Answereda year ago
What additional documentation is needed for the Thailand digital nomad visa application?
Maan, last week I applied for the digital nomad DTV with the London embassy, thinking the whole thing was surprising straightforward (clearly very naive).
They’ve just emailed me saying I now need:
1. Better quality passport scan – I already gave them the same scan I successfully used for another country visa.
2. Proof of current location – I already gave a bank statement with my address, but now they want a utility bill in my name, and I live with my parents in the UK so none are in my name.
3. Stamped bank statements – for closing balance and last three months. I’ve already given statements but not stamped; not sure my bank even does that.
4. Professional portfolio or company description – I already submitted a statement with screenshots of earnings showing consistent freelance activity.
5. Self-assessment tax return / statement of accounts / other HMRC docs – I haven’t been freelancing long enough to submit a tax return; maybe I could just give bank statements again?
6. Letter confirming employment/contract details – I work freelance across multiple platforms. Even though I meet the monthly requirements, none of my “clients” are going to provide a signed letter addressed to the embassy.
Am I just screwed here and out the visa fee?
They’ve just emailed me saying I now need:
1. Better quality passport scan – I already gave them the same scan I successfully used for another country visa.
2. Proof of current location – I already gave a bank statement with my address, but now they want a utility bill in my name, and I live with my parents in the UK so none are in my name.
3. Stamped bank statements – for closing balance and last three months. I’ve already given statements but not stamped; not sure my bank even does that.
4. Professional portfolio or company description – I already submitted a statement with screenshots of earnings showing consistent freelance activity.
5. Self-assessment tax return / statement of accounts / other HMRC docs – I haven’t been freelancing long enough to submit a tax return; maybe I could just give bank statements again?
6. Letter confirming employment/contract details – I work freelance across multiple platforms. Even though I meet the monthly requirements, none of my “clients” are going to provide a signed letter addressed to the embassy.
Am I just screwed here and out the visa fee?
Answer summary
The user is seeking guidance on additional documentation requested by the embassy for their Digital Nomad Visa application. They express frustration over the requirements, including better quality passport scans, proof of current location, stamped bank statements, professional portfolio, tax documents, and employment letters, which they find challenging to provide. Community responses offer practical suggestions like obtaining notarized documents, using alternative forms of ID and proof of residence, creating a portfolio of work, and being inventive with documentation to meet the embassy's requests.
36 repliesnewest first
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Freddy *******
i had the same issues and used chat gpt to resolve all of them
will help out with a few for you:
- bank stamp i got by going in-branch and asking for copy of my statement
- if you live with parents then get your mum or dad to say you live with them and offer their utility bill
- create a website for business
- write a letter to yourself employing yourself
i would still run this through chat gpt, honestly answered everything for me
will help out with a few for you:
- bank stamp i got by going in-branch and asking for copy of my statement
- if you live with parents then get your mum or dad to say you live with them and offer their utility bill
- create a website for business
- write a letter to yourself employing yourself
i would still run this through chat gpt, honestly answered everything for me
Anonymous ******************
This is how life looks like now in Thailand for all expats living long term in the Kingdom: constant admin hassle and hoops jumping. Just Google “bank accounts closures for foreigners in Thailand” to get a tiny taste of it.
Anonymous ******************
For proof of location buy a newspaper and get someone to photograph you with the newspaper showing the date on it.
Anonymous ******************
I applied in London - soft power- you can get snappysnaps to take a passport photo (white background) for a few quid, plus they can scan your passport to submit to the application.
A. ************
For location verification:
- Do you have ANY sort of bill (cellphone, credit card bill, etc) you could provide that has your name and address?
- How long would it take for you to get a hard copy of a regular government-issued photo ID? Note: Without a DL, you should have one of these anyway. How do you identify yourself when you are back in the UK?
- Could you possibly buy something with a credit/debit card that would show your name, the date, and the name and location in the UK? Hell take a picture of you holding that bill!
- Take a picture in front of something or somewhere that it is undeniable that you are in the UK with the time and date stamp on it.
Adding a couple of these should help. Also, add a cover letter explaining you are staying with your parents, and don't have any utilities in your name which is why you are submitting what you are (list the items).
