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Why are there a growing number of visa application rejections in Hanoi, particularly for the Soft Power Program?

Dec 31, 2025
4 months ago
UPDATE: I thought this group was to help and assist people with applying and advice. But it’s starting to be full of people who just comment negatively offering no advice or accusing people of wrong doing without evidence.

I came here to discuss my recent experience and suprised people have this much time on their hand’s. If you have nothing useful to say just keep it to yourself.

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I’ve seen 3 rejected in Hanoi posts today & I was also rejected for an applicant I helped apply for Soft Power Hanoi

I had two recent success with Hanoi soft power & did nothing different other than applicants passport & bank being a different bank

Embassy havent told me why it was rejected & considering I had two approved I am struggling to spot the problem.

Any one else rejected in Hanoi this week?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around recent visa rejections for applicants of the Soft Power Program in Hanoi. Multiple users express their frustration with the rising number of rejections and speculate on the increasing scrutiny from the embassy due to higher application volumes and potential fraudulent activity. There are mentions of concerns regarding the use of similar application documents, the need for more robust program commitments, and advice suggesting that applicants may fare better applying from their home countries to avoid increased scrutiny in Hanoi.
Kenneth ***********
No one in this group are experts on Thailand immigration guidelines...(that was your first mistake). It's okay to share personal experiences, but using this network as a means to obtain guidance may not be a good idea.
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Arun ***************
Like someone else has mentioned, it is likely that Hanoi has one of the highest volume of applications to process for the DTV visa hence it is reasonable to assume that there would be a quota limit for each period. Naturally the vetting process would also be tightened up.

For Soft Power Program, we know that the embassies are starting to require activity providers to offer more classes. Because we were contacted by several of them asking us to adjust our programs to minimum 1 class per week, and most had 6-10 classes per 6 months.

From our cooking school, we are very happy to share that we haven't seen any rejections since following their instructions and changing our program (2 months ago) to 1 class per week. Overall I'm sure the embassies also want more commitment for applicants since the visa is for 5 years after all.
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Mo ******
Guys you can go somewhere else. I visited Vietnam and I am in Indonesia now. These countries have réal arguments against Thailand!
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Chris *********
I doubt they are exactly the same because even with soft power you still need to show your income and I doubt thier income is exactly the same.
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Christina ********
@Chris ********
this is not true for everyone stop saying that like its a fact. If you had to do it because of the embassy you applied through then say that.

I applied through LA proof of income was not a requirement.
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Chris *********
@Christina *******
you had to show your bank records where ur income was deposited though didn't you?
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Christina ********
@Chris ********
nope. I transferred all the money into one account from various accounts in May. When I applied I showed June, July, August statements they did not see a single income source.

Many people in this group have done various versions of that including just showing savings. So its inaccurate to continue to post that there is an income requirement for soft power dtv. In the future make sure you disclaim that was YOUR experience.
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Christian ******
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Christian ******
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Bob **********
Soft power will get tougher and tougher as time goes on
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Anonymous ******************
Sounds like BS to me. People scamming the system then getting caught and coming onto this Facebook page for help haha not a real agent so your work is done get a real job
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Winston ************
Stop copy-pasting from one application to another
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
How can you copy and paste and application?

Different people, different address, different bank, different hotel or accomodation in Hanoi.

If you meet all the eligible criteria why would you be rejected

I’m not an agent, just helping people apply whose first laungage isn’t English.

I’m being scrutinised for being helpful.

I thought this group was to help people, but it seems it’s full of people who just want to tear others down
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant too many white old men with too much in their hands hiding behind their keyboard and trying to make themselves feel better! dont pay attention to them
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Anonymous ******************
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Greg ********
@Winston ***********
You may have hit the nail on the head. Agents being lazy and all applications same.
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Greg ********
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Mick *****
There is a lot of people applying through Hanoi. These are not people living in Hanoi that have suddenly decided they want to move to Thailand or do a course in Thailand. Most of them are those that were living long term in Thailand on Visa runs and their time is up and they can no longer do a visa run to stay. This means two things, one that consular office is very busy and two they are looking very carefully at these applicants for anything fraudulent. The reality is you are probably better off going back to your home country and applying from there. There is likely to be less scrutiny and a faster process.
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Alan ******
I think alot more people are applying now 🤔, as they have tighten up on people without a proper visa's.
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DioPar******
Well, are you telling us that after sending hundreds of applications using the same format but with a different name has started looking suspicious and that led to deny several visas lately??? And let's not mention that this forum is open, I really doubt that officials never check these pages to see what it is going on
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John **********
Despite you being anonymous it sounds like you are acting as an agent for applicants. Are you using the same template for each applicant? Is each applicant signed up for their own soft power activity with their own documentation from the activity provider? Too many similarities across applications are going to raise red flags. Are the applicants actually in a location served by the Hanoi consulate and do they remain there throughout the application process?
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Not an agent no, a friend helping people who’s first laungage isnt English.

And not a template but a process. The applicants have supplied their own bank statement, house contract & gym documents.

And yes stay in Hanoi city the whole time.

Everything is correct in terms of approval. I’m confused what’s wrong
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Anonymous *************
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Anonymous ******************
They don’t tell you and you age to pay again ?
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Greg ********
I have seen a few posts by agents saying their clients rejected in Hanoi the last few days. Do they know or can tell it is agents applying?
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Greg ********
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