Answereda year ago
What to expect when entering Thailand on a DTV visa and what documents should you prepare?
As titled. The officer first asked what did i do here and I mentioned being a digital nomad under DTV Visa. She asked for proof of work which I showed her my latest invoices with my clients. She was only happy when the invoices show the billing in the previous months so I reckon a contract would have worked better.
I then asked her if it was a new regulation to provide the documents before entry, she said no and mentioned it’d be better for me to have them since DTV is a long term visa.
I then asked her if it was a new regulation to provide the documents before entry, she said no and mentioned it’d be better for me to have them since DTV is a long term visa.
Answer summary
A user shared their experience of entering Thailand with a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) and faced questions from immigration regarding proof of work, specifically invoices from previous months, suggesting that a contract might be more effective. While some expats report smooth entry without questions, others highlight increasing scrutiny at airports like Chiang Mai, particularly focused on DTV holders due to concerns about potential visa abuses. The conversation also touches on the importance of having various documentation ready, and experiences vary significantly among travelers.
79 repliesnewest first
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Andrew ********
Be aware all foreigners of the scammer agents in Thailand advocating the DTV visa -- "its easy entry for 5 yrs ! " Which ever option you take for the DTV visa , be prepared to have paperwork proving that your working ..... or attending approved courses . You need to maintain these courses over the period of your visa .... same for Dig. Nomads (proof of online business over the 5 yrs)
Andrew ********
Thankyou anonymous
Anonymous ******************
What cooking class lasts 5 years ? Get real this is a tourist visa
Cliff *********
I entered through CNX in December and BKK in May on DTV workation without any issues or questions whatsoever.
We really don’t believe these stories.
Please provide more information!
We really don’t believe these stories.
Please provide more information!
Debbie ******
@Cliff ********
hi! Just to confirm (un-anonymously)... I came through CM airport and was questioned about what I was doing here and then also questioned about my previous ED visa. The officer seemed very reluctant to allow me in. She didn't ask for documents but she did scrutinise me closely. In the end, I told her in Thai that I could speak some Thai and she relented and stamped my passport. Obviously, this isn't the same as the original poster's post, but I had read previously here about scrutiny of DTV holders with past ED visa and then I experienced it. All of this is to say, just because the majority of people pass through uninterrupted, doesn't mean some of us don't experience scrutiny. Also the IO who scrutinised me turned the woman before me (not DTV) back (referring her to the manager) and made a point of saying she was strict. Some officers are. It does happen.
Anonymous ******************
@Debbie *****
Great point. People often assume that if something hasn’t happened to them, it’s not possible. Immigration does its job as expected, and only a small percentage of people may be randomly questioned (whether flagged or not). It happened to me on another legit visa. If you're prepared, not a bug deal except taking a little longer than usual.
Sebastien ***************
Chiangmai and especially the district of Hang Dong, saw a lot of Chinese doing nominees.
I am a foreign lawyer working for ThaiLawOnline. We see it for property, problems in Hang Dong. But I am surprised it might have gone further to the airport… welcome to Thailand. Been here 21 years and the more you live here, the less you understand. 😎
I am a foreign lawyer working for ThaiLawOnline. We see it for property, problems in Hang Dong. But I am surprised it might have gone further to the airport… welcome to Thailand. Been here 21 years and the more you live here, the less you understand. 😎
Arnold *****
if you're worried maybe just establish a shell company to pay yourself a salary
Joy *****
Why are these posts always anonymous?🙃
Nikki *********
@Joy ****
I had to explain the same to someone the other day here.I made a post here once and was flooded with friend requests from weird dudes and if that was not enough,messages that was unacceptable and uncomfortable.The person’s post is legit and you can see it is realCliff *********
@Joy ****
yes another fear monger masquerading as Anonymous.Luit *****************
@Cliff ********
Conspiracy theorists look for something behind everything.Why wouldn't it be a true story, and why would anyone make up such a story? A legitimate DTV holder will not fear any check, so what is the point with fearmongering.Luit *****************
@Joy ****
Just like most other posts here, maybe you did not notice until now...
John *******
@Luit ****************
nah, most posts are not anonymousLuit *****************
@John ******
Do you have statistics?Tim ***********
Please tell us your passport nationality
Dany ********
what happens if you dont travel with your laptop?
