What is the process for obtaining a DTV visa in Vientiane, Laos?

Digital Nomad Visa Visa Process Vientiane Thailand Immigration Workcation Visa Application Remote Work Visa Laos Visa Embassy Procedures

Jan 24, 2025

5 days ago

Olivia ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

DTV approved in Vientiane 🎉 

This group was super helpful so wanted to share my experience. Overall it a super smooth process in Vientiane, and much faster than the timeline currently on the embassy website. 

* Applied online Sunday 19 January for workcation

* Paid at the embassy on Monday 20 January

* Tuesday 21 January at about 9pm received an email with an interview on Thursday 23 January.

* Went for my interview Thursday morning

* I got an email not even 10 minutes after leaving the embassy saying my visa was approved

* Back in Thailand on Friday, no issues at immigration

Total processing time: 4 business days

The interview was very straightforward, asked me about my job then made me login to my online banking to check it was my name on the account and then verified some transactions. Took less than 5 minutes.

## Documents included in application:

Passport

Photo

Current location:

Photo of Laos entry stamp and visa

Confirmation of hotel booking in Vientiane

Proof of funds:

Included three full months statements plus my January balance so far. Had over 500K each month.

Employment confirmation:

Letter from my employer confirming employment and remote work status, specifically mentioning I can work remotely from anywhere including Thailand

Employment contract

Copy of employer’s Singaporean business registration

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user shares their experience obtaining a digital nomad visa (DTV) in Vientiane, Laos, highlighting a smooth process with a total processing time of 4 business days. The steps included applying online, paying at the embassy, and attending an interview which involved standard questions about employment and proof of funds. They also provided details on required documents and emphasized the importance of carrying Baht when traveling to Laos due to currency exchange regulations.

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.

Paul *******

For Laos specifically you MUST pay for your visa in Baht. Unlike before Covid, it's very difficult to buy any foreign currency in Laos these days, due to government regulations. Moneychangers are not allowed to sell you foreign currency, not even at the land borders. At airports you may be able to purchase a small amount of foreign currency, by showing your passport and boarding pass, but that's it.

Banks might be able to sell you some currency as well, but may require proof of what you need it for. There may be other ways to acquire foreign currency, but it's rather tedious compared to how easy it is to purchase foreign currency with just your passport in Thailand.

Therefore, ensure you have the

*****

Baht in cash BEFORE departing for Laos and to be safe, bring more and keep this

*****

Baht separate from your spending money there. ATMs only dispense Kip (except for reportedly, one ATM up in the Golden Triangle SEZ, which dispenses both Baht and Yuan) but that's pretty far to go for a Thai Baht ATM withdrawal!