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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 days ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi 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
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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.
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Ashi ********
Do border run with agent
5 days ago
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Grecia ***********
What cooking school? Looking for the same?
6 days ago
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Mark **************
What are the requirements for the DTV for cooking classes. How many classes and duration cheers
6 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
They don’t care, lots of people have done this. Just a quick border run amd ignore the miserable fear mongerers
6 days ago
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Bob **********
So you have proof that you were in Thailand when the DTV was approved depending on the IO he can cancel your DTV
6 days ago
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Tommi *******
What are the requirements for the DTV for cooking classes. How many classes and duration?
6 days ago
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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 🙄
7 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
I was in this situation and came back into thailand fine at the end of my tourist exemption
7 days ago
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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.
7 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 340 Debbie downer ??? lol
7 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
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Amornrat **********
Use a Safe Entry service and explain them this situation.
7 days ago
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Kurt *************
@Amornrat *********
 i would not try to complicate it more by trying to point it out.
7 days ago
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Kurt *************
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Sascha **********
My friend did this in February. Myanmar border at Ranong. No questions asked. She got the visa in HCMC in December
7 days ago
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John **********
Your lucky you got away with that. A visa exempt stamp is for 60 days, not 90.
7 days ago
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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...? 😁
7 days ago
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John **********
@Stephan **********
 that would be unusual
7 days ago
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Stephan ***********
@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?
7 days ago
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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.
7 days ago
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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.
6 days ago
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Stephan ***********
@Marianne *******
 It happens rarely, that's correct. The OP will get the stamp, I'm pretty sure.
6 days ago
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Stephan ***********
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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 ☺️😃
7 days ago
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Kieran *******
@Dyego **************
 🇧🇷? :)
7 days ago
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John **********
@Kieran ******
 not for visa exempt
7 days ago
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James ********
7 days ago
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Dyego ***************
@James *******
 correct. He doesn’t know what he’s saying but he’s completely sure about it 🤡😁
7 days ago
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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.
7 days ago
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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.
6 days ago
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John **********
@Dyego **************
6 days ago
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Dyego ***************
@John *********
 Brazil is not there, happy now? 😁
6 days ago
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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.
6 days ago
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James ********
@John *********
7 days ago
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Dyego ***************
@John *********
 gosh, please make some research. YES for visa exempt.
7 days ago
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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 days
7 days ago
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John **********
7 days ago
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James ********
@Dyego **************
 as a Brazilian passport holder... Yes 90 day stamp on arrival. One of only a few nations with such an agreement with Thailand.
7 days ago
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James ********
7 days ago
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James ********
7 days ago
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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.
7 days ago
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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.
7 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
@John *********
 90 days without visa 🤡
7 days ago
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Dyego ***************
@Kieran ******
 yes, for exemple 😁
7 days ago
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Kieran *******
@Dyego **************
 I know because I’m always jealous of my Brazilian friend 😂
7 days ago
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Reply to
Kieran *******
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