Unanswered5 months ago
Why was my DTV visa application denied despite strong documentation as an Airbnb host?
Hi everyone,
I recently applied for the Thailand DTV through the Los Angeles consulate and was denied with the reason:
“Ineligible for DTV visa.”
My application included:
* Proof of U.S. residence
* Financial statements showing substantially more than the required funds
* Airbnb hosting profile (11+ years hosting, Superhost status)
* Active Airbnb listings
* Current reservations
* Cover letter explaining that I operate and actively manage a furnished housing / hospitality business remotely through online platforms
I received no further explanation for the denial.
Has anyone with a similar self-employed Airbnb/property management business been approved?
Does anyone have insight into what aspect of my application may have made me ineligible?
Would reapplying with different documentation be worthwhile?
Wonder if I’m able to apply through a different embassy when traveling outside the USA and if that would make sense.
Thanks for any feedback.
I recently applied for the Thailand DTV through the Los Angeles consulate and was denied with the reason:
“Ineligible for DTV visa.”
My application included:
* Proof of U.S. residence
* Financial statements showing substantially more than the required funds
* Airbnb hosting profile (11+ years hosting, Superhost status)
* Active Airbnb listings
* Current reservations
* Cover letter explaining that I operate and actively manage a furnished housing / hospitality business remotely through online platforms
I received no further explanation for the denial.
Has anyone with a similar self-employed Airbnb/property management business been approved?
Does anyone have insight into what aspect of my application may have made me ineligible?
Would reapplying with different documentation be worthwhile?
Wonder if I’m able to apply through a different embassy when traveling outside the USA and if that would make sense.
Thanks for any feedback.
Summary so far
The user applied for a DTV visa through the Los Angeles consulate and faced denial without a clear explanation, despite submitting comprehensive documentation, including proof of residence, financial statements, and details of their Airbnb business. They seek insights from others with similar experiences and whether reapplying or using alternative embassies might be advisable. Comments from the community suggest that the consulate might not view Airbnb hosting as a viable profession for this visa type, and they emphasize the importance of demonstrating a clear income source and possibly providing additional documentation.
22 repliesnewest first
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Paula ***********
Christopher Roberts
Anonymous *************
OPThanks everyone. The properties are located in California, USA. I submitted proof of residence, bank statements showing funds well above the requirement, active listings, reservations, earnings history, guest reviews, and a cover letter explaining that I actively manage the business remotely. I did not submit tax returns, LLC documents, payroll records, or a separate income statement. I’m waiting to hear back from the consulate regarding the specific reason for the denial.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant if you read the posts in this group you would see that many people report being requested bank statements with the lines highlighted for the income from your work or tax returns showing the income. I assume this is asked for people with less straightforward or weaker profiles.
You can use the search tool at the top of this group page and enter the term Airbnb. There have already been several posts about Airbnb. A quick 2 minute search and I found this post. Is this you?
"I came across your post about receiving DTV approval as an Airbnb host and found it very encouraging.
My situation is somewhat similar. I
have operated a small Airbnb and furnished rental business in the United States for about 10 years and actively manage bookings, guest communications, turnovers, maintenance coordination, pricing, and day-to-day operations remotely.
One reason I am reaching out is that the Royal Thai Consulate in Los Angeles recently informed me that applicants with this type of business activity are generally considered ineligible for the DTV Workcation category and suggested I look into other visa options. As a result, I am trying to understand how successful applicants have documented and presented their cases."
If this is you and you already asked the LA consulate then you already have your answer. I assume it would depend on the embassy and the scale of your business. The person who wrote this said " small ".
You can use the search tool at the top of this group page and enter the term Airbnb. There have already been several posts about Airbnb. A quick 2 minute search and I found this post. Is this you?
"I came across your post about receiving DTV approval as an Airbnb host and found it very encouraging.
My situation is somewhat similar. I
have operated a small Airbnb and furnished rental business in the United States for about 10 years and actively manage bookings, guest communications, turnovers, maintenance coordination, pricing, and day-to-day operations remotely.
One reason I am reaching out is that the Royal Thai Consulate in Los Angeles recently informed me that applicants with this type of business activity are generally considered ineligible for the DTV Workcation category and suggested I look into other visa options. As a result, I am trying to understand how successful applicants have documented and presented their cases."
If this is you and you already asked the LA consulate then you already have your answer. I assume it would depend on the embassy and the scale of your business. The person who wrote this said " small ".
Anonymous *************
OPThanks. Yes, I’ve searched the threads. One thing that makes me think there may be some embassy-level interpretation involved is that I’ve personally come across other Airbnb/furnished rental operators who reported receiving DTV approvals.
That’s why I’m trying to understand whether my denial was due to the nature of the business itself, the documentation I submitted, or the way the application was interpreted by the reviewing office.
