Why was my DTV visa application denied after being told I qualified by the consulate staff?

You’re out the $650. It states that very clearly on the EV application that the application fee is absolutely non-refundable.  you only get one bite at the Apple for the $650 application fee.

If I have the money they require in my account and usd 5k a month coming in for living expenses from rental properties do I have to be over 50 to apply to move looking in to moving before kids head college to help split income here and there and save for there college while living semi comfortable and having money for there college

Would remote work be legal under the soft power category?

Rather than look for another category to apply under, maybe you can analyse why your application failed. Perhaps some of the evidence was not acceptable. Your financial evidence, your company evidence.

Because if you apply again under a different category and the thing that was wrong is still wrong, you’ll get rejected again.

Get ED visa in Thailand if you can afford it

Frustrating to hear that some folks are getting the visa, based on a 2 week cooking course, when other legitimate remote workers are being denied. Also frustrating that the acceptance policy seems to vary wildly between consulates and embassies.

I advised one of our volunteers against applying for a DTV evisa because of the no-refund rule. The UK consulate denied his application for a non-O visa because of a new stipulation (for an official document that isn't commonly available) and refused to refund the application fee. *

The applicant was going to reapply for a DTV, but there was the risk that it would also be denied over some minor quibble, and then he'd have been out of pocket for £300 (well over the stipulated ฿10,000).

At least if you apply at a consulate in a neighboring country, they only take your fee if all the documents are in order.

* Update: for some reason, at the very last minute, they did issue the volunteer visa, after all - go figure!

You don’t seem to be a remote worker or fit the criteria - the embassy staff don’t give approvals by phone

Do 3m in TH and 3 in VN and back and forth. Staying 180 days or more in TH will make you a tax resident and you will need to file BS returns... Just not worth the hussle.

well there is no 'appeal process' once you're denied/rejected for the online eVisa service meaning you're out the 650 CAD and you would have to pay again if you're going to apply again.

As some people suggested, come here free stamp entry for 60 days find some reason to qualify for the "soft power" category, then go to a nearby consulate here in S/E Asia and apply

You should enrol in a class n get letter from school n bring back to consulate n they need bank statement of $20k CAD

Was your funds for the 500k in an investment account or rrsp/TFSA? I think Canada is a bit weird about that

For what it is worth maybe try a Thai Embassy rather than a Conultate with local hires. Without saying too much I have known non-Diplomat Consuls to be useless in certain locations. Embassy staff when not being "Diplomatic" about them have been known to be scathing.

Sorry to hear that. As others have said some countries closer to Thaialnd seem to have less steep requirents. However, it foes involve costs of getting here and then travelling again even if only to a country close by. Your case seems stronger than someone doing a 2 week cookery course or 3 dental appointments as some have been approved.

Did you have proof of revenue and income to show them? Just having an online business doesn't prove income. Present your invoices and revenue stream and tax documents maybe?

Sounds odd. Your job/work situation is the prime target. Maybe that is not why your were rejected? What did you show for financials?

Sorry to hear that. Might I ask how much time elapsed since you lodged your online application and the status changed to rejected?

Brother, my thoughts would be , you come to Thailand in 60 days visa exemption and stay around for sometime and meanwhile you may find a Muay Thai or some kind of classes

And consulates around Asia seems to be a bit more leniant

Let's make it late than never and we can 💪

Am very curious how this will progress as Sydney office were not very friendly at all