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What are the costs and options for obtaining a DTV visa through Muay Thai classes in Thailand?
DTV VisaMuay ThaiVisa Application CostsVisa DocumentationExpat CommunityThailandEducation VisaSoft Skill ClassesVisa Approval ProcessEmbassy Procedures
Aug 25, 2024
2 years ago
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTERAdvice on simple DTV - have been enquiring about Muay Thai classes but seems like many businesses are using this as a cash grab, quoting between 10,000 to 15,000 THB just to prepare letter, with no guarantee of DTV. Would a different soft skill be easier such as cooking...? Cost is just for paperwork, there was a further cost on top of that for classes starting from 35,000 THB
TLDR : Answer Summary
There is concern among expats regarding the rising costs associated with obtaining a Digital Visa (DTV) through Muay Thai classes, with some businesses perceived as exploiting foreigners with high fees for paperwork without guaranteeing visa approval. While some participants have found genuine gyms that charge reasonable rates and assist with documentation, others report experiences of higher costs, questioning the necessity of long-term commitments to classes just for visa purposes. Alternatives such as cooking or medical appointments are also discussed, with some individuals successfully acquiring DTVs through less expensive means.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
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I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
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Emily *******
I got mine from Fight EVO360 Pattaya, there was no extra fees for the paperwork and they give a guarantee if denied with proof you can get your money back
Stephen ********
Who did you speak to? I would love to have the contact. 45,000 for classes + 5 year visa isn’t too bad man. Is about $1000. IF it’s actually confirmed that is.
Jeff **********
Language courses
Andrew *********
I paid one month Muay Thai gym membership 5500 thb
Upasaka ********
@Andrew ********
did you get a dtv? What school pls?Jenny ******
@Andrew ********
me too. Can you refer to me plsAlan *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrew ********
could I ask which one please?Reply to
Alan *****
Reply
Su ********
enroll an online course on Banana Thai (2000B) she emails the welcome email which is good enough to print out for DTV application.
Luit *****************
an online course is good enough to get a visa???
Su ********
@Luit ****************
I didn't see anywhere that it has to be on site. I don't also think the embassy will check if that is an online course or not. So it's cheap and worth trying.Luit *****************
@Su *******
Why should you need a visa when you have an online course. There will be no need at all to be in Thailand for the training.I cannot imagine Thai authorities accepting this.
You have to pay at least
*****
for the visa application, which is non refundable, so trying this might be expensive in the end.Su ********
@Luit ****************
oh if you apply in Myanmar, you only need to pay when you’re accepted.Luit *****************
@Su *******
Are you sure about that? All official info tells the visa fee is non refundable.Su ********
@Luit ****************
I just had that visa last week from Myanmar. But my route was workacation. I’m only chipping in the possibilities here to cut cost. It’s up to you to believe or not.Upasaka ********
@Su *******
id love some advice on what docs you submitted for workation? Also where in burma did you apply?Luit *****************
@Su *******
So they did not ask you to pay the visa fee first? You could hand in aplication and documents without paying? And then at the moment you got the passport back you had to pay visa fee?David ********
@Su *******
did they ask you for 3 or 6 months bank statement and all of them showing 500k ending balance?Reply to
David ********
Reply
Graham *******
Do DTV holder need to be 90 day reports and get TM30?
David *******
@Roberto ******
I have done a similar thing. I had a pre booked (months ago) 4 week mon-fri course...and thought I would apply for DTV. It was successful. Now I have heard rumours that each visit, would need to show a new itinerary/course.Like I say rumours, as the visa does not state whether the person is on soft power or digital nomad etc
Roberto *******
David Speed I spoke directly to the Thai Consulate, and this is not true. Although, this is Thailand, so things may change in the future.
David *******
@Roberto ******
I plan on doing more 4week modules as and when so don't mind booking and paying in advance and having a new itinerary , as initially thought about an ED visa but would not work for me. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻Reply to
David *******
Reply
Angelo ***********
The cost for the classes are for either half a year or a year. What did you expect?
Roberto *******
@Angelo **********
This is not true at all, I paid for a month unlimited and got mine.Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Roberto ******
which gym did you apply please?Roberto *******
@Alan ****
Tiger Eye Bangkok, let them know you spoke with me, and they'll give you the same treatment.Reply to
Roberto *******
Reply
Angelo ***********
@Roberto ******
Unlimited? Very unlikely. The cost of roughly 35,000 THB is for a year. The parent complained bout the high cost. Because (s)he does not want to go to the classes but only wants the visa.Reply to
Angelo ***********
Reply
Roberto *******
Tiger Eye Bangkok is where I used for my training, and I received my DTV visa.
