Thank you very much to the people in this group who helped us to get our DTV approved🥳🥳 We got it in Jakarta and if there is anyone who is planning to go there before they switch to evisa later this month and has questions, let me know and I will try to respond. Generally, it is very smooth and the people there are very nice so I would definitely recommend it if you are in the area.

Just applied with the Chicago embassy. Anyone have experience on turn around times or issues?

Thank you

Has anyone from Canada applied?

DTV approved in Hanoi.

Applied on Monday and I was emailed yesterday saying it’s approved. Collected today. Here’s my experience in some detail:

For context, I’m a UK citizen working in freelance digital marketing. I booked the appointment online through the embassy website a week before (plenty availability).

I provided:

- Airbnb confirmation showing I was in Hanoi.

- Flight confirmation showing when I arrived in Hanoi (likely unnecessary as passport stamp will show this)

- Last 6 months of bank statements showing more than the 500k requirement. Submitted month descending showing the latest on top.

- A letter from a client saying I do freelance work for them.

- Contractor agreement from that one client.

- Invoices for the last 4 months from that client.

TLDR:

- write a contents page and make it easy for someone to read and understand your supporting documents.

- Have a read of the generic application form online first before arriving at the embassy so you know what to write.

- Search “Hanoi” in this group and read the posts from other people.

- Have patience and stay cool.

I had around 65 pages of supporting documents. I got this all printed at a copy shop in da nang for 30k. I saw others in this group write a contents page so I did the same. Each supporting documents type had a number with a circle on each front page and then referenced on the contents page in a very short summary. Makes it’s much easier to digest each document. All documents stapled together for each document type.

On Monday I showed up 20 mins before the appointment time. No one checked if I had an appointment. Went in and filled out the generic visa application form. Tick other and write DTV as there’s no option on the form. For reference it’s the same form that’s available on the HCMC embassy website. I joined the line for the counter. Two people serving but not many people in the line (at 11am). Other people in the line were asked for further evidence such as tax forms/latest bank statement before the application can be submitted but not sure if they were applying for DTV.

The staff checked over my application. Only feedback was a few missing fields on the generic visa application. The lady helped me with what to write. She reviewed all my documents and didn’t ask for anything more. Took the 340USD (crisp bills which I got from Quang Huy Gemstone shop). She then gives you a paper to keep with reference number on it. My time at the counter was much quicker than others and I think it’s down to the contents page making it easier for them to check. Highly recommend doing one. Was told it will take 3 working days to process but it took 2.

I returned to the embassy today with the reference paper. Staff told me to wait at the window outside and the same lady returned my passport with the visa sticker inside. Overall a pleasant experience with no problems.

Before I applying I did search “Hanoi” in this group and read most posts. It was really helpful and thanks to all who contributed 🙏.

Comment with any questions.

Update on my husband's married DTV with the Thai Consulate of Los Angeles: Came back today to tell him to reapply to the visa after he had mistakenly "forgot" to put a hyphen in his last name. Note: The message did not tell him that he's denied a visa.

Applied: Sept 12, 2024

Reapplied: Sept 28, 2024

At the end of the reapplication, was expected to pay another $400 (.... really?)

Remember everyone who happens to have hyphens in their names or some middle name. INCLUDE THEM! Save the $400 mistake that my husband made.

Vientiane Laos 🇱🇦 DTV Experience

Got lucky and found an appointment today 4 days ago so I booked everything and came. If you check the website often you can get a last minute appointment if there are any cancellations

Arrived at the Embassy 9am straight from the airport. Can take the airport bus 🚌 in town then scooter taxi. Or can negotiate with airport taxis. There is no Grab or Bolt here just so you know. Was seen at 9:30am it moves very fast if you come early. There were about maybe 30-40 cued after me when finished so it’s good to come early.

LLC Business Bank account proof of funds was not accepted. They want the funds sitting in a personal savings account. Thankfully the agents spoke good English and were helpful. Bit stressful running around to print off last minute documents but made it work in the end.

There are loads of print shops nearby and make shift shops (people with umbrellas ☔️ set up and a laptop and scanner/printer 🖨️). Charge about 10 baht/$0.30 usd a page 📄 so good to plan ahead and only use if you’re in a pickle and need last minute pages printed.

They seemed to be solely focused on the proof of funds didn’t look at my other documents much. Even after showing a balance over 500k Thai Baht for 6 months he still made me print off a screenshot of the current balance as of today’s date with recent transactions. Had to log into my bank app as well and show it’s mine/real.

TLDR. Print off anything and everything…way more than you expect. Then can always take back the documents they don’t want. I read this group for a while before going and I thought I was well prepared and got wrecked 😅

Wait time is 2 days after they accept your application. Fingers crossed 🤞 it’s accepted

Did anyone successfully get the DTV by online application? How long did the process take?

Me:

8/8 from Thailand fly back to my country (Hong Kong), submitted online once landed Hong Kong

Documents:

work reference letter from the company, company business registration certificate, portfolio, 4months bank statements, 1 month credit card bank statement (to verify my location)

12/8 got email-request further document-6 months bank statements. Then I submitted right away.

Now still pending documents check.

I am about to go to the embassy tmr and ask them if it is possible to fly back to Thailand and wait for the results. Then come back to Hong Kong get it when it is ready.

Hiya! I just got approved for the DTV and wanted to share my details. Hopefully, someone finds it helpful!

Consulate: New York, USA

Visa Cost: $400 USD

Turnaround time: Just under 2 business days; applied on Thurs. 7/25 late afternoon and got the approval email today 7/29, late afternoon

Category: Workation, Freelancer/Remote Worker (I do digital systems and design)

I wasn't asked for any additional documentation so I thought I'd share what I submitted:

- Proof of location: US driver's license w/ current address

- Proof of funds: Cover letter explaining what was enclosed and how I intentionally transferred US dollars into a THB account to 'ensure I had easy access to the funds during my stay'; Wise currency account statement in THB

- Proof of employment: Cover letter w/ bullets explaining what was enclosed; I included 4 main areas: *proof of freelance work* (screenshots from my website), *client contract* (my most recent and largest client contract clearly showing that it was for remote work/the contract amount), *recent invoices* (several past and recent invoices shown as paid), *bank statements* (two supporting statements showing the money from a couple of the invoices going from my payment processor into my bank account; I literally highlighted the transaction(s))

I kind of threw everything at the wall to up my chances, but I think the cover letters with the explanations probably prevented this from getting drawn out with questions.

For the latest DTV visa, is there anyone who successfully applied for it from Singapore?

Just managed to get 2 eSIMs online through the dtac website. You have to have an ID, a photo of either a passport or Thai ID. The first attempt with a Thai ID and Thai passport photo worked. The second attempt failed for the second eSIM. Kept getting the error, ‘Your photo did not meet the criteria for identity verification under the NBTC’s regulations.’ Though all photos were the same in .jpg format. I tried my Australian passport and photo and that failed too. Then I tried my wife’s Australian passport and passport photo, and it was a success. On payment, it came up with a payment error. However, it succeeded and they sent me the PDF with a QR code. You have to use ddmmyyyy as the password to open the PDF.