Answered2 years ago
What are the reported circumstances of being denied entry in Thailand despite having a DTV visa?
Has anyone actually been denied entry and turned away at the airport on a successful DTV, without option to pay some scam fee to get in? If so what were the circumstances of that denial?
Answer summary
The post discusses experiences related to being denied entry into Thailand with a Digital Visa (DTV), highlighting a few reported instances of individuals facing challenges at the airport. Most comments suggest that while there are doubts about entry acceptance, no definitive cases of complete denial have been widely reported. Concerns are raised about potential scams where fees are solicited for entry clearance, with some suggesting that stricter immigration checks could be implemented in the future due to the popularity and perceived ease of obtaining the DTV visa.
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Gael ******
I told my visa agent about all this and she just sends the schedule of the person to visit at the airport to be let in. 5000 baht. Ridiculous...more scam can't even come and go as you please.
Jim **********
It is tricky to get reliable info.
Unless you know and trust the agent, it is hard to know if what they say is true, or is merely propaganda to drive you to using the other visas where they make more money.
On the other hand, this forum has plenty of know-alls who rubbish anything anyone says re issues with DTVs after they have been issued.
For my own personal opinion, based on living here in Thailand for many years, is that the Thais underestimated the popularity of DTVs, AND as usual, pressed ahead with launching them without fully thinking though the whole thing. Let’s be honest, getting a 5 year ME visa on the back of a 6 month Muay Thai course, really makes no sense, and is pretty much too good to be true. So, I do expect some reaction from the Thais at some point, but it is hard to say if this is already happening or not. The very least they will do is apply more rigorous checks, which they can do to both applications, and already approved visas (double checking on the legitimacy of documents, and the attendance on such courses). Further down the road it would not surprise me to see the Soft Powers option lose the 5 year visa and instead get a 1 year visa or maybe a duration based on the length of the course. But i doubt they would make that retrospective. Just opinion.
Unless you know and trust the agent, it is hard to know if what they say is true, or is merely propaganda to drive you to using the other visas where they make more money.
On the other hand, this forum has plenty of know-alls who rubbish anything anyone says re issues with DTVs after they have been issued.
For my own personal opinion, based on living here in Thailand for many years, is that the Thais underestimated the popularity of DTVs, AND as usual, pressed ahead with launching them without fully thinking though the whole thing. Let’s be honest, getting a 5 year ME visa on the back of a 6 month Muay Thai course, really makes no sense, and is pretty much too good to be true. So, I do expect some reaction from the Thais at some point, but it is hard to say if this is already happening or not. The very least they will do is apply more rigorous checks, which they can do to both applications, and already approved visas (double checking on the legitimacy of documents, and the attendance on such courses). Further down the road it would not surprise me to see the Soft Powers option lose the 5 year visa and instead get a 1 year visa or maybe a duration based on the length of the course. But i doubt they would make that retrospective. Just opinion.
Greg ********
@Jim *********
Agree. Numbers issued for 2025 will be interesting. The 2024 numbers until end of November 2024 was 12k.Anonymous ******************
@Jim *********
Agree 💯
Marcus ********
Never heard of this maybe it's some agencies making false statement to try lure people to use agencies
Will ************
One was nearly denied a day or 2 ago. Cost
*****
baht to get stamped in.Bruno ***********
@Will ***********
i think you make a mistake with the rule that IO can ask to see 20.000 in cash in order to let a visitor into the country. (to prove they can support themselves) It is not a "fee". ******************************************************************
Will ************
@Bruno **********
no mistake it was *****
baht in cash to get inAnonymous ******************
@Bruno **********
No, he means paying under table.Bruno ***********
Participant anonyme 152 yes, i read that publication and i have some doubts about this story.
Andrew *******
@Will ***********
why did he have to pay the ฿2000?
