I’m officially approved for my 5-year Thailand DTV Visa!

Here’s a full recap of my application process:

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THAILAND DTV VISA TIMELINE

Visa Type: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

Purpose: Long-stay tourism and personal Muay Thai training

Issued by: Royal Thai Consulate-General, Los Angeles

Assistance by: Settle in Abroad (Service fee: $364 USD)

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Step-by-Step Breakdown:

• April 7, 2025: Zoom intake session with Mandy from Settle in Abroad

• April 16: Payment submitted + final document review (9 calendar days | 7 business days later)

• April 22: Application submitted via thaievisa portal

• April 23: Status changed to Pending Document Check (1 calendar day | 1 business day later)

• May 6: Consulate confirmed status: Under Review (13 calendar days | 9 business days later)

• May 13: Status updated to Pending Approval (7 calendar days | 5 business days later)

• May 14: Officially Approved + eVisa delivered (1 calendar day | 1 business day later)

Total duration: 22 calendar days | 16 business days

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Documents Submitted (with support from Settle in Abroad):

• Passport bio page

• Driver’s license

• Utility bill

• Mortgage statement

• Bank and asset documentation

• Professional headshot

• Hotel booking in Bangkok

• Flight itinerary

• Muay Thai Fever invitation letter (Chiang Mai)

• Proof of tuition payment (15,000 THB)

• Personal letter of intent

• Final e-visa declaration

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Special Thanks:

Appreciation to the team at Settle in Abroad providing structured guidance and thorough review at every step. While the application was submitted directly to the Thai consulate, their experience and attention to detail made a meaningful difference in the clarity and confidence of my process.

Thanks also to Muay Thai Fever Gym in Chiang Mai for preparing an excellent documentation package and welcoming training program that aligns with the spirit of the DTV visa.

* According to the web site of the Thai embassy in Vientianne, one must "Book an appointment at [[members only]/). Walk-ins will not be accepted." I have tried that link for a while but it is not taking me anywhere. Can someone tip me on how to get an appointment?

* Out of curiosity, I noticed that the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet has the option to schedule appointments for DTV visa. By any chance, has anyone in this group tried in Savannakhet? Was the experience similar to Vientiane? Thanks.

So I’m thinking of going to Vientiane in Laos to apply for the workcation visa in a few months time. Has anyone had any experience applying there?

Which countries still allow walk-in applications for the DTV visa in 2025? Asking for someone since I already have mine!

If drivers licenses are able to show "current location", what stops someone from applying remotely?

I'm on a business trip abroad but have a US passport/drivers license and may not have time to get back to the States before going to Thailand

I know Taipei may have plans to go to the E-Visa system at the end of the year and heard Jakarta was transitioning at the end of November. But I have seen posts that walk in visa services are going to continue until the end of the year. Just want to confirm before booking travel to get a workcation dtv in December. Since it seems like once they go to the E-Visa system it takes much longer.

Hi, I'm about to get a new visa and work permit and a bit stuck with submitting a certified copy of my education certification/ diploma. Has anyone here gone through this - I'm wondering if consulates can certify PDF version of my diploma. The originals are back in Canada

Regarding DTV: I see some people got actual visas put in their passport. From the consulate in Los Angeles where I got it, they just emailed me a form. Why do some give actual visas in passport and mine just a document pdf? Any difference?

Can DTV be applied from inside of Thailand? Bit confused about it.

Does anyone know if you can get a photocopy of your university degree legalized for visa purposes? We live in in Hong Kong, so I'm hoping the US consulate here will legalize the copy, and then I can get it stamped at the HK Thai consulate.

My diploma is safely packed away in the States, and I only have a photocopy with me. Not sure if I need to track down the original

Many thanks!