Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) Approved! (Long post sorry!)
Just wanted to share my experience applying for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) as a Philippine passport holder at the Royal Thai Embassy in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Embassy Information:
* Location: Royal Thai Embassy, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
* Website (Issue?): Their website for the Philippines seemed outdated, so I called them directly (I got their number through their website Consular Services > Visa Application Section). They did confirm that they are processing DTV applications and provided an email address to send my inquiry so they can respond with the complete list of requirements. They responded quickly, about 2 hours from the time I emailed them.
Application Timeline:
* Date Applied: September 9, 2024. I visited the embassy at 9:30 AM, their opening hour, they mentioned that the turnaround time is 3 business days.
* Date Approved: September 12, 2024. I was instructed to return exactly after 3 business days to collect my passport between 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, I went at 2:40 PM today and I was surprised that they are already releasing passports before 3:00 PM. I got mine in less than 10 minutes.
Appointment Requirements:
* Appointment Needed? No appointment is necessary as they only accept walk-ins from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Monday to Friday (excluding embassy holidays, refer to their PH website).
* Processing Time: My application process took about 20 minutes, including wait time. Also to mention there were only 9 people ahead of me and 3 counters are available. The officer reviewed my documents and collected the visa fee without asking any questions, likely due to my complete requirements (I assume)
Requirements I Submitted:
* Employment Contract: Signed job offer from the Philippine company I currently work.
* Certificate of Employment: Mine included the company name, annual and monthly pay, date of hire, job position, and states "Visa Application" as the purpose. It also confirms that I am authorized to work remotely.
* Bank Certification: From a local bank showing a balance greater than 500k Baht when converted from PHP. Also states that the certificate is for visa application purposes.
* Photos: 2 recent passport-sized photos (3.5x4.5 cm) with a white background.
* Visa Application Forms: Completed Visa Application Form and Supplementary Form for Filipinos, available here.
* Passport: Original passport plus a photocopy.
* Visa Fee: 18,000 PHP (cash only).
Additional Note:
* On the day of my application, there was a foreigner processing his DTV with a similar timeline and was also asked to return after 3 business days.