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What was my experience entering Thailand for the first time on a new DTV visa?

Thailand Digital Thailand Visa DTV Immigration Visa Arrival Experience Visa Regulations Expat Advice

May 15, 2025

2 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Quick anecdote arriving in CNX for the first time on a new DTV (workation from Hanoi). Showed them the visa on my phone, IO looked at it, called someone else over to look, asked me if it was my first time entering on a DTV, and stamped me for 180 days. Easy. Might not be too interesting to you...but I kept seeing horror stories of people getting interrogated on arrival and wanted to counterbalance some of the FUD. (Doesn't hurt to be prepared though; I had all the documents from my DTV ready on my phone.)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post shares a personal experience of arriving in Chiang Mai (CNX) for the first time with a Digital Thailand Visa (DTV). The individual recounted an uncomplicated entry where the immigration officer (IO) briefly reviewed the visa on their phone and stamped their passport for a 180-day stay. They aimed to contrast their positive experience against common negative anecdotes about long immigration processes and questioning at entry points. There were several comments from others discussing the importance of having a printed copy of the visa document, potential complications if relying solely on a phone, and sharing similar smooth entry experiences or tips for expats. Overall, the conversation reflects varying opinions on visa entry procedures and the reliance on digital versus printed documents.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
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Winston ************

Nice story but it would have been even smoother if you had printed out the PDF of the visa.

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Steve *******

I'm in several forums and haven't seen a single horror story of anyone being denied entry with a DTV.

But I keep seeing comments that there are "a lot of' horror stories out there. Where are they? Or is it the "The immigration officer asked why I was here, so I answered"-stuff that people are talking about?

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James ********

Thank You for your helpful report 👍

Congratulations 👏👏👏

PRINT OUT THE EMAIL THAT HAS YOUR DTV VISA.

That's what you should do... print it out.

You may have to show PROOF of your DTV Visa to airline staff on check-in for your flight ✈️ to Thailand...even to the connecting airline staff. Or to the land border crossing entry Thai Immigration Officer.

Upon arrival into Thailand, show the DTV visa to the Thai Immigration Officer and look at the STAMP placed in your passport to be sure you are STAMPED in for 180 days.

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James ********

I'm happy that you were able to enter Thailand with your new DTV Visa.

I see that you USED your cell phone 📱 to show PROOF of your DTV Visa to the Thai Immigration Officers upon arrival.

However, the Thai Foreign Ministry has asked you to PRINT OUT THE EMAIL which has the Evisa in it.

What would you have done if your phone didn't work?

And with the DTV visa being new, airline staff may need to pass around the Evisa PROOF of your having a DTV Visa to others to get approval of the issue of your boarding pass for your flight ✈️ to Thailand.

Here's one of many notices with instructions, which appear on Thai Embassy or Consulate websites..

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James ******************

Same experience. If you want an extra tip for smooth entry, if at all possible enter with a Thai person. I went through thai passport holders section because I was with my thai girlfriend ( i have a britsh passport.) Was even encouraged to go through this section by another immigration officer. Just had a screenshot of the DTV and my passport, lady officer sawdee ka'd me, stamped my passport and I strolled on in.

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Travis ********

When I went through, I gave the lady my passport and printed visa paper. The didn't say a word, just grabbed the DTV stamper and stamped. It's that way for nearly everyone

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Greg ******

All these "anecdotes" don’t change much about the situation. Most visa holders make it through without any issues (as they are fulfilling their visas purposes), while some may be further questioned. The frequency of this can vary depending on crackdowns or the government’s intention to attract more visitors. It has always been this way, even before the DTV, and that’s exactly what immigration is there for.

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Greg ********

In Clinical Research it was drummed into us, "Anecdotes do not make data" 🙂 🙂

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Greg ********

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Tim ***********

Why don't you print it out, why do you show it on your phone? It's your own fault if there are complications. You may belong to that new generation who does everything on their phones, but border officers aren't. They're usually older and they still like good old paper documents

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Anonymous ******************

Also good to have backups too in case tech fails

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Anonymous ******************

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Nelson ******

I've printed mine out just in case I meet a difficult IO or my phone plays up. Besides, finding a place to print from your phone in Thailand can be a challenge.

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Paul *******

Better to print it out

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James ********

Yes, correct ✅

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James ********

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Mart ****

i didn't know you could just show the pdf on your phone, thought you had to print it out. easier to just keep on phone for future.

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James ********

YES, you are to PRINT it out.

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Anonymous ******************

I've always shown it on my phone. But after the first entry it seems they actually don't need it anymore

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Mart ****

Anonymous participant 953 must pop up when they scan the passport

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Mart ****

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Andi ***********

You can but some IOs are particular about being shown the hard copy

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Mart ****

@Andi **********

best have it at the ready then

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Andi ***********

Yes, it's best to have a hard copy.

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Andi ***********

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