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What happens if your DTV application is rejected: Is the fee refundable?
DTV VisaVisa Application ProcessVisa Fee Refund PolicyE-Visa IssuesRejection ReasonsThailand ImmigrationExpats in Thailand
Nov 2, 2024
a year ago
Annie ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHas anyone applied for a DTV and been rejected. Do you pay upfront and lose the fee or what happens.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Many individuals have reported rejections when applying for a DTV (Long Stay Visa) due to errors in their biodata, incomplete documentation, or applying through the incorrect embassy. If an application is rejected, the visa fee is typically non-refundable, especially if applied online. It's crucial for applicants to thoroughly verify all entered information, as small mistakes can lead to rejection and loss of the application fee. Some users have mentioned that applying in person may allow for payments only after approval. Overall, attention to detail in the application process and understanding the specific requirements are essential to avoid unnecessary fees.
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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Henrik *****
ALWAYS read the visapages of the Embassy you will be applying at, before making the application.
Jonathan ************
Hello,
C'est exactement ça : on paye en avance et s'il est refusé --> tampis pour nous.
Je l'ai eu du premier coup.
J'ai pu enregistrer des documents et rassembler les documents manquant avant d'envoyer ma demande en ligne.
C'est exactement ça : on paye en avance et s'il est refusé --> tampis pour nous.
Je l'ai eu du premier coup.
J'ai pu enregistrer des documents et rassembler les documents manquant avant d'envoyer ma demande en ligne.
John *******
You have to be very careful with the e-visa system. When scanning your bio page, there have been cases where in interprets a zero instead of the letter O and vice versa. This can lead to rejection and loss of fee. Same with capital I (I) and lowercase L (l)
Colin *******
It would be interesting to hear from others with details if possible of the actual characters involved.
John *******
@Colin ******
you can go back and look at the tons of posts on this.Reply to
John *******
Reply
Colin *******
@John ******
sounds like FB folklore to me.Toni *******
@Colin ******
for me, i had the application saved until i received the last needed document, i had fixed the biodata page, but when i continued the application i didnt know it had re-read the image, so my last name was wrong again and got rejectedColin *******
@Toni ******
thanks Toni. May I ask what citizenship passport you have, and which characters were misread? . I ask as the software is pretty good these days and these misreads should be extremely rare.Colin *******
@Toni ******
is there any reason why an R was missed? Is it a long and or complex name? I assume it is machine printed in English?Toni *******
@Colin ******
i have no idea, for me the picture of biodata page was very clearToni *******
@Colin ******
Finnish. My lastname was missing R 🤣Reply to
Toni *******
Reply
John *******
@Colin ******
Maybe. How long you been part of this group? You can go back a search at least 10+ people highlighting this happened to them. How did you apply for your visa?Reply to
John *******
Reply
Thiên ******
Christopher ***********
@John ******
Wow! Thanks for your info John. There should be no question of anyone having to pay the visa application fee again in such circumstances.Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
In such cases the application is rejected without refund.When you apply again you just have to pay again, whether you like it or not.
On the evisa page and help documents they explicitly warn you to check the info carefully, so it is your responsibility.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
David ******
On first application I had the mistake of middle initial or middle name from the bio data page. Rejected and no refund from the Los Angeles office. Reapplied, repaid, submitted additional documents when requested and approved.
Luit *****************
Benjamin Michael Data you enter for a visa should be exactly as on your passport, that is the same everywhere in the world.
How hard can it be to understand that?
The same applies for flighttickets, do you also complain about that?
Sometimes the difference of one character of number can be very important.
How hard can it be to understand that?
The same applies for flighttickets, do you also complain about that?
Sometimes the difference of one character of number can be very important.
