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How do I activate my DTV visa after coming to Thailand before its approval?

Jun 21, 2025
10 months ago
My DTV visa was approved, but I have already left my home country and come to Thailand. In order to activate the visa, I need to leave Thailand, and re-enter. Has anyone done this, or had any issues doing it? Asking because the Dtv visa application asks for last Port of embarkation, flight number, etc.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The DTV visa requires activation by leaving Thailand and re-entering. Many expats who faced similar situations advise that it is usually straightforward. Recommendations include printing the visa approval PDF, flying out to a nearby country (like Malaysia) and returning with the approval document to show at immigration. Some community members suggest that prior flight details have no weight on the actual re-entry process. General sentiment reassures newcomers not to worry too much, as other expats have successfully done this without issues.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Kris *****
So many fear-mongers in here. You'll be totally fine. Everybody that I know that has the DTV, every single one of them are just like you, went to Thailand while waiting for the approval. Zero have had an issue. Don't overthink or stress it. Just hop out and back in.
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Sunshine ********
DTV is a tourist visa. U will be fine. Just go out and come bck.
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Henrik *****
You have breached the conditions about having to apply and stay outside Thailand in the entire visa processing period, so you are in risk of getting your DTV canceled and loose the whole 10.000+ baht visafee fee.
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Jennie *********
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Anonymous ******************
It's fine. Once a dtv is issued you can come and go as often and from any country. You're over thinking this
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Wannikea *********
Just go to your local immigration office and ask them to activate it
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Anonymous ******************
Seriously don't over think it. You will be fine. Fly out and back in. Nothing is going to happen. I've been fine and nothing has been said.
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James ********
Congratulations on getting the DTV visa...

Lucky you 🍀... your were not asked for a personal INTERVIEW or ASKED for COPIES of EACH PAGE of your passport be before approval granted.

You were to stay in the country where you applied for the DTV visa... but chose not to follow the rules 😔
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Stephan ***********
If the immigration officer has a bad day someone can say "Sayonara" to the DTV and "Hello, Welcome" to a fresh, crispy, visa exempt stamp. Som Nam Na... 😁
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Tod *********
You are far from the first person who came to thailand BEFORE their DTV was approved.

Just print out the PDF they emailed you <- because that IS your visa 🙂

Then fly out and back, stamping out on the free stamp entry you're most likely here on and give the PDF along with your passport to the officer when you stamp back in

You can fly to KL in the morning and right back that afternoon (don't even need to go thru Malaysia passport control just stay in the transit area if you want) you just have to show your boarding pass from KL to Bangkok when you stamp in if you don't get a Malay entry stamp

What you filled out when you APPLIED for the DTV has no bearing on how you actually enter the country, it was a proposed flight plan 🙂

Don't forget to fill out a TDAC when you come back in to the country (either online before your flight back OR at the aiport at the kiosks when you land here
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Greg ********
There is another guy in the group reckons you can activate it just by going to immigration at airport or an office - give it a go and let us know how it goes! 🙂 🙂
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
reddit level humor
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Andi ***********
@Greg *******
What's next, activation done @
****
?
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Greg ********
@Andi **********
Only if there is a Immigration Department SOP which the guy wants access to
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Greg ********
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Anonymous ******************
@Greg *******
Definitely recommended.
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Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
Just go find out yourself... 😂 I mean you've already tried your luck when coming back during application.
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Anonymous ******************
Dont worry its OK.
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Anonymous ******************
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