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What was your experience applying for the Soft Power DTV visa in HCMC and what advice do you have for others?

Nov 12, 2025
3 days ago
April **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sharing our experience 😊

Hubby applied for soft power DTV in HCMC on 2/11/25 @ 8:15pm.

4/11/25 -They requested all passport pages and 6 months bank statements (he initially uploaded 3 months). He uploaded docs same day.

5/11/25 - They requested proof of letter stating ongoing pension and what his plans were in Thailand after the 6 month course. He uploaded docs same day. Stating he intended to keep training Muay Thai.

6/11/25 - Pending approval

10/11/25 - Approved

Arriving back in Bangkok 10/11 IO didnt request to see any print out of DTV. Initially stamped in with 60 days until she realised there was a DTV attached in which she scribbled the date out, corrected to 180 days and that was it.

My advice, check your dates before leaving the IO counter 😊
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post shares a detailed experience of applying for a Soft Power DTV visa from Ho Chi Minh City. The application process involved submitting various documents such as passport pages, bank statements, and proof of an ongoing pension. After several requests for additional information, the visa was ultimately approved. Upon arriving in Bangkok, the immigration officer corrected the initial 60-day stamp to a 180-day duration upon recognizing the DTV visa. The post concludes with advice to print the DTV visa email for proof during travel.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Luit *****************
A better advice than "check your dates" is just follow the advice MFA gives when you apply for the visa and just show your printed visa to the IO together with your passport.

Or did you also wait for the IO to request before you handed over your passport...
James ********
Thank You for your helpful report 👍

Congratulations 👏👏👏

PRINT OUT THE EMAIL THAT HAS YOUR DTV VISA.

That's what you should do... print it out.

You may have to show PROOF of your DTV Visa to airline staff on check-in for your flight ✈️ to Thailand...even to the connecting airline staff. Or to the land border crossing entry Thai Immigration Officer.

Upon arrival into Thailand, show the DTV visa to the Thai Immigration Officer and look at the STAMP placed in your passport to be sure you are STAMPED in for 180 days.
Anonymous ******************
How old is your husband ?