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Why was my DTV only issued until my passport expiration instead of 5 years?

Apr 19, 2025
a year ago
Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is meant as a warning. Do not use the embassy in Kuala Lumpur to obtain your DTV.

I was issued my DTV there and it was not for 5 years, but until the expiration of my passport...about 3 years, in my case.

Clearly, someone in KL did it wrong. However, it would appear that I have no recourse.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user warns against applying for a DTV visa at the Kuala Lumpur embassy, as they received their visa only until their passport's expiration instead of the full five years. Several comments discuss the standard practices surrounding visa issuance in relation to passport validity, with many asserting that visas cannot exceed the passport's expiration date. Some users share their experiences from other embassies, suggesting that different rules may apply, while others advise contacting immigration for possible corrections.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Wannikea *********
I'd contact the Thai MFA if the embassy won't correct it.
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Sam *****
Ha ha is close soon dtv all is time waste
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Andrew ******
I think it's your mistake.
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *****
I think you haven't a clue what you're talking about. But thanks for playing.
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Andrew ******
sure maybe not but I always make sure I have enough years on my passport to patch a visa.
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Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *****
DTV is a different visa. Different rules.
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Terry ********
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Clint *********
Perfectly normal. You will only get a visa for the validity of your passport if the expiration of the visa is past your passports.
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Todd *********
Clearly you didn’t understand what is common knowledge
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Damien ***********
You needed to have applied with a passport that at least had 5 years left on it
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Adrien ****
Depending on the embassy at Saigon my visa goes after my passport expiration and they add a note
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Incognia **********
I think staff wrote wrong.Make it correct. Contact them better.
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Arthur ********
That’s normal practice, no visa can be given for more than passport expiration date, since it’s attached to passport number and you can’t use expired passport, so if visa date is past passport expiration date that will not work anyway, and only may cause confusion.
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James ********
@Arthur *******
not true. Read the reply from
@Tod ********
for the correct answer.
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Anton ********************
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Cee *******
@Arthur *******
that's incorrect we have a Chinese visa that's until 2029 even though our passport expires in 2027. It is country specific
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Arthur ********
@Chris ******
that likely doesn’t work with e visas
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Anonymous ******************
@Arthur *******
and it might be embassy dependent
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Anonymous ******************
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Mike *******
It's normal. Visas always given according to expiration date of passports
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Anton ********************
@Mike ******
don’t give advice if u need to ask AI stupid fu…
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Mike *******
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Mike *******
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Mike *******
@Anton *******************
f u ... I live in Thailand for 12 years b'tch
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Mike *******
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Ronnie ***************
@Mike ******
not true!!
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Mike *******
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Mike *******
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Mark ************
A visa will never be issued beyond the validity of your passport, schoolboy error to think otherwise 🥴
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Meredith ********
@Mark ***********
My passport expires in October. I have a 5 year visa. Maybe don’t speak on things you know nothing about. There’s enough misinformation out there.
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Sophie *********
@Mark ***********
*******************************************************************************
**********
*****
*****
*****
8/
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John *******
@Mark ***********
- Except for the 100s of people on here who have received the full five years, even when passport expires before then.
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Chris *******
@Mark ***********
REALLY???

20 year Elite

10 year LTR
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Tim ***********
@Chris ******
Didn't you know that? You pay millions and millions of baht for a 20-year elite visa and then only get six months because your passport expires in six months 🎉🥳🤗😜
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Tim ***********
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James ********
@Mark ***********
not true. Read the correct reply from Tod Daniels.
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James ********
Tod
@Tod ********
replied:

Sadly Katy Rauch, your time in country has no bearing on you knowing correct information 🙁

The DTV is a FIVE year visa and consulates have been issuing it for the full 5 years it's valid for even if a passport expires before that

