DTV approved in Ho Chi Minh!

I meant to post this earlier, but I’ve been traveling by bus and things got hectic—sorry for the delay!

Application submitted: Late night on March 11

I submitted documents including a Vietnamese investment account (not a stock trading account but a foreign investment account) with approx. 700,000 THB.

I included a bank balance certificate and 6 months of transaction history, showing an average of 350,000 –400,000 BHT and topped up to 700,000 THB a week before applying.

I also submitted Airbnb booking documents in Vietnam and my passport stamp showing entry into Vietnam.

March 13 (morning): I was asked to submit additional documents

They wanted to know about my income or how I plan to sustain myself in Thailand, and requested a full copy of my passport.

I responded within 3 hours with another bank account holding over 500,000 THB (balance certificate only),

and mentioned my YouTube channel with around 2,000 subscribers to show how I could sustain myself.

I also had a lot of travel stamps in my passport from a bus trip across Southeast Asia last year, so I explained each one just in case they got suspicious.

March 18: Visa approved!

April 1: I entered Thailand via Mukdahan from Savannakhet and received a 180-day stamp without any questions.

I applied with Muay Thai Fever in Chiang Mai under the "soft power" category.

I actually visited them in person back in February, checked out their facilities, and talked with the manager. They were super helpful and quick with paperwork. I highly recommend them!

Bonus tip:

If you fail in hcmc, don’t go to Hanoi.

Instead, take a 3,4-hour bus to Can Tho—weirdly, it's still under Hanoi’s jurisdiction, but many people have better luck there.

Good luck everyone!

Just started my slow-traveling adventure through SE Asia at the end of October 2024 and spent 58 days in Bangkok actually sightseeing and being a tourist.

The day after Christmas I took a 16-day trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia and returned to Bangkok on January 11th, but I am leaving for Cambodia again this Sunday for a two week stay. So my stay this time in Thailand was five weeks.

Next stop is three months in Vietnam, but my original plans had me book the flight from DMK.

I'll do a border crossing back into Thailand from Siem Reap for just 1-1/2 days before flying to Da Nang. I have a confirmed hotel stay near DMK, a confirmed booking on Thai Air Asia for my flight to Dan Nang, along with a confirmed Vietnam visa.

Do you think Thai immigration will give me any issues at the land border crossing coming in from Cambodia? My travel intentions are not to do border runs or border bounces. Just happened to go back-and-forth between Thailand and Cambodia for the past four months. Any advice is appreciated.

I need to leave Thailand for a visa run for 4 days. I am an American with a Thai wife. I've been to Danang Vietnam, is there any other suggestions for destinations? It's a general question i know there are different things for different people but just wanted some destinations to think about.

I would like to apply for the DTV visa. What's the best way to do it in my situation, and which consulate should I use (preferably online)?

* US citizen, currently living in Mexico as a resident. I use a mailbox address in South Dakota for official mail, banking, taxes, driver’s license, etc.

* I have an online business (sole proprietorship) with volatile income which is enough to cover my expenses. I also have investments in stocks and index funds, which I can use to cover expenses if needed. For the business, it’s hard to provide client recommendations, but I have tax returns and 1099s from previous years.

* Planning to slow travel in Thailand and SEA starting early next year. Ideally, I’d like to apply online before arriving but can wait and apply in Vietnam or another SEA country if that’s easier.

Questions:

* Can I apply online at a US consulate or in Mexico, or should I wait until I’m in SEA?

* Can I use my business and income for the DTV, or is it better to go the “soft power” route (e.g., cooking, Muay Thai)? Does it affect using the DTV for 5 years, getting extensions etc, if I’m not pursuing those activities?

Does anyone have recommendations for embassies or consulates near Thailand where one can apply for a 90-day/Multiple entry Non-O Spousal Visa and also enjoy a 3-4 day holiday?

N.B. Please don't suggest Savannakhet.

Need to do my first ever border-run at the end of the month.

Because of my location (Kanchanaburi) being about as far from a suitable border as can be, am considering using an agent, instead of undertaking the trip myself. If that's possible.

Do agents perform that for people?

If so, what's the likely cost and procedure?

How do I find a trustworthy agent?

Anything else I should be aware of?

Experienced help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Guys need some guidance in getting DTV approved. I have the documents ready to submit as self employed. Need some gudiance on

1. Which neighbouring country of Thailand have smoothest and fastest approval process

2. How can I apply and submit the documents to them?

3. Do I need to be that respective country during the process?

4. What’s the estimated time from application to approval.

Would love to hear from you guys, thanks

I'm planning on doing a tour going to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia. My plan was to use the short term tourist visas in all countries.

I want to do it twice over. So with Thailand being able to give me 90 days, after I have travelled to the other countries, I would be looking at returning about 5 months later to do the 90 days again.

Would that be ok or is it too short of a time away from the country? Also that being said, I wonder if it's also ok with the other countries? Cheers.

Greetings from USA… Doing a SEA trip hopefully by end of March and having some visa questions… Plan is to do the PI for 28 days then to Thailand on the 30 day visa and get 30 day extension. Then want to head into Laos / Cambodia for several weeks or a month then back into Thailand for another 30 + 30… Is this allowed? Because I am trying to remain fluid with my schedule not really wanting to do the tourist visa. Legitimate educated advice please…