Anonym deltagare 608

Here's one example from the Thai Embassy in The Netherlands.

@Maurizio **********

wrong! The advise is to not apply for the visa more than 3 month before you travel and a visa application might be rejected if you apply with an intended travel date that is set more than 3 month ahead...

However, there is no rule that you have to enter within 3 month from the issue date of the visa, you can change your travel plans to a later date and the visa will still be valid.

You should add more documentation to support your application under the "workcation" category...

(or prepare for a request to submit additional documentation).

I suggest you add this merged together (incl. your Upwork profile):

- COVER LETTER (Key points: self employed freelancer, work description, that all your work is done remote, foreign clients and your interest in working remotely from Thailand)

- PORTFOLIO (presentation/summary of your skills and the services/work you offer in your role as a freelancer, examples of your previous work plus a screenshot of and link to your Upwork profile)

- CONTRACTS/PAYMENTS (client contracts, Upwork Earning Certificate, proof of payments, i.e. invoices and bank transfers from clients OR upwork payments and bank statements with payments highlighted)

WHAT ELSE TO OTHER BRING AND/OR PREPARE

- Passport

- Digital photo to upload (not older than 6 month)

- Home address (in your home country or country of residence)

- Address/current location (the hotel booking in Taipei)

- Certificate of Entry and Exit Dates (from the National Immigration Agency, NIA)

- Flight to Thailand, intended date and flight number

- Hotel booking or rental contract in Thailand

...and of course the bank statement you already mentioned.

Good luck!

I start with the last question first...

The validity of the visa is the time period when you have to enter a country. In your case that means 90 days from the date when the visa is issued.

When you arrive in Thailand you will get an entry stamp (not the same as a visa) giving you permission to stay for 90 days (the day of arrival is day 1).

You can most likely go to the Immigration Office to do an extension when you have 30 days left of your initial 90 days (some immigrations allow earlier and some later, if you want to know for sure, check with the local immigration where you will be staying).

As for, if you will get your visa in time, that depends on WHEN you have all the documents needed to submit your application and WHERE you will be when you apply. Even though all applications are done online, the estimated processing time varies depending on which embassy/consulate you're applying through. I suggest that you read the information provided on the web page for the Thai Embassy in the country that you will apply.

As long as you get the required documents and make your application soon, I'd say you'll get the visa in time (most embassies process visas in less than a month).

In Malaysia, you are advised to apply for a visa at least 15 working days (3 weeks) before the intended date of travel.

Their estimated processing time is 7 days, but since they can request additional documents and/or an interview - applications should be made at least 3 weeks prior to your intended travel date.

If you would need/could consider some physiotherapy during your recovery, DTV might be an option...

If so, you could contact a hospital in the area of Thailand where you want to stay and discuss this with them. If you get a letter from your Australian surgeon explaining the type of surgery you're having, I'm sure that a Thai hospital could offer you a treatment plan with appointments for physiotherapy. That in combination with 500k thb in your bank account would make it possible to apply for DTV.

DTV is a multientry visa, valid for 5 years that gives you permit to stay for up to 180 days per entry.

The checklist you gave is old. The option to apply in person at a Thai Embassy is no longer available. All applications are done online at thaievisa.go.th

My first advice is that you should reconsider your choice of where to apply. There are two reasons why I suggest that:

- Both the embassy in Hanoi and the consulate in HCMC tend to ask remote workers and freelancers to submit tax returns.

- The embassy and consulate in Vietnam are closed from Jan 25 to Feb 2. You mention that you want the process to be as speedy as possible. Their processing time is 5 working days (not incl. day of submission). Even if you send your application on Monday next week, the earliest you could expect an approval would be Feb 4. If they ask for additional documentation it will take even longer.

If you still decide to apply in Vietnam you should supply other documents, that MAY prevent them from asking for tax returns. I believe they would ask for tax returns to make sure that:

1) your freelance work is legit and

2) you will be able to support yourself.

Make sure to add documents such as company registration, client contracts, invoices together with client payments, recent payslips or other proof of income etc.

You need to show that you earn money on a regular basis.

Having 500k in a bank account, can be considered as the "minimum financial requirement" for any DTV-application. Several embassies request to see payslips or proof of income on top of the 500k in the bank. That money is more seen as an "emergency fund" and the embassies/consulates want to make sure your freelance work brings you income (since you are prohibited to work for any Thai business).

It is not required to add this in your application, but yes... ANY embassy can ask you to submit additional documentation, i.e. tax return and/or proof of income.

Congrats! 🥳