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Why was my DTV visa application rejected and what should I do next?
Oct 23, 2025
6 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERRejected DTV Visa - Freelance
Hi everyone,
Just a background about me that I have 7years work permit and Non-B visa until last month and been living in Thailand since then.
I applied in Bali visa and I don’t understand why they rejected my application.
Oct 13 - Submitted the following documents:
- Photo/ Passport Page
- Driving License in Thailand, Embassy letter about my address
- Bank Statement in Bangkok Bank over 1M THB over a 6months.
- Letter from my company that I have been working remotely since 2020 and it’s okay to work in Thailand.
Oct 21 - Requested additional documents:
- New photo with neutral expression.
- Visa stamp in Bali, Accommodation, and flight ticket going to Thailand.
- Full passport pages
Oct 22 3PM - Requested another photo of me:
- Submitted again my photo I took with my phone with proper background.
Oct 22 7PM - Got rejected email from embassy without any reason.
I would like to ask if it’s possible to apply again for freelance visa or should I change to soft skill DTV?
And if it’s good to apply the next day to try again or use Issa Compass agency?
Any tips or recommendation will be helpful. 🙏
Hi everyone,
Just a background about me that I have 7years work permit and Non-B visa until last month and been living in Thailand since then.
I applied in Bali visa and I don’t understand why they rejected my application.
Oct 13 - Submitted the following documents:
- Photo/ Passport Page
- Driving License in Thailand, Embassy letter about my address
- Bank Statement in Bangkok Bank over 1M THB over a 6months.
- Letter from my company that I have been working remotely since 2020 and it’s okay to work in Thailand.
Oct 21 - Requested additional documents:
- New photo with neutral expression.
- Visa stamp in Bali, Accommodation, and flight ticket going to Thailand.
- Full passport pages
Oct 22 3PM - Requested another photo of me:
- Submitted again my photo I took with my phone with proper background.
Oct 22 7PM - Got rejected email from embassy without any reason.
I would like to ask if it’s possible to apply again for freelance visa or should I change to soft skill DTV?
And if it’s good to apply the next day to try again or use Issa Compass agency?
Any tips or recommendation will be helpful. 🙏
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, who has been residing in Thailand for seven years on a Non-B visa with a work permit, recently applied for a DTV visa from Bali but received a rejection without explanation. Users in the comments suggest that the rejection may be due to unclear documentation regarding their employment status, as the DTV visa prohibits working for Thai companies, even remotely. Several recommendations are offered, including using specific documentation for remote work, considering applying through an agency, or reapplying immediately.
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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Daniele *********
Did you apply on Bali or Jakarta? I’m in Bali rn I didn’t tought you can apply from Bali as well?
Hamad ********
You're not allowed to take payment in thailand while on dtv, if this was your previous arrangement, you should have explained that you wouldn't be doing this any longer. Personal remittance is allowed, but not salaried remittance.
It might have probably greatly helped the application if you showed a non-thai bank account for income. A thai driver's license or embassy letter is not considered as proof of accomodation, it should be rental agreement/booking or proof of ownership if self owned condo.
This is my opinion of why it may have been rejected.
It might have probably greatly helped the application if you showed a non-thai bank account for income. A thai driver's license or embassy letter is not considered as proof of accomodation, it should be rental agreement/booking or proof of ownership if self owned condo.
This is my opinion of why it may have been rejected.
Kaye ******
Then maybe you have 2 big mistakes.
1) DTV is for someone who want to work-cation here. So showing too much documentation like driving licence is Thai is kinda too much information
2) If the same company hire you for remote work is a Thai company, THIS IS THE REASON WHY YOU GOT REJECTED. Working for any Thai company is forbidden even remotely with DTV.
Only remotely work for overseas companies is legitimate for DTV
1) DTV is for someone who want to work-cation here. So showing too much documentation like driving licence is Thai is kinda too much information
2) If the same company hire you for remote work is a Thai company, THIS IS THE REASON WHY YOU GOT REJECTED. Working for any Thai company is forbidden even remotely with DTV.
