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What are the common issues and experiences with applying for a DTV visa for Muay Thai in Thailand?
Jul 3, 2025
10 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERThe DTV application process is a SCAM.
US Passport
Soft Power Muay Thai
Rejected then approved.
I applied in Hanoi 22 June and was rejected 25 June for Soft Power. No additional documents were requested. I went to the Thai embassy and asked why my application was rejected. The nice, but clueless, lady at the counter looked up my application and said that my "documents did not qualify". She could not specify which documents did not qualify but she encouraged me to apply again. Such BS.
So i applied again on 26 June with the EXACT same documents but this time I highlighted my name, ending balance, and account numbers in my Bank statements and pay slips. Visa was approved 4 business days later on 1 July.
Documents submitted:
Proof of location:
-Boarding pass
-Passport entry stamp
-Hotel booking
Proof of funds:
-Bank balance screenshot day of submission with 1M+ baht
-Bank statements showing over 1M baht (6 months)
-Pay slips (6 months)
Soft Power documents supplied by Muay Thai school
Cross your fingers if you decide to apply at Hanoi. They WILL randomly reject your application and encourage you to pay again. SCAMMERS
US Passport
Soft Power Muay Thai
Rejected then approved.
I applied in Hanoi 22 June and was rejected 25 June for Soft Power. No additional documents were requested. I went to the Thai embassy and asked why my application was rejected. The nice, but clueless, lady at the counter looked up my application and said that my "documents did not qualify". She could not specify which documents did not qualify but she encouraged me to apply again. Such BS.
So i applied again on 26 June with the EXACT same documents but this time I highlighted my name, ending balance, and account numbers in my Bank statements and pay slips. Visa was approved 4 business days later on 1 July.
Documents submitted:
Proof of location:
-Boarding pass
-Passport entry stamp
-Hotel booking
Proof of funds:
-Bank balance screenshot day of submission with 1M+ baht
-Bank statements showing over 1M baht (6 months)
-Pay slips (6 months)
Soft Power documents supplied by Muay Thai school
Cross your fingers if you decide to apply at Hanoi. They WILL randomly reject your application and encourage you to pay again. SCAMMERS
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shared their frustrating experience applying for a Thai DTV visa for Muay Thai, initially getting rejected despite submitting the same documents that were later accepted upon reapplication. Comments from other users offered advice and alternative perspectives, suggesting possible reasons for rejection, questioning the legitimacy of the application process, and discussing the challenges faced by DTV visa holders.
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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Anonymous ******************
Thank you for your second donation
Anonymous ******************
Vietnam has now turned into a visa gamble. Seems like an application there is a role of the dice
Anonymous ******************
If all the documents were exactly the same, then something must have been entered differently in the application pages the second time. Would be really helpful to know what those things are so we don’t make the same mistake twice
Anonymous ******************
I’m sorry but you sound very entitled. Your president is ready to strip birthright citizenship and here you are complaining Thailand visas are a scam. 😂
Jim **********
You’re American, why didn’t you apply from the U.S.? Easy approval.
Anonymous ******************
For all the ones that are complaining about the muay thai lengh period I got my dtv approved in Jakarta few days ago with just 1 month classes
Anonymous ******************
Thai style la take it easy Jai Yan Yan，everything not seriously
Stéfan ********
Congratulations on receiving your visa. Quick question: How does a boarding pass prove your location?
Paul *********
I wouldn’t be surprised if and when the DTV is reassessed that they get rid of the must Thai and cooking. Even most medical can be done on 30 day exemption same with dental and cooking is not worthy of a visa IMO
Anonymous ******************
It is quite annoying that they don’t provide reasoning as to why it’s rejected.
Filipe *********
Have you translated any documents? Was it sworn? Into what language?
Travelling ********
It is maybe not a scam, but it's also not worth it
You can only stay 6 months per year. Because who knows what happens tax wise?
Better just get in on a tourist visa and do 1 borderrun. Then go to another (SEA) country again
The Philippines and Cambodia are still absolute winners for longterm visas.
Also some Latin American countries have way better options and do allow you to open bankaccounts on 5 year visa.
Thailand is okay-ish, but is a still a very littered, chaotic country. Just like the rest of it's neigboring countries. Yet it is way more overhyped and more expensive.
You can only stay 6 months per year. Because who knows what happens tax wise?
Better just get in on a tourist visa and do 1 borderrun. Then go to another (SEA) country again
The Philippines and Cambodia are still absolute winners for longterm visas.
Also some Latin American countries have way better options and do allow you to open bankaccounts on 5 year visa.
Thailand is okay-ish, but is a still a very littered, chaotic country. Just like the rest of it's neigboring countries. Yet it is way more overhyped and more expensive.
Marianne ********
@Travelling *******
You can stay a year if you extend your stay.You can also just go outside the country for a day or so, and then return to get stamped in for another 6 months.
You are a tax resident if you stay more than 180 days during a calendar year.
A lot of countries have a tax agreement with Thailand that prevents dual taxation. I chose to pay tax in Thailand because it is beneficial for me.
