Answereda year ago
What is the process and experience of applying for a DTVisa at the Thai Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia?
๐This post might be of particular interest for non English natives speakers ๐
Got my DTVisa Thai Soft Powers / Muay Thai approved just a few days ago via the Royal Thai Embassy in Jakarta. If I would have handed my bank account statement in English right away when submitting my application, I would have been approved by the embassy three days earlier. The whole procedure of getting approved did take exactly seven days from submitting my application only until receiving the positive feedback by eMail. DIY bank account statement translation was accepted. They also requested photos of my ENTIRE passport (every empty page until the very last page included). If you're not comfortable with uploading the most personal data of yours to some PDF size shrinking website tool, you'll have to stay kind of patient to make a whole passport documentation fit inside a 3 megabyte PDF.
Indonesia's / Jakarta's Thai Embassy seems more accommodating or propitious compared to what I read about people's impressions from Vientiane (Laos), Hanoi (Vietnam) not to mention Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). No personal interview, no further bank account investigations on scene etc. .
The only inconvenient thing referring my personal case was when I faced the immigration at Chiang Mai airport and the officer really tried to dig inside my application's details or my personal motivation. Like which Muay Thai school I'm going to attend ( where it is located exactly and the actual name of it) and what my current occupation is. Especially the last question was kind of deceptive regarding the fact that it's obvious that I'm not allowed to work while being on a DTVisa Thai Soft Powers.
My personal experience suggests, that going to Indonesia only for submitting your DTVisa application is definitely worth and preferable when looking for the "right" Thai Embassy in South East Asia.
I hope my given impressions might help anyone who's up for a similar approach to receive a DTVisa.
Good luck to everyone ๐
Got my DTVisa Thai Soft Powers / Muay Thai approved just a few days ago via the Royal Thai Embassy in Jakarta. If I would have handed my bank account statement in English right away when submitting my application, I would have been approved by the embassy three days earlier. The whole procedure of getting approved did take exactly seven days from submitting my application only until receiving the positive feedback by eMail. DIY bank account statement translation was accepted. They also requested photos of my ENTIRE passport (every empty page until the very last page included). If you're not comfortable with uploading the most personal data of yours to some PDF size shrinking website tool, you'll have to stay kind of patient to make a whole passport documentation fit inside a 3 megabyte PDF.
Indonesia's / Jakarta's Thai Embassy seems more accommodating or propitious compared to what I read about people's impressions from Vientiane (Laos), Hanoi (Vietnam) not to mention Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). No personal interview, no further bank account investigations on scene etc. .
The only inconvenient thing referring my personal case was when I faced the immigration at Chiang Mai airport and the officer really tried to dig inside my application's details or my personal motivation. Like which Muay Thai school I'm going to attend ( where it is located exactly and the actual name of it) and what my current occupation is. Especially the last question was kind of deceptive regarding the fact that it's obvious that I'm not allowed to work while being on a DTVisa Thai Soft Powers.
My personal experience suggests, that going to Indonesia only for submitting your DTVisa application is definitely worth and preferable when looking for the "right" Thai Embassy in South East Asia.
I hope my given impressions might help anyone who's up for a similar approach to receive a DTVisa.
Good luck to everyone ๐
Answer summary
The post details a user's successful application for a DTVisa at the Royal Thai Embassy in Jakarta, noting a quick approval process and helpful embassy staff. The user emphasizes the importance of providing documentation in English and shares tips on managing passport documentation. Comments include inquiries about the application process, advice on handling immigration questioning at Chiang Mai airport, and suggestions for translating bank statements.
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Anonymous ******************
Not sure though where in the application you would put the passport pages in the application?
Michaล ********
"DIY bank account statement translation" did you translate the statement headers in the screenshot?
Nat *****
@Theo *******
I'm planning on applying from Indonesia, where in the country were you? Reason I ask is because of the riots/ political situation in Jakarta.Theo ********
OPI'm not gonna lie: Jakarta is super wild
It's not about the crime rate or inappropriate manners but one has to face that it's a threshold country and Jakarta has 35 mio. inhabitants (over 150 mio. on Java island in total).
I stayed at a decent AirBnB in the suburban of Jakarta. I haven't seen any westerner in two weeks there. I stood out like a sore thumb and young people were going crazy when spotting me on the road.
The DTVisa application was the only reason why I came to Indonesia and I chose Jakarta because I couldn't estimate if the embassy might invite me to a personal appointment in order to receive the wished visa or not. They didn't and I was just lucky to be not too far from Jakarta airport to make it back to Thailand again.
It's not about the crime rate or inappropriate manners but one has to face that it's a threshold country and Jakarta has 35 mio. inhabitants (over 150 mio. on Java island in total).
I stayed at a decent AirBnB in the suburban of Jakarta. I haven't seen any westerner in two weeks there. I stood out like a sore thumb and young people were going crazy when spotting me on the road.
