This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What should I expect when arriving in Thailand with a DTV visa?
May 13, 2025
a year ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERI will start off with the positive: arrived at DMK yesterday morning and handed the cute lady officer my passport and A6 size laminated print out of my DTV. After a few minutes she stamped me in and handed me back my passport and DTV and said "this is very cool" referring to the A6 laminate. I blushed and quickly walked away lol. Absolutely zero questions were asked though, which is nice.
My unpleasant experience was at the airline check-in desk with Air Asia stuff, who were, for lack of better words, suspicious of my DTV. I waited for quite a while at the check-in counter while they "verified" it. Eventually, after some 30 minutes or so, they printed my boarding pass. I'm from a poor African country if that matters (you bet it does). Anyway glad to be back in TH.
My unpleasant experience was at the airline check-in desk with Air Asia stuff, who were, for lack of better words, suspicious of my DTV. I waited for quite a while at the check-in counter while they "verified" it. Eventually, after some 30 minutes or so, they printed my boarding pass. I'm from a poor African country if that matters (you bet it does). Anyway glad to be back in TH.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shared their positive experience of arriving at Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) with a DTV visa, noting that immigration was smooth and the officer complimented their laminated visa. However, they encountered challenges at the Air Asia check-in desk, where staff were suspicious of the DTV visa, leading to a prolonged verification process. The discussion included comments from others sharing similar experiences with airline staff being unfamiliar with the DTV visa.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Anonymous ******************
I recently had a similar problem with an airline back from South Korea. They wouldn't accept that British Citizen on my passport and United Kingdom and British Overseas on the DTV were the same nationality. They only let me pass eventually when I pointed out my DTV stamps and that I'd used the visa previously. If I'd never used it before, I'd probably still be at the check in desk.
Elías ********
Participante anónimo 313 a Thai airline? Or Korean airline?
Reply to
Elías ********
Reply
Elías ********
Congratulations. Some airlines do like that not only for poor countries, but also for "unknown" countries. You wouldn't believe, but some stupid staff even "doubted" that our country (Costa Rica) was a real country 😂
마리오 ***
Eh, I got a lot of questions and confusion my last trip to the Philippines due to my DTV. It’s not a common visa type so it’s not surprising.
Elías ********
@마리오 **
I bet they only need to scan it to determine if it's real or not.마리오 ***
The airline desk staff had no idea what mine was. She had to call a supervisor over who then took a picture and presumably sent it to someone for validation. Took about 10 minutes. My wife is Filipina and tried to explain in Tagalog, but they had no clue what a DTV was.
In Singapore last year Singapore Airlines refused to let me board without a return ticket even though I had a DTV. I had to step out of line and buy an onward ticket to satisfy the desk agent. They didn't dispute the visa, just the requirement for onward travel.
I'm not sure how random airline staff would scan it anyways. They would need access to a system from Thai immigration to validate the QR code on the visa and I kind of doubt they have that.
In Singapore last year Singapore Airlines refused to let me board without a return ticket even though I had a DTV. I had to step out of line and buy an onward ticket to satisfy the desk agent. They didn't dispute the visa, just the requirement for onward travel.
I'm not sure how random airline staff would scan it anyways. They would need access to a system from Thai immigration to validate the QR code on the visa and I kind of doubt they have that.
Reply to
마리오 ***
Reply
David ********
You tell the story like a victim. So what any country that has a DTV is welcome in Thailand. Domestic flights in Thailand don't need to show a passport so what are you showing them Air Asia or any airline don't care about your visa just you have a valid ticket to travel.
Elías ********
@David *******
the OP came trhu an INTERNATIONAL flight, not a domestic one. Air Asia uses Don Mueang for their flights coming from other countries to Thailand.David ********
@Elías *******
The post sounded like he came in on one flight and was stamped in then proceeded to Air Asia check in. Whatever they did sounds strange. Like the IO was making him blush he sounds nqrAdam *********
@David *******
whatever they did sounded strange, but you didn’t even comprehend the story?No brain in there
David ********
@Adam ********
and you obviously didn't understand my reply. But you would have to answer for your countryman 🤣🤣🤣🤣 do you cry victim alsoAdam *********
@David *******
you assumed it was a domestic flight when there is nowhere for that assumption to be made..? All he said was he arrived at DMK. 2. Why would the air Asia staff be suspicious of a domestic flight if he already has a visa?
3. I’m an American (we own you), grandpa. He said he’s from a “poor country in Africa”. How is he my ‘countryman’ again?
David ********
@Adam ********
555 You don't even own yourself 555Elías ********
@David *******
yes, could be not written properly. The OP was referring to the check in at that other country, prior to embark to Thailand. Once in Thailand everything went smooth. My father also had a problem in the past when boarding a flight to South Korea in Malaysia with Thai Airways (with a stopover in BKK), because the Thai employee wouldn't "recognize" Costa Rica as a "real"country. He almost missed the flight because of that one employee.Reply to
Elías ********
Reply
Lello *****
Air Asia is this way
James ********
Wise Decision to have a PRINTED copy of the DTV visa or the laminated DTV Visa to show PROOF of your Thai Visa.
Congratulations 👏👏👏
Enjoy your stay in Thailand.
Congratulations 👏👏👏
Enjoy your stay in Thailand.
Dy***
Did you apply for the DTV at your home country?
Reply to
Dy***
Reply
14 comments
a year ago
3 comments
a year ago
18 comments
a year ago
5 comments
a year ago
14 comments
a year ago
12 comments
a year ago
193 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
7 comments
a year ago
22 comments
a year ago
49 comments
a year ago
15 comments
a year ago
7 comments
a year ago
1 comments
a year ago
44 comments
a year ago
16 comments
a year ago
205 comments
a year ago
14 comments
a year ago
12 comments
a year ago
21 comments
a year ago
6 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
109 comments
2 years ago
11 comments
2 years ago
24 comments
2 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.