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What are the best tips for applying for a DTV visa for Muay Thai training in Thailand?

Apr 28, 2026
2 days ago
Maxim ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello dear community members. I am Polish/Belgian (BE passport) and 26yo, I am planning to apply for DTV - soft power (long term muay thai course). I train genuinely so it really suits me. I got 500k+ which I intentionally deposited 4 months ago for the application. I would ask for advice from experienced community members. When seeing all the rejections in Vietnam (where I was planning to apply) I get very much worried. The owner of the gym I train at said she will help me with the application and needed course paperwork. If vietnam has gone bad where should I apply from. Any tips/insights from veterans or people that applied with similar conditions to mine are SO welcome and will be much appreciated. Thank you!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A Polish/Belgian individual, aged 26, is planning to apply for a DTV visa to partake in a long-term Muay Thai course in Thailand. Having saved over 500,000 THB and trained genuinely at a supportive gym, they seek advice from experienced expats after facing concerns due to recent rejections in Vietnam. Community members recommend applying from countries like Laos or Myanmar, emphasizing the importance of having the correct documentation and demonstrating a genuine interest in Muay Thai. Suggestions include creating a comprehensive training program with the gym's help and being prepared to showcase intentions for long-term training.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Dave ***********
I sounds like the Muay Thai gym you want to use is very helpful. Ask them to write up a training program, starting from basic training up to professional level, all the stages to get to that. It maybe a 3 or 4 year program. That should help you a lot for get approved.

Vietnam, HCMC is very efficient Embassy, and if you have a good Muay Thai program, I think you should be fine, and should get approved within 2 weeks.

Make sure you stay in HCMC until the results of you visa application are confirmed

Good luck πŸ€
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Wannikea *********
Vientiane Laos.

But the bigger question looks, does your Muay Thai gym have a track record of successful DTV approvals? Do they have the necessary licenses,certifications, and registrations, to qualify for DTV approvals?
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James ********
@Wannikea ********
Agreed πŸ‘
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Maxim ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wannikea ********
They have done 7 or something, successful. They dont advertise it because they want only genuine students and not people that need a front for that reason its not a common thing. Most people train for a few weeks a month or two small amount of people can/wants to commit longer. I dont know if 7 is sufficient to say they have a track record but there is history of them getting their students approved
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Maxim ******
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LoyalB*******
I have been granted the DTV in HCMC 2 weeks ago for Muay Thai course 6 months. I had never trained before.

They had 2 requests for more paperwork, one of them I believe only because I don't have income, only my savings of 5 Mio THB on the bank, but my partner is paying for all our expenses.

Show them your genuine interest in Muay Thai and your previous experiences/training history (I understood you trained before) and it should be fine.
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Maxim ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
At the gym I have been told to not mention remote work and stick to soft power.
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LoyalB*******
@Maxim *****
but they might want to see incoming money on your account. If it doesn't look suspicious in regards to remote work should be fine. Some here say remote work is not allowed on soft power.
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LoyalB*******
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Maxim ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
LoyalBeet4000 Yes I am currently training, have been for 2 months. Going into the 3rd month of training next week. Thats somewhat reassuring. What extra papers did they want?
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LoyalB*******
@Maxim *****
proof of staying currently in Vietnam, all passport pages, account statements for last 6 months, plans for after the 6 months course is finished,

Second request: bank statements showing incoming money for last 6 months (before I only provided my savings account statements, as on my current account are no substantial amounts).
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James ********
@Maxim *****
show pictures of you in training and that you are so pleased with Muay Thai training you wish to continue it.
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James ********
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Robert *******
As all rejections are based on NOT meeting the requirements, I advice to be 100% sure you can meet the requirements.

As long as you choose the correct purpose for your visit and use genuine and official documents, the place does not matter.
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Maxim ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
But there is barely any requirements with soft power. 500k, and a long course. How can you not meet this requirements if you know about DTV? I cant imagine reading you need 500k and being like "Ye lemme apply with 500usd in my bank account". Or you mean most of these rejections are from workations and people not being able to show income/contracts etc.?
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John **********
@Maxim *****
problems with the paperwork from the gym, not showing sufficient funds to support yourself, applying using the wrong DTV option and so on. Just because you see people saying they met all the requirements yet got rejected doesn't mean they did meet the requirements.
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Maxim ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I see. Thank you for your input!
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Maxim ******
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Robert *******
@Maxim *****
Rejections come without reason, so it is ALL speculation.

I guess, after sending your income, your passport pages with long illegal stay in Thailand (working on-line wihtout DTV) is a main reason why lots of people are denied.

BUT again that is just my point of view, play stupid games, win stupid prices.
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Robert *******
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Kool *******
The best for you is going to Yangon Myanmar. That Thai embassy currently has the fastest process, as long as you have legitimate documents, and reason, and it sounds like you do.
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Maxim ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have a hard time to understand the people that failed and shared it here. What sets me apart from them and is it enough? Is it all people who just use soft power as just a cover and a means to an end...
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James ********
@Maxim *****
BINGO πŸ‘Œ
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James ********
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Maxim ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
I mean I have the required savings and I do actually train and plan to do it for a long time with ambitions to actually fight.
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Maxim ******
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Thai *****************
If you’re worried about Vietnam πŸ‡»πŸ‡³ then apply from Laos πŸ‡±πŸ‡¦
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Maxim ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Also is there anything I can add that is not required but would help? I dont want to overdo it but anything that could improve my chances?
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James ********
@Maxim *****
have you taken any Muay Thai training before?

What's your passport nation?

Where are you now?
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Maxim ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
My passport is Belgian. I am in Thailand and yes I have Trained before, I have been doing it for 2 months now. I am currently on the 90 day exemption (20 days left). I have been in Thailand 2 times before in early 2025 total of 70days.
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James ********
@Maxim *****
where are you now in Thailand?

Does the Muay Thai gym you have used have experience and success sponsoring applicants for the DTV Visa?
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Maxim ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
I am on Koh Phangan, they have had a few DTVs they sponsored (if thats the term used for them helping with the process and sorting out paperwork with the course). The lady that co-owns the gym with her Thai partner told me they dont do it a lot because they dont advertise it as they dont want to be used as a front and only do it for people who actually are serious about being students.
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James ********
@Maxim *****
IF they are aware of the DTV documents REQUIRED from the Muay Thai training gym...then okay πŸ†— using them.
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James ********
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Andi ***********
@Maxim *****
Show your intention to continue training beyond the initial course term submission.
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Maxim ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
I am clueless so sorry if my question sounds like it. How do I show intention? Cover letter where I describe my situation and goals?
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Andi ***********
@Maxim *****
Yeah a letter like that to show how you need/will use the 5 yr multi entry visa. You can be issued a 6mth TV if they feel you don't need it.
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Andi ***********
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Kurt *************
Vientiane laos if your worried about vietnam
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Kurt *************
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