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What should I do if my visa application was rejected due to a hyphen in my last name?

visa application Thailand visa rules name discrepancies MRZ passport information

Aug 5, 2025

25 days ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello,

I was rejected for my application due to a hyphen, even though I used the MRZ. I would love some advice or to hear if this has happened to anyone else: 

My last name contains a hyphen, but when I filled in my information, I used the MRZ from my passport, which does not contain the hyphen.

I received the rejection today stating: 'Wrong personal info: missing "-" in the last name on the visa application.'

I am confused as I used the information from the MRZ and did not enter the hyphen in the form.

The hyphen only appears on my passport in the "name" section, but I read that you should always use the MRZ, which does not contain the hyphen.

I would really appreciate it if you could share your experience. I want to reapply, but all the posts I see state that you should use the MRZ, which I did, so confused about what to do and use. Thank you !

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user reports being rejected for a visa application due to a discrepancy involving a hyphen in their last name. They followed the MRZ from their passport, which doesn't include the hyphen but were told their application was incorrect for missing it. The user is seeking advice and has noticed comments highlighting the importance of matching passport details exactly and suggesting the need for better guidance from the relevant authorities.

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Greg ********

The MFA should really issue guidance on how the forms should be completed. This should be for both applicants and document reviewers.

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Jef ********

imagine if he applied again a different way and got rejected again 🫣

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Greg ********

The system is not well developed. Like many govt systems. So there are the system technical input requirements. On top of that you have the initial reviewer who makes decisions according to their whim in many cases. Just a really badly designed system fron both a technical and human standpoint. Rant over after 23 years corporate IT. Much of that in clinical systems where data accuracy and consistency was paramount. :-) :-) My first job in clinical systems I had to develop guides for data input. Every single field had to be documented and shown what was required and what was not acceptable.

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DTV_Be*******

welcome to SEAsia

You don’t ask you only comply

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Greg ********

DTV_Begpacker I have been in SEA and worked here few decades full time now. :-)

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DTV_Be*******

then why is this even bothering you

In all that time you should be climatized to it and just say

Sabai sabai nothing I can do

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Jef ********

well said mate 👌

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Greg ********

More is coming back to me now. The number of bowel movements a day was one field we had to program and document. I can remember a debate about max numbers or leave it open 5555

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Greg ********

20 odd years later I can still picture developing those guides and the exact seat I sat in :-) I can even remember the clinical trial - it was for a drug for Irritable Bowel Syndrome lol

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Greg ********

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DTV_Be*******

You have to write verbatim off your passport

It’s that simple, but it cost you $350 to learn this lesson

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

I did, I used exactly what was written is the MRZ on my passport. I saw post where people didn't use the MRZ but what was written exactly in their passport as you suggest (with the hyphen) and got rejected because they used the hyphen and it didn't match the MRZ. This is exactly why it is confusing.

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David ********

Anonymous participant contact the embassy they will give you the correct answer not here everyone is just guessing

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DTV_Be*******

Anonymous participant you didn’t sandwich it together

Sandwich-together

Sandwichtogether

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

DTV_Begpacker hyphens and spaces are both represented as < in MRZ. Why would you sandwich something that literally uses the space symbol? Furthermore, the embassy said she was rejected for not including the hyphen, which again means you are wrong. She was not supposed to sandwich, according to the embassy.

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DTV_Be*******

Anonymous participant 924 and no special characters

So yes you sandwich together

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

DTV_Begpacker So the embassy was wrong in their response, when telling her she was rejected? What country did you apply to that required this as well? I assume you paid attention regarding multiple embassies because you have a hyphen. What did you do for your Thai DTV?

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DTV_Be*******

Anonymous participant 924 I followed the rules and treated it like a phone number

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DTV_Be*******

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

DTV_Begpacker actually - the guidance states “when submitting an application, the spelling of your name must be exactly the same as your English name that appears on your passport. Special characters are not accepted”. The argument is if a hyphen is considered a special character or not. However, since special characters (whatever that includes) are not allowed, your statement is wrong.

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DTV_Be*******

Anonymous participant 924 on every visa package I have submitted around the world they tell you to sandwich hyphenated names together

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

DTV_Begpacker you self contradicted, idiot

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

DTV_Begpacker - show us one example of that. But didn’t you just say “write verbatim” - hmm. Changing your response?

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

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