Travelling ********
@Marianne *******
I refuse to become a tax resident here since they won't even allow me to open up a bankaccount. Not gonna pay taxes if I get zero services for it.
Besides like I said: I would much rather stay in Cambodia or in Vietnam. Nicer people, more bang for your buck, better city layouts, better transportation. Thailand is nowhere near what it is cranked up to be.
Reply to
Travelling ********
Reply
David ********
It's not a scam Why because you did the first application wrong and they rejected you? You are lucky they talked to you with your negative attitude. You obviously filled something incorrect in your inrial application as have many others before you. In your second application you world have checked everything first before submitting. Your paperwork was ok because you submitted same but you may have filed something out wrong or it changed when submitted. Don't say the embassy is a scam when it's only your application that had the issue. Be grateful you nor have the visa which allows you 5 year visa. But be aware each time you go out and come back you may be questioned and denied entry. So better get you attitude adjusted for immagration. Enjoy your first 6 months in Thailand 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Anonymous ******************
@David *******
And that's only for the visa... How would he survive Thailand?! 😂David ********
Anonymous participant 292 This people are going to create big problems for DTV holders. We see now after first border bounce now officers questioning DTV holders because scammers like this
Anonymous ******************
@David *******
Yeah. I remember we have talked sometimes about it before. This is the issue with the DTV... Too easy for people who don't deserve it.Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Adnan ********
so you applied for Muay Thai which is not many year course or training but you wanted to abuse the Thailand DTV to stay for 5 years and calling them scammers? next thing you will complain that why they didnt have red carpet for you at the airport
Stéfan ********
Adnan Khairi you can’t fault applicants for Thailand having murky regulations.
Andrew *******
Adnan Khairi but in a much more real sense, when you can apply, be rejected and approved with the identical documents within a matter of days and no staff at the embassy can give any explanation its either a scam or the staff are all incompetent, so much so they cant differentiate between the same documents in a matter of days.
Reply to
Andrew *******
Reply
Anna *********
A rejection doesn't make it a scam Perhaps the passport info wasn't correct, Perhaps there was another error in the application, perhaps the person looking at your application didn't believe your information. Just because you are unaware doesn't make it a scam. You could look t it another way - you were incredibly lucky to be approved the second time around 😀
Fredrik *********
So, if it's a scam, why did you apply again?
Anonymous ******************
It's indeed a scam... 6 months classes for a 5 years visa and people still manage to complain about their mistakes.
Patrick **********
Dude…the same happened to me but maybe I entered something wrong...
Angelina *****
I was also approved on first application in Hanoi. Asked once for clarification of bank statement (name was not stated in one of the statements, only bank account number). Then I was sent an email notification for approval a few days later. The whole process took 10 working days.
Aaron *****
I was approved in Hanoi, first time. Applied on a Monday, was asked for additional documents. Submitted them Tuesday morning and was approved Thursday evening. I have seen the reviews for them though and seems to be hit or miss.
Anonymous ******************
What are the other known lenient/ fast cities to apply in currently?
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 348 Jakarta,Taipei fast but you need to be very solid with your application
Reply to
Andi ***********
Reply
Jeremy ********
T i T sabai sabai
Fitfac *****************
is your muaythai school doc included the following
1. School certificate from ministry of education?
2. Board of boxing certificate from ministry of tourism?
3. Company registration from ministry of commerce?
4. Thai owner id?
Some muaythai school claims to have these doc but actually they dont, the embassy have the lists of approved school in their system(it is an excel spreedsheet of approved muaythai gym qualified for dtv and edvisa )and if your school is not on their listed , your visa will be rejected.
1. School certificate from ministry of education?
2. Board of boxing certificate from ministry of tourism?
3. Company registration from ministry of commerce?
4. Thai owner id?
Some muaythai school claims to have these doc but actually they dont, the embassy have the lists of approved school in their system(it is an excel spreedsheet of approved muaythai gym qualified for dtv and edvisa )and if your school is not on their listed , your visa will be rejected.
Dave ********
@Fitfac ****************
OP said he was approved the second time with the exact same documents. If it was a problem with the muay thai school, why would the embassy approve it the second time?Fitfac *****************
some embassy staff don’t check the list thoroughly and approve the visa right away, while others have specific staff assigned to carefully review it.
The policy varies from embassy to embassy, as the Thai government gives each one full discretion to process and approve visa applications independently, without needing to consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—except in cases involving watchlisted applicants from certain countries.
In this case, I wouldn’t call it a scam — it was simply a matter of luck that he got approved.
The policy varies from embassy to embassy, as the Thai government gives each one full discretion to process and approve visa applications independently, without needing to consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—except in cases involving watchlisted applicants from certain countries.
In this case, I wouldn’t call it a scam — it was simply a matter of luck that he got approved.
Reply to
Fitfac *****************
Reply
Frank *********
@Fitfac ****************
Also invoice and receipt/proof of paymentReply to
Frank *********
Reply
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