Just got my DTV visa approved! Thank you to everyone who posted in this group. It’s been immensely helpful reading through everyone’s experiences so I’d also like to share mine.
I am a USA citizen. I applied in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for the freelancer DTV option. Here’s the timeline:
- I filled out all the paperwork prior to arriving to Ho Chi Minh except the proof of location (just as preparation — didn’t submit)
- I arrived on Sun Feb 23 and submitted it in the application in the evening with the proof of location
- They asked for additional information on Wed Feb 26 at 10am. I submitted the additional information in the evening
- I got approved on Mon Mar 3 at noon :))
Below are specifics. [Added] means I added it when they asked for additional information.
Portfolio:
- [Added] I wrote an intro letter that explains my background and what each page in the portfolio contains
- [Added] Resume
- [Added] University Degree Certificate
- Business Info Sheet
- [Added] Reviews screenshot and link to profile (I had text message screenshots before but replaced that with website reviews)
- Example work screenshots
- Signed agreements (2 examples) [Added 1 more]
- Bank statements & venmo transactions to prove income from business
Proof of Location:
- Flight to Vietnam
- Vietnam Visa
- Airbnb receipt with prices and dates
- Passport stamp of entry
Financial Proof:
- [Added] I wrote a letter explaining the situation. I put most of my money in a CD savings account. The CD ended on January 11. They wanted 6 months proof of 500,000 baht, but I could only show that through the CD. I was worried they wouldn’t approve me because CD can be considered investment account, and they only want checkings or savings.
- 6 months of CD statements
- [Added 5 months] 6 months of Savings account statements (where the CD money is now)
- [Added] 6 months of credit card statements — they did not ask for this, but I heard they want to see that you spend money so I included this in case it helps
I’m glad I wrote a letter to explain both the portfolio (because I do not have a registered company) and the financial proof (because of the complications). I think adding a human voice to the application helps the reader understand what everything is so they can assess appropriately. Not necessary, but I’m glad I did it anyways!
Thank you for everyone who participated in this group. I wish you all the best of luck!
TLDR : Answer Summary
A USA citizen successfully shares their experience applying for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. They detail their timeline, required documentation, and additional information submitted upon request which helped secure the visa. The post includes tips on financial proof, portfolio inclusion, and emphasizes the importance of explaining one's situation in the application process for better understanding by immigration officers.
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