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What are the procedures for switching to a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) while having an existing visa?

DTVThailand visa rulesretirement visaimmigration processvisa applicationexpat advice
Jun 21, 2025
24 days ago
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone—I'm trying to better understand how Thailand handles timing between visas, especially now that the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is fully digital.

Suppose someone is in Thailand on a valid visa (like a retirement visa), then leaves the country to apply for a DTV (as required), and then comes back to Thailand *before*:

-The old visa expires, and

-The new DTV visa has been approved

Then later, the DTV is granted, while they are already back in Thailand.

Would they need to leave and re-enter to activate the DTV, even though it's already approved in the system?

Are there any official instructions or guidelines covering this situation?

Is this a new scenario now that visas are being issued online? I haven’t found much information on it yet. Appreciate any insights!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
This post discusses the nuances of applying for a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for individuals currently holding a valid visa, such as a retirement visa. It highlights the requirement that applicants must exit Thailand and wait in another country until the DTV is granted, as well as the necessity of canceling the existing visa before applying for the DTV. Answers from community members provide insights into the official guidelines and the practical implications of submitting a DTV application while holding a valid visa.
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John *********
The rules are very simple, if you want detailed answers email the Thai embassy/consulate with exactly what you want to know.

Applying for a DTV is a very simple process provided you meet the criteria and follow the instructions and allow enough time to apply in the country you choose to apply in. These time frames vary from country to country.
22 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
 yes I agree, i thought it was easy to obtain, and that's supposed to be its point.
22 days ago
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Mark ********
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
there was an earlier comment (can't locate ATM) asking about the cited processing times, here are some examples from the official dtv sites: 📸 Screenshot 1: Thai eVisa Official FAQ

🔗
***************************


FAQ Question:

"How long will it take to process my e-Visa application?"

📷 Screenshot (as of June 21, 2025):

Text:

“The processing time for e-Visa is 7 working days after the application and all required documents have been submitted.”

📸 Screenshot 2: Royal Thai Embassy – Washington D.C.

🔗
**********************************


📷 Key Section:

“Once approved, the e-Visa will be sent to your email address within 7 business days.”

📸 Screenshot 3: Royal Thai Consulate – Sydney

🔗
******************************************************************


📷 Key Section (Destination Thailand Visa overview):

“The processing time is 7–10 working days after application.”

✅ Summary of Findings:

Source Processing Time Stated

Thai eVisa Official FAQ 7 working days

Thai Embassy (USA) 7 business days

Thai Consulate (Sydney) 7–10 working days

these estimates were consistent with what I heard in my initial contacts
22 days ago
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Jennie *********
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23 days ago
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Greg ********
You are really overcomplicating things. The others are correct in that you need to leave, apply for the DTV and wait in the country till it is issued. You are probably going to have to cancel your old visa ie the retirement before you leave and apply for the DTV. There have been cases of DTV issued and people cancelling Ed upon return but there are many cases where they will not issue a visa while you have another live visa
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
 yes, I now understand how things are *supposed* to operate. In this case, I did leave - I actually flew to the US so I could be there during my DTV application. I researched (official site and facebook) and saw the processing time was 5-10 days, so I planned over 2 weeks before my return ticket, in case I had to visit the consulate, etc. But, it took over a month to process. The consulate raised no issue about my existing visa, and didn't ask me to wait before returning. I could actually have been in Thailand the whole time, but I was trying to follow rules. So now I'm looking back at what documentation was out there, as this scenario could arise for others.
23 days ago
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Greg ********
@Mark *******
 You are meant to wait in the country where you applied until a decision is made. Do some people bend the rules and get away with it - yes. Do some people get caught out - yes. You can NOT activate a DTV in Thailand - if you have arrived and had the DTV issued you must leave and re-enter to activate it. It is quite simple.
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
 I do understand what we are 'meant to do' now, but I'm looking for links to the official instructions. For example, does the law really say that existing visas must be cancelled upon *applying* for new DTV - or, only upon *granting* the new visa? I found no instruction to this effect, nobody cancelled my active visa, nobody asked me to cancel it. Cancellation would have been good. So, if I can understand the actual law or official requirement, that would be helpful. Or even the official instructions saying you have to leave to activate it, as I didn't see that, wasn't told either, except the guy at Immigration seemed to suggest that I could go to the airport to get the passport stamped.
23 days ago
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Greg ********
@Mark *******
 No government or civil service give out all of its SOPs. We know from practice and precedent though how it works. You are not going to find what you are looking for. As for guy at immigration suggesting going to airport why did he not activate it? You said it could be activated in country at an office did you not. Anyway if you know Thailand he just said that to you to 1) not lose face 2) get rid of you 555
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
 🙏in this case, I think it could be helpful (not just to myself, judging from some messages I'm getting...) to better document these SOPs. I did my due diligence, spared no expense, but still can't find the official rules I missed. And if I can point out the lack of information, it might help me petition to avoid the worst consequences of what was basically an administrative error.
23 days ago
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Greg ********
@Mark *******
 Why do you not go to the source then and stop asking foreigners about the SOPs. Get yourself to Immigration Headquarters and ask for them. There are also local interpretations of the rules at each embassy, consulate and every in country Immigration Office you need to collect. On top of that not every single event can be included in a SOP and discretion and decision making is allowed. You are asking for the impossible and the ridiculous to be honest. Not every rule is written down and can not be.
23 days ago
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Greg ********
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Steve *******
The official rule is that if you enter Thailand with a visa application pending, your application will be cancelled.

