Answered6 months ago
Why are DTV application fees quoted by agencies in Thailand lower than the embassy fees?
Hi all,
I just returned back from seven weeks in Thailand and loved everything about the country.
 I currently have a job in Canada that allows me to be 100% remote, I’ve consulted a few different agency’s to streamline the DTV process.
My question is I’m getting quoted between 14,000 thb all in (their fee, review and embassy fee) upto 16,000 thb for their fee and 8,000 thb embassy fee. If the Canadian embassy fee is $650 (15,100 thb) alone. How are some of these reputable agency’s charging as low as 14k all inclusive?
Thank you,
I just returned back from seven weeks in Thailand and loved everything about the country.
 I currently have a job in Canada that allows me to be 100% remote, I’ve consulted a few different agency’s to streamline the DTV process.
My question is I’m getting quoted between 14,000 thb all in (their fee, review and embassy fee) upto 16,000 thb for their fee and 8,000 thb embassy fee. If the Canadian embassy fee is $650 (15,100 thb) alone. How are some of these reputable agency’s charging as low as 14k all inclusive?
Thank you,
Answer summary
The user inquired about varying quotes for the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) application process in Thailand, noticing agency prices ranging from 14,000 to 16,000 THB, while the embassy fee alone is quoted at approximately 15,100 THB. Community responses suggest that many Canadian applicants find the application process straightforward and recommend handling it independently to avoid unnecessary agency fees. The conversation highlights competition among agencies, causing some to undercut pricing without offering quality assurances, leading to skepticism regarding their quotes compared to official fees.
50 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Joe *********
Contact
@Raphaël *******
for DTVWannikea *********
43 responses all telling you that using an agent for a Canadian application is a waste of money. Read the room.
Wannikea *********
Honest to God, Canada is the last place that you need an agent to help you. The Thai consulates in Vancouver in Ottawa are very user friendly.
Anonymous *************
OP@Wannikea ********
thank you,  i’ll do it on my own this week
Bradley ***********
Use an agency
GrayPa*******
I am also Canadian and did the application myself. It was very easy and straightforward; you don’t need an agency. I was approved on the first try
Wannikea *********
Anonymous participant where did you get these quotes? If they're from ambulance chasers in these groups saying message me DM me and they've only had a Facebook profile for a week then...
Anonymous *************
OP@Wannikea ********
one of them is Thai visa centre definitely a larger one that I found
Kurt *************
Do it yourself, not hard
Nicolas ***********
Paris
Axel *******
They are not.
You really don’t need an agent for it as it’s easy to assemble the documents if you use the step by step guide. Used it and got approved in Sydney in 4 days for workcation.
You really don’t need an agent for it as it’s easy to assemble the documents if you use the step by step guide. Used it and got approved in Sydney in 4 days for workcation.
Sass *********
If you meet all the requirements, just apply yourself. All they do is make sure everything is filled out correctly. I did from Bali and was approved in 9 days. I honestly believe unless you have something like money moved around into one account and therefore dont meet the time requirement on funds, its just a waste
Greg ********
Its a race to the bottom now with so many agencies entering the market and competing on cost not quality.
Anonymous *************
OP@Greg *******
how is an agency quoting me a cheaper price than the embassy fee? This is what I’m not understandingGreg ********
Anonymous participant As Andi said. The embassy is extra. Some agencies wrap it all in like Issa Compass I believe at 18k
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant what they quote is the agent fee. You pay embassy fee separate.
Micheal *******
19 year olds are doing it themself online. I'm sure you can figure it out for free mate 👍
Sophie *****
Agency - singular; agencies - plural. Apostrophe + s is the possessive form, for example: the agency's name. To answer your question: it is definitely not cheaper to apply with an agency than to apply without one.
Christer *****
@Sophie ****
Writing on phone's often produces that unintentional apostrophe by itself 😉
Charlie ***************
Make the application yourself ! Happy to speak about my experience and yes I have a DTV and leave the UK 🇬🇧 end of this month.. subject to Dubai airspace .. DM me if you wish 🇬🇧🔜🇹🇭🙏♥️😎⚡️💯😊
Tha****
Apply on your own. Its super simple. As long as you FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS and don't make any scrivener's errors. Triple check. Give them more than they ask for, copies of all degrees and credentialing certs, and several months of bank statements. The main focus is that they want to make sure you are the person that you claim to be, and that you can support yourself while in Thailand. That's it.
Jonathan ******
Is it a guaranteed approval if you pay? What happens if you get rejected? Which agencies are you looking at? Also a Canadian with a remote US job. I will pay up to $1k USD if they can *guarantee* a DTV approval. My DM's are open.
Matt *********
Do it yourself . Really isn’t difficult
Melissa *******
I used a step by step guide that had letter templates and checklists that made it really easy to go through the process, and it was very affordable, compared to agent charges. It has all the steps of what to include, so nothing was missed.
I estimate it saved me about 10+ hours of my time researching and trying to find out what to do!
Got my visa in 4 business days.
PM me and I can share the link with you!
I estimate it saved me about 10+ hours of my time researching and trying to find out what to do!
Got my visa in 4 business days.
PM me and I can share the link with you!
Ravi *********
@Melissa ******
Can you please send me the linkMelissa *******
@Ravi ********
PM sentRavi *********
@Melissa ******
Thank you
Tarrah **************
@Melissa ******
is there anyway you would consider sending it to one more person? Me...😊Melissa *******
@Tarrah *************
PM Sent
Shy ****************
@Melissa ******
I sent you a DMMelissa *******
@Shy ***************
pm sent
Steve *********
@Melissa ******
hi, would you mind sending to me please?Melissa *******
@Steve ********
PM sentMelissa *******
@Steve ********
hi steve, you'll need to look under message requestsSteve *********
@Melissa ******
can’t see it but pmd youSteve *********
Sly *******
Took an hour to apply. Why burn money.
