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Why was my DTV application rejected in favor of a 6-month METV?
Digital Nomad Visa (DTV)Tourist Visa (METV)Visa application processThailand immigration rulesWorkcation visaEmbassy regulationsVisa rejection reasons
Sep 10, 2025
8 months ago
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI got a 6 month valid tourist visa (METV) instead of DTV!
I applied for DTV under the workcation route. What would their reasoning be behind this?
I applied for DTV under the workcation route. What would their reasoning be behind this?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user applied for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) under the workcation scheme but received a 6-month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) instead. Various community members provided insights on potential reasons for this decision, suggesting that the embassy might have lacked confidence in the applicant's profile or documentation. Some comments emphasized that embassies do not typically disclose reasons for visa decisions, and alternatives such as applying at a different consulate or demonstrating stronger proof of remote work might be more successful in the future.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Elías ****************
I don't know you nor your details, neither you mentioned any. But, just thinking out loud, it might be they think you're not a real remote worker or they didn't trust your papers and gave this shorter visa as a trial test, after which you can get a regular DTV? It might also have something to do with you already having lived "too much time" before in Thailand with visas that weren't supposed to do that?
Henrik *****
Embassies does not give reasons, which you would have known if you had read their website.
give it up.
You got what the Embassy see fits you needs based on your application, they could just have rejected you totally
give it up.
You got what the Embassy see fits you needs based on your application, they could just have rejected you totally
Steven *********
Following
AllSabaai ******
The major reason is that your visa profile doesn't give them the feeling of the confidence to issue you this visa type for you ka , yet.. they were somewhat nice to give you METV that can be used wisely to get up to 9 months' stay in Thailand with correct planning for your in and out..
So you haven't lost the whole fee away...
Our advice is to choose the soft power line for the next time and another embassy, not India. For your next try after your METV is over
Good luck ka
So you haven't lost the whole fee away...
Our advice is to choose the soft power line for the next time and another embassy, not India. For your next try after your METV is over
Good luck ka
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@AllSabaai *****
quick question: Can I extend the 60 days tourist visa/ METV for 30 days as an 'Indian passport holder'. From a few sources I heard Indians can't. Could you confirm that please?AllSabaai ******
@Tejas *********
you can extend 60 days stamp for another 30 days for a feeReply to
AllSabaai ******
Reply
Wannikea *********
Other than saying you applied using the workation scheme, you haven't provided any details, so it's impossible to give you any relevant useful feedback. If you want to lay out in detail where, what, when, how long, how much, exactly what you submitted, did you provide a cover letter, what extra documents were requested if any, then your submission can be analyzed and feedback presented.
James ********
@Wannikea ********
well said ✅Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@AllSabaai *****
yes I was requested for documents and did submit cover letter. Would you mind if I drop a dm along with my documents?AllSabaai ******
@Tejas *********
sorry ka That won't be useful You already have METV and you can use it . Plus we don't do anything regarding DTV workation .. Regards 🙏Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@AllSabaai *****
My 500k was invested at places which gets an interest rate equivalent to 20-40k thb for 3-6 months. .That's another unseen cost for me if I wait 3-6 months moreSince I already made a seasoning of 500k baht for 3-4 months. I was thinking of cancelling the METV visa which the embassy said can be done if you email us. Then can I reapply from outside? What would be honest your take on this?
The overall cost for me waiting for another 6 months, going back n forth every 60 days turns out to be a lot.
Wannikea *********
@Tejas *********
what type of bank account did the 500k season in?Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wannikea ********
personal savings account for 3 months. By investment cost I mean the interest that I would have got if I had kept the 500k baht in the investments such as stocks, Sip, lending.Wannikea *********
@Tejas *********
500k needs to be in a regular personal bank account, not an investment account, or fixed term interest account, or anything else. And depending on the embassy you apply at it typically needs to season for 3 months.Reply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
Tod *********
We've seen this happen a few times where embassies did not issue the DTV and instead issued another type of visa (keeping the difference in visa fees ;) )
The sad thing is that now you have to wait until this 6 month METV expires before you can apply for a new multi-entry Visa
I would say use the time you can get out of this METV and then apply for a DTV at another Thai consulate
The sad thing is that now you have to wait until this 6 month METV expires before you can apply for a new multi-entry Visa
I would say use the time you can get out of this METV and then apply for a DTV at another Thai consulate
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
But the thing is, this seasoning of 500k baht comes with an investment cost. The money that was lost and will be lost from the interests (20k-40k thb extra) again for the 3-6 months is a lot for me So instead I was thinking of cancelling and re applying somewhere else right now. What do you think? Any embassy suggestion?Also can a embassy cancel a visa to just make a profit? Just curious
John *******
@Tejas *********
multiple embassies want to see a stable income source, even when applying for the soft power DTV. Vietnam is one example.Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
what would be considered a stable income?Reply to
Tejas **********
Reply
Paul *********
@Tejas *********
what do u mean investment costs. Are u saying u borrowed the money ur that u cancelled an investment. Even if u did it’s only for a two week period then reinvested again. But if borrowed then mb u can’t afford to satisfy visa. Mb also your business is not what they consider a business or if your working for someone mb it’s not suitable for long term.