You're supposed to stay where the embassy is and wait.

So..pick a cheap country to apply in.
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
 could you please point me to that official rule, or law, requiring cancellation of the existing visa? That would have prevented me from making this mistake.
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
 I actually flew back to the US, as I thought it best to apply from home country consulate - and that wasn't cheap at all 555
23 days ago
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Steve *******
@Mark *******
 no, that is probably a little more costly than applying in Vietnam or Indonesia 😅
23 days ago
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Steve *******
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Fitfac *****************
you need to reentry thailand to reactivate the visa.
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fitfac ****************
 hi - are you saying we need to leave Thailand again, if we have returned on our active visa but before receiving the DTV? Could you please point me to where this is explained on the official site, or may I contact you directly? Thanks.
23 days ago
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John *******
@Mark *******
 - Not every embassy website has this language, but many do. I think it makes it much clearer. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (based outside of Thailand at embassies/consulates) is the only entity that supplies visas, and they are used to enter the country (hence why people are saying you need to exit and re-enter with the DTV). Immigration (which is based inside Thailand) can supply you an extension of stay (we often just call these visas too, but technically they are not). Immigration can not issue DTVs and can only extend them for another 180 days at the end of first 180 days.
23 days ago
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Greg ********
@Mark *******
 You CANNOT activate the DTV IN Thailand.
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
 I am getting conflicting info on that... it seems possible to visit the airport or Immigration to get the passport stamped. But I'm looking for where this is explained.
23 days ago
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Greg ********
@Mark *******
 You might want to visit this thread and let this person know about activating inside Thailand
23 days ago
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Greg ********
@Mark *******
 Where is this conflicting info? Show us a single example or link of that - ie activation by immigration INSIDE Thailand. Can you activate any other visa issued by MFA inside the country?
23 days ago
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Greg ********
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Fitfac *****************
@Mark *******
 thai immigration doesnt have any official guidance about this. Even if they has, they will only have it in thai(which is a confidential document circurate internally)

If you get DTV, you will have to reentry thailand again and show the immigration officer that you have dtv visa(from your email)

Then the immigration office will stamp your passport and put your entry date in their computer.

At that point your dtv visa is activated.

Normally , when you are issued a new visa, the old visa(retirement visa) will get cancelled automatically.

so if you are not activate dtv visa by reenter thailand , you might get penalty for overstaying in thailand.
23 days ago
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Greg ********
@Fitfac ****************
 Not DTV but the embassy would NOT cancel my "O" Retirement" visa or process application when I tried to apply for a "B" for work. I had to cancel it at Immigration in Thailand then go to Singapore for the "B".
23 days ago
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Fitfac *****************
@Greg *******
 some embassy will ask for cancellation of current visa first before approving a new one.

But for some embassy, they can process new visa right away without having to cancel the old visa.

This happen in the past.The rules keep changing from time to time and each embassy have different rules and process.

The recommendation we give to our customer is that if you are unsure about the success of getting DTV please do not cancel their current visa. They should apply for dtv when the current visa is almost expired.

You cannot activate DTV visa inside a country, it is only for extension.

But the rules might change all the time, the immigration officer might confused and stamp it for you.

