What is the process for obtaining a DTV visa at the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City?

Sep 13, 2024
3 months ago
DTV Approved. HCMC (Remote worker category).

Consulate: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

My experience:

Booked appointment 2 weeks in advance. Emailed in advance to confirm what documents they required.

They were quick to reply - between 1-3 days, linking to info on their website. I provided exactly what they asked for (in the order they asked for it).

1. Application with 1 photo stuck on

2. Passport

3. Employment certificate and employment contract (I had both so put them both in, but only 1 of these is required) with wet signature and stamp.

4. 6 months of bank statements showing evidence of 500K+ (THB)

⭕️ Also provided (but not asked for) which they kept:

1. Company registration document (with signature and wet stamp).

2. Colour photocopy of my passport.

⭕️ Also provided but they disregarded:

1. A brief cover letter / contents page.

⭕️ Backup documents I brought with me after reading posts here but never needed:

1. Airbnb/ hotel booking in HCMC

2. My condo rental agreement from Thailand

3. Examples of my work

4. Tax records (I’ve paid tax in Thailand for the past 6 years)

I had concerns that as I already live in Thailand and have done for the past 6 years, previously on a Non-Immigrant B visa, they may have more questions/ request further documents regarding the changes, but they did not.

⭕️Further info about the appointment:

The previous posts here that described the consulate perfectly were very helpful.

Look for the guards under the red bull umbrella, that’s your entrance. (Not the entrance the grab taxi takes you to). You can see the green shipping container from the street, that’s the visa office.

I was 20 mins early, and thankfully they saw me early (it’s a bit of a heat trap next to the shipping container and the gazebo that you sit under).

When called up, she wanted to see my application form first, before the other documents. A quick check through them (less than 1 minute), highlighted with a highlighter pen the account balance on the most recent month before they took my $340 USD (crisp, clean notes are specifically asked for) and directed me to take a seat and wait for my receipt, which came 5 mins later, advising to return in 2 days for the result / return of passport.

No questions asked, no additional documents requested.

On collection, again it was very quick. Arrived, entered, picked up immediately, then left in under 1 minute.

Over the 2 visits I spent less than 10 mins in the consulate in total.

The staff are all very friendly. From the guards to the visa staff. Each time saying ‘have a nice day’.

The process was surprisingly quick and easy. Special thanks to everyone in these groups that shared their experiences and to Tod for his solid, reliable advice to all in these groups.

On entry back into Thailand, the immigration officer had to consult her book to look up how many days to give, but once she did, all accurately stamped in for 180 days.

My advice-

1. Make it easy for them. Provide what they want, in the order they ask for it. Avoid additional lengthy documents where possible.

2. Read all the reports in these groups before choosing which consulate to apply through as their requirements differ for each one and reading personal experiences can often reveal more than the information posted.

3. Check you are stamped in for 180 days on arrival.

EDIT- happy to answer general questions.. but not those that have already been well documented in this group, can easily be googled, or any personal questions.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their successful experience applying for a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) at the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, detailing the required documents, the efficient appointment process, and tips for other applicants. They provided a clear breakdown of the documents submitted, insights on interacting with consulate staff, and advice on preparing for the visa application. Additionally, the user addressed common questions from the community regarding the employment certificate, bank statements, and issues concerning the required financial balance.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Farzad *******
Did you try submit the tax documents and they rejected? I stated mine in cover letter amongst other things but I didn’t end up submitting after reading all the responses here.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Farzad ******
I just had them ready in case they asked, but they didn’t.
Farzad *******
Oh. Wonder if il get rejected now for mentioning in cover letter and not submitting. There is sufficient evidence there in rest of the docs though
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Farzad ******
it’s not a requirement so I wouldn’t worry
Farzad *******
Thanks man. I ended up going back and they said if I’ve mentioned it in the cover letter then il need to hand them in. Which I did.

Hopefully they just bin them 😅🥲
Phyo *******
500k for how long in the bank?
Paul *******
@Phyo ******
According to my enquiries, they don't have any minimum length of time. Could be 1 week, 1 month, it's all fine. You do need 6 months worth of bank statements showing transactions though.
Farzad *******
thanks for the write up
Chris **********
In Ho chi minh, could you tell us which bank or exchange counter(ideally maps pinpoint) did you go to get clean US dollars notes ?

Congrats and thanks for all these valuable information 🙏
Paul *******
@Chris *********
All in District 1. Le Loi Street area. Also, Pham Ngu Lao (backpacker street) will have some moneychangers too.
Chris **********
@Paul ******
thanks a lot!
Paul *******
@Chris *********
There are several good moneychangers in downtown. Get your dollars there first before proceeding to the consulate.
Chris **********
@Paul ******
could you give a few addresses ?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris *********
I got them from SuperRich in Thailand before going. Others that didn’t have USD had to go to the printing shop, who for a fee, would then get a grab taxi to the money exchange and do it for them (the consulate has limited opening hours hence the need for a speedy return).
Ryan ***********
Well written (best one yet)and congratulations on your visa and enjoy Thailand 😎🥃
Sab *****
Wet stamp? Like stamped originally? Amy idea if the stamp is printed there will be issues?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sab ****
Yes, original stamp and signature. I emailed to ask this question. They said ‘wet stamp and signature not essential but would be advantageous’
Jared *******
Anonymous participant was it required that the 500K has to be in your account for 6 months?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jared ******
I believe this info varies from one consulate to another. At HCMC, 6 months statements are asked for. I didn’t ask specifically about how long the 500K needed to be on the account as this didn’t affect me, but they are very responsive and will reply to emails.
Paul *******
I asked them and it seems the 500K could be placed in there a week or a month before no issues. It just needs to be there when you apply and 6 months of statements with transactions are required.
Wannikea *********
Can you please outline what an employment certificate says/consisted of.
Paul *******
@Wannikea ********
I think that's pretty obvious. It's a one page summary confirming the individual is employed by x company since x date and a list of their duties. Confirmation the applicant works online or remotely. A brief summary of what the company does. Salary details may be included but don't have to be. Letter should be printed on company letterhead and signed and stamped by HR, company CEO/president or other authorized individual.

Should be addressed to consulate in question.
Wannikea *********
@Paul ******
thanks for that. I asked to get a response for others to use as a baseline.
Mar *****
Great Work Squire enjoy your new 5 year Visa ...

😎🙏🏽
Andi ***********
Thanks for the detailed breakdown. HCMH one of the better embassies for DTV applications. You had 500k THB in your final bank balance or in every month's statements?
Krisztián *******
May I know the answer for this one please?
Paul *******
@Krisztián ******
They don't require the 500K in there for 6 months. Even a few days is enough. I asked them.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Krisztián ******
I believe they wish to see 6 months of statements. I cannot confirm if they require the 500K in the account for the whole time, or not.
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant ok, you got the DTV approved in 3 business days?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
. Applied on one day, collected 2 days later, as stated on their website.