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What is the process and experience of obtaining a DTV visa in Thailand?

DTV visa Thai Embassy visa processing time visa agents expat experiences cooking classes in Thailand visa application process Thailand immigration Elite visa

Jun 11, 2025

a month ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

𝔻𝕋𝕍 𝕊𝕆𝔽𝕋 ℙ𝕆𝕎𝔼ℝ 𝔸ℙℙℝ𝕆𝕍𝔼𝔻!

Took only 4 BUSINESS DAYS, from Thai Embassy in HANOI. Amazingly short time, I couldn't be happier!

Went for the 6-month cooking class from "House of Taste Thai Cooking" (Bangkok) and I decided to go for a visa agent, as I have a long history of different visas in Thailand and was afraid not to be granted the DTV for this reason. 

French passport here, started with border runs, then an ED visa, then some Tourist visas, and even despite owning a TV, I was stopped at Suvarnabhumi airport by the immigration agent for coming in & out too often, so I then decided to go for an expensive Elite / Privilege visa. That was 6 years ago, just before the Covid era. 

Last week, instead of renewing my Elite visa (as I didn't see any rational reason for paying that much - 50x more, at least - for it, except maybe for being able to open some bank accounts), I simply went for the 'new' DTV and I have absolutely no regret! Applied on a Wednesday, approved on a Monday. 

Good Luck to EVERYONE, Peace! :)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user shared their positive experience receiving a DTV visa from the Thai Embassy in Hanoi, reporting approval within 4 business days. They opted to use a visa agent due to previous visa history and expressed no regrets about the costs incurred. The post sparked a debate about the reliability and honesty of visa agents, with some comments warning against agents and stressing that obtaining the DTV visa can be straightforward without one. Opinions were mixed, with some praising their effectiveness while others expressed concerns about the potential for scams and inflated fees associated with using agents.

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

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted DTV Visa Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

Abe *******

10,000 bht fee for the application in Hanoi?

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

no idea. I just paid 16K for the whole thing (except the cooking course) to my agent and they cared about everything, so I would travel worry-free and simply enjoy my trip. I saw it like some concierge work. No idea if they have some kind of VIP access from the embassy as well, given how fast it was. Maybe, maybe not, but it was just a breeze.

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Anonymous *************

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Arun ***************

Congrats! 4 days is amazing, we also work with Issa Compass and they have been great to work with.

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Anonymous ******************

@Arun **************

i fail to understand role of Issa Compass. They get documents through some cooking or Muay Thai schools and add up their commission. On top of that their full fee is only to fill up online form?

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Anonymous ******************

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Dnatjugweme ************

Sounds like an advert for Persil laundry detergent...

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dnatjugweme ***********

At least I'll now know who to work for after my DTV ends.

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Anonymous *************

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Anonymous ******************

Typical visa agent promotion post

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Participant anonyme 226 typical know-it-all post.

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Anonymous ******************

Anonymous participant Yeah, we all believe you 🙄

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Participant anonyme 226 you don't need to, and that won't give me an insomnia. Group Admins WILL keep my post alive because they know. You don't.

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Anonymous *************

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James ********

Frankly I believe it is long past time to ban the DTV visa agents from posting on the forum. They are sly, seek to pm you and fail to fully disclose that they are visa agent and not disclose their fees.

Never pay in advance for a DTV visa from a visa agent. There's scammers out there which promise the Moon 🌙, take your 💲💲💲 AND disappear.

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Guillermo *********

on point . I even have seen experts on this site providing info that they know is not current. Than you see other accounts posting they can help. YOU DONT NEED NO AGENTS FOR THIS VISA IF YOU CAN READ WHAT OTHERS HAVE ENCOUNTER HERE. You should be fine 🙏

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Guillermo *********

🙏

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James ********

@Guillermo ********

I agree with you, as a so called active expert who does try to provide correct information.

Reality is that....what works for one applicant might not work for another... at the SAME Thai Embassy or Consulate in the SAME country.

Glad you got the DTV visa... enjoy your next 5 years with it 🤗

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James ********

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Anonymous ******************

Absolutely agree, James Miller. I also had a long history of various visas over 12 years before applying and getting approved in Hanoi, all without using a visa agent.

It’s a very straightforward process, as long as your application is legitimate and includes all the necessary supporting documents. With all the helpful information shared in this group, it’s actually quite easy to understand what each embassy requires.

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James ********

This is an example of a visa agent spam...

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James ********

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James ********

Thank You for your helpful report 👍

Congratulations 👏👏👏

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 ✈️ 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.

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Anonymous ******************

This post feels like a promotion for this agency and not very authentic… make sure to perform due diligence

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Participant anonyme 174 well, my new DTV feels very 'real'.

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James ********

Anonymous participant that's Great 👍

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James ********

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Tan ************

Proven again

SOFTPOWER is the easiest way.

Thailand is divided into two cult.

Embassy collects the fees for the government. While the SOFTPOWER school collects the fees for the friends and families of the people in powers.

DTV is the perfect system which scores both cult. So long as they are both happy. It's get approved easily.

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Anonymous ******************

@Tan ***********

And wait until the "friends and families of those in power" expect to be paid annually, just as they are for other visa services. Even if all soft power activities were to share their income (which I doubt), it would never reach the level of what agents share from other visas services (until immigration asks and checks for a continuous activity for 5 years).

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Participant anonyme 222 ah, the usual 'soft power DTV' haterz... Long time no see.

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Anonymous ******************

Participant(e) anonyme Hey hi again! You've missed a lot... Extensions rules, bank account closing, stricter application requirements... Welcome back.

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Anonymous ******************

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Greg ********

Anonymous participant 222 If I was a school I would be thinking "How can I have some more revenue? It does not seem fair that I get a one-off 15k fee for 5 years" 🙂

Are they hoping for a never ending supply of students?

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

making about 10k thb / hour per group class? Why would they even have to worry? The school I went for seems to be getting new students by the day.

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Anonymous ******************

Exactly. It's always the same. They let people believe in something easy to get until the crackdown. Poor bank accounts holders...

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Greg ********

Anonymous participant 222 "Kreng Jai" right out the window :-)

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Greg ********

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Greg ********

@Tan ***********

Wait till they want to see recurring income. :-)

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I do have regular passive incomes.

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Greg ********

Anonymous participant I mean the businesses offering courses. Will they and immigration be happy with a 6 months 15k course offering a 5 year visa?

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Greg ********

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Doug ****************

How much did you spend in all process of DTV Soft Power with agent? (Visa + Agent + Cooking Classes)

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Doug ***************

31k thb.

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Jimmy ****

Anonymous participant how do you find cooking class?

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I wrote the school name in the OP.

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Jimmy ****

Anonymous participant is there one in Chiang Mai?

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Jimmy ****

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