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Which country is best for obtaining a DTV visa: Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, or Cambodia?

Sep 3, 2024
2 years ago
Which country is the best for do visa DTV Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia? Please answer my question thx you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around which country is most suitable for applying for the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) among Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Many commenters agree that Vietnam, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, is highly recommended due to positive experiences, followed by Cambodia. Malaysia and Laos receive negative feedback, especially Laos, which requires strict documentation and has higher rejection rates without an agent. Additionally, Jakarta and Taipei are suggested as potential easier alternatives due to lower document requirements and quicker processing times.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Lili ********
In Canada Thai embassy is too strict n charge 16,457 baht for DTV n now they don’t want investment n I had to ask bank to prove that it is redeemable within 24 hrs. They don’t want dental appointment n I need to get a treatment plan n still have no visa yet. Asian countries r best place to apply.
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Christopher *********
I can tell you Jakarta was easy for me.
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Finlay ***********
@Christopher ********
how many months statement did Jakarta ask for?
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Christopher *********
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Paul *******
@Christopher ********
How many days turnaround in Jakarta?
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Christopher *********
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Christopher *********
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Dustin ******
Go for TTEO (Taipei)

Same day issuance.

Consistent rules.

No “undertable” things
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Marianna ********
@Dustin *****
does appointment needed there and if buy any chance , do you know if the company registration papers has ti be authenticated by its local embassy? The website doesn't mention deitals just the typical. Thank you
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Andi ***********
@Marianna *******
No appointment needed in Taiwan.
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Marianna ********
@Andi **********
thank you! Was there any specification on the bank statement like 3-6 month banked money like in other embassy around? I am trying to skip that part if possible. Thanks for your time
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Andi ***********
@Marianna *******
1 month bank statement with 500k is enough going by postings.
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Marianna ********
@Andi **********
definitely, my first option now. I was between Jakarta or Taiwan but looks cheaper to make the trip and 1 day approval sounds amazing. Thank you
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Andi ***********
@Marianna *******
Me too was choosing between Jakarta and Taiwan. I got an email from Taiwan embassy " proof of resources is enough as long as you have 500, 000THB when you apply" . They respond fairly quickly to emails.
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Dustin ******
@Andi **********
yes they reply mails super fast. I even got a 10-min reply in workday afternoon
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Marianna ********
@Andi **********
ahhh nice! It can be a day trip then. Amazing👏 I haven't seen on the site if there is anything about Nationality. They only listed some, so I will email too. Good luck!!
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Andi ***********
@Marianna *******
Yeah, you should ask any questions you have before going, so as not to waste time. They told me, if they have questions or require more documents it can take up to 3 more days. Also make sure you have a Taiwan number they can call you on after you submit your application. If not you have to get a SIM and then return with your application. They want a local number.
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Marianna ********
@Andi **********
great info, thanks!! Wouldn't think if that!
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Marianna ********
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Andi ***********
@Dustin *****
Did you apply in Taipei?
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Dustin ******
@Andi **********
yes, smooth as silk
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Andi ***********
@Dustin *****
how many months bank statements they need with 500k?
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Dustin ******
@Andi **********
I provide 1-month statement, but I also give another supplementary doc: 6 month balance certificate of my brokerage account
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Andi ***********
@Dustin *****
ok, Thanks, I was also thinking of giving my investment balance as a back up to the 500k.
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Andi ***********
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Tim ***********
All the posts I have seen from Vietnam have been extremely positive, particularly HCMC. That's where I am going shortly.
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Alex ********
@Tim **********
HCMC was very easy as long as you have all the right docs. The staff is friendly.
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James ********
@Tim **********
they are strict and will grant you the DVT, if you have met all the requirements for it. Read their website carefully and the PO posts from others who have been in Vietnam to get the DVT visa...on Thai Visa Advice forum and this one too.
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Farzad *******
@Tim **********
i'm gonna try HCMC soon too, i've only read positives about Loas too. I think more experiences from Laos have been posted VS HCMC
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Paul *******
@Farzad ******
Laos has had lots of rejections, mainly due to funds being banked under 3 months. Vietnam is much better. Cambodia is better than Laos too.
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Tim ***********
@Farzad ******
hard to say but I disagree. I think that just more people are going to Laos because its closer / easier to get to, but HCMC has had very positive reviews from the few that have posted.
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Tim ***********
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Tim ***********
@James *******
I've read them all, very simple and straightforward. The best part, for me, is the guaranteed 2 days turnover.
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James ********
@Tim **********
some Thai Embassy or Consulate are are taking 15 days

