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What should I do after my freelancer visa application was rejected by the Thai Embassy in Singapore?

Oct 6, 2025
2 months ago
Just got a rejection notice from the Thai Embassy in Singapore.

I applied via the freelancer route - supplied all the documents necessary within the application form. My portfolio, my bank account showing 500,000 THB for 3 months.

I'm also a Singapore citizen applying.

I find it so weird that they didn't ask for more documents nor for an interview, but it just went from "Document Checking" > "Waiting for Approval" > "Rejected"

I'm trying to call them now to find out the reason. Should I head down to the embassy in person to ask for the reason for this 'ineligibility'?

Edit: Is there anything I can do about this now? Or just take the L and try applying from another country?

That $500 application fee hurts and I'm not sure if I would be willing to spend to try again even with Soft Power. It's ridiculous.

Final Edit:

I was just told by the embassy that I was deemed ineligible by the MFA HQ because I am a freelancer without a contracted income with a company. Kinda defeats the definition of ‘freelancer’ in my opinion, but it is what it is.

The staff also told me that things are becoming stricter and they’re approving less DTVs compared to the past.

For anyone else who is applying as a freelancer, just make sure you have yearly or permanent contracts with companies to show consistent income.

Well.. I guess I might either apply again through the soft power route or else just do visa runs every 2 months. Cheers to everyone that helped!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A Singapore citizen shares their experience of having their freelancer visa application to Thailand rejected without explanation. Despite submitting necessary documents, including a substantial bank balance, the embassy cited ineligibility due to lack of contracted income. The individual is advised to either appeal in person at the embassy or consider reapplying through different routes or countries. The community provides insights on documentation and the increasing strictness of visa approvals for freelancers.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Daya ******
Hi, I'm so sorry to hear about the rejection. We went through it in Jakarta. Am planning to apply again from SG when I came across your post. I'm wondering - did you share your income tax statement and ongoing contracts with companies?
Christopher ***********
The OP now has justification to request a chargeback by their bank/credit card company. Singapore Consulate requested additional information from another applicant. This they neglected to do from the OP and simply rejected their application instead. Complete lack of customer service.
Christopher ***********
@Callum ******
Agree. There are plenty of other countries especially if you have no ties. It’s still possible to find somewhere where you can border bounce using free visa exempt entries ad infinitum or simply stay put and pay a low fixed rate fine whenever you may decide to exit. My wife has several serious health problems and relies on Thai National Health Service for which we are both very grateful. Otherwise, we might be looking at alternatives ourselves.
Callum *******
lol. I have a DTV workcation and I’ll say something controversial here but I’m leaving Thailand 🇹🇭 this weekend, the place has really taken a nose dive these past 6 months, government is doing everything it can to kill off tourism and it’s definitely becoming less welcoming by the day, not to mention everything shooting up in price. Bailing for Cambodia 🇰🇭 with my partner, less hassle, easier visa, cost of living is decent, Thailand 🇹🇭 has had its day.
Anonymous ******************
I was asked to fix a document and after I got rejected. Kinda weird because why would you ask for a document change and reject anyway
Anonymous ******************
This group has hundreds and hundreds of posts from helpful people telling you exactly what documents to apply with for workcation, which embassy needs what and to combine everything into 1 PDF!! You could fit many pages in the limit they gave.

Unfortunately you definitely didn’t give enough information on your remote work, a portfolio isn’t enough. They won’t refund you.

You needed better research before applying.

Use the search 🔍 function in this group and apply again, probably from a different embassy
Coby ******
Happy to assist if you want. I can share my experiences with you on how I got my DTV in August this year. Feel free to DM if you wish. Thanks.
Anonymous ******************
If the content is made in Thailand, that’s work visa territory.
Anonymous ******************
U can try going there & talk to them. They’re usually friendly & helpful. A friend also SG citizen got rejected then they went through it w him how to resubmit and approved!
Steve *******
It says not eligible, so whatever job documents you supplied were probably not enough for them to accept you as a remote worker.

Did you write a cover letter explaining everything about your situation? That letter is usually what they look at the longest (more than 3 seconds)
Kyle **********
There's no scam. According to their reply, you aren't eligible for the DTV visa. Like other folks mentioned above, it seems you made mistakes or u don't follow the requisites from the embassy. Did you show them JUST your portfolio and your bank account with money seasoned for 3 months?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kyle *********
Yes, because that was what was asked in the application form. I assumed they would ask for my other documents (which I have prepared already) in the “additional documents” section.

I had no other areas to upload PDFs.
Saqline ********
If you’re comfortable, you can send me the documents you submitted there (not the bank one, only the section where you uploaded the work-related documents). I’ll check and let you know the possible reasons.
Kay *********
Wow, they take 500$ then don’t explain why rejected and not return the money? The ultimate scam!
Anonymous ******************
@Kay ********
Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it a scam. Before submitting all the information, it clearly states that the application fee is non-refundable if the application is rejected.
Henrik *****
@Kay ********
It is SG $

Approx. same fee everywhere.

Only fools that dont read the Thai Embassy website and the e-visa website thoroughly, will get supprised that the fee is non-refundable and that no reasons will be given in case of rejection

The Embassy has used manpower to process the visa so of course they should be paid fully.
Don *******
@Kay ********
it’s $500 SGD. 300ish euros. 3000 HKD. It’s less than a night out in Singapore
Kay *********
@Don ******
It’s 3 months wages in Philippines
Don *******
@Kay ********
$500 SGD is all relative. You can compare that with the wages of an impoverished third world country too.

There’s nothing scam about it. It’s an application fee for someone to review the documents. They aren’t working for charity - it’s a for-profit scheme. They also won’t give reasons as that would require time so it’s easier to reject. They don’t owe anyone anything. 40K+ applicants have been approved.
Anna *********
@Kay ********
seriously The charge is for the application not the approval If you knew anything you would know that
Christopher ***********
@Anna ********
Application fee is to provide a product/service. With that fee goes reasonable expectations of customer service. Fortunately, neither you nor the consulate get to decide what is reasonable.
Anonymous ******************
@Anna ********
yes, that's the beauty of the scam. amazing
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kay ********
Yeah my thoughts exactly. Or even helping me out with it.
Henrik *****
Why didn’t you read the Embassy website thoroughly before you applied, then you would know that no reasons will be given in case of rejection, and you are wasting your time to try to get one.

Nor did you follow this group very close, because then you would have known the same facts, and wouldn’t be surprised.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
I did read the embassy website and I prepared all my documents. However there were no sections on the application form that asked for invoices, just financial evidence, employment proof, etc

I was waiting for them to request for more documents where I could submit.

I also did do some searches in this group but I did not find any information about having to cram any random information into a pdf and just submitting even though it was not the answer to their question.
Henrik *****
Well you didn't prepare good enough, or simply isn't eligble
Che *****
How long did it take from submission to rejection? I reckon maybe it's something to do with steady flow of income, ie. they're looking for non-freelancers, just a guess. The SG embassy is not known for its friendliness.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Che ****
Submitted on 29th September, changed to Awaiting Approval on 2 Oct and rejected on 6 October
Maksym ***********
Not eligible - this is their comment for rejection.

What about rental agreement in Singapore AND accomodation/rental in thailand?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maksym **********
What rental agreement in Singapore? I live at home. My bank statement shows my home address. I was unable to submit any documents about my accommodation in Thailand because there were no areas to upload. I did fill in the accommodation information in the form though.