Hi everyone! I know these things aren’t set in stone and could change at any time depending on what Thailand decides with DTV rules or visa checks, but I wanted to ask a couple of questions based on how things stand right now. I’ve searched the group but couldn’t find solid answers.

1. If I applied under the “soft power” category, is it possible to later change the reason (for example, to “workcation”) if the rules get stricter? Maybe through a 180-day in-country extension or reapplication?

2. Is there any noticeable difference between applying under “workcation” vs. “soft power” once you get the visa? Like, is the reason actually written on the visa or listed anywhere officially?

3. If I apply with “workcation” and get denied, would I be able to re‑apply using “soft power” right away? If so, could I re-apply at the same embassy?

Thanks!

Was approved in Abuja (Nigeria) as a Cameroonian (African) for workcation 🇳🇬/🇨🇲

PS: I live in Cameroon. However, Cameroon is ruled by the Thai embassy of Abuja, Nigeria.

PS2: I speak French and my documents were in French. I translated all of them with Google translate, add in red "original" on the french ones, merge both and send them as one PDF.

Honestly, the process is very straightforward.

I applied on April, 9th. As intended date of travel, I put June, 26th.

The documents I used:

1) Portfolio: I work online, on platforms and for direct customers.

One platform gave me a certificate of independent activity. For both platforms, I sent screenshots of my profiles and link redirecting to them.

For my direct customers, I send invoices + links to works on which I'm publicly cited.

2) Financial situations: 6-months stamped and signed statements of my bank accounts.

3) The other documents they asked for (photos, bio page of passport, etc.).

A few minutes after submitting my application, I received a request for additional documents:

- Flight itinerary

- Hotel booking for at least one month

- Employment contract: I have a contract with a regular customer. A simple Word document we both signed. I sent it.

Then I waited...

On June, 8th, I received an email stating I have an interview at the Thai embassy on June, 11th.

The D day, I had the interview. Some questions that were asked to me:

- Why do you want to go to Thailand?

- Have you been to other countries? Which ones?

- A lot of questions about the nature of my work. What I do EXACTLY? Where are based my customers? How will I be sure to have regular income?

Honestly, if it's your job and you are (REALLY) making a living off of it, there's nothing complicated.

- How I intend to pay for stuff in Thailand? My answer: credit card.

- Where I will stay? I explain that I booked an hotel and after, I will find a one-year rental contract.

- Asked me to open my bank apps to see the money.

Overall, the interview lasts around 10 minutes.

The next morning, I flew back to Cameroon. And then, I received the email stating I was approved and granted a DTV.

I made my post as detailed as possible as I don't see a lot of feedbacks from Africans. I saw a report of success and maybe 2-3 Africans saying they were approved but not a lot of details.

In a nutshell... The process is the same for all nationalities. There's no "additional scrutiny" nor "additional verifications" as I saw in some comments.

If you meet the criteria, just apply.

In case you have some questions, feel free to ask in comments. I will answer to the best of my ability.

🌚 You can comment anonymously.

❌ PS: no DM

I have a remote job (not self employed, regular job). I have pay slips and work contract, but in my country I can’t easily get papers from the official tax authority quickly, and I want to apply soon. Is it possible with just my contract and payslips?

I am gonna apply for workcation, not soft power.

They asked for proof of income at Hanoi..

People said it would be rejected but I wrote a cover letter showing explaining it was new business & showcased my expertise with a Portfolio of work.

Accepted on Sunday evening 6 day turn around with more information requested 🫡🤝

Hello everyone. I am preparing my application now, and just wanted to ask a couple questions:

1. I am currently living in Georgia (the country) and the nearest embassy is Ankara. So when I apply online, that is where my application will be processed. Has anyone done theirs there, and if so how long did it take and was it easy or hard?

2. I will be applying as a freelancer, and just opened an LLC to formalise things, and so I can bid on remote consultancy contracts. What should I put in my cover letter?

3. I have a ton of examples of my work that I will include, but do we also give them our CV?

Thank you so much!

Hi everyone 👋

I’m looking into applying for the DTV (from UK) under the Workcation/freelancer route and was wondering if anyone here has been approved with a similar situation to mine.

Here’s a bit about me:

* Previously worked from home in automotive engineering industry making a decent salary.

* I’ve left that role in September to start my own online business (currently pre-revenue).

* I could pick up contracting work in engineering again if needed.

* I do some occasional freelance work (web/marketing) for UK clients - not full-time, maybe £500-£1000pm.

* I have plenty of savings and no intention of working with or for Thai companies.

Essentially, I’m self-funded, with a past track record of income, some light freelance work now, and the ability to earn more if needed.

Has anyone been approved with a similar profile - e.g. early-stage entrepreneurs or part-time freelancers without a fixed monthly income?

Any tips or experiences would be appreciated 🙏

Thanks a bunch in advance!

DTV-approved (Workcation)

Applied in Jakarta. Submitted on May 18. The status stayed on "pending document check" until May 28 when they requested extra documents. I uploaded the documents on the same day, and the status changed to "pending approval." Get approved on 29

It might be helpful for someone: as I am Chilean, I sent all the documents and bank statements in Spanish. I just added one page in English describing what was attached.

Good luck 🍀

I have a UK passport but living and working in Spain, I finish work around mid October and heading to Thailand November 11th

Would it be easier and faster to apply from Spain or from the UK when I go back middle of October?

I’ll be applying for the workcation DTV as I work remotely online November-May

What proof do you have to provide for the workcation one with online work?

Do you have to go for an interview? Or is it all done online with the application?

Any advice or help would be much appreciated, thank you 😇🙏

Need dtv visa advice:

My digital nomad one got rejected. As soon as I uploaded my signed employment document I got rejected with no reason why.

Attached is the email requesting document.

Want to reapply to try again but thinking of doing soft power. Should I reapply soft power in a different embassy or can I try to do Jakarta again?

Wondering if that would raise questions if I change from “workcation” to “soft power”

Once the visa is approved, does it matter if it's soft power or work cation? An agent told me today it's the same