Unanswered2 months ago
Will I need to show 500,000 baht in my account again when extending my DTV Workation visa in Thailand?
Hello, I am planning to apply for a DTV Workation visa from Belgium, and one of the requirements is to have 500,000 baht in a bank account for at least one month.
My question is: when I go to extend my visa for 180 days, will the immigration authorities require me to show that 500,000 baht in my bank account again? Or will the income from my freelance business count just as well?
khob-khun krap
My question is: when I go to extend my visa for 180 days, will the immigration authorities require me to show that 500,000 baht in my bank account again? Or will the income from my freelance business count just as well?
khob-khun krap
Summary so far
The original poster is seeking clarification on the requirements for extending their DTV Workation visa in Thailand. Specifically, they want to know if they will need to show the 500,000 baht in a bank account again during the extension process, or if income from their freelance business can fulfill the financial requirements. The conversation includes various comments from community members discussing their experiences and concerns with visa applications and the perception that some embassies may issue different types of visas than requested.
99 repliesnewest first
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Chelsea ********
Does your passport expire anytime soon?
What did they end up issuing you? A multi-entry tourist visa? METV?
What did they end up issuing you? A multi-entry tourist visa? METV?
A. ************
It's scandalous the way they are tsking people's 💰, and is starting to look like robbery. IMO, if they issue you a visa that costs less, they should refund the difference between the cost of the DTV and the cost of the visa they issue.
David ********
the irony of the whole thing is the the ruthless rejections or srupid switcharoo with visa type is probably done by some thai person who is happily integrated into his or her adapted country enjoying far more benefits than we can ever expect in Thailand. They get to work (and send that money back to Thailand) and make a life for themselves in our country. We're just asking to be allowed to stay in Thailand so we can spend our hard earnt off-shore money in Thailand.
Jay ******************
@David *******
I agree David. In truth, we don't know who processes our applications or where they are located. Out-sourcing springs to mind. At the same time, as we all can see, there are frequent fictional stories posted anonymously upon this group by anti-DTV trolls.David ********
@Jay *****************
I can say 100% that the person i dealt with was in my country, she was thai and she was obviously working. They (Thais) want all the privileges of living and working in our countries but make it bloody hard for us to even spend time in their country. I think it's bull 💩
Pond ************
second time denial, that's a lot of money lost. It is becoming a profitable scam
TheBatman**********
If you think about it logically, you can do remote work from anywhere in the world while you can only be in Thailand to undergo the soft power courses. So imo, the authorities might be thinking they'd rather give you dtv for soft power and metv for remote work. What d'ya guys think?
PolishedPom************
TheBatman1234567890 this visa explicitly states I’m not allowed to do any work even if it’s remote for my own country so it’s completely counterintuitive
**********
*****
*****
this visa explicitly states I’m not allowed to do any work even if it’s remote for my own country so it’s completely counterintuitiveTheBatman**********
PolishedPomegranate3945 did you question them about this? Did you give them the idea that you might be working in Thailand physically or getting new business in Thailand? That might be the part that made them reject your visa.
Thar ***********
Erik *********
Typical Thai way to say : “no, you won’t get a DTV”.
And typical Thai way to tell people that days of DTV are counted.
And typical Thai way to tell people that days of DTV are counted.
Fahad ********
When I gave interview in islamabad embassy pakistan they told me that this can certainly happen. However i got 5 year workation
Samantha ************
what kind of remote work do you do ? :)
PolishedPom************
@Samantha ***********
it’s remote receptionist for an events company based in the uk so there’s literally no chance of my making money from working illegally with clients in Thailand😣😣
John **********
PolishedPomegranate3945 my guess is they looked at your job and saw the word receptionist and took it literally
Samantha ************
PolishedPomegranate3945 it’s so strange that they’ve done that .. I’m a uk travel agent with an established business of 8 years only allowed to work with UK CLIENTS under our regulations I really hope they don’t do this to me 🙏😭
Mo ******
Go spend 6 month in Thailand. Then 6 months in Vietnam. And come back home after a year to reapply again.
