Hi, went today at the Vientiane Thai Embassy to pay the 10k cash, do you know how long I need to wait for an answer about interview and how long for interview? Anyone’s done that recently? I really don't want to stay in Laos, I have been inside all day, not even want to go out for a walk or to go the gym :S

Update – LONDON Work-cation DTV Approved 🎉

Just wanted to thank everyone who gave advice – my situation was stressful, but my visa has been approved a day before my flight which feels amazing!

Timeline

• Applied: Fri 5 Sept

• Request for extra docs: Mon 8 Sept

• Interview request email: 15 Sept (11pm)

• Interview attended: 16 Sept

• Told to expect 10-day wait: 18 Sept

• Visa approved: 22 Sept (11pm)

Documents requested:

• A letter confirming I can work online, but not for clients or employers in Thailand- I had already done this but for some reason they asked again

• A clearer photo

Interview experience:

Because I don’t live directly in London, I had to book a last minute flight the night before – stressful but worth it. The interview itself was very straightforward. I arrived 30 mins early, got a ticket for the queue, and was seen before my time at one of the regular booths in the waiting area. They asked me the same questions I’d already covered in my letter, plus why I changed my application from Soft Power to Work-cation.

The staff were kind and professional and the atmosphere felt very relaxed.

Context:

I work for myself online.

My Interview Experience for the DTV in Taipei

Basic Information

Nationality: Taiwan

Applied from: Taiwan

DTV Category: Muay Thai

Application Timeline

8/31 (11:50 PM): Submitted my DTV application online. Status: Processing → Pending Document Check.

9/1 (10:31 AM): Requested to upload proof of employment with company’s license. (I explained that I’m unemployed, have no current income, but have sufficient funds—well above the minimum 500,000 THB requirement—to support myself in Thailand.)

9/1 (3:00 PM): Requested again to upload my Taiwan Entry and Exit Certificate within 1 year (issued by the Taiwan National Immigration Agency). I had already submitted this in my initial application, but I uploaded it again.

9/1 (3:54 PM): Requested to upload the Certificate of Entry and Exit Dates from the Taiwan National Immigration Agency, updated at least one day before submission. (I didn’t know this requirement, so I rushed to the immigration office the same day, got the updated certificate, and uploaded it immediately.)

9/3: Received an email inviting me for an interview.

9/5 (3:00 PM): Attended the interview in Taipei.

9/5 (6:30 PM): Received an email confirming my visa was approved.

Total time to get my visa: 1 week.

Document Preparation

One important thing to note is that you must print out every single document you uploaded online. I originally thought showing them on my laptop would be enough, but it wasn’t. Thankfully, there was a 7-11 nearby, so I quickly printed everything. After submission, the staff reviewed my papers and then called in the officer for the interview.

Interview Process

The interview was conducted entirely in English, regardless of whether you’re a foreigner or a Taiwanese applicant. The atmosphere was neutral—not especially friendly, but not harsh either. It mainly felt like a fact-checking step to make sure all the information I provided was accurate.

Interview Questions:

*Why do you want to learn Muay Thai in Thailand?*

(Because Taiwan cannot provide the ideal training environment I’m looking for.)

*How did you start learning Muay Thai?*

(Last year I joined a Muay Thai trial class in Thailand and immediately fell in love with it. Since then, I have continued to practice.)

*How did you find your current Muay Thai gym?*

(I searched gyms on Instagram, tried a few, and chose the one I liked most.)

*What is your current employment/financial situation?*

(I’m currently on a gap year after resigning from my job. I showed bank proof from two accounts—one in Canada and one in Taiwan. The officer also asked me to explain my bank account transactions)

*What did you do before this gap year?*

*What were your past trips to Thailand for Muay Thai like?*

(Previously, I trained while also working remotely at the same time.)

*What is your plan for life in Thailand after training?*

(I plan to focus on training, and in my free time, I’ll read and work on developing my skills for my next career. )

*Questions about past life in Canada*

*Questions about long-term DTV planning:*

(I explained my five-year plan for the DTV visa. My first year will focus on Muay Thai training. After that, I’ll need to decide whether to continue training using my savings or return to Taiwan to work in an office. Ideally, I hope to find a full-time remote job that would allow me to stay in Thailand longer.)

