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What should I expect when entering Thailand for the first time with a DTV visa?

Jun 13, 2025
a month ago
I entered Thailand via Chiangmai Airport today from Hanoi, Vietnam (13 June).

They sent off DTV holders to separated area next to the immigration lines to fill the interview form which basically asking the same information as TDAC form (personal info, arrival-departure flight/date,etc.)

I got asked to show the proof of money in my bank account. I just pulled up my bank app.

And asked about the address and what is the purpose of visiting/how long.

But overall it was not intimidating or anything.

It wasn't a long process just quick and straightforward.

Ps. This is first time entering with DTV visa

Just sharing some experience here if anyone was looking for. :)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post shares a recent experience entering Thailand with a DTV visa at Chiang Mai Airport, highlighting a quick and straightforward process, with the requirement to fill out an interview form similar to TDAC. The user had to show proof of funds in their bank account, but found the process not intimidating. Comments reflect other users' experiences, indicating that while some were asked for financial proof, others were not. The conversation touches on a broader discussion about the necessity of having a certain amount of money in the bank for long-term visas.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

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TRUSTED TDAC LINKS:

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Georgijus ************
Anonymous white noise like always
Anonymous ******************
Had you previous visas? ED?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 636 yes ed muaythai
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant Had same in Phuket (but not asked to show actual financial proof, just fill out the form) on my first DTV entry in Phuket 3 weeks ago, also just come off ED. They told me should be one time thing
Anonymous ******************
Had roughly same about 3 weeks ago in Phuket, also first time entry on DTV (only issued about 12 hours before). only difference was not asked to show financial proof (but form did ask for details, just put down one of my thai bank name and gave amount, well under 500k but over 20k). They accepted it and stamped me in, nothing else asked by them. I did ask them why and if going to have this everytime, they said related to my previous visa, ED, properly canceled and said should be one time thing
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 636

But my case it's not just one person that got asked. When there was a DTV holder got up to the immigrant officers counter they raise their hand to tell their supervisor to escort DTV visa holder to the area nearby the immigration line.

No question about ED or previous visa at all.

Maybe it just depends on how strict the supervisor on that day was.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant Get a chance to ask others if also first time entry?

Also no idea if other dtv holders were queueing with me, actually initial IO seem very confused, first time he went to his boss who told him to process me as normal, then he saw something else in my passport, boss had vanished, so that's when got taken to the office
Anonymous ******************
The flight was direct Hanoi to Chiang Mai?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 396 yes airasia flight time 15.20 - 16.55
Waqar ******
When someone posts anonymous don’t trust - ignore - they just time pass with you
David ********
This is an isolated case. It's not normal to have to show any documentation on entry with a DTV. Does someone entering on a retirement visa have to show 800k in their bank to officers at airport. No no so don't worry it's not a rule. I wouldn't be showing them anything l have my visa for 5 years multi entry
Anonymous ******************
@David *******
'I wouldn't be showing them anything" if immigration ask you for a reach around, you have 2 choices, do it or go elsewhere. No visa guarantees entry (to anywhere) and letting you in is at the IOs discretion. That said, this seems to be one time/first use of DTV thing, had simerlar few weeks ago in Phuket, but while was asked about funds on form (did not even put down my main account, just an thai account well under 500k) was not asked to show actual proof.
Matt *******
I flew into BKK last night from Ho Chi Minh. Filled out TDAC right before entering the immigration line. Waited 5 min in line handed the IO my passport and phone with my DTV on it, he scanned it stamped my passport and handed it back to me.
Kevin *****
@Matt ******
how long did it take for you to get approved?
Matt *******
Kevin Lee 1-2 weeks. I got it last year in the USA. Already sent 6 months here in Thailand on it.
Anonymous ******************
So now everyone needs to always keep 500k in bank for 5 years? Cannot use from it at all or invest it? Makes DTV not worth it
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 535 Retirement visas in Thailand also require to have a minimum amount all year before you can get it renewed. If your account goes below you have to reapply for a new visa.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 535 It seems to only hit people on first time use of DTV, had it in Phuket few weeks back, hauled aside, told to fill out form with financial questions (if remember correctly form is called 'passenger declaration', standard form not particularly related to DTV or visas), did not ask me to show proof, they took it, came back after few minutes and let me in. When I asked said it was about updating records (had lots of different visas over the years, last was ED) and should be one time thing.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 535 it seems so, at least during renewal/arrival
Brad *********
Anonymous participant 535 I’m wondering if they check it the first time you enter. It’s completely unreasonable to require you to have it always available for the course of 5 years.
Roger ***********
Anonymous participant 535 nothing new, just respect the rules, easy
Anonymous ******************
@Roger **********
the only logical reason the 500k requirements exists, is that it funds your stay in Thailand. However, if you are not allowed to spend it to fund your stay here, what does it matter?
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 535 welcome to logic loop of retirement and marriage visas
Tim *********
@Roger **********
what rules 🤡 nowhere was it ever written that the 500k needs to stay in the account
Brittany ******
Anonymous participant 535 I'm confused about this as well. It doesn't seem realistic to always have that amount in your account, even if you had it when applying for the visa. Are they checking for the 500k or just the standard 20k they're now checking for?
John *******
@Brittany *****
You have to think about the reason why they want you to have 500k. I believe they want you to have a “safety net” in case things go drastically wrong.
Anonymous ******************
Your first entry to Thailand ?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 219 yes
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant that’s why
John *******
Anonymous participant 219 why?
Callum *******
@John ******
they did the same to me on my very first visit to Thailand 3 years back along and asked for proof of funds and hotel reservation etc (UK national here). I've been in and out over 20 times ever since and they've never even blinked an eye now, just stamp and move on. First entry with DTV immigration officer was just watching football on his phone and stamped me in without looking 😅
John *******
@Callum ******
What visa did you come on for your first visit? I have entered Thailand well over 150 times since 2016, on visa exempt, non immigrant and DTV. Never been asked to prove funds. Before 2016, went through immigration 10ish times from 2005 to 2016
Callum *******
@John ******
just visa exempt, TBF it was Phuket airport and I've found immigration/security usually poke around more at smaller airports in general because they're bored out of their minds
John *******
@Callum ******
I also took the op to be saying it was their first entry on DTV, not their first entry ever