DTV Visa Approved in Just 4 Working Days
I recently helped my friend successfully apply for a Digital Thailand Visa (DTV). As an immigration case worker, I have experience in this field, but I found the DTV process straightforward enough for anyone to handle with the right preparation.
APPLICATION TIMELINE:
• Submission Date: Dec 10, 12:03 AM
• Request for Additional Documents: Dec 12, 11:48 AM
• Approval Received: Dec 13, 6:48 PM
Processing Time: 4 working days
Submission Route: Workcation
Issue Place: Royal Thai Embassy, Hanoi
Application Method: Thai eVisa Portal ([members only]/)
APPLICANT’S BACKGROUND:
• Employment: Remote worker since July 2022
• Immigration history: Applicant has traveled to Thailand and stayed multiple times using the 60-day visa exemption. He has also extended a tourist visa while inside Thailand. I initially thought about addressing this point to the visa officer but ultimately decided to ignore it.
DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED (DEC 10, 12:03 AM):
1. Cover Letter (Optional but Recommended): Helps visa officers understand your circumstances, reasons for applying, and facilitates faster decision-making.
2. Employment Reference Letter
3. Employment Contract
4. Payslips (Last 6 Months)
5. Bank Statements (Last 3 Months): Showed a minimum balance of 500,000 THB. (Tip: The fund doesn't need to have been in the account for months; transferring it before submission is acceptable.)
6. Passport
7. Resume
8. National ID (Proof of Current Location for Vietnamese applicants)
Note: All documents must be translated into English.
REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS (DEC 12, 11:48 AM):
After submission, we received a request for the following:
1. Employment Contract, Certificate, or Professional Portfolio: Must showcase status as a digital nomad, remote worker, freelancer, or foreign talent.
2. Company's Business Registration
***Important Note for Remote Workers:
• Ensure your employer’s business registration document is ready for submission in case it's requested.
• Your employment reference letter must explicitly state that you are a “remote worker.”
APPROVAL RECEIVED (DEC 13, 6:48 PM):
After submitting the additional documents, the visa was approved in just 18 hours.
TIPS FOR A SMOOTH DTV APPLICATION:
1. Organize Employment Documents:
- Combine the following into a single PDF file: Cover Letter, Employment Reference Lette, Payslips, Employment Contract, Resume
- Add a table of contents for clarity. (See the attached image for reference.)
2. File Naming:
Use clear and organized file names for each document. (Example: "Your Full Name_Document Name.pdf")
3. Employer Business Registration:
Request this document from your employer in advance.
4. Clear Mention of Remote Work:
Ensure your employment contract or reference letter states you are a “remote worker.”
