This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What is the process for getting the DTV visa in Thailand and what should expats consider?
Feb 15, 2026
3 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERQuick follow up on the Thailand DTV experience since a few people asked.
Here’s how it actually played out:
02/06 Applied in Hanoi
02/09 Asked for more info
02/10 Sent the extra docs
02/11 Flew back to Bangkok because I forgot my external HD and needed files ASAP
02/12 DTV approved
02/13 Flew to Laos just to activate it
02/14 Back in Bangkok with the DTV stamped in my passport
Honestly… zero drama. No questions. Way easier than people make it sound.
If you get approved while already in Thailand, you really just leave once, come back, and you’re set.
Here’s how it actually played out:
02/06 Applied in Hanoi
02/09 Asked for more info
02/10 Sent the extra docs
02/11 Flew back to Bangkok because I forgot my external HD and needed files ASAP
02/12 DTV approved
02/13 Flew to Laos just to activate it
02/14 Back in Bangkok with the DTV stamped in my passport
Honestly… zero drama. No questions. Way easier than people make it sound.
If you get approved while already in Thailand, you really just leave once, come back, and you’re set.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their experience with the Thailand DTV visa application process, highlighting a straightforward approval timeline. They applied in Hanoi, received additional document requests, and upon returning to Bangkok, had their DTV approved and stamped within a week. However, several commenters warned that their approach of leaving and re-entering Thailand could pose risks, noting embassy guidelines that discourage such actions. The conversation also clarified that the DTV refers to a digital document received via email, while the entry stamp indicates the duration of stay, sparking discussions on the importance of understanding visa rules.
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★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Nicholas *******
6 weeks still waiting for mine, not all experiences like this.
Guido ***********
I thaught about doing this as Ive been in Vietnam way too long waiting (and Tet now) . I was put of buy the systems corolating . Glad it worked out but is a little risky
Elías ********
What you did is not guaranteed for others. Good it worked this time, but they could very well have made an issue of it.
Don't recommend it as an option to others.
Don't recommend it as an option to others.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Elías *******
not recommended. Just sharing the outcomeReply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
you cheated the system and expectto be punished🙏 one day
Andrew *******
Anonymous participant 228 he didn’t and he won’t be 🙏
Anonymous ******************
@Andrew ******
Of course he did, but he just got lucky. Embassies mention on their websites that you can’t return to Thailand until you obtain the visa. Yes, plenty of people here can “read the future.” You just forgot that immigration is a little more clever than you think and keeps records of your entries and can check the issuance date of a DTV.Marc ********
@Andrew ******
He certainly did cheat the system. But probably they will never find outAnonymous ******************
@Marc *******
everything in the computer. one day they will make him POINT at his mistake☝️Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Robert *******
Sorry to comment.
BUT the DTV is NOT stamped in your passort, what you show is the entry stamp each and every visitor gets at entry into Thailand.
In the entry stamp the officier will write why you got this period of stay, the visa like DTV, re entry like Non RE, or the Thai letter and 60 as visa exempt entry.
The DTV is the pdf you received from the Embassy by e-mail.
BUT the DTV is NOT stamped in your passort, what you show is the entry stamp each and every visitor gets at entry into Thailand.
In the entry stamp the officier will write why you got this period of stay, the visa like DTV, re entry like Non RE, or the Thai letter and 60 as visa exempt entry.
The DTV is the pdf you received from the Embassy by e-mail.
DTVPeck********
@Robert ******
It clearly says DTV on his entry stamp.Robert *******
DTVPeckerBeggar :Yes, a visa is a visa and send by e-mail by the Thai Embassy.
an Entry stamp is a stamp from Immigration with a period of time you can stay and a reference to possible a visa or other entry scheme.
People mix that up, as you can read in long discusions about what to do when your passport get lost or stolen.
Some people think that the visa is the entry stamp which is not correct,
an Entry stamp is a stamp from Immigration with a period of time you can stay and a reference to possible a visa or other entry scheme.
People mix that up, as you can read in long discusions about what to do when your passport get lost or stolen.
Some people think that the visa is the entry stamp which is not correct,
Dany ********
DTVPeckerBeggar thats what he said…..
Reply to
Dany ********
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
I have the PDF and the stamp says DTV with 180 days so I'm not sure what your trying to imply here.Dany ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer he says that proof of your visa is the printed PDF file… and the entry stamp is nothing more than an entry stamp that tells you how long you can stay. its not the visa itself.
Reply to
Dany ********
Reply
James ********
You were Lucky 🍀
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
100%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.
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.
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
"If you get approved while already in Thailand, you really just leave once, come back, and you’re set." You’re not supposed to do that, as stated on embassy websites during the application process. Sure, you can do it your way, but your tourist entry stamp won’t disappear. The day an IO wants to mess with you, a quick cross-check of your tourist stamp and DTV issuance date makes it an easy case. It was maybe an urgent case for you but please don't suggest it to others when risky.
James ********
Wise advice ✅
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 260 not suggesting this just sharing what happened. I went into this expecting to have to reapply
Jef ********
Jai yen
Reply to
Jef ********
Reply
16 comments
3 months ago
What are the experiences and rules related to entering Thailand on a DTV after applying from abroad?
27 comments
3 months ago
18 comments
4 months ago
97 comments
5 months ago
10 comments
8 months ago
3 comments
10 months ago
17 comments
a year ago
9 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
3 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
16 comments
a year ago
1 comments
a year ago
14 comments
a year ago
28 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
15 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
1 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
17 comments
a year ago
45 comments
a year ago
71 comments
2 years ago
26 comments
2 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.