Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Why was my DTV application rejected in Laos and I was issued a tourist visa instead?

May 4, 2025
a year ago
Hey everyone, did anyone recieve the same like me? I came to Laos apply for DTV, had interview and then they send me Mail with: Youre Visa is approved, but then its not DTV its a Tourist Visa. The agency told in some cases they rejected it and gave a tourist visa..😕

Let me know.... Thanks
2,160
views
54
all likes
28
replies
12
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user applied for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Laos through an agency but was issued a tourist visa instead due to financial requirements not being met. Comments discuss the simplicity of the application process, the role of agencies, and advice for reapplying.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Anonymous ******************
Pay agent for what 😂 congratulations you got a tourist visa to visit Thailand 🙄
Like
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymer Teilnehmer 233 thanks for that comment
Like
Reply
Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I had all my documents ready, and yes they applied for DTV because in laos you need to pay in cash at the embassy and the agency sent me the paper for what it is (and there was written DTV). And then I had the interview with the officer in Laos. And he told me that they want to see the 500.000 THB minimum more then 3 months on bank account. Because I had the money only 1 week before on my bank account.

I thought they will reject it 100 percent after this interview but the agency sent me that it is approved but unlucky they give me the tourist visa
Like
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Come back in 2 months and reapply
Like
Reply
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 240 If METV it will be 6 months
Like
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
what is METV?
Like
Reply
Greg ********
Anonymous participant Multi Entry Tourist Visa. It is valid for 6 months and you get 60 days per entry and each entry can be extended for 30 days at an Immigration Office.
Like
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
oh ok yes cool at least
Like
Reply
Anonymous ******************
METV is a good enough option. Next time be more prepared
Like
Reply
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Robert ***********
So you paid an agency for a DTV visa and they got you a tourist visa? Just offhand....How much did you pay for that tourist visa and how long is it good for?
Like
Reply
Christopher *****************
I have received but never recieved. Interesting
Like
Reply
John **********
Sounds like you went for soft power and you didn't provide a long enough course. How long was the course you signed up for?
Like
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
what does it mean soft power?
Like
Reply
James ********
Anonymous participant
Like
Reply
John **********
Anonymous participant Muay Thai, medical treatment, cookery courses etc
Like
Reply
Reply to
John **********
Reply
Jonas *************
@John *********
are you actually allowed to "study" on tourist visa?
Like
Reply
John **********
@Jonas ************
Yes, you can study on any visa
Like
Reply
Reply to
John **********
Reply
Kyle **********
soft powers? if yes, did you choose a 3 months course or a 6 one? what's your nationality?
Like
Reply
Greg ********
You are the first one I have noticed from Laos. There have been postings from Japan and a couple of other places. If you went through agent it sounds like embassy sending message to agent
Like
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
They write this: your visa is approved with following conditions: and then attached the document Tourist visa.

I thought it's a mistake but the problem is i will never know
Like
Reply
Greg ********
Anonymous participant I do not think a mistake. It will have been very deliberate. The reason why probably never know.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
they communicate and register an email and after this I ask for all the communication and they sent me the emails but there was no reason or anything there was written, you application is approved with following conditions: toursit visa.... lol
Like
Reply
Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
One stage up from a refusal.
Like
Reply
Adrian ******
Curious as to why you went with an agency. If you got all your ducks in a row it's really straightforward.
Like
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Adrian *****
Anonymer Teilnehmer 826 I had all my documents ready, and yes they applied for DTV because in laos you need to pay in cash at the embassy and the agency sent me the paper for what it is (and there was written DTV). And then I had the interview with the officer in Laos. And he told me that they want to see the 500.000 THB minimum more then 3 months on bank account. Because I had the money only 1 week before on my bank account.

I thought they will reject it 100 percent after this interview but the agency sent me that it is approved but unlucky they give me the tourist visa. After that I felt so scamed and complained this case at this agency... at least they give me the money back fully even the money for the embassy.

I work online for Germans, in online Marketing, self employed. I chosed the agency because I wanted to get sure everything is working and they helped me with a lot of questions. But my experience now, the application is so simple you don't need agency.
Like
Reply
Adrian ******
Anonymous participant I'm one of the most disorganised people going but I read all the posts on the forum for a few weeks,got everything I needed to get together (soft power) and the rest was straightforward. The only thing I couldn't do was edit my passport data on my smartphone (it was a hundred years out)😀 but I went to the library in nongkhai and they let me use their computer for a couple of minutes. Good luck going forward
Like
Reply
Reply to
Adrian ******
Reply
Winston ************
So, you paid an agency for that? LOL
Like
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Winston ***********
Anonymer Teilnehmer 826 I had all my documents ready, and yes they applied for DTV because in laos you need to pay in cash at the embassy and the agency sent me the paper for what it is (and there was written DTV). And then I had the interview with the officer in Laos. And he told me that they want to see the 500.000 THB minimum more then 3 months on bank account. Because I had the money only 1 week before on my bank account.

I thought they will reject it 100 percent after this interview but the agency sent me that it is approved but unlucky they give me the tourist visa. After that I felt so scamed and complained this case at this agency... at least they give me the money back fully even the money for the embassy.

I work online for Germans, in online Marketing, self employed. I chosed the agency because I wanted to get sure everything is working and they helped me with a lot of questions. But my experience now, the application is so simple you don't need agency.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.