They are very professional, and a one month unlimited pass to the gym was 10,000baht, and provided the DTV visa documentation for free.
Let me know if you would like to know more, and if you decide to go with them, let them know I sent you for the same treatment.
They are very professional, and a one month unlimited pass to the gym was 10,000baht, and provided the DTV visa documentation for free.
Let me know if you would like to know more, and if you decide to go with them, let them know I sent you for the same treatment.
Fia ****
@Roberto ******
can you send to me too pleaseStephen ********
@Roberto ******
Hey Roberto thanks for this info. I sent you a message was just curious on the process at that gym for youДенис *********
@Roberto ******
please give detailsTim ***********
@Roberto ******
That's very helpful - thank you. Please could you share which embassy you applied through?Roberto *******
@Tim **********
Vancouver, CanadaTim ***********
@Roberto ******
Thank you!Reply to
Tim ***********
Reply
Mojiko *********
@Tim **********
@Roberto ******
I would like to know where you applied as well!Reply to
Mojiko *********
Reply
Andi ***********
@Roberto ******
how many months did you pay to get the DTV?Roberto *******
Reply to
Roberto *******
Reply
Derry *********
Not fare really. I run a muay thai school and this is my perspective. Embassy are often asking to see a course that matches the length of stay. Not always but it often crops up. So we sell a 6 month course. We have learned that they also need a receipt for payment. If we did a dirt cheap course just to fire a letter of and then everyone turned up for training, as is their right, we would loose out big time.
Ryan ************
Why not go with medical route?
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ryan ***********
I do need a chin lift - not joking but just found it a bit peculiar that they would approve a 5 year VISA based on an operationRyan ************
@Alan ****
many people said they got DTV using medical for simple appointments. I will try the same. Because I have history of visiting certain doctors if they question it. If not I guess I can always apply with other route.Luit *****************
@Ryan ***********
I don't expect you to get approval for history of visiting doctors, you need to have future appointments.Ryan ************
@Luit ****************
of course I will have new appointment. I am just saying it's preexisting condition not a simple doctor's visit.Reply to
Ryan ************
Reply
David ********
Have you thought about dental treatment?
Jerry ********
I will let you know. I applied at the Washington DC office 2 weeks ago. Dental Implant surgery at Bangkok Hospital. Visa is still pending document check after 2 weeks.
Stephen ********
@Jerry *******
What info did you need)Michelle *********
@Jerry *******
any word on approval based on dental?Jerry ********
@Michelle ********
approved exactly 15 Days after I submitted. Justification was a letter of appointment from Bangkok Hospital.Upasaka ********
@Jerry *******
wow? So a 5 year visa for a few days in the chair? What country embassy & any more docs requested? What hospital?Jerry ********
Jerry ********
@Upasaka *******
Washington DC embassy. Letter of appt from Bangkok Hospital, and savings acct statementMichelle *********
@Jerry *******
excellent thank you!Reply to
Michelle *********
Reply
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@David *******
I do need some veneers - not joking but just found it a bit peculiar that they would approve a 5 year VISA based on an operationJohn *******
You can get a dtv a basic check ups as of last week visa approved
Who knows about extension our renewal
But I guess another check up is enough
Who knows about extension our renewal
But I guess another check up is enough
Nairit *******
@John ******
Which hospital did you apply to get the appointment letter and letter from hospital?John *******
@Nairit ******
you can book a regular dental check up and get a dtv I read a guy last week booked 2 appointments at a regular dentist got email confirmation job done visa granted no need to pay a fortune just have some treatmentReply to
John *******
Reply
Michael *********
@Alan ****
nobody is studying MT or cooking for 5 years either 🤷♂️Reply to
Michael *********
Reply
John **********
Normally the gyms want you to commit to and pay for a certain amount of training before issuing you the documentation. Seems like a sensible business process to me. Why would they risk issuing documentation and suffering reputational damage by handing out documentation on request without covering themselves?
