Do I need to be physically present in France to apply for a DTV visa at the Royal Thai Embassy?

Question

**Hello everyone!**

I hope you’re all doing well, and thank you for your input.

After going through this group and the official information several times, I still haven’t been able to find a clear answer for my specific situation.

I’m a **French citizen and permanent resident in France**, and I have proof of permanent residence. I would like to apply for the DTV through the **Royal Thai Embassy in France**, but I will be abroad in Asia when submitting the application and will remain abroad for the coming month.

I’ve checked the official website several times, and I cannot find any requirement stating that I must be **physically present in France** when submitting the application, or that I must remain in France while the application is being processed. The application and supporting documents are submitted online.

I’m specifically referring to the **new DTV requirements effective from 31 August 2026**, where **“Document indicating current location” was replaced by “Proof of permanent residence in the country where the visa application is submitted.”**

So, could anyone please provide an **official source** (Thai Embassy, MFA, Thai e-Visa website, etc.) stating that, under the rules effective from 31 August 2026, an applicant must be physically present in their country of permanent residence when submitting a DTV application and/or must remain there until a decision is made?

I’ve seen many different answers in this group, but so far I haven’t seen anyone provide an official source for this physical-presence requirement.

**Also, is this physical-presence requirement a uniform rule established by the Thai MFA/e-Visa system and applicable to all embassies and consulates, or is it something that can be required at the discretion of each individual embassy/consulate?**

I’m not looking for personal experiences or assumptions — I’m simply trying to understand the **current written rule following the 31 August 2026 update**.

**Thank you! 🙏**

Ask Thailand · Answer

A French citizen and permanent resident in France seeks clarification on whether they are required to be physically present in France to apply for a DTV visa at the Royal Thai Embassy while being abroad. The inquiry references new DTV requirements effective from August 31, 2026, which replaced a previous requirement with one focusing on proof of permanent residence. The user is looking for official confirmation regarding the physical presence aspect during the application process, amidst differing opinions and interpretations within the community.

Malik ******* · Answer

Alright, thank you everyone for your answers and input.

I actually went through the specific DTV visa webpage of the Royal Thai Embassy in France, and it does not mention any requirement to be physically present in the country when applying.

The information some of you provided (and thank you very much for that) is actually found on the Embassy’s general E-Visa information page. I simply hadn’t seen that section, so thank you again for pointing it out.

As for the comments suggesting that I’m trying to circumvent the rules or waste my money: that’s not my intention at all. I’m simply trying to understand how the new rules effective from 31 August 2026 apply to my specific situation, based on the official information available.

So there’s really no need to be judgmental. I’m asking a legitimate question because the information on the DTV-specific page and the general E-Visa guidance are not entirely clear when read together.

Thanks again to everyone who provided useful information.

Malik ******* · Answer

Alright, thank you everyone for your answers and input.

I actually went through the specific DTV visa webpage of the Royal Thai Embassy in France, and it does not mention any requirement to be physically present in the country when applying.

The information some of you provided (and thank you very much for that) is actually found on the Embassy’s general E-Visa information page. I simply hadn’t seen that section, so thank you again for pointing it out.

As for the comments suggesting that I’m trying to circumvent the rules or waste my money: that’s not my intention at all. I’m simply trying to understand how the new rules effective from 31 August 2026 apply to my specific situation, based on the official information available.

So there’s really no need to be judgmental. I’m asking a legitimate question because the information on the DTV-specific page and the general E-Visa guidance are not entirely clear when read together.

Thanks again to everyone who provided useful information.

James ******** · Answer

You're in denial of the DTV visa rules.

Good luck with wasting your $$$ by not being in France to submit your DTV visa application.

Don ******* · Answer

Over and under for Malik succeeding in getting his DTV? 🧐

DTV_Be******* · Answer

Did you not even take the time to check the website for the Thai embassy in Paris for making this post, demanding that others most show you concrete proof? There are two unique elements. The DTV visa specifically requires you to apply via the embassy that matches your nationality/permanent residency.  This means you can no longer apply via one of the embassies in the neighboring countries.  However, general Thai e-visa requirements (not just for DTV), require you to be in the jurisdiction of the embassy that you are applying via.  This second rule is not DTV specific. I have shared a screenshot from the embassy’s website.  If you want, you can go to the page and read it in French language.  It says a reason for rejection is not being in the jurisdiction or leaving the jurisdiction before the visa is approved.  If you go to the e-visa website, one is the first questions it asks before assigning you to the appropriate embassy is “where are you physically?”. If you don’t enter that you are physically in France, your application doesn’t get sent to the embassy in France.  Hope that clears it up for you and hope you do a ounce of your own research next time

Dca ***** · Answer

> [url redacted]

Andy ***** · Answer

This requirement has always been in effect since the DTV started. You HAVE to be PHYSICALLY present in the country where you apply.

The only thing that changed on August 31 is the requirement that you can ONLY apply in the country where you have permanent residence. Also, they now require a police certificate.

In your case, you have to go back to France and apply there - and you have to stay in the country until your visa is processed. No other way.

Brandon ************ · Answer

The e-visa application specifically asks you where you are PHYSICALLY located, and when you enter that into the application, it will point your application to the embassy that matches that physical location.  You cannot apply at that embassy, as you are not a citizen or permanent resident, therefore you cannot apply until you are PHYSICALLY present in France, so that you are within their jurisdiction. That's also why the visa application very specifically asks you for proof of your current location.

John ********** · Answer

To apply through the Thai embassy in France you must be physically present within the jurisdiction of that embassy and remain there until the visa process completes. As you are a French citizen you have no option but to return to France to apply for a DTV

Will ************ · Answer

Stop trying to get round the rules,  its back to France you go to apply and you remain there until approval or refused.

Do I need to be physically present in France to apply for a DTV visa at the Royal Thai Embassy?

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