What Are the Current Bank Balance Requirements for Obtaining a Thai DTV Visa from Taipei?

Sep 18, 2024
2 months ago
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have just been told by Taipei that I need to provide minimum 6 months bank balance. But it seems others were granted DTV with one month and an ending balance 500k. Perhaps this is an example of better not to ask? But traveling there an applying without the necessary material would be costly.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the unclear requirements for bank balance statements when applying for a Thai DTV visa from Taipei. One user reported needing a minimum of 6 months of bank statements, while others have successfully obtained the visa with only 1 to 3 months of statements and an ending balance of 500,000 THB. Users note that visa requirements may change frequently and emphasize the need to verify the latest guidelines before traveling to apply.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Tyler *******
6 months of balance over 500k?

Or 6 months of bank statements?

Can you clarify please

Thank you
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
"

Bank balance required six months, please. Thank you.

Best regards,

Visa section"

"
Tyler *******
@Chris ********
I think maybe there needs to be some more clarification on the email they sent you, I think they want to see the ending bank balance and statements for all 6 months but the final and current balance is what matters most.
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tyler ******
Thanks, I'll raise the question again specifically as the answer was imprecise. I was reticent to get pegged as a pest before applying.
Tyler *******
@Chris ********
I’ve asked the same question to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh but haven’t been able to get a response.
Tyler *******
@Chris ********
“ You only need to have enough Thai currency 500,000 baht in the account on the day of application. “
Paul *******
@Chris ********
Very vague. Not sure what that means.
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ah, OK. That's encouraging. Thanks
@Tyler ******
Tyler *******
@Chris ********
yeah anytime, maybe you can send them another email just to clarify things more and then let us know. 🙏🏻
Tyler *******
Also did they send you an email? Because I emailed them 2 days ago and they said they need 6 months of bank statements and I can move the funds into the account the day before the appointment
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
can you provide that quote?
Paul *******
This is what they told me 12 days ago:

- The processing time is usually take one working day (if the documents are complete). If the documents are incomplete, you may be required to supplement the documents and then arrange another time to pick up the package.

- There is no stipulation on how long it takes to prove bank financial resources. Just provide sufficient financial resources proof when you apply.
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
delightfully vague
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Seems isn't reassuring LOL
Paul *******
@Chris ********
It definitely isn't. That stated, what they told me less than 2 weeks ago definitely doesn't mention anything about 6 months or any particular timeframe.
Paul *******
@Chris ********
Yes, although it seems to imply that you could just transfer the funds there on the day you apply.
Tom ********
Just to chime in, I had my DTV approved this afternoon from Taipei. I only gave 3 months of bank statements!
Jessy ******
@Tom *******
did they asked for 3 months or you just gave 3 months? Each months had 500 000 or just ending balance?
Tom ********
@Jessy *****
Well on the website it doesn’t mention anything about
***
+ months of statements, it just says financial evidence of 500k+ baht; so I followed that with my latest statement, but added some older ones too just to be safe.
Paul *******
@Tom *******
I could provide 10 years of bank statements if needed. The key is, how long does the 500,000 need to be parked for? How long were the funds parked in your account?

I don't want to wait to get this visa. I could wait until 3 months have elapsed and go to Vientiane in November, but I suspect that by then things may have tightened up further. Not to mention I want to travel in the meantime and don't want to go back on visa exempt returning to Thailand.

I want to transition from this entry stamp (my visa expires end of the month, but the stamp takes me well into November) directly to the DTV.
Tom ********
@Paul ******
Funds were in my account for 12 months or more, but doubt that makes a difference seeing as they would’ve asked for more statements if they needed them.

They only seemed to look at the latest balance/statement when initially flicking through my documents before taking them to process. Just in my case at least.
Paul *******
@Tom *******
I've just emailed them to ask for clarification again. Let's see how they reply.
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tom *******
with over 500k the whole 3 months?
Tom ********
Paul *******
Do you mean 6 months of funds parked in the account? I was told just that the funds need to be verifiable on the day you apply. I would definitely bring 6 months worth of statements, sure. However, nothing to suggest the funds have to be parked there for 6 months.

In fact I told them straight up that I'll have maybe 6 weeks worth of funds parked by the time I go in and they seemed fine with that but that was in an email from 2 weeks ago.
Ivan *******
@Paul ******
i got same reply as you few days ago. Very strange they asked 6m
Paul *******
@Ivan ******
Aha so you got the same reply as I did 12 days ago, meaning financial resources only need to be verifiable on the day you apply?
Ivan *******
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
also taipei?
Paul *******
@Chris ********
Yes I'm referring to my correspondence with Taipei. That's what they told me earlier this month.

