Approved in Manila in 9 business days

I thought I’d make a post about my application process since this group has been really helpful in my application journey!

I applied soft power with Arun Thai Cooking School and used Issa Compass as the agent. Arun Thai was great- they sent the full packet of documents over within 24 hours of paying and the embassy never had any questions. Looking forward to the classes!

Timeline:

Applied January 13

Further documents requested January 19

Further documents requested January 21

Approved January 26

Since Issa Compass handled everything, I don’t know exactly how this was collated and what sorts of cover letters they added.

Documents:

- 6 months of bank statements (last three have balance over 500k, first three balances were between 400k and 500k)

- Contract for my freelance client

- 4 months of invoices

- Passport photo page

- All passport pages that had Thai entry/exit stamps (5 months of visa exemptions/extension from August until January)

- Passport page with Philippines entry stamps

- Booking receipt for an Airbnb in the Philippines for one week (Cebu not Manila)

- Booking receipt for an Airbnb for 1 month in Bangkok

- Photo of me in a thai cooking class earlier this year

First round of additional documents:

- They requested a new bank statement which was not yet available

- They requested a letter from my client that said I still worked for them. This wasn’t possible to get so I instead submitted the invoices from the weeks since submitting and another contract I had started in that time

Second round of additional documents:

- They requested proof of income tax, I sent my previous year’s tax return

- They requested my registration as an independent contractor. The US doesn’t really register independent contractors like this so I had nothing to provide.

Despite not having some of these documents, I got my approval today! One disappointing thing is that they put a note on my visa that it’s soft power/cooking class. Hopefully this won’t be a problem with immigration in the future 🤞🤞

I did get the visa so can’t really complain but I will say that contacting Issa Compass could be difficult at times. They would often not get back to me for hours or even days. They also apply for you through their own email so I never got any notice directly from the embassy. Not sure if this is normal for agents but I didn’t like it. Regardless though, they know what they’re doing and I’m glad I had support.

Update!

Oct 20th: I ended up sending a cover letter explaining that my company does not sign & stamp contracts along with further proof I am an independent contractor for them.

October 21st: Approved 🎉

Hi Everyone!

I finally received a request for an additional document--my contract signed & stamped. The copy of the contract I sent them does have a stamp, but not signed by the company itself, only my electronic signature. The company (where I'm considered an independent contractor) does not do this. Has anyone been in this situation? How did you handle it?

This group has been so helpful so far! Thank you 🙏

Hi everyone, I need URGENT help with my DTV visa application as an Independent Freelancer.

I just got an email asking for more documents, even though I already submitted most during the original application. Can you please guide me on these points:

1. Business License / GST – I don’t have a registered business, I work as a freelancer with monthly contracts. Should I submit my client’s LLC? Or what else can I provide?

2. Flights & Hotel – I only gave flight number + Agoda “pay later” bookings (which now expired today). Do they want an actual ticket + fresh booking?

3. Employment Contract/Certificate – I don’t have a formal certificate, only client contracts (already submitted). Should I add letterhead + client's sign as advised, or is there another way?

4. All Passport Pages – This I can submit.

From what I hear, Mumbai consulate looks for strong proof of regular income + ability to sustain yourself in Thailand.

Would really appreciate guidance from those who have gone through this 🙏

Thanks in advance!

I'm applying from Vancouver. I have contracts with 2 companies: a travel agency and as a real estate agent.I have worked remotely as both in the past and both companies are fine with this. Both of them state that I'm an 'Independent Contractor'. Neither of them mention working remotely,. Should I submit both, or just one, with my application. Should i ask each company to add a note mentioning that working remotely is ok? Financially I more than satisfy the requirements. Appreciate any advise.

I'm applying from Vancouver. I have contracts with 2 companies: a travel agency and as a real estate agent.I have worked remotely as both in the past and both companies are fine with this. Both of them state that I'm an 'Independent Contractor'. Neither of them mention working remotely,. Should I submit both, or just one, with my application. Should i ask each company to add a note mentioning that working remotely is ok? Financially I more than satisfy the requirements. Appreciate any advise.

I have a situation that may or may not be complex. I work as an independent game developer and I'm moving to Thailand in July. For the past year I've worked on a commercial product which is nearly ready for release. It should be ready for release probably around when I first move to Thailand.

I plan to have sales profits sent directly to my bank account in Thailand. I have absolutely no issue paying taxes on whatever comes in. What I'm concerned about is the fact that I won't have a work permit and I read that any kind of digital work that provides income requires you to have a work permit. However what if 95% or even 100% of that work wasn't done in Thailand? Would I still require the work permit and DTV because the proceeds of that work are heading to a Thai bank account?

For additional context, I'll be on a Non-O Visa.

I've asked this question in other countries I've been an expat in and there are always a group of people that tell me to not send my money to Thailand and send it to my home country instead then wire to Thailand as needed. So let me just address this ahead of schedule. I have zero connection with my home country. No bank account, no family, nothing. I left it over 14 years ago and have no plans to go back.

Hi, does anybody have advice for applying for the DTV visa without a letter specifically confirming permission to work remote from Thailand?

I currently work remote as a software engineer but my employer wants to me to convert to an independent contractor before I move to Thailand. They will not write me a letter giving me permission, although I might be able to get an employment verification letter.

I also have a dormant business registered in the US that I'm the owner of. It used to be the business I did consulting from years back, as well as a startup project.

I'm applying through the New York consulate.

I am an 1099 independent contractor/freelancer in US. I have had only one contract since I did contractor. The monthly income is minimal since I only need to work for them for a few hours each month. My main income source is from property rental. Am I eligible to apply for DTV? I am worried they will question my contractor income is not sufficient.

I am a 1099 independent contractor as a sales agent for one company in the US. It doesn't say anywhere on the contract explicitly that I am a remote worker, but I am 100% remote and never even met any coworker or anyone from the company in person. Is my contract enough or should I get another official letter from the company explicitly stating that I am an independent contractor? I'm likely going to apply from Hanoi. Thanks!