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immigration experience

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This page displays all the results for the Immigration experience tag, sorted by the most recent activity. There are a total of 54 questions that have been tagged with Immigration experience. Explore the questions to find discussions and information relevant to this topic.
Jul 22, 2025
13 days ago
I’m a Myanmar passport holder. I entered Thailand for the first time with a DTV at BKK airport last night from HCMC. The process was quick. No questions were asked and I didn’t have to show any documents. The officer simply took my passport, stamped it and handed it back.

But I’ve seen some posts in group where people were worried about entering Thailand for the first time with a DTV at BKK Airport. Based on my experience, it was completely smooth and hassle-free. Thanks.
Jul 21, 2025
14 days ago
Hello community,

I want to share my recent and frankly *horrible* experience entering Phuket International Airport — posting anonymously as I don’t want any trouble.

This was my first time entering Thailand on the new DTV (Digital Workation) visa. As soon as the immigration officer realized it was my first entry on this visa, I was pulled aside. Another officer took my passport and asked me to wait.

I wasn’t nervous at first because I had applied for the visa myself and prepared everything properly. I had my house lease and bank statements printed, and the rest of the documents on my phone.

After around 10 minutes, an officer gave me a form to fill out with detailed personal info. I completed it and waited another 15 minutes. Then they asked to see all my documents. I showed everything I had printed, then they asked for the rest from my phone. I had *a lot* — I really overprepared during the application process and had every possible supporting document.

The officer started going through everything very carefully. I began to feel nervous and even started shaking — not just from fear, but also because the airport was freezing cold. About 20 minutes later, he came back and said he still wasn't convinced and asked for *more* documents.

At that point, I was panicking. I started pulling out anything I could think of — LinkedIn profile, old diplomas, past certificates, anything that could prove my career and remote work. I explained everything politely, clearly, and with a smile, trying to stay calm.

Still, the officer said he needed to consult his supervisor. He was grilling me for over an hour. I’m a white woman, dressed appropriately, speaking respectfully and openly — and yet I felt like I was being treated with suspicion from the start.

Eventually, after what felt like forever, he handed me my passport and let me go. I understand they have a job to do and must be careful, but the whole experience was incredibly stressful. I really thought I might be deported.

I’m sharing this so others are mentally prepared — especially if you’re entering via Phuket with a new visa. I hope your entry is smooth and drama-free, because I’m still shaking as I write this.

Very unpleasant experience.
Jun 26, 2025
a month ago
Dave **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Land of smiles? Not at BKK Suvarnabhumi airport.

History;

2023- 1 x visit of 28 days and 1 visit on VISA for 56 days.

2024- 2 visits of 29 days

2025- decide to travel around Asia for 6 months. Arrive BKK 28/1. 2 months visa exempt and 1 month extension. Visited many cities and places. Then flew to Cambodia and Vietnam for 2 months as never been before.

25/6 - fly back to BKK. TDAC all completed, flight to Europe on 22 July, so less than 1 month.

Immigration woman told me I will not be allowed entry. I asked why not, she said you've just done a border bounce and you're not a tourist! ( border bounce for 2 months lol)

No. No entry. So she called a supervisor, who saw my visas etc for cambodia and Vietnam. Showed him a list of cities and places i had visited, and my return flight to Europe. He asked why i had extended before and i told him honestly, i was going to visit the south chumphon and Hat Yai. He agreed that I was a tourist, and told the woman immigration officer to let me in. He then left.

Her face was like thunder, you could see the anger in her face.

As she returned my passport she said, you're not allowed in Thailand again without a visa!

I know it's IO decision, but with my history and never a border bounce, I find her attitude and decision harsh? Any views welcomed , especially as the amount of people who abuse the V.E and border bounce regularly. Maybe it's these abusers, ruining it for genuine travellers
Jun 20, 2025
a month ago
Has anyone had any issues coming through Suvarnabhumi Airport immigration on a DTV Soft Power asking questions about recent Muay Thai recent classes and asking for proof ?
Apr 24, 2025
3 months ago
Just arrived at dmk

Immigration ask you have dtv. I said “Yes”

Stamp 180 days and go.

Easy as 123
Mar 6, 2025
5 months ago
Hello I just got appointment for the interview. If everything is going well. How long i need to wait after interview to receive approval ? (i am in vientiane, but all ears about others experience)
Jan 31, 2025
6 months ago
Just came back to Thailand from Cambodia on my new DTV. Some might be interested as I was on ED visa previously.

I applied as a freelancer. Provided business registration, contract with my main client (translated in english), 6 month of invoices for this client (in english) 6 month of bank statements with highlighted payments from this client, and 6 month of saving accounts statements with the required funds. As a reference, my income is low, few hundred euros per month, but steady.

Also added an export of my linkedin profile in english, a capture of my profesional website, and a letter stating my expertise and current activities.

It took exactly 10 business days for me to get approved, not counting the day I submitted. Went to pending approval on day 2. Got approved on business day 11, late afternoon. No update in the middle whatsoever.

Printed my DTV. Came back the day after through DMK (not BKK). Paid extra for fast pass as some here suggested it might be smoother.

Handed my passport to the (female) officer (some seem to think it makes a difference) with printed DTV.

She did not mention at all my ED visa current extension and related stamp of re-entry permit. She did not try to test my thai language.

Just asked me what I was doing, I said I work online for a company in my country. She asked if I got the money in my country. I said yes.

She checked some kind of unidentified logbook, then proceeded to stamp me in for 6 month.

Finally free from the ED golden cage, at least until immigration starts not liking DTV for some random reason🙏

Any question let me know, and good luck everyone 🤞
Jan 23, 2025
6 months ago
Dave ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just did my first reentry into the country since getting my DTV. My 180 days weren't up yet but I had a trip planned. I flew in from Tokyo, I was a bit nervous but immigration was a breeze. I'm on muay thai soft power and nobody made me do a spinning back kick before stamping me in! Happy to be back in the heat and back to training.
Dec 4, 2024
8 months ago
UPDATE! Got my DTV stamp as soon as I arrived in Thailand Monday, here’s the full rundown:

Got approved from Hanoi (took 5 working days) via the E visa system. (Muay Thai soft power)

Arrived to Don Mueang International airport on Monday the lady at immigration greeted me with a smile when I told her I have the DTV visa.

Showed her it on my phone within a minute she stamped my passport and I was let in no questions asked.

Love you Thailand ❤️🇹🇭
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