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How can I activate my DTV visa while on a tourist visa in Thailand?
DTV VisaThailand ImmigrationCookery School VisaVisa RulesBorder RunTourist Visa ExemptionVisa Requirements
Sep 26, 2025
7 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi everyone, I just got my DTV visa approved with Soft Power (cooking school). I got the approval while I am currently staying in Thailand with tourist visa exemption (90days). I know this is not the best practice, but I had to do that for family emergency reasons.
I guess I will just have to do a border run to activate the DTV. Looking for people who did that and were not having problems! 😂 Hope everything will go smoothly 🙏 thanks
I guess I will just have to do a border run to activate the DTV. Looking for people who did that and were not having problems! 😂 Hope everything will go smoothly 🙏 thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the approval of a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) for a cooking school while the author is in Thailand on a tourist visa exemption. They are considering a border run to activate the DTV and seek experiences from others who have done the same. However, several commenters express concerns about the legality and potential consequences of this approach, warning that it might result in a refusal of entry due to being in Thailand during application approval. Others share their experiences of successful border runs, advising the use of agent services and sharing requirements for the DTV visa.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Ashi ********
Do border run with agent
Grecia ***********
What cooking school? Looking for the same?
Mark **************
What are the requirements for the DTV for cooking classes. How many classes and duration cheers
Anonymous ******************
They don’t care, lots of people have done this. Just a quick border run amd ignore the miserable fear mongerers
Bob **********
So you have proof that you were in Thailand when the DTV was approved depending on the IO he can cancel your DTV
Tommi *******
What are the requirements for the DTV for cooking classes. How many classes and duration?
John *********
Highly likely they will refuse entry as they will see you were in Thailand whilst applying, no one should break the rules in Thailand the penalties can be severe. You could easily refused entry. I see why you are anonymous 🙄
Anonymous ******************
I was in this situation and came back into thailand fine at the end of my tourist exemption
Anonymous ******************
Don't complain if immigration sees you were in Thailand when DTV was approved and rejects your entry. Using the least legitimate and stupid DTV method (short cooking class) and disregarding the rules by being in Thailand already.... Good luck.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 340 Debbie downer ??? lol
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Amornrat **********
Use a Safe Entry service and explain them this situation.
Kurt *************
@Amornrat *********
i would not try to complicate it more by trying to point it out.Reply to
Kurt *************
Reply
Sascha **********
My friend did this in February. Myanmar border at Ranong. No questions asked. She got the visa in HCMC in December
John **********
Your lucky you got away with that. A visa exempt stamp is for 60 days, not 90.
Stephan ***********
@John *********
Got away? Well... it's not done yet... if the IO at the re-entry has a bad day and check the latest stamps he might refuse to stamp in a DTV... wouldn't that be funny...? 😁John **********
@Stephan **********
that would be unusualStephan ***********
@John *********
Yep... true... but it happened already... there are posts in the group about. Anyhow... staying outside the country where you apply before the visa is granted or denied is clearly against the rules... so... actually this visa now is void. Whatever the reasons are... bending the rules is not really the best start for a new "resident" in Thailand, no?Marianne ********
@Stephan **********
I have not seen anyone get rejected by Immigration in Thailand when already granted the DTV visa for this reason?Just people not getting the visa granted.
Helen ********
@Marianne *******
All it would take is the IO noticing the date of issue on the visa and the entry/exit history. A few people posted about it happening last year but it wasn't common and there is nothing recent. Most did get let in but some had to get an "assist" to explain why the visa was issued in another country when they were physically in Thailand. Of course, impossible to say if it actually happened or if people just wanted attention.Stephan ***********
@Marianne *******
It happens rarely, that's correct. The OP will get the stamp, I'm pretty sure.Reply to
Stephan ***********
Reply
Dyego ***************
@John *********
there are very few contraries that are 90 days. So, don’t take as granted your own situation. A research is always good ☺️😃Kieran *******
@Dyego **************
🇧🇷? :)John **********
@Kieran ******
not for visa exemptDyego ***************
@James *******
correct. He doesn’t know what he’s saying but he’s completely sure about it 🤡😁John **********
@Dyego **************
before you start with clown emoticons can I suggest you look at the 2 graphics I posted above. You will clearly see that Brazil is on the list of countries that can enter visa exempt and get stamped in for 60 days. Brazil is also on the list that get a Visa On Arrival which gives them 90 days but that involves purchasing a visa on landing in Thailand for 2000 baht, rather obviously this is not a visa exempt entry.Dyego ***************
@John *********
you are wrong again. I’m Brazilian and I got a 90 days stamp without buying any visa. Do you want to know more than me, fellow?Please, I don’t have anything against you but against your obnoxious behaviour wanting to know something that you don’t.
Dyego ***************
@John *********
Brazil is not there, happy now? 😁Milos **********
@John *********
My husband is Argentinean and he always gets a 90 day stamp. Its visa free, not visa on arrival. As far as I know, the same goes for Brazilians.Dyego ***************
@John *********
gosh, please make some research. YES for visa exempt.John **********
@Dyego **************
you seem to be confusing Visa Exempt and Visa On Arrival. Brazil passports can get both, one is 60 days and one is 90 daysJames ********
@Dyego **************
as a Brazilian passport holder... Yes 90 day stamp on arrival. One of only a few nations with such an agreement with Thailand.John **********
@James *******
the dangers of AI. A VOA is not a visa exempt entry, nor is it a visa waiver, one buys a visa for 2000 baht at the airport when you arrive.Dyego ***************
@John *********
you’re absolutely and extremely confused. It’s not even worth to try to literate you about it. Lol. The most annoying type of person is the one that things that he/she is right when is completely wrong. lol. Have a nice day.Anonymous ******************
@John *********
90 days without visa 🤡Dyego ***************
@Kieran ******
yes, for exemple 😁Kieran *******
@Dyego **************
I know because I’m always jealous of my Brazilian friend 😂Reply to
Kieran *******
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