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What documents should I carry when entering Thailand on a DTV visa?
DTV VisaThailand ImmigrationVisa Entry RequirementsWorkcation VisaExpat Life in ThailandVisa Documentation
Apr 27, 2026
3 days ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHad my second entry via BKK with my DTV visa. Handed over my printed e-visa with my passport. The officer immediately asked which DTV category. I said workcation.
She told me I should have all the docs I submitted for my DTV application with me, keep them up to date, and bring them every time I enter. I said okay.
She stamped me in for another 6 months and let me through.
Not complaining but I travel often for quick weekend trips and having all the (up-to-date) docs with me at each entry seems like an unnecessary friction.
She told me I should have all the docs I submitted for my DTV application with me, keep them up to date, and bring them every time I enter. I said okay.
She stamped me in for another 6 months and let me through.
Not complaining but I travel often for quick weekend trips and having all the (up-to-date) docs with me at each entry seems like an unnecessary friction.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shared their experience of entering Thailand on a DTV visa and being advised by an immigration officer to carry all necessary application documents during every visit. While the officer stamped the user in for another six months, there were mixed reactions from the community regarding this requirement, with some questioning the need for such documentation, suggesting that frequent travelers find it burdensome. Various comments reflected on the nature of immigration checks and the importance of being prepared with relevant documentation, even though not all users reported being asked for these documents.
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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A. ************
Keep the documents on Google Drive or Dropbox. That way you dont have to physically carry them.
Dany ********
Another anonymous anecdote š
š¤·āāļø cool story bro. š
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dany *******
again, you can ignore anonymous posts if you donāt like. Just shared my experience.Also, every post is an anecdote.
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Anonymous *************
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CaringTan**********
I mean
Itās pretty easy to email yourself documents and keep them in a folder to show on your phone.
Itās pretty easy to email yourself documents and keep them in a folder to show on your phone.
Fleace ********
A visa is a privilege granted, not entitlement. The warning could be a blessing to prevent delays or denied entry in the future. I would have been thankful.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Fleace *******
the blessing would be not to deal with unnecessary frictionFleace ********
Anonymous participant A small price to pay for living in Thailand. "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change"
Reply to
Fleace ********
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Fleace ********
Just leave them in your carry-on luggage. Simple fix
LongTimeLivi************
Thatās the bizarre part. You already qualified for the visa through an embassy or immigration, yet they still tell you to carry the whole stack of documents every time you reāenter. Itās not an actual rule, just something they say even though they technically have the power to deny entry. Feels more like harassment than procedure. Imagine them asking the same any visa whether marriage, work, retirement etc.
Angelo ***********
LongTimeLivingInThailand Actually: it is the rule.
Luit *****************
LongTimeLivingInThailand Reporting is a good idea, thank you! Personal attacks are not allowed in this group!
When you are irritated by reading the truth, you are free to not read it and stay in your dream world.
When you are irritated by reading the truth, you are free to not read it and stay in your dream world.
LongTimeLivi************
@Luit ****************
I see you and your multiple accountsLuit *****************
LongTimeLivingInThailand You should visit an optician, you're seeing things that don't exist.
Reply to
Luit *****************
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Luit *****************
LongTimeLivingInThailand Carrying source documents on which a visa was issued is worldwide completely normal, and immigration officers in most countries check this every now and then.
What do you think is the job from immigration officers and why do they have the power to check do you think?
The check by embassy for a visa is just a pre check for entering the country.
When you look at DTV there might be 5 years between approval by embassy and entry in the country, making the situation completely different, so there is a good reason to check again.
Having a visa is certainly not a guarantee you can enter,
When you think it is you completely misunderstand what a visa is.
And they will do this kind of checks with all types of visa in situations they think it might be usefull, including the visa types you mention, allthough checking again somebody is over 50 for a retirement visa seems to be a bit useless to me.
What do you think is the job from immigration officers and why do they have the power to check do you think?
The check by embassy for a visa is just a pre check for entering the country.
When you look at DTV there might be 5 years between approval by embassy and entry in the country, making the situation completely different, so there is a good reason to check again.
Having a visa is certainly not a guarantee you can enter,
When you think it is you completely misunderstand what a visa is.
