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What might have caused my DTV visa application to be denied in Hanoi despite a strong application?
DTV VisaVisa DenialHanoi EmbassyExpat ExperiencesED Visa HistoryImmigration AdviceVisa Application Process
Apr 9, 2026
21 days ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERGot denied today at Hanoi. Soft power via 12 month cooking school. Used the best agent who was very professional and will give a refund. 600k in personal account for 5 months, plus 80k+ coming in from my family monthly in my Revolut account which I included 6 months of account statements. Photo at the embassy. Everything in order really. Applied Mar 19th, pending approval March 24th, denied April 9th. I had 2 prior ED visas and as a result I'm fluent in Thai and Mandarin, but the agent said they thought this was why I was denied. They're asking the embassy for more details, but as you know it's not likely to get much of an explanation. We never know what's positive or negative in life. I'll keep trying.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user reports a denied DTV visa application in Hanoi after providing evidence of financial stability and a history of education visas (ED). Despite working with an agent and meeting typical requirements, concerns arise over recent changes in visa approval trends in Hanoi, particularly regarding applications linked to previous ED visas. Community members speculate that the user's prior ED visas may have negatively impacted the application. They suggest alternative advice, including applying from one's home country or using different visa routes.
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.
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Tim ***********
Why did you mention that you are fluent in Thai and Mandarin ? Just apply for the cooking class and don't try to show off. Give them as little information as possible so they cannot misinterpret it
FunApri*******
I think there’s a few red flags here that built up to rejection. 1. Hanoi appears to be clamping down on DTV applications, it is better to apply in home country. 2. Cooking school is probably the weakest route in. The strongest options are work-cation route, with business or job from a country outside Thailand. 3. Agents are an inherently suspicious pathway (I don’t want to go into more detail - if you know, you know). 4. Prior ED visa suggests you are not really a tourist, and the DTV is a tourist visa. The government gets a lot more money from ED visa than DTV also.
My recommendation would be to apply in your home country or place of residence outside Thailand, by yourself not an agent, and use work-cation route.
My recommendation would be to apply in your home country or place of residence outside Thailand, by yourself not an agent, and use work-cation route.
SincereG********
they figure you've been living in Thailand on different visas. try the metv visa . looks easy to get.
Benjamin ***********
I'm done with Thailand done done done!
Understandi***********
@Benjamin **********
Hey princess, do you stamp your heels when you say that?SincereG********
@Benjamin **********
you'll be back crawling to get in. lolGreg ********
@Benjamin **********
Its not an airport or railway station. No need to announce your departure.Benjamin ***********
@Greg *******
another vaccinated loser who's so insecure he trolls others with a locked account 😂 common make my day you sad loserGreg ********
@Benjamin **********
Hit a nerve there Benny. Need a hug Hunny?Caleb *******
@Greg *******
that mRNA sharpened your humor (and heart muscles)Reply to
Caleb *******
Reply
Thai *****************
You’ve such a good spirit. Best of luck 😊
Alexandra ******
Write to me, I had exactly the same problem. Will give you a good advice🙏 Also fluent in mandarin and almost fluent in Thai
Clifton ************
@Alexandra *****
I’m in the same situation. Did you apply somewhere else? I got denied in Hanoi yesterdayAndi ***********
@Clifton ***********
Did you apply for Workcation or Softpower?Reply to
Andi ***********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Get another Ed visa
Alyssen ********
Anonymous participant 408 probably cant. We are here in ED visa and they used to allow 2 to 3 years, now you can only do 1 year
Anonymous ******************
@Alyssen *******
get a new passport then do another edReply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Been seeing a big pattern of rejections recently in Hanoi
Robert ***********
I will bet those prior ED visas are your issue. They seem to reject more people that have had an ED visa. I know of a guy who was refused in Washington DC and his only issue was a prior ED visa. No border hops. No extended stays. He owns his own company and is very well off financially. But they denied his application.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERYes, it's understandable since some people abused the visa. What wealthy person just spends extra? None I know. We have money because we know how to keep it working and know how to budget. I could either buy an Elite or stay on ED and learn Thai which I was going to do anyway. It seemed like a no-brainier. Keep the cash making money in the market, have the visa and get fluent. But these scammers ruined it, and from what I've heard ever having an ED is a disqualifier for having an Elite visa now. I know foreigner who scam the system flagrantly... I followed the rules. I'll keep following the rules but it's heartbreaking to be treated this way. Especially after investing so much of my time in a culture.
