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What should I do if my visa application was canceled due to a name spelling issue with a special character?

Jul 16, 2025
a day ago
Hi all,

So, I applied for the DTV 6 days ago (German citizen). My last name has an ö in it, a letter only found in a few alphabets. It is common to either write it as “oe” or “o” on official documents. I have been getting flights by writing it with “o” for ages.

I just got an automated email saying my visa application was cancelled due to my last name having been incorrect. There was no indication on the application or embassy website on how to spell it.

I will obviously call the embassy tomorrow and if necessary the responsible office in Thailand… but I wanted to ask if anybody has had a similar experience and whether they managed to get a refund it were able to change it after the fact. My visa application just got moved to the completed tab with a “cancelled” indication. Didn’t receive anything but this automated email. Because loosing 350 Euros for writing my name correctly is not acceptable to me.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A German citizen applied for a DTV visa but had their application canceled due to a spelling issue with their last name containing the letter 'ö'. This letter isn't always accepted in visa applications and can often be replaced with 'o' or 'oe'. The user argues that the cancellation was unjust and seeks advice on the situation, especially regarding the possibility of a refund or changing the name after cancellation. Comments suggest referencing the machine-readable section of the passport for correct spelling when filling out applications.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Huỳnh *****************
My viet name has many accent and strange letters, so I just type in the name spelled at the machine reading line. I got approved. I have applied evisa from many countries that way.
Anonymous ******************
Why can’t you enter ö ? The field does not accepts it?
Anonymous ******************
Why you didn't match your passport data??
John *********
Did you enter your name, exactly as it is shown on your passport?
Jonas *************
@John ********
actually the issue is that he can't enter the actual name on his passport...

And people seem to indicate that you should type in the machine readable part of the passport but that's not your name!

If they want you to type exactly what's written in the machine readable part of the passport they should be saying that!

It's a money grift.
ユリ ****
machen die extra um visa fees abzukassieren

mach den kram direkt übern agent sparst dir zeit nerven geld
Jim **********
Do i have to write

OE Bangkok

in the application form under Authority?
Anonymous ******************
@Jim *********
- you write Germany
Ben *******
Welcome to Thailand. I had issues with the e-visa that were absolutely not my fault and im not paying to redo it...I just choose to leave Thailand. Really not the best place for me PERSONALLY, thats my decision. Other places are easier and more welcoming.
Pete *******
The fee is for applying. You applied and was charged the appropriate fee. No refund. You can apply again and will again be charged the appropriate fee. Life lesson, understand the MRZ on your passport.
Elías ********
Check how it's written on the machine readable section of your passport in the lower part of the page. Must be written like that.
Cliff *********
Here is your justice, and it’s not very nice.

This issue is discussed DAILY in the forums. Any errors of dates, name , spelling etc are AUTOMATIC FAILURE from the computer.

It must match your passport data page.

Sorry…….do your homework.
Elías ********
@Cliff ********
in his case is NOT a failure. The system won't accept that letter. In his case he's supposed to do not writte that "special" character.
Jef ********
Ian **********
It must match your passport
Anonymous ******************
Which embassy?
Karsten ********
Hi I have the ü in my last name, so check the row below, where your name is written, and I am sure it's with oe. In my case it's ue
Donna ******
Did you write it as in the machine read line at the bottom of your passport? That's the way most systems match it. (No ö, but other characters, and this is the advice we've been given.)
Karsten ********
@Donna *****
exactly, if he didn't do so he lost 350euro
Anonymous ******************
Good luck with that. You'll most likely never be able to get your money back. The only little chance for you is to have applied in your own country where they could eventually understand the problem of "Umlaut".