I’ve helped many Muay Thai students apply for the DTV visa. Strong bank balance. Real training plan. Clean record.
And still, rejected.
Not because they weren’t eligible.
Because they made technical mistakes in the Thai e-Visa system that immigration doesn’t forgive.
This article is a warning. The DTV e-Visa system is strict, unforgiving, and expensive to get wrong. One mistake can mean delays of weeks or a full rejection with no refund.
Let me walk you through the errors I see most often, and how to avoid them.
First: Understand the E-Visa System Reality
The DTV is applied through thaievisa.go.th. Thailand has rolled out the e-Visa system widely, and most applicants now apply online through the portal, and then the embassy or consulate reviews the case.
Here’s what people misunderstand:
- The system auto-checks documents
- Many fields cannot be edited after submission
- Rejection often comes with generic or no explanation
- If you have to reapply, you pay the fee again (fees vary by embassy/consulate and currency)
This isn’t a conversation with an officer. It’s a machine plus embassy discretion, and they can still ask for more documents or reject the file if it’s unclear.
Mistake #1: Wrong File Format or File Size
This is the number one killer.
The Rules (Non-Negotiable)
- Only JPG/JPEG or PDF
- Maximum 3MB per file
- One file per upload slot (often)
What I see people do:
- Upload PNG or HEIC from phones
- Upload a 6–10MB scan
- Upload multiple pages separately instead of one PDF
Result? Upload failure or silent rejection.
What Works?
- Passport biodata: JPG under 3MB
- Bank statements: single combined PDF under 3MB
- Compress aggressively. Black-and-white PDFs help.
If your file is even 3.1MB, the system may accept it, and then fail later.
Mistake #2: Blurry Passport Scan or Photo
The system uses auto-detection on your passport biodata page.
If it can’t read:
- Passport number
- Name
- Date of birth
Your application can be delayed or rejected.
Common problems:
- Shadows on the passport
- Low contrast
- Phone camera glare
- Cropped edges
Same with the passport photo/selfie:
If the photo looks “okay” to you but not to a machine, it fails.
Mistake #3: Spelling Errors
This one hurts because it feels unfair.
Your details must match your passport exactly:
- Full name (including middle names)
- Passport number
- Date of birth
I’ve seen rejections for:
- Missing a middle name
- Extra space
- Wrong capitalization
- One swapped digit
There is usually no easy correction step after submission. A mismatch can trigger a document request, cancellation, or rejection.
Check everything. Then check again.
Mistake #4: Wrong Document Type in the Wrong Slot
Each upload slot has a purpose.
Examples:
- Uploading a JPG where a PDF is expected
- Uploading a course letter in the wrong section
- Uploading screenshots instead of documents
For Muay Thai DTV visa applicants, this often happens with:
- Training confirmation letters
- Proof of soft power enrollment
If the officer can’t clearly identify what they asked for, you may get a request for more documents or a rejection.
Mistake #5: Declaration Form Errors
The Declaration Form is not a formality.
Common issues:
- Not signing where required
- Uploading an unsigned or incomplete version
- Leaving boxes unchecked
This is an easy rejection trigger because it signals “incomplete application.”
Always download, complete, sign as required for your application, and re-upload.
Mistake #6: Applying Under the Wrong Embassy Jurisdiction
This is more subtle and more dangerous.
You are expected to apply through the embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you are currently legally staying, and you should be able to prove that with whatever “current location” or “legal stay” document that mission asks for.
Problems I’ve seen:
- Applying while “on holiday” in another country
- Declaring one country, applying from another
- No clear proof of current location or legal stay
When the embassy cross-checks, and your location doesn’t match the mission you selected, the application can stall, get kicked back for more documents, or be rejected.
About IP Address Checks
Let’s be precise.
There is no solid evidence of automatic IP address rejection.
But there is real scrutiny around:
- Location inconsistency
- Jurisdiction mismatch
Don’t rely on VPN tricks.
Match your documents, declaration, and embassy cleanly.
Mistake #7: Assuming You Can Fix Errors Later
You usually can’t.
Once submitted:
- Many fields are locked
- Corrections often mean reapplying
- Fee paid again
This is why “small mistakes” become expensive mistakes.
Why These Errors Hurt DTV Applicants More
For Muay Thai DTV applicants:
- Training letters must be clear and official
- Financial proof must be readable
- Soft power enrollment is scrutinized
A messy application looks like a fake one, even if it isn’t.