The DTVisa application was the only reason why I came to Indonesia and I chose Jakarta because I couldn't estimate if the embassy might invite me to a personal appointment in order to receive the wished visa or not. They didn't and I was just lucky to be not too far from Jakarta airport to make it back to Thailand again.
Paul *******
@Theo *******
That's so funny! Local Jakartans going crazy over a westerner! That doesn't even happen in the remotest hamlets of Thailand, Laos or Cambodia (and I've traveled extensively throughout all these countries including into the most rural areas). In Thailand, you could be in Umphang, Tak or outside of Sangkhlaburi and no one will pay special attention to you. However, even in these places I've just mentioned, you'll still come across the odd westerner. Westerners are never far away in these 3 countries. From gas (petrol) stations in Uttaradit to the Mae Sariang walking street to a rural village in Roi Et, a market in Battambang, Cambodia or a Tha Khaek, Laos restaurant, westerners are a common sight almost everywhere you go.
It could also be a cultural difference though...in Buddhist countries, locals don't react with the same strange curiosity towards a foreigner as you'll find in Vietnam for instance...Vietnam is very touristy but despite this, go to certain very rural areas and the locals suddenly look upon you as if you were an alien. China is like this as well, but China is different, because it's so vast and thus most parts of the country simply don't see any foreigners.
Nat *****
@Theo *******
Wow, thank you for all of that insight, super helpful to know!!
Ric ******
This is another incident of weird things happening with Chiang Mai immigration to DTV holders. See other posts about them asking for proof of funds for a repeat DTV entry. I think the folks there have some misunderstanding about their role in the immigration process.
Maybe a sign for DTV holders not to book international flights to Chiang Mai?
Maybe a sign for DTV holders not to book international flights to Chiang Mai?
Paul *******
@Ric *****
Possibly - although hardly any international flights land in CNX anyway and I've not once EVER flown into CNX on an international flight (domestic yes, many times). Yet I've crossed nearly every land border between Thailand and it's 4 neighboring countries over the years and I've flown to/from Bangkok and many places around the world...just never felt the inclination to fly to or from CNX directly. Many international flights to CNX have been suspended over the years due to lack of passenger demand.
THAI used to do CNX-Kunming twice a week, on and off for several years but that flight isn't coming back. CNX-Chittagong, Bangladesh was another flight offered by THAI but that didn't last more than 3 months.
Bangkok Airways suspended it's CNX - Mandalay/Yangon flights (both of which were operated by ATRs) because there weren't enough passengers. Its CNX-Hanoi flights, also on an ATR-72 is also gone. Even CNX-Singapore flights on certain airlines have been suspended.
Therefore, avoiding CNX as an international entry point isn't difficult...besides, it's usually much more expensive to fly out of CNX anyway. I enquired about a CNX-TPE flight on EVA compared to BKK late last year. CNX-TPE was 25,000 Baht round-trip, but BKK-TPE started from 13,000 Baht. I could fly Premium Economy from BKK for less than economy from CNX (and of course, from CNX you only have narrowbody aircraft and no premium economy).
Siggi *******
You can work remotely while in Thailand doesn't matter on what visa you are
Conny ********
How did you handle the translation of your bank account details? Did you request it directly from the bank in English, or did you use a particular tool?
Theo ********
OP@Conny *******
My German bank couldn't provide that to me why I was obliged to do it myself (3 days of hard work). You can try DeepL (AI driven holistic translator) but in my case, the result was pretty wacky
Anonymous ******************
Congratulations see you in Thailand. aka( PARADISE)
James ********
Thank You for your helpful report ๐
Congratulations ๐๐๐
PRINT OUT THE EMAIL THAT HAS YOUR DTV VISA.
That's what you should do... print it out.
You may have to show PROOF of your DTV Visa to airline staff on check-in for your flight โ๏ธ to Thailand...even to the connecting airline staff. Or to the land border crossing entry Thai Immigration Officer.
Upon arrival into Thailand, show the DTV visa to the Thai Immigration Officer and look at the STAMP placed in your passport to be sure you are STAMPED in for 180 days.
Congratulations ๐๐๐
PRINT OUT THE EMAIL THAT HAS YOUR DTV VISA.
That's what you should do... print it out.
You may have to show PROOF of your DTV Visa to airline staff on check-in for your flight โ๏ธ to Thailand...even to the connecting airline staff. Or to the land border crossing entry Thai Immigration Officer.
Upon arrival into Thailand, show the DTV visa to the Thai Immigration Officer and look at the STAMP placed in your passport to be sure you are STAMPED in for 180 days.
Jason ****
Congratulations! May I ask some questions, if I want to apply in Jakarta, should I leave Thailand first and then only start the application after entering Indonesia? And how long you staying there to waiting the visa? Thank you.
