Answered2 years ago
Why did the immigration officer question my activities in Thailand during my DTV exit?
On January 12th, I left Phuket airport for the second time with DTV visa, after 26 days in Thailand. The officer spent a long time reading something on the screen and asked me what my activity in Thailand was. I replied that, as a teleworker, I had worked those days for my company in Spain. Why this question? Has anything changed with DTV?
Answer summary
The user experienced extra scrutiny from immigration upon exiting Thailand on a DTV visa. The immigration officer asked about their activities in Thailand, leading the user to wonder if new regulations or practices have been implemented regarding this visa type. Various comments suggest that immigration is conducting enhanced checks, possibly due to concerns about illegal work in Thailand.
32 repliesnewest first
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Angelo ***********
He liked to chat with you.
Why should he not do his job and ask random persons random questions?
Why should he not do his job and ask random persons random questions?
Hananai ***********
I'm wondering what everyone remarks say my husbands reads the same as mine but he is my dependent and my daughters remarks says child of and my name
Paul *******
You're assuming IOs never ask questions? Where do you get that idea from? I'm happy to answer questions as long as they're not too intrusive.
I just drove back from Phnom Penh to Bangkok recently. At a police check near the border, an officer asked me what I was doing in his district (it was evening time). I explained I went to Phnom Penh on business and now I'm driving back. He asked what kind of business, I answered and off I went. Other vehicles were pulled over and inspected more thoroughly.
I just drove back from Phnom Penh to Bangkok recently. At a police check near the border, an officer asked me what I was doing in his district (it was evening time). I explained I went to Phnom Penh on business and now I'm driving back. He asked what kind of business, I answered and off I went. Other vehicles were pulled over and inspected more thoroughly.
Greg ********
It does seem immigration are asking more questions of more people since the start of the new year. First time I have heard of it upon exit though.
Sean *******
They think some people are working illegally in Thailand.
Jim **********
Sounds like the IO was assuming you were on a Soft Power DTV, and wondering how you can leave if you have registered for a course.
There is nothing on the passport or visa to distinguish between a Soft Powers one and a Workation option.
There is nothing on the passport or visa to distinguish between a Soft Powers one and a Workation option.
Anonymous ******************
@Jim *********
They can now, but your main idea is correct. Random checks happen to any visa holder in Thailand. However, they seem to be a bit more focused on DTV holders at the moment, according to other posts.
Kevin *******
@Jim *********
my dtv has work remotely under remarks from the thai embassy in new york cityElías ********
@Kevin ******
but when exiting they don't ask to see the visa, do they?Paul *******
@Kevin ******
On the visa stickers, ALL of them state "employment prohibited" in the remarks section and nothing about what category you came in under.Jim **********
@Kevin ******
that’s interesting, as it wasn’t on them a few months ago - at least not on the ones I saw, which had been issued in Phnom Penh and Vientiene.
John *******
@Kevin ******
Mine has nothingElías ********
@John ******
Mine only says something like No employment allowed (don't remember the exact wording) on the remarks. It's a e-visa also.John *******
Anonymous participant 582 Mine is also a sticker. So very different
Anonymous ******************
@John ******
I think it's on the most recent ones. And that one is a soft P.Anonymous ******************
@Kevin ******
Correct 👍Elías ********
Serious question: do you use humans in Phuket? I'm new in Thailand (since August) but every time I exited the country I used automatic gates where I just scanned my passport. (This was in Suvarnabhumi Airport, and don't remember well if in Don Mueang also).
Paul *******
@Elías *******
Tried to use one when I was on my old visa on my way out of the country to apply for my DTV a few months ago.Actually, I didn't even want to use it. I prefer human interaction and a stamp. I was re-directed there initially by staff but it didn't work. So I went back to an officer who stamped me out, which is much better anyway.
I thought the autogates only work for those who've arrived into Thailand without a visa?
Elías ********
@Paul ******
I don't know about the autogates for arrivals, I've never used one. I've heard they're implementing those, but I don't know know whether us DTVers would be able to use them (to enter).I used them only to exit so far. I mentioned this because the OP said he was questioned when exiting.
Andi ***********
@Elías *******
Those auto gates are great. No more long lines. I think they are working on them for arrivals.
Dennis *********
Only natural for this to happen. Some IO will waive through others ask questions.
Will ************
Enhanced checks
Charles **********
@Will ***********
why though?
Abhishek *******
@Charles *********
they want tourists not someone abusing the visa and just living here permanently I guess..Greg ********
@Elías *******
Let's see how this develops. The DTV is 6 months old. Already in 2025 we have seen more scrutiny and posts about it. It seems to be mostly those with "Complicated Immigration History" ie back to back tourist visa, border runs, Ed visas. It really is too early to make definitive predictions. It has been made very clear by a senior MFA official in the FFCT interview and it is clear on the MFA website it is Immigration who have final say on entry and extensionElías ********
@Greg *******
for a total of 5 years. Seems pretty "permanentish" to me - compared with tourist visas/visa exemptions-, especially now that they won't allow tourists entries back to back. Of course I'm not comparing to a real long term residence visa or even a marriage visa, that is very stable (as long you keep your marriage).Greg ********
@Abhishek ******
I think some people are showing naivety about this visa and the rights they have. The final say about entry and extensions is down to Immigration. It has been made very clear indeed.Abhishek *******
@Elías *******
it's not to live permanentlyAnonymous ******************
@Elías *******
Yes, but with conditions... You're a digital nomad, you're having muay thai classes, cooking classes, medical appointments.Greg ********
@Elías *******
It is not to live "Permanently" though. It is a tourist visa allowing stays for up to 180 days at a time with 1 extension allowed per entry.Elías ********
@Abhishek ******
that's not what the visa is for. It practically allows to live "permanently" for a period of 5 years, so I don't think that's the reason.Activity
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