Do I need to stay two nights in Laos to use my DTV visa to re-enter Thailand?

Visa Rules DTV Visa Visa Exempt Entry Border Bounce Thailand Immigration Travel to Laos

Oct 21, 2024

15 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

We are currently in Thailand on a visa-exempt entry, but since arriving have received our DTV visas. If we go to Laos to re-enter using those visas, do we need to stay the two nights required by a border bounce? Or should we be able to reenter immediately since we have a valid visa. Thanks for any help you can offer!

365

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

If you are entering Laos to activate your DTV visa, you should be able to re-enter Thailand immediately without the need for a two-night stay typically associated with border bounces. The requirement for an overnight stay applies specifically to certain border crossings. Many users have confirmed that only specific crossings like Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong require a one-night stay, and since you are re-entering with a valid visa, no additional overnight stay should be necessary.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Angeil ********

I just did this… 1 night is fine bc you’re not returning on the tourist visa.

15 days ago

Katie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Angeil *******

what border did you go through?

15 days ago

Katie *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Oh gotcha. This is very different than our situation. I am aware this will work! But looking for experiences crossing the Laos border by land specifically

14 days ago

Angeil ********

@Katie ********

I flew to Malaysia for $60 and returned to Thailand the next day

14 days ago

Reply to

Angeil ********

Brandon ************

Only Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong are known to require one night out of Thailand, not 2. Whether they consider you leaving and returning with a visa a border bounce or not is difficult to know. If you are using a different border, you shouldn't have any issues.

15 days ago

Jan ******************

You should be able to re-enter immediately as you’re not doing a border bounce just activating a valid visa. Not all borders to Laos require two nights out anyway.

15 days ago

Luit *****************

@Jan *****************

DTV visa is active from the moment it is granted, on each entry in the country from that moment on, you will be given a stamp for a 180 day stay.

The state of the visa will be valid for a period of 5 years starting from the moment of issue, no matter if you enter zero or many times.

15 days ago

Jan ******************

@Luit ****************

The visa is valid and active five years from issue date, but you’ll need to activate and get the 180 days stay the visa gives you anyway. This can’t be done inside Thailand.

14 days ago

Luit *****************

@Jan *****************

I don't see there is anything to activate, you will get entry stamps that each give you the right to stay, but that does not change status of the visa, that is like you say valid and active 5 years from issue date, and you cannot activate something that is already active.

14 days ago

Jan ******************

@Luit ****************

This is quite common terminology. If you receive your tourist visa as a e-visa after you’ve entered Thailand on a visa exemption, you’ll need to leave and activate the stay the visa gives you anyway even though the visa is valid for 90 days after it’s issued. I’ll put a line here anyway.

14 days ago

Luit *****************

@Jan *****************

You should not receive an e-visa AFTER you entered Thailand, because that means you ignored the rules of not travelling to Thailand during application process.

14 days ago

Jan ******************

@Luit ****************

But sometimes the visa wasn’t issued in time and you needed to leave anyway because of your air ticket. Happens several times and a trip over the border activates the stay based on the visa anyway. I’ve never heard about this restriction regarding application process when you apply outside Thailand. Could you provide an accurate link please. 🙏

14 days ago

Luit *****************

@Jan *****************

Every country will have it's own website with rules, but it is a common rule for applying visa worldwide.

For Thai embassy in Netherlands this is the link:

************************************************************************

I think it is very clear and also logical.

IMPORTANT:

Thai Visa is for entering Thailand. It is therefore issued to those who are outside of Thailand and will visit Thailand. Therefore, your visa application will be rejected if you are already in Thailand during the visa process.

Royal Thai Embassy, The Hague, has the authority to provide visa service only to those who are in the Netherlands for the entire visa process. Therefore, your visa application will be rejected if you are outside of the Netherlands.

P.S.

When your flight is before the visa arrives, that does not mean visa is not issued in time, but it means you planned your flight wrong.

14 days ago

Reply to

Luit *****************

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Join the Group

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Can I enter Thailand while waiting for my DTV visa approval?

12 comments