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Should I go to immigration if my DTV is approved after I arrive in Thailand using entry on arrival?

Thai visa application Entry on arrival DTV activation Immigration process Visa types Travel from the USA to Thailand

Apr 23, 2025

a day ago

Aspen ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I sent my application to the Thai Embassy in Washington DC this past weekend, and I am waiting for approval. I'm considering booking a flight from America to Thailand for this coming weekend. I assume that the application won't be decided by the time I arrive in Bangkok. I will use the "entry on arrival" 60 day. The flight will be booked as a roundtrip with a return in June. If my DTV is approved after I arrive should I go to emigration or can I wait until I leave? Any issues?

Thanks.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is waiting for approval of their DTV visa application while planning to fly to Thailand, using the entry on arrival option. They seek advice on whether they need to go to immigration once their DTV is approved, or if they can wait until their departure. Responses emphasize that a visa approval doesn't require immediate action at immigration while in Thailand, but caution about potentially needing to show proof of onward travel to the airline before departure.

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Michael ************

Best of luck to you. I hope things work out.

10 hours ago

John **********

Why would you risk your visa application by doing that? The Washington embassy clearly states that it won't issue a visa to people who are currently inside Thailand

16 hours ago

Aspen ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

I'm not in Thailand. I'm in America now

16 hours ago

John **********

@Aspen *****

yes but you appear to be planning to be in Thailand before the visa gets issued. It's the point of issue that's mentioned

16 hours ago

Aspen ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I've read on this site where others have had a similar question. They had flights booked but no visa confirmation when they left. The same answers were given that I too received here. That the APPLICATION needed to be from another country, and that entering before that approval wasn't a disqualifier. Can you site where it says that I must wait for approval before I enter? If you can, then you are right and everyone else is wrong. If not then I have to go with the consensus. It's Tuesday night here and my flight is booked for Saturday, so there's a chance by Friday its done and this is all moot. If not, I guess we will find out what happens, because my tickets are non=refundable

15 hours ago

Helen ********

@Aspen *****

people who do this need to understand it's a risk and you could be denied and lose your fee. While some people have been successful with it and others haven't, it's random chance. Some people have been called in for interviews, asked for all passport pages after submission and other information. There are also comments from various people who were questioned when they tried to enter on the DTV on a border run when the IO noticed the visa issue date was while they were in Thailand.

12 hours ago

Reply to

Helen ********

Anna *********

What if you get asked to provide proof of where you are or extra documents? Big OOPS 😬

20 hours ago

Nongnuch ********

@Aspen *****

The only downside you need to consider, is . . . . . . you might expect the airline asking for an onward travel proof out of Thailand within the 60 days you will get stamped in when you enter without a visa. Other than that, just await the Email response and the affirmation to a DTV. You then only need to do a border run to activate your DTV

a day ago

Aspen ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Nongnuch *******

thanks. I'd like to wait but it's better to go now. I'm booking round trip so it isn't a problem. I will be visiting Chiang Mai so maybe a one day border run to Laos when the email arrives.

18 hours ago

Reply to

Aspen ******

Brandon ************

You cannot use your visa except when entering Thailand. Going to immigration won't do anything. Your airline might require you to show proof of a ticket leaving Thailand within 60 days if you travel without a visa.

a day ago

Aspen ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

I'm booking a round trip.

18 hours ago

Wannikea *********

@Aspen *****

yes but the departure date must be within the time you'd initially be stamped in for, 59 days from arrival.

16 hours ago

Reply to

Wannikea *********