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What was the experience of entering Thailand with a DTV visa for the first time?

Jun 4, 2025
4 days ago
We (my 2 kids and I) entered Bangkok international airport with the DTV for the first time on May 31th.

Everything went smooth. Just my 15 yo got a few questions, who are you here with, what’s your purpose of visiting?

They didn’t see me, but when I waved (we were in a different lane) she waved back and stamped the passport.

Also thank you to the person that shared his tip, about laminating the visa. This was very helpful.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post shares a positive experience of entering Thailand with a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) for the first time. The user's 15-year-old child was asked a few questions, but the entry process went smoothly. They also appreciated a tip about laminating the visa, which was discussed in the comments. Other participants shared their experiences and tips regarding customs procedures and applying for the DTV, with an emphasis on the independence of older children during travel.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Eamonn *******
So one applies on line, outside Thailand for the DTV visa.

After submitting, how long does it take to process before one actually gets the Visa?

Is it an email with attached Visa, so you print it off?

Just curious on the process, and duration ..

Seen you have successfully received it, I thought you would be thee best one to ask,
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eamonn ******
how long it takes depends on the embassy where you apply.

I applied at the embassy in Jakarta from Bali. Normally this one works fast, but there were national holidays. Mine took about 2 weeks and my kids little over a week.

It’s an email attached visa, that you can print out.
Eamonn *******
Anonymous participant thank you
Tal *******
Welkom en geniet ervan!
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tal ******
dankjewel 😁
Rina *****
Lamination is great idea 💕
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rina ****
for sure. Keeps us from having to print it every time
James **********
Congratulations live ur best life
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *********
thank you ☺️
Anonymous ******************
That’s neat, I always reprint on every re-entrance🤣 cuz why bother
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 639 that could also work 😆 I know for myself that I will probably forget and then have to do last minute things, which I hate 😅 so this just saves me some stress, wether it’s necessary or not 🤭
Anonymous ******************
Did you apply first as a primary applicant or you do it the same time with both of your kids?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 681 I applied for me first, when approved I applied for my kids
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant cool thank much
John *********
Never been asked for DTV, they already know you have a DTV from your TDAC info provided in advance. Never asked any questions, just stamped for 180 day stay

Still whatever makes everyone happy 😃
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
I don’t necessarily did it for customs, but more for the airline, as they did ask when we checked in in Bali.
John *********
Anonymous participant fair enough
James ********
Glad you were able to enter Thailand easily with your DTV Visa. Enjoy your stay and the 5 year DTV VISA 🤗
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
thank you ☺️
Alberto's *********
welcome to Thailand
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alberto's ********
thank you ☺️
Anonymous ******************
Why wouldn’t you be next to your family in the queue ?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 268 because is works faster and my kids are perfectly capable of going through customs by themselves. We always do like this and it’s not that I’m way on the other side, just the next lane
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant upto you as they say but I always believe it was a general unwritten rule a family would approach the same IO together also helps in the unlikely event any questions like proof of funds or accommodation could easily be shown.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 268 never heard of that unwritten rule, we’ve been to several countries and never had any issues. They may ask a question or 2, but nothing wrong with that. When they see me it’s all okay.

Maybe it’s more when kids are maybe younger, but mine are 15 & 12.

My 12 yo even flew back home to visit family and friends for a month, also no issues.

I think it’s also how kids are raised and the kids themselves. I raise my kids to be independent and confident in what they do and they need that independency. So they know what to say or do when questions are asked in these situations
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant “I raise my kids to be independent.” lol

By taking up space in multiple lines?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 161 why would I take up multiple space?

Because they asked 2 questions, which took up maybe half a minute 🤷🏽‍♀️

Besides doesn’t everyone have to go through customs?

And more so take up more time by arguing with IO, which I have seen happen many times
Godson **********
Congratulations
Anonymous *************
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@Godson *********
thank you ☺️
Staysea ****
What type of DTV? Medical.. muy thai...
Anonymous *************
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@Staysea ***
I have the soft power Muay Thai
Incognia **********
Anonymous participant so next time how do you extend it?
Anonymous *************
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@Incognia *********
we will border bounce, as we need to go to Indonesia anyways
Incognia **********
Anonymous participant border bounce they can ask you did you pay for next 6month course what u gonna do?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Incognia *********
for now there are no postings about people being asked about it, only when extend at immigration.

But if it would be the case, I’ll just do another course, as I am here to train anyway
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant which gym? how long is ur course?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 663 Phuket King, 6 months
Toni *******
I laminated my visa a4 size, thanks to this group i did a new print to fit in my passport 🤣🤣 was ok tho because i travel with laptop so it fit in the bag
Arethel **************
@Toni ******
Can you please share

how did you apply for whole family? Is it possible at once? Or first you apply and get DTV then your family members?

In case family applying bank statement for 500 000 bht should be for the whole family or multiple by each member?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Arethel *************
I applied for mine first, when approved I applied for my kids. You can not do all at once.

The 500k thb depends on the embassy. I used the same bank statement for my kids applications as I did mine. My bank statement did have more than dubbel the 500k, so not sure if it would be different if it was just 500k
Genevieve ****
Anonymous participant hey there, did u send in a copy of your passport with their birth certificates as well? I just realized I only sent in my son’s birth certificate under the proof of relationship 😬
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Genevieve ***
No just their birth certificate
Arethel **************
Anonymous participant , thanks a lot for sharing!
Anonymous *************
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@Toni ******
i was planning on doing the same thing, but then saw the tip about making it passport size 🤣
Toni *******
Anonymous participant now im thinking, could we just print the qr code and stick it on the back of the passport? Hmm
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Toni ******
hmm that would be even better 🤔
Toni *******
Anonymous participant yea i felt so stupid after i first time saw a picture of passport size visa 🤣