Anything can happen in thailand where rules and regualtion are not clearly stated
23 days ago
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Greg ********
@Fitfac ****************
 Exactly. Rules changed and each office or embassy can interprete guidance differently. The key word is guidance and not step by step adherence to a documented SOP. I can only talk to my experience where the Embassy in Singapore would not process my B application while my O was active. Immigration at BKK would not cancel it either. Only the office that granted it in my case. Immigration in Thailand is not complicated to deal with if you follow requirements. Much easier than many other countries and especially so for Thais wanting to visit or migrate to my country.
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fitfac ****************
 Hi, yes, I understand that now, but only after having run into trouble because I didn't find the official guidance on that. Would you mind if I sent you a PM with more questions?
23 days ago
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Fitfac *****************
@Mark *******
 Hi you can provide more details here, it would helps other people about this issue as well
23 days ago
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Fitfac *****************
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John **********
You can't come back to Thailand while waiting for a visa to be issued. In fact you can't leave the country you applied in until it is issued. Thai consulates treat visa applications in exactly the same way as they did when you physically had to hand over your passport and they can check that you have complied with this. There was an example just the other day of someone's application being rejected for exactly this reason.
23 days ago
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Stephan ***********
Every kind of visa is "fully digital", since Thailand changed completely to eVisa now. The only visa that you still can get "in Person" is the 90 day Non-O, to apply for at your local immigration.
23 days ago
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Andy ************
If you're on an extension it's easy. I was on non-O retirement extension of stay, so I simply left without obtaining a re-entry permit which effectively cancels the extension of stay. I flew to Sydney, applied for the DTV through the Sydney Consulate, approved within a week, flew back to Bangkok, got that beautiful 180-day stamp. Since then I've left and re-entered twice, each time getting a fresh 180 day stamp
24 days ago
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Henrik *****
You should not leave the country where you have applied for the DTV, until it is granted.

Leaving may lead to rejection.
24 days ago
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John *******
Also, just having canceled the visa would not have done the trick. You entered before the DTV was issued. So, if you had canceled and returned, you would most likely have entered with a visa exemption (60 days). You still would have needed to exit and re-enter to activate the DTV and get off of the visa exemption.
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
 all that would have been fine , had I known. Most likely I'd just exit and chill until it got approved, though... no need to enter on an exemption.
23 days ago
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John *******
@Mark *******
 - If you would have chilled and not entered on an visa exemption, why wouldn’t you have done the same even with having a retirement extension?
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
 I don't understand the question...? I booked a round-trip flight to the US so I could be outside and near the consulate while applying for the DTV. I had some communication with them and had seen posts saying processing time was quick, but I added about 2 weeks buffer time to stay in the US. I scheduled my return flight to get back to Chiang Mai.. At no point did anyone suggest, nor did I see instructions requiring me to cancel my valid visa, or not to re-enter on my valid visa. I was stamped back in, no problem. I did message and phone the consulate, from Thailand, because I was worried the DTV would not be approved before my old visa expired. I received the DTV on the same day my retirement visa expired. Nobody mentioned, nor can I find, instructions requiring the passport to be stamped. In fact,it actually says the opposite.. I understood that I should print it and present it when I later needed to enter The Kingdom, but even then no stamp is used. Text on the how-to-apply page:
************************