I think some dumb@ss did shidd at the embassy and they will never acknowledge doing shidd.
I think some dumb@ss did shidd at the embassy and they will never acknowledge doing shidd.
HappyKo*******
Which consulate please let us know so rest of us are prepared.
Pleasant********
I think it also really depends on the country and embassy, some are just way stricter unfortunately
Brad *********
I think it was a denial but a very polite one where they didn’t want to send you away empty handed.
idiots******
They gave you the 6-month visa as a courtesy for rejecting your DTV in my opinion. I would not try to reapply if you cannot get an explanation from them. Wasted money.
Fran *******
Is probably some dude working at embassy in london who has no clue what he ia doing and very afraid the UK people have shaddy deals so they dont want to issue 5 years visa because is scary, 10 years ago in portugal embassy it was this exact same situation/ clueless dude working at embassy who seems to have paranoid theories that i wanted a 3 month visa to do evil things. They are dumb beyond repair. Sorry man
Thailand_**********
I can't believe this coming from London too
Kate *******
So if you are working (because obviously most people need to) then you apply again in 6 months, you’re proof of your income will also be proof that you breached your 6 month visa by working! So you can’t win either way.
Andi ***********
It has happened before to Workcationers,. Did you detail your use and need of the DTV over the 5 year term?
Tara ********
And did they keep the whole fee?
I would definitely email them
I would definitely email them
Andi ***********
@Tara *******
Yes, no refund, it is written in the small print, no refund for rejected applications or issue of another visa.PolishedPom************
@Andi **********
yes I agree but I don’t know why they’ve just given me a random visa for something I didn’t ask for why not reject itAndi ***********
PolishedPomegranate3945 The small print also includes being giving an alternative visa if not meeting DTV criteria. You can get 8mths out or the visa you got and then reapply. Many Similar get the DTV 2nd time around
Tara ********
PolishedPomegranate3945 I agree... they should have just cancelled that application. Or at least offered the option for that visa. I mean how much does a 6 month visa cost ? That would drive me crazy. I would have preferred out right rejection. Although if you have all relevant documents, that would drive me nuts. Suddenly London has got tricky..it was pretty straight forward with them up to now
Anonymous ******************
Same here. I got a tourist visa instead of the 5-year visa, even though I applied under the Workation category, not Soft Power.
PolishedPom************
Anonymous participant 912 it’s crazy we can’t even work under the visa we requested I don’t see why they didn’t just reject it!
Jay *****
That visa is useless because you cannot do any remote work legally.
I would contact the embassy and explain that. Nothing to lose?
I would contact the embassy and explain that. Nothing to lose?
PolishedPom************
@Jay ****
yeah I’ve emailed them to ask if it’s some kind of mistake because giving me a 6 month tourist visa is genuinely useless and I paid £300 for it😭
Pavi ********
Same thing happened to me first time I applied for DTV. Initial elation at that “Visa Approved” email, only to be instantly dashed at realizing they issued a 6 month tourist visa instead. I guess it’s better than a total outright denial, and a friendly, very Thai way of softening the blow .
PolishedPom************
@Pavi *******
exact same thing that happened to me it said approved when really it hasn’t been approved has it they’ve rejected the DTV and given an alternative essentially
Neil ******
PolishedPomegranate3945 Why do you think this was?
Frank-Steven ***********
1) They don't know what they are doing. 2) They do not care. 3) Nobody higher up in the chain cares enough to fix the embassy / visa mess. Sadly, only getting worse.
Dnatjugweme ************
Did you laminate your application?
Nought*******
The scamcation visa.
Peter ********
Pretty sh!tty how people are applying for 5 year visa and only give half a year. The embassy minds well just say your 5 year visa has been denied and that be the end of it. Giving people something they didn't ask or apply for is crazy.
Justin ********
@Peter *******
I imagine if they have a non-refundable flight they'll be much happier they can at least get in and have time to figure something out lolPolishedPom************
@Justin *******
I submitted my non refundable one way flight
Pate ********
That sucks as you still pay 350€ and get 6 months instead of 5 years. There must be some reason for this or you can’t think of any?