They just put in the remarks that the passport expires on xxx date

Careful with those "broad brush statements especially ones prefaced by "I've been in thailand xxxx time" 😛
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James ********
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MJ *******
my passport expires next year. i was still given 5 years.
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Rita ******
It is normal:( we get same
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Anonymous ******************
Just received DTV from Hanoi Embassy. Fortunately it issued for 5 years but in remarks it says passport expires before 5 years.
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Tim ***********
That seems to be the correct way to handle it
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Anonymous ******************
@Tim **********
could be embassy dependent 🤷
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 373 based on original post that seems to be situation. I had read good things abt Hanoi Embassy b4 applying there and I was happy with their processing all around.
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Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
That is normal.
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Anonymous ******************
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Kurt *************
Whats the problem? Just spend the
*****
bath and apply again when you have new passport in 3 years?
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Tod *********
@Kurt ************
that was possibly the worst most ill-informed comment on this whole almost train wreck of a thread 😛
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Andi ***********
@Kurt ************
Currently you are only entitled to just one. No ruling yet if you can apply again
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Dany ********
@Andi **********
there is no limitation to 1 DTV. where do you get that false information from?? please provide official sources for your claim. as it is now you could just re-apply for the DTV same as you can re-apply for any tourist visa. no restriction.
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Urs ********
@Dany *******
There is no rule about that. But I bet, no one will get another DTV after the first one. There are even rumors that Thailand will cancel this type of visa within the next 3 years. The rumors come from Immigration officials, not from girlie bars.
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Dany ********
@Urs *******
i bet the opposite. anyone will be able to get a second DTV. that is how it is set up now as there is no limit. there is nothing that suggests otherwise. and no it was not mentioned in any of the interviews with the guy from the MFA. you maybe think about the question where he was asked „can you extend the dtv…“ obviously its nit extendable and will need a new application. so you are clearly missinformed.
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Urs ********
@Dany *******
My bet is based on an assumption I believe in. It's not a claim. Therefore, you can't accuse me of being misinformed, you 🤡.
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Dany ********
@Urs *******
you need to visit the church if you are a true believer 🤣🤣
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Urs ********
@Dany *******
I don't give a sh*t about the church. You can go, you need it.
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Andi ***********
@Dany *******
it is not false info as others confirm. There is a famous interview with a govt official who stated it was just limited to one time currently as well as various media info.
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Dany ********
@Andi **********
thats incorrect again. the official said its not extendable which everyone knows. but you can get a completely new dtv.
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Dany ********
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Chris *******
@Andi **********
can you please provide any factual basis for this comment?

Small print from an embassy, Thai embassy or which Bar stool....
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Andi ***********
@Chris ******
famous vid last year, Govt official stated it was one time only for now.
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Maksym ***********
@Chris ******
official speaker said this when introduced this visa.
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Chris *******
@Maksym **********
please provide.
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Chris *******
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Urs ********
@Andi **********
and nobody knows whether this DTV will still be issued in three years.
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Andi ***********
@Urs *******
Yeah, that is true. It has been successful I think it will continue though with changes.
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Anonymous ******************
@Andi **********
I believe they will definitely continue with them. However I’d expect to see price increases over the years
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Anonymous ******************
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Elías ********
@Andi **********
are we? 😱
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Andi ***********
@Elías *******
yes, for now. have to wait a few yrs i guess if we can apply again
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Andi ***********
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Kurt *************
@Andi **********
didnt actually know that.
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Kurt *************
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John **********
Every consulate has different rules, nothing is standardised. It may be normal practice for KL or it may be an error. It's worth clarifying with them.
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Anonymous ******************
Sorry to hear that. But, still, can’t complain, 10k THB for 3 years stay in Thailand is still very good value.
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 373 better than getting ripped off by a visa agent for a student visa. I’d be more than happy to pay 10k for 3 years.. What other visa would offer the same value for under 50’s who are not married and without kids?
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Tod *********
Anonymous participant 373 said no one ever 🙁
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Tod *********
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Katy *******
Been in Thailand for almost 10 years.... This has been a standard procedure to match the expiration date to the passport.
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Tod *********
Sadly
@Katy ******
, your time in country has no bearing on you knowing correct information 🙁

The DTV is a FIVE year visa and consulates have been issuing it for the full 5 years it's valid for even if a passport expires before that

They just put in the remarks that the passport expires on xxx date

Careful with those "broad brush statements especially ones prefaced by "I've been in thailand xxxx time" 😛
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Anonymous ******************
@Tod ********
I believe the point Katy is making is that in her ten years of living in Thailand, this has consistently been her experience when applying for visas. The key takeaway is that many people who have lived here for years will naturally have a fair amount of experience with the visa application process.
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Tod *********
Anonymous participant 373 i dispute that answer because most people who long stay here visit immigrations for their visa extension stuff ONCE a year and maybe to do a 90 day report another 3 times. So in all that time they've spent in country they've been to immigrations 30+ times mostly for 90 day reporting?

