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Do I need to rent an apartment in Thailand before applying for a destination visa, and are there alternative options?
Destination VisaVisa ApplicationAccommodation ProofThailand ImmigrationLong-Term VisaNon-O VisaExpat Living in Thailand
Sep 23, 2024
2 years ago
Martino *******
ORIGINAL POSTERFor destination visa, they ask this:
1) Proof of prolonged residence in Thailand for at least 6 months, such as a condominium rental agreement, lease agreement etc.
This mean that you have to obtain that before asking the visa, right?
So, you will necessarily go to Thailand, find an apartment and sign a rental, then go out in a neighbour contry and ask the DTV, this is right?
There's another way or i missing something?
1) Proof of prolonged residence in Thailand for at least 6 months, such as a condominium rental agreement, lease agreement etc.
This mean that you have to obtain that before asking the visa, right?
So, you will necessarily go to Thailand, find an apartment and sign a rental, then go out in a neighbour contry and ask the DTV, this is right?
There's another way or i missing something?
TLDR : Answer Summary
To apply for a destination visa (DTV), applicants are typically required to provide proof of prolonged residence in Thailand, such as a six-month rental agreement. This leads to the understanding that one must first travel to Thailand, secure an apartment, and then exit to apply for the visa. However, opinions vary among community members regarding the necessity of a lease; some have successfully used alternative accommodation proof, like hotel bookings or arrangements with Thai spouses, suggesting that it may not be strictly necessary to have a formal rental agreement. Additionally, concerns regarding the implications of deposits if the visa is denied have been raised.
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.
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Ko *****************
We were approved without tenancy agreement. Just show hotel booking for a month.
Shin *******
I was approved,I applied before I got here, they did ask for my lodging, which was a hotel at the time.
Lyle *********
That’s absurd.
Can you do a 6 month booking on a website that allows pay without card & offers cancellation?
Can you do a 6 month booking on a website that allows pay without card & offers cancellation?
Paul *******
@Lyle ********
Yes, if it's some cheap dump in a small town or rural area.Choose some random border town or something.
Reply to
Paul *******
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Tony ******
So, what happens to your deposit etc if you aren't approved? Sounds like a gamble
James ********
@Tony *****
lost.Reply to
James ********
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Paul *******
Just one comment about accommodation proof. Surely they'd recognize applicants staying in their own houses or those owned by their Thai wives and that hardly everyone wants to live in an apartment or necessarily in a big city?
Secondly, why insist on a 180 day apartment lease? That's like saying they're forcing you to stay 180 days when you might only be spending 90 days twice a year, for example.
Secondly, why insist on a 180 day apartment lease? That's like saying they're forcing you to stay 180 days when you might only be spending 90 days twice a year, for example.
Paul *******
@Biff ******
It's easy enough if you're living with your spouse/family or you own property. Simply supply proof of these.For those who need to rent property, there are workarounds but the 6 month requirement is silly.
Again, there seems to be an assumption that everyone using this visa will live in Thailand full time even though this visa is technically a long stay tourist visa, not a residency visa.
Paul *******
@Biff ******
Yes, but it doesn't make sense. If they want accommodation proof, fine, but they shouldn't insist on such a long period. 1 night should be enough.Biff *******
@Paul ******
what should be, and what is, are often different. I’m assuming it’s a hangover from previous application questions. All I’m saying is that there are ways to allow that particular box to be easily ticked. Takes 5 minutes. 😊Reply to
Biff *******
Reply
Biff *******
@Paul ******
Different visa, but when applying for a 60 day e-visa last year via the London embassy, they wanted accommodation for the entire length of the visa. I wasn’t sure where I was staying so I booked a free cancellation/pay at property on Agoda, got the booking confirmation as a pdf then cancelled it immediately.
Satisfied the requirement and got the visa.
I think that’s just a box they might want ticked.
Reply to
Biff *******
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Bernie ********
Applying in Malaysia? Afaik they only ask for it there. I would apply somewhere else
Martino *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bernie *******
yes! I sended mail but they didn't answer, i'm panicking! What embassies do you think it would be easier to get? Vientiane is good?Paul *******
@Martino ******
Vientiane seems decent, but they're strict on financials.I'd apply in Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta or Taipei.
James ********
@Paul ******
Good advice ✅Martino *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
i meet their requirements, the only think is that i have that money on my business bank account. Malaysia embassy says that is fine as long that i provide them proof that i am the owner of the company, should be fine.I'm a bit worried about the time required to get an appointment, i heard about people waiting
***
weeks and more to get an appointment...Bernie ********
@Martino ******
I would double check the account thing, I think i read that Vientiane wants the money in an account that‘s in your own name.Martino *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bernie *******
I hope not! A company owner that just use the personal bank account for the expenses of the month would never have this amountPaul *******
@Martino ******
Sadly, you may have to transfer 500K over and keep it there just for the application. If you do this, obviously you'll be using Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh or Taipei and not Laos and definitely not Malaysia.Also, present 6 month statements just in case. You could also present the business account statements as well, though probably not necessary.
