What were the experiences and challenges faced in obtaining a DTV visa in Vietnam and Laos?

Question

**DTV - rejected 1st time under workaction in Hanoi, approved 2nd time under soft power in Vientiane**

This group has been super useful as we were preparing for our application for the DTV, hence wanted to share our experience here alongside some tips that might be useful for others going through it. It has been an intense journey for us - it took us 4 weeks, 2 countries & lots of patience :D

Below you'll see the details + tips of the process. Turned out that Hanoi workaction route was not easy for us, even though we provided everything correctly we still got rejected without any reason why.

If you have any questions about any of the below, let me know, happy to help!

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-30th September left to Vietnam

-2nd October non B visa expired

-8th October further documents requested (further invoices & proof of income from company)
-9th October further documents requested (previous visa)
-10th October further documents requested (asked for work permit & business license in Thailand, submitted cancelled documents for both from our lawyer)
-10th of October few hours later REJECTED "unsuitable for DTV, please apply for non V visa & work permit, which doesn't make sense at all if proper look would have been given to our documents)

-11th October went to embassy - no help/support at all at the little window there, told us to send an email, which we did, but never got a reply

-11th October reached out ot Siam Legal for advice & support; they confirmed that our documents submitted for application make total sense & they don't understand why it was rejected; advised us to fly to Laos & apply there again (can highly recommend them!)

-12th October flew to Vientiane Laos
-14th October submitted all documents for soft power Muay Thai route via agency
-15th October went to the embassy to pay the visa fee of 10,000TBH. NOTE: we went to 10 different banks, non of which could exchange US or KIP to TBH. Best, do it at the airport.
-19th October received email for scheduled interview for the 28th of October
-28th October 10min interview at the embassy (what's your plan in Thailand, why Muay Thai, which Muay Thai school, show me payment for it in your bank account, how do you make income, show bank statement)
-28th October 4 hours later - DTV approved

Ask Thailand · Answer

This post shares a firsthand account of the challenges faced when applying for a DTV visa in Thailand, detailing a rejection in Hanoi and subsequent successful approval in Vientiane. Key steps included amassing necessary documents, navigating embassy procedures, and utilizing legal advice. The poster emphasizes patience and determination in overcoming bureaucratic hurdles, offering insights that may assist others in similar situations.

Anonymous ****************** · Answer

Congratulations! Very good insights. I am in similar situation with cancelled WP and Non-B. My soft power interview is lined up for next week in Vientiane. Can you please suggest few things:

1. I am planning to carry my Thai income tax filings for past few years to prove legitimacy of funds in my Thai bank account (I have given statement of ~10 mil THB)

2. I am also planning to carry my resignation acceptance and final settlement letters from Thai company, which led to WP and Non-B cancellation

Do you think it will make sense or should I just stick to what they ask for during the interview? Thanks in advance 🙏

Andi *********** · Answer

Seems Hanoi did not see you as being remote workers despite the cancelled docs anyway.  Patience + Determination paid off in Laos. Enjoy being a DTVER

What were the experiences and challenges faced in obtaining a DTV visa in Vietnam and Laos?

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