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What should I do if my visa application was canceled due to a name spelling issue with a special character?
Visa CancellationName Spelling IssuesDTV Visa ThailandGerman Citizen VisaPassport DetailsEmbassy CommunicationVisa Refund Policies
Jul 16, 2025
9 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi 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.
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.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A German citizen applied for a Thai DTV visa, but their application was automatically canceled due to an issue with the spelling of their last name, which includes the letter 'ö'. The applicant has consistently used 'o' instead of 'ö' in travel documents. The automated email from the embassy was unclear about the spelling requirements. The individual plans to contact the embassy for clarification and seeks advice from others who might have experienced similar issues, particularly regarding the possibility of receiving a refund or correcting the application.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Anonymous ******************
Tough.
Stefan ******
Can I ask a related question? I didn't find anything when searching the group. So I have this Dr. in my last name (in some countries they will add this to your name after completing a doctorate, not many though). In terms of a PP it's a complete mess, I often get complaints at the airport either because I added the title or not (often times you have no choice anyway in the booking form). Thanks for the tips with the MRZ, so in my current PP that is not part of the MRZ. So you think it is ok to put it as title? In my previous PP it is part of the MRZ. Again, complete mess. Any ideas?
Heinz ***********
@Stefan *****
better make your own post for this.Donna ******
@Stefan *****
I've never heard of a title being checked against a passport - moreso the gender should be correct. Titles are generally considered customary, not required. It's not actually a part of your legal name.Stefan ******
@Donna *****
The problem is in some countries' passports it's like this. Therefore the ambiguityDonna ******
@Stefan *****
What does the bottom machine strip say though?Reply to
Donna ******
Reply
जगद्गुरु *****************
@Ste***
, check how it's written on the MACHINE READABLE section of your passport (at the lower part of the page). Must be written like that.Reply to
जगद्गुरु *****************
Reply
마리오 ***
That money is gone - don't expect much sympathy from the embassy or head office (or here for that matter).
Tao *****
Bastu Hyvää 🤠🤠
Jackie ********
I’m over it
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?
Donna ******
Anonymous participant 773 NO special characters.
Anonymous ******************
@Donna *****
is this special char? This is common in many alphabets…Donna ******
Anonymous participant 773 For English, in which you must complete the application, yes. Unless you fancy doing it in Thai? ;)
Reply to
Donna ******
Reply
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!
0h and does that include the < character between names? :-D
It's a money grift. They should prepolulate the fields from the passport. Many apps do these days.
And in small differences like this. Person should review it.
Similar with 90 day report. Refused without any good reason.
Donna ******
@Jonas ************
I thought it does say that, but forgive me if I'm misremembering and it's a different application.John *********
@Jonas ************
Send a formal complaint to The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and ask for a refund and ask them to amend their technology to take this into account..their email of various ministers is on their web site. Quote your DTV case number as reference GLJonas *************
@John ********
I lived in Thailand for 5 years and so far the digital services and the Colby at the Schultz sign up was all not working and basically a failure so....Luckily I'm on a different Visa
Reply to
Jonas *************
Reply
ユリ ****
machen die extra um visa fees abzukassieren
mach den kram direkt übern agent sparst dir zeit nerven geld
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?
OE Bangkok
in the application form under Authority?
Anonymous ******************
@Jim *********
- you write GermanyReply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
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.
Christina ********
@Ben ******
which places do you like better?Natalie **********
@Ben ******
Which places are easier and more welcoming?Reply to
Natalie **********
Reply
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.
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.Donna ******
@Elías *******
Do you think the machine readable portion of his/her passport has that? Does yours have "í"? Does the website not state that's what should be followed? They've already stated they've been travelling for a long time. I'm surprised they've not been subjected to multiple ID checks when flying, if they've been doing the "o" and not "oe" for flights for some time, and clearly should be aware.Elías ********
@Donna *****
In most cases, the common sense will be used, and a human could see it's the same. But when they rely 100% on the computer only, any mismatch would trigger a rejection. My MRZ has no í, and so the instructions on the website could be better, especially for those using non-English languages.Donna ******
@Elías *******
I understand what you say about common sense, but since this is targeted at digital nomads, I imagine the perceived concept is that most would understand that a fully online application might rely heavily on computer verification, as with most things online. I would imagine that the Thai government would rather rely on the applicants common sense, then spend money implementing OCR systems that cater for every permutation of every language.Elías ********
@Donna *****
True for the digital nomads, yes. It wouldn't make sense if a so-called digital nomad couldn't do that properly. But the visa is also open to soft power (muay thai, cooking, etc.) candidates and people getting medical treatments, which are usually old folks and do not necessarily have deep computer skills (some might have, but it's not a requirement).Elías ********
Actually, they use the very same system now for general tourist visas and even retirement visas.
Reply to
Elías ********
Reply
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 ******
@Karsten *******
This! It is; I've had the ö in the past....Karsten ********
@Donna *****
like this, underneath is the machine reading with "Mueller" this is what should be always used.Donna ******
@Karsten *******
Yes!Reply to
Donna ******
Reply
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 anymore, but other characters, and this is the advice we've been given.)
Benjamin *********
Donna ******
@Benjamin ********
It must be entered according to the machine read strip of letters at the bottom of your passport bio page.Reply to
Donna ******
Reply
Sebastian ***********
@Donna *****
that’s the correct recommendation and answerKarsten ********
@Donna *****
exactly, if he didn't do so he lost 350euroReply to
Karsten ********
Reply
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".
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
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