This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Can I enter Thailand on a tourist exemption visa if I have a DTV visa granted but want to delay Muay Thai training?

DTV Visa Thai Visa Rules Tourist Visa Exemption Muay Thai Training Visa Application Process Immigration Policy

Feb 10, 2025

12 days ago

Chester *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yesterday I submitted my application for a DTV visa which should (hopefully) be approved within 10-15 days. I have a flight booked from Hanoi to Chiang Mai on the 24th of February. I have applied under the soft power category, so will be studying Muay Thai whilst there. The problem is, I broke my foot a couple of months ago, and it still hasn't healed. I have asked my school if I can delay the start of my training until my foot is fully recovered, but they are reluctant because of potential issues arising with immigration if the beginning of training is delayed. So, my question is: would it be possible to enter Thailand on the 60 day tourist exemption visa on the 24th (I hold a British passport), even after my DTV visa has been granted? Then after the 60 days is up, I would plan to do a border run and reenter on the DTV visa. This way, there would be ample time to let my foot recover, and my school would avoid any problems with immigration. Thanks in advance for the advice.

2,106

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is concerned about entering Thailand on a 60-day tourist exemption visa while awaiting approval for their DTV visa, which allows them to study Muay Thai. They want to delay their training due to a foot injury and have found conflicting advice regarding immigration rules and starting dates for training. After consulting the Royal Thai Embassy, the user learned they need to enter Thailand on the DTV visa if it has been granted by the time of arrival, and they cannot enter on a tourist exemption if the DTV visa is approved.

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.

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted DTV Visa Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

Rami **********

Good luck Chester. May I ask which muay thai gym you are using for the DTV visa? I am in chiang mai now on a tourist visa and want to do the same. Maybe will do in Hanoi too. Thanks!

9 days ago

Chester *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Rami *********

Core Combat Chiang Mai

8 days ago

Reply to

Chester *******

Victoria ***********

Please let me know if your application is successful as I am hoping to apply in Hanoi next month 🙏🏽

9 days ago

Chester *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

For those interested in the facts, today I went to the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi to ask them directly. They told me that once my DTV visa is approved (🤞), it will be entered into their system. So when I fly into Thailand, I have to enter using the DTV Visa, ie. it will not be possible to enter on the 60 day visa exemption.

I also asked about whether delaying the start of training for a couple of months until my foot has fully healed (as per the doctor's advice) would cause issues with immigration, but they said they did not have this information, as they only deal with visa applications.

10 days ago

Chester *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

They also told me that if I enter Thailand before the DTV visa has been granted, they would cancel the application (without a refund), because I need to be outside of Thailand for the whole time that the application is being processed. So, it looks like I'll be here in Vietnam until the 24th, and, if the DTV application is approved (🤞), enter on that rather than a 60 day exemption. Wish me luck that the application gets approved!

10 days ago

Krissy ********

@Chester ******

hey, can you keep us updated on how your application goes? Wanting to apply for dtv for me and my family but not sure which category (soft power, freelancer etc) to go with as we’ve just started our content creation so don’t have much of a professional portfolio at the moment.

10 days ago

Chester *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Krissy *******

sure - the embassy said it takes 5 working days to process so I should know by the 17th or 18th 🤞 (not sure if it's from the date I initially submitted or the date I submitted the additional requested documents)

7 days ago

Reply to

Chester *******

Darren *******

Why can't you enter on your exemption before the DTV is granted stay your 60-90 days heal then do your border run re-enter under the approved DTV ?