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What is the deadline to activate my DTV visa after entering Thailand on a tourist visa?

DTV visa Thailand immigration visa rules tourist visa visa status change Thailand expat advice

Mar 28, 2025

7 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I was approved for DTV! But it took some time, and my flight back was too expensive to change, so I entered recently on a regular tourist visa. I know I have to go out and re-enter to initiate the change of status. Is there a deadline for this? Like use it or lose it? 🤷‍♀️

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user was approved for a DTV visa but entered Thailand on a tourist visa and is inquiring about the deadline to leave and re-enter Thailand to activate their DTV status. Responses indicate that one must leave Thailand within 59 days of entry to activate the DTV, which must be done within 90 days of the DTV approval to avoid cancellation.

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.

Pelle Eriksson

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Florence ********

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Ivica ************

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Ivica ************

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Ivica ************

If possible James Miller ot Tod Daniles can answer is this correct i get this email from Thai Embassy in Budapest!

I want to start apply in May using soft power Muay Thai school i will book now trening for 6 month in Fight Evo Pattaya.

But start is November now next week i go back home and i need to work can be back before November in Thailand.

Can i apply im may or this lady who work in Thai Embassy write i cant before semptember???

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Brandon ************

@Ivica ***********

that's not true. The visa is valid until the end date written on the visa, even if you waited 4.5 years to enter

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Ivica ************

I guess you are right , just worried that they will reject my applying and loose the fee .

Thats the reason i will wait, probaply and sure you are right but their answer at my emails are suggest dont apply before 3 months you have ticket to Thailand!

Guess they just dont start proces otherwise and their rule is strange but look like this!!

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Ivica ************

@Brandon ***********

Ok.

But the email from Thai Embassy said i can start proces to apply for dtv visa 3 months before my departure to Thailand.

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Brandon ************

@Ivica ***********

because they won't issue you a visa if you tell them you're not going to be traveling more than 3 months away, especially because most visas are only valid for 90 days.

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James ********

@Brandon ***********

correct ✅.

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James ********

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James ********

@Ivica ***********

something is NOT 🚫 correct. The reply you received from the Thai Embassy is for the tourist visa.. NOT 🚫 a DTV Visa. There's NOT a number of days or months in which you must enter Thailand with a DTV Visa.

ONCE the DTV visa is issued you can enter Thailand anytime during the 5 years it is valid.

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Ivica ************

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Ivica ************

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Ivica ************

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Ivica ************

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Ivica ************

i send you copy of my emails with them

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Ivica ************

But i write them before i ask strictly for dtv visa, one answer is 350 euro fee , and one month

*****

euro in account! I write them few emails !

This still confsued me but i guess I will need to wait!

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Ivica ************

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Ivica ************

Good question i get email from Thai Embassy in Hungary that i can start apply fot dtv visa now when i come back home if my planing to come back in november, reason is that same like normal 60 day tourist visa you need to entrance to Thailand in 90 days when your dtv visa is valid!!

Im planing to start proces in may of fear that will be changes in rules regrading dtv visa and send them email with few more question and thats what replay i get from them!

Mean if you dont enter Thailand in 90 days your dtv visa is aprroved it will be canceled!!

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Biff *******

@Ivica ***********

This is not true.

The 60 day tourist visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. That’s the time you have to use it to get a 60 day entry stamp.

The DTV is valid for 5 years. That’s the time you have to use it to get a 180 day entry stamp.

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Ivica ************

Try to find here from email they send me

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Biff *******

@Ivica ***********

The visa has dates on it; valid from…

valid until…

That is the validity period within which you can enter on it.

A tourist visa has a validity period of 90 days, a DTV has a validity period of 5 years.

I’m not sure how much clearer it could be explained.

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Jeremy *****

how does your math work a 60 day TV is 90 days 🤦‍♂️😂

You can apply to extend a 60 day and get an additional 30 days but it dang sure isn't automatic 🤦‍♂️😂

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Jeremy *****

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Ivica ************

Hopfully you are right

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Ivica ************

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James ********

You probably entered Thailand as Visa Exempt Entry...

With 60 days STAMP placed in your passport.

You need to leave Thailand within 59 days... and reenter to activate the DTV visa you received from the Thai Embassy or Consulate.

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James ********

Suggest you use an experienced border run service company to take you to the Thai border, exit and reenter Thailand same day. Take the print out of the DTV Visa email you received. Show it to the Thai Immigration Officers upon departure and reentry.

The border run service company know what you need to do...they will take care of you and return the same day.

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Ivica ************

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James ********

@Ivica ***********

what Thai Visa did you ask about ?

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Ivica ************

i ask for dtv visa

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Ivica ************

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Ivica ************

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Ivica ************

If possible James Miller ot Tod Daniles can answer is this correct i get this email from Thai Embassy in Budapest!

I want to start apply in May using soft power Muay Thai school i will book now trening for 6 month in Fight Evo Pattaya.

But start is November now next week i go back home and i need to work can be back before November in Thailand.

Can i apply im may or this lady who work in Thai Embassy write i cant before semptember???

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Luit *****************

@Ivica ***********

When you plan to travel in November you should not apply before somewhere in August.

Most embassies will not process applications more than 3 months before intended travel.

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Ivica ************

@Luit ****************

Thanks!

Thats same what owner of school tell me today , he said follow strictly what they write from embassy you apply for dtv visa!

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James ********

@Luit ****************

correct ✅

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James ********

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James ********

Thank You for your helpful report 👍

Congratulations 👏👏👏

PRINT OUT THE EMAIL THAT HAS YOUR DTV VISA.

That's what you should do... print it out.

You may have to show PROOF of your DTV Visa to airline staff on check-in for your flight ✈️ to Thailand...even to the connecting airline staff. Or to the land border crossing entry Thai Immigration Officer.

Upon arrival into Thailand, show the DTV visa to the Thai Immigration Officer and look at the STAMP placed in your passport to be sure you are STAMPED in for 180 days.

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James ********

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Greg ********

5 years from date of issue :-)

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Greg ********

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