Answered2 months ago
What should I expect during my first entry into Thailand with a Digital Nomad Tourist Visa (DTV) at Phuket?
Entering first time with DTV via Phuket.
Can confirm as other's have mentioned that they undertake a small interview, as I did it last night.
Seems not up to their discretion and each IO has been told that it's mandatory a first entry on DTV needs an interview as the officer straight away asked me "First entry DTV?" then asked me to follow him when I confirmed.
Had to complete a Passenger statement form with arrival and departure flight details, statement of funds, address in Thailand and the reason for the visit (I.e. the reason for which the DTV was applied for).
I then had to show some of the documents that I used to apply for the DTV (Supporting letter from Dental Practice for Invisalign and copy of their Medical License) as well as my exit flight booking (I had one booked to leave in 3 weeks).
He asked me a few more details about my plans and residence, as I had the DTV approved in London but I was flying in from Hong Kong and returning back there in 3 weeks, and why I chose Thailand.
After that he seemed satisfied and walked me over to a desk for a colleague to stamp me in. He explained the reason why I'd been asked all the information was because they have had such huge numbers of people entering with DTVs and lots of them don't have any idea what a DTV is, what gym they're meant to be training at if it was for Muay Thai, and don't have any documentation for the visa. I guess there's lots of people using agency's who do everything for them and sometimes fictitiously.
The name of the Dental Practice and my flight details had been written on post it notes and stuck to my passport and the IO processing my stamp then entered these into the system. It seems as if they're unable to see on their systems the information submitted to the embassy, so they're looking for clarity on how the visa was applied for on first entry so they have it noted.
Overall, didn't take that much time and as long as you have all of your documents in order it seems you shouldn't encounter any issues. IO was nice and friendly and even jokingly asked me how the milk tea compares in Hong Kong to Thailand.
Can confirm as other's have mentioned that they undertake a small interview, as I did it last night.
Seems not up to their discretion and each IO has been told that it's mandatory a first entry on DTV needs an interview as the officer straight away asked me "First entry DTV?" then asked me to follow him when I confirmed.
Had to complete a Passenger statement form with arrival and departure flight details, statement of funds, address in Thailand and the reason for the visit (I.e. the reason for which the DTV was applied for).
I then had to show some of the documents that I used to apply for the DTV (Supporting letter from Dental Practice for Invisalign and copy of their Medical License) as well as my exit flight booking (I had one booked to leave in 3 weeks).
He asked me a few more details about my plans and residence, as I had the DTV approved in London but I was flying in from Hong Kong and returning back there in 3 weeks, and why I chose Thailand.
After that he seemed satisfied and walked me over to a desk for a colleague to stamp me in. He explained the reason why I'd been asked all the information was because they have had such huge numbers of people entering with DTVs and lots of them don't have any idea what a DTV is, what gym they're meant to be training at if it was for Muay Thai, and don't have any documentation for the visa. I guess there's lots of people using agency's who do everything for them and sometimes fictitiously.
The name of the Dental Practice and my flight details had been written on post it notes and stuck to my passport and the IO processing my stamp then entered these into the system. It seems as if they're unable to see on their systems the information submitted to the embassy, so they're looking for clarity on how the visa was applied for on first entry so they have it noted.
Overall, didn't take that much time and as long as you have all of your documents in order it seems you shouldn't encounter any issues. IO was nice and friendly and even jokingly asked me how the milk tea compares in Hong Kong to Thailand.
Answer summary
Entering Thailand for the first time on a Digital Nomad Tourist Visa (DTV) may involve an interview at Phuket airport, according to user experiences. Travelers report being asked to present documentation related to their visa application, such as a supporting letter from a dental practice, flight details, and proof of funds. While many have undergone this process smoothly, there are also accounts of others being stamped through without any questions or additional documentation. The heightened scrutiny appears to stem from instances of visa misuse, prompting immigration officers to verify the legitimacy of incoming travelers and their reasons for the DTV.
54 repliesnewest first
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Leonard ********
Not my experience. 1st time DTV through Phuket no questions asked
Brandon ********
I landed at 12am this morning in Bkk. First time getting 6month stamp. The Agent looked at my passport/Visa and stamped my passport and sent me on my way….
Anonymous ******************
Arrived BKK 1st entry on DTV Muay Thai soft power with 9 month course from London issued 16 July. Lovely guy on immigration, welcomed me to the country, checked printed DTV and passport with a smile then stamped me in 180 days with no questions 🙂
Ted *******
Let me get this straight. You got a 5-yr DTV granted for Invisalign treatment?
