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What are the steps and requirements for obtaining a DTV visa in Savannakhet, Laos?

DTV Visa Thailand Visa Application Savannakhet Consulate Digital Nomad Visa Workcation Visa Visa Documentation Expats in Thailand Visa Processing Time

Aug 7, 2024

3 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

DTV SUCCESS! (Workcation/Digital Nomad) 

Here’s the story:

- Made an Appointment for the Thai Consulate in Savannahket, Laos on Monday via their website.

- We arrived before they opened at 9am and there was already a line. Go EARLY!

- We made sure to follow the list for the required documents for this location on their website.

Provided:

- A printed copy of my appointment & booking #

- Recent Bank Statement (my US Bank) showing balance of 500,000 baht or more.

- Passport and Copy of Passport

- Printed out screen captures of my website/portfolio and LinkedIn Resume. Also a letter from my employer on their letterhead explaining my remote freelance and salary.

- A copy of our Storage Unit bill from America showing our US Address

- 2 photographs with the visa application filled out (from their website)

- 10,000 baht

- We had ALL our documents ready (be sure to sign each piece of paper somewhere)

- Handed my documents at the window, they handed me a little receipt (do not loose) and waited 2 days.

- I showed up at 2pm with my little paper receipt for Visa pick-up on Wednesday and they handed me my passport stamped with the DTV visa!

Woo hoo!

Happy to answer any questions. Good luck everyone.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user successfully applied for a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) in Savannakhet, Laos, detailing their experience from appointment booking to document submission. Important tips include arriving early, ensuring all required documents are prepared and signed, and having a printed appointment confirmation. Specific documents mentioned include recent bank statements, passport copies, and proof of remote work. The user confirmed the process took about 2 days, resulting in visa approval. Other commenters shared experiences and related advice, highlighting variations in requirements by nationality and the importance of confirming specific details with the consulate.

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Itay *******

Is it 10k per 180 days?

For the next 180 the cost is again 10k for the extension?

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Itay *******

well explained! Appreciate that.

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I just started my 180 days and I plan to go to immigration to do the extension for 1900 baht. I can share how that goes once I do it

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Brock *******

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

10,000 baht for the 5 year visa.

Every 180 days you need to do a visa run. However, you can extend it another 180 days for 1900 baht.

So after 360 days you would need to do a visa run.

So you can keep getting the 180 day extension for 1900 baht throughout the validity of the 5 year visa

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Brock *******

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Charles **********

Congrats

! Did you have to show a flight into Thailand when applying for the DTV?

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Charles *********

No. I was already in Thailand. I have been here for a couple months visiting. We drove across the Friendship bridge. Each embassy is different so check the requirements. Mine did not have flight listed as one of them.

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Charles **********

appreciated the reply! I’m also in Thailand and will be applying in Laos but at the Vientiane embassy. Was it straightforward crossing the border by land with the DTV? I’ve always taken a flight into the country in fear of issues at the border lol.

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Charles *********

crossing into Laos you just need to get a 30 day visitors visa with your passport.

Once you get your DTV visa in Laos it’s easy enough and straight forward to come back into Thailand.

In fact, I was the first approved DTV in Savannahket and they wanted to take my picture with my family to celebrate. Haha.

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Brock *******

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Jay *****

Thanks so much for your helpful post! The visa application form on the Savannakhet embassy website looks like it might need updating - it has the visa options at the top of the form as tourist, transit, or non-immigrant. Did you fill in a different form, or did you just add a DTV option yourself?

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

we originally filled it out for the tourist visa and took it with us. We found out about the DTV right before we left. At the counter they just had us write DTV and then said planned to be in Thailand for 180 days.

They realize it’s not updated yet. So your good too use it. 👍🏻

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Brock *******

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David ********

I'm wondering if a copy of my Thai driver's license will suffice as proof of location?

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

That’s a great question. Not sure. :( Maybe try and write the consulate and ask them.

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Brock *******

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Matt *******

Congrats on your DTV 🎉

Can I ask though in regards to your website screens shots, is this your personal website or your employers?

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

This is important information that MIGHT apply to the DTV visa.

There was a couple from South Africa and they were rejected for their immigrant visa. :( they were told South African citizens were being turned away.

So please double check which countries will and will not be considered for a DTV visa in Savannahket, Loas

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Tod *********

Just so everyone knows South African passport holders CANNOT use Savannakhet for any visa

They go to Vientiane

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Tod *********

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David ***********

When you say happy to answer any questions!.......?

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@David **********

😁😁😁😁😁

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Brock *******

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Tevin *********

Awesome! Wondering if there are any success stories of ppl applying from the USA?

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tevin ********

I was willing to travel back to the US if I had to. I would have done the e-Visa in that case.

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Brock *******

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Paul *******

A few questions: how long was the money in your account for? Embassy websites don't mention a minimum "seasoning" requirement.

What exchange rate did they use, since you didn't have the money in Baht but in USD?

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

great questions. Our money was in there for a month or two. We had some earlier but used it up for other reasons. So I think as long as your show your CURRENT balance, they don’t research the history for it (I can only speak for Savannahket. Please double check for each embassy and e-Visa site)

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Paul *******

Excellent! I have plenty of money coming and going but only intend to place 500,000 Baht in my account a few weeks before I go for the visa.

Again, I'm wondering what exchange rate they'll use, because it looks like they might want the equivalent of 550,000 or 600,000 Baht if you're using a foreign bank account.

