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Why was my DTV visa application approved as a Tourist TR Visa instead?
DTV visaTourist TR VISAJapanese embassyThailand visa processSoft Power Programvisa issuesdigital nomad visanon-immigrant visa
Nov 8, 2025
6 months ago
Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI applied for a DTV visa at the Tokyo embassy at the end of last month and had an interview in Tokyo on the 4th of this month. Today, the visa was approved and sent to me. However, it was labeled "Tourist TR VISA". The validity period is only about 6 months.What could be the problem? Has anyone else experienced a similar situation?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user reported that their application for a DTV visa at the Tokyo embassy resulted in approval for a 'Tourist TR VISA' with a validity of only six months instead of the expected longer duration. Community responses suggest that the embassy may have deemed the applicant's purpose insufficient for a DTV visa, with several users confirming it's common for Japanese embassies to issue shorter visas. Concerns about the adequacy of activities related to the Soft Power Program and general strictness of the Tokyo embassy were raised.
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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Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTERDear everyone, thank you for all your comments.
John *********
Surely they didn’t charge you the DTV fee of B10,000 just to issue a 6 month visa 🤷🏾♀️
Muay *************
Japanese embassys routinely issue a different visa to the one applied for.
Arun ***************
Hi Kazuman, sorry to hear about your Visa being adjusted to 6 months instead of the 5 years you were expecting. Unfortunately, I have seen similar cases to yours for applicants applying through Thai embassy in Tokyo. Embassy in Japan are generally more strict compared to some other embassies.
Other factors depend on the category of DTV visa you applied under. For example, under the DTV Soft Power Program, embassies have started requesting for minimum requirement of 1 class per week for the programs joined.
Happy to share more details as we're quite familiar with the process, we've assisted over 250 students successful attain their DTV visa. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions.
Other factors depend on the category of DTV visa you applied under. For example, under the DTV Soft Power Program, embassies have started requesting for minimum requirement of 1 class per week for the programs joined.
Happy to share more details as we're quite familiar with the process, we've assisted over 250 students successful attain their DTV visa. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions.
Anonymous ******************
私は今年3月にノマドで東京に申請しました。結果は1年間のnon immigrant o viza マルチエントリーを発給されました。
dtvの東京申請はハードルが高いようです。
dtvの東京申請はハードルが高いようです。
Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER匿名参加者749 １年有効ならO-A VISAでしょうか?私もせめてそれが欲しかったです。
Reply to
Kazuman *********
Reply
Jens ********
Read that very often here, the Problem is only you applied in japan
Christopher ********
@Jens *******
he’s JapaneseFrazer ************
@Christopher *******
doesnt mean he has to apply in japanKazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Frazer ***********
I can certainly apply for DTV in other countries. However, the tax return documents I submitted to prove my income are written in Japanese. If I were to submit these documents in, say, Vietnam, would they be able to understand them? I was worried that they would not be able to understand the Japanese documents and would reject my application.Christopher ********
@Frazer ***********
you’re supposed to apply in your country home residenceJulien ****
Reply to
Julien ****
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James ********
Bottom line... AVOID applying for the DTV visa in Japan.
Anonymous ******************
What about Chicago USA? I'm feeling like holding my breath until I know my result.
James ********
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f3aa27fc4f3James ********
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Reply to
James ********
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James ********
Anonymous participant 199 Chicago Thai Consulate is VERY good for the DTV visa. Look at their website for the DTV visa requirements. Note that the Thai Embassy or Consulate in the USA 🇺🇸 require US $16,000 or more in any bank account in your name only. Submit the number of bank account statements they require with the ending balance of US $16,000 or MORE on the most recent bank account balance.
Reply to
James ********
Reply
John *******
Did you apply as a digital nomad or did you apply to take a course? If a course, how long is it for?
Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
I applied for a workation.John *******
@Kazuman ********
- Unfortunately, they felt that you only needed a 6 month tourist visa instead. Did you tell them you didn’t plan to stay more than 6 months a year?Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
The DTV VISA allows for a single stay of up to six months, and the total duration of stays in a year can exceed that.John *******
@Kazuman ********
Yes, but you must have said something during your interview that lead them to believe that you didn’t need the amount of time a DTV offers and that a tourist visa would be sufficient for you in their eyes.Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
She asked me how many days I would be staying if this visa was approved. I told her that I would be staying for about 60 days this time, but that I had applied for a DTV visa in order to stay for more than 180 days a year.John *******
@Kazuman ********
- That probably did it. She believed that you could stay 180 days a year using tourist visas since your first stay was only 60 days. You can try to apply again after your tourist visa expires.Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
Yes, I will do that, but next I'll also consider a retirement visa.Andi ***********
@Kazuman ********
Tokyo Embassy is very strict on proof of the need to have a 5 year visa. Fukuoka and Osaka are much easier to get approved. I know a few Tokyo residents who chose to go there to get their DTVs. I chose to get mine in Taipei and met several other Tokyo residents doing the same as it approves much faster than Tokyo. You can apply from Laos, Cambodia etc when your TRV ends. Much easier to get the DTV there than Tokyo. Akirame naide kudasai!Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
Thank you.Reply to
Kazuman *********
Reply
Andrew *********
Soft power activity too short or not enough income maybe.
Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrew ********
I applied for a workation.Reply to
Kazuman *********
Reply
Greg ********
This has happened before in Japan. They issue a METV (Multi Entry Tourist Visa) with a 6 month validity and in their opinion you can complete yiur Soft Power programme in 6 months and do not need a 5 year visa.
Point******
Your softpower activity was 6 months?
Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI can not understand what softpower is.
Wannikea *********
@Kazuman ********
when applying for the DTV you apply for an entry scheme as either remote worker, or freelancer, digital Nomad etc. There is also soft power entry scheme which includes Muay Thai training attending, seminars or medical therapy. What was your scheme?Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wannikea ********
I chose a workation and listed my type of work as real estate rental business.Wannikea *********
@Kazuman ********
Seems like you didn't provide the proper documentation or didn't provide requested documentation. Did they request further documents? What exactly did you supply with your application?Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wannikea ********
After the initial application, I submitted the missing documents, which included three months of bank statements and a copy of my tax return. Then an interview was conducted, during which my passport was checked and I was asked a few questions, and that was the end of it. No further documents were requested.Shandy ********
@Kazuman ********
Is this real estate rental business passive income, or do you earn employment income from this? I think the second one is the one eligible for the DTV.Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Shandy *******
Real estate rental income is considered passive income. I also have earned income from employment, but since my passive income is greater, I wrote about that instead. That seems to have been a mistake.Wannikea *********
@Kazuman ********
what you need to show is how you can work online remotely to manage your business, or as an employee of a company where your work is remote. There is no income requirement for DTV, although they might want to know how you survive financially. You need to read, research, and understand the criteria that the DTV is granted for. The best resource would be Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) group search tool, using relevant keywords.James ********
Wise advice ✅
Shandy ********
@Kazuman ********
The LTR visa has a higher application fee but passive income is eligible past a certain threshold. If you still want the DTV, you may very well qualify with a SP activity or your job if it's remote. I'm not very informed about the LTR visa, so you'd have to do your own research.Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Shandy *******
There have been instances at other Thai consulates where DTV visas were granted even to people with low incomes. I will try applying at a different consulate next time.Point******
@Kazuman ********
dtv doesnt look on how much you earn as far as i knowPoint******
@जगद्गुरु ****************
yes proof of income. But not how muchReply to
Point******
Reply
Henrik *****
The Embassy didn’t think your purpose could justify a DTV, and gave you a appropriate visa instead.
James ********
The Thai Embassy issued a METV multiple entry tourist visa. Good for entry into Thailand for 6 months from the date the Visa issued.
Kazuman *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
I'm planning on staying for less than 60 days at a time, but since I'll be repeating these stays, six months won't be enough.James ********
@Kazuman ********
each entry gives you 60 days STAMP on arrival. Plus an ADDED 30 days extension of stay is available from your local Thai Immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.With planning, you can get up to 9 months in Thailand with the METV multiple entry tourist visa.
As you now have a Thai Visa in your passport, you will need to wait til it's ending to apply for another Thai Visa.
Reply to
James ********
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