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What should I do if my Thai visa application is pending approval and my intended entry date is approaching?

Feb 3, 2026
3 months ago
I applied for my visa on Jan. 27 in Hanoi. I uploaded an additional document after a request on the 28th. It changed to pending approval the same day. I put my intended date of entry as February 14th (big mistake..). I'm afraid they won't accept/reject me until closer to that date, as the visa is valid from the moment it is issued. It makes sense, I was just being cautious with my date... I didn't know how long it would take, and I definitely didn't know it would impact the speed of processing. I want to get back to Thailand ASAP. I'm really struggling with the pollution, colder weather, and lack of sunlight...

Does anyone have experience with emailing the embassy to check the status or ask for an update? And would you recommend doing this?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user applied for a Thai visa in Hanoi on January 27, uploaded additional documents on January 28, and is concerned about the approval timeline given their intended entry date of February 14. They are inquiring about the experience of others in checking the status of their visa applications via email and whether it's advisable to do so.
Alex *******
The departure time doesnt matter. I would think they process in the order they were received. I was there too 10 days ago, the pollution in Hanoi really sucks and it was very humid and cold. I flew to Hue after spending 6 nights in Hanoi and Ninh Binh. There was no pollution in Hue and it was much warmer. I ended up flying back from Da Nang.

Your application will get approved in 5 business days. I went to the Thai embassy and spoke with the staff to ask some document questions and this is the timeline they told me.
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Ian **********
You should’ve applied from Phu Quoc in Vietnam nice and sunny tropical island here 🙂

Sorry to rub it in, but I don’t think your intended date of travel will have any impact on the timeline
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Anonymous ******************
Oh and I actually have emailed the embassy this Saturday asking if shortening my Vietnam trip would be okay (if processing times allow it, of course)

No response or update yet.
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Anonymous ******************
I applied the same date as you in Hanoi, had no request for additional documents - status changed to Pending Approval 28 Jan.

I put my intended date of entry to 20 Feb even though I’d love to return to Thailand asap. (Just being cautious)

Looks like we’re in the same situation - I’ll update my comment if I get some news.
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Anonymous ******************
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