Ask question

What are the best options for securing a Thai Digital Nomad visa while already traveling?

Digital Nomad Visa Thailand Visa Application Visa Rules Expats in Thailand Immigration Help Residence Proof DTV Application Process Cambodia Visa Australian Expats E-Visa System

Sep 4, 2024

3 months ago

Harvey ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm a 48yo Australian digital nomad looking to secure a Thai Digital Nomad DTV. However, I'm already living as a digital nomad, so the only residence I have is a rented condo in Thailand.

After a costly $900 rejection trying to apply for the  at the Budapest Thai Embassy while on holiday (they only serve Hungarian nationals), I now have two options: 

1) Try again from Phnom Penh Cambodia when I travel there in Oct. I have a hotel booked for 2 weeks and plans to return to Thailand afterwards.

2) Wait until I return to Australia at Christmas. Note though that don't own or rent anything in Australia. I stay with my sister when there, so can't prove residence in the normal ways. 

Any advice? Has anyone faced applying for this thing while already travelling the globe?

1,759

views

4

likes

66

all likes

44

replies

0

images

12

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

An Australian digital nomad is seeking advice on applying for a Thai Digital Nomad DTV visa after a previous rejection. They are currently living in Thailand and have two options: apply from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, or wait until returning to Australia for Christmas. Community responses suggest that applying from Phnom Penh may be advantageous, especially since Cambodia will soon adopt an e-visa platform. Various alternatives and potential challenges around proof of residence are also discussed, highlighting the importance of having documentation ready when applying.

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.

Paul *******

The Yangon embassy FB page states that they're moving to the e-visa system by the end of the year too but with no date given. I think Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia will move ahead first but by December even Laos might join the others.

Like

Reply

Min *************

I can assist your DTV application in Phnom Penh for better cost

Like

Reply

Andi ***********

@Min ************

how do you do that?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Andi ***********

Reply

Paul *******

I think you won't have any issues applying either in SE Asia somewhere or when returning to Australia.

Like I mentioned, Phnom Penh is moving to the e-visa system sometime in October so get there soon before that happens. While it may not get more difficult after they've migrated to that new system, I think the current in person applications tend to be more efficient as they're generally processed faster and with more flexibility though this does depend on the location.

If I were you, I'd consider trying Laos (ONLY if you can demonstrate your funds have been parked for 3 months or longer), otherwise, Jakarta, maybe Yangon, Phnom Penh or Ho Chi Minh.

Like

Reply

Audrey *******

In some countries thé proof of residence can be electricity invoice or similar , maybe sthg more feasable than proof of residence in your case. But i have not triéd yet

Like

Reply

Harvey ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I don't have a residence in Australia anymore, so I'm not on any utilities. All I have is a storage locker.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Harvey ************

Reply

Paul *******

Ok with Phnom Penh, they're going to move to the e-visa platform sometime next month. This means applications could take up to 30 days once that happens but will probably take a week or two on average. Currently, they're taking about a week applying in person (no appointment needed). This is much longer than in most nearby countries but the good news is that Phnom Penh seems to be easier than Laos, where they'll reject anyone who doesn't have proof of funds parked for 3 months or longer.

Like

Reply

Harvey ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

OK, that sounds good. I'm there for 2+ weeks, so will give it a shot unless I hear any contrary opinions.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Harvey ************

Reply

Kun***

You can do this in Thailand The company where I work provides a turnkey DTV service with receipt at the Thai Consulate in Kualo Lumpur with round-trip flights, hotel accommodation, recording and support for submitting documents and obtaining the visa itself at the Thai Consulate

Like

Reply

Shamari ******

i’d love information on this company

Like

Reply

Maryam ****

what company?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Maryam ****

Reply

Vu ************

You can come to Vietnam, for proof of residence, you just need to submit documents related to the hotel you stayed in Thailand and it will be accepted.

Like

Reply

Bob *******

Unfortunately that’s incorrect. At least the Thai embassies in Europe request proof of residency. Citizenship in those countries is not enough :(

Like

Reply

Paul *******

why? That's ridiculous. If you're a citizen, that should be good enough. You could of course always supply some additional document such as a driver's license.

Like

Reply

Bob *******

obviously you don’t know, what you are talking about. For example the Royal Thai embassy and consulates in Germany only accept citizen ID or passport as proof of citizenship, where the address of the applicant is stated. 😿 German driver’s licenses don’t list an address.

Like

Reply

Paul *******

Duh. I was talking about residency proof. Citizenship you prove with your passport. ID card is useless as it can't be used to enter Thailand - you need a passport.

Like

Reply

Bob *******

correct. Residency proof is what the Thai consulate requires. And to proof residency, the consulates snd embassies in Austrian and Germany use the resident address, that is stated in the applicant’s passport or citizenship ID, or an official registration from city hall. You can apply there as a non-citizen as long as your passport says you’re a resident. What’s the confusion?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Bob *******

Reply

Bob *******

tell that to the embassy. Because, what do real nomads do, who live nowhere?

Like

Reply

Paul *******

There's always a way...and it's pretty absurd to reject a citizen from applying in their own country. Never heard of a citizen getting rejected for no good reason.

Like

Reply

Bob *******

to avoid this, I will apply in Jakarta, where an entry stamp is currently enough to proof “residency”

Like

Reply

Paul *******

Sure and many other countries too. However, to be honest, the residency thing is easy to prove - just submit a hotel booking or driver's license if you have one.

