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Can I leave Cambodia to go back to Thailand while my DTV visa is being processed?

Jan 29, 2025
24 days ago
Hi guys, I’ve gone through an agent to sort my DTV. She is saying I am able to leave Cambodia by air and go back to Thailand, and just do a border run when my visa is accepted. Only issue is there is quite a language miscommunication. So I do not want to go unless I know this is ok. Has anyone else done this? I have friends from the UK arriving in Thailand tomorrow so would hate to miss seeing them because I have to stay in Cambodia. Thanks for any info that can help/assist me!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about the possibility of leaving Cambodia to return to Thailand while their DTV visa is being processed, expressing concern due to language miscommunications with their agent. Commenters clarify that although some have done this, it is not the recommended or official procedure, as applicants are generally required to stay in the country where they applied until their visa is issued.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Dustyn **********
Can you share the agent’s details with me please? Also why you decided to go with her?
James *******
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ******
fighting frieeeeend
Paul *******
Where are you now? See your friend first (if you're in Thailand), or invite them to meet you in Cambodia.
Anonymous *************
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@Paul ******
I’m already in Cambodia have been here 4days, was hoping the process would be faster via an agent! Unfortunately it’s all based around Muay Thai so my friends have no need to come here. It’s more me being there taking them to the gym I use and introducing them to my coaches and helping them source fights while they stay
Paul *******
Aha I see. I hope they can wait for you in Thailand then. I also hope your visa will be approved soon so you can meet them there.
Wesley ********
Have people done it? Yes. Are you meant to? No
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wesley *******
this is exactly what I thought so I was very surprised when the agent said that I could.
Wesley ********
Anonymous participant these agents aren’t even needed for the DTV. Many will say they 100% guarantee , or say they offer an easier process like “you can go back to Thailand and wait”

But they all know that just mathematically they’ll probably be fine. And if not, their guarantee is what? Money back? Partial refund? For the agent it’s worth it
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wesley *******
I understand this and is fully laziness on my behalf. I train full time in Thailand and compete my head gets punched and kicked so much that the thought of undergoing this process gave me a headache hence me going through an agent.

So the general consensus is that I cannot? Or do so at my own risk?

I just wondered if it may be different as I know embassies/borders work with agents and there is all the “under hand payments” that ensure this to be a fine thing to do. She seems to think it’s a sure thing and hasn’t pushed me about any fast track or anything like that.

She just says I can’t leave by land it would have to be by air and then I could return by land when my visa is done as I would get an email with e visa attached.

I myself haven’t been to the embassy and didn’t know if something was attached to the passport itself or if it’s all online
Wesley ********
Anonymous participant it’s all online. You can do so at your own risk.

It’s more likely fine than not, and there is many reports from people doing it and being fine.

But it is technically not allowed.
Anonymous *************
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@Wesley *******
so I didn’t know if I needed a sticker also but I think from what you and others plus agent says it will just be online and I guess I just print out the paperwork
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wesley *******
see my friend recently done his in Laos through an agent, he was there 2 days went embassy and got a DTV sticker in his passport and then was done. But his agent was so expensive 130k baht!
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant It’s the type of agent who says it’s possible but later has to help you secure an expensive fast-track option or let's say a special unplanned entry (earning a commission in the process).
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 478 I understand this also, this agent hasn’t pushed anything on me for the record! I just asked her how long she thought it may take, and when I explained the situation about my friends coming to stay with me for training/fighting purposes and that they were arriving soon that was when she said well I have done everything needed ie photos documents banking and proof of me in Cambodia, that I didn’t even need to be here and that I could simply fly back and then return once visa was complete via border run and enter back into Thailand on my DTV
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 478 Exactly. For 5 years possibly.
Anonymous ******************
You are supposed to stay in the country where you applied. No matter what your agent says, going against this rule is not allowed. Could it work? It has worked for some people but not for others (interviews may be required). Paying an agent might help in some cases to facilitate entry, but not all agents are reliable—you may end up paying more and more over time.
Jack ********
Anonymous participant 478 no you are supposed to be in the country when you apply. You can’t even sort out your own situation so stop giving advice to others
Anonymous ******************
@Jack *******
Been here long enough to tell you everything is possible with money. But as I said, they will always be able to check and start denying entries if they wish to do so.

