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expat experience

Showing 226 questions

This page displays all the results for the Expat Experience tag, sorted by the most recent activity. There are a total of 226 questions that have been tagged with Expat Experience. Explore the questions to find discussions and information relevant to this topic.
Jul 18, 2025
2 days ago
For those of you who have already left or returned from Thailand to extend your 180-day visa, did they ask you for any documents at the airport besides the printed DTV Visa form?
Jul 13, 2025
7 days ago
Vissasa ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Approved DTV Soft Power Muay Thai - Jakarta Embassy - 5 Business Days

Sharing my experience with gratitude to the DTV group for much advice and information.

6 Jul (Sun) - Submitted application online

10 Jul (Thu) - Status changed to "Pending Approval"

11 Jul (Fri) - Status changed to "Approved"

Documents submitted:

1) Location information

- Immigration sticker on passport with QR code

- eVisa from scanning QR code

- Ferry booking

- Hotel booking

- Selfie in front of hotel

2) Financial information

- 6 months bank statements with balance >500k THB for entire period

- Account balance on submission date

- Conversion rate SGD-THB on submission date

- Title deed of SG property

- Official document from SG govt stating eligibility to rent out property. Have to prove I can support myself without working in Thailand.

3) Course information

- DTV information pack from Core Combat Chiang Mai. Shoutout to Jamie, Tik and Core Combat team for providing the documents within a day.

I fully expected to stay 2 weeks in Indonesia given the various posts recently. I'm absolutely chuffed to get the DTV within a week without further document requests. Thank you, DTV folks!
Jul 8, 2025
12 days ago
Just did my Second entry in BKK today after spending three days in Japan , 180 days given without even a one word been spoken. DTV visa printed in A6 Form, the visa is issued from Munich.
Jul 8, 2025
12 days ago
Andy *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Today I did the first 90 day report on a DTV

Just to share the feedback, turned up at Sakon Nakhon immigration with just a passport. No people in the building other than staff, few taps on the computer and done. In and out in less than 10mins

It was far easier than I expected
Jul 4, 2025
16 days ago
Ktn ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am hoping someone can give me some clear direction on a Non-O visa applied for in the USA.

I applied for a non-O visa online via the Thai embassy website in the US on June 4, but as of July 4, it has yet to be approved. I am set to depart the States on Sunday July 6th to return to Thailand and join my wife. I have tried to get into contact with the embassy in New York for the past week unsuccessfully.

My questions are, should I delay my trip until the non-O visa is approved or proceed with my original travel plans on Sunday? Once/if the visa application is approved can I exit Thailand to a neighboring country and re-enter on the visa?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance
Jul 2, 2025
18 days ago
Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
My wife, a Thai national, flew into Bangkok yesterday (July 1 2025). She called her City Council, Samut Prakan, today, about my "Yellow Book". The lady from the Council (she remembered her and my daughter when they got their "Blue Book" and invited her to come with me on Friday July 4th, directly, no waiting time.

Confusing it is, the officer said, it may take 2 months to get that document. I thought it is a half day (if that), I am the owner of that condo.

Is there something wrong?
Jul 1, 2025
19 days ago
Adam *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I know there are some dumb questions and anonymous posts (I am still waiting for my approval after 3 weeks in Sydney) but can we try and be a bit nicer? It seems to be getting really snarky here.
Jun 16, 2025
a month ago
Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
There has been lots of posts over the years regarding to the use of "Pink" Thai IDs cards. Here is my experience after 5 or 6 years of use. In my mind it's second class to your passport or "normal" Thai ID, in so much they are used when a greater level of verification is needed, like banks, AIS, LD (land department). However, I have successfully used the pink ID in Hospitals both private and government, doctors, dentists, which is useful if I need to go without thinking about taking my passport, because I leave it at home.
Jun 16, 2025
a month ago
Hi, I'm a bit confused about my experience with the DTV visa in Thailand. I've entered Bangkok three times already, and the first time was smooth with no issues. However, the next two times, I encountered some questioning at immigration.

After my first entry in February, I traveled to Singapore in April and stayed for three weeks. When I returned to Bangkok, a female officer asked about my purpose for visiting Thailand. I explained that I'm taking cooking classes and showed her some photos. She also asked about my return flight to my home country.

When I returned from Singapore again in May, I encountered another female officer who asked why I applied for the DTV visa in Hanoi. I explained that it's for cooking classes and mentioned that I have a sister here. She asked for my return flight ticket, which I showed her, and then stamped my passport.

I'm wondering why I'm being questioned despite having a DTV visa. Should I mention my one-year condo lease in Bangkok during future entries? For context, I'm not working, and I visit Singapore regularly because my partner works there. Since we're not married, I opted for the DTV visa as it's more convenient for me to stay in Thailand than fly back to my home country, which is a four-hour flight. TIA.🙏
Jun 15, 2025
a month ago
Los Angeles DTV Update Workcation: Remote Employee (I do not own the company)

I simply wanted to share my experience so far. LA continues to be a long and difficult process for DTV.

Reading experiences from previous people who applied, I added way more documents than requested. I included:

1. Proof of Residence via Lease and Bank Statements

2. Proof of Income/Finances at ~$40,000 USD in one savings account, plus an additional $8,000 USD in another checking account, both backed to the last 6-months. I also included paystubs from my current employer.

3. Employment Contract, Remote Work Agreement, Business Incorporation Documents, Taxes for 2024.

On all of them I provided a cover letter that explained what was included and for what purpose.

Applied May 29th. Received notice June 13th requesting further documents. Four out of the Five requested documents were already included in the initial application:

1. Proof of Location via a Utility Bill (I Included via Lease and Bank Statement)

2. Proof of Finances over $17,000 for the last 3-months (I included 6-months in previous application)

3. Employment Contract (Included in Last Application)

4. Business Portfolio w/ Description of Business Activities (This one was not included prior)

5. Remote Work Agreement (Included in the previous)

I'll keep you updated as to what happens next!

Edit: As of today, June 23rd, it was approved!
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