Ask question

What should I do after my FTV visa was approved while I'm already in Thailand?

FTV visa Visa approval Immigration advice Thailand expat Re-entry visa Visa activation Spanish citizen Madrid embassy

Jan 21, 2025

a day ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

So I just got my FTV visa approved but I’m in Thailand.

Hello guys, I submited my visa on jan 6, but after contacting the embassy I thought they would not approve it so I decided to come to thailand.

I landed today and got a notification informing me that it was approved.

What should I do now… please help!!

I applied in Madrid embassy and I’m a spanish citizen

2,727

views

6

likes

83

all likes

42

replies

0

images

19

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The user recently received approval for their FTV visa while already in Thailand and is seeking guidance on the next steps. Community members suggest that the user should print the visa PDF, leave Thailand briefly, and re-enter to activate the visa, which will then grant a 180-day entry stamp. Guidance varies from simply exiting and re-entering to providing practical tips based on personal experiences.

Delfina *********

Go next immigration

Like

Reply

Andries *********

Good to hear it got approved. Under which category did you apply? Was it for work or soft power? I've heard the Madrid embassy is strict on the soft power one and am in Spain myself planning to apply.

Like

Reply

Boki ********

@Andries ********

I ment that it does not matter where you are as the application is done on same web

Like

Reply

Sascha **********

not true, the application is processed by the local embassy/consular staff. When applying through the centralized system you have to say where (which embassy/consulate) you are applying and your application gets redirected to them.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Sascha **********

Reply

Boki ********

@Andries ********

but you need to reside from where you apply

Like

Reply

Andries *********

Yes, but residence can be temporary. People already in Thailand go to Laos or Vietnam and apply from there.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Andries *********

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andries ********

Soft power, they say you have to have the money for at least 3 mo and then you can apply.. I don't have it but they still approved...

Like

Reply

Andries *********

Anonymous participant Thanks, I may have to look at applying in a country neighboring Thailand. Seems a safer option than doing it from Spain.

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andries ********

You can try, but I think you can do get approved, I really thought my visa would not be approved as I contacted them and they told me that with my documents I wont get approved.

Now I'm still in th, but i'm kinda scared that It got approved while here, so today I'm flying out and hopefully I can re enter on 25.

On25 or 26, if it's all good, I'll make a post explaining all my process very detailed, I'd reccomend you to read it and leave a comment there if you have any questions.

This group helped me a lot which I'm sure it will to you too.

Like

Reply

Boki ********

@Andries ********

I contacted Spanish consulate and they direct every visa application to the main world Thai web visa application

Like

Reply

Andries *********

nevertheless, I've been told that when applying for the soft power with seminar through Spain, they deny the visa. When applying from a different country, they grant the visa.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Andries *********

Reply

David ****

Que te pidieron ? Tus nóminas? En unos meses quiero intentarlo también en España

Like

Reply

Alma ***************

A few days is enough..some even did an overnight

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Alma **************

thanks!!

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous *************

Reply

Anonymous ******************

Similar thing happened to me... my application was eventually approved 8 weeks after submit and I was back in Thailand after giving up and planning to re-submit again in another country. I went to KL for 1 one night with no issues leaving or re-entering on DTV.

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 183 Thanks a lot!! And Did you do it right away? Did they ask you questions? Was there any problem by the fact that 2 days ago you was in thailand and now you entering again with a new visa?

Like

Reply

Anonymous ******************

Anonymous participant I did get some unofficial advice to stay at least one night. Apparently stamps in and out on the same day are not liked... but that's just what I heard. For the sake of 1 night, it wasn't worth testing it 😆

Like

Reply

Anonymous ******************

Anonymous participant I was approved Jan 13 and departed Jan 17 (I had to leave by Jan 23 which was the stamp in my passport). No questions leaving as I was before the stamp. I was nervous coming in but didn't get asked a single question arriving in Phuket. Easy-peasy 😆

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous ******************

Reply

Chris *******

This is no issue.

You now have the PDF and can activate it on your next entry.

Like

Reply

Francky ********

Just make your life as if nothing happened. Just get out of Thailand in 2 months and come back whenever you want.

Like

Reply

Chris ******

Tienes que salir otravez y volver utilizando el DTV .. felicidades 🥂

Like

Reply

Biff *******

Print out the pdf file (that is your visa) leave Thailand and re-enter. Show the immigration officer your DTV and you’ll get a 180 day entry stamp.

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I forgot to ask, is there any possibility that I'll get denied because I just came out and in again?

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok, thanks at all Biff. I'll also gona spend 2-3 nights out, so I guess that should help.

