visa application tips

Showing 58 questions

This page displays all the results for the visa application tips tag, sorted by the most recent activity. There are a total of 58 questions that have been tagged with visa application tips. Explore the questions to find discussions and information relevant to this topic.
Nov 8, 2024
3 days ago
Remus ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Reaching out to freelancers who managed to get their DTV visa, and would like to ask about the portfolio they've presented. In the requirements it says "professional portfolio needed". Did you make a special portfolio page for the application? I'm not sure what kind of page would suffice. Or maybe a PDF will references would be enough? I own 3 websites for 3 digital services I'm providing, and no sure how to incorporate those in the application. If somebody could show me their portfolio that got accepted, I would be grateful - in PM it's OK if it's confidential. Thanks!
Nov 7, 2024
4 days ago
Kevin *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
DTV *DENIED* in Vientiane

TLDR: make sure the 500K THB is on your *personal checking* account.

Long version:

I was applying for the DTV as a digital nomad aka for the "workcation" reason, as I have a SMLLC in the US which I use for occasional consulting back home. My paperwork was all completely legit, and I was extremely careful to have everything printed out in advance, several copies, plenty of everything, nice presentation. Ran through a whole toner cartridge on it. I was keeping the funds in my business account precisely in order to underline how legit the whole thing was: it's a real company, I am the 100% sole owner, I have complete control of the money, etc.

Got to Vientiane -- if at all possible you should do the e-Visa in advance, on-arrival was 1700 THB and about 45 minutes of waiting in line. Prepared to go to the embassy in the morning. NOTE: the Consular Section is not the same buiding as the regular Embassy! Check the address on the visa website and make sure your cabbie goes to the right one.

Per advice on this forum I got there an hour early and they let me queue up. I was dressed respectfully, super polite. I had a photocopy of the Lao Visa on Arrival -- which takes up a full page in your passport -- but they also required a copy of the arrival stamp, which to my surprise was taking up another 1/4 page. (Random complaint but that means it's 1.5 pages in your passport to enter/exit Lao, in case you are running low.)

Wait in line, chat with a friendly fellow Falang next to me, and after about 20 minutes it was my turn. The lady behind the window was a bit curt but whatever, officials. She started going through the papers, handed back a few she didn't need, asked me if I'm the company owner, and after going through the company and bank docs she tells me:

"You need the money in your personal checking account, company account not OK."

I explained that I own the company 100% and for that and other reasons, I have full access to the money, it is in fact *my* money, as the company is *my* company. You could almost hear the gears grinding slowly in her head. She asked if I could transfer the money to my personal account? Sure, could do, but it's USA, that would take about four days, and I'm pretty sure if I come back again they will say "need six months." And anyway, the next appointment is in a month.

Her supervisor walked by and shook her head and that was that.

From that moment she went from curt to dismissive. In a moment fit for TikTok she pointed to the requirements (I'd brought a printout) and jabbed her finger at the spot that says "Financial evidence: amount of no less than 500,000 THB, e.g. bank statements, payslips, sponsorship letter" and said "personal checking account only!"

Then she waved me out with the rudest little table-dusting gesture I've ever seen. Off you go, little animal, better luck next time.

OK, fine, I'll season the money in a personal account and do it again in six months or so, but online and for a Thai basket-weaving class. Message received.

My takeaways, in case anybody might find them useful:

- Personal checking account only!

- Getting there early is worth it. Note the two embassy locations!

- Photocopying is easy across the street, 10 THB per.

- They're not trying to facilitate anything, just going down a checklist.

- Which is different at each Embassy of course, and not published anywhere.

- Your Serious Business is not "better" than online basket-weaving for this purpose.

- Don't overprepare, but do simplify: explaining is useless.

- Dressing up was unnecessary, shorts are fine.

On Vientiane:

- Visa On Arrival is a shit-show.

- Taxis are infrequent and overpriced; Tuktuks more common and you can bargain.

- THB is preferred in many establishments.

- BeerLao is pretty cheap, wine and hard alcohol expensive like Bangkok.

- Food prices and quality vary wildly (compared to BKK) but not bad.

- Overall it's a pleasant, sleepy little city. GF is reminded of a smaller Ubon.

- ATMs are reasonable ($2 fee) but have a low limit (~ $90 or 2,000,000 kip).

- Coffee places mostly close early but a few are open later and they have Amazon and Starbucks.