None of the embassy websites I've researched make any specific mention of how long the money needs to be in the account for. I've been looking at Vientiane and Phnom Penh for instance.

It seems you could just transfer it there a day or two before and take it back out again once you have the visa.

I've previously used Savannakhet for my visas as well but the new appointment system is a pain.

How did you manage to secure an appointment, since they only seem to open up appointments 2 weeks in advance and all slots are constantly filled, except if you're lucky, the last open appointment 2 weeks from the day you apply, if you manage to check around 7 or 8am, you might be able to secure one.

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Paul *******

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Kimberly ********

When you say “be sure to sign each piece of paper somewhere”, did you just scribble your signature at the bottom of each document?

Congrats btw! Super exciting! I think we are applying next week!

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Kimberly ********

Awesome! Thanks for this!

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kimberly *******

yes! I did exactly that. When I was in line at the embassy, I saw a notice posted on a cork board on the wall and one tiny bullet point I saw was to make sure each document being submitted is signed. So I quickly scribbled my signature on every document.

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Kimberly ********

Ahh ok. That makes sense. Thanks for this! Definitely seems like each place makes their own rules. I’m applying online next week via online in the States so I’m hoping all goes well!

Maybe if it doesn’t, I’ll go to the Savannahket location when we get to Thailand in September and give it a go lol

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kimberly *******

I wish you the best!

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Brock *******

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Kimberly ********

I am curious, did they require each person and dependent to have their own 500,000 baht or $16k? Or just the primary?

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kimberly *******

it was just me getting the DTV. One of my kids has their Thai Citizenship and the other two kids (still need to get their Thai Citizenship setup) came in as Americans visiting their Mother. They have 1 year visas with re-entry permits. My wife is a Thai Citizen.

It does say this about DTV Dependents for the requirements at the Savannahket location:

“Spouse and dependent children:

Proof of relationship to the DTV visa holder, e.g. a copy of marriage certificate/ birth certificate/certificate of adoption”

Sorry I’m not able to clarify more than that.

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Brock *******

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Thomas ********

So how does that work out if I dont have any proof of address in my home country? 🤔 I've been in Thailand for 10 years so even though I still have my name on the family home's mailbox I have no way to prove it.

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi

@Thomas *******

. We thought about that too. We printed off our hotel reservation in Savannahket just in case that would help support proof that we were not residing in Thailand at the time of applying for the Visa. However, since we ALSO had proof of our US address we submitted both. I can not guarantee a hotel reservation will suffice.

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Darren ********

@Thomas *******

same, been here 5 years. Abroad almost 15. Would like to know.

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Ian ***********

@Thomas *******

following

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

@Thomas *******

You can apply in Laos as a resident of Thailand.

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James ********

@Thomas *******

where will you be applying for the DVT visa?

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James ********

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David ***********

Did they need to see an address in your home country, or was that just a precaution?

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@David **********

I’m not sure what would have happened if I didn’t have a document showing my address from my home country. I really hope a hotel reservation works for everyone. I was being extra cautious and provided both.

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Brock *******

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

Congrats and thanks for the useful info...Did you show just one month's bank statement?

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

I was SUPER worried about that. But yes, I only showed 1 balance/statement for the latest month (July). I had 5 more ready just in case they asked for it but they did not. Phew

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

You came well prepared.

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

I was so nervous. My wife and kids went with me and we made an adventure out of it. Thankful it all worked out

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

I'm nervous being single applying..can imagine the nerves with a wife and kids .. 😁.. Going by your success the key is have what is requested and you'll be ok.

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

Yep! You got this.

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Brock *******

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James ********

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

Yes.. and that's why it's important to read the requirements for the DVT visa on the Thai Embassy or Consulate where you are going to apply for the DVT visa. They are not all the same.

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Mike ******

do you know if there is a required amount for deposits from work? did they ask you which deposits were from your job? OR do you think it only matters that the total amount is the 500k THB?

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

balance of 500k THB matters not the source of it

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

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

this is VERY true. Read carefully everyone and it will go smooth.

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

ok, there were reports yesterday of needing 3- 6mths of bank statements in Laos

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James ********

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

look again at the reports. One Month bank account statement for Savannakhet

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

Vientienne differs to Savannakhet it seems,

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James ********

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

as we have said...the requirements for the DVT visa can be different among the Thai Embassy or Consulates. And they can change quickly if they choose to do so.

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James ********

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James ********

Congratulations 👏👏👏 on your success in getting the 5 Year multiple entry DVT visa.

It's clear that you read the website for the Savannakhet Thai Embassy in Laos and submitted the documents as required to get the DVT visa.

As you now have a DVT visa sticker pasted in your passport, it's also wise to have a printed photo of it in the event your passport is lost..

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

great advice. Thank you!

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Ručman ***********

there is website for Savannakhet consulate? Where? 🤯

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Brock *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ručman **********

my iPhone has a translate to English button in the address bar too. But yes, I think the website has the option to do it too.

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Ručman ***********

Savannakhet I m looking for

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

@Ručman **********

**************************************************************************************************

*****

7-applying-for-visa?menu=5d84a44c15e39c26b

*****

3c

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Ručman ***********

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

Thai language only

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

@Ručman **********

no, you can choose English translation

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

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Ručman ***********

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

YEAH I know that one very well.

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Ručman ***********

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