Vietnam 2 days.
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Tim ***********
@James *******
yeah, I know. Thats the embassy I was talking about in my comment. All the SE asian once seem to report less than 7 days. The evisa consulates are longer.
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Tim ***********
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Fabien ******
By following posts from 2 days only with a bit of research (thanks to the ones who posted their feedback), I would say 1. Jakarta and 2. Taipei 😉

(Especially because of the documentation requested, more specifically bank statements of 1 month only as it is one of the main concerns)
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Dustin ******
@Fabien *****
yup by far I think Taipei is the best

They prescreen you docs before charging fee and they also hold a very consistent basis. No “under table rules”

I think one of the reasons why TTEO is so applicant-friendly:

Most mainland Chinese applicants can’t apply in tteo unless they held a resident ID in Taiwan. So officers there are yet being bombarded by fake documents.
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fabien *****
so Jakarta is the best?
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Anonymous *************
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Paul *******
Definitely not Laos unless you use an agent and/or have 6 months of 500K banked.

Out of the ones you've mentioned, Vietnam is the best, followed by Cambodia..I'd put Malaysia and Laos at the bottom. Again, unless you're willing to pay a good amount to an agent who will guarantee you a visa from Vientiane.
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Bernie ********
@Paul ******
Where did you hear about the 6 months? I emailed the embassy and they told me it‘s 3 months
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Paul *******
@Bernie *******
Vientiane wants 6 months. One guy was rejected there because he could only show 3.5 months worth of money banked.

I emailed Vientiane and they only replied with a generic link to their website, which doesn't show anything.

I'd recommend going to Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi.
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James ********
@Bernie *******
different Embassy or Consulate have different requirements for the DTV visa
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Bernie ********
@James *******
I know, I was talking about Vientiane Laos specifically
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Bernie ********
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Marianna ********
@Bernie *******
I called them and they say nothing about this.
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Paul *******
@Marianna *******
One guy was rejected in Vientiane for showing proof he had the 500K in his account for the past 28 days.

Vientiane seems to want 6 months worth of funds banked. Some conflicting reports suggest 3 months is sufficient yet a Burmese guy was refused because he only had 3.5 months of statements and the funds were only transferred or rather, above 500K for 3 months prior to applying.

That's why I'm saying anything under 6 months at Vientiane or Savannakhet is risky. I wouldn't attempt it.

Or you can pay an agent
*****
and they'll overlook it. Allowing you to apply with a balance of 500K held in your account for only 1 month or even 1 week.
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Marianna ********
@Paul ******
got it thanks. In Jakarta they ask for 1 months only maybe that would be better option. Don't really know what to do they kee0 changing
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Paul *******
@Marianna *******
Jakarta is a better option.
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Marianna ********
@Paul ******
I don't mind to do it in Jakarta, my worries if they change the rules in the next 4 week over there😀 and I reserved everything etc that would suck
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Paul *******
@Marianna *******
I understand your concerns. That being said, I doubt Jakarta will tighten up much by then.

Laos are among the strictest for a few reasons: 1) proximity to Thailand 2) large volume of applicants, particularly Burmese citizens 3) a corrupt agent system, which drives some applicants towards using their services 4) the cheapest application fee as they charge fees in Baht.
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Ray *****
@Paul ******
has there been any indication of what the agents are charging in Laos. Just interested to see if it's cheaper than flying to Jakarta or Taiwan
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Paul *******
@Ray ****
There is. One agent is charging a whopping
*****
Baht (including hotels and transportation for 3 days and 2 nights), or
*****
Baht without.

This is still a bargain compared to the most famous agent, who's charging 60,000!

I think the only reason to use Vientiane and pay an agent is if you can't wait 3 months for funds seasoning and need the visa now and for some reason don't want to get on a plane to a consulate further afield.