Chris *******
Anonymous participant I'm in the same boat, my friend. Just get another ED visa. Downside is, we will be limited in moving in and out of the country
Reply to
Chris *******
Reply
Greg ********
On paper you had a strong application and would have been approved in most places. Maybe Hanoi are clamping down on applications through agencies?
Andi ***********
@Greg *******
Someone else has said Hanoi is clamping down on agent applications. Seems like it is.Clifton ************
@Andi **********
really? I was just denied yesterday. I thought agents were good to use and less complicatingGreg ********
@Clifton ***********
I think the agents that check your documents for completeness and know what to look for are probably OK. The ones that claim to have an "In" etc with embassies, I would be wary. We have seen what happens in the past when certain agents or establishments fall out of favour - mass cancellation of visas. This happened with "Vol" and Ed visas.Clifton ************
@Greg *******
oh really? So the agents with the “in” fall out of favor and the embassies cancel the visas of the applicants that used the agent? It’s such a *****
system I’m not complaining, it is what it is. I meet the requirements, I hope next time it gets approvedGreg ********
@Clifton ***********
I think you have just fallen foul of whatever is going on with Hanoi at the moment. Good luck next time and sure it will be fine elsewhere.Greg ********
@Clifton ***********
The previous cases were not with Embassies. This was internal in Thailand. Just last years 1000s of Ed visa cancelled in Chiang Mai. One reason for big rush for DTV in Laos.Andi ***********
@Clifton ***********
You were denied where? Vietnam has seen an increase in applicants using agents particularly for soft power. Agents can be good to use if you get the right one. It is not less complicated using an agent, the agent does not simplify the approval process.Clifton ************
@Andi **********
Denied in Hanoi, i also had ED Visa but i cancelled it properly first with immigration before applying DTV. I agree i know agents don’t guarantee approvalAndi ***********
@Clifton ***********
Your application says denied or cancelled? You applied for Softpower or Workcation? Vietnam has had a lot of ex ED visa applicants who abused regulations which affects genuine applicants like yourself unfortunately. Apply elsewhere, Laos, Indonesia, Manilla are good options.Greg ********
@Andi **********
I am wondering if a lot of these ex Ed refusals are linked to the 1000s revoked in Chiang Mai last year?Andi ***********
@Greg *******
Yes, they are and many applied with SP,Greg ********
@Andi **********
The revoked visas were mainly a single nationality though. A lot more being caught up in it in HanoiClifton ************
@Greg *******
@Andi **********
I remember the ED Visa revokes, I made sure to go to a reputable school and actually attend and not miss a day of class. Unfortunately yes, others like myself are probably caught up in some of the fallout.Greg ********
@Clifton ***********
Yeah when it happens many get caught up in it unfortunately. There is a long history of this happening. There was an agent over 25 years ago in Suk Soi 23 Bangkok. A large number used to hand over passports and off they went to Penang. Then the agent thought it would be even more profitable if he had his own Immigration Stamp and did not pay the fees at the border and in Penang. There was a bit of a panic with that one. More recently was certain immigration offices granting VOL Visas. Big Joke was appointed head of Immogration and cancelled them all. Even legitimate charities cannot get those visas now.Clifton ************
@Andi **********
It just said rejected in email. Yes i heard many people abused ED and now people get denied DTV. My agency also recommended going to Laos nowAndi ***********
@Clifton ***********
You got money back from the agent? Many get approved 2nd time around elsewhere but triple check your application again before applying..Clifton ************
@Andi **********
No, they said they will Re Apply in Laos for me no charge since I already paid the fee once to them.Andi ***********
@Clifton ***********
ok, that is good, not to pay again. Give an update when you get approvedReply to
Andi ***********
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERYeah.. it was a mistake on their part. I used an agency since I'm not good with paperwork.
Axel *******
Anonymous participant would also be easier for you as you could do it in Thai.
They may give you more information as they normally would that way
They may give you more information as they normally would that way
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant why don't you ask the embassy directly to get a better answer instead of asking the agency to ask the embassy for you about the reason for rejection? You could give them a call or since you mentioned taking a photo at the embassy you could try going there and asking in person.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERgood idea!
Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
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