Answered5 months ago

What should I prepare for when applying for a DTV visa in Laos under the remote work category?

DTV visa remote work visa visa application process Thailand immigration additional documents visa interview

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

asked Jun 7, 2026

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Hi guys, how are you?

Next week I’ll be applying for the DTV visa in Vientiane, Laos, under the remote work category. I already have all the documents requested on the official website, but I’ve been reading that sometimes they ask for additional documents and may even require an interview.

I’d like to know more about this so I can be prepared for either situation. If anyone has already gone through the process in Laos or has experience applying for this visa, I’d really appreciate if you could share your experience, what extra documents they asked for, or what kind of questions they asked during the interview.

Thank you so much!

Answer summary

The original poster is preparing to apply for a DTV visa in Vientiane, Laos, focused on remote work. They have all necessary documents but are concerned about potential additional requirements and the possibility of an interview. The community discussions reveal similar concerns among expats regarding documentation, visa runs, immigration restrictions, and personal experiences with Thai immigration offices. Specific advice includes being prepared for questions during the application process and considering long-term visa options, given recent crackdowns on border bouncing.

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Dac *******

Time to go back home. Your holiday is over.

With a dog here and you’re doing border runs when Thailand is clamping down on this practice and now you don’t even have a real passport, just a temporary one.

Stop running around Thailands rules and go back home. This is not your home

5 months ago

Paul ********************

Emergency travel documents are intended to get you home... Hence the reason many countries will not entertain its use for onward travel

5 months ago

Lynnette *******

You're planning a border bounce, not a visa run? That might be your issue. US passports are quite quick to do from BKK. What happens to your dog if you can't do repeat border bounces for exempt entry?

5 months ago

Gregor **********

Lynnette Munoz he could not do a visa-run on an emergency passport, because any online e-visa application outside of Thailand requires a 10-year U.S. Passport. And his border bounce depends on his recent stay history. From January thru June this year, Thai Immigration has denied entry to almost 30,000 border bouncers, and I guess he will be the next one joining ranks

5 months ago

Lynnette *******

Gregor Huettner yes, he's added that it's an exempt entry he currently has. He's applied for a 1 year passport and has 2 weeks left in exempt. I think I'd have applied for speedy passport instead of 1 year. US embassy can or could fast track passports if you've lost it.

5 months ago

Dexter *****************

Lynnette Munoz They told me it would take 6-8 weeks and I'd have to give them my passport for that entire period so it is physically impossible to do right now. And your last question, I have no idea. He gets stranded here, I guess. And obviously that is not a risk I am willing to take. I'll do whatever I have to do to make sure my dog and I do not get separated, but I need this kind of information first.

5 months ago

John **********

I've no idea about which countries have a problem with that 1 year emergency passport but whether or not Thailand accepts it your possibility of entering will depend on your history in Thailand over the past 12 to 18 months and what the immigration officer you stand in front of thinks of that history

5 months ago

Dexter *****************

@John *********

Is there a chance that they will ask me questions and give me a chance to explain myself or do they just read it, make a decision, and give a verdict? Or does even that come down to who I speak with?

5 months ago

Sam *************

Dexter Barrett Wooten a lot of it comes down to who you speak with, and you will be asked questions before anything else, but from your description it sounds like you're setting up to live in the country long term with the shortest term visa possible.

The country is explicitly cracking down on people who are "abusing" the visa exemptions by repeatedly leaving the country and returning.

Have you looked into more long term visas? You will probably only get away with a border bounce 2-3 times

5 months ago

Gregor **********

Dexter Barrett Wooten and PLEASE could you outline to us, which longterm visa-type this would be you are looking after? We all wish to make sure you are not dreaming. . . . You are not yet 50 years old, so your optioins are VERY limited. You cannot stay longterm on tourist visa. You cannot stay longterm on Non-Imm-ED visa. You cannot stay longterm on visa-exempt entries. . . . . You could apply for a DTV if you are elegible and have $15,500 USD in your bank account, but that must be done OUTSIDE of Thailand. You could buy an Elite Privilege 5-year visa for 900,000 Baht. These are your options, forget about the rest

5 months ago

Dexter *****************

Sam Birchenough As I said in my original post, I plan to get a real long-term passport and long-term visa after I can do just this one trip. I would start that process right now but am not able on account of the time constraints.

5 months ago