George *******
@Andrew ******
T.I.TWill ************
@Andrew ******
been taking the p..s out of visa exempt route , leaving and returning time after time. They were going to send him back to his home country at his expense but let him in for *****
baht. Thailand is having a big sort outGreg ********
@Michael *******
Exactly. It is those with complex visa history that seem to be attracting attention. Back to back visa and border runs, Ed visa and no proof of attendance. The majority of first time DTV entries will be fine for 99% of people
Michael ********
@Will ***********
more specifically it seems they previously had an ED visa, in addition to visa exempt, and they couldn’t pass any Thai language skills test. Imo that seems to be the bigger issue- being on an education visa but having no thai language skills to show for it. Of course there could be even more details that we aren’t aware of that the poster decided not to share- and I’m not trying to accuse them either, it could be just as simple as that, but some people would omit key details.
In their case it does seem like they were on a dodgy education visa with no real intentions of studying.
Besides that I haven’t heard of anyone having to pay a fine, and just a few cases of people being hassled. I think that most DTV holders get in no problem.
Rogerio ******
@Andrew ******
20,000
Christopher *********
I have never heard of a DTV visa being denied, It's a 5 year visa.
Greg ********
@Christopher ********
It is still very new. Give it more time. It was clear the poster the other day would not have got in if he had not paid a facilitation fee.Anonymous ******************
@Christopher ********
Yes, but keep in mind that the length of your visa doesn't guarantee entry. There are many new reports of people being asked more questions, and even one case of someone apparently being denied (and later approved for some extra money). Of course, there's always a reason behind it, and if you're a legitimate holder (e.g., a real digital nomad or genuinely taking Muay Thai lessons), it shouldn't be an issue.
Expat **********
Just because the embassy issued you a DTV, doesn’t mean immigration will allow you to enter if they suspect you’re not a genuine applicant.
George *******
@Expat *********
So if someone has been given the visa, how do you work out, as in your comment that they aren't genuine applicants. 🤔Greg ********
@George ******
That is up to the Immigration Officer to determine. I doubt anyone on first entry is having issues unless they have a complex immigration history ie been here years on multiple visa types with lots of back to back border runs.Marcus ********
@Expat *********
it's the Thai embassy who issue it!! If you not do anything wrong you won't be refused by an immigration officer, it's pre approved
Anonymous ******************
@Marcus *******
It's a misconception, but you're not the first to think that way. A visa is not a pre-approval. The ultimate decision on entry tests with immigration, not the Thai embassy. There have been many reports over the years of immigration denying entry to people holding visasAnonymous ******************
@Marcus *******
Yes, as long as you don't do anything wrong. Here's the nuance that many fail to understand: applying for a visa when you don't meet the requirements is wrong. Many people here are just looking for the cheapest classes, with the minimum length. This is a typical example—zero interest in Muay Thai, but full interest in a cheap 5-year visa. The student visa holders, who can't even string together one word in Thai, were/are dealing with the exact same problem.Greg ********
@Marcus *******
The final say about entry and extensions is down to the immigration department. The MFA guy in the FCCT interview mad that clear. The MFA website states it specifically. Having any visa, including DTV, does not guarantee you entry.
Julien ****
@Marcus *******
wrong. A visa never guarantee entry into a country. It will facilitates it though.
Chris *******
@Marcus *******
every entry is at the discretion of the officer you are in front of.Regardless of what visa, it doesn't happen often but it does happen.
Anonymous ******************
The scam fee you mentioned applies to those holding a visa they are not entitled to and abusing the system. Scammers getting scammed.
Rogerio ******
Anonymous participant 152 not.
Greg ********
Not heard of anyone yet being totally refused. Questioned many and only 1 fee heard about.
Bruno ***********
@Greg *******
15 years. married in 2014, kid is 2yo. How about you ?Andrew *******
@Greg *******
which fee was thatGreg ********
@Andrew ******
A poster yesterday said he paid 20k THB to get in at BKK. He had a complicated history of border runs and Ed visa. Questioned in Thai due to Ed visa and studying for a year. Could not answer to their satisfaction. Cost him 20k to get in on his DTVAnonymous ******************
@Bruno **********
That's not a fee, that's corruption. Spend some time in Thailand and you may start to understand these signs are nice jokes... and immigration is definitely laughing about these too.Bruno ***********
@Greg *******
based on which ground this fee is supposed to be paid ? It is clearly written at the airport to not give any money to IO's. This story seems fishy to me.Andrew *******
@Greg *******
crazy
Dennis *********
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Richie-Rich ********
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