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What options do I have after my Thai sports training visa application was rejected without explanation?

DTV Visa Visa Rejection Taiwan Embassy Badminton Training Soft Power Activities Thai Visa Rules Immigration Expat Issues

Sep 12, 2024

3 months ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

DTV Soft Power Rejected (Sport Training), Phnom Penh Embassy

- USA Passport

- 1 week waiting time

- When i applied, they accepted all documents and $400 USD within literally 1 minute.

- ZERO explanation for rejections and they don’t respond to questions either. They just repeat Thailand rejected it. 

- At no point did they contact me and request additional documents, an interview, etc.

- Visa fee thankfully refunded

Documents provided: 

- 1 month bank statement dated end of August: $18,000 balance (~600k THB)

- 6 months brokerage statement dated end of August: Average balance $200,000 over 6 months (~7,000,000 THB)

Letter stamped and signed from my badminton club stating the following:

 - I am a former member

 - ALREADY PAID for 4-month Unlimited Membership AND 8 Private Coaching sessions

 - Official receipt showing amount paid, start and end dates of my membership. 

Now I’ve literally wasted money for the badminton sport training. Btw i am a former semi-professional badminton player so it’s not like this is some random choice.

What are my options? Repeat the process at a different embassy? Is there a waiting period until one can re-apply?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A visa applicant with a USA passport reports rejection of their DTV Soft Power visa for badminton training in Thailand by the embassy in Phnom Penh. They provided adequate financial documentation and proof of membership at a badminton club but received no clear explanation for the rejection. The applicant is considering reapplying at another embassy, but seeks guidance and opinions on the necessity of specific soft power activities as criteria for visa approval.

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Tom *********

if you want guaranteed visa and currently in thailand we can help

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Lee ***********

If you think logically it's a soft sport you can only get in Thailand, ove played badminton in the UK for 40 years, how can you explain and reason why you need to do this in Thailand for 5 years, that's their question and of course there is no answer, think logically and you will be successful, imagine you are them questioning the applicant!

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Jennifer ******

The soft power activity must be Thai specific and the school or gym must be approved for DTV application. Don’t think Badminton is a Thai sport. So maybe that’s why you were rejected?

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Jason *********

Which embassy did you apply through?

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Kevin ********

Probably down to not being properly qualified in the eyes of the Government as a recognised and taxable business in one way or another.

By that I mean the Badmington club, and did you really expect a membership to be suffice with a few private lessons?

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

i agree perhaps it has something to do with the business qualification. In that case it would be so much better if the listed the requirements or at least communicated if supplemental documents are needed? The PP embassy doesn’t provide any explanation or communication whatsoever. How can an applicant/business know what should be provided beyond what’s on the website? According to the embassy’s requirements i’ve met all of them.

On your latter point, we’ve had reports here of people approved (not in PP embassy) for 1 month muay thai camps, <3 month cooking courses, and proof of only a few medical appointments

Personally i thought 3 month unlimited training and 8 private lessons would be sufficient based on these reports. If the embassy asked for a longer period, i’d be happy to extend my membership and pay for more lessons.

Imagine I prepaid for 6 months and 20 private lessons? I’d be SOL right now.

I even emailed the PP embassy about badminton training weeks ago but no response

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Kevin ********

Anonymous participant they get approved by recognised, registered and taxable businesses, so it’s a different situation for Muay Thai as the businesses know how to do the paperwork.

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Kevin ********

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Shaughn ***********

Every year when I visit Thailand I sign up for a 6 month gym membership at Fitness First. They have many types of classes including some boxing and Muay Thai type classes in addition to the regular cross fit, les mills etc. Has anyone heard of people having success with any mainstream gyms that do have some Muay Thai on their timetable?

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Mike *******

Well done on the trading account BTW, that's a good chunk of coin!

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Graham *******

what does badminton got to do with Thailand?

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Eric *****

Is it possible to apply online via USA?

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Valerio **********

did the badminton school provide registration docs, a letter of sponsorship, etc.?

Safe bet would've been to go with muay thai. Thailand isn't exactly known for badminton.

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Shane *******

What nationality?

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Alex *********

Where badminton school is located? Is it possible to transfer membership?

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Eric *****

OP, please also send me that information. Perhaps I could help you and take it off your hands.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks, it’s in Chiang Mai. I’m going to hold onto it for now and ask other embassies if it would be approved.