PolishedPom************
@Pate *******
my only thinking is because they changed the tourist visa and changing DTV rules they must have a huge influx of DTV applications and they are just being way more harsh giving them out. Initially they were asking me for documents next working day then the final hurdle it took them 10 days to respond to my documentsPate ********
PolishedPomegranate3945 but they still take the whole 350€ without any refund? Mine is currently being processed after being asked for the typical additional documents🤞
BravePers*********
Could happen to anyone and everyone
Welsh******
So you got a holiday visa ? Or what exactly does it say on it
PolishedPom************
Welsh_Mo666 yes a tourist visa
Welsh******
PolishedPomegranate3945 I didn’t know they had 6
Month holiday visa.
Month holiday visa.
Chester ********
Honestly at this point. If you don't have a special interest in Thailand. Go elsewhere. This visa shidd is getting totally ridiculous among other things.
Nick *******
@Chester *******
more success stories than not….but don’t let that get in the way of your fear mongeringChester ********
@Ni**
when you combine living now vs 7 years ago. The hassles of everything not only visas..It's enough to make most reconsider if they are mobile
Nick *******
@Luit ****************
but the difference is if they grant you a DTV they are allowing you to legally border hop. It’s not a difficult concept to follow.
Luit *****************
@Nick ******
you say: "It is a good thing they are clamping down on the border hoppers and the people that abuse their hospitality."What I now see is that exactly that group you mention now gets DTV and are still border hoppers.
So now they have to clamp down on the same group again...
Nick *******
@Chester *******
see ya
DTV_Be*******
@Chester *******
FYI, electricity is more expensive in Phnom Penh. Cost of rent is also higher and food tends to be higher, dependent on what you eat.Chester ********
@Nick ******
i like almost everyone i know has set themselves up now so that at a moments notice we can. While I prefer living here, if it means another country benefits and gives me the lifestyle Thailand used to, so be it.Nick *******
@Chester *******
sounds like you should leave then. Every country has its challenges. Sad for you that you only see the negatives. Sad way to be IMO. Good luckChester ********
@Nick ******
nothing to do with somo. My electricity bill huge. Go PEA, mess about a week and still don't explain, give new meter or anything. Go to renew license. Yes Mr, book now for in 4 months.
Go out country, get IO stare me down over my 2 year old cambo stamps.. say to him in thai, 2 years ago, can you read? Literally throws passport back at me.
Have a guy on sidecar hit me and run. Literally find hik 3 months later, police tell me to citizens arrest him, do so take to police, gets 40k for me from his boss. His boss then apologizes to me then tells me police want her back next day and she will have to pay them 50k.
Yes, this kind of shidd has been going on forever.. but, when looking at the future and after all this property stuff too which keeps me from ever buying. All last years banking stuff keeps me from bringing anything except necessity funds here...
All adds up.
Nick *******
@Chester *******
the difference between now and 7 years ago is the amount of FB groups where people post negative stuff that then other people take as being the only thing that matters, and ignore the positive stuff. That’s more about your mindset. The very fact that the DTV exists and has allowed many more people to come to Thailand with a 5 year visa is proof it is better now than 7 years ago. It is a good thing they are clamping down on the border hoppers and the people that abuse their hospitality. Clearly people are not reconsidering either….
Captivatin***********
Where else do you recommend ?
Mo ******
CaptivatingJaguar6013 go to Vietnam! Philippines is a nightmare!
Chester ********
CaptivatingJaguar6013 if I was to relocate. Probably Cambodia and/or Philippines.
Cambodia i would live in Phnom Penh. Philippines just outside of Angeles.
Cambodia i would live in Phnom Penh. Philippines just outside of Angeles.
Mo ******
@Chester *******
go to Vietnam! Philippines is a nightmare!
