DTV Cooking - Approved in Vientiane Laos!

Timeline:

* Landed April 8 Wednesday afternoon, uploaded final docs (visa stamp in passport and visa) and submitted online

* April 9 Thursday - Went to Vientiane Laos embassy at 9am, paid 10,000 THB in person

* April 10 Friday - Nothing

* Songkran Holiday 13 Monday to 15 Wednesday

* 15 Wednesday - Got an email for interview

* 22 Wednesday 10am - Interview. Where is your cooking school? Where will you stay nearby the school (show hotel booking, can book and cancel if needed)? Open your banking app -- BE AWARE they scroll through it and click on it themselves, so no hiding anything or deceit. What will do you after your course is finished (take another course)?

* 22 Wednesday 12pm - DTV sent in my email! Printed out at my guesthouse

* 23 Thursday - Flight to Don Mueng Airport, showed them the DTV paper, I looked in my passport to make sure they stamp correctly. Took less than 30 seconds with the immigration agent (go to one with a man, they go fast and don't ask questions).

Cooking course: Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy They were soooo helpful, fast, responsive. If you get rejected for DTV, they give partial refund.

Agent: Yes, I did use an agent. I used an agent that has a full money-back guarantee, INCLUDING the Visa fee. Message me for their details.

DTV: Muay Thai/Soft Power Approved on April 14!!

Honestly surprised by the update today since most offices should be closed this week. I expected to wait another 1-2 weeks for an interview update, but received the approval email instead without even having an interview. I have also seen posts where some people were approved in less than a week with no interviews, so it might be worth checking out Laos if there are people considering Vietnam, Indonesia, or Laos!

Submitted my application in Vientiane, Laos!

1. Application sent April 5

2. Visa fee submitted in-person April 7

3. Pending approval April 8

4. Approved April 14

Excited to head back this weekend~ ✈️

Have I been done or is this procedure correct ? Am on Marriage Extension. I was due to do 90 day report on 15th April. I forgot and think Immigration (Nong Khai) was closed that day due to Songkran. Anyway went to Koh Pha Ngan that day and returned late Friday 25th. Realised my error and went to Immigration today and got 2000 Baht fine and was told I could have done 90 day report at Pha Ngan. TIA. I suppose just lesson learnt.

Has anyone else incurred any delays in their DTV requests from last week due to Songkran?

We requested in Ho Chi Min last week on the 7th of April and are still waiting..

Anyone else waiting on a DTV visa in Ho Chi Minh?

I applied on April 1st and it’s still showing as “pending approval”… anything I can do to speed things up?

Has anyone got DTV approved email in these days form Vietnam Ho Chi Minh embassy ?

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:

IMMIGRATION OFFICE CLOSURE FOR SONGKRAN

Remember people all immigration offices in the country close at 4:30PM today (Friday the 11th) and will not re-open until 8:30AM Thursday the 17th

If you have a stamp that expires on a day the immigration office is closed (weekends or holidays) and you go the very next day the immigration office is open you can get your extension like normal (you will get an overstay stamp in your passport but will not be fined)

I would hazard a guess and say that ALL offices in the country will be mobbed with people next Thursday when they re-open and if you don't have to go, DON'T..

Borders are open like usual, they don't close for holidays

Have a Safe & Happy Songkran everyone !!

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:

IMMIGRATION OFFICE CLOSURE FOR SONGKRAN

Remember people all immigration offices in the country close at 4:30PM today (Friday the 11th) and will not re-open until 8:30AM Thursday the 17th

If you have a stamp that expires on a day the immigration office is closed (weekends or holidays) and you go the very next day the immigration office is open you can get your extension like normal (you will get an overstay stamp in your passport but will not be fined)

I would hazard a guess and say that ALL offices in the country will be mobbed with people next Thursday when they re-open and if you don't have to go, DON'T..

Borders are open like usual, they don't close for holidays

Have a Safe & Happy Songkran everyone !!

If you need to do anything at immigration, you better go now or tomorrow!!

It's going to be packed this Wednesday and Tuesday next week as those are both days straddling a 5 day closure of immigration.

Immigration is closed Thursday, Friday and Monday the 13th, 14th and 17th for Songkran!

Take this as your warning/reminder!!

2nd extension of stay.

The 1st extension of stay from my non-O visa will expire on 1 May 2023. My next 90-day report is due on 26 February 2023.

I'm planning a trip out of Thailand from February to March. I'm in Chiang Mai and I have a UK passport.

What is the earliest date I could do the 90-day report and get the re-entry permit to leave in February?

Should I apply for my second extension of stay before or after the Songkran holiday when I return at the end of March / beginning of April?

Thank you.