My son completed 11 months of a 12 month education visa for Thai language. I was on a retirement visa for a year. My visa expired a month before he was due to finish ( I got it through the Canberra embassy and it arrived faster than I thought). So he got a letter of early finalisation apparently required from the language school in CM. We then departed for another country on the day my visa finished and were gone a month. We checked everything face to face with CM immigration about leaving and then coming back on a tourist visa, returning for 3 weeks before heading home to Australia. We arrived back at Suvarnabhumi airport and no problem I was stamped through. Then they stopped my son and I came back with him and he was given a hard time about not finishing his course. He had the letter. He was asked one question in Thai and the officer was saying he hadn't studied. We had just come off a night flight without sleep. Then the officer said he cannot come back on an education visa. There were three officers. They were pretty rude and officious but then did allow him to be stamped in as a tourist. We did all the right things according to CM immigration requirements but Bangkok were upset. They also said we cannot come here to live etc. Never said we wanted to!! I love Thai people in general but is this usual?

I've heard that Thailand is currently making it challenging for travelers to enter the country, even for those who have obtained a visa. Can anyone provide more information or insights on this issue? Has anyone recently traveled to Thailand and encountered difficulties upon arrival? I'd appreciate any updates or advice on what to expect when planning a trip to Thailand.

My Thai fiancée has been approved for a K1 visa to the USA. There are a few more steps before she will go for her interview in possibly 4 to 5 months. The question I have is, I know the K-1 visa states that we have plans to live permanently in the United States. I am retired so we plan on traveling back and forth, splitting our time between the two countries. she has family here in Thailand and owns her own home and farm. I have family in the United States and live with my sister at her house. Has anyone been in the same situation and has their K-1 Visa been rejected because of not staying in the United States permanently ? I have stated these plans of splitting time between the 2 countries to the USCIS. Now the approval goes to the UVC for processing before it is approved and sent to the US Embassy in Bangkok. Any suggestions would be appreciated….

Hello! I just submitted my application in Hong Kong, I wonder if I can travel outside Hong Kong before getting approval ? Does it matter? Thank you 🙏🏻

I am planning to bring my thai girlfriend to the UK on a 6 month tourist visa, can we go on a family holiday to America while she is here?

Hello. Hope my questions find you happy and healthy. My question is about the retirement visa for Thailand. I know what I need to do to qualify. My question is on restrictions after I qualify. Is there restrictions on travel out of Thailand visiting other countries in the region like Australia, Vietnam and Japan. Can I travel back and forth home to the US or are their limitations? Having older parents makes me worry about this

If I apply for DTV in let’s say Vietnam, but decide to come back to Thailand before it gets approved, will it still go through?

Or do I need to wait in Vietnam until it gets approved?

I would love to understand please. How critical is it to stay in Vietnam and wait for the dtv visa approval? If I leave before approval? Will this create problems?

Success with Remote Work DTV in Ho Chi Minh in mid-Dec and Children's Dependent DTV in Jakarta the day after Christmas (WITH travel during process):

I can't say for sure the Thais don't allow you to travel during the application process (many other countries do), but I think the key thing is to NOT travel to Thailand, during the process and explain where you've been.

I applied in HCM with:

- work contract,

-payslips,

- savings bank statements,

- letter from employer confirming work and ability to work remotely.

*I used the SmallPDF app for converting, combining, editing, finishing docs (highly recommend!).*

Stayed a few days and then had to leave Vietnam. They came back asking for bank statements showing salary received highlighted. Took approx 3 working days for initial submission to be reviewed, not quite 2 working days to be approved after additional docs provided. (Note, sometimes the requests come later in the evening Thai time - 8pm and later - so do keep an eye on your inbox if you're in a rush.)

By this time, I was in Indonesia. I applied for the children's visas to the Jakarta embassy sending:

- my visa,

-same (combined) bank statements, payslips, etc,

- work contract,

- birth certificates

- a letter from the hotel confirming we were in Indonesia.

- *a personalised letter of support (from me to the children) - template from Gemini AI*

Took approx 4 days for initial review (not incl Christmas holiday). We left Indonesia for Singapore. They came back asking for entry stamps and visa docs. Indonesia had stamped out over the entry stamp. We got on the ferry to Batam, received new 7 day Visa on Arrival (half price).

Sent back photos of both entry and the one exit stamps, both visa slips, and ALL passport pages (for the children only).

I included a letter saying we were in Indonesia when we applied, but had to return to Singapore for the Christmas festivities, but that they were now in Indonesia again and that the children had NOT travelled to Thailand (evidenced by ALL passport pages).

They approved the next working day.

Note, the application did not ask for permission from the other parent (many countries do), which is not to say they can't when you travel.

does anyone know if it’s ok to enter thailand while i wait for DTV approval? i’m applying this week but need to travel jan 20th. i will enter visa exempt then leave the country to re enter on the DTV once it’s approved. i will be in australia when i submit application.