Srey *******
@Ted ******
which is why the DTV as it exists is going awayAnonymous *************
OP@Ted ******
Yes, the dental practice wrote a supporting letter detailing the treatment I needed and that it would take 10-12 months with regular follow up appointments every 2 months.
Timetobefree ****
So now they require you to have an onward ticket somewhere when you enter on a DTV??
NiftyTu********
I have spoken with a couple people who had non legit visas.
One didn't have the funds so they provided the statements.
The other had to provide nothing, just pay 60k and was told he didn't even have to leave the Kingdom. They said they would sort everything.
I have seen ads online offering similar services.
These are prime examples of why they are tightening things up.
One didn't have the funds so they provided the statements.
The other had to provide nothing, just pay 60k and was told he didn't even have to leave the Kingdom. They said they would sort everything.
I have seen ads online offering similar services.
These are prime examples of why they are tightening things up.
Greg ********
NiftyTurkey7590 The classic of this was the guy in Phuket who was there did not know he needed to leave the country to activate a DTV. The agency told him that the DTV had been granted. He thought he could just stay. He goes to leave, and he's on over a 90-day overstay and gets banned for a year, and the DTV is cancelled. He's all over TikTok and Instagram. Doing visa runs from Vietnam now, I think.
Trustworth**********
@Greg *******
I know that guy. Now he seems to think we need him to tell us about Vietnam historyGreg ********
@Janet *******
I try to use the term diplomatically. I often use it in a general sense about certain segments of the UK population. :-)Janet ********
@Greg *******
LOL. "not built for a modern knowledge-based economy". I like that. What a gentle way to say some people are just willfully ignorant or not big thinkers, let's say. :-)Greg ********
TrustworthyFerret454 That's the one! I am convinced certain people are not built for a modern knowledge-based economy.
Resa ****
Yep happened to my partner too. Phuket only I guess
Jay ******************
@Resa ***
Verifiable report about first entry at Chiang Mai Airport too. ************************************************************************************************
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3/?locale=th_TH
Ian **********
Just another reminder for me to avoid Phuket. A DTV is a 5-year multi-entry tourist visa, so you can enter anywhere you wish for tourism purposes. Where your course was booked is irrelevant.
TheBatman**********
@Ian *********
so you're saying you can book a cooking course in phuket and enter Chiang Rai and live there, making Thai immigration believe you travel to and fro every week to attend classes?Anonymous ******************
@Ian *********
It's because some idiots were working illegally in Phuket with DTV Visas. I guess it's mostly Russians. Anyways, nothing to worry about if you're here for tourism/ workcation and not engaged in illegal activities.Ian **********
Anonymous participant 628 The soft power DTV is wide open for abuse. I never understood why they would issue a 5-year visa for a 6-month cooking course
Dispossess***********
@Ian *********
And workation is also open to abuse. There is no guarantee you will keep your employment for 5 years and there’s no reason to work in Thailand to begin with. See how that works?Anonymous *************
OPFair enough, perhaps not as mandatory as I first thought based on comments
LH *******
Entered 7 days ago through phuket. No questions asked. No interview, no production of documents no proof of cash in hand Simply Stamped and sent through. So it seems it is very subjective
Janet ********
@LH ******
If you don't mind, what was your DTV visa for? Medical or soft power? or workcation? The OP's account seems to hint at the logistics questions of some people's DTV's sparking the interview need, which would only be for medical or soft power.Leonard ********
@LH ******
same here 1st entry
Anonymous ******************
@LH ******
also curious if it was your first time?NiftyTu********
@LH ******
was it your first entry?
P.K. ********
I was stamped right in without any proof of paperwork besides my dtv visa slip.
Anonymous ******************
@P.K. *******
was it your first time entry?P.K. ********
Yep
Ian **********
@P.K. *******
Phuket?
David ********
Its all a good thing if it stops the dodgy ones from coming in. I laugh when i hear of people still here months if not years after their course has finish...
Mark ********
How blind are you?
Jay ******************
@David *******
Nothing dodgy about obtaining a DTV with a 3 months Muay Thai Boxing course and then spending 4 years 9 months on vacation in Thailand. The application criteria was met, DTV was approved with 5 years validity. It can't (and shouldn't) be revoked because the holder is no longer participating in the qualifying activity for which it was issued. There is no such requirement.Dispossess***********
@Jay *****************
The number of foreigners who are in Thailand for no better reason than a personal desire to be in Thailand are so angry that other foreigners want to be in Thailand.This gatekeeping is hilarious. Their particular hate of soft power is so telling.
