Hi everyone,

I applied for my Thai visa on June 24, and my flight is on August 9, but my application is still stuck on “Pending document check” status.

It hasn’t changed for weeks.

Has anyone experienced the same issue?

Is there anything I can do to get an update or response before my departure?

Any help or advice would be really appreciated 🙏

Los Angeles Thai Consulate DTV soft power approved in less than 2 hours! Seriously could not believe how fast that was…after reading it had taken some 4 weeks or more! Now all set to go Sept 21! Thanks all for the helpful info!

I’ll be coming to Thailand in the 90 day visa with plans to then apply for the non-o retirement visa.

I’ll need to open a bank account and deposit the 800,000 Baht.

How do I open a bank account without a permanent Thailand address?

Hi all,

Looking at getting a DTV and returning to Thailand, but I keep hearing immigration is getting stricter.

Currently in Vietnam, Swedish citizen, programmer, have the required finances.

Just left a startup, now between jobs (own a consultancy company, but no invoices for the past year). Multiple visa runs, tourist extensions, one-day overstay. Last entry immigration told me I won’t get in again without a DTV.

Should I expect issues with my background? Anything I should prep for?

Thanks!

If you come by airport but they reject you and have to go back the country you come from.

Do they give you something like a "send back/not allowd to enter the country" stamp in your paspoort?

Has anyone applied for a DTV from Turkey and obtained a visa?

I wonder if you bought a property in gf name at the same time set up 30 year lease to yourself would that work? Just a thought) would check with lawyer of course)

Your thoughts please, expecting some colourful replies 👍

One Step Closer To Our Thai Dream. Non O Visa has been accepted..Time for the next step!!!! Bank account and sim to our name. Suggestions?

One Step Closer To Our Thai Dream. Non O Visa has been accepted..Time for the next step!!!! Bank account and sim to our name. Suggestions?

Just got my DTV approved. Despite what I imagine was a somewhat unusual situation (applying from Brazil as a US citizen with a Hong Kong permanent address and a Hong Kong joint bank account listing my partner's name alongside mine), I was approved without a request for additional documents. I applied via the soft power route and was approved in 8 working days.

I have no idea whether any of this helped, but here's what I did beyond the minimum requirements to strengthen my application:

* I signed up for a 9-month course with Fitfac Muaythai in Bangkok. They're not the cheapest, but they were very responsive (even over the weekend) and I suspect having the documentation indicate a 9-month course would add credibility and make it easier to extend the DTV in 6 months.

* I applied using bank statements from a joint account that had over twice the minimum balance (i.e. one million THB). I figured if there were any questions about using a joint account, I would be able to argue that I was legally entitled to the minimum funds required for the DTV, even if half of my bank balance were considered to belong to my partner.

* I detailed my recent visa and travel history to Thailand (dates, ports of entry, visa number and work permit number, etc). The purpose of this was to build trust by demonstrating that I've always played by the rules during my time in Thailand.

* I wrote a detailed cover letter explaining all of the above, why I was applying from Brazil, and my interest in the DTV. I tried to anticipate and address any questions. I attached the letter to the course registration documents provided by Fitfac.

* I dressed professionally for the photo and used formal language and formatting in the cover letter. The goal here was to make myself look as bland and predictable as possible.

Hope this helps. Good luck to all who are applying!