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What should I expect when re-entering Thailand on a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) after previous visa exemptions?
May 9, 2025
a year ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERI just re-enter Suvarnabhumi with my DTV and the agent is asking what I am doing here after taking pics of my few visa exempt stamps I got before in my passport.
Then pressed the yellow button for supervisor and she started questioning why I am here. I said medical, she asked to see my new appointment and asked why I don't do this in my country. She said because I had visa exempts before but now I have DTV, it's ok. Then I don't understand why they need to bring supervisor?
Also got stamp until 4th of November. Is this normal?
So there is still grilling involved even with DTV.
Then pressed the yellow button for supervisor and she started questioning why I am here. I said medical, she asked to see my new appointment and asked why I don't do this in my country. She said because I had visa exempts before but now I have DTV, it's ok. Then I don't understand why they need to bring supervisor?
Also got stamp until 4th of November. Is this normal?
So there is still grilling involved even with DTV.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual faced scrutiny upon re-entering Thailand with a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) due to a history of prior visa exempt entries. The immigration officer raised concerns about their purpose of stay, particularly questioning the necessity of seeking medical services in Thailand instead of their home country. Other users commented that increased questioning of DTV holders, especially those with a history of previous exemptions, is becoming common as authorities aim to prevent potential visa abuses. The individual received a stamp valid until November 4, which is normal for a DTV, equating to 180 days. Suggestions included being prepared with documentation for medical appointments to avoid issues.
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.
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Roman **********
Giving a 5-year visa for medical treatment never made any sense, as they already had a medical visa. Expect more scrutiny down the road.
John *********
Nice one, desperate for more foreigners to be in Thailand spending cash daily happily take your B10,000+ but hassle you upon entryđ€Šđ»ââïž
Anonymous ******************
How many visa exempt stamps are we talking?
Chris *********
Just came through 2 days ago. Agent looked at my DTV on my phone, stamped my passport, and sent us on our way. We came through with our 4 kids and the agent was very nice.
Expat **********
This medical appointment bs raised all sorts of red flags with immigration, especially when youâve been living here on visa exempts.
Greg ******
Please stop listening to the so-called 'Months in Thailand Experts' who claim the DTV is a VIP lane with a red carpet; itâs not. Immigration is simply doing its job, just like in any other country. As mentioned, you have a long history of abusing tourist stamps and chose the easiest and cheapest route (medical) to remain in Thailand. Their questions highlight that the purpose of your visa matters. If you're holding a DTV for medical reasons, you're expected to fulfill those conditions. Thatâs something many people still fail to understand.
Anonymous ******************
@Greg *****
Absolutely agree. I pursued the Workation path under my Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) as a full-time employee of an offshore company, supported by a legitimate employment contract.If, for any reason, my employment is terminated, I can no longer fully expect to remain in the country or assume that my visa will remain valid for the entire five-year period or the 180-day entry stamp, and its validity depends on maintaining that employment throughout the approved duration.
Todd *********
@Greg *****
LTR is. But regardless, the point is good. Just immigration doing their jobGreg ******
Right. I edited. Not the right wording. đ
Reply to
Greg ******
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Ollie *******
Just use grok or ChatGPT to translate a message for you into Thai. You donât even need to speak and just show them your phone this way.
Brian ********
Itâs common for IOâs to question at the border. Thats their job.
Any and all information available to them is usefull in this regard.
Presentation of yourself, your appearance, your confidence, with supplemental information at the ready should you need it, is always wise.
As you are on medical DTV, have copies of appointment slips, images of receipts etc, at the ready.
Any and all information available to them is usefull in this regard.
Presentation of yourself, your appearance, your confidence, with supplemental information at the ready should you need it, is always wise.
As you are on medical DTV, have copies of appointment slips, images of receipts etc, at the ready.
Simon ******
Maybe people are upset that DTV holders circumvented the elite visa.
ElĂas ********
@Simon *****
what people? Immigration officers? đSimon ******
@ElĂas *******
what does people mean?Reply to
Simon ******
Reply
Brian ********
Sounds like they were guessing you were working the system.
As for medical. Iâm on medical DTV too - but not a dentist appt. No issues at all.
And if they do ask for details - have hospital receipts photographed and youâre next check up appt - at the ready.
As for medical. Iâm on medical DTV too - but not a dentist appt. No issues at all.
And if they do ask for details - have hospital receipts photographed and youâre next check up appt - at the ready.