Andi ***********
The process is simple enough to DIY.1000s of posts in this forum with tips to make a successful application yourself.
Resa ****
You don’t need an agency just do it yourself
Rok ********
14,000 certainly does not include the application fee. The application fee included used to be at nearer 60,000. Considering you have a genuine remote job it should be easy for you to apply yourself as long as you have 500,000 baht seasoned on your local bank account as per consulate requirement (will state on their website).
Greg ********
@Rok *******
Issa Compass were 18k including fee and money back guarantee. Those higher priced ones were usually aimed as those with more difficult passports. Highest I saw was 150k
Todd *********
Why did you go back?? Usually a one way street for Canadians. But applying with the RTE in Canada should be very straightforward. No agent needed. You could have stayed in SE Asia and used an agent though
Anonymous *************
OP@Todd ********
Have to come get my 9 year old dog and sort him coming with me.
Gene ******
Because it’s so simple. Don’t use an agency. Just do it yourself. Tell ChatGPT about yourself, then ask it what documents you need to submit for the DTV. Based on what it already knew about me, ChatGPT wrote up a business plan for me.  I submitted the documents, they came back, asking for a couple additional documents which I submitted, and I was approved.
Gene ******
I found getting a DTV to be quite easy. This is what I asked ChatGpt just now.
———————————————————-
“Please put yourself in the role of a Thai immigration official.
I am a US citizen. I want to go to Thailand in the winter for four or five months. I am a landlord and rent out four rooms in my house. Every month, I need to pay the bills and collect the rents online. I would like to get a workcation DTV for Thailand. Please give me a complete list of the documents I would need to submit.”
————————————
This is ChatGpt’s response. I submitted items 1-6 plus
1. a short PDF business plan showing the rent I get from each room
2. The first page of my IRS 1040 income tax form and Schedule E which showed rental income.
They requested the IRS 1040 so I submitted it again.
Then they approved. It was actually quick and simple.
It seems to me that they want to approve as long as you can demonstrate enough money in a checking account and that you are generating income.
———————ChatGpt response————————————
If I were telling you exactly what to upload, I would tell you to assemble this:
1. Passport biodata page
2. Passport-style photo taken within 6 months
3. Completed Thai e-Visa DTV application
4. Proof of current U.S. location/residence
• driver’s license or state ID
5. Bank statements for the last 3 months showing at least 500,000 THB equivalent
6. Business/self-employment proof
• business license, DBA, or other registration if available
• if no formal registration, add strong substitute proof plus explanation
7. Professional portfolio PDF
• describe your rental business and remote duties
8. Proof of rental business activity
• leases
• rent ledger
• recent rent receipts or bank deposits
• property tax/deed records if available
9. Income proof for the last 6 months
• rent roll, bookkeeping summary, bank deposits, Schedule E, tax return excerpts
10. Personal explanation letter
• self-employed landlord, remote online management, no Thai employment
11. Thailand accommodation details
12. Tentative flight itinerary if available
13. Any additional post-specific items required by the embassy/consulate where you apply
———————————————————-
“Please put yourself in the role of a Thai immigration official.
I am a US citizen. I want to go to Thailand in the winter for four or five months. I am a landlord and rent out four rooms in my house. Every month, I need to pay the bills and collect the rents online. I would like to get a workcation DTV for Thailand. Please give me a complete list of the documents I would need to submit.”
————————————
This is ChatGpt’s response. I submitted items 1-6 plus
1. a short PDF business plan showing the rent I get from each room
2. The first page of my IRS 1040 income tax form and Schedule E which showed rental income.
They requested the IRS 1040 so I submitted it again.
Then they approved. It was actually quick and simple.
It seems to me that they want to approve as long as you can demonstrate enough money in a checking account and that you are generating income.
———————ChatGpt response————————————
If I were telling you exactly what to upload, I would tell you to assemble this:
1. Passport biodata page
2. Passport-style photo taken within 6 months
3. Completed Thai e-Visa DTV application
4. Proof of current U.S. location/residence
• driver’s license or state ID
5. Bank statements for the last 3 months showing at least 500,000 THB equivalent
6. Business/self-employment proof
• business license, DBA, or other registration if available
• if no formal registration, add strong substitute proof plus explanation
7. Professional portfolio PDF
• describe your rental business and remote duties
8. Proof of rental business activity
• leases
• rent ledger
• recent rent receipts or bank deposits
• property tax/deed records if available
9. Income proof for the last 6 months
• rent roll, bookkeeping summary, bank deposits, Schedule E, tax return excerpts
10. Personal explanation letter
• self-employed landlord, remote online management, no Thai employment
11. Thailand accommodation details
12. Tentative flight itinerary if available
13. Any additional post-specific items required by the embassy/consulate where you apply
Jonathan ******
@Gene *****
I did this and was rejected. $578k USD remote job. No reason given at hanoi. Gemini Pro is free with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business and it did not help the approval. I need to grease some thai wheels instead.Gene ******
@Jonathan *****
interesting. I wonder if I was lucky because I am a US citizen applying in the US. The embassy here might be more inclined to approve.
Zess ********
@Jonathan *****
something must have been wrong. I have significantly less than you, and probably significantly less, yet was approved
ArticulateS***********
@Jonathan *****
don’t try it. No matter how good your application or how clever you think you are there was something about it they didn’t like. You just got unlucky. Apply again.
Christian ***************
@Gene *****
I Did the same. 👍Activity
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