>>

“The e-Visa will be sent to your email. Please print out the e-Visa and present it to airlines and Thai Immigration officials for entry into Thailand. No visa sticker will be affixed in your passport.” << so it looks like they meant to address this to those who don't already have valid visas, and I just fell through the gap... does that answer :-)
22 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
PS to add more detail, my fallback plan if the DTV were not approved, was to border-bounce and get a 90-day exemption.
22 days ago
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Mark ********
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Roxana ******
@Henrik ****
 agree
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
 I think I understand the "should not" parts by now.. my question is more about whether this scenario is covered in the published requirements , as it could be a 'procedural gap' that would apply to many others besides myself...
23 days ago
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Greg ********
@Mark *******
 Some people have exploited this procedural gap. Some people have been caught out and their application cancelled and fee lost. You will in all probability have to cancel you Retirement O before you apply for the DTV so you will be entering on a visa exempt before you have the DTV - you could be left in limbo. The risk is all yours. If you are retired why not just go through the required process - why the need to be in Thailand so quickly?
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
 That is a hugely helpful insight really, and
@Fitfac ****************
 mentioned it as well. If there is indeed a requirement to cancel the active visa upon granting the new one (or even upon applying for the DTV, as you suggest) - that would have done the trick. If the law requires that previous visa must be cancelled, it suggests a procedural error was made which let me drop through the crack. If there is no such cancellation law, perhaps creating one would fix a 'bug' in the procedures. I had been living in Thailand on a Retirement visa, saw the DTV advertising, how it's good for 5 years instead of needing reapplication every year , you just extend every 6 months. So, I found all the info I could, talked to consulate, and actually flew to the US so I could apply from my home consulate, in person if need be. But I relied on the official processing estimate of 7 days when booking my flight, so I returned to Thailand while my OA visa was still valid, but before they issued the DTV. So yeah, it would have helped if they cancelled my active visa upon application or on granting the new one. For my previous visas, all were granted right at Immigration, there was no online-only application with email granting. I don't know about every visa type.
23 days ago
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John *******
@Mark *******
 Also, for clarity, you can only extend your stay one time per entry. So if you entered today, your stamp is for 180 days. You can then extend for another 180 days, but then after that you have to leave. You then can re-enter and repeat.
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
 I like that part, it's one reason I find the DTV more convenient. Except I also thought the 180-day extension was in lieu of the 90-day reporting...
23 days ago
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John *******
@Mark *******
 nope, DTV still requires 90 day reporting
23 days ago
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John *******
@Mark *******
 Not sure which embassy/consulate you applied through (4 in the US) but this is what has been posted on the DC's embassy webpage. 15 business days, but you should plan for a month. Where did you see 7 days?
23 days ago
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Greg ********
@Mark *******
 I can only give you an example of my own actual experience of moving from Retirement O to a B. No way would the Singapore Embassy entertain the B application while my O was active. I had to have my O cancelled in Thailand. I had 7 days to leave the country. I then applied for B in Singapore while I had no active visa. I was OK with 2 trips to Singapore though on expenses staying at a 5* hotel but then again I was not paying :-)
23 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
 yeah... well, I wish the US had been as strict with me. I would have been happy to cancel my oA, postpone my flight back, etc. but didn't run into that before -all my visas were granted/stamped in the same visit to Chiang Mai Immigration. I would also have been happy to leave again to get it stamped, had I known in time...
23 days ago
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Greg ********
@Mark *******
 Well there are different levels of competency etc at different embassies and Consulates. Singapore is known as a competent embassy if also sticklers for process. They are very efficient though and why many companies send staff there for B processing etc
23 days ago
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Reply to
Greg ********
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Maksym ***********
Official instructions are simple. Close visa, stay in another country until you get new visa...
24 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maksym **********
 I guess I missed those instructions, even after reading and communicating with the consulate 🙁
23 days ago
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Greg ********
@Maksym **********
 Exactly - simple and straightforward.
23 days ago
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Greg ********
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John *******
This has been talked about a lot. 1. You can’t apply for a DTV if you have a valid visa issued by the MoFA. It needs to be canceled first. 2. You must stay out of Thailand through the entire process of applying for a DTV. If you do scam the system and re-enter early (and they don’t figure that out), you need to exit and renter to switch to the DTV. You can’t switch to it while in county
24 days ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
 right - that would have helped immensely, if they had simply cancelled my active visa or told me to, at any point before I received the new one. Do you happen to have a link to where officially that policy is explained?
23 days ago
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John *******
@Mark *******
 Not sure if there is any formal guidance, but you can search this group and see that many people were unable to get the DTV and told they either had to wait for their current visa to expire or get it canceled. However, it sounds like you might not have a visa, but an extension (visas are issued by MoFA and extensions by immigration) and that you were able to get the DTV. Therefore, it sounds like you need to exit and then re-enter and can then use the DTV.
23 days ago
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John *******
Reply
Tod *********
@John ******
 they are mixing up terminology, they don't have any visa

they are calling it a "retirement visa" but in reality what they have is a year extension of stay from the immigration office <- which is NOT a visa

You are correct IF you have a valid multi-entry VISA that you get from a thai consulate in another country you can't apply for the DTV until that visa expires and sadly there is no way to cancel a visa once it's issued.

You are correct as well about the fact you need to sit it out in the country you apply for the DTV in until it's either approved or denied
24 days ago
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Tod *********
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Wannikea *********
You are supposed to stay in the country where you apply for the new visa until it's approved.
24 days ago
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James ********
@Wannikea ********
 correct ✅
24 days ago
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James ********
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