Like

Reply

Biff *******

Anonymous participant People border bounce all day every day. It’s not unusual at all.

Like

Reply

Biff *******

Anonymous participant they might question you but I think it’s unlikely. If they do just tell them the truth. You thought the DTV wasn’t going to be approved, you got here and it was.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Biff *******

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Does it matter where I leave? Can I just leave to a neighbour country?

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks a lot. I'll have my flight to Malasya for today. I hope that the fact that I have entry stamp on 19 and exit on 22 is not affected.

Visa was approved on 21st

Like

Reply

Biff *******

Anonymous participant any border.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Biff *******

Reply

Rogerio ******

no need to get out right away. You can wait until your normal stay hits maximum.

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

So I can leave after 60 days? I just landed yesterday...

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous *************

Reply

James ********

Correct ✅

Like

Reply

Yaowalak ********

Genius!!!!

Like

Reply

Sharon *********

this 👍🏻

Like

Reply

Reply to

Sharon *********

Reply

Greg ********

Fly out and fly back activating the DTV

Like

Reply

Ajané **********

I don’t think it’s a huge deal.. right now you’ll (mostly likely) be here on visa exempt for 60 days (depending on your passport/what country you’re coming from). At any point, you can leave Thailand and when you re-enter, your new visa will then be active, at that point, your 180 days will start.

Like

Reply

Fontaine **************

Not trying to be funny, but you should be crying like a baby because she screwed up! You should have considered that before returning without being approved🤷🏻‍♂️ I would assume most would agree

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Fontaine *************

I just left because, as I said in the post, based on their answers when I contacted immigration, i though I would not get approved.

Like

Reply

Fontaine **************

Anonymous participant yes, it’s simple you broke the rules bro! 🤷🏻‍♂️

Like

Reply

Aaron *******

@Fontaine *************

No he didn't. Just came in on a regular Tourist Visa or Visa Exempt. He can activate the DTV later. To be extra cautious, he can go back to Spain and re-enter on DTV.

Like

Reply

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Bet you did everything perfect in your life. Good for you, I wish I was a smart and good man like you.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Anonymous *************

Reply

Jon **********

@Fontaine *************

no.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jon **********

Reply

Can I switch to my approved DTV after entering Thailand on a tourist visa?

13 comments

6 days ago

How do I activate my DTV visa after entering Thailand on a tourist visa?

48 comments

18 days ago

What should I do if my visa application is approved while I'm on a visa on arrival in Thailand?

17 comments

18 days ago

What should I do to activate my DTV visa after entering Thailand on a visa-exempt status?

67 comments

a month ago

Can I activate my DTV Visa by exiting and re-entering Thailand on a tourist visa?

18 comments

a month ago

What steps should I take to leave Thailand and return with my approved DTV while on a student visa?

2 comments

a month ago

What are the next steps after my DTV visa is approved by the UK Thai embassy?

13 comments

a month ago

What should I do if my DTV visa gets approved while I'm already in Thailand?

4 comments

a month ago

Is it easy to switch from a tourist visa to a DTV visa after arriving in Thailand?

4 comments

2 months ago

Will I still get my visa if I fly back to Vietnam and then return to Thailand after approval?

3 comments

2 months ago

Can I activate my DTV in Thailand after entering on a visa exemption?

19 comments

2 months ago

Can I activate my Thai DTV visa by entering from a different country after applying from the UK?

6 comments

3 months ago

What should I do if my DTV gets approved while I'm already in Thailand?

4 comments

3 months ago

How do I extend my DTV stay and complete 90-day reporting in Thailand?

18 comments

3 months ago

Can I apply for a DTV visa online and activate it by exiting and re-entering Thailand?

40 comments

3 months ago

Can I re-enter Thailand after my DTV visa approval without returning to Italy?

24 comments

4 months ago

Can I activate my DTV visa by exiting and re-entering Thailand after arriving on a visa-exempt entry?

3 comments

4 months ago

What should I do about my DTV visa after entering Thailand on a visa-free basis?

4 comments

4 months ago

Can I leave Thailand and re-enter on a DTV if I arrived on a 60-day VOA?

23 comments

5 months ago

What should I know about entering Thailand on a 60-day stamp while waiting for my DTV visa?

16 comments

5 months ago

Can you enter Thailand before your DTV visa is approved, and how do you obtain it afterward?

9 comments

5 months ago

What should I do if my DTV visa approval is pending before my flight to Thailand?

26 comments

6 months ago

Do I need to leave Thailand to activate my multi-entry tourist visa (METV)?

14 comments

7 months ago

Should I inform Thai immigration about my approved Tourist Visa or re-enter Thailand with it later?

5 comments

a year ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq: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.