What are the visa application options for someone already in Thailand who needs a DTV?

Oct 13, 2024
3 days ago
Ray *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone, I just got some information from a visa company…

They informed me that I should have applied for DTV from my home country before coming here. However, since I’m already here, these are the options available to me now.

What are your thoughts?

Here is the service option

1. Applying with Thai embassy in US. This is required the applicant to be there while we submit and process til visa approved. This service fee will be 10,000 THB ( not included for Thai embassy fee )

2. Applying with Thai embassy in Laos. This required the applicant to be there for 2-4 days. The package price is started around 60,000 THB - 150K THB. The price depends on how qualified the documents are.

3. Applying with Thai embassy in US while you are in Thailand. This service fee is 20,000 THB ( not included for Thai embassy fee ). With this condition, you might face with 2 risks which are flight ticket request or interview in person at Thai embassy.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared that they were advised to apply for a DTV visa before entering Thailand and are now exploring options while in the country. Various suggestions were provided through comments, advising against using agencies due to their high fees and risks. Many recommend applying directly at neighboring countries' embassies (such as Laos or Vietnam) or through online options. Most comments emphasize doing the application independently to save costs and reduce reliance on potentially unhelpful agents.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Jeiz ***************
Did #2 without agent and by following and researching a lot of posts in this group. Search Vientiane and you have a wealth of information. You can do it, I believe in you!
Joel ********
Go to laos do and it yourself 10k baht laos was beautiful and the embassy was patient and helpful
Ray *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joel *******
thank you 🙏🏼
Barc ***********
Jakarta is the easiest going embassy actually
Barc ***********
So it proves once again that agencies are useless for DTV visa 🤷🏼‍♂️
Rob *********
Everything is possible for the right money, there are already "agencies" that offers DTV visas for 120.
*******
.000thb regardless of your qualifications.
Michael ********
#3 is fraud with a paper trail. I have a friend that got DTV within Thailand and came back no problem… For now. But why would you do that? Any immigration officer at any point entry/exit/extension can see your exit date and visa issue date don’t match up. So it’s fraud, assuming you do actually have to be in the country you’re applying in (i read somewhere you can select your country of residence, that might be an option but why risk it?).

#2 is crazy fee you gotta spend there 2-4 days anyways and still put in the work to get the documents. Don’t know what an agent could do that would be so special. Most everyone here is getting the visa.

#1 same thing why pay 10k baht extra for a visa that will probably get approved anyways?

You gotta read the posts here you just apply and if it doesn’t work out re apply with more documents.

Taipei, Cambodia, Vietnam, I’ve heard good things about these 3 places. Take a week vacation and handle the DTV somewhere like here and you’re set.