- Lots of Vietnamese working here, I didn't expect that.

- AIS roaming data package works great; hotel and restaurant WiFi not so much.

PS, the Fellow Falang had been working illegally selling condos in-country on Visa Exempt for almost a year and had a fixer set up the appointment and had strict instructions on which window to use, so I guess that's a thing already. I'm sure he'll be flying home with his DTV on Monday. Nice guy, I wish him well.
Oct 25, 2024
17 days ago
Joran *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
🚨 DTV Visa Rejections – Let’s Learn from Every Experience! 🚨

I’ve seen many inspiring success stories about DTV visa approvals, which is fantastic—we’ve all learned so much from them. But what about those who faced rejections? 🤔

If your DTV application got rejected, please share your experience:

* What was the reason for rejection?

* Which consulate did you apply at?

By consolidating these experiences here, we can create a valuable resource for everyone going through the process. I know we can search the group for “rejected,” but having everything in one place would make it even more helpful and insightful for all.

Let’s support each other—every story, whether a win or a challenge, is worth sharing. Drop your experiences in the comments! 👇
Oct 1, 2024
a month ago
Rupesh *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Received my DTV visa today from Hanoi..I really appreciate all the discussions of this group. Was really helpful.
Sep 27, 2024
2 months ago
Erick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
LTR wealthy pensioner visa:

Who has applied and was successful?

Tips??

Thanks 🙏🏽
Sep 27, 2024
2 months ago
Approved in JAKARTA

Processing time: +3 working days. Walk in Mon-Thu till 11:30AM. CASH ONLY.

Provided:

* last 3 bank statements (monthly) which only the last one had over 500k THB (highlighted balances each month)

* screenshot of current balance which got rejected on spot

* single medical appointment at orthopedic clinic (hospital) in Bangkok (printed gmail with hospital images)

On Monday there were ~45 queuing tickets issued. At 11:30 the calling number was 35. Tried to collect on Wednesday - rejected and told must come Thursday afternoon (despite the visa date says it was issued on Monday). Collection day had queue around 15 people at 13:20. But moved fast, within 20 minutes. On Monday there was a German guy who got turned on spot as he didn't bring some translated documents (asked to come again). I think this embassy is getting busier as it's popularity is spreading fast.
Sep 23, 2024
2 months ago
Dave *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
METV London processing time. Applied via the website on Tuesday 17th September 0700 hours. Approved Sunday 22nd September 1930 hours. That’s 6 days, well pleased with that.

Info uploaded; PDF showing return flight from London and also two return flights during this stay to other Asian countries. PDF showing all accommodation booked via Agoda. PDF showing utility bill and TV licence bill.

Note that when I made the payment the website showed an error, however when I checked the visa card statement at my end, I noticed that the payment was pending and actually it did go through, so just be aware that this could happen to you and don’t panic if you get an error message.

Next step is to set up a GoFundMe website to pay for this lot - joking.
Sep 6, 2024
2 months ago
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Have any of you had success getting a Schengen visa for Italy for your Thai girlfriend/boyfriend? If yes, agent used? Tips? (I live in US now but will retire in Thailand next September). TIA!
Jul 25, 2024
4 months ago
Radek *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Got my 5-year multiple entry DTV approved and have some tips...

I applied last week and submitted my portfolio and CV as a simple link to my professional website (in English) and to LinkedIn (also in English), but that was not accepted as a sufficient answer. I think they probably didn't even click on the link, so I created a PDF with the website copy and another PDF with my CV, and that was ok :)

So don't assume that they will click on links, even if you have a professional website, create a PDF with all the necessary content so that the e-visa system gets hard copy evidence.

I was also asked for flight number, company registration details (LLC, I own 100%), ID card (to prove residency), bank statement (this was a bit tricky as last month's 6/2024 statement was "too old" for the embassy, so I was asked to provide the latest balance, but the screenshot of the banking app was not accepted, so I had to ask my bank to create a custom PDF with the current/last account balance).

So after 2 more rounds of "submit more documents" it was approved.

The embassy in Prague was actually very helpful and called me (twice) to explain exactly what they needed and why. They work with you to get you approved 😀
Jul 12, 2024
4 months ago
Flukie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anyone here holding LTR visa? If so, did you use a third party or applied on your own? How long did it take you to get approved?
Previous page
Page 1 of 6