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What are my options for traveling to Thailand for a wedding when facing delays in my DTV application?
DTV ApplicationVisa Exempt EntryThailand Family VisitUK ImmigrationFlight ConfirmationTravel PlanningExpat ExperiencesVisa Processing Issues
Jan 6, 2026
4 months ago
Knowledgea***********
ORIGINAL POSTERDTV Application: London
Applied: 1 December 2025
Request for information: 06 January 2025
- London have requested a flight atleast 4 weeks from todays date.
- a confirmation letter stating i will remain in the UK.
- letter confirming what i do and that i wont do business with thai companies (i have already sent this)
I have a family wedding in Thailand on the 19th January. What are my options here? I'm honestly not going to book a flight thats over 4 weeks away as it defeats a large part of the purpose of my trip. Ive already had to cancel a flight on 31 December. If I'm unable to fly before the wedding, I'll just cut my losses and do Vietnam instead.
Any help or sharing of similar experiences is appreciated.
Applied: 1 December 2025
Request for information: 06 January 2025
- London have requested a flight atleast 4 weeks from todays date.
- a confirmation letter stating i will remain in the UK.
- letter confirming what i do and that i wont do business with thai companies (i have already sent this)
I have a family wedding in Thailand on the 19th January. What are my options here? I'm honestly not going to book a flight thats over 4 weeks away as it defeats a large part of the purpose of my trip. Ive already had to cancel a flight on 31 December. If I'm unable to fly before the wedding, I'll just cut my losses and do Vietnam instead.
Any help or sharing of similar experiences is appreciated.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user has applied for a DTV visa at the Thai Embassy in London and faces a delay requiring a flight confirmation over four weeks away, conflicting with their planned attendance at a family wedding in Thailand on January 19. Responses from the community suggest options including booking a changeable/refundable ticket, considering visa exemption entry for the wedding, or letting the DTV application lapse altogether. The challenges with the embassy's requirements and various suggestions to handle the situation reflect common bureaucratic hurdles expats face.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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John *********
Family wedding? Close family, can you provide evidence if so email London and tell them about your dilemma, that might speed the process up, however,if you have ticked all the boxes you should get a decision very quick, because Thai PH’s etc NY etc Maybe you will hear something next week.. still plenty of time, chill out 🤷🏾♀️
Martyn *******
I cannot understand why you do not just travel and obtain a 60 day exemption on arrival. Is there something I am missing or you are not telling ?
Gregory *********
Bureaucrats are not the brightest bunch and seem to lack empathy and understanding. Easy to supply a new letter stating the same that they missed the first time. The hardest part is the confirmation letter that you will stay in the UK... In a WW2 type scenario since it is signed under duress it has no effect. Do what you can with the hand you have been dealt. Ultimately all the things they are asking for are irrelevant to your application but that is how Bureaucrats operate. Tick some boxes job done next. They have never applied for anything themselves. Try again but have a plan B
John **********
Your problem is that they are asking you to confirm you will remain in the UK. If you agree to this you really can't travel. It might be easier in your situation just to let your application lapse and write off the application fee
BluePoo*******
Thank you for informing us of this and I am sorry to hear you are having to go through this hurdle.
It seems that the London Embassy is requesting a flight from everyone so far - from what I have read?
To echo what other people have said - can you not book a refundable/changeable ticket 4 weeks ahead, hope they approve and then change it back to the date if needs be? You’ll have to book a ticket out regardless?
It seems that the London Embassy is requesting a flight from everyone so far - from what I have read?
To echo what other people have said - can you not book a refundable/changeable ticket 4 weeks ahead, hope they approve and then change it back to the date if needs be? You’ll have to book a ticket out regardless?
BluePoo*******
I believe if you pay extra for the benefit of a changeable ticket - then you should be able to change it to a date that suits you, but pay the difference. I know it seems like you could lose £200 but you may need to weigh up in your mind that it could also save you £300 (the DTV fee) if it goes well. The otherside is it could all go to pot, which wouldn’t be nice
Knowledgea***********
ORIGINAL POSTERBluePoodle1492 thanks for the info. Is it usually possible to change a flight to an earlier date? Im cautious that the flight price usually increases £200 too.
SunnyChe*********
KnowledgeableFrog7031 you’re worried about £200?
Reply to
SunnyChe*********
Reply
Lynnette *******
Send what they ask for. Book a refundable/changeable ticket. Should have done that asap. Or as someone else said, fly in on the exempt entry and hope the DTV still gets issued.
Graeme ******
It sounds like you may have to forfeit this DTV application and look to come to thailand for your family wedding on visa exempt ( assuming you haven't had a history of entering thailand many times for long durations previously) otherwise you'll miss out on the occasion. Maybe then look to apply for DTV in a neighbouring country if you want to stay longer? Its a tough one either way
Brandon ************
You don't really have any options. You provide what they ask and hope for the best, or you give up and try something else. The embassy works on their schedule, not yours.
You can provide everything they are asking for and just go on your trip and hope they send it by the time you leave, or even after you arrive in Thailand. It happens sometimes, even though it's not supposed to. You might get lucky.
You can provide everything they are asking for and just go on your trip and hope they send it by the time you leave, or even after you arrive in Thailand. It happens sometimes, even though it's not supposed to. You might get lucky.
Knowledgea***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thanks ive been trying to call for the past 2 weeks but they dont keep the phone lines open and haven't spoken to a living person yet.Graeme ******
KnowledgeableFrog7031 have you tried the email for the London embassy? They have responded to me in the past usually within 24hrs?
Knowledgea***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graeme *****
i have, ive tried emailing, facebook messenger and calling. No response and no way of communicating. Its frustrating, as I've already provided a letter confirming my business activities and statement confirming that I won't do business with Thai nationals, thai companies or any business within Thailand. This letter was sent on the date of my application.Yet they're asking for it again.I've also since sent an email and facebook msg confirming i will remain in the UK until my visa is processed along with proof of the original flight being cancelled.
Graeme ******
KnowledgeableFrog7031 arh ok not sure what else to suggest. I know sometimes the ask for the same information because the uploading documents are too small for them to expand and read so they want a better resolution but they never say that, which may be the case? Possibly check how the documents were unloaded?
Brandon ************
KnowledgeableFrog7031 it's not uncommon at all to be asked for something you already sent. You just send it again.
Knowledgea***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
wow thanks for that.Reply to
Knowledgea***********
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