My DTV just approved in HCM. Thank god this is over. I can't be bothered to type the whole ordeal but in a nutshell I been living out of my backpack since 27th Nov bouncing around Asia losing money on cancelled flights, rescheduled flights. Yes, in part due to my own errors. I initially planned to apply at Vientiane but the website is a bit tricky. Slots seem available but when it comes to booking them they are actually unavailable when you try to click them.
SUMMARY
Been living in Thailand 14 years on mix of working holiday visa, work visas, marriage visas, tourist visas. Previously to the DTV was NON-B.
Applied Savannakhet (Muay Thai) with correct documents - DENIED FOR NO REASON
Applied HCMC with EXACTLY THE SAME DOCUMENTS - Approved in 3.5 business days. No requests for further documentation.
I submitted 2 foriegn bank statements totalling $500,000+ AUD. Seasoned well over 6 months.
Selected unemployed with $0 income.
Permanent address of family place in Australia which matches with my driving licence.
Current address - Hotel booking HCM.
Thai phone number.
Thai address on bank statement.
Thai billing address on payment card. (debated as possible reason for payment issues).
Current location document: Entry stamp to HCM and hotel booking. Not all pages.
MUAY THAI DOCUMENTS FROM PHUKET:
Acceptance letter in Thai and english addressed to HCM specifically.
Receipt
Copy of gyms certification card from "BOARD OF BOXING SPORT"
Copy of owners id card
Business licence and DBD document - This has a different company name to the gyms name. That was Savannakhets stated reason for refusal. IT'S NORMAL.
Screenshots of gyms google, IG, FB and website for good measure.
Done
A FEW SMALL NOTES:
- AIS roaming in Laos doesn't work - Don't bother with it.
- Loca is the local rideshare app and works great in Vientiane. In Savannakhet no Loca but Xahn instead.
- Common Grounds cafe is a good base in Vientiane with wifi, food and aircon while you are room-less.
- Laos evisa 5 business days - They respond to emails during this time. "Sorry mister".
- Vietnam evisa - Mine took 6 days. They do not respond to emails.
- Entry to Saigon. Expect upto 2hrs in immigration line. Use Grab or Hotel transfers from the airport. Grab still running scams but much less so.
- Thai evisa website. You can upload only 1 file for each category a maximum of 3mb each.
- Yes I also had payment issues - Solved by using a different authorisation method.
- AIS roaming works fine in Vietnam most of the time.
I joined FB just for this group. I will delete this account in a day or so but the post should remain to benefit others.
Thank you to the posters in the group
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shares their experience of navigating the DTV visa application process following a denial at the Savannakhet consulate despite providing the same documentation that was later accepted in Ho Chi Minh City (HCM). They recount living out of a backpack for several weeks, struggling with flight cancellations, and navigating tricky visa application systems in different locations. The post provides detailed documentation submitted, insights on using local apps and services, and various challenges faced during the visa process, all aimed at guiding fellow expats.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