That’s the harsh truth.
My Practical Checklist Before You Click Submit
Before submitting, I tell students to stop and do this:
- Every file under 3MB
- Only JPG/PDF
- The passport scan is crystal clear
- Photo meets exact specs
- Name and passport match letter-for-letter
- Correct embassy selected
- Declaration signed
- No screenshots, no phone photos of screens
If any box isn’t perfect, don’t submit yet.
Final Words from Someone Who’s Seen Too Many Rejections
The DTV visa isn’t hard. But the e-Visa system is unforgiving.
Most rejections aren’t about eligibility. They’re about technical sloppiness.
Treat the application like a legal document, not an online form. One careless upload can cost you months and incur additional fees.
Train hard. Prepare properly. And don’t let a bad PDF ruin a good plan.
FAQs: Real Questions I Get Weekly
1. “Kru, the system auto-filled my passport number with a typo. Should I just leave it?”
Never.
If the OCR misreads your passport, you must manually delete the entry and type it in yourself.
I’ve seen people lose the fee over a single-digit error.
And once you hit submit, you usually can’t edit critical identity fields. If it’s wrong, you’re often looking at a reapplication.
2. “Can I take a photo of my documents with my phone?”
It’s risky. Phone photos often have “distorted” edges or shadows that the system hates.
For 2025, use a flatbed scanner or a high-quality “Scan App” (like Adobe Scan) that flattens the image and removes shadows.
Save everything as a PDF to keep it crisp under the 3MB limit.
3. “What happens if I apply to the London Embassy while I’m actually in Vietnam?”
This is a jurisdiction problem.
You should apply through the embassy that covers where you are currently legally staying, and your “proof of current location” should match the mission you selected.
If you apply through London while your documents show you’re in Vietnam, expect delays, extra document requests, or a rejection.
4. “My bank statement is 10 pages long and over 5MB. How do I upload it?”
The 3MB limit is strict. Use a PDF compressor or save the statement in black and white.
If it still won’t go under 3MB, don’t chop it into something that looks incomplete. Ask your bank for a cleaner, smaller PDF export, or a bank balance letter that clearly shows your name, date, and available funds, then upload the most official, readable version you can.
5. “Do I need a ‘Professional’ passport photo, or is a selfie against a white wall okay?”
Avoid selfies if you can. The most common fails are shadows, tilt, uneven lighting, and a background that isn’t truly plain white.
A professional shop is safer because the lighting and framing are consistent, and the output usually matches what the portal expects.
6. “The system is asking for a ‘Declaration Form.’ Where do I get that?”
It’s usually a link within the application itself.
Download it, complete it, sign it the way your selected embassy/consulate expects, then upload it back in the correct slot.
7. “Can I use my Crypto wallet or Investment account as ‘Proof of Funds’?”
Usually no. Most missions are asking for a normal bank statement from a savings or current/checking account that clearly shows your name, account, and available balance.
A crypto wallet screenshot or an investment app screen rarely matches that requirement, even if the value is higher.
8. “Why was my Muay Thai letter rejected even though it was from a real gym?”
The letter must be “Official.”
It needs to be on the gym’s letterhead, signed by the owner, stamped with the gym’s corporate seal, and specifically state your start and end dates.
If it looks like a generic flyer, the Embassy will flag it as “insufficient proof of purpose.”
9. “How long should I wait for an ‘In Progress’ status to change?”
There’s no single standard timeline. Processing time depends on the embassy, workload, and whether they request more documents.
If it’s dragging on, check your email carefully. If they ask for more documents and you miss the deadline, the application can be closed, and you may need to reapply with a new fee.
10. “Can I apply for the DTV if I’m already inside Thailand?”
Don’t assume you can. Many embassies only process e-Visa applications when you are physically in their jurisdiction, which often means you’re outside Thailand when applying through that mission.
VPN tricks don’t solve this. Your location proof and legal stay documents have to match the embassy you selected.
11. “I have two nationalities. Which one should I use?”
Use the passport you plan to enter Thailand with. If you use a different nationality for the application than the one in your passport at the airport, you will be denied entry.
12. “What’s the most common reason for a ‘Silent Rejection’ (where they just say ‘Incomplete’)?”
Usually, it’s a missing middle name or an unclear scan. If the officer has to squint to see your passport expiry date, they will simply click “Reject” and move to the next file.