Mark *********
Its still a tourist visa , they can ask anything
Proof of funds and proof you still doing medical
If cant proof either they can refuse entry
Proof of funds and proof you still doing medical
If cant proof either they can refuse entry
Siggi *******
@Mark ********
you don't have to show funds, for entering there are no funds necessary only for applicationReply to
Siggi *******
Reply
Marney ********
That's what their payed to do. Protect Thailand from all the new knobs coming in. 180 days it's correct don't take it personally.
Luit *****************
@Marney *******
I think immigration officers are not stupid, and also see a lot of DTV holders just try to live in Thailand and used soft power activity or own company just as a trick to get a 5 year visa.DTV is not meant as a visa to live in Thailand, and in combination with a number of visa exempt entries, that might trigger IO to check if intention of stay matches visa.
I very often see here questions like what is the cheapest way to get approved for DTV, that says a lot about the intentions of those people...
Anonymous ******************
@Marney *******
First of all, itâs paid! And no, theyâre not here to stop âknobs.â Plenty of knobs are legally here.Their job is to protect the borders from people who shouldnât be here.
Marney ********
Anonymous participant 878 Yes sure but much more arriving now. There was trouble before but not this much. It's getting ridiculous all these Morons coming that have no respect for anything, a few questions when you come through immigration is no big deal. Just because 1 has a visa doesn't mean the officer can't question or refuse you.
Anonymous ******************
@Marney *******
I completely agree. I left the UK largely because I was fed up with the bad attitudes, rising crime, and general decline.Asking questions and challenging people is literally part of an immigration officerâs job. Itâs always amusing when someone gets so butt hurt over basic scrutiny.
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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Tod *********
As people correctly pointed out it isn't that you have a DTV that caused the problem it's msot likely your previous entry/stay history that flagged you.
IF you had been living here milking free entry stamps w/extensions for awhile before you jumped on the DTV band wagon (which isn't a bad thing, just is what it is) you could be questioned.
Previous entry/stay history, nationality, where you got the DTV, etc ALL play a roll in whether you'll get "flagged" and talked to.
IF you had been living here milking free entry stamps w/extensions for awhile before you jumped on the DTV band wagon (which isn't a bad thing, just is what it is) you could be questioned.
Previous entry/stay history, nationality, where you got the DTV, etc ALL play a roll in whether you'll get "flagged" and talked to.
Anonymous ******************
I think this will become quite common, especially for those on soft power DTVs who have a long history of visa exemptions. I believe the authorities may suspect that some individuals are working illegally for local companies, using the soft power route to stay and work here without proper work permits.
Peter *********
A lot of people on workation with dodgy "work" contracts too. And got their DTV from neighbouring countries.
Reply to
Peter *********
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Heath ********
How many border runs have you done before the dtv just out of curiosity?
Mark *******
november 4th...means you got proper 6 months stamp
Luit *****************
@Mark ******
in fact not six months, but 180 days which is correct.Topicstarter might have expected 8 November and therefore ask if it is normal.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
What exactly do you think an immigration officerâs job is? Just to smile and stamp passports without question?
Their role is to protect the borders, and that includes challenging anyone they suspect might be abusing the system or entering for reasons that donât check out.
If youâve got nothing to hide, then being questioned shouldnât bother you. This is normal; especially if youâve entered a few times already. People need to calm down and stop acting like basic scrutiny is some kind of violation.
Their role is to protect the borders, and that includes challenging anyone they suspect might be abusing the system or entering for reasons that donât check out.
If youâve got nothing to hide, then being questioned shouldnât bother you. This is normal; especially if youâve entered a few times already. People need to calm down and stop acting like basic scrutiny is some kind of violation.
Anonymous ******************
Was this your first entry into the country on the DTV?
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 690 no
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 664 did you have a new medical appointment scheduled and on file?
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 690 yes I booked one before flying.
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Yasmin ***********
i think this will be more normal in one or two years đ«€
ElĂas ********
The "problem" is not your DTV, rather your past immigration history, that, it seems, the officer considered suspicious. Now, I think they can see what kind of DTV did you got, because in my case I got it as a remote worker, so it's obvious that what I'm doing is remote job. Did you get it for soft power? medical treatment?
Anonymous ******************
@ElĂas *******
yesReply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Dca *****
Well, from 09 May 2025 to 04 November 2025 = 180 days
James ********
@Dca ****
correct â
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Tim ***********
What is your passport nationality ?
Anonymous ******************
@Tim **********
CanadaJames ********
@Tim **********
good question...Reply to
James ********
Reply
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