or consulate. Different countries have varying application processes and requirements, so it's essential to research the specific embassy's rules where the applicant is physically located.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Henrik *****
Sounds like your only short time in the countrys you visit, then no need to choose DTV, several other options with lesser requirements, if only being short time in Thailand.
Paul *******
No need to fly back to America. However, you do need to find a foreign country to apply in and wait there for the visa to be issued.

Good choices include Jakarta, Taipei, Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, Laos, Cambodia and Yangon, Myanmar.
마리오 ***
I maintain a mailbox in Seattle and used that as my address when I applied for the DTV online via the LA consulate. Same address that was on the bank statements I submitted.

I was in the Philippines when I applied. I probably could have applied at the embassy in Manila but it would have been a PITA for me to travel there to do it at the time.
마리오 ***
@Nick ******
took about two weeks. After a week I emailed asking about the status and they responded with “We will email you request for further documents.”. They never did though, was approved 3 days later.
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@마리오 **
thanks so much!
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@마리오 **
how long did it take you to get approved after applying?
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@마리오 **
yes I do the same thing. Permanent virtual mailbox in Texas.

Others were saying they had to provide a utility bill which I don't have since I sold my house and have been traveling.
Princess ********************
U don’t have to go back to Thailand it’s all online they just want to know where u comin from n how u coming in um in the same boat traveling Asia for a few years
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Princess *******************
yes I read from others in the group you have to select the country you're currently in which seems so odd that you can't apply online through one of the Thai embassies in USA.

I think the information/procedure is different for other countries.

The online info isn't matching up with what other members in the group are doing.
Princess ********************
@Nick ******
if u gonna be in Thailand a lot get the dtv it’s good for 5 years n it’s in n out might save u a lot of time
Tod *********
@Nick ******
you need to park yourself in a country long enough to get the DTV application thru the eVisa system at a consulate in that and get it approved. So about 5 working days from the date you apply

BOTH consulates in Lao are "walk up" consulates <- meaning you apply in person, not via the eVisa online system BUT you need to book an appt at those consulates to get IN the gate to apply and they both have 3 working day processing (apply one day pick up the passport 2 working days later.

BOTH consulates in Vietnam have eVisa system and you apply online depending on where you are staying IN vietnam <- they post they can have 5 business days processing

SO

if you want a DTV to thailand you're gonna have to put your round the world trip on hold and stay IN a country long enough to apply for the DTV wait for the processing, get the visa approved THEN you can go your merry way
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
ty - I wasn't aware it was based on physical location. Was planning to head to Vietnam next and stay there a month or longer.

Appreciate the info 🙌
Tod *********
@Nick ******
then apply online thru either Hanoi or HCMC once you're there.

you show proof you're in vietnam by your visa/entry stamp and use the hotel where you're staying as the address there

To use the thai consulate in HCMC you have to be in one of these places

otherwise you use Hanoi when you apply
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Wannikea *********
Honestly, you've been in the group for 6 weeks, you asked about applying a few days ago stating you're a US RESIDENT, but failed to say you're not currently in America. You got advice on how to apply from America, but you're not there. Waste of time. Everything you need to know is in the voluminous previous posts in this group.
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
It was my understanding that you had to apply based on your residency, not just where you physically are today? Right?

I'm only in Malaysia for few days before going to Laos and Vietnam
Helen ********
@Nick ******
no, for the majority, you apply where you are physically located not based on your home country or residency. Some countries do not let you apply unless you have residency. Every embassy has somewhat different rules so you need to check before you head somewhere.
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Helen *******
oh man. This sounds like it's going to be overly complicated.
Helen ********
@Nick ******
it's not really, don't overthink it. Figure out where you are thinking of applying and check the embassies requirements. If you can't apply there, then look at somewhere else... check those requirements. If you can apply there, arrange travel and get the documents you need organized. The embassy will make it clear if you can apply there or not.
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Helen *******
ty! I didn't realize any of this. Glad I asked before I started application today.

Will check a few embassy requs today.

Thanks again 🙌
John *******
@Nick ******
- You will need to stay in that country roughly a week. However, some are quicker and some are longer now, so need to be flexible
Wannikea *********
@Nick ******
and you're a travel advisor? 😂
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wannikea ********
pharmacist - was this meant to be funny?
John *******
You can apply via the Malaysia embassy (make sure you pick the right one, as there are multiple consulates in Malaysia) using the e-visa platform. You have to be physically in Malaysia when applying online though. Many have highlighted that the consulates in Malaysia are some of the more difficult embassies to apply through (aka, asking for much more documentation than other embassies).
Alexander *********
@John ******
Hi John!

Do you know if people are still finding it hard in Malaysia after they switched to online process?
John *******
@Alexander ********
- Not sure, but it would be reviewed by the same people. So not sure how they would end up being easier.
Alexander *********
@John ******
Okay thank you!

Would be really convenient to do Malaysia but this sounds uncertain 🤔
Nick *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
ty for sharing this & very helpful. Didn't realize there were different requirements for each location.
Jens ********
make sure you have proof of being in MY… stamp in passport (no autogate), some booking confirmation from hotel… whenever you upload more pdfs, make sure to connect them so it is one file only.
Tony ********
You can apply at most (all?) thai embassies but they must be outside of Thailand. So you could head to KL and apply there. Doesn’t have to be the country of your passport.
Elías ********
@Tony *******
Not all, but, yeah, most of them. In some it's done online, while in some is done offline. Don't know about Malaysia specifically.