How long do I have to enter Thailand after my DTV visa is approved and what does it mean for my stay?

Thailand DTV visa Visa approval Entry periods Immigration rules Visa duration

Jan 25, 2025

3 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just to be clear, once you receive an email from the Thailand MFA notifying you than your DTV has been approved, do you then have up to five years to actually enter Thailand and get your passport stamped (not that anyone would actually wait that long)?  And then, once you’ve entered, does that mark the start of your first 180 day entry period, giving you ten periods (or roughly 5 years) to stay in Thailand?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Once your DTV visa is approved by the Thailand MFA, you can enter Thailand at any time within the next five years, but this five-year period starts from the approval date, not your first entry. Upon entering Thailand, you receive a 180-day stamp, which can be extended for an additional 180 days at a local immigration office. This means you will essentially have 10 periods of stay (180 days each) over five years, should you choose to make use of them.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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Wannikea *********

The visa has an issue date from the day it was approved and an expiry date in 5 years from the day it was approved. You can enter anytime as much as you want until that expiry date.

3 days ago

Anna *********

yes to the first question No to the second

3 days ago

George *******

@Anna ********

What is no to the second? Two 180 day periods in one year of your visa, multiply 2x5 years of visa = 10x 180 day periods ?

2 days ago

Anna *********

@George ******

not if you enter 4 years after getting the visa Then you get 2 x 180 days. It’s 5 years from getting the visa not from entering Thailand

2 days ago

George *******

@Anna ********

Anyone that does their first entry four years after getting the visa must have more money than sense

a day ago

Anna *********

@George ******

sure but they can making my original comment correct 😀

a day ago

Reply to

Anna *********

Jack ********

It’s the consulate that emails you a PDF. This is your visa and it starts the days it’s issued. When you enter Thailand you get 180 day entry stamp that can be extended once for 180 days for 1900 baht. The extension requirements depend on your location immigration office

3 days ago

Naomi ******

You can enter Thailand any time for 5 years after the visa is approved but the 5 years starts from the approval date, not your first date of entry.

3 days ago

Maurizio ***********

@Naomi *****

not correct! You have 3 months to get inside the country after visa has been approved! Then you are free to leave and come back when you want until the dtv is valid!

2 days ago

Nick *******

@Maurizio **********

wow! Please check your facts before making a statement like that that is totally incorrect. This group is here to help people not mislead them

19 hours ago

Anna *********

@Maurizio **********

not correct You can enter whenever you want 3 months, 23 months etc as long as it’s before the end date

2 days ago

Cissi *********

@Maurizio **********

wrong! The advise is to not apply for the visa more than 3 month before you travel and a visa application might be rejected if you apply with an intended travel date that is set more than 3 month ahead...

However, there is no rule that you have to enter within 3 month from the issue date of the visa, you can change your travel plans to a later date and the visa will still be valid.

2 days ago

Maurizio ***********

@Cissi ********

so, try it, and let us know if the officer will let you go in... I'd suggest to don't do it, as I would suggest to don't stay more than 180 days, otherwise soon or late someone will try to make you pay taxes on the amount you bring into the Country...

2 days ago

Cissi *********

@Maurizio **********

why would I?

As I wrote, the advise is to not apply more than 3 month before you're going to travel, so that is how I would do.

Instead, please post a link to where you have read that "you have 3 month to get inside the country after visa has been approved".

I have no problem to admit that I'm wrong, if that would be the case! 😉

2 days ago

Reply to

Cissi *********

Naomi ******

@Maurizio **********

really, I had no idea. It doesn't say that anywhere on the actual visa. It just has "valid from" and "valid until" dates on it.

2 days ago

Anna *********

@Naomi *****

cos Maurizio is incorrect

2 days ago

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