Only remotely work for overseas companies is legitimate for DTV
Winston ************
OP in one reply here said "working with a recruitment company in Thailand and would like to stay here". That's EXACTLY why they rejected him! You can not be working for a "company in Thailand". Again, I quoted him exactly.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Winston ***********
sorry “worked” with a recruitment company. I am no longer connected with them. I told them in the letter that the company is outside Thailand.Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Tim *********
Are you funds not meant to be held outside of Thailand.
I recently just did the same as you, ended a work permit and non b.
Got my dtv no problem but based on funds earned and help outside of Thailand.
I recently just did the same as you, ended a work permit and non b.
Got my dtv no problem but based on funds earned and help outside of Thailand.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tim ********
Maybe I will try to submit another bank account outside Thailand. But not sure if that helps if I re-apply again on my own.Mr *******************
Anonymous participant others have reported getting it with the money in a Thai bank, I don't think that is impossible by itself
Tim *********
Anonymous participant or considering your situation perhaps talk with an agent. It may resolve it promptly.
My friend recently got rejected from Saigon consultant 3 times. He for the criteria no problem but after the first rejection which was due to him not checking his information on passport issuing date. It was like he was black listed. 1k usd down the drain
My friend recently got rejected from Saigon consultant 3 times. He for the criteria no problem but after the first rejection which was due to him not checking his information on passport issuing date. It was like he was black listed. 1k usd down the drain
Reply to
Tim *********
Reply
Wannikea *********
Don't muddy the waters with things like a Thai driver's license and embassy letter regarding your Thai address. Where you're staying in Thailand is probably the least of their concerns for a sufficient application. No need to submit anything other than your bank statement because it happens to be in Thailand. Ensure the employment certificate states you will not be doing any business with Thai clientele or entities, and authorized to work remotely in Thailand. Simply submit your contract, employment certificate, portfolio, brief cover letter explaining your remote work skill. Possibly apply in Vietnam. A million baht in the bank, get a real passport photo.
Waqar ********
You are still working with a recruitment company in Thailand. This visa is only for those who will never work paid or free in Thailand.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Waqar *******
just to be clear, I am no longer working for them as my visa was cancelled already. My company is in EU and wanted to continue working with me but I need to handle my own visa.
Anonymous ******************
Oh you cannot be working for a Thai company.
That's why proof is asked for invoices.
You can definitely source your own visa but the recommended approach for this is to form a Thai company or put yourself under an employer of record and get a non B visa.
Or you can just pay for the non B visa from your previous company (taxes / social security)
That's why proof is asked for invoices.
You can definitely source your own visa but the recommended approach for this is to form a Thai company or put yourself under an employer of record and get a non B visa.
Or you can just pay for the non B visa from your previous company (taxes / social security)
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 893 I’m no longer working for Thai company. My company is registered in EU and we just used a Thai agency last few years to have Non-B visa.
DTV_Be*******
Anonymous participant In the eyes of the Thai government you are doing the same job though, and up until last month you said you needed a work permit and non-B visa to do that job. Now, all of a sudden, because you pushed some papers around, you are trying to tell them you no longer need a work permit to do the same job. That is problematic
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERDTV_BegPecker if that’s the case why they didn’t reject my application at first place. Why keep asking to send me a picture of myself? But you also have a point there brother. 🤙🏻
Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Winston ************
Anonymous participant You're not making sense. Didn't you say "working with a recruitment company in Thailand and would like to stay here"?
Reply to
Winston ************
Reply
Carrie ****
You stated you had a work permit/Non B up until last month. This to me makes it seem like you had a job working IN Thailand. Perhaps they rejected it because it wasn't made clear that you've now switched to remote work with explicit permission that you're going to do this remote work from Thailand. Like the embassy thinks you're still working a regular job in Thailand. I'm conjecturing here because your post is a bit confusing.
Btw, I had a Non B for 7 yrs then moved out of Thailand. Even though I had properly canceled everything prior to leaving, when I returned as a tourist to Thailand many years later; the IO still asked me if I was working in Thailand. 🤪
Btw, I had a Non B for 7 yrs then moved out of Thailand. Even though I had properly canceled everything prior to leaving, when I returned as a tourist to Thailand many years later; the IO still asked me if I was working in Thailand. 🤪
Winston ************
Anonymous participant "I'm working with a recruitment company in Thailand and would like to stay here." Exactly: working for a Thai based company makes you ineligible. It's good they rejected you. What don't you understand?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Winston ***********
Just to be clear I’m using thai base company just for administration purposes (salary, visa, and tax) and I am no longer connected with them. My company is always outside Thailand and needs to process my own visa now so I’m applying for DTV.