Dany ********
and at the immigration booth you pulled out your laptop, booted it up, looked for the documents, opened them, turned around your laptop and presented it to the officer? 🤣🤣
Joe *****
I got my DTV and have had zero issues. I am an American and they respect us too much to bother us when we are blessing the kingdom with our presence. I spoke with immigration and they are mostly focusing on Canadians and the French. Now thats sensible border control!.
John *********
Anonymous postings always spreads vague rumours 🤷🏾♀️
Anonymous ******************
@John ********
It feels like listening to the same record on repeat... People, named or unnamed, have been posting about CM immigration placing them in a separate queue for quite some time now. So what are you trying to tell us by that? That all anonymous are liars (70% of posts here)? That immigration will never be able perform checks?
Tim *********
Luit *****************
@John ********
If you think anonymous postings are not reliable, you better can stop being a member of this group.The majority is anonymous, and from the non anonymous most blocked their profile or just have an empty profile.
I think this specific posting perfectly fits in a trend we can see happening.
Cristiano ********
@John ********
this is hilarious, in such a specific normal case, c'mon...he didn't tell, that immigration officer forced him to get naked in order to control him, if he has money, which he earned through his job and DTV on his body...
David ************
🇮🇳
Anonymous ******************
I was taken aside and questioned too. Soft power muay thai. They were super friendly so no stress. But they asked me for the school acceptance docs then they stamped me in.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 363 Were you able to demonstrate some boxing moves? 🥊😂
Oleksandra **********
Anonymous participant 363 in Chiang Mai or Bangkok? 😊
Anonymous ******************
@Oleksandra *********
chiang maiAnonymous ******************
@Tim **********
yes it wasTim ***********
Anonymous participant 363 Was it your first entry with the DTV visa?
Sean *******
Been happening a while at CM airport, they're collecting data on DTVs. Since they don't have any in the Immigration database.
Glenn **********
What do you do here?
I am on holiday.
Don't complicate matters. It's a tourist visa.
I am on holiday.
Don't complicate matters. It's a tourist visa.
Heath ********
@Glenn *********
telling an immigration officer the wrong information when its all about their perspective and how they are feeling on the day would be a serious errorPeter ***********
@Glenn *********
"Holiday" is not one of the categories for a DTV 😂😂😂
Jimmy ****
@Glenn *********
180 days too long for holiday.Shandy ********
Where'd you fly in from?
Jirka ********
Lol..this already checked by embassy..
Anonymous ******************
@Jirka *******
Immigration does its job...Luit *****************
@Jirka *******
Checked by embassy does not mean that checks during real use of the visa will not be done.
Greg ********
@Jirka *******
Looks like they were checking for recent work.Luit *****************
Looks perfectly normal to me, Immigration Officers have as a job to check incoming people complying to the rules.
This will normally only involve a small percentage, most people enter without any checks.
When there would be no checks at all, nobody would see it necessary to comply with visa requirements anymore.
This will normally only involve a small percentage, most people enter without any checks.
When there would be no checks at all, nobody would see it necessary to comply with visa requirements anymore.
Arthur ********
@Luit ****************
there is no rules that in addition to visa anything is required, otherwise that would be stated clearly for everyone and everyone needs to have all the documents before flying to ThailandLuit *****************
@Arthur *******
There is indeed nothing additional needed, but that does not mean that the existing visa requirements suddenly stop.You got approved for a visa for a specific use and then it is up to immigration officers to check if you comply to this.
Luit *****************
@Anton *******************
You don't know how visa work. Visa are not a kind of entrance ticket you buy and then give unconditional access.Luit *****************
@Arthur *******
Where doed it say it are not visa requirements,but only approval requirements. Would it make any sense you need 500K before entering Thailand, but not when you are there? Do you need a remote job before you are there but not anymore as soon you are approved? Would Thai visa work different from all other visa?Anonymous ******************
@Arthur *******
The rules being applied are those related to border protection, which allow immigration officers to request any documents or ask any questions they see fit. These rules take precedence over other visa regulations. As you mentioned, there is no specific rule. Yes, no specific rule that limits the authority of immigration officers in this context.
Anton ********************
@Luit ****************
i don’t think you know how visas work…Arthur ********
@Luit ****************
existing visa requirements only apply for acquiring visa, no rules state that this documents needed on the border controlLuit *****************
@John ******
Other airports might check at other moments or in a different way.John *******
@Luit ****************
but why is it one airport this seems to happen at? Are you saying that Bangkok airports and Phuket are not doing their job to check?Elías ********
I wonder whether your business card would have sufficed? Assuming your work for a company.
