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How long do you have to enter Thailand after your DTV is approved?
Dec 16, 2025
4 months ago
Jazzie *****
ORIGINAL POSTERCommon Question:
How long do you have to enter the Kingdom after your DTV is approved?
This is directly from the official site.  I’ve seen many people misinformed others by stating they have five years to enter for the first time. You have 90 days.
😃
How long do you have to enter the Kingdom after your DTV is approved?
This is directly from the official site.  I’ve seen many people misinformed others by stating they have five years to enter for the first time. You have 90 days.
😃
TLDR : Answer Summary
After your Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) is approved, you must enter Thailand within 90 days to activate the visa. However, once you enter, the DTV allows you to stay in the country for up to 5 years, during which you can come and go freely.
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- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Anonymous ******************
There is no “activation period” for multiple entry visas. They are active from the moment they are issued. I personally have previously entered 5 months after a multiple entry tourist visa was issued due to plans changing and there were no issues.
People are conflating things like consular offices trying streamline applications to those entering in the near future and the visa validity field on single entry visas like a Non-Immigrant O, B, ED or a single entry tourist visa where the visa itself is only valid for 90 days and you must enter to get your initial permission of stay.
People are conflating things like consular offices trying streamline applications to those entering in the near future and the visa validity field on single entry visas like a Non-Immigrant O, B, ED or a single entry tourist visa where the visa itself is only valid for 90 days and you must enter to get your initial permission of stay.
Rex ******
You can apply as early as 90 days prior the date of planned arrival.
Once the DTV is issued you have the option of arrive earlier or later than the date you have stated in the application. You have 5 years to utilise the visa.
Once the DTV is issued you have the option of arrive earlier or later than the date you have stated in the application. You have 5 years to utilise the visa.
Biff *******
That’s not what that says or means.
You should not APPLY for the visa more than three months before you intend to use it.
In no way shape or form does that mean you HAVE to enter the kingdom within three months of approval.
You must enter within the validity of the visa which with a DTV is five years from the date of approval
You should not APPLY for the visa more than three months before you intend to use it.
In no way shape or form does that mean you HAVE to enter the kingdom within three months of approval.
You must enter within the validity of the visa which with a DTV is five years from the date of approval
Andrew ********
Yes I have seen this too - its a 5 year visa yes but like any visa you have to enter the kingdom within 90 days to activate it once you do that you can come and go as you please
Jazzie *****
ORIGINAL POSTERThe DTV is valid for up to 5 years after activation, but the visa is issued based on an intended arrival date, and first entry is expected within that travel window — not years later.
Jazzie *****
ORIGINAL POSTERI have a visa so if others applying want to listen to those stating otherwise, go ahead. Good luck on your process. Enjoy the Kingdom. 💕
Pete *******
The recommended time window to apply for the DTV is irrelevant to the visa validity period once granted. As others have said once granted you have a five year time window in which to enter Thailand.
Andrew ********
@Pete ******
not true - all visas you have to enter the kingdom within 90 days to activate the visa with the DTV once you activate it you can come.and go as you please. All visas must be used with in 90 days of approval letter or you have to re-applyPete *******
@Andrew *******
complete nonsenseAndrew ********
@Pete ******
- well this was what I was informed on my student visa - must enter the kingdom in 90 days to use it - as any visa however as we all know this is all confusing and no one has waited more than 90 days to enter the kingdom with their DTV so this is all just speculation anywayPete *******
@Andrew *******
The student visa requirements are irrelevant to the DTV requirements, does your brain lack coherent thought?Reply to
Pete *******
Reply
Jazzie *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pete ******
The DTV does not function as a ‘get it now, enter anytime within 5 years’ visa. The e-Visa system requires an intended arrival date and restricts applications to within 3 months of that date, which indicates expected first entry timing. The 5 years refers to overall visa validity after activation, not a 5-year grace period before first entry.Pete *******
@Jazzie ****
complete nonsense.Anonymous ******************
@Jazzie ****
That’s not how it works for multiple entry visas. The reason why they don’t want people applying more than 3 months out is so that they can prioritize applicants who are intending to arrive sooner. While, IIRC, Immigration can see your intended date of arrival when you enter using any visa, they don’t really care if it is sooner or later than that date since plans change.
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
John **********
Actually if you provide a travel date more than 3 months out from your application they won't process it, but once you have been issued the DTV you have 5 years in which you can enter.
John **********
@Jazzie ****
you can, once you have the visa in hand. The 3 months is to do with the application, the 5 years is to do with travelReply to
John **********
Reply
Greg ********
The Embassies and Consulates "Ask" that you do not apply more than three months ahead of your intended arrival. There is no date it must be used by once issued except for the 5 year validity. It is a bit rich you commenting on others reading comprehension while offering your services as a relocation consultant. You know Sweet FA.
Dani ******
Don't be so cringy. This is copy pasted from other visa processes, for most of them it's 3 months. Not for DTV.
Jazzie *****
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat’s cringe about simply following what’s on an official website?
Reply to
Jazzie *****
Reply
Jazzie *****
ORIGINAL POSTERYou need to enter Thailand within 90 days of receiving your visa. It’s valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.
Kurt *************
@Jazzie ****
show me the proof.. i have dtv and was never told or have seen thisGreg ********
@Jazzie ****
You call yourself a relocation consultant and are completely wrong about information you are pretending to know. How embarrassing.Jazzie *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
Greg this is from the official site. I’m not embarrassed for going based on what Thai officials have written. Besides if you apply for a 5 year visa why would one wait five years to use it?
Has anyone shared their experience of waiting 5 years to use the visa?
Reply to
Jazzie *****
Reply
Marianne ********
@Jazzie ****
No.Reply to
Marianne ********
Reply
Marianne ********
The DTV is valid for 5 years.
You have 5 years to enter Thailand.
You have 5 years to enter Thailand.
Andrew ********
@Marianne *******
incorrect the visa validity is 5 years you must enter the kingdom in 90 days. My student visa is 1 year - i had to be in thailand in 90 days from approval to use it or else re-apply same with the DTV - this is where people get confused its good for 5 years once it activated - its not active untill you stamp in with immigration you have 90 days to come to do it from approval letterJazzie *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marianne *******
Reading comprehension is fundamental. 😘Marianne ********
@Jazzie ****
So if you know it all, why are you asking? You have 5 years to enter Thailand with the DTV.
The 3 months is the recommendation because most other visas have a 3 month validity.
The application form is the same for all the visas, and the only thing that changes is the options for some of the dropdowns. The recommendation stays the same.
But I repeat.
You have the entire duration of your DTV Visa ( 5 years ) to enter Thailand for the first time.
Jazzie *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marianne *******
Reading comprehension is fundamental. Have a lovely day. 😘Biff *******
@Jazzie ****
it is fundamental, yes. However, it would appear that you are struggling with that very thing.Bob **********
@Jazzie ****
Enter in 3 months if you insist but I believe it’s 5 years alsoGreg ********
@Jazzie ****
You really are embarrassing yourself here. Not only that but doubling down on the ignorance.Marianne ********
Reply to
Marianne ********
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