Hello, I just want to ask po. Is it possible for e-Visa to arrive late at night? or on weekends? Applied in Ho Chi Minh and have stayed here for almost 2 weeks now 😭

Hi guys, apologies if this has been asked before.

I am writing on behalf of my partner. She is applying for the DTV, her account balance has dipped slightly below the 500k baht minimum a few times over the last few months, applying today's FX rates. Will this be a problem? Otherwise, we will make sure her final ending balance when she applies will be significantly well above the 500k baht requirement. Thanks!

Arrived in Bangkok 11 December

This is not something I dreamed up.

Previous retirement visa but COVID and a death in the family screwed that up. So in

November 2024 Visa exempt with 30 day extention. Left the country for a week and back from Vientiane to get another Visa exempt and left before the 60 days in April 2025. That entry did raise a few eyebrows and required input of a senior IO but nothing was said. That was the only visa run done.

For the record, no over stays or any other issues in 35 odd years. A clean slate as far as I am aware.

On arrival got taken out the queue to the immigration office. Had to fill out a Passenger Information Form and was told I needed a Wife visa. The IO supervisor, firm but polite, wanted to see Baht 20,000 CASH, marriage certificate 35 years married to a Thai, wife ID card and a ticket out of Thailand. I had a genuine reservation to Ho Chi Ming city, thought that might be helpful.

I was given a 60 day visa exempt and TOLD in no uncertain terms to get the correct visa. I doubt if a 30 day extension will be given

On a side note there was another Brit who seemed to have been stopped for visa "irregularities" and told to return to the UK. When he asked if he could buy a ticket to Loas he was told no, go back to the UK.

There were at least 6 others in the office, the one where seniors over 70 can fast track, being interviewed.

So there will be two types people that will read this.

1. Those who think this will not happen to them and continue to think visa exempt is the way to long term stays. Your entitlement will be your undoing.

2. Those that will take on my experience and be prepared. I honestly believed that the ticket to Vietnam saved me from being sent back to the UK.

So why did not get the correct visa before coming. I have been trying to get funds out of a fund run by STM Malta, useless company, for 4 months. They keep changing the goal posts.

Far too many posts thinking this is a joke it is not. Long term stays require a visa.

I applied for a DTV visa last week.

However, something is bothering me. When I uploaded a photo of my passport, the pop-up window automatically recognized the expiry date as 1935. Of course, I manually entered 2035 in the input field. Do you think this will cause any problems? Best regards

Hello,

can a DTV Softpower route be retroactively converted to the workcation route?

I'm planning to start an LLC soon, but it will take another 1-2 months before I can generate any revenue. I assume that applying with a newly founded company without any existing income I wouldn't have high chances of being granted a workcation route permit. But I do have enough funds on my bank account.

I could imagine going the softpower route first for faster approval, but I'm concerned about whether completing a 6-month course would guarantee me entry for the next 5 years without having to constantly book new courses.

With the current tightening of regulations, I can well imagine that the requirements will be increased and that the DTV permit will only allow re-entry if you can show proof of attending a current course.

My grandfather would like to retire in Thailand from the US. He’s not very computer savvy so we are going to help him. We are looking at the Non-O. He receives a monthly social security payment around $1500 and has a chunk in savings. Is it possible to combine the savings amount and his social security for the Non-O? And would it be best to apply from the US or from within Thailand? He wants to go mid-January.

Amazing news! My DTV (remote work) just got approved from the Hanoi embassy after 4 days 🥳

My friend who is here with me had her DTV approved as well, after 11 days (she used an agent).

I applied without an agent, but took a lot of time to research this group and look at all amazing posts that shared what documents they submitted.

I prepared the PDFs really well, writing cover letters really respectfully for all 3 categories (money, location, work) and added table of contents for the additional documents, so that the visa officer can understand and find everything really easily.

Honestly, I am so grateful for all the people sharing their process here, it helped so much! And I think that because everything was so easy to understand for the embassy officer, they approved my visa quicker than the one of my friend who used an agent, but maybe didn't have the detailed information and respectful letters as I prepared it.

Preparation really is key! I think taking another 1-2 days extra to make your application presentation really thorough can save you more days of waiting time in the city you apply from!

Pro tipp: We stayed in Hanoi only for the first few days of the application (sent hotel bookings for 3 nights in the application) and then went down to NINH BINH afterwards, which is so so SO much better than staying in busy Hanoi with the air pollution like crazy...)

Good luck to you all - and thank you embassy officer for approving my visa so quickly!

I‘m posting anonymously even it feels strange because in this group I read so many unfriendly comments on posts of some members.

Just to inform you how my process with the Thai Embassy in Jakarta went. I wrote a page of content for each section and listed the documents I uploaded. But they requested some documents again (such as portfolio, freelancer contracts with clients, stay permit). No idea why they wanted me to send it again….

27th November – I applied with:

* Picture of passport (German)

* Biometric photo of myself

* Proof of accommodation in Bali

* Boarding pass

* Visa on arrival

* Bank statements (6 months)

* Approval of start-up grant

* Freelancer agreement with 1 client (valid until 31.12.25)

* Client invoice

* Freelancer registration at the tax office in Germany + tax ID

* Portfolio (screenshots of my website)

8th December – Further documents requested (uploaded the same day):

* Clear and new photograph

* Stay permit from Indonesian immigration

* Professional portfolio in English

* All pages of my passport, without skipping any pages

9th December – Further documents requested via email (uploaded the same day):

* Clear and new photograph taken against a plain white background

* Proof of your contract/work with your clients

11th December – APPROVED

I want to thank all the people who have shared their experiences with the process, it helped me to streamline my paperwork. My partner also helped me to organize everything. Here's my story:

I applied on Dec. 5. They requested more information on Dec. 8, then requested even more information on the 9th. They approved me on Dec. 11th.

I tried to redact some client information and they weren't having it. It made me a little uneasy but I guess it is what it is.

I applied through the Hanoi Embassy in Vietnam. I was shocked on how quick it was and the cost was MUCH lower than expected.

I did have a Thai visa in the past when I used to teach so I'm not sure if that swayed the application or not.

Either way thanks again, I combed the discussion threads and it was very helpful. :)

I'll share once more when we arrive in Thailand in a few weeks.

METV VISA For Thailand in Laos process. 🫡

I got myself METV VISA, APPROVED today. It is electronic, 20k show at airport, 5k application fee, 24-48 hour approval. All uploaded documnets must be clear, shows your name with your finances. Financial proof will have to be in collage format.

Print out your payment paperwork (Very important/ will have barcode. Show at payment counter). You *MUST* have Thai Baht. You *WILL* get turned away from counter and must re enter line without the print out. Your phone evidence won't suffice. Your approval letter with barcode is your electronic vis passport.

Your approval letter will more than likely come between 9 and 11 a.m. lol perfect time for a extended day if you miss the email before checkout time. So book hotel a day short. Important they switched everything electronically. You won't need to go back to the counter to get any stamps, pay extra fees or anything. I know gpt says to, but it's false. Print out your approval letter and that barcode is what immigration will scan. I will update if they can scan the code on the phone.