If not, i will contact the academy and ask for a refund or membership transfer

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Anonymous *************

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Werner ************

The badminton school needs to be officially registered with the Sports Ministry as ‘DTV’ approved with the legitimate letter of registration etc

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David ************

This VISA seems almost like playing Russian Roulette. Sorry you got rejected

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Christopher *********

Badminton is not a soft power activity. Thai language isn't soft power.

I think you just made a mistake.

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David *******

I got mine under Education 'learning Thai' the establishment registered with the Ministry of Education and a highly respected, reputable , legitimate school...

however if I applied again under Education and sent a letter of confirmation that I was learning Japanese, with a private tutor in an office, whilst in Bangkok, I am sure the outcome would be different

Yes badminton is popular here but I wouldn't really describe it as a 'soft power' I feel it would be viewed the same as applying for a CrossFit membership or joining your local football club.

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Tim ***********

agreed. I think it has to do with Thai culture for acceptance.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for sharing your experience.

This is what’s so frustrating about this visa and various embassy requirements.

It almost seems arbitrary because what you’ve said regarding CrossFit, football club, etc is what’s officially allowed according to the Royal Gazette’s press release about the visa.

Some embassies hand out this visa like free candy based one one medical appointment, and some are incredibly strict.

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David *******

I agree also....when I sent my application I kissed goodbye to £300 fully thinking it would get rejected.

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Galen *******

Hi David, I started to learn Thai in a school (Chonburi) before the years of corona. I would like to continue studying the language now. Please tell me at which school you are studying.

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Galen *******

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Andrew *******

Badminton isn’t soft power, not much to think about here. That’s it

You’d need to submit documents that the company was registered for tax Id, registered with sports authority etc

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James *******

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Ko ******

Please make sure badminton is included in soft power. As far as my knowledge, soft power is cooking , muay thai and medical

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Greg ********

Did they see this as NOT a Thai Soft Power ie Muay Thai, Thai Cooking or Medical?

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Who knows? The problem in Phnom Penh is there is literally zero explanation. It’s a black hole once you submit documents.

I even directly asked them how to get this approved (i would even offer payment to an agent) and they just say “we don’t know, it was rejected”

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John *******

Anonymous participant I was lucky and got approved there (digital nomad), but agree, you can’t talk to anyone. My partner, who is Thai, was with me, and was surprised at how the staff acted

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Greg ********

Anonymous participant Phnom Penh seem to have tightened up. I had a Whatsapp message from an agent basically saying they worked with Embassy staff there and DTV guaranteed. A week later people saying they have tightened up. Maybe someone caught with fingers in the till?

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Greg ********

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Wesley ********

Was there any expectation that this would be granted to badminton?

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wesley *******

Shouldn’t this fall under “sport training”?

Is badminton not a sport? Thailand has some of the best players in the world.

Otherwise, what’s the point of them including “sport training” as one of the eligible activities if they’re only going to accept Muay Thai

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Tim ***********

Anonymous participant My interpretation is that the activity should be about Thai culture (ie: Thai Cooking, Muay Thai) not badminton. That is the reason for your rejection I can almost guarantee. Otherwise anyone can get a gym membership and there's no way that would count. Frustrating on your part for sure, sorry that happened. I would just try again if you can at another embassy. HCMC has a few spots open in 2 weeks before they move to evisa. They are quite a "friendly" embassy in this regards. Do you qualify for working remotely?

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Ian *******

@Tim **********

I think if the school or coach was registered with the Ministry of Ed, he would have had a better chance.

I know people can get a DTV for registering for a self Defence Course.

Badminton is one of the most popular participant sports in Thailand, after Soccer and Muay Thai.

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Ian *******

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Angelo ***********

Anonymous participant Likely only if the school/club is recognized by the Ministry of Education. I do not think you can randomly pick one. On the other hand making a festival/temple tour seems to count.

Sorry for your bad luck!

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant Here’s the google translate of what’s officially posted in the Royal Gazette

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Kace *******

Anonymous participant i agree and would say snorkeling and scuba trips using boat tours and or scuba lessons should also qualify.

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Artur **********

Anonymous participant Thai translation by Google ..🤦🏼

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Artur **********

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Greg ********

Anonymous participant Where does it say "Sports Training" though? All I see is "Thai Soft Power" activities - no mention of any other sports

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

The PP embassy here also has this document posted on the door.

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Wesley ********

Anonymous participant fair enough, maybe the badminton school is required to show more documentation, but I’m not sure

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Wesley ********

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