I meant no disrespect to Katy, but sadly time IN country doesn't equate to knowing sh*t from Shinola about things here 😮 ESPECIALLY if you don't hold the exact same visa.

AND

I stand by my assertions there are NO other reports of anyone one of the tens of thousands of people who have DTV's being "shorted" on their time the visa is valid for due to an expiring passport

This is the first case I've heard of EVER since the program rolled out July 15th
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Tod *********
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Fleace ********
Actually, you are lucky!

Some embassies will not issue a DTV unless you have 5 years left on your passport.
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Rex ******
@Fleace *******
many countries passports have only 5 years
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Fleace ********
@Rex *****
which is perfect for a year Visa. Thailand does not based there rules on the limitations of other countries. If you are in country with only a five year visa, my guess is to renew and apply ASAP.
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Fleace ********
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Tod *********
@Fleace *******
can you name one embassy that has that policy ? I have read ZERO reports of that
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Fleace ********
@Tod ********
You can search this group.
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Elías ********
@Tod ********
Korea embassy mentioned having 5 years as a requirement. I can't confirm whether is true or not, as my passport had more than 5 years when they approved it.
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Tod *********
@Elías *******
I am not doubting they mention that, nor am I doubting that other visa types require a passport valid for the length of the visa (at a minimum)

I am only pointing out this is the very FIRST case reported (of the many thousands of DTV's issued) where someone was "shorted" the 5 years the visa is valid for because of their passport expiring.
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Elías ********
And, in Korea (Korean visas I mean), although this has nothing to do with Thailand, it's customary that no visa (except the PR) can go beyond your passport exportation date.
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Elías ********
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Callum *******
Wouldn't touch KL with a barge pole for any visa for any country, oppressively strict and ridiculous on all fronts
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Andi ***********
Have you contacted them about their mistake?My DTV exceeds my passport but has a note on it of my passport expiry date.
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Gary ************
My passport number was incorrect on my visa when it was issued and I never noticed if until the IO noticed it at the airport, he stamped my passport for 6 months and told me to visit the immigration office here in Phuket and they would sort it which they did so might be worth a trip when you get here
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Tim ***********
@Gary ***********
That's a very good idea. He should simply go to the local immigration office and point out the consular officer's mistake and ask them to correct it to the normal product parameters. I wouldn't even mention the fact that it might have something to do with the passport's expiration date.
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Angelo ***********
@Tim **********
The passport dates is probably the first thing the officer is checking. Otherwise a good idea.
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John **********
@Tim **********
good luck with that idea
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John **********
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Tim ***********
Maybe that was a mistake, because the DTV is a multiplayer entry visa for five years. They can't just change the product as they want. I haven't seen any requirement that the passport has to be valid for five years. Is January 11, 2028 exactly the expiration date of a passport?
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Calvin ******
It’s actually very normal for Visas to be issued in this way. It’s always recommended to renew your passport, prior to applying for a long term visa.
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Tod *********
careful
@Calvin *****
you appear to not know what you're talking about with this specific visa type 🙁

The visa is issued for 5 years and in the remarks they say passport expires xxx
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Sujy *********
I dont think they realize who they are arguing with, lol! Tod is an encyclopedia when it comes to visa stuff. He knows everything and never wrong. He's the guy experienced members PM when they are unsure of something.
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Fia ****
@Tod ********
I have the same situation, the e-visa remarks my

Passport expired at 2026

What I need to do after I get a new passport?

