Hello, we would like to apply for the DTV Softpower visa. Our story in brief:

We applied for the first time in Germany at the end of April. It was rejected because the course only lasted 12 days instead of the minimum 6 months. The cooking school recommended this course to us, and to date, no other course has been rejected except for us.

We entered Thailand on May 21st. We left on May 29th for Vietnam, Hanoi, and applied again there, but this time for a 1-year course at the same school.

Rejected again in Hanoi – this time without explanation. However, our cooking school told us today that the exact week we applied for the visa in Hanoi, the consulate was very strict and there were sometimes up to 6 rejections a day.

We submitted both applications through the Issa Compass agency.

On June 4th, we entered Thailand without a visa, but I returned on June 4th. I left immediately due to a death in the family and traveled to Germany, re-entering Thailand on June 14th.

We would now like to extend our visa-free stay by 30 days and then try to apply for the DTV again in September, as the agency advised us not to do so again for another three months (it was rejected on June 2nd, so we’re commuting to September).

Which consulate is the „best“? Better saying: Where did you have the best experience?

Thank you for your help! 🙏

Has anybody had experience applying for the DTV Softpower option in New Zealand?

How many months bank account showing 500,000 baht is required, and what other income information is needed please?

DTV: Softpower Approved in 2 days in Jakarta!

Details Below:

Applied in Jakarta on the 25th of Jan, got a VOA which takes a picture of you at the autopassport gate (if you have an e-compatible passport, apply online before or when you arrive).

Overall this was a simple, fast, and surprisingly no fuss process.

Visa Class: DTV Softpower

From: Muay Thai Fever - Derry McCourt was extremely understanding and accomidating for this part. 6 Month training plan. He supplied a full range of gym docs & certifications, training details, reciept, scheudle, anything that could be asked for by immigration.

Submitted: All required pages provided to me in a pre-combined single PDF.

Proof of Location:

Uploded the VOA email that has my picture and entry details, my hotel booking in Jakarta, and inbound flight just to cover my bases. I did not have an outboud flight booked so there was nothing to provide.

Submitted: Hotel booking, Inbound flight + VOA approval page with my photo on it, in 1 combined PDF.

Proof of funds:

I uploaded 5 months of bank statements from my USA bank, all showing over 500k THB. I only included the transactions on the most recent 2 months - while including a screenshot from that bank's mobile banking app for the current month (Jan) as I was applying right at the end of Jan and didn't have a proper statement yet. Totalling 6 months of banking. This account had 1-4 transactions each month - something that may have helped move the process through faster.

Submitted: Screenshot of my banking app showing current month + current balance, as well as 5 months of bank statements. Combined into 1 PDF.

Details:

Employement: Freelance & appropriate income. From my understanding employment, and income are not weighted in a Soft Power application, but it never hurts.

Duration of stay: 5 months - I didn't want to under, or over-apply the stay as technically stamps are for 6 months, but if I put only 2 months stay, they may instead say I only needed a tourist visa.

Address in Thailand: My current condo details, just the contact details from their google listing, no contracts or anything required.

Apply mid day Mon 27th, recieved email approval late Wed 29th, printed it out that night and flew out the following morning, the 30th.

When entering, the immigration lady I picked was smiley, but when she got my passport + printed DTV page she had to process for a while, lost her smile, then her supervisor came over and spoke a bit, and then I was stamped in no questions.

Hopefully that helps someone get their stuff sorted. I added all the details I am comfortable with sharing, so take what you need and good luck!🙌🙌🙌🙌