Andrew *********
Anonymous participant So you've been declaring you work for a Thai company that you dont for visa purposes ?
Winston ************
Anonymous participant Still not making sense. If the "thai base company" gives you your salary, then...? Come on now...you're employed by them!!!
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Winston ***********
I am no longer employed and will no longer used their service. What don’t you get brother? That’s why I’m applying DTV because I’m not connected with any thai company anymore.Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Carrie ***
agree. OP next time if you submit or did you submit a letter of explanation. Telling them that you do not work in Thailand anymore and can work remotely? Sometimes it takes a basic letter explaining or outlining the past and the present so they are fully aware or they will assume which in this case caused a problemAnonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 833 I didn’t had a chance to explain the situation as they didn’t asked me about it. I just submitted a letter from my company that I’m okay to work in Thailand remotely. The only thing they asked me twice is my picture nothing about my situation. 😩
Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Carrie ***
I've been working remotely for a company outside of Thailand, and they've been sponsoring my Non-B visa through an agency here. Now that they're not continuing with it, I'll have to take care of my own visa. I'm working with a recruitment company in Thailand and would like to stay here.Anonymous ******************
The DTV is not an appropriate visa for that unfortunately as you cannot have Thailand based clients.
This requires a non-B or you can try the LTR visa too. The easiest tracks is the wealthy global citizen one which just a networth check.
But you're also required to have at least $500,000 of it in Thailand.
Or if you're over 50, you can also get it based on an $85,000 a year income
This requires a non-B or you can try the LTR visa too. The easiest tracks is the wealthy global citizen one which just a networth check.
But you're also required to have at least $500,000 of it in Thailand.
Or if you're over 50, you can also get it based on an $85,000 a year income
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrew ********
I got work permit and visa through agency and it’s not illegal since a lot of companies are doing it. I will be applying DTV for a company which is located outside Thailand.
Andrew *********
Anonymous participant Lots of companies do it , but its illegal. You have falsely declared you work for a company you dont. Read what it says on the forms you signed. Theres been many raids over the last two years over this and many offering the service have been jailed. But as they kept asking for a photo it looks like that was the problem.
Reply to
Andrew *********
Reply
Muay *************
Just a tip ... the last few weeks jakarta have started asking for evidence of previous soft power activity. Its really strange ... people going for our Muay Thai visa have been asked to provide evidence that they are already into muay thai. Its caused problems this last few weeks so keep that in mind. They dont ask everyone .. maybe random maybe certain nationalities.
Luit *****************
@Muay ************
maybe they think it is not a logical thing to start with long time Muay Thai including long time stay in Thailand without any experience before. Just sounds logical to me you not pay tenthousands of bahts for something you might not like after the first lesson.Remember you are supposed the visa for doing Muay Thai and not doing Muay Thai to get the visa, at least that is how it should be.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Muay ************
I guess going witb soft power activity will be hard as well for me. Thank you for that information. 🙏Muay *************
Anonymous participant jakarta is the only embassy that does that though mate, good luck
Bob **********
Anonymous participant did your job include Thai customers or Thai companies??
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
Only thai company as an agency to provide salary, visa, and tax. Just third party but my job is pure outside thailand.Bob **********
Anonymous participant I’m sure this is your problem there not understanding it
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
hopefully I can contact them to ask but no one is answering when I’m calling them.Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
DTV_Be*******
I am confused. Did you have two jobs? One job that required you to have work permit/non-B that just ended and a separate remote job? If so, did you explain that clearly to the embassy? If this was only one job, did you explain why you needed a work permit/non-b for it before an now you think it is remote work? I could see that being a red flag
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERDTV_BegPecker I didn’t explain my situation since they didn’t ask me about it just about sending photo twice which is weird.
DTV_Be*******
Anonymous participant so they probably drew their own conclusions
Reply to
DTV_Be*******
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