APPROVED! 🎉

DTV Soft Power Visa - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

HUGE thanks to everyone here in the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) group for all the helpful info! 🙌

TIMELINE

* Mid March - Researched DTV categories, requirements, Muay Thai schools. Chose Wildcat Muay Thai (in Chiang Mai).

* March 26: Finalized details and paid for a 6-month course. Shout out to Meaw for answering all my questions! :)

* March 27: Received the required documents from the school for the Soft Power DTV application.

* March 28: Prepared supporting documents: cover letter, bank statements, proof of accommodation, etc. Decided to wait till April for my banks to produce the most recent, March account statement.

* April 1: Submitted my application (documents + fees).

* April 3: Received a request for updated financial proof (bank statements for the last 6 months) and explanation of how I’ll support myself. Sent the additional documents the same night.

* April 8: Status updated to “Pending Approval” (visible on the portal; no email notification).

* April 16: APPROVED! Received my visa as a PDF via email.

If I had to do it again - I would submit all 6 months of bank account statements AND the most recent month right away.

And in a case you're unemployed - definitely include a COVER LETTER explaining how you're going to support yourself.

Hope this helps anyone navigating the process.

Thanks everyone!