Answered2 years ago
What should I know about the immigration process for DTV holders during border runs in Thailand?
Just thought I'd let everyone know about my border run experience. I got my DTV in August and did my 90-day report a few days early. i left Thailand a week before my 180-day mark, stayed out of the country for about 2 weeks and then came back to Don Meuang airport.
I paid for fast track service and when i got to the counter, the female immigration officer took one look at the DTV sticker in my passport and called over another female officer and showed the sticker to her. They talked for a minute and then the other officer asked me to come with her.
I followed her to a male officer who looked at my passport. They talked for a minute. Then the female led me to a desk with computers on it and asked me to sit down. She checked something on the computer and then asked me "what kind of DTV is this?". I told her "for work". She said "ok" and then checked something else on the computer. Then she stamped my passport and said "ok, finished" and motioned for me to leave. I wanted to ask her what that was all about but I didn't want to risk anything and I just wanted to get out of there. I left and went to my condo.
Everyone was nice and polite the entire time.
I have no clue what happened.
I paid for fast track service and when i got to the counter, the female immigration officer took one look at the DTV sticker in my passport and called over another female officer and showed the sticker to her. They talked for a minute and then the other officer asked me to come with her.
I followed her to a male officer who looked at my passport. They talked for a minute. Then the female led me to a desk with computers on it and asked me to sit down. She checked something on the computer and then asked me "what kind of DTV is this?". I told her "for work". She said "ok" and then checked something else on the computer. Then she stamped my passport and said "ok, finished" and motioned for me to leave. I wanted to ask her what that was all about but I didn't want to risk anything and I just wanted to get out of there. I left and went to my condo.
Everyone was nice and polite the entire time.
I have no clue what happened.
Answer summary
The post describes the author's experience during a border run after obtaining a Digital Visa Type (DTV) in Thailand. The author followed standard procedures, including a 90-day report, and received an unexpected but polite interrogation from immigration officers regarding the type of DTV held. The comments discuss concerns about the scrutiny of DTV holders, particularly those on soft power-related visas, and share other experiences that suggest a potential increase in immigration checks for these visas.
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Sebastian ***********
@James *******
: do you possibly know of the IO know if we chose the work related categories or soft power ones? I was asked the same question and was wondering about thisJames ********
Workcation and soft power
James ********
@Sebastian **********
we are wondering also. It may be that they know...saw report yesterday of two boxes checked on the DTV visa when entering Thailand... not sure if standard procedure yet
Ibrahim ******
That's interesting, I got my DTV in August also, and did a long weekend over in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Came back via Don Mueang also, this was middle of Feb. No issues, straight through.
Perhaps some extra checks are in place. I too am on remote work DTV
Perhaps some extra checks are in place. I too am on remote work DTV
Patrick ********
I bet you not too long and they will scrap DTV.
Alistair **********
Came in yesterday second time barely a glance. I had to ask when I had to leave next. Very easy. Glad I got this visa.
Bob *********
I'll bet they couldn't find your DTV in the computer and they were having the other officers verify the sticker is authentic and needs to be entered into the computer after the supervisor overrides the entry and changes it to dtv. Same thing happened to me on on a online extension of a 30 day exception.
Warren *********
Never ask questions after they tell you to go ahead.
James ********
@Warren ********
wise advice ✅
Lucie ******
@Warren ********
Why not?
Gigi ****
May I know how you get the DTV sticker in your passport? When I enter Thailand, they only give me the stamp…
Anonymous *************
OP@Gigi ***
the sticker is the actual visa itself. They put it in my passport when I got approved for the visaGigi ****
Anonymous participant oh because you did in person in the embassy before they launch the e visa system?
Jay *****
What country passport are you holding? This would be great information as well. Thanks for the heads up.
Anonymous *************
OP@Jay ****
USA
Sam **********
Seen a group of 14 indian friends today all each with their own DTV visas. So seeing groups like that pass through would be suspicious to the immigration.
Angelo ***********
@Sam *********
Why would it? They are friends from the same country. Decided to travel together, booked the same flight. What is suspicious about that?
Erik *******
Signs are accumulating. I would be very surprised if DTV holders , particularly soft power ones, will be able to stay 5 years in the Kingdom border bouncing every 6 months, only with one cooking or Muay Thai class.
