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What is the process for obtaining a DTV Visa in Thailand after being previously on a Non-IB Visa?

Jul 18, 2025
2 days ago
DTV Approved at HCM Vietnam

via Issa Compass under Soft Power @ Arun Thai Cooking School, Bangkok.

I would like to thank the School and the Agency for their highly efficient coordination and solid reliability. And a big thanks to the wonderful people of this community whose posts helped me make up my mind on how to do this, and kept me informed on what is to be expected.

I had previously held Non-IB visa for ~1yr, and two visa-exempt entries + 2 extensions. One of those was a border bounce. Also have a Thai bank account and condo rental for 1 year from my time working for a Thai company previously under the non-IB.

Timeline of the process (8 Working Days since application) -

Reached Da Nang 5th July

Document Setup 7th July

Applied 8th July to HCM

* Thai Bank Account 6-month statement with balance maintained > 500k THB, significant activity.

* Condo Rental Agreement

* Cooking school papers provided by Arun Thai School, Bangkok

* All Passport Stamps for Thailand

* Passport Bio Page

* Da Nang entry stamp

* Hotel Booking in Da Nang (Agoda)

Document Request 9th July

* All pages of passport including blanks - For this I took photograph side-by-side with my phone showing Vietnamese phone service and current date & time as proof. Additionally I took a photo of myself holding my passport bio page open in front of the hotel's signboard - after reading in the community that someone else did the same.

* Means to sustain yourself during stay - I read that you could resubmit the same 500k account statement for this, but I chose to include my bank account from my home country which also had 500k+ THB equivalent. However I did not share 6-months statement for this bank, only the last statement showing balance. Both bank accounts are in my name, and are savings accounts.

Pending Approval 10th July.

Approved on 17th July.

Questions are welcome :)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A community member recently detailed their experience obtaining a DTV visa in Thailand through the Arun Thai Cooking School and Issa Compass. They shared a timeline of their process, which took 8 working days, starting with document preparation upon arrival in Da Nang and concluding with visa approval in Ho Chi Minh City. Key requirements included maintaining a Thai bank account with over 500,000 THB, providing a rental agreement, and documentation from the cooking school. The post also encouraged sharing additional questions and highlighted community contributions that aided in the visa application process.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Tony ********
big fan of Issa Compass friends with Priscilla and them good people happy it worked out.
Diana ******
The Thai Arun Cooking school was charging me $45,000 for the papers,,
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Diana *****
I think you mean THB, not USD.

I paid the price that is mentioned on their website, for the 6-month course, and including the visa support package to get the refund guarantee in case of rejection.
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.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
I got in now, immigration only asked purpose of visit, was a quick process. 🙂 I verified the stamp, its marked as DTV visa class, and valid till Jan 2026.

I think I will print out a A6 sized DTV, and get it laminated as some have done. Looks neat that way.

Thank you for helping me :)
James ********
Anonymous participant Enjoy your 5 years of the DTV visa 🤗
Anonymous ******************
How many days do you need to submit the hotel reservation documents?
Anonymous ******************
Both banks need to have 500K ? Only statements bank ?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 214 I think not need 500k for second bank if any, but I had it anyways.

The statements have to have 500k for 6 months. I think some other consulates or countries might allow 3 months.