Thankyou
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Tod *********
@Fia ***
you need a copy of the data page of your passport, the last entry/exit stamp on it, the PDF print out of the DTV and your new passport,

Just staple the data page and last entry/exit stamp copy to the DTV and you're good to enter exit on the new passport no issues

IF you are already IN thailand on an entry stamp, then get a new passport, you take BOTH passports to the airport when you go to leave, they will stamp you out on the new one and make a note you entered on the old one, then you're good
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Fia ****
@Tod ********
thankyou ☺️
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Luit *****************
@Fia ***
You have to take both passports with you from the moment the old one expires.
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Andi ***********
@Fia ***
You just show the evisa with your new passport.
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Luit *****************
@Andi **********
New passport does not match with the visa, old passport is also needed from that moment on.
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Luit *****************
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George *******
Take some of the so called experts comments with a pinch of salt. There's plenty of visa experts here on Sadbook that don't know what they are talking about.
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Vitaly ********
@George ******
“so called experts” - you’re obviously talking about yourself. Tod is definitely knows a thing or two about Thai visas.

I can attest Tod’s take as someone who held numerous 1, 5 and 20 year long Thai visas
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George *******
@Vitaly *******
I have a good handle on visas over twenty six years
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George *******
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George *******
@Tod ********
Seems you don't know what your talking about. Applying for any visa doesn't mean your passport cannot expire before your visa does. I applied and got a Thai visa many years ago and my passport was due to expire before the visa expiration date, so I renewed my passport at the British Embassy in Bangkok, went to immigration armed with my old corner cut passport with my visa in hand. My new passport and immigration transferred my visa from old to new.
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Calvin ******
@Tod ********
and yet here we are mate, with KL issuing these visas for the period of which their passport is valid for (rather than said remarks)
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Tod *********
@Calvin *****
I wouldn't send someone I hated to KL (or really ANY of the thai consulates in Malaysia) they are nit picky to the nth degree

AND

This is the very FIRST report I have ever heard of this happening with hundreds, perhaps thousands of DTV's having been issued by the consulates in S/E Asia
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Tod *********
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Saul *******
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Saul *******
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Andi ***********
@Calvin *****
With the DTV, many embassies note the expiration date on the 5 year visa. My passport ends 9 months before my 5 year DTV via Taipei ends.
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Calvin ******
@Andi **********
yes, also another valid point. But in this case, it’s KL & they are known for their very, very, very 😅 strict procedures
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Andi ***********
@Calvin *****
Yep, the strictest for DTV for sure
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Andi ***********
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Paul *********
@Calvin *****
3 years before?
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Bunny *****
@Paul ********
I renewed mine 8 years before it expired to save the hassle of transferring the stamps at a later stage.
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Incognia **********
@Paul ********
if you are applying for a visa valid for 5 years then answer YES
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George *******
@Paul ********
As far as I'm aware you need a minimum of at least six months when applying for any visa, short term or long term.
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Calvin ******
@Paul ********
if your visa that you’re applying for, is longer than 3 years & the country in question doesn’t provide visas longer than passport validity (like Thailand most normally does) & especially when applying from somewhere as strict as KL, then yes.
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Paul *********
@Calvin *****
from the KL Thai Embassy website
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Incognia **********
@Paul ********
for muaythai why need to show them our salary or monthly income?
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Calvin ******
@Paul ********
yes mate like I said, they are notoriously difficult. Whilst KL have their “official requirements” listed in said document, they are by far the most tedious when it comes to nitpicking.

Someone applied in Germany, with similar situation to this guy, and they just noted on the additional remarks the expiry date of the passport (see attached)

Whilst it’s probably normal for other embassies to do this, KL being KL didn’t.
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Fia ****
@Calvin *****
I have the same situation, the e-visa remarks my

Passport expired at 2026

What I need to do after I get a new passport?

Thankyou
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Paul *********
@Calvin *****
some countries only issue 5 year passports, so if they've had their passport for 1 years, then they expect you to renew your passport to get a 5 year visa?. Sounds odd.

The wording in the Thai Embassy Canberra website for a DTV visa "Valid passport, with at least 6 months validity, from arrival date"
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Elías ********
@Paul ********
I understand your point, however, issuing 5 year passports also seems odd to me.
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Luit *****************
@Elías *******
It is not that odd to issue 5 years passports, a lot of countries do, Thailand also issues 5 year passports and 10 years passports.
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Calvin ******
@Paul ********
don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying in any way, that it’s the right process which KL in particular have. However, what I will say is that it’s easier to renew your passport before hand, than to try and get a visa copied over to a new passport once renewed after the expiry of your old one.
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Calvin ******
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Max *****
Wow, that's hard. Really 😪
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Max *****
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