Once you have your visa, transfer the funds back over to your business account.
Martino *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
this would not be a problem for short time! If they accept that the money is from recent bank transfer is okay! Thanks for this tip!Paul *******
@Martino ******
No problem at most consulates and while Vientiane might be OK with it if you can document it came from your business account it's a bit iffy. I like Laos as a country a lot but I wouldn't insist on going there for a visa. The staff at the Thai embassy are among the least friendly in the region.
Another reason I like going to Laos is that I can drive there with my own car, which I do each and every time I visit Laos. It saves me money, I have my own transport once I'm there and I feel superheroic driving a car with foreign plates there (OK maybe not, but it's kinda cool). I know my way around and can get to the Thai consulate without needing to use any GPS.
However, even so, I am not waiting until November to apply for my visa. I'll be jumping on a plane to Taiwan and exploring what for me will be a new country as I haven't visited there since I was a toddler and making a bit of a trip out of it.
Always nice to see a new country.
Bernie ********
@Paul ******
Superhero in Laos. Nice 😁Paul *******
@Bernie *******
Haha, I was kidding. Actually, as much as I enjoy driving across the bridge to Laos, I've done it so many times it's not special anymore. Still, to me, there's obviously something a bit different, traveling to Laos/Cambodia, which I can drive to, compared to countries further afield, which require you fly.Sadly, due to Laos' proximity to Thailand, it's large number of applicants and strong relationships with agents, the rules for applying for any visa there are a little stricter than in countries further afield.
Martino *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
but they say in their sites that you have to wait 1 week or something if you cancel. They don't like it i thinkPaul *******
@Martino ******
Something like that. When I made the appointment, it said I can't cancel, have to wait until after the appointment date to make a new one.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Bernie ********
@Martino ******
I got mine in Vientiane. Can‘t complain.Martino *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bernie *******
thanks! I heard many positive feedback about Vientiane. How much time did you wait for the appointment and for all the process?Paul *******
@Martino ******
In my opinion, I would say Vientiane has a combination of positive and negative stories, unlike Ho Chi Minh, Taipei and Jakarta, which are overwhelmingly positive. Appointments for Vientiane are usually booked around 2 weeks in advance.
Unless you have 500K or more parked in your account for 3 months or more, I'd choose a different consulate.
Martino *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
thanks! I think i will, because i have it in my business bank account, not the personal one, so they may not accept it! And this authentication by UK government for the companies will require even more time.Paul *******
@Martino ******
Regarding authentication, this isn't necessary at most SE Asian consulates but I've heard it's a requirement in Malaysia and possibly Laos as well, another reason to not use Laos. They'll definitely want to see the funds in your personal account too.
Martino *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
so i not good for me! I have 2 very small personal bank accounts! Maybe is easier to try the soft power, i still have to go in Thailand to finish a dental surgery, maybe they will accept that 😅Paul *******
@Martino ******
Even then, the financial requirements are the same. Trust me, choose a consulate where they're not so fussy about the financials. Laos and Malaysia are the wrong choices. I have an appointment for Laos but I'll be skipping it because I made it too early. You can't cancel appointments for Laos, you have to wait until after the date has elapsed and then schedule a new one.
In the meantime, i've decided that I'll most likely go to Taipei where no appointment is required.
Phnom Penh is another good choice and no appointment required but 1 week processing time and they're moving to the e-visa system in October (probably late in the month) so go there soon, before it's too late.
Bernie ********
@Paul ******
you can cancel appointments in Laos, I did it twice because docs weren‘t ready yetPaul *******
@Bernie *******
Really? The system told me that I can't cancel. Have to wait until after the appointment date has elapsed. They used to allow cancellations but the whole system was being abused by agents (same in Yangon).HCMC on the other hand allows cancellations.
Bernie ********
@Paul ******
If you click on „My appointments“ or so, then you can select your appointment and cancel. After that you can make a new one.Paul *******
@Bernie *******
The system told me otherwise. Anyway, I don't really care as I'm not going to use Laos. I might if I could wait until late November, but I can't wait that long...Bernie ********
It was 3 weeks ago though. Maybe it changed.
Martino *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
yes, you made me change my mind about Vientiane...i was thinking about Jakarta. Is closer to Malaysia where i am right now, and you and others confirmed me that is good tooPaul *******
@Martino ******
Aha yeah in that case get yourself to Jakarta! It happens to be closer to where you are than Laos anyway. Even Taipei wouldn't be that much further from KL compared to Vientiane or Savannaket, but Jakarta is great too. No appointment needed either but again, go soon.
E-visa coming shortly!
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Paul *******
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