Workcation Approved 🎉 (Manila)

I hope a delayed post is better than no post 555.

Timeline:

February 2nd: I applied and paid.

February 9th: Been asked for further documents and to arrive for an interview.

February 11th: Arrived for the interview. The interviewer was very friendly. Actually She was more curious about me and my laptop than my work. Later that day I was approved.

March 6th: Arrived in Thailand. No questions asked (Male Immigration Officer).

A note on printing: I printed and laminated my DTV. A6 wasn't available so I chose A4. Actually, it is very redundant IMO. The Thai officer had trouble getting the laminated visa into his scanner.

My notes:

In case your payslips aren't in English, you better translate and highlight parts of net income, month, annual salary...

In your bank flow - highlight the income that matches the payslips you attached.

Location risk: Not being near the embassy where you applied is a risk in case you are called for an interview. Do you really want to take that risk?

Regarding the wait: There was a week between my application and being summoned for an interview, but it actually took less time than it seems. This is because the Thai elections were held during those dates, there was a weekend, and I originally applied after business hours of the embassy.

In case you have a question I haven't replied to, I would be glad to answer :)

This group helped me a lot and now it's my (delayed) time to share!

Experience sharing

In the past few days, some agents have shared their experience with me. If you apply on your own, it’s better to go to an embassy where interviews are required, as it tends to increase your chances. I’ve done a lot of research in different groups, and even people from the gym suggested applying in Hanoi.

However, in reality, Hanoi is not a good location—especially for applicants from “sensitive” countries (you know what I mean). So for those preparing their application materials by themselves, it’s better to choose places where interviews are part of the process.

If you’re not confident, it’s probably safer to use an agent. Honestly, there are only a handful of countries in the world where the rule of law truly prevails.

I spent a lot of time handling my visa application on my own, and the cost was no less than going through an agent—yet I still got rejected. Now I’m planning to apply for an ED (education) visa again, pay an agent, let them handle the process with the Thai immigration authorities, and everyone walks away satisfied.

And as a Chinese citizen, I probably understand Thailand’s “differences” better than people from developed countries or English-speaking regions. I’ve experienced it firsthand.

Of course, if you’ve never really stayed in Thailand before, your chances might be completely different from what I’m describing.

— The gap between reality and ideals is huge.

May everyone get what they want.

When do they ask for statement and other documents related to employment? On applying through website or when they call you for an interview?

If a family applies for dtv from USA (Texas) using the Washington embassy, will we have to have a in person interview in Washington or will they do it via video? Or a closer embassy? (if there is one)

Hi everyone,

I’m applying for the DTV visa from Vietnam (I’m German).

I read on the Thai consulate website that e-Visa applicants no longer need to go to the embassy in person, but I’m still a bit confused.

📌 After submitting my application online, do I need to visit the Thai Embassy/Consulate in Ho Chi Minh at any point?

Or will everything be done online and I just wait for the confirmation email?

If anyone here has applied from Vietnam, I’d really appreciate hearing your experience. 🙏

I'm planning to apply for my visa through Hanoi office in a couple weeks. Wondering if anyone was called in for an interview? I would like to leave the city if possible. I'll be applying under soft power- muay thai.

Did anyone apply for DTV 2025 in Munich and would share their experience? Is there an interview necessary?

Can someone shed some light on this for me....

Applying for my 2nd extension of stay on my Non O based on marriage. This time in CW because I now have a work permit and live in BKK.

We have to do an interview with a “supervisor” and explain why we are applying in BKK when we originally applied in Ubon (last year). Despite them seeing my WP and knowing why we moved. The supervisor will decide “if” I get an extension or not.

Is it really that dramatic? Has no one else in the history of Thailand immigration applied for an extension in a different city than their original extension?

The whole thing just seems ludicrous.

Hi guys , bringing girlfriend to UK does she need to show travel insurance docs if she has to have an interview at British Embassy.Only going for 10 days , I have printed of copy of my passport , 6 months UK bank statements, utility bills for my house in UK ,Thai driving licence, blue book of house in Hau Hin , invitation letter to sponsor her ,if we need travel insurance is there an amount they like to be covered in terms of cover, AXA have one for around 2000 baht .Thanks for any replies .