Planning to apply for DTV Soft Power (Cooking) towards the end of this month (September) in Vietnam. I have the seasoned funds but currently unemployed.

Which embassy is more friendly these days, Hanoi or HCMC? My plan was to stay in Danang & Hue which fall under HCMC but if Hanoi is better I don't mind going north.

And secondly, do I have to fly from Vietnam to Thailand to 'activate' it, or does it not matter? I need to be in Japan early November so I was planning to fly back to Bangkok from there.

Thank you 🙏🏼

I applied for DTV-workcation option on august 8th to the HCMC embassy. They requested for additional documents on 13th and I submitted on the same day. The status change to pending approval on 14th and it is unchange till to this day. Is there anyone who got the approval within this time frame?

Edit: People who have real documents but want to try by themselves. Please read this. I went to embassy and learnt 500k should be in account for 3 months or should be stable. Not ok with ending balance 500k even though it is your real money.

I have just got rejected mail in Hanoi. I believe I attached every documents. I have sent the clarification email and am waiting for the reply.

1. Myanmar Nationality

2. Australia based company

3. Submitted company registration, employment contract, remote permission, Company profile, resume, portfolio link, cover letter indicating that I am not working for Thailand company, payslips 3 months, Wise transfer email, Company website.

4. Vietnam Entry Stamp, Hotel booking

5. Bank statement 6 months with Ending balance 500k

My question is should I resubmit in Hanoi or better apply in HCMC?

Happy to say I got my visa through at 15:30 today.

Soft Power

Applied 24th Feb HCMC, asked for 6 months accomodation 26th, sent a hotel booking for two 3 months stints which are cancellable.

Was on pending approval 27th and authorised today.

Thanks for all the advice.

Back to Thailand tomorrow.

4 days until my flight. No news from the HCMC embassy. Getting a bit nervous. Decided to log in and check the status. Guess what... They are waiting for additional documents since Feb 25th! Did not receive any emails about the request even though was emailed last two times they needed additional documents. Checked spam. Nothing. So they just forgot to notify.

Wish me luck!

And don't forget to check thaievisa website for status updates because notifications are not guaranteed as it turns out

I was asked for 6 months accomodation in BKK by HCMC embassy. I dont have a rental agreement and had only booked a hotel for a week that had been attached. Ive now booked a different hotel for 6 months in 2 seperate booking of 90days as thats all it will let me. Im actually staying at a free apartment owned by a family friend but have no documentation to prove this.

Has anyone received an email from the embassy in HCMC? I've been waiting for over a week now, no information yet

DTV Approved from HCMC Embassy.

Hi, i got my DTV approved and wanna share my experience and the documents I submitted to those who are looking to apply.

Applied: Jan 16, 2025

Additional Documents Requested: Jan 19, 2025

Pending Approval: Jan 21,2025

Approved: Jan 23,2025

Applied through workcation (remote work) category.

Documents submitted:

- Passport bio page (I took a photo and covert it to pdf)

-Passport photo (The embassy does have a requirement for the photo, especially for ladies, if you have long hair, make sure you put your hair back before taking the photo. You can check if the photo meets the requirement when you upload it)

- Entry stamp to Vietnam (also took a photo and covert it to pdf)

- Hotel booking receipt (I booked through agoda, at agoda, you can get an official booking receipt that shows the property address, the dates that you booked).

- Cover letter to the embassy stating why I wish to apply for the DTV and that I will follow the law of Thailand

-Employment contract & cover letter stating that I am allowed to work remotely including in Thailand.

-Pay slips for the last 6 months with bank statements showing the transfer (merged into 1 pdf) (highlighted the payment transfer)

-Bank statement for the last 6 months showing 500k balance (Highlighted the balance at the end of each month and also covert the amount to THB for each month written next to the opening balance of each month) (merged into 1 pdf)

Additional documents submitted: Was asked to provide the company's vision & mission on the following Monday after I submitted my application. Sent the document on the same day before the embassy closed.

P.S: You can do a draft application before the actual application, so you have an idea of what needs to be submitted.

Thank you again for all the information & tips from this group.

Is anyone applying for DTV in HCMC on December 10 (I know it’s a government day off) and still waiting for approval today?

Also, can someone please share the time they received their approval email from the embassy? I noticed that many of you got approved very late in the evening, around 1 a.m.

I'm applying for the DTV in HCMC now.

I'm thinking of moving to Da Nang today.

Is someone required to be physically present at the HCMC embassy for additional documents?

Just wondering if it's worth staying around, or if it doesn't really matter.