Hi all, my visa was approved on Oct 16th.

And I wanted to share my experience too for you all to apply.

1) Embassy Location: Fukuoka embassy, Japan

(I was a Tokyo resident as a Japanese national)

2) Timeline

Applied on at night on Oct 9th.

Asked for extra docs on Oct 15th, which I submitted in the morning on Oct 16th.

Got approved on the 16th in the evening when I was exhilarated.

3) Type: soft power(Muey Thai gym)

4) Requested more docs as below

* Accommodation booking document

I am staying with my Thai gf, so she gave me her condo contract, a cover letter and her ID.

* Flight booking confirmation

* Financial evidence: an amount of no less than 500,000 THB (e.g., bank statements for the last three months, sponsor letter): A bank statement showing transactions for the past three months (Aug - Oct).

Initially I submitted only the full amount of my savings.

Other request documents: Please scan all pages of the passport that contain entry or exit stamps and visa stickers.

It went all quick.

Hope it helps.

I want to apply for DTV in Vietnam. I am basically eligible for both, workation and Myai Thai camp (soft power). Now I am choosing an option to go with. I am more inclining towards Myai Thai (since I want to attend classes anyway). Are there any disadvantages with soft power path compared to workation? Based on available history, which of them (soft power or workation) is easier when re-entering (after 6 month)? Do they ask a re-confirmation that you are still attending the Myai Thai classes when you are re-entering after 6 month (has it ever happened to anyone)? Also any potential differences with handling taxes (for non-Thai income)? Which of them has more chances (in general) for paying no taxes in Thai?

If denied entry under section 12(2) with no time limit recorded on the letter … would I be able to apply for DTV right away or wait how long ?

Said on letter trying to visit with no appropriate means of living

Hello community,

thank you so much for replying to my last post.

I got a much better feeling about going for the DTV after your replies.

But now I contacted an agent and received below reply…

What is the current political situation in Thailand? Does it make sense to apply for DTV?

“Hello Kat,

At this time, we no longer offer services for the 5 Year - Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) due to recent political changes and concerns about the program's longevity. Additionally, banks have stopped allowing banking services for DTV holders.

Instead, we recommend our long-term ED visa services, which do not require you to leave the country every six months and allow you to open a bank account. This is a great option for those under 50 years old.”

Hello, I’m looking for a Thai cooking school in the Huahin area to complete my DTV visa of someone can help me.

Hi

I will be applying for a non-o visa on reading the require

Ments to obtain the visa the application form requires a return ticket how does that

Work if I plan on staying and retiring in Thailand

Thanks

Approved visa in Hanoi Vietnam! ✅🎉

Applied for the Soft Power DTV with Arun Thai cooking

Application submitted: Friday 16/10

Changed to Pending approval 17/10

No document requests.

Approval received: Wednesday 29/10

What I submitted:

Bio data page of US passport

Passport photo

Proof of current address:

- Hanoi evisa document

- 1 passport page with Vietnam stamp

- Agoda bill recent for apartment in Hanoi

- Confirmed booking for flight from HAN to DMK for 25/11

- a picture of me holding apartment keys and a grocery receipt showing the date on the receipt as 14/10

- A close up of the keys and receipt together.

- Agoda page with address of serviced apartment

Three months of bank statements from a HYSA

- September, August, July statements

- The tenth of August had the full amount 500k baht amount and September the entire month. July had like 200k baht.

Arun Thai Cooking school documents.

I wrote a cover letter in English explaining that I will write a small letter in Thai explaining why I choose soft power cooking. I explained why in Thai because I had previously studied Thai getting an ED visa for 18 months and wanted to show that I actually studied and am continuing to learn Thai. The letter was basic and just said Thai food is famous and listed some of my favorites and that I want to learn.

Last time I went Bangkok in January 2025 after spending a month in Japan, I got grilled by the IOs for trying to come back without a proper visa. Because I had basically lived in Thailand for a little over two years. Mostly with ED visa. So an hour later they agreed to let me in but they left a note on my file that said I would apply for the dtv visa.

Huge thanks to the group for all the help. I'm excited to go back! Happy to answer any questions!

Hello people Im applying under soft power

How long a course should be whats the minimum duration? Like 6 months ?

So if i take a 1 year course will it help my visa for whole 5 years or just that first year only ?

Muay thai or cooking class which is affordable ?

Recommend a school if possible

Im on a budget !!

Hey hey guys, I’m Geneva. Been in the group a while, but just bouncing back from a bug & have been deep into preparing for the flight to Thailand with my 2 pups.

I’m looking at all this information about the DTV Visa using search, & I’ll be honest either my mind is still foggy or information is all over the place.

I have not chosen Thailand to be my forever home yet, but I am deciding between different VISAS. I wanted to do the student visa, because I want to take cooking classes & really get into the culture. However, just wanted feedback on which VISAS you all have & for what reasons. Can you still take classes if you have a different VISA, or is the student VISA a necessity?

I’m in Vegas, so I only have an embassy in California… can’t afford to be taking a trip and selecting the wrong one. I fly out next week, and will do my initial 60 days.

SN: I am American, brand new passport for 10yrs; military brat, started every thing in life in Europe, been traveling all my life but always with family. First solo international adventure. Also my dogs are fine; permits approved, health certificate, DOT, etc I do not need any information in regards to that.

Thank you in advance

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a retirement visa vs. a DTV?