Donna ******
@Jason ***
I applied for my children's in Jakarta and the only additional documentation they asked for was proof that they were in Indonesia. Suggest you fill in most of the application prior, but only submit after arriving - to include copies of every passport page, entry stamp and visa, plus the hotel receipt.
Jason ****
@Donna *****
Thank you for letting me know.
Manfred **********
@Donna *****
in here is the essential answer, ALL STAMPS, including the one arriving in IndonesiaPaul *******
@Donna *****
Things are changing fast....Cambodia is eliminating passport stamps for air based travelers as of last month. Thailand for departing travelers by air at BKK/DMK and Phuket if using the auto gates. Thailand set-up auto gates for arriving and departing Thai citizens at many land borders years ago, but they're not yet being used, probably because most neighboring countries (Malaysia being the single exception) still insisting on physical stamps.
At airports, they've been used for Thais both for arrivals and departures for years, but they're voluntary. Thais can use them or get a stamp from an officer. For the time being, I've not seen any plan to force travelers, either Thai or foreigners, to use auto gates...it remains completely voluntary for now.
Paul *******
@Theo *******
More and more countries are eliminating immigration stamps. Thailand exit stamps now voluntary for departure by air at BKK/DMK and Phuket where autogates are installed. You'll receive one only if using a manual officer.They'll probably need more proof than just stamps, going forward, given this fact. Perhaps a boarding pass stub for a flight would work as well as your hotel booking.
Donna ******
@Theo *******
I suppose it must've recently changed. We got stamps in January.Theo ********
OP@Donna *****
In my case, they we're going for literally all stamps, no matter if perceived from Thai Immigration or others. I have no explanation for this.Theo ********
OP@Manfred *********
You don't get stamps when entering/leaving Indonesia. They have their own fully digitalized system.Donna ******
@Manfred *********
Well, yeah, all pages includes all stamps. They want to check the Thai stamps...Theo ********
OPThey will reject your application if you can't provide appropriate proof of your current residency (Indonesian immigration papers as well as a confirmation of your hotel, AirBnB renter (for example).
Reed **********
I believe apples native photo browser can customize file size not sure if pdf is natively supported but surely theres an app store approved app for Mac that is safe or an open source trusted app for Mac or windows
Anonymous ******************
@Reed *********
hey do you know where you'd put this in the application form? It's not clear and doesn't ask for it. Only biodata page of passport
Biff *******
Possibly better to fly international to Bangkok and domestic to Chiang Mai. They seem to like to question people at that airport
Paul *******
@Biff ******
Agreed. I also question why so many DTVers fly internationally to CNX with so few flights landing there. Where are they all going? Most of the few international flights departing CNX are on low-cost carriers. Unless you're coming in from Kunming or Yangon or Taipei, you're probably going to have to fly to Bangkok first. It's just the way it is and not a big deal.
Vitaly ********
@Biff ******
it really depends on the officer / shift boss / etc. I wouldn't rate BKK as an easy airport, quite the opposite. DMK? No idea, really - I was never properly questioned there, but I flew into DMK internationally only six or seven times in the last 15 years.My point is that recommending one airport over another is ungrounded speculation.
Paul *******
@Vitaly *******
Wrong. Some entry points should either be avoided (if you're on a particular visa) or particular caveats may apply, in order to avoid being scrutinized by immigration. These may include - being a frequent traveler on a DTV being much better than someone who only does a quick border run every 180 days to avoiding the entry point as much as possible.Practically anyone who knows the Thai immigration system well, including experts on here such as
@James *******
will advise people to avoid the Aranyaprathet-Poipet border crossing for entry into Thailand (obviously, not relevant now as the border remains closed...but whenever it reopens, this advice will apply). I advise people it's OK to use that border crossing provided you're driving your own vehicle and are the driver of said vehicle, since drivers can stamp in outside, where immigration is more straightforward than the ones inside the arrivals building. Anyone who is coming on foot or by bus, or by private car where the driver is Thai or anyone but themselves should avoid that crossing, unless they are on an LTR visa, marriage or work visa with work permit.Why? Since 2015, when the Bangkok shrine bomber bribed immigration there to come through, they've been VERY tough, on any tourist or any foreigner not on a long-term visa extension.
Perhaps the CNX airport scrutiny towards DTV holders isn't quite as bad as what happens to foreigners on any short-term visa at Aranyaprathet, but the reports are frequent enough to be of a concern and thus warrant that caution be exercised.
Biff *******
@Vitaly *******
going off reports from people in the group, itโs Chiang Mai that people report being questioned at.Ric ******
@Vitaly *******
this isn't the first post about Chiang Mai asking weird questions to DTV holders. Me personally, no problems in BKK. I would argue they are more professional.James ********
@Biff ******
wise advice โ
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