Angelo ***********
@Erik ******
Well, Muay Thai is difficult mate! It has 3 kinds of punches, 2 kinds of elbow strikes and 2 kinds of kicks and 2 kinds of knee strikes. That is why people need so long to learn it 😛 😛 😛
Greg ******
It seems they were interested in the DTV type you are holding. Since you got it in August, it's possible that early applicants didn't have their DTV type registered in the system. Some others reported that officers were aware of the type even before seeing it on their documents. It is interesting to see that this information is important to them.
James ********
@Greg *****
if in August last year... sticker is in their passport.Greg ******
@James *******
Right, but I mean what type such as Soft Power or Workation.Greg ******
@James *******
No concern for me, trying to understand if that may become a concern for them mostly 😅 I still think holding a workation DTV is safest when it comes to prove your eligibility ("ongoing activity/work").James ********
@Greg *****
we are awaiting more reports on this. What's your concern ?
Paul *******
@Greg *****
Maybe, maybe not. The DTV still isn't seen that often so for some IOs, they don't know what to do.Mark *******
They might be checking the ‘soft’ DTV’s (like Muai Thai lessons) harder than the actual ‘online job’ approvals. DTV was also approved for medical appointments, so I imagine they might be checking these.
Paul *******
Rogerio Fung Interesting hypothesis but my experience differs. I often travel with Chinese colleagues and while they gain entry inn the end, they have been given the run-around. This was particularly true prior to the China-Thailand visa exemption. Back in the days before this, Chinese citizens needed to obtain a visa on arrival and show proof of lodging and 20,000 Baht in cash per person.
I don't get the impression they were privileged; in fact, I probably received more privileges as I wasn't questioned but I hold a western passport.
Away from immigration and just in general Thai society, perhaps you have a point but as far as immigration is concerned, they're definitely looking at your passport and not what you look like (although with that stated, there is some bias against South Asians, Arabs and Africans).
I don't get the impression they were privileged; in fact, I probably received more privileges as I wasn't questioned but I hold a western passport.
Away from immigration and just in general Thai society, perhaps you have a point but as far as immigration is concerned, they're definitely looking at your passport and not what you look like (although with that stated, there is some bias against South Asians, Arabs and Africans).
Andries *********
@Mark ******
What makes you believe a Muay Thai (or medical) approval isn't an actual approval? It is not a visa only for remote workers.Mark *******
@Andries ********
I’m sorry help me understand which part of my statement says it’s not an approval
Rogerio ******
@Paul ******
I'm not claiming any other privilege beyond a hypothesis that I don't get asked anything at the immigration control at the airports because of race+passport. Chinese from China imho get a bad rap with Thais - loads of Chinese coming through with call center scams in the news.
Paul *******
@Rogerio *****
Unless you have a Thai passport, you're not Thai though. You'll be treated as a foreigner. No different to the millions of Chinese visitors who enter Thailand every year and don't have any privileges.Rogerio ******
@Mark ******
female. But - I'm chinese and could pass for Thai-Chinese. And I have a US passport. So there could be a double whammy of passport and race privilege ;)Mark *******
@Rogerio *****
also - was your officer male or female? In my experience the female officers ask more questions so I’ll avoid them 🙃Mark *******
@Rogerio *****
yes and usually DMK is more problematic than BKK in my experience - so that’s good to hear - I’m flying back in Sunday on my DTV (but mine is not soft - so hard???🤣)Rogerio ******
@Mark ******
it's speculation. I did my DTV in sept, and 2 weeks ago I flew back from Bali into DMK no questions asked. Soft power DTV. Then again, mine is but an anedoctal evidence.
Mark *******
@Andries ********
the context here is Reentry though - so that implies people that have already entered on their approved visas - as far as I’m aware we aren’t talking about ppl first entering on their DTV. My thought is that a lot of the initial batch of DTVs were approved and they may put more scrutiny on the ‘soft’ DTV vs the others. Once again, this is just me speculating.Andries *********
@Mark ******
I do agree that they check, btw. Would I run a country, I surely would.Andries *********
@Mark ******
Implied by "actual 'online job ' approval"
Titiya **************
Maybe she is a new officer, alot of visa type which she still cant remember all. Make her wonder n need to make sure that she won't done any mistakes.
Angelo ***********
@Titiya *************
I think the same. Especially as a DTV is just a glorified entry stamp, while a "real visa" (yes yes, the nitpickers, a DTV is a real visa, too) is nearly a one passport page big stamp.Activity
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