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! 🥳

@Alan *******

like Brandon already mentioned - a visa is a document for entering a country - i.e. you apply for a visa before you travel there. In most cases that is the ONLY way to obtain a visa.

You won't get any other answers... especially not since you don't provide any more info. There are a bunch of visa types, but no one can guess what type of visa you should apply for! What's your age, how will you support yourself, are you retired, are you going to study, are you married to a thai, have you been offered a job in Thailand etc etc.

Congrats! 🥳

Congrats! 🥳

@Greg *******

like the OP mentioned on another comment - people can't really say they don't have the money (for a bribe or a flight out), since they recently proved having access to 500k... So I think the airlines can feel pretty safe bringing DTV'ers.

@Donetta *******

With a US passport I assume... If I were you I would apply about 2 month ahead. I've read various reports, for instance some people waiting over a month in LA, while others have gotten approved pretty quickly...

You should read the information and check the processing time for the embassy/consulate that holds jurisdiction for your part of the country (Washington, New York, Chicago or Los Angeles).

@Greg *******

yes, I'm not surprised at all.

Now is too early... When you should apply depends on your nationality (what passport you hold) AND where you plan to apply. Some nationalities have restrictions that add to the processing time and each embassy/consulate have their own estimated time to process visas.