Edit: and good luck. It can be nerve wracking doing it yourself but better than spending 50k baht+ for an agent that probably only just holds your hand while you do it. At the end of the day your documents still have to be in order etc and that’s up to you.
Konstantin ******
@Michael *******
just my experience. But you’re still right with what you said!
Konstantin ******
@Michael *******
@Ray ******
I think Thai officials are not that strict as all the scared foreigners here … for my experience an agent cost some money yes… but it’s just super easy and they are way better in handling problems.. I always used agents and had never any problem! They tell you what to do and it works!
Ray *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
great advice, thank you! I appreciate it 🙏🏼
Xandro ********
Option 2 didn't let you know this visa company is trying to rip you off?
Ray *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Xandro *******
That visa company (Thai Visa Center) has been around for quite some time, and during the two years I lived in Thailand during the COVID period, they were incredibly helpful. Back then, we all trusted them. I shared this post to raise awareness about how they are becoming increasingly greedy, hoping to open people’s eyes to the situation…I shared that post to make a point—it doesn’t mean I would have paid for it.
Xandro ********
@Ray ******
I didn't see where you said to be aware of this particular company. But you did asked what were our thoughts and I give you my thoughts. Have a great day
Ray *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Xandro *******
thank you for your reply, have a great day 🙏🏼
Xandro ********
@Ray ******
you too 🙏
Netanel *******
Why do you need a visa company? The process is very straight forward, it cost 10k THB, plus flights, visa and hotels you won't get to 20k. the price they ask of you is just ridiculous.
Andrew ******
Jesus i just got mine in laos total aporox
*****
all costs 3 days do it yourself
Oliver ********
Ignore the visa company and read through the posts in this group.
Wannikea *********
You must be physically in the country you are applying at. You cannot apply from Thailand. You go to any neighboring country and apply according to their particular Thai consulate protocol either in person or online. I suggest you spend a day reading posts in this group to understand the process and paperwork for the DTV entry scheme you choose and the best consulate to apply at.
Ray *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wannikea ********
thank you 🙏🏼
John *******
You technically can not apply while in Thailand. However, it is possible to cheat the process, you might get caught. Is it worth it to do that, since you would still need to leave the country and re-enter if you got the visa this way. Your best option is to travel to a neighboring country and apply there (either in person or via evisa depending on the embassy). These agencies are for the most part not that useful, as they can’t support the process, like they can with other visas, which can be done in county.
Klee **************
@John ******
I agree, I would not risk applying while in Thailand, way to many risks
Ray *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
thank you 🙏🏼
ۦۦ ***********
@Ray ******
ignore the negative comments mate. I'd say all options given to you are useless, especially option 3, which tbh looks like a scam? If you have the patience and IT skills, try heading out of Thailand to one of the countries near by.

Jakarta are still doing walk ins and I've heard they are really easy to deal with in terms of resubmitting documents, so that could be your best option.

Double check the visa requirements too as this visa requires substantial evidence that you're doing what you say you're here to do. Trusting agencies when the evisa is only 5 days launched could be very risky, lots of scammers looking to make a quick buck from you.

If you do end up submitting your own application (why not!?) then make sure to triple check your application form, as even an incorrect space error can get it rejected online.
Ray *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@ۦۦ **********
thank you very much 🙏🏼
Klee **************
@Ray ******
I did the DTV all online at the consulate in Vancouver Canada, very easy, I was in Canada at the time but I could have been anywhere in the world, it would not have made any difference, as long as you have an address in your home country and documentation to prove that address, you are good. For me online E-Visa makes way more sense than in person visit to an embassy or consulate, my process was dead easy, after I got mine I applied for my wife and it took 1 day
Ray *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Klee *************
thank you 🙏🏼
Cliff *********
Spend a few minutes reading recent posts.

Several local countries still have in person applications.

Some others have the e visa system.

If your application is legitimate and you actually meet the requirements, no worries.

Why waste money on an agent ?
Benjamin *********
Many successful stories in this group from people applying in Vietnam (HCMC and Hanoi)
Pitch ******
Apply on your own in Lao. 10 000 THB if the application is accepted. No need to take an agent...
Matt ********
Just go to Laos
@Ray ******
and apply yourself, 10k for the submittal, cheap tickets to and from, hotels are cheap. All said and done you’re in Laos for 3-4 days.
Paul *******
@Matt *******
Yes, other places are better because they are less onerous. Laos requires 3 months of funds parked and possibly notarized documents in some cases (such as when documents are translated). Other consulates are much more easygoing.
Paul *******
@Matt *******
Laos isn't the best place to apply. Better to go to Cambodia or Vietnam; otherwise, Yangon, Jakarta or Taipei.
Matt ********
@Paul ******
I had no issues in Laos at all. What I stated was exactly the reality. Are there other places better? Not sure, I only have my experience to share.
Ray *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Matt *******
thank you 🙏🏼
Min *************
Think about Cambodia and I could assist you with better cost.
Ray *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Min ************
Tell me more about Cambodia, please. I have relatives living there, and I could spend some time with them while going through the DTV process.