I submitted my company docs my clients contract and letters from them so it could be anything
Dany ********
@Paul ********
with investment cost he most likely means missed gains plus sell/rebuy cost of stocks for example. very reasonable what he is saying. 2x3 months of seasoning. thats half a year of gains missed. on a conservative 10% annual gain invest that is 25k baht plus fees. so his numbers are very reasonable.same as the fact that putting 800k in a thai bank for the retirement visa is plain stupid. same story.
Paul *********
@Dany *******
i doubt at this time period of a cycle anyone is getting 10% annually in the bank unless its invested at higher risk portfolio like sp 500. currently most banks in my country are offering around ***
Dany ********
@Paul ********
no one is talking about banks. no one would put money in a bank and hope for gains… of course you invest in something like s&p500 or nasdaq100 or msci all world or whatever investment you think works for you. these gain average 10% annually and are not high risk at all. just check the last 90 years that the s&p500 is out for example ;) in the last 5 years people literally doubled their money in it. some more risky things like crypto are also an option but we were talking fairly conservative here.Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dany *******
yes I'm not going to discuss my investment portfolio here but there are several things that have an average of 10-12% return. Even sip has a track record of 12%Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dany *******
exactly 💯Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ********
I submitted my client's business licences too. I had a transaction history with them since past 2 years which I shared too. ( Is there a income limit they look for now?)Also I'm talking about the investment cost. I don't think any financially responsible person would let the money sit in the bank idle. The interest that I get from those 500k is alot and is my investment opportunity cost
Reply to
Tejas **********
Reply
Dany ********
@Tejas *********
you will loose more money in a soft power dtv considering the course cost and the uncertainty for the future and ongoing activity proof that will come at some point. just use the METV and stretch it out for 9 monthsTejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dany *******
That was my exact reasoning. I didn't want to commit to a 6+ month course plus the uncertainty for the future. Since I already had all criteria ticked for workcationAlso Mumbai was notorious for not even considering the soft power, they still wanted a stable income source
About the METV, I was thinking of cancelling it after using it for 3 months or just now, cuz the seasoning of 500k comes at big investment interest cost for me if I wait 3-6 months more to re apply. Also I'm not sure if I can extend it to 9 months as an Indian passport holder.
Tod *********
@Tejas *********
you aren't gonna "cancel it after using it for 3 months" 🙁 You can't cancel that visa at all, it'll come up in the system as an active multi-entry visa and you won't be able to get a new visa until that one expires
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
but the mumbai embassy themselves told me that. If you want to reapply for a dtv visa. You can email us to cancel the current visa and then reapply.Tod *********
@Tejas *********
right my mistake I didn't see that comment of yours You're correct the issuing embassy can cancel it.
You have to have it done thru them and they would cancel it in the system
However it is so rare to have an embassy cancel a valid multi-entry visa that there are no reports of anyone doing it after they used the visa to enter thailand and started staying on the visa here 😕
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Andrew *****
If you showed proof you have clients and money coming in I don’t get why they’d reject you. I’d be pissed too. Don’t know why people here are giving you a hard time about asking for advice
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrew ****
Exactly. That's how most folks are here. Miserable old Uncs.I prepared for a whole month collecting documents, consulted, lost my investment money for the seasoning of 500k baht + fee and despite ticking every criteria, they rejected and people are telling me to be grateful for 60 days multiple entry tourist visa. That isn't of any use for me. If I'm not missing anything I was rejected unfairly. Let me know if you'd mind reviewing my docs for me?
