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

How did I successfully obtain a DTV Visa for Thailand without the required funds in my bank account?

Jan 26, 2025
3 months ago
Finally, after 1 month, I have the DTV Visa approved and now I can say I'm back to Thailand. Here's the recap in case it can help to someone:

Is going to be a little long, but I'll detail everything as a post like this would've helped me so much and took so much stress out of me.

I Did apply for the DTV as soft-power (muay Thai) WITHOUT the money in my bank and using a sponsor which was my mother.

I do not work, and I don't have these 500k in one single bank, so I wanted to try my mother to sponsor me, as I also did not wanted to send the money in one bank.

I also did not wanted to send the money from her bank to mine as that would mean paying high taxes in my country.

I am a Spanish citizen and I applied in Madrid.

1. Applied on Jan 6

I subitted:

- my informrmation that they require

- Letter from my gym (muay thai)

- Sponsorship Letter, which here I added the following documents:

1. My passport

2. My mom's passport

3. My mom's bank statement showing 500k+ in july

4. My mom's Bank statement showing 500k+ in january (not all 6 months, I only showed two months)

5. Certificate that she is my mother

6. A letter from my mom assuring that if by any mens I cannot afford to live here she'll pay for my stuff. I also added that this would not be a big issue as Thailand is much cheaper than Spain, so if now I was living with her and she could pay for my stuff, it would be even easier to do it in a cheaper country.

All this was submitted in spanish and english

2. couple days later I contact the embassy asking if my situation (not working, and not having the money in my bank) would be the reason to deny my visa. They said they would not approve it.

They told me I MUST have the 500k for at least 6mo and I cannot use a sponsor, Madrid embassy does not accept that.

To make sure they don't link this with my application, i send the questions using another email, but the conclusion was that I would not get approved.

3. after many days, on Jan 15 I found another solution as I see they wont approve the visa. I contact a visa agency and they told me they'll manage to let me in, and I'd have to do it again after 3 months.

4. Jan 16 I buy my ticket to Thailand to fly on jan 19. I had to come back to Thailand ASAP as I have a gf here so I could not wait until they approve or deny it, specially after the email they sent me.

5. Jan 17 my visa got moved to pending approval (i was excited). Few hours later again to Document check

5. jan 19 i fly to Thailand and enter the country on the 20.

6. Jan 21 they request a photo of me with white background. At this point I had two theories. 1. they checked all and it's all good, the only problem is the photo, so once submitted they'd approve it. 2. They check documents one by one and they stop checking if they see there's one that is not good. meaning they'd probably see the photo was not good, they requested me a new one and once they receive it they'd go to the next doc. and so on and so forth.

7. Jan 21 I got approved few hours later but I was in Thailand. At this point I was so excited and also worried as I knew I'd had to leave and maybe they wont let me in as It got approved while I was in the country.

8. Jan 22 I fly to Malaysia

9. Come back on jan 25 and I was able to come in without ANY problem.

Now I can happily say that I'm writing this in my condo in Thailand with a 6 months stamp.

Conclussions:

1. Apply with time

2. try to add all docs, even if you think is not necessary, just add it, it will speedup the process.

3. Don't really stress on what they say, because even if they say something, the reality can be different.

I know there's not many posts about being sponsored and with soft-power, so If you have questions, please leave them and I'll try to help you out.

I wish you the best luck to everyone and I really hope this post helps you as much as others did to me in this group.

Thank for the people who participate and moderate this group too. It was really helpful.
1,499
views
9
likes
45
all likes
26
replies
2
images
12
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
This post details the author's journey in obtaining a DTV visa to Thailand, explaining how they were able to secure it through sponsorship from their mother despite not having the required funds in their own bank account. The author outlines step-by-step the application process, including the documentation submitted and the communication with the embassy in Madrid. They highlight the importance of thorough preparation, the potential for differing regulations based on the applicant's country, and share insights for others seeking similar visas in Thailand.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Anonymous ******************
Everyone claims that the sole purpose of this visa is to attract money. However, it makes absolutely no sense, as even people without work or financial means can apply for it. Many are using soft power as an excuse, obtaining the visa for purposes other than its intended use. A lot of other visa holders are now seriously considering moving to it (which I understand). Immigration shows little interest in visas that don't generate revenue, so stricter rules are likely, even for current holders. It was a great idea for genuine digital workers, but it’s now turning into a joke.
Jeremy *****
I see in future many losing their dtv and many schools being punished as well