"You can't sort out your own situation", you're maybe confused on the person. I've been on the same visa for more than 10 years 😊
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 478 thanks for that info, that’s what I essentially wanted to know. Is it against rules can this affect the outcome so on…. I just wondered if different with an agent as I know there are a lot of “under the table” payments involved.
Anonymous *************
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Anonymous participant to be honest I intend only to ever fly in and out of Thailand with fast track through immigration to save any unnecessary ballache. So maybe doing it like this is the way to go if I decide too
Greg ********
Anonymous participant So you are going to beholden to agents for safe entry for 5 years?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
at 4500 baht for no questions and ease of it every 180 days it’s not a real issue!
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant Make sure you book it in advance. Don't try your luck and be forced to pay for a special entry. It's much more expensive.
Anonymous ******************
Well, if immigration ever decides to dig into your entry stamps and the date your DTV was issued, they may realize that you were in Thailand during the application process. So, you’ll never be completely safe from scrutiny. In the end, it comes down to how much you’re willing to pay to return in case of any issues.
Paul *******
@478, true, but this probably won't happen if you're successful with your first entry on a DTV. I can't imagine them going back a year or two to establish when your DTV was granted if they granted you entry the first time round. The more time passes, the less important this becomes.

The best thing to do is to stay outside of Thailand a few days or more between your last stay in Thailand and your entry into the country using a DTV.

It's those same day border runners who do a switch, that are getting caught out because it's just so obvious what they're doing.
Sean *******
@Paul ******
They will check if they're thirsty for some tea money. And it's expensive tea, 20K baht. 😂
Paul *******
@Sean ******
Sure. My point is that this is most likely to happen on your first entry on the DTV, especially if you do a same day switch rather than say in 1 or 2 years from now. This is because it's easiest to pick up at the beginning. An officer who is looking to refuse entry on a DTV due to fraud, probably wouldn't allow entry and only do an investigation after the holder has been re-entering the country a year or two into their DTV validity.
John **********
Where is this agent? How did they help? You are supposed to remain in the country you apply in until the visa is issued and the embassy can ask you to prove that later in the process or even call you in for interview
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
they done all paperwork’s and hotel and transport to and from Cambodia, also pictures of me at hotel etc… it’s since this she has told me I’m able to leave via plane and come back on approval. But I want to be sure as paying an agent has obviously cost me more than doing it myself! It’s the soft power Muay Thai. My current gym doesn’t offer it this is why I went through an agent as I’m an active fighter in Thailand. So also coming back allows me to train/fight/earn
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant yes have spoken to several gyms about this and they say you pay some tax at high level fights but no need for work visa
John **********
Anonymous participant DTV doesn't allow you to earn for fights inside Thailand. I'd remain until it gets issued if it were me.
Anonymous *************
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@John *********
but surely by that logic I shouldn’t have earnt from fights on an ED or tourist visa? But this is what 98% of western Thai boxers are out here on and fighting on. Even at the highest level ie One championship
Andy ************
Anonymous participant Irrespective of what other people are doing, if you "earning money" you are working, hence you are violating the terms of your visa. That's how Thailand operates.
Anonymous *************
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@Andy ***********
understand this, but I think there is a lot of leniency that comes with there national sport obviously! As it is not a hidden fact that almost every westerner who fights in Thailand probably 50+ over the kingdom daily are being paid to fight as it is a professional fight. Also many times upon entering Thailand I would say I am here to fight and am greeted with nothing but pleasantries! I’m not sure on the law but maybe it’s not classed as work. Maybe competition earnings fall under a different bracket. Likewise to another professional sportsperson who may come here to compete in a one of tournament, I doubt they have to get a working visa to compete to win a prize?

Not trying to sound argumentative at all just putting my view across. I may be wrong but that’s kind of how I’ve seen it to be true
Andy ************
Anonymous participant It depends on which visa each individual is on and the conditions attached to that visa. Even people working voluntarily for foundations need a work permit and a specific visa which allows this. Most foreign musicians playing in nightclubs and bars probably don't have work permits either and are paid cash in hand. It is what it is, and I'm only stating the legal position

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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ***********
but from what this says, it's saying you need a work permit for a job it doesn't state anything about the earnings from a bout? So again I understand the black and white side of it but it's not clear written in that article either that you cannot earn from a fight.

As you say a musician yes many I imagine is cash in hand but is that not more of a job than fighting once a month? I suppose yes and no

I've just never encountered obstacles around this and have asked questions about it especially if I'm gonna be liable to thai tax laws staying here over 180days
Andy ************
Anonymous participant Have you spoken to your gym about this? To me, engaging in any competitive sport I would see as "working", and any earnings would be subject to taxation. Perhaps it's all done "under the table" in the same way as foreign musicians