I’m also trying to determine whether there may be any path to reapplying in the future, either with additional documentation or through a different embassy if permitted.
Unfortunately, the consulate has not provided a specific reason for the denial beyond “Ineligible for DTV visa
That’s why I’m trying to understand whether my denial was due to the nature of the business itself, the documentation I submitted, or the way the application was interpreted by the reviewing office.
I’m also trying to determine whether there may be any path to reapplying in the future, either with additional documentation or through a different embassy if permitted.
Unfortunately, the consulate has not provided a specific reason for the denial beyond “Ineligible for DTV visa
Nickel *******
Airbnb aint a job. Thats just an investment
Christopher ***********
Would appear our friend is struggling to find appropriate answers to copy and paste?
Srey *******
Likely explanation is they don't see Airbnb host as an appropriate "profession"
If you're a property manager (and to look like one) you should have a property management business (company) that pays you a salary
That would show a simple source of income earned from labor
If you're a property manager (and to look like one) you should have a property management business (company) that pays you a salary
That would show a simple source of income earned from labor
Robert *******
Did you include a letter from other directors or general manager that you can work remote from Thailand and that a staff member will be present to hand over the key, get contracts signed, imspection before renting and before leaving and a few other stuff that can NOT be done on-line from the beach in Thailand.
Copper*******
Isn't really remote work is it, kind of a no brainer
Michael *************
I would state that your business earns xxx.xx and show you can earn the income overseas… and then show the bank account required amounts for 3 months and then provide a letter from the company that state you can work overseas…
And that your entire goal is to contribute to the Thailand economy.
And that your entire goal is to contribute to the Thailand economy.
Anonymous *************
OPThanks. I did provide earnings history, bank statements showing funds well above the requirement, active reservations, listings, and a cover letter explaining how I manage the business remotely. I did not provide tax returns or formal income statements, which may have been a factor.
Dave *********
Where is your income statement? (Tax returns)
Anonymous *************
OPI did not submit a separate income statement or tax returns. I submitted bank statements showing funds well above the required amount, along with Airbnb earnings history, active listings, current reservations, guest reviews, and a cover letter explaining how I actively manage the business remotely.
Stephen **********
How did you demonstrate your monthly income? The listings wouldn't demonstrate income because there's also costs associated with your rentals.
Cliff *********
Is your bank account with a normal bank?
Where are your rentals located?
Where are your rentals located?
Paula ***********
@Cliff ********
what do you mean? Would Wise count like a normal bank?
Renato *********
Requirements stay the same in every embassy so no
CapableC********
That’s passive income
choose*******
Are any of your listings in Thailand ?
Greg *******
They don’t see your owning and air bnb as a viable “workCation” eligible Visa. I assume if you reapply Under SOFT POWER and get a cooking class for more than 6 months.
Anonymous ******************
Not enough information. Are you a resident in their jurisdiction of LA and not a different jurisdiction like DC, NY or Chicago and what proof did you provide for that? What kind of financial statements did you provide for the funds of 500k THB? Did you provide anything else like proof of income, tax returns, property deeds, etc? Did you explain anything else in your cover letter, how you will operate remotely, why you want to come and what you will do, how long you plan to stay, declared not working in Thailand, etc? Which country are the properties located in?
Anonymous *************
OPYes, I am within the LA consulate jurisdiction. The properties are located in that jurisdiction as well.
For financial evidence, I submitted Fidelity account statements showing funds well above the 500,000 THB requirement, along with Airbnb earnings history, active listings, current reservations, guest reviews, and a cover letter explaining how I actively manage the business remotely.
I did not submit tax returns, an income statement, payroll records, LLC documents, or property deeds. My cover letter focused primarily on explaining the business, the remote nature of the work, and how it is managed online with the assistance of local team members while I oversee operations remotely.
At this point, I am trying to determine whether the denial was related to the nature of the business itself, the documentation I submitted, or the interpretation of the reviewing office, as the consulate has not provided any further explanation beyond “Ineligible for DTV visa.”
I am also trying to understand whether there may be any path to reapplying in the future, either with additional documentation or through another embassy if permitted.
For financial evidence, I submitted Fidelity account statements showing funds well above the 500,000 THB requirement, along with Airbnb earnings history, active listings, current reservations, guest reviews, and a cover letter explaining how I actively manage the business remotely.
I did not submit tax returns, an income statement, payroll records, LLC documents, or property deeds. My cover letter focused primarily on explaining the business, the remote nature of the work, and how it is managed online with the assistance of local team members while I oversee operations remotely.
At this point, I am trying to determine whether the denial was related to the nature of the business itself, the documentation I submitted, or the interpretation of the reviewing office, as the consulate has not provided any further explanation beyond “Ineligible for DTV visa.”
I am also trying to understand whether there may be any path to reapplying in the future, either with additional documentation or through another embassy if permitted.
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