How can one gym have as many clients as some are taking just as a monet grab for dtv clients

Someone in the government is going to catch on and this will not end well🤷‍♂️
Greg ********
@Jeremy ****
This happened previously with ED and VOL Visas so there is a precedent.
Jeremy *****
Greg ********
@Jeremy ****
The DTV is a great visa but 2 things are obvious. Immigration are not exactly fans of it. It is starting to be abused already and it is noticeable. This could lead to higher hurdles for both applicants and those needing to extend or reenter which is a shame for genuine applicants.
Jeremy *****
@Greg *******
yes exactly
Greg ********
@Jeremy ****
Omly time will tell how it all works out. Those posting and making videos they have a 5 year visa to live in Thailand may be being a tad over optimistic in some cases. I always said if you are a genuine digital Nomad with an ongoing business this easier to prove ongoing validity and visa qualification.
Anonymous ******************
What about 6 months time have yo show funds in bank again
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 149 My question too. Extension guy had to show on mobile banking. What happens if on entry they ask?
Karl *******
which muaythai and how much you paid to it?
Fąndn *******
I think it all depends on which country you are applying from , hearsay some countries

e.g. Malaysia and Singapore make it more troublesome while and some other are just so much easier...

maybe they also hv some sort of quota 🤔
Shannon ******
Hi which gym did you do your visa with? Does this part really matter?
George *******
Can you be a bit clearer on this. You say the Embassy won't approve your visa with a sponsor guarantee for 500k. Then you say you approached a visa agent who told you, you'd have to do it again in three months? Do what? Also you say your visa was approved if this wasn't from you applying in the first instance, was it the visa agent applying for you and if so, why would you have to apply again in three months and apply for what? Hope these questions make sense.
Anna *********
@George ******
more confusion for you. He got the visa even though he was told he would not be successful 😀
George *******
@Anna ********
This FB (Sadbook) everything is confusing, some of the questions and some of the responses. Fcukit I'll stick to the animal pages, much better entertainment animals than ppl.
Cissi *********
@George ******
this is how I read the post:

He applied with his mother as his sponsor.

After that, he e-mailed the embassy to ask if his financial situation could be a reason for rejection. They replied that the visa would not be approved with a sponsor.

Because of that, he contacted an agent that offered to do a new application for him, but told him that he had to wait 3 month for that.

Meanwhile he went back to Thailand, planning to apply through an agent later...

However, he never needed to use an agent. The embassy suddenly asked him to submit a new photo to his initial application and the next day it was approved (even though they had written in an e-mail that it would not be aporoved with a sponsor).

Hence his 3rd conclusion at the end.
Todd *********
In summary, anyone can get this visa for almost any reason with or without a mere 500k in the bank
George *******
@Todd ********
I thought the 500k was mandatory requirement in the application.?
Anna *********
@George ******
it is and can be provided via sponsorship as in this case
Cissi *********
@George ******
sponsorship has been accepted since they started with DTV.
Andi ***********
@George ******
The 500k is mandatory but there are 2 acceptable ways of evidencing it. Personal bank account or via sponsorship. Embassies differ in how they approve the sponsor, some only allow sponsorship via an employer. Pay an agent a fee and they can sort out the sponsorship.
Donna ************
@Andi **********
to be clear, if someone is going to work remotely for a foreign company (company based out of Thailand) they need not have the funds in their own bank if their employer writes a letter of sponsorship for them?
Andi ***********
@Donna ***********
Yes, if they are sponsored by an employer they do not need funds in their own bank. A letter plus proof of funds is required for the sponsorship.
Donna ************
@Andi **********
that’s good to know. Thanks 🙏
Andi ***********
@Donna ***********
Check first though with the embassy you will apply from for the exact sponsorship requirements, as they can vary.
Todd *********
@George ******
as you see in this post, it’s not. Just need a sponsor and supporting documents.