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Should I enter Thailand on visa exemption while my DTV application is pending?

Feb 27, 2025
4 days ago
Hi it is really important. My flight back is on Sunday to Bangkok but my dtv is not approved yet. Shall I just enter on visa exemption and leave again In the couple weeks or extend my stay in Indonesia? Cheaper would be flying back to my apartment like planned.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about their options since their DTV visa application has not yet been approved and their flight to Bangkok is imminent. Commenters advise the user against returning to Thailand until the DTV is approved, citing potential issues such as mandatory interviews and the risk of visa denial. Some suggest it may be wise to extend their stay in Indonesia to avoid complications, while others share personal experiences stating that entering Thailand on a visa exemption is possible if done cautiously. Overall, there is a consensus that remaining in Indonesia until the DTV process is complete is safer.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Joseph *********
Again, kindly suggesting you look at your submission date and do the math. I doubt your wait will be more then 14 days maximum. All the best
Joseph *********
I think the wait period is quite short like 14 days? When does your Indonesia visa expire? You may be called back. All the lines are not connected (Yes, you could go back into Thailand, no need to mention your plans) -- You have an apartment. I have done a few turn arounds myself. But all in all depending on when you sent in your DTV paperwork, likely you will hear back within the business week. A Sunday flight seems a bit short-sighted.
Thomas *******
You can do this it’s okay ! I enter with visa exemption and my dtv was approved after. After 1 month and half I leave Thailand 2 days and re enter with my dtv visa. there were no problems
Henrik *****
Do not go back to Thailand until your DTV is approved.

You may loose 10.000 Baht, by going back.
Paul *******
Here's a radical thought: change your flight.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
I will fly a few days later
Mark ***********
Extend your stay in Indonesia

It will be a lot more expensive if your DTV application is denied because you didn’t follow the rules.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark **********
i will fly a few days later just to be safe
Anonymous ******************
You need to stay where you are until done; these are the rules. It may seems "cheaper" for you to leave but a mandatory interview or visa denial is much more costly...
John **********
You need to stay where you are until the visa process completes. You can be asked in for interview or to send copies of every page of your passport to verify you have not left the country
Jason *********
You applied at Jakarta ? What category ? I heard they were one of the quickest.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
This would be my idea just go to Vietnam in a couple of weeks. But at the moment I'm thinking about really paying the rebooking fee and just stay 3 days longer in Jakarta
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jason ********
soft Power. They kept asking for documents of the gym, although I handed everything in. They asked for the business license. The document I got seems to short for them. I got now a 11 page business registration of the gym that I handed in today. I hope that It will be pending tomorrow.
Barry ******
You're not supposed to be in Thailand at all during the application process.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Barry *****
so you recommend to stay longer in Indonesia?
Calvin ******
Anonymous participant be careful. Embassies have been known to request for either interviews or pictures of all passport pages, as they know some people have not been staying in the country for duration of application.

I know it’s annoying & frustrating / but bear it out… it’ll be worth it in the end.
Maksym ***********
@Calvin *****
but he can do copies before leave
Calvin ******
@Maksym **********
sure he can. What if they request an interview and at said interview they ask to see his passport pages :)
Ben ********
@Barry *****
how would they know?
Anonymous ******************
@Ben *******
Interview or copy of your passport pages.
Barry ******
They will know If they request to do an interview and also ask to see your passport.
Ratchaneekorn **********
@Ben *******
they might didn’t know but next time you enter with DTV visa you might have problems. So far nobody is said about it yet but why you want to risk it ?
Wesley ********
@Ben *******
Its almost like immigration systems are linked.
Maksym ***********
@Wesley *******
systems are not linked.
Wesley ********
@Maksym **********
some systems are of course linked. When you arrive they see your DTV
Henrik *****
Maksym ***********
@Henrik ****
dream about? MFA don't have access, and can't know. And I know many peoples that applied from Thailand, received DTV when was inside, and that's why they ask all pages, because can't check it in other way