Graham *******
@John *********
so someone pay a bit of money and then shows up only once. End of the license for that gym. This visa class is so open to abuse.John **********
@Graham ******
I doubt the gym would suffer any consequences, they sign the person up and take payment for the required term. They can't force people to turn up. Now if they hadn't taken the money they'd have a problemGraham *******
@John *********
they do check on ED visa attendance.Roberto *********
@Graham ******
ED visa has to be extended every 90 days up to a maximum of one year so easy for immigration to monitor this. With DTV, once it's issued there is no requirement to visit immigration. As @John *********
suggests, there's no way to monitor this, and if a gym has taken an application in good faith, they cannot force the applicant to attend.Graham *******
@Roberto ********
looks like the end od ED visa!Roberto *********
@Graham ******
I said this four weeks ago. ED visas, non-O retirement, marriage and volunteer are all redundant. Who in their right minds would get one of these clunky, overregulated visas when they can get a streamlined DTV at a cheaper price? I'm going to change to DTV from retirement before next extensionJohn **********
@Graham ******
yes but it's a different situation and the check revolves around obtaining 90 day extensionsReply to
John **********
Reply
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jo**
the cost was just for paperwork. Classes were a further cost starting from 40,000 THBAlex *******
@Al**
only 50,000 baht in total, that's cheap. You get your DTV plus you get to train Muay Thai 🌞Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Al**
DTV application further 13,800 THB via Australian embassyAngelo ***********
@Alex ******
He does not want to train, hence he does not want to pay, he only wants the paper: to get a fake visa.Roberto *********
@Angelo **********
It's not a fake visa thoughAlan *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ang***
incorrect. I am uncomfortable paying such a large amount 50,000 with no guarantee or refund if DTV not approvedNathan *******
@Alan ****
I see your application was rejected. What docs did you submit that made you ineligible? The 50k is looking cheap now.Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nathan ******
50k sounds expensiveNathan *******
@Alan ****
take in to account you lost $620 and it will cost you that again to apply, with no guarantee that will be approved 2nd time around. If they seen you had spent 50k on Muay Thai courses they would see you were serious about attending class. What did you submit that they rejected?Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nathan ******
they claimed wrong name 😅Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nathan ******
nah won't reapply, feels like just a cash grab by Sydney office. I contacted BKK and they said each embassy has their own price and procedure, so presume Sydney are just doing a cash grab.Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nathan ******
they claim incorrect name 😅Angelo ***********
@Alan ****
Then pay only the visa fees ... and tell the school you pay when the visa is approved. If you have the correct papers, why would it not be aproved?John **********
@Alan ****
you pays your money and you take your chances. Or you find something elseReply to
John **********
Reply
John **********
@Alan ****
and you'd likely have to pay for both up frontReply to
John **********
Reply
Alex *******
@John *********
exactly broReply to
Alex *******
Reply
Andi ***********
There are genuine firms not cash grabbing. Some posters have given links to Muay Thai firms they used to get a DTV and not charging 15K for a letter. A Muay Thai gym won't guarantee DTV approval as there are other factors into the approval they can not control.
Garry ******
@Andi **********
any that you recommend?Andi ***********
@Garry *****
*********************************************
Garry ******
@Andi **********
If I want to live in Bangkok, this one wouldn't make sense right?Roberto *******
@Garry *****
If you haven't found your place yet in Bangkok, let me know and I can give you the info from the place I got mineGarry ******
@Roberto ******
I did freelance DTV approved this week. Thanks!Roberto *******
awesome! What did you have to give them in terms of work proof, just a portfolio?
Garry ******
@Roberto ******
yeah exactly. I showed that, explained what I did in it, and some invoices but idk if that mattered. Girl at the counter said most important is bank statement W 500kAndi ***********
@Garry *****
If you want to spend some time in Chiang Mai it makes sense. There is a Muay Thai Centre in Bangkok that was used to get a recent approval in Jakarta. The poster uploaded the link to the gym. You should find it in the threads,Andrew *******
@Andi **********
also there is fitfac gym that can offer in bkk in addition to the one andi mentionedAndrew *******
@Andi **********
yeah this one is legit and they are transparentДенис *********
@Andrew ******
really?Reply to
Денис *********
Reply
Kevin ********
Let’s be honest, if you want just the letter then you pay what you pay, or you could actually pay the requirements for the course itself. Why are people surprised about this? It’s business you need something they have and that comes at a cost. Simple economics, whether right or wrong is another question.
Graham *******
This is going to throw up scam after scam.