My main concern would be the financials and other documentation needed to qualify. The residency issue is at the bottom of the list of concerns.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Paul *******

Reply

Bob *******

it’s about if the embassy feels responsible for you or not. And they only are, if you live in “their” jurisdiction

Like

Reply

Paul *******

Yeah but if you're a citizen, that's really enough proof right there. Citizens should always come first. It's when you're a non-citizen that things get more complicated.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Paul *******

Reply

Seb ********

Why did that cost you $900?

Like

Reply

Harvey ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Keep in mind I'm talking Australian dollars when I say dollars.

Like

Reply

Henrik *****

The application fee is non refundabel, as with other visa types.

The Embassy staff use time to process the application, no mather the result.

Like

Reply

Harvey ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

The cost in Hungarian Forints was pretty high, then once I found out I had to be a resident of Hungary to apply through the Hungarian Thai Embassy, I attempted to apply for temporary residency too. Unfortunately, I ran out of time and I had to leave the country empty handed.

Like

Reply

Seb ********

you pumped additional money into an application for a residency in Hungary just to get the DTV in Budapest? How much was that application, 500 Euro? Because the applicantion for the DTV in BUD is just 350 Euro. Surprised you paid them in Forinth as they list all visa fees in Euro.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Seb ********

Reply

Andi ***********

Cambodia is due to accept DTV applications online Can use your hotel, passport entry stamp for residency. Should have no problems there. Jakarta, Ho chi Minh,Taiwan are also friendly options for tourists

Like

Reply

Andi ***********

Paul James wow, surprised to hear that.

Like

Reply

Paul *******

@Andi **********

Apparently, this is because Singaporeans don't get charged visa fees for Thailand and thus, so far, the DTV has not been made available to them in Singapore.

Like

Reply

Andi ***********

oh ok, understood...focus given to the cash cows elsewhere

Like

Reply

Reply to

Andi ***********

Reply

Paul *******

@Andi **********

I understand Singapore doesn't issue DTVs to residents/Singaporeans! Thus if they're issued at all, it would have to be to foreigners only.

Like

Reply

Paul *******

@Andi **********

Vietnam will begin online visa applications next month too. That leaves Jakarta, Laos (not recommended unless you have a lengthy account statement showing funds parked for a minimum of 3 months), Yangon, Taipei as the ones in the region that for the time being, will continue to allow in person applications. There may be others too but they'd be at less commonly applied locations.

Like

Reply

Andi ***********

Malaysia is going online?

Like

Reply

Paul *******

Oh and Singapore, which apparently uses its own hybrid online system. They're not switching at this stage. I don't know about Manila but it's not a place I'd considering going to unless some positive reports started coming out of there.

Like

Reply

Paul *******

@Andi **********

Yes. The only ones left that won't be online next month in the region are Jakarta, Yangon and Laos. I suspect all of the remaining ones will be going online within the next 3-6 months

Like

Reply

Andi ***********

Has Singapore started DTV for non residents?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Andi ***********

Reply

What are the steps and considerations for applying for a DTV visa from Thailand while on a business visa?

6 comments

2 months ago

How can I apply for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa while in Indonesia and traveling to China?

7 comments

2 months ago

What is the application process for the Digital Nomad Visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh?

17 comments

2 months ago

Can I apply for a Thai DTV visa from a country other than my home country?

7 comments

2 months ago

What is the best way to apply for the Thai DTV visa from Taipei, and what documentation is needed?

60 comments

2 months ago

What are the best practices for applying for a DTV visa in Thailand, and should I use a visa agency?

42 comments

3 months ago

What are the actual requirements and tips for obtaining the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand?

1 comments

3 months ago

How can I apply for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) while currently in Thailand on a tourist visa?

14 comments

3 months ago

Where can I apply for a DTV visa while in Thailand, and which nearby embassy has the easiest process?

6 comments

3 months ago

Do digital nomads need to provide proof of long-term residence in Thailand for their visa application?

24 comments

3 months ago

What are the experiences of applying for a DTV Visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia?

11 comments

4 months ago

Is it possible to apply for the DTV visa while traveling full time without residency?

20 comments

4 months ago

Do I need to return to my home country to apply for a DTV visa while visiting Thailand as a tourist?

9 comments

4 months ago

What are the eligibility requirements and considerations for obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand given my situation?

4 comments

4 months ago

What are the best options for obtaining a DTV in Thailand for my family?

8 comments

4 months ago

What is the process to get a DTV approved from neighboring countries of Thailand?

25 comments

4 months ago

What is the process to apply for a DTV visa in Thailand as a digital nomad?

5 comments

4 months ago

How can I apply for the DTV visa in Thailand while traveling in Vietnam?

13 comments

4 months ago

Can I apply for a DTV while holding a valid tourist visa for Thailand?

7 comments

4 months ago

Can I apply for a Thai Digital Nomad Visa from outside Thailand using a bank statement for proof of address?

37 comments

4 months ago

What is the best neighboring country to apply for a DTV visa from Thailand if I'm a freelancer?

2 comments

4 months ago

Can I apply for a Thailand Digital Nomad Visa from a country other than my home country, and what proof of current location do I need?

44 comments

4 months ago

Can I apply for the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) from Malaysia if I am currently in Thailand?

38 comments

4 months ago

Do you need to be in your home country to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa in Thailand?

21 comments

5 months ago

What are the application requirements and process for the Thai Digital Talent Visa (LTR Visa) as a digital nomad?

25 comments

5 months ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.