Andrew *****
@Tejas *********
yeah it’s the same on Reddit unfortunately. I’d be of no use reviewing docs I’m afraid, I never applied for a DTV, just interested in doing so (but also worried to). Sorry palTejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrew ****
yeah no worries mate. Good luck for your visa application. I'd recommend you go with a refund guaranteed agent like @Issa **********************************************************
. Cuz they give you application approval guarantee. I'm exploring the same option for me this timeJames ********
@Tejas *********
frankly I would AVOID applying for the DTV in India. Try Jakarta NEXT time.And research the forum for others from India... where did they get their DTV visa approved ?
James ********
@Tejas *********
Tejas Khairnar pardon me but you are WRONG with your claim most folks here are Miserable Old Folks I believe that there are MANY fine folks who are willing to share helpful advice.
Andrew *****
@Tejas *********
nice one cheers 🙏 good luck!Reply to
Andrew *****
Reply
Rok ********
Looking at your online profile Muay Thai application would be much more suitable.
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rok *******
yeah but I won't be training the whole 6+ months. Nor would I wanna buy that long of a courseAlso from other's experience, mumbai embassy hasn't even been considering soft power. They are eventually only looking for the income and if you can sustain. yourself long term. Which tbh completely breaks the whole of soft power dtv
Anton ********************
@Tejas *********
you don’t need to train for 6+ months to get softpower. You can get DTV on like 5 weeks booked.Rok ********
@Tejas *********
it sounds you are or have been in Thailand recently; try to apply from a neighbouring country.Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rok *******
yes will be doing the same. thank youReply to
Tejas **********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
And what are you doing under ”workcation”
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 199 freelancer/ independent contractor working with multiple clients in us
Reply to
Tejas **********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
How many days you applied for?
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 953 DTV visa is for 5 years? If you mean by hotel booking, it was 120 days
Anonymous ******************
@Tejas *********
Did they ask for accomodation proof or did u send it during application?Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 953 I did send it during the application but yet they asked me again along with flight details when requested for additional documents. So I even booked a flight and sent that too.
Reply to
Tejas **********
Reply
Brian *********
Possibly they viewed your social media content
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brian ********
and what about my social media content?Reply to
Tejas **********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Reasoning is they don't wanna give you a 5 year visa
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 147 are you saying they issue visas based on who is cute?
Reply to
Tejas **********
Reply
Jo *******
Telling us which country you applied in sometimes helps us notice a pattern.
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jo ******
mumbai, IndiaReply to
Tejas **********
Reply
Henrik *****
Embassies does not give reasons, which you would have known if you had read their website.
give it up.
You got what the Embassy see fits you needs based on your application, they could just have rejected you totally
give it up.
You got what the Embassy see fits you needs based on your application, they could just have rejected you totally
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henrik ****
'embassy does not give reason' no sht sherlock, I saw u been spamming the same sentence on every post.Some embassies are making their own rules. Despite fitting all the criteria from the thai gov curriculum, they will reject you cuz they weren't in the mood, had to fill quota or weird lookup towards things. Some embassies don't even consider freelancers as a legit status cuz it's not a traditional job. If that's the case then they should display that. It's us who are paying fees, time maintaining funds at the cost of investment from our pocket.
Some embassy systems are too conservative and unfair. I don't wanna apply on a luck basis. And it needs to be called out or shared with others
Reply to
Tejas **********
Reply
Roman *******
How many times are you gonna ask the same question? Maybe that's the reason?
Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Roman ******
if you had read carefully. Context might be the same but the questions were different. I am just trying to sort this problem and make sure I don't get rejected again.. 🤷If you have a problem with me getting help, free to skip man.
Anonymous ******************
@Tejas *********
You can't apply for any visa until your METV it expires in any cases.Tejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 390 the embassy told me I can cancel it by emailing them
Reply to
Tejas **********
Reply
John *******
@Tejas *********
since you now have a METV, you can’t apply until that expires. DTV requirements change frequently. Suggest waiting until you can apply again to explore issuesTejas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
but the investment opportunity for another 3-6 months comes again at cost 20-40k thb for me. So I was thinking of reapplying since I already made the seasoning of 500k thbJohn *******
@Tejas *********
- From what I have seen, if one applies while they have a valid visa already, their DTV application will be canceled. Since the e-visa system is used by all embassies, they all will see that you have the METV.Reply to
John *******
Reply
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