John *******
@Luit ****************
I see both sides. You state that “you should enter data correct” implying that it all these cases they entered incorrectly. However, there are many stories where applicants enter their details, check it multiple times to ensure it is correct. However, when you upload your passport photo page, the website replaces what you wrote (and checked) with what it thinks your passport photo page says. There are cases where the webpage software interprets letters and numbers incorrectly, maybe replacing the letter O with a zero 0, etc. Yes, maybe the applicant should recheck again, but maybe website also needs better software too, or not to overwrite what the applicant filled outLuit *****************
@John ******
As an ICT professional I think they made the application wrong.You should be enforced to scan before you can enter any info yourself, and then after scanning you should be asked to check if all scanned info is correct.
Now they have bad software and have warnings everywhere what might go wrong.
The better should have spend a bit more on the software.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Christopher ***********
@David *****
Seems tough and unfair. Government offices everywhere take the arrogant view that the onus is on the applicant to ensure their name as it appears upon their passport exactly matches their visa application.Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
What is wrong with that? Not only government offices have the view you should enter data correct.When you enter digits in your bank application in error, this also does not make the bank responsible for the error.
Luit *****************
Benjamin Michael I think everyone is responsible for data they enter, and know in advance that if entered incorrectly, the amount paid will be lost.
If the visa application details do not exactly match the passport, that is a substantial error, just as an incorrect name on an airline ticket can also result in invalidation and loss of the amount paid
That has nothing to do with bureaucracy.
If the visa application details do not exactly match the passport, that is a substantial error, just as an incorrect name on an airline ticket can also result in invalidation and loss of the amount paid
That has nothing to do with bureaucracy.
Luit *****************
Benjamin Michael you can find it funny, but it is normal to be held responsible for what you request
Luit *****************
Of course they can ask you to confirm the spelling of your name, but at the end of application they already did ask you to confirm everything you entered.
When somebody makes spelling errors in his or her own name, you can hardly consider that as a typographical and minor error, when talking about official documents.
It's not a kindergarten class after all.
And I agree that the software should not make correct data incorrect after scanning, but still you are asked to check all data.
If you don't like the rules, just don't play the game. Nobody forces you to apply for a visa.
When somebody makes spelling errors in his or her own name, you can hardly consider that as a typographical and minor error, when talking about official documents.
It's not a kindergarten class after all.
And I agree that the software should not make correct data incorrect after scanning, but still you are asked to check all data.
If you don't like the rules, just don't play the game. Nobody forces you to apply for a visa.
Luit *****************
You really see this rules for visa application as capricious and oppressive?
Success in pushing back against them.
I don't see why Thai government could not decide about their own rules, nobody is forcing you to apply for a visa.
Success in pushing back against them.
I don't see why Thai government could not decide about their own rules, nobody is forcing you to apply for a visa.
Luit *****************
Benjamin Michael It is not up to you to decide what is a minor error and what is a major error. You cannot judge if it is simply to correct or not.
However, correcting errors is costing time and money.
The software also should allow then to change your info after an officer has concluded you made errors.
Then after correction, the officer has to check again. How long would you have this to go on?
And why should people that make no errors, and just check their data in the end pay for higher fees because some people don't want to take the responsability for the data they enter?
However, correcting errors is costing time and money.
The software also should allow then to change your info after an officer has concluded you made errors.
Then after correction, the officer has to check again. How long would you have this to go on?
And why should people that make no errors, and just check their data in the end pay for higher fees because some people don't want to take the responsability for the data they enter?
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Sergio ******
@David *****
were you physically in LA? I’m not sure if I can apply in Chicago embassy if I’m currently travelingHenrik *****
You have to apply based in where you are during the applying proces.
Reply to
Henrik *****
Reply
Phill **********
@David *****
do you mean you omitted your middle initial when applying?David ******
@Phill *********
it autopopulated from the bio page of my passport. Thought I checked it, but must have missed the error.Henrik *****
You should always turn of autofill off, when making a visa application, and many Thai embassies write that very clear, as the LA consulate:
“Visa fee is non-refundable, please double check all information before submitting, especially if your device is using auto fill or auto correct. Mismatch information will be rejected as the officers are not able to edit any information entered by the applicant. Applicants will have to re-submit and the Visa fee is non-refundable.”
Always write the data excactly like in the machinereadable field, at the bottom of the picturepage.