They’ll spend the rest of their lives praying the DTV goes away so other people can be as miserable as they are.
Janet ********
Dispossessed_flipflop 1. all true 2. fabulous nickname 👍🏼👍🏼
Anonymous ******************
@Jay *****************
agree!!
Luit *****************
@Jay *****************
The application criteria might be met, but not complying anymore with the purpose of the visa is a valid reason for IO te deny entry.Your name and behaviour and understanding seems to suggest you should hunt yourself.
Not seen so much nonsense in a post before.
I wish you good luck explaining IO you are not abusing the visa when you not comply anymore.
Jay ******************
@Luit ****************
No requirement to be working or studying continuously for 5 years. Phuket Airport and, to a lesser degree, Chiang Mai Airport are requesting Passenger Statement Forms but there are no verifiable reports of denied entry.
Guy ******
@Jay *****************
I suggest you go to Phuket airport and ask them before stating this nonsense as fact.Jay ******************
@Guy *****
If DTV holders are required to be employed (workcation) or enrolled upon qualifying courses (soft power) at all times during the 5 year duration of their DTV it would be a published requirement. Also, we would be reading regular verifiable reports of denial of entry. I suggest you go to Phuket airport and ask them to show you those published requirements and also explain why they only ask certain questions but don't deny entry?David ********
@Jay *****************
mate if you cannot see that getting a 5 year dtv for a 6 month course is outside of the scope of what was intended thats fine. Not going to try and change your mind. Immigration has seen how it has been abused and now they are clamping down. Which I think is good.Janet ********
@Jay *****************
I agree with you. A lot of people feeling very superior opining on what the DTV was "intended" for and the "purpose" of it, as if they are sitting in key positions on some Thai immigration board rather than speculating on FB. If it's allowed today by the Thai gov and by the consulate that granted you the DTV, then you have your DTV, and yes there is some discretion sometimes by border officials but that's probably true in every country. Many people will always find endless ways to feel superior & mock others.Jay ******************
@David *******
I neither know nor care what another country implements and their reasons for doing so. I certainly don't have any input or control either. So many people commenting seem to have an intense dislike of everyone who obtained a 5 year multiple entry tourist visa for only 10,000 baht. I say good luck to them. It was (still is) available so go for it. What is amusing is that on the back of a couple of verifiable reports come many anonymous posts, painstakingly written and including all the stumbling blocks. This post being an example.Mark ********
@Jay *****************
Also completely wrong in everything you say😂Jay ******************
@Timetobefree ***
Nobody can work or study continuously for 5 years without a break. DTVs issued for workcation and soft power remain valid for entry whilst you are taking vacations.Timetobefree ****
@Jay *****************
exactly- and why do they not require you to purchase a 5 year plan if they expect or require you to do the activity for the full 5 years?
krazye******
@Mark *******
of course jay jay is correct. But it's still up to discretion of immigration if they let you in or not. But they cannot revoke the visaJay ******************
@Mark *******
If that's true then you should be writing to the Thai MFA and asking why they issued such DTVs and also ask Thai Immigration Bureau why they are stamping DTV holders into Thailand?Mark ********
@Jay *****************
You are the troll,just look in the mirror and you will find one...Greg ********
Good detailed info and really reinforces what other people have reported too. The issue with gyms, I suspect, is behind this. People have obtained their visa through gyms in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, but they are living in Phuket.
Anonymous *************
OP@Greg *******
He did note that my Dental Practice was in Phuket when reading the medical licence and approved of that. I guess they get a lot of people coming through where the soft power doesn't logistically make sense.Trustworth**********
Anonymous participant I can tell you that a 5 year visa makes no sense for Invisalign. It’s like three office visits then you just were the trays. How is 2 weeks of dentist appointments ok for DTV
A. ************
TrustworthyFerret454 Maybe the treatment plan calls for him to come in every couple of months for an in-person progress check. But, this is what I've been saying to people who insist you have to continuously train muay thai or take cooking classes for your DTV to remain valid the full 5 years. This person's treatment plan, which surely wasn't for 60 months, was spelled out when he applied and was given the visa for the full length of time. Is he supposed to keep going to the orthodontist for checkups until 2031 even though his treatment was over in 2028?
Greg ********
Anonymous participant I am surprised they don't notice discrepancies, such as people living in Samui or Phuket whose gyms are in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, and whose TM30 doesn't line up.
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