Do not send the same file again. The official pages we read give no list of DTV refusal reasons, so we cannot tell you why a single case failed. How to read your e-Visa status (request, delay or refusal) is on the refusals hub.
The 31 August 2026 trap
A file that was fine in July 2026 may fail now. Two documents changed, and a third rule follows from them.
| What changed | Old file | What to send now |
|---|---|---|
| Residence | "Document indicating current location", such as a lease or a hotel booking | Proof of permanent residence in the country where you apply |
| Police check | Not needed | A criminal record certificate within your post's age limit |
| Embassy | Many people applied in a nearby country | Madrid, Singapore and Vientiane accept only their own nationals or permanent residents |
Applications paid before 31 August 2026 follow the old rules. A new application after a refusal follows the new rules.
The DTV checklist, document by document
These are mismatches between what people send and what the embassy pages ask for. They are not statistics.
| Check | Rule on the pages | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Right embassy | Madrid, Singapore and Vientiane accept only nationals or permanent residents | Apply in your country of nationality or permanent residence. See which embassy |
| Residence proof | Required since 31 Aug 2026. Washington DC still lists the old "current location" document beside it | Send the permanent residence document your post names. See proof of residence |
| Police certificate age | 3 months at Washington DC, Los Angeles, Paris and Munich; 6 months at London | Order a new one if yours is too old. See police clearance |
| Funds | 500,000 THB or the local figure. 3 months of statements at Washington DC and Singapore; EUR 15,000 each month for 3 months at Paris | Cover every month the post names. See proof of funds |
| Purpose proof | Contract or portfolio for workcation; a letter that names the activity for soft power; proof of relationship for family | Add the missing pieces. See workcation, soft power, family |
| File quality | Los Angeles: unclear or incomplete files lead to a request for more documents and longer processing | Replace photos and screenshots with bank or official PDFs |
| Translations | London and Washington DC: foreign documents need a certified English translation, notarized | Translate every document not in English |
| Passport | Paris and Madrid: valid for more than 6 months. Washington DC and Helsinki: "valid within 6 months from travel date" | Renew if you are close to 6 months |
Steps to take
- Read the decision message again. Note the date and any words about missing items.
- Open your embassy's current DTV page. Check the date on it. Pages changed in September 2026.
- Go through the checklist above and mark every gap.
- Fix the cause. A new certificate, statements for the right months, a bank PDF instead of a screenshot.
- Write to the consular section if you cannot find the cause. Quote your application number and ask which documents to change.
- Apply again on thaievisa.go.th. Expect to pay the fee again. Helsinki and Singapore say the fee is non-refundable.
The rules for every new application (no edited documents, no borrowed funds, no "contacts" at the embassy) are on the refusals hub.
Do not apply from inside Thailand
Washington DC says it cannot issue visas to foreign nationals who are currently in Thailand. Entering on a tourist route and planning to apply for the DTV from Thailand can send you back to the first problem. Ask your own post before you plan this.
If you need to be in Thailand sooner
A tourist route has its own rules and fees, and it is for tourism only. Compare the options in DTV vs tourist visa.
Before you apply again
- You are a national or permanent resident of the post's country.
- Your residence proof is the permanent document your post names.
- Your police certificate is within the post's age limit on submission day.
- Your statements cover every month the post names, at the post's figure.
- Every document not in English has a certified translation.
- Your passport has the validity your post asks for.
Our DTV pre-check reads your documents against your embassy's list and shows what looks missing. It is not legal advice, and the embassy makes the decision.
Not confirmed yet
No official page we read states these points. Ask your embassy before you pay or submit.
- A waiting period before a new DTV application.
- Whether a refused fee is ever credited to a new application.
- Whether a refusal affects a later application at another embassy.
- Which document the e-Visa form wants at Washington DC: current location or permanent residence.
Frequently asked questions
Why was my DTV rejected?
The official pages give no list of reasons, and Washington DC says officers may refuse without a reason. Since 31 August 2026, check the embassy, the residence proof, the police certificate age and the funds period first.
My file worked before August 2026. Why not now?
Since 31 August 2026, the DTV needs proof of permanent residence instead of a "current location" document, and a criminal record certificate. Several posts also accept only their own nationals or permanent residents.
Can I apply at a different embassy after a refusal?
Only if you are a national or permanent resident of that embassy's country. Since 31 August 2026, the residence proof must be for the country where you apply.
Do I get the fee back after a refusal?
Helsinki and Singapore say the fee is non-refundable. Expect to pay again for a new application.
How long does a DTV decision take?
Paris says about 4 weeks, longer if the file is incomplete. Munich says 15 consular working days.
Sources
- munich.thaiembassy.org/de/page/dtv2 (read 22 Oct 2026)Munich: criminal record clearance not older than 3 months; 15 consular working days
- madrid.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/dtv (read 22 Oct 2026)Madrid: biometric passport valid more than 6 months; nationals or permanent residents of Spain or Andorra only; page updated 22 Sep 2026
- london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/destination-thailand-visa (read 22 Oct 2026)London page dated 8 Sep 2026: certified and notarized English translations for foreign documents; police certificate within 6 months
- helsinki.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/destination-thailand-visa-dtv (read 22 Oct 2026)all applications are subject to approval; the embassy may request an interview or more documents; visa fees are non-refundable; passport valid within 6 months from travel date; page updated 3 Sep 2026
- singapore.thaiembassy.org/en/page/dtv-visa-workcation (read 22 Oct 2026)Singapore: DTV only for citizens and permanent residents; 3 months of statements; application fee and visa fee non-refundable; apply at least 21 working days before travel; page updated 7 Sep 2026
- thaiembassy.fr/fr/visa-rdv/les-types-de-visa-et-les-documents-necessaires/dtv/ (read 22 Oct 2026)Paris: about 4 weeks, longer if the file is incomplete; certificate under 3 months; EUR 15,000 a month for 3 months; passport valid more than 6 months
- washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa-information (read 22 Oct 2026)the embassy cannot issue visas to foreign nationals currently in Thailand; officers may refuse without giving reasons
- moscow.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/adjustment-to-supporting-documents-for-destination-thailand-visa-dtv-a (read 22 Oct 2026)31 Aug 2026 rules: permanent residence proof and criminal record certificate; earlier applications follow old rules
- vientiane.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/applying-for-a-visa (read 22 Oct 2026)Vientiane: new DTV applicants must be Lao nationals or permanent residents, with a certificate from Lao PDR or their country of nationality, from 31 Aug 2026
- thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/dtv-visa (read 22 Oct 2026)Los Angeles: FBI certificate within 3 months; Muay Thai SAT letter; incomplete or unclear files trigger a request for more documents and longer processing; updated 1 Oct 2026
- washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/dtv-visa (read 22 Oct 2026)3 months of statements with at least 500,000 THB or USD 16,000; FBI certificate within 3 months; still lists current-location document beside permanent residence proof; foreign documents need certified, notarized English translation; passport valid within 6 months from travel date; page updated 10 Sep 2026
Reviewed by the Thai Visa Pre-Check team
We check documents; we are not a law firm and not the Thai government. We read each embassy page named in the sources on the date shown.
We sell a document check. We do not apply for you, and only the embassy decides your visa.
- Last checked
- First published
What changed
- first published. Added the "31 August 2026 trap" table and a fix column per check. Resolved the passport rule (Paris and Madrid: more than 6 months). The shared rules for every new application moved to the refusals hub.
Found an error? Write to support@tdac.info.