Answered6 months ago
What documents should I carry when entering Thailand on a DTV visa?
Had 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.
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.
87 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
A. ************
Keep the documents on Google Drive or Dropbox. That way you dont have to physically carry them.
Dany ********
Another anonymous anecdote 😅🤷♀️ cool story bro. 😎
Anonymous *************
OP@Dany *******
again, you can ignore anonymous posts if you don’t like. Just shared my experience.Also, every post is an anecdote.
CaringTan**********
I mean
It’s pretty easy to email yourself documents and keep them in a folder to show on your phone.
It’s 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 *************
OP@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"
Fleace ********
Just leave them in your carry-on luggage. Simple fix
LongTimeLivi************
That’s 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 re‑enter. It’s 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.
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 you’re just a troll bot at this point.
Luit *****************
LongTimeLivingInThailand Why? Just because I tell common knowledge?
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...
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 🤣🤣Luit *****************
@Dany *******
Statistically speaking, there is no group that is with certainty random and large enough, so conclusions have no value.
Christopher ***********
@Josep ********
Not usually, ALWAYS!Christopher ***********
Never happened. BS troll post.
Anonymous *************
OP@Christopher **********
what would be the point of making this up?
Callum ****************
Anonymous participant Many lol
Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
You mean it does not fit in your fantasy world, so it can not be true. 555
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 😑Luit *****************
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.
LongTimeLivi************
@Luit ****************
It’s not an actual rule, just discretionary enforcement. You sound more like an argumentative keyboard warrior than someone with real-world experience. 😆Luit *****************
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 ****************
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 😆Luit *****************
LongTimeLivingInThailand what is abusing about it? Just informing soneone about the rules?
YellowPo********
You could have just stopped on “she” 😂
Simple rule, avoid female officers if you don’t want extra questioning
Simple rule, avoid female officers if you don’t want extra questioning
Dany ********
YellowPomelo1882 sometimes impossible when they are all female. happens
Noah ****
What country are you from?
Anonymous *************
OP@Noah ***
🇨🇦
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 *************
OP@Ian *********
I have whatever she might ask in my laptop. That’s not the point.
Marc ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer you have 20kTHB in your laptop?
Anonymous *************
OP@Marc *******
yes
Amit ********
Price we pay. Happy to do it
Iñigo ************
Just tell her to find a new job lmao
Iñigo ************
Speechless , if you think it's normal. LMAO 🤣
Luit *****************
@Iñigo ***********
she was just doing her job, so why should she find a new one?Iñigo ************
@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?That’s not doing your job properly, that’s just being retarded. The amount of work for the visitor would be insane if they would travel frequently.
And don’t respond with things like “then don’t come to Thailand, it’s not your country.” There is a reason the person applied for a visa and was approved in the first place. There’s no need for an immigration officer to make excessive or unrealistic demands . They can sure .. But there is no need.
Luit *****************
@Iñigo ***********
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.
Anonymous *************
OP@Iñigo ***********
she definitely didn’t look happy
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 don’t 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.
It’s all a small amount of effort to be prepared….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 don’t 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.
It’s all a small amount of effort to be prepared….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 ✅
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 ✅
Elías ********
Where are you from? 👀
Anonymous *************
OPCanada
Steve *******
Why are literally every report about "showing documents" or being denied entry from anonymous users?
Anonymous *************
OP@Steve ******
What's your theory?
Activity
26 joined26
people
Related
25What is the experience of obtaining a DTV visa at the London embassy?
7805102mo
What should I do after being denied a Thailand DTV (Workcation) visa?
4.3k1375mo
What are the experiences of entering Thailand on a DTV visa?
8.4k401726mo
What should I expect when re-entering Thailand on a DTV visa obtained through a school under the Soft Power route?
4.9k111316mo
Do I need to show proof of funds when re-entering Thailand on a DTV visa after a short absence?
3.6k33229mo
What documents are needed for a DTV 180-day extension at immigration in Thailand?
2.3k161010mo
What are the '3 Proofs' required when entering Thailand with a DTV Visa?
96631510mo
What are the requirements and process for obtaining a DTV visa in Thailand?
1.9k1971y
What challenges do expats face when re-entering Thailand on a long-term visa?
11.8k951431y
What documents are needed for the DTV visa application in Thailand?
836451y
What should I show when entering Thailand with my first DTV visa?
926641y
What payslips should my wife submit for her DTV visa application if she plans to work remotely for a Malaysian university after leaving her job in Canada?
1.1k941y
What do I need to know about entering Thailand with a DTV visa?
1.2k7111y
What are the steps for applying for the DTV visa in Thailand for me and my wife?
1k851y
What should I expect when arriving in Thailand with a DTV visa?
2.8k17361y
What are the steps to obtain a DTV visa in Thailand, including document requirements?
567162y
What should DTV visa holders know about re-entering Thailand?
12.2k811832y
What documents do I need to submit for a DTV visa in Thailand as a freelancer?
2.5k18242y
What documents are needed for a DTV visa approval in Thailand?
542152y
What should I know when applying for the DTV visa in Thailand after returning from a trip?
4.6k30602y
Do I need to present TM 30 and TM 47 documents when entering Thailand with a DTV visa?
2.2k1972y
What should I expect during my entry into Thailand with a DTV visa?
14k442352y
What should I do upon entering Thailand with my DTV visa and how can I open a Thai bank account?
1k482y
Why was my immigration experience in Thailand so complicated with a DTV Visa?
16.1k882962y
What supporting documents are required for re-entering Thailand on a DTV visa?
903512y
Resources
Need help with your DTV visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served