However, for this price (even the lower one) you can fly business class to Yangon, Ho Chi Minh etc, stay in a 5 star hotel and still have money leftover compared to using an agent.
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Marianna ********
@Paul ******
got it. I will also check Taipei, someone said they issue the visa on the same day. So I guess I will either do Jakarta or Taipei if that's true 😀
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Paul *******
@Marianna *******
Taipei has same day service indeed. Try it out and report back here.
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Marianna ********
@Paul ******
will follow
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Bernie ********
@Paul ******
thanks for the clarification! I‘ll better prepare 6 months then. It‘s kind of infuriating, i specifically asked them and they wrote „At least 3 months of financial statements“.
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Paul *******
@Bernie *******
OK one guy just showed a text stating 3 months worth of 500K banked BUT definitely prepare 6 months worth of statements.
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Bernie ********
@Marianna *******
Thailand...............
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Marianna ********
@Bernie *******
😃😃😃
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Marianna ********
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Sarah ******
@Paul ******
does 500k mean end of monthly balance or consistently above 500k for the entire months?
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Paul *******
@Sarah *****
In Laos, consistently above 500K for 6 months. Elsewhere, just the closing balance or maybe for the past month or so.
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Paul *******
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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Anonymous *************
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Corrine ******
Jakarta
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@Corrine *****
Jakarta,doesn't need so much documents
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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Anonymous *************
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Michelle *******
Definitely not Malaysia!!!
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Sab *****
@Michelle ******
you tried?
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Michelle *******
@Sab ****
yes. Had no luck. Turned me away because my acceptance letter from my Muay Thai gym was emailed to me and they only accept original copies
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Sab *****
@Michelle ******
where u going now?
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Michelle *******
@Sab ****
I’m in Thailand now on a standard tourist Visa for 60 days and then I’m going back to my home country to apply
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Ko *****************
@Michelle ******
Did you go to apply in KL or Penang?
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Michelle *******
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Ko *****************
@Michelle ******
Are you going to apply soft power category?
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Michelle *******
@Ko ****************
yes, Muay Thai
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Ko *****************
@Michelle ******
Will you apply from your home town? Where is it?
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Michelle *******
@Ko ****************
yes. I’m going to try evisa when I’m back in Australia
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Ellice ****
@Michelle ******
any luck with the DTV Muay Thai application from Australia?
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Michelle *******
@Ellice ***
yes, the online process in Australia was easy and fast, 72 hours and visa received
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Ko *****************
@Michelle ******
Hope to obtain it as fast as possible. Best wishes ❤️
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Michelle *******
@Ko ****************
thanks. You too.
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Michelle *******
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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Anonymous *************
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Henrik *****
Your home country.

They are familar with the kinds of documents that are common in your homecountry, and may even approve documents in that language, which may be rejected elsewhere.

Also your whereabout, is simpler where you have a stable residental adress.

Furthermore E-visa may be available, so you can make your application, from the comfort of your livingroom, and the process can be halted at any stage, if ex. you need another document to substantiate your application, insted of aborting the proces at an embassy, where you need to leave, and come back, and again have to wait in line for hours.
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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Paul *******
@Henrik ****
Depends if they have local staff who can understand your language. If the staff are Thai, assume they understand only Thai and English, not German, French, Spanish or whatever the language may be.

Also, most countries are using the e-visa system now and more will be added by next month.
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Henrik *****
Chances that they have staff talking your mothertongue, is way higher, than applying at a Embassy far from home, and which not know what documents you normaly have access to, and their format.
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Paul *******
@Henrik ****
Unless they're also employing staff who are citizens of the country you're applying in, that isn't usually the case. That being said, everyone speaks English so that's all you need. Also, I'm certain that documents submitted need to be in Thai or English and this is a global thing.
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Paul *******
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Anton ********
@Henrik ****
my country have no Thai embassy 😅
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James ********
@Anton *******
what is your home country?
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Henrik *****
There is still an Embassy in a nearby country, who cover your part of the world.

Just answer the 3 questions at the E-visa webpage, and you will get directions about where to apply.

***********************
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Henrik *****
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