Jay *********
If you reapply with the same information, make sure to write a cover letter where you state that you would like to live in Thailand for the next five years and include a bit about how it's beneficial to you as a remote worker due to the high quality infrastructure, as well as that you only intend to work remotely and not for any Thai companies, that's what I did and my workation DTV was approved
Roger ********
@Jay ********
- thanks for the info. Did you apply after the recent rule changes?Jay *********
Roger Savage nope last summer, but I hope the information is still helpful as long as you follow all of the updated rules and regulations.
GoldAlli*********
They want you back after 6 months. Apply again with stronger documents.
Hakuna ********
Yeah you ask for a visa, they give you sometimes another one.
Luit *****************
@Hakuna *******
When they think DTV is not the appropriate visa for you they just can give another visa.Hakuna ********
@Luit ****************
sometimes they'll see 6 months course on soft power they give 6 months visa. For example.Thailand_**********
That's crazy to issue you a visa that doesn't permit the work you said you want to do!
Greg ********
Thailand_TrailRider Exactly this.
GoldHam********
One of my country people also got 6 months only, she showed all documents with workcation
Justin ********
GoldHamster6451 "country people" sounds kind of racist, might want to rephrase as "Some of my acquaintances from rural areas "
Chris ******
@Justin *******
take a day off ffsNought*******
@Justin *******
your comment is woke.
ArticulateS***********
@Justin *******
obviously means“Countrymen” - even if they did it wouldn’t be “racist” it would be “classist” 😂
DTV_Be*******
Did you give one way flight details or did you show that you were retiring to UK in six months?
PolishedPom************
DTV_BegPecker yes I did show my one way flight
DTV_Be*******
PolishedPomegranate3945 anything for them to believe that you would only stay in Thailand half a year and then leave for a good amount of time?
Luit *****************
DTV_BegPecker A digital nomad normally will leave within 180 days, and on DTV you have to leave within 180 days, so that should not be a problem.
In fact the one way ticket without any proof of onward travel might be a sign you want to use DTV as residence visa which it is clearly not.
I think leaving within 180 certainly not is a problem, but when you don't convince them you have more plans in the future in Thailand they might think METV is just enough.
In fact the one way ticket without any proof of onward travel might be a sign you want to use DTV as residence visa which it is clearly not.
I think leaving within 180 certainly not is a problem, but when you don't convince them you have more plans in the future in Thailand they might think METV is just enough.
Christine ***************
DTV_BegPecker curious what you think they prefer to see? (I’ll be applying soon from London embassy)
DTV_Be*******
@Christine **************
- Not sure about London, but when we have seen others get tourist visas instead, it usually is because the applicant somehow mentioned they would spend 6 months in Thailand then go home for six months, than another six months in Thailand, or something similar.Luit *****************
@Peter **********
I think what you say is exactly what the visa is meant for. I now do this already for 2 years.Luit *****************
DTV_BegPecker Spending 6 months in Thailand and then 6 months somewhere else is exactly what a digital nomad normally does, so it would be strange they don't like that.
Peter ***********
DTV_BegPecker I don’t understand the logic here. The DTV allows you to stay in Thailand for 180 days a year. So why should is be a problem to write that you intent to use half a year in Thailand and half a year in your home country? I was planning to write something like this to signal, I was not going to use DTV as a permanent residence visa. But maybe I should skip it.
Christine ***************
DTV_BegPecker handy to know thank you
Bob **********
Well you didn’t get denied
Richard *****
@Bob *********
yes he didBob **********
@Richard ****
No he got the visa the embassy thought he should get and it’s been happening more and more
Graeme ********
Probably due to a 6 month or less cooking or gym class.
Nick *******
Anonymous ******************
@Graeme *******
you can’t read?
Will ************
Visa issued if any is always at the discretion of the Embassy.
PolishedPom************
@Will ***********
yes but why give me a visa for something I didn’t even ask for lol like I said I want to work remote and this does not permit me to do ANY work why not just reject it?
Leo *********
PolishedPomegranate3945 well, immigration sometimes doesn’t make sense. You can do remote work on a 6 months tourist visa, you’ll never be in trouble for that 😅
John **********
@Leo ********
not legally you can'tActivity
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