As a newly APPROVED Canadian DTV holder, I just wanted to share my experience & some possible takeaways for those considering applying or mid-application:

1. I applied for my Visa online at the Government of Thailand's Visa webpage. I did not physically apply "at" an embassy. The Thai government uses "at the ____ embassy" phrasing to mean that your country's embassy reviews the documents that you send through the Thai government online portal. You do not have to physically show up there.

2. In my experience the Thai embassy in Ottawa was pretty chill about the requirements. They did not seem to care that my employment documents were unusual (I'm a freelancer), nor that I did not have the required funds for the entire three month statement period.

3. However, there WAS quite a bit of back and forth between me and the embassy about missing details in my documents. I had two requests for additional documentation, and one of them requested a full FOUR documents!

4. The embassy was very quick in responding to each of my submissions.

Based on the experience described above, I have for takeaways for those considering applying in Canada:

1. Apply online on the Government of Thailand's Visa webpage.

2. Don't worry about being slightly off-the-mark on one of the requirements, they're looking to see that you are roughly the type of applicant they want.

3. DO make sure your documents contain all the required information.

4. Don't sweat their official statement that the application process "will take up to 25 days." They will get back to you in under 24 hours.

Hi, can someone share what are the documents and checks one needs to go through once the DTV has been approved and one has entered Thailand? Reports, renewals, etc. In addition, please share your experience regarding continued checking of initial visa requirements: bank funds, proof of freelancer status/ company ownership, etc. Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

Applying for the DTV via the HCMC consulate I was only able to to add one document per category, so for showing proof of employment I was only able to add my resume showing my freelancer status. I was not able to add my invoices from my client. Is my resume going to be enough?

Hello I wanted to ask about the requirements for DTV as a freelancer (interior designer)

These are the things I prepared for this

-visa form

- bank statement

- portfolio

- my recent work projects

if I need any more requirements would you please kindly tell me✨

Do I need my client letter or is this enough?? I'll be applying at Laos Vientiane. Would it be easier there?? Can you share me any experience about applying visa there. Thank you.

Received my DTV and entered Thailand🙏

Applied in Ho Chi Minh 🇻🇳, took me 2 days!

Highly recommend this embassy , super chill and easy going people! Even security guys are very nice!

Case: Music Producer/ Artist 🕺🏻Freelance.

Thanks to everyone in this amazing group for all of your tips and advices 🙏❤️!

What I provided:

- Passport

- 340$ ( no signs, clean banknotes, they are crazy about it)

- Filled visa application

- 1 pic (4x5)

- Entry Vietnam stamp

- Bank statement 3-6 month ( I had 4 month one from Bangkok Bank with decent amount , they want to see a lot of movement of funds over the last 3/6 months)

- CV

- Socia media ( printed screen shots )

- Wikipedia page

- Google page

- Professional portfolio / Highlights ( Electronic Press Kit attached)

- Contracts with your clients / invoices ( under your name as a freelancer or under your company that you work for )

I successfully got my DTV from the Thai Embassy in Ho Chi Minh City. The process was a bit tricky but manageable. They didn’t ask me many questions. And it’s best to make an appointment at least two weeks in advance.

Here are the documents I submitted as a freelancer:

1. Completed Application Form

2. Photocopy of my passport info page

3. Six months of bank statements (Put the latest bank statement at the top and highlight the total balance.)

4. A few pages from my portfolio

5. CV

It took two working days to process.

Try to submit as few documents as possible until they ask for more. Giving too many documents can make things harder for them and lead to unnecessary questions that you might not be able to answer. Be ready to take extra time to submit any documents they might ask for later. When I was there, it seemed like everyone else was waiting to re-submit something they did not have the first time. *Resubmit the document; do not request additional appointments.

Make sure all your documents are in English; if they’re not, get them translated first. I submitted a portfolio with screenshots of my web design work, but it was not in English. Because of that, I was asked to translate it.

The next day, I returned with my translated portfolio, but then the other staff said they also needed my CV. Luckily, I had my MacBook with me, so I printed it out and went back within 30 minutes (before they closed for lunch) from a nearby photocopy shop (just a 5-minute walk; you can find it on Google, located southwest of the consulate).

Finally, make sure all your USD bills are in "perfect" condition because "good" condition isn't enough. It's a shame that I always carry some US dollars just in case I need them, which I get from an ATM in Hong Kong. They all have an authenticated crop mark on the back. Even though the bills are new, many places won't take them. There are money exchange shops in HCM city D1 area where you can buy USD; I bought some and carefully checked each bill for perfect condition. When the embassy staff accepted my bills and gave me a receipt, I felt so relieved. *One of my $20 bills was rejected, probably because the corner wasn't sharp enough.

I got my passport back on Friday afternoon after applying on Wednesday. So, it’s better to make your appointment on a Monday or Tuesday rather than later in the week; otherwise, you’ll have to wait until the next week to pick up your passport.

Always bring your laptop for quick replies. It's a good idea to have a USB A flash drive with you for the printing shop, as they may not have USB C connections. If you're using a Mac, make sure to format the drive in FAT32 or ExFAT so it works with Windows OS. Otherwise, many printing shops allow you to email your files for printing. Good luck~