And they will do this kind of checks with all types of visa in situations they think it might be usefull, including the visa types you mention, allthough checking again somebody is over 50 for a retirement visa seems to be a bit useless to me.
LongTimeLivi************
Luit van der Linde Honestly, I suspect youāre just a troll bot at this point.
Luit *****************
LongTimeLivingInThailand Why? Just because I tell common knowledge?
Reply to
Luit *****************
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Christer *****
LongTimeLivingInThailand Yeah. What's next? ICE coming and grabbing you at the citizen swearing in ceremony and transporting you to El Salvador? Just for comparison...
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Christer *****
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Josep *********
Are these types of messages usually from anonymous people? In my 7 visits with DTV, they never asked me for these documents.
Luit *****************
@Josep ********
7 is a statistically insignificant numer to draw conclusions from.Dany ********
@Luit ****************
maybe add my 7 and the 7 of everyone else that enters without a question š¤£š¤£Luit *****************
@Dany *******
Statistically speaking, there is no group that is with certainty random and large enough, so conclusions have no value.Reply to
Luit *****************
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Christopher ***********
@Josep ********
Not usually, ALWAYS!Reply to
Christopher ***********
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Christopher ***********
Never happened. BS troll post.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Christopher **********
what would be the point of making this up?Callum ****************
Anonymous participant Many lol
Reply to
Callum ****************
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Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
You mean it does not fit in your fantasy world, so it can not be true. 555Reply to
Luit *****************
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Supportive**********
Up to date docs is what?
Job requirements project or
90 days report or smth?
Job requirements project or
90 days report or smth?
LongTimeLivi************
Suvarnabhumi airport right? Sounds like this individual female immigration officer has a chip on her shoulders and is to be avoided if possible. How old did she look, wear glasses? Anything else you can share?
Luit *****************
LongTimeLivingInThailand When you comply with all requirements there is nothing to fear from an officer who just takes her job serious.
LongTimeLivi************
@Luit ****************
it sounds more like she is abusing her power than taking her job seriously šLuit *****************
LongTimeLivingInThailand what is abusing about it? Just informing soneone about the rules?
LongTimeLivi************
@Luit ****************
it's not a rule though. It's discretion at the wim of the I/O. If she/he having a bad day, so will you šLuit *****************
LongTimeLivingInThailand Having source documents for your visa at immigration is worldwide just a normal rule.
Why should Thailand be an exception on this?
Why would that cause a bad day for you?
Nowadays most documents are just electronical available, so put them in the cloud somewhere, and whereever you are at a border, just show them when requested.
Every experienced traveller will know that immigration officers can ask for all kind of documents to check if you can enter the country, because that is their job.
That they not chwck everyone is just because that is not practical.
Why should Thailand be an exception on this?
Why would that cause a bad day for you?
Nowadays most documents are just electronical available, so put them in the cloud somewhere, and whereever you are at a border, just show them when requested.
Every experienced traveller will know that immigration officers can ask for all kind of documents to check if you can enter the country, because that is their job.
That they not chwck everyone is just because that is not practical.
LongTimeLivi************
@Luit ****************
Itās not an actual rule, just discretionary enforcement. You sound more like an argumentative keyboard warrior than someone with real-world experience. šLuit *****************
LongTimeLivingInThailand A lot of countries even inform people they have to carry the source documents in which the visa is issued. What is the difference between what you call a rule and discretionary enforcement?
Fact is that immigration whereever in the world can and in some cases will check for those documents because that is their job.
Maybe you never have actually seen that, but I have seen it happen in different countries.
Fact is that immigration whereever in the world can and in some cases will check for those documents because that is their job.
Maybe you never have actually seen that, but I have seen it happen in different countries.
Reply to
Luit *****************
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YellowPo********
You could have just stopped on āsheā š
Simple rule, avoid female officers if you donāt want extra questioning
Simple rule, avoid female officers if you donāt want extra questioning
Dany ********
YellowPomelo1882 sometimes impossible when they are all female. happens
Reply to
Dany ********
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Noah ****
What country are you from?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Noah ***
šØš¦Reply to
Anonymous *************
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Inspiring**********
When you're queueing up scan the officers. You will see some grill everybody and some don't ask anybody anything. Usually it's women who ask a lot of questions.