“Visa fee is non-refundable, please double check all information before submitting, especially if your device is using auto fill or auto correct. Mismatch information will be rejected as the officers are not able to edit any information entered by the applicant. Applicants will have to re-submit and the Visa fee is non-refundable.”
Always write the data excactly like in the machinereadable field, at the bottom of the picturepage.
Reply to
Henrik *****
Reply
Helen ********
If you search the group numerous people have been rejected for a wide variety of reasons. Some had mistakes in bio data pages, even though it's automatically input you still need to make sure it's accurate. Others didn't have documents, other applied to wrong embassies or couldn't prove they were in the country they applied in. Many people lost the fee.
Christopher ***********
If online application you pay in advance so fee is lost. Some people have reported that if you apply in person you don’t pay unless approved. Others say you pay in advance, sometimes being asked to sign a form to the effect of ‘no refund if application is rejected’.
Rachel ********
i think in Taipei you only pay when you are approved
Annie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Christopher **********
is a.lot of money to lose of rejectedHenrik *****
Would you do any work and not be payed ?
Luit *****************
@Annie *******
I think DTV is not expensive, when you belong to the group of people for who this visa is meant, and carefully check everything you filled in, the chance of being rejected is very low.When you try to get this visa with only a one month cooking course you might be lucky to get it, but everyone with common sense can understand this visa is not meant for this.
Annie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Luit ****************
Australians have to pay a lot. $600 is a lot to lose.Luit *****************
@Annie *******
If you clearly without doubt comply with the requyirements, and check everything you enter carefully, especially the passport details, you will not loose the money.Australians do not pay more than European, British and Americans I think, so I still do not think it is a lot of money
Annie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Luit ****************
its not a lot of money if you get the visa approved but it is a lot to lose if rejected.Luit *****************
@Annie *******
The amount paid is not different for an approved and rejected visa.The amount is paid to process the application regardless of the outcome.
If you make no mistakes in filling out the application and meet the conditions, the visa will be assigned.
Both factors are completely in your control
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Justin ********
@Annie *******
honestly, it's not if you consider America charges 185 USD for it's garbage visa, nothing at the level of a DTV, just a simple tourist visa, and robs tens of thousand if not hundreds of thousands of Mexicans Colombian Chinese Thais etc. of this money year after year after year, many who would have come and spent $3000-10,000 on a vacation or family vacation. Pot, kettle, black etc.Christopher ***********
@Annie *******
True! Also, if rejected when applying for one reason e.g. a cookery course, you can’t then switch the reason to an application based on a medical appointment (for example) for the same application. Your fee is already lost and you must submit a fresh application.Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
It is not logical to switch the reason for application.Normally first there is a reason you need to be in Thailand like a medical appointment, and then you should apply for a visa that is covering this needed stay in the country.
As you tell it, it would be just the other way around, first apply for a visa and then find a reason to get the visa.
Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
I understand your point Luit! Only the other day someone asked this question about switching reason for application following rejection and one of our most experienced moderators clarified that it isn’t possible. A valid scenario for wishing to do so could be if the applicant had booked a cookery course (for example) but also had a pending medical appointment. There has been a previous report of a DTV being approved for a single dental appointment!Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
I also read stories of DTV approved very easily, and I also see a lot of people here are trying to get this visa without a real reason.It would be very logical when you only could get this visa when you need to be over 3 months in Thailand.
If you cannot prove that, you might be lucky to get approval, but you also should not be surpised when you got rejected.
When you have more than one reason to be in Thailand for longer time, you should apply for the reason with the longest time.
Please try to imagine what an officer processing your application will think about changing reason after rejected for a certain option. How credible this will look? Just trying options until you are lucky shows you not really need the visa for the reasons you mention.
Justin ********
@Luit ****************
they asked me to indicate how many days ill stay and i put 91. Make of it what you will, this isn't the logic NY embassy usedLuit *****************
@Justin *******
The evisa application seems to be configured different at different locations, and in som it still contains questions only logical for other types of visa.Reply to
Luit *****************
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