4/5 Weeks for DTV application from London embassy?!

Hi guys, after waiting ages, I managed to get through to the Thai embassy in London via phone call.

After asking a few questions about the Visa, I finished by asking how long processing would take expecting her to say a few days or a week or two tops.

But instead, she said it would be about 4-5 weeks! I wasn’t expecting that. I told her I’ve heard of people getting it within a few days online. But her answer didn’t change.

E visa issued yesterday in Hanoi.

Australian passport holder.

Previous visa 12 month ( really 9 month Muay Thai Education) .

Just came through Thailand Immigration.

No issues no questions.

Did give printed e-visa a good look over ( yes printed like the sign says at immigration check point.)

Stamp to 26 April 2026

(yes was a young female IO - No problems)

Hope this answers some questions

Does anyone have any experience with the Thailand privilege/elite visa programme?

Entry reports:

Mid 2024, 1st entry after DTV- no questions

Early 2025 border run- no questions

Today (flying in after border run)- asked if I speak Thai, likely due to previous edu visas. I do, and then was asked in Thai for my address and what my work is. No hassle, all is good. Grateful for the DTV!

I entered BKK yesterday, it was insanely busy. Took almost an hour to reach the immigration desk.

I handed my British passport, printed A4 DTV and boarding card to the IO. I had the DTAC on my phone but knew they didn't need to see it directly from me.

She stamped me in for 6 months. No questions asked. I was not asked anything, literally. In fact I said literally nothing. Nothing about purpose of visit, how long I stay, evidence for onward ticket etc.

FWIW I first obtained the DTV November last year. This was only my second entry on it. For the first entry I stayed 93 days.

I also want to point, while I know it was silly not to, I did NOT do my 90 day reporting on that first entry.

The IOs all look so stressed by the insane lines I think they were just happy to process people as fast as possible that didn't need 'intervention'. I noted the Brits before me were stamped in on their exemption on arrival stamps in the fastest I've ever seen an IO deal with someone. Literally 45 seconds at the desk.

Arrival post 03/09 -

3rd time entering this year on the dtv visa (I left Thailand about 3 weeks ago to go back to Europe)

Transferred through Bangkok svb (final destination Chiang Mai)

I had my current bank statements etc ready (as I’ve seen some posts in here recently that immigration officers were ‘grilling’ everyone on a dtv)

Immigration officer looked at my dtv, didn’t ask for DTAC (I’m assuming when they scan the visa qr code or visa number that it shows up on their system)

No questions asked, no words even exchanged, stamped for the correct time - easy.

Hi there, I entered Thailand yesterday with my DTV for the first time, via Phuket airport. I had my visa printed. The lady left with my passeport and visa to go ask something to one of her colleague, came back, stamped, no questions ask. I think she just wanted to be sure what to do with it. No stress 😇

Had the most smoothest process through Bangkok airport with my DTV last night.

I did my DTAC card online the night before.

I literally just gave her my passport, and she didn't ask for my DTAC or DTV E-Visa or anything else more than my passport.

Doesn't get any easier than that!

DTV issued yesterday in Philippines.

Landed today DMK.

Didn’t check my tdac.

Zero questions. Stamp for 6 months.

I had my visa printed out and gave it with my passport and the agent set it to the side and then grabbed it later.

Went through BKK airport today with the DTV visa, just been asked to show the visa. Lady did stamp 17/01/2025 so that had to be changed to 2026. Overall, it went well and pretty quick.