Immigration ask questions everywhere in the world though and you have no guarantee or right to enter. It's entirely discretionary. Just bring as many documents as you can, be polite and try and pick a disinterested IO.
If you see reports about borders or airports that are repeatedly being hostile then avoid them.
Still though, I have never heard of anybody yet being denied entry at the airport on a DTV.
Immigration ask questions everywhere in the world though and you have no guarantee or right to enter. It's entirely discretionary. Just bring as many documents as you can, be polite and try and pick a disinterested IO.
If you see reports about borders or airports that are repeatedly being hostile then avoid them.
Still though, I have never heard of anybody yet being denied entry at the airport on a DTV.
Ian **********
Another anon post about being asked for documents. Did she ask for 20k in cash and an onward flight?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ian *********
I have whatever she might ask in my laptop. Thatās not the point.Marc ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer you have 20kTHB in your laptop?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marc *******
yesReply to
Anonymous *************
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Amit ********
Price we pay. Happy to do it
IƱigo ************
Just tell her to find a new job lmao
IƱigo ************
Speechless , if you think it's normal. LMAO š¤£
Luit *****************
@IƱigo ***********
she was just doing her job, so why should she find a new one?IƱigo ************
@Luit ****************
Is it normal for an immigration officer to tell a visitor with a valid visa to bring all the documents used during the visa application, updated, and to present them on every visit?Thatās not doing your job properly, thatās just being retarded. The amount of work for the visitor would be insane if they would travel frequently.
And donāt respond with things like āthen donāt come to Thailand, itās not your country.ā There is a reason the person applied for a visa and was approved in the first place. Thereās no need for an immigration officer to make excessive or unrealistic demands . They can sure .. But there is no need.
Luit *****************
@IƱigo ***********
That you think it is insane does not make it not normal.It is not typical Thai, most countries tell you that you have to take source documents with you, and also check them.
It is perfectly normal, and your argument that once checked, means extra checks later on are useless is just an invalid argument.
You can read here a lot of stories of people who think they don't have to comply with any rule the moment they are approved.
Reply to
Luit *****************
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@IƱigo ***********
she definitely didnāt look happyReply to
Anonymous *************
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Dave ***********
In the end, no matter what visa type, we are guests allowed to live in Thailand. We have no automatic rights to live here.
Thai rules, Thai IO prerogative to ask whatever questions they want to.
I donāt see the point in complaining about it, just reasonably be prepared on re-entry in to Thailand for the main points the IO might ask.
I also have DTV based on workcation, in my case freelance. When I come back into Thailand from a trip outside, I have with me a few recent emails of my work, last bank statement print out, showing more than adequate funds, and of course the DTV printout.
I have never been asked any questions so far, but I think the day will come at some point, so better to be prepared.
Itās all a small amount of effort to be preparedā¦.to be able to live and do my work in such a great country, culture and Thai citizens
Thai rules, Thai IO prerogative to ask whatever questions they want to.
I donāt see the point in complaining about it, just reasonably be prepared on re-entry in to Thailand for the main points the IO might ask.
I also have DTV based on workcation, in my case freelance. When I come back into Thailand from a trip outside, I have with me a few recent emails of my work, last bank statement print out, showing more than adequate funds, and of course the DTV printout.
I have never been asked any questions so far, but I think the day will come at some point, so better to be prepared.
Itās all a small amount of effort to be preparedā¦.to be able to live and do my work in such a great country, culture and Thai citizens
Fleace ********
@Dave **********
That part.James ********
@Dave **********
Wise advice ā
Reply to
James ********
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Liza ********
perhaps keep the documentation available on a Google Drive so you can access it.
Fleace ********
@Liza *******
Yep, or in a pocket of a carry-on. I still have my Covid documents in mind, because you never know.James ********
@Liza *******
Wise advice ā
Reply to
James ********
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ElĆas ********
Where are you from? š
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERCanada
Reply to
Anonymous *************
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Steve *******
Why are literally every report about "showing documents" or being denied entry from anonymous users?
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