Now I may have to reconsider going there, IF it is confirmed they want 6 months' worth of parked funds. I can't wait that long and frankly it's frustrating as you can't plan anything like this.

Had I known about this visa 6 months ago (before it existed) of course I would have parked the funds back then. However, I only did so last month, which I thought was fine for Taipei but now it seems that only places like Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Yangon and Ho Chi Minh are OK with funds parked recently.
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
yeah, rethinking where to go
Paul *******
@Chris ********
Would it be possible to copy/paste what they wrote to you here? Just to see for myself how they worded it.
Seb ********
Remember they can also change policy day to day. Either based on instruction from MFA or their own whim if they feel something is off.
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Seb *******
yeah, wondering if posing the question raised a flag
Andi ***********
@Chris ********
Thai govt has recently announced tightening up DTV approval which may have caused Taipei to change. They told me a couple of weeks ago as long as you show 500K, that is all that is needed.
Paul *******
@Andi **********
The Thai government announced a tightening up of the visa-exempt regimen rather than DTV. Nothing specific has been mentioned about the DTV and that article written by Barry Kenyon is severely lacking in detail, as is the case with everything he writes.
Andi ***********
@Paul ******
Is that article in the Thaiger or Pattaya Mail ? I read that that the KL strict approval is what all embassies should be doing and there is going to be a look at widespread strengthening of DTV approval,
Paul *******
@Andi **********
Pattaya Mail. That article did not mention anything about KL. I'll search for more news stories now, but what Tim Newton quoted from the Pattaya Mail was very vague as usual, focusing more on visa-exempt entry rules.
Andi ***********
@Paul ******
What i read mentioned KL, I'm trying to find it.
Paul *******
@Andi **********
I found it.

It's in the Thaiger. The article is the exact same one found in the Pattaya Mail, but below that, it then quotes an older article written a few weeks back, which I believe was also published in the Pattaya Mail at the time, mentioning how only Kuala Lumpur is fully informed of the requirements?

It still doesn't provide enough detail though.

So I'd say, at least as far as the news is concerned, there's nothing new been mentioned regarding the DTV visa as such.
Andi ***********
@Paul ******
oh ok, so nothing new then.
Paul *******
@Andi **********
From the Pattaya Mail:

The Interior Ministry has issued fresh guidelines for the much-discussed Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) and the boost for visa-exempt tourists from 30 to 60 days. The DTV is seen as groundbreaking as it frees remote workers from needing a work permit as long as their employment is with overseas companies or contractors. The ministry has now doubled-down by insisting that “such work must not impinge in any way on the Thai economy”, a very broad restriction.

All this says is that the work must have nothing to do with Thailand. Hardly a change really, as that's been known since day 1.
Andi ***********
@Paul ******
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Andi ***********
There is another one i read which says KL is what all embassies should be doing
Paul *******
"For instance, applicants are asked to provide proof of a Thai property lease for six months, an authenticated employment contract or business licence, and bank statements showing a balance of at least 500,000 baht (about US$14,000).

Other embassies, such as those in Laos and Sri Lanka, have only provided vague information and registration fees, while larger missions in Washington DC and London offer basic guidelines but hint at possible additional requirements. The Thai embassy in Cambodia is reportedly waiting for system updates before it can process DTV applications.

Kenyon also highlighted that the procedure for cultural activities like learning Thai or Muay Thai is evolving, requiring proof of acceptance from a registered Thai institution. With the base cost of the DTV set at 10,000 baht plus additional embassy surcharges, and a non-refundable fee, potential applicants should be prepared for a potentially confusing process, reported The Nation."
Paul *******
@Andi **********
However, the Pattaya Mail reported that only the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur appears to be fully informed about the DTV. This embassy’s checklist, though detailed, includes additional requirements beyond the TAT’s original guidelines.
Paul *******
@Andi **********
Sure? The Thaiger article mentions KL but doesn't say that other embassies should be following them. Rather, that they're the "only ones" which are doing things the "proper way".
Paul *******
@Andi **********
OK. Looking forward to reading it.
Seb ********
@Chris ********
maybe that’s their CYA reply if someone asks randomly. They often apply different standards to different nationalities. The same embassy might be ok with someone from a first world country to supply one bank statement but they apy more scrutiny for someone from a developing nation.
Chris *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Seb *******
I'm from USA, which is becoming 3rd world, but not quite there yet :)
Austin *********
Thats why i left the maggots to live with DJT while i live in Thailand.
Austin *********
@Chris ********
The USA became a 3rd world country when the elected DJT. A country where the people who vote for a clown who claims he is rich and doesnt need their money. Later ask them every week or month for donations is filled with fools. The maga maggots are everywhere.