After the Interview

My interview was at 3:00 in the afternoon. The officer asked me to wait for the results, and by 6:30 the same day I received an email confirming that my visa had been approved.

Overall Impression & Tips

Applying in Taipei was a fairly neutral and efficient experience. I prepared all the requested documents, uploaded additional documents within a few hours whenever they asked, and they responded quickly—sometimes within just one hour. Overall, the entire process was very fast and professional.

If you’re preparing for this, print all your documents in advance, including bank proofs, and be ready to explain your financial records, past work experience, and training plans clearly.

Good luck everyone!

Is there anyone who has experienced about interview by applying DTV with Soft Power (Cooking Class) in HCMC?

Now, I am applying with Cooking class and they offer an appointment for interview.

If you have same experience, could you please share some information about it?

Thanks in advance

Big thanks to everyone who answered my questions and shared their experiences — your advice really helped!

For anyone curious about the process:

I submitted my documents on August 20, and on August 21 they asked me to provide recommendation letters and my portfolio. I sent everything in, and just 15 minutes later I got an invitation for an interview scheduled on August 27.

The interview itself lasted maybe five minutes and had a super relaxed, friendly vibe more like chatting with a friend. They only asked me to show proof of funds at the bank and my portfolio on my phone.

Just two hours after the interview, I got the notification that my visa had been approved. The whole process took exactly 7 days from submission to final approval.

Once again, huge thanks to everyone for your help and support! 🙌

Sharing my interview experience and my DTV approval following the interview.

They looked at my passport and enquired about the Non-O visa. I honestly told the officer that I was on a marriage visa and that my wife is Thai. Then I showed the book my wife authored about our journey and her medical treatment for several diseases.

Why don’t you apply for the DTV visa in your own country? I informed them that I had always applied for my Non O visa at your General Consulate, which is located near my Thai house.

Then they enquired as to what my job is. I mentioned that I am a pastor who teaches online. Then they wanted me to show them my teaching. I showed them my YouTube account, where I teach and they watch it. I informed them that they could see the PhD, Master's, and other theology-related documents I submitted. So they see it in their system.

What about your income? I do not have any income, but I have received contributions from everyone and they have been deposited into my bank account. So I showed them my home bank account.

Where do you stay in Thailand? I said that I stayed on my own property and showed them my land title.

Are you sure you want to learn to cook? Why? I told them I enjoy cooking and cook for my father-in-law. Show me what you are preparing. I could not find the cooking photo. I told them what kind of food I cook. I shared the ingredients for the Pa Loh and lamb shank dish. What do you want to do when you have learnt to cook? I shall cook for the underprivileged and my family.

The End! Just walked out, and my DTV visa approval.

Approved in Tokyo, Japan 😀

Finally got the approval today, thank you to everyone for the advice and tips along the way. Here is how my process went:

February 17th: Applied under the remote work category.

February 21st: Requested additional documents: Company Registration Certificate and Recommendation Letter issued by company.

March 3rd: Requested to attend interview at Thai Embassy in Tokyo on March 6th (wasn't given choice, it just said be there at 2PM on March 6th). Fortunately I was available then.

March 6th: Interview day. It was quite rigorous and intense. Was interviewed by 3 women at once; one Japanese and two Thai. They mainly wanted to know about my employment. I work in recruitment in Japan and have been doing for 20+ years. I had to explain that I can work fully remotely and that all of my clients / business takes place in Japan. I had to show proof of 2 of my clients, proof that I can do the job remotely, they wanted to see my business card, look at my LinkedIn profile and payslips.

They they touched on other topics; they wanted to know how I know my guarantor, why I cannot speak Japanese completely fluently, where my ex-wife lives, where my adult son lives, why I like Thailand and can I speak any Thai.

I always knew that applying in Japan might be more strict than other countries, because, well, Japan is just like that.

At the end of the interview, I asked them if I will qualify since I checked all of the boxes and they said maybe. They said perhaps they might offer me another type of visa. I told them that I am not interested in any other type of visa.

The three woman were all very pleasant.

March 10th: Approved 👍

Someone have been invited for interview before? What kind of questions you can expect?

Thanks for your help 🙏🏻

Hi everyone

So I'm staying in Thailand since 2019 on ED visas😆, never left the country... Is there any chance to get DTV visa with such history? Anyone been in similar situation?