- Do you have ANY sort of bill (cellphone, credit card bill, etc) you could provide that has your name and address?
- How long would it take for you to get a hard copy of a regular government-issued photo ID? Note: Without a DL, you should have one of these anyway. How do you identify yourself when you are back in the UK?
- Could you possibly buy something with a credit/debit card that would show your name, the date, and the name and location in the UK? Hell take a picture of you holding that bill!
- Take a picture in front of something or somewhere that it is undeniable that you are in the UK with the time and date stamp on it.
Adding a couple of these should help. Also, add a cover letter explaining you are staying with your parents, and don't have any utilities in your name which is why you are submitting what you are (list the items).
Freddie *********
OP1 - I'm completely paperless 😢. Haven't been in the UK much tbh (thought that's why they call it digital nomad visa).
2 - That's a good shout I just had a look and can get a provisional driving license in around a week which could work. In the UK we are not required to carry ID or anything so I think most people who don't drive just have a passport at home somewhere.
3&4 - I can try these and might use them in combination but I just don't see how they're better than a bank statement.
But thanks for these I'm thinking if I just combine every possible bit of evidence including some of the less conventional suggestions then together hopefully it'll build a picture of authenticity. Definitely need the cover letter in there somewhere.
2 - That's a good shout I just had a look and can get a provisional driving license in around a week which could work. In the UK we are not required to carry ID or anything so I think most people who don't drive just have a passport at home somewhere.
3&4 - I can try these and might use them in combination but I just don't see how they're better than a bank statement.
But thanks for these I'm thinking if I just combine every possible bit of evidence including some of the less conventional suggestions then together hopefully it'll build a picture of authenticity. Definitely need the cover letter in there somewhere.
Freddie *********
OPyup right on all accounts. I'm going to try build lots of evidence today snipping correspondence with project coordinators and online wallets etc and present as a portfolio. Registered for UTR when I started freelancing which shows compliance and intent to show tax even if I haven't paid any yet 🤞
AshIts **********
@Freddie ********
mate use the UTR letter as your proof of address - this will be fine
Marco *******
@Freddie ********
bro its dtv = destination Thailand visa. Most people on it don't even work 😅I read through your post btw, I think most is salvageable but what screws you is not having proper paperwork. Meaning company registration, maybe tax number and tax returns. They really like official documents supporting the category you're applying under. That's how I submitted it and got it with no questions back
A. ************
@Freddie ********
Strange about the ID thing. Here in the States, we aren't required to carry ID either, but whether we drive or not, we carry a government-issued ID in case we are asked to verify ourselves. Usually that's to buy or be served alcohol. I guess they are a little more relaxed about that kind of thing in the UK.J.P. *********
You can try writing a letter, explaining exactly what you do, examples of clients, and how you are paid, and what your plans are. Add any evidence you have to support your explanation. More evidence of residence can be a photo of you dated in the UK, bank statement.
Something official with your company name on is helpful. If you don't have a tax form than maybe an invoice, certificate, etc.
Something official with your company name on is helpful. If you don't have a tax form than maybe an invoice, certificate, etc.
Freddie *********
OPReally appreciate this. I think I tried to make my application really concise and practical with just the essential info in screenshots to make their life easy. But sounds like maybe a bit more explanation could go a long way.
J.P. *********
@Freddie ********
They don't say it, but all applicants that are approved have a cover letter explaning everything, and then provide evidence. If you are the sole proprietor, you can even write a letter, as the owner of this business, I swear that all activities are done online with no income or customers coming from Thailand whatsoever, and get an affidavit or a barrister to stamp it.Anonymous ******************
These are all standard things you should include with your application imo.
1. Scan your passport again, not exactly rocket science.
2. Utility bill is typical because it’s the concrete way of proving residence. Get a certificate of residence from gov uk website instead. Will be certified and stamped. Or electoral register?
3. Ask your bank for certified statements.
4. Website. Online portfolio. Client invoices. Case studies. Social media of projects published. PDF detailing your work and showing projects.
5. Company registration docs. Self assessment letter. Letter registering yourself as a freelancer. Ask HMRC.
6. Write an official letter to the embassy outlining your work, provide references, state you will be working with foreign clients only etc.