Roberto *********
@Graham ******
In the same way that visa agents have been scamming expats for years? 😂😂😂Graham *******
@Roberto ********
how have visa agents been scamming people?Roberto *********
@Graham ******
Charging *****
baht or so for a 1900 baht visa? 😂. Go on, tell me it's not a scam!Greg ********
@Roberto ********
They are being charged interest on 800k. Not for the Visa :-)Roberto *********
@Greg *******
So are visa agents a licensed bank? Or are they in fact paying bribes to immigration offices? And that's not a scam? 😂Greg ********
@Roberto ********
We all know what it is and has been going on for years. I am 99.9% sure the same deal will be offered to DTV applicants but it is more difficult. I can also see that the 500k has to be "Seeded" for a certain time too. The sun will still rise and set and my life will not change so hey ho ;-)Roberto *********
@Greg *******
I'm not denying that, but if Graham Heyes is saying the DTV is throwing up the scams, it's no different to what's been "going on for years" with other visas, surely? That kind of makes them all scams if it involves money under the table. It's a dishonest transaction - that's a scamGreg ********
@Roberto ********
The difference I think is DTV is "Owned" by the MFA and not Immigration. It means someone is not earning from it who earns from other immigration issues - not going to speculate too much. I can see requirements tightening up for the DTV in future. All it takes is bad publicity and other unintended consequences for u-turn in Thailand. Most Thai's have no clue that this is pretty much an open door immigration policy.Roberto *********
@Greg *******
How does it differ from "agency visas" and continuously border bouncing? Expats have whined for years about how difficult it is to remain long term in the country, now their whining has been addressed, and what? They're now complaining it's too easy? Come on, WTF do they want?Greg ********
@Roberto ********
I have not heard any whining from "Expats". Heard whining from people who do not qualify for visas whining and think it should be an open door policy - same ones often whine about people "Invading" their homeland actually. The only people I have heard questioning the DTV were Thai professionals - it was still wait and see but they were worried about who might be entering ie organised criminal gangs etc. They do not want to see it become4 like Cambodia has in certain areas.Roberto *********
@Greg *******
I hear it incessantly. Whining about the annual visit to immigration, or whining about how much visa agents are charging to do it for them. Both of those are gone at the stroke of a pen. Organised crime gangs can also come in on a visa exempt and get a dodgy "volunteer" visa, can't they? It's gone on for years, but the pro-agent lobby turn a blind eye. The only difference is now, the visa agents have had their lifeline strangled.Greg ********
@Roberto ********
I must mix in different circles. I do not know anyone who has difficulty getting a visa or whining about an annual visit. I only know people on "O" and B I think. There is a difference between Visa Exempt and DTV on how long people can stay plus costs of doing so. If there is any backlash it might be from Thai's due to unintended consequences from the DTV but we shall see. I am sure the African Coke Dealers in Soi 11 and surrounds are very happy - less border runs now :-)Roberto *********
@Greg *******
You probably do. Immigration was a mild hiccup for me, but with the DTV that's now gone. Five years and no need to visit immigration. Surely that's a positive? So we should ignore the benefits the DTV will give thousands of expats because of the African coke dealers. Is that a visa issue, or is it a law-enforcement issue? How about looking at the heart of the problem instead of skirting around the edges. "Let's deal with alcoholism by closing the breweries"Greg ********
@Roberto ********
You are missing the point - bye I am outReply to
Greg ********
Reply
Greg ********
@Graham ******
It already is. I had an agent quote me t5k for a guaranteed DTV from Cambodia. Claimed it was 100% as they are working with Embassy staff. There will be a backlash soon. As soon as a DTV holder is arrested for something and/or they have a serious criminal record from elsewhere. Thailand is the land of u-turns and they clamped down on other visas in the past like Ed and VolunteerJames *********
@Greg *******
in what way have they clamped down on the ED Visa? I'm curious to know what it was like before as my first year ed visa finishes this month and I'm considering applying for a DTV visa now...Greg ********
@James ********
People would be teated for example on their "Thai" skills. I know of one bloke was on his 3rd year and coming back form a trip with friends the Immigration Officer asked him questions in Thai. He could not speak after almost 3 years. No allowed back in. He flew out, got a tourist visa and his now all sorted though. I think you are better off getting the DTV and from what I see works out cheaper. Good luck.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Graham *******
@Greg *******
just saw this. I bet "Garry Glitter" and Philip Schofield" are on there way.Greg ********
@Graham ******
There will be a convicted "Nonce" gets a DTV and gets caught here. Then it will all blow up. Thailand will get its own "Tommy Ten Names" or "Farage" complaining about open door immigration policy. I was out with some Thai's from my old office a few weeks ago and they were not really for it. Middle Class University Educated Thai's.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Graham *******
@Greg *******
"Belarus" yes "Belarus" get 30 days on arrival!Reply to
Graham *******
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