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Can I activate my DTV Visa by exiting and re-entering Thailand on a tourist visa?

DTV Visa Thailand visa rules Tourist visa Visa application process Expat advice Border runs Visa approval

Dec 21, 2024

2 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I need to be out of my rental here in the US by the end of the month and I’m not sure if I will get approved by then. Does anyone know if it is OK to fly to Thailand and arrive on a tourist visa, then exit the country and re-enter to activate my DTV Visa upon reentry? I was able to do this when I traveled to Indonesia with no issues. If its a risk to enter now i will book a flight to Laos or PH. Until i know if i am approved. 

If you’re not sure, and just like to hear your own voice, please refrain from making pointless comments about it. ￼￼￼(you know who you are) lol.

Yes i know i should have gotten the application submitted sooner. It took longer to complete because of reasons i dont need to explain here.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking guidance on whether they can enter Thailand on a tourist visa while waiting for DTV visa approval. They mention a time constraint due to needing to vacate their US rental. Comments offer mixed advice, with some suggesting it's risky to leave the application country until approval, while others recount successful experiences of activating the DTV visa through border runs. Ultimately, the user reports their visa was approved shortly after posting.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

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Sam ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Update! Visa approved today!! See y’all soon!

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Lee ***********

It says you have to be out of Thailand to apply, you have done that, have you submitted any flight information! Alit have reported coming and getting their approval after affival, then you just leave and re enter on the DTV. Failure means you leave and apply elsewhere later. So you have options.

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Sam ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Several people in the comments seem to say that you’re supposed to stay in the jurisdiction where you applied, but I don’t see any evidence of that on the Evisa website. It simply states that you have to apply from the location you are in, which is exactly what I did. I applied for a soft power DTV visa with all the documents that I can show, if it is not approved as it is there is no further documentation in person interview i can provide.

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Paul ********

If you want to do it properly, with no chance of being caught breaking rules, find a way to stay in the application country until you get it: Airbnb, friends/family, motel etc. If you like to live on the edge and don't mind wasting a few hundred $ and some time and maybe having to start over, don't wait. Up to you.

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Carolyn ********

Can't explain how you've make me feel right now, the joy in me is unexplainable I have made over much cryptocurrency for the past two weeks. Dovydas you are the best man for this job, we roll again constantly thank you again

@Dovydas ********

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James ********

Stay in the USA until the application for the DTV is acted upon by the Thai Embassy or Consulate.

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V**

You can come with tourist visa and later on apply for dtv. There're so many people who do that

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Anonymous ******************

It doesn’t mean it’s allowed. This will likely lead to stricter measures as people continue trying to trick the system without proper planning.

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Anonymous ******************

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John *******

Many have done this without a problem. There have been several who have had issues (Vietnam, UK). Technically, you are supposed to stay in the jurisdiction until the visa is finalized, but most of the time, the embassy has no way of knowing and is too busy to verify. The only site that clearly states this (that I found) is the Netherlands (see attached). There they state their “authority”. Since it is most likely that the MoFA gives each embassy the same authority, that this applies to all embassies. 95% chance it won’t be ready by 31st, as 25th and 31 are both holidays, you only have 5 business days until Jan.

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Kool *******

actually the Thai embassy can simply look at immigration records, that they have access to, to find out what country you are in very easily. They are computerized after all, and do check. Find a way to stay there until your DTV is issued.

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John *******

So you think the Department of Immigration shared their database with MoFA?

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Kool *******

so you think they don't? Guess again. They share that data with US immigration too, and have access to US immigration entry, and exit data, as they do with most every country in the world.

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John *******

- I doubt it.

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John *******

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Anonymous ******************

As mentioned by others, you should stay available in the application country, as you may be asked to provide more information or be called for an interview. Some people have been caught and had their visa applications refused for this very reason.

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Ray *****

Many have reported doing this and just did a border run when they were approved

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Christopher ********

Rent an airbnb until it’s fished. It’s not really ok to do that.

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John **********

The issue is not so much being out of Thailand but being in the location you applied at until processing completes. They can ask for more information or even call you in for an interview. If you had to physically visit a consulate to apply you wouldn't be able to go anywhere, treat this the same way

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Brian *********

this is the correct advice and well written.

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Brian *********

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