1. Scan your passport again, not exactly rocket science.
2. Utility bill is typical because it’s the concrete way of proving residence. Get a certificate of residence from gov uk website instead. Will be certified and stamped. Or electoral register?
3. Ask your bank for certified statements.
4. Website. Online portfolio. Client invoices. Case studies. Social media of projects published. PDF detailing your work and showing projects.
5. Company registration docs. Self assessment letter. Letter registering yourself as a freelancer. Ask HMRC.
6. Write an official letter to the embassy outlining your work, provide references, state you will be working with foreign clients only etc.
Freddie *********
OPThanks I agree it's pretty standard. But thought I did provide everything they asked for so I guess it wasn't to the level of detail and with enough certification. Will work on expanding where I can and filling in any gaps with cover letters etc.
Anonymous ******************
@Freddie ********
i uploaded my UTR as a freelancer and got acceptedAnonymous ******************
@Freddie ********
as much info as possible and obviously as clear as possibleAnonymous ******************
@Freddie ********
if you put everything together in the first submission they may have missed things or not been clear on what’s what. With mine they requested things I had already included so I sent them again with additional docs and was approved. In the letter you write to the embassy state what documents you have included and why they are relevant.Freddie *********
OPOh that's really useful to know that you got approved resubmitting some stuff the same. My approach was to get every upload submitted as one or two pages for their convenience and I didn't see anywhere to upload a cover letter or anything. I'll get working on some multi-page PDFs with explanatory prefacing.
Anonymous ******************
They accepted uk driving license on for my proof of location, i wasnt in the uk at the time, I applied for muay thai via london was much less requirements than the work route and its just the same visa stamp saying dtv at the end of the day, also they didnt ask for stamped bank statements i just used a single statement of a savings account balance downloaded from nationwide
Freddie *********
OPAnonymous participant 420 yup I did the exact same nationwide statement but it's a no go for me apparently. I don't drive but don't understand how a driving license I coulda got at 16 is more vaid than a bank statement from August 😭
Paula ********
I did the freelancer route (in Sydney) what area do u work in? I sent a photo of my passport, I included by business registration number, my industry body membership, 3 monthly invoices I had showing payments made to me by clients, my drivers license had my home address as did my bank statements. For my portfolio I showed pages from my website and social media
Freddie *********
OPI just do contractor AI training across three different platforms so I don't have a really have a legit portfolio or anything. I guess I'll try providing more evidence of work although I thought what I gave met the requirements. No driver licence :(.
Freddie *********
OPNope😔. I just apply on platforms to access projects then get paid. Looks like a much more comprehensive explanation of what I do will help but really I was trying to save them the trouble 😅
John *********
@Fre****
, might be worth making a website.Paula ********
Do you have a website or any advertising for your services you could show
Anonymous ******************
Standard requests give them a pdf of your tax id on the gov portal to prove you pay tax.
Freddie *********
OPProblem is I haven't paid UK tax in years. I'd been living abroad and have been building freelance career for less than a year so haven't had to file for any taxes yet.
Anonymous ******************
@Freddie ********
if you have an id number you can draft a submission online and print the pdf , that’s what I did.
Lg *******
Don't scan the passport. Take a picture, and upload it.
Freddie *********
OPOkay thanks will experiment with that and see if quality comes out better.
Shaughn ***********
2. You could go to someone who notarises documents. Take your id and passport and they can sign that you were in their presence at their location of business.
3. Take printed copies of your statements and ask them to stamp it… if they don’t print it for you.
3. Take printed copies of your statements and ask them to stamp it… if they don’t print it for you.
Freddie *********
OPOkay interesting I will look into this notarising business and I'm feeling more optimistic about that stamp now.
Sam ******
Can't help with any of the freelancer related questions as I went down the soft power route but also via the London Embassy. I used my drivers licence for proof of address so I'd suggest trying that instead of a utility bill and hopefully that should be fine. Also Halifax and Santander can both definitely arranged stamped statements if you go into the branch, so if you're with them it should be fine. I imagine most other banks can also do something similar. Good luck!
Freddie *********
OPGood to hear you had some success at least! Sadly I don't drive either so no licence, though your experience of stamped statements is encouraging in that regard
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