Greg ********
@Elías *******
How many DTV holders are working for household name companies Thai Immigration would recognise on a business card?Elías ********
@Greg *******
I'm one of them, that's why I was asking.Greg ********
@Elías *******
I reckon you are less than 1% - in fact even less on a DTV. In 30 years of business trips globally, for household name companies, I was asked at a border for a business card twice. Once in the UK as a British citizen (I could not look more British) and once in Japan :-).Peter ***********
@Elías *******
A business card? Come on, get real!Elías ********
@Peter ********
well, in my country that's a super proof that you do work for a certain company. Especially if it's a well-known company.Peter ***********
@Elías *******
Sadly you're a little deluded. You think Thai immigration is going to send emails whilst you're trying to enter the country? Hey, it's all good! I guess I'm a little more streetwise in Thailand. 20 years ago I bought a driver's licence in KSR at the same time I bought my university degree from the same dodgy forger so I could become a teacher!Elías ********
@Peter ********
yes about the printing, but the email proves everything, like if my email is **********************
, and I can show real time I got the email. and/or answer 🤷🏻Peter ***********
@Elías *******
Wow! Most countries of the world a business card means sweet nothing. You realise you can get these printed anywhere? I don't think Thais would fall for that one!
Bob **********
@Elías *******
I would bring every document you have when re entering as they can ask for anything
Yasmin ***********
is chang mai airport known as a strict one?
Elías ********
@Yasmin **********
rather "anti-DTV" one, I'd say
Agnès ********
@Elías *******
they are stricter for all non work visa.Luit *****************
@Elías *******
Doing regular checks has nothing to do with an "anti-DTV" opinion, they are just doing their jobs.Because the high abuse of DTV they might have introduced some extra checks, but as long as you are a legitimate DTV holder I think you have nothing to fear.
So not "anti-DTV" but "anti-abuse"
Johnny *****
It's not only DTV but plenty are getting told it's their last entry on visa exempt or even regular tourist visas. If you are on an education visa they will treat you worse than on a DTV usually. You can expect an impromptu language test.
Basically, immigration here is just getting tighter which brings it in line with how border agents act elsewhere in the world. If your visa is legit you will have the papers and there are no issues other than a minor inconvenience.
Basically, immigration here is just getting tighter which brings it in line with how border agents act elsewhere in the world. If your visa is legit you will have the papers and there are no issues other than a minor inconvenience.
Peter ***********
@Luit ****************
Yes we know that, but hopefully airport immigration will start conducting checks on entry.Luit *****************
@Peter **********
The retirees will be checked at the moment they apply for an extension.Luit *****************
@Elías *******
Regular checks does not mean that they could not concentrate these checks on a certain type of visa.You can think of several reasons why they pay extra attention to DTV now, that does not mean they are "anti-DTV".
It is perfectly understandable that after existing a year they want to evaluate some aspects and therefore want to check how much the visa is abused.
Without checking you would not have that info.
A check in a separate room, might be because of privacy reasons.
I think in the past there were many checks on the much abused ED visa, so yes they also check other visa well known for abuses.
Daniel ********
@Elías *******
they don’t take you to a separate room. They pull you aside to a table and conduct their interview.Peter ***********
@Elías *******
I'd love border immigration to ask retirees to show them their Thai bank account details. Surely with the non-O visa abuses it's got to come!Greg ********
@Elías *******
They are strict with everyone. The actual immigration office in Chiang Mai are also very easy to deal with and helpful too. Only recently threads in Expat Groups praisng them. I have never seen that for any other offices.Elías ********
@Luit ****************
they're not doing regular checks, they are straight out profiling DTV holders only, tho 🤷🏻I'm talking about Chiang Mai Airport. Like, why the check must be done in a separate room? Do they ask question to other visa holders, including those well known for abuses?
Anonymous ******************
This happens a lot at this airport.
John *******
Interesting. I entered today via Bangkok and had no questions asked. Walked up, stated I had a DTV, had the page open to the visa in my passport. Did my fingerprints, stamped and moved onward.
John *********
@John ******
yes this is how it is working, glide straight through. IO might ask you some questions if they thing you look a bit shady and dress inappropriately, otherwise it’s a stamp for 180 days and off you go 👌Activity
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