TrueMoney with advanced verification provides practically all benefits of a bank account. Go for that. If you’re not a US citizen (in which case you can get fee free atm withdrawals), do a max pull (30k or whatever) from an ATM and dump it in your true account from a kiosk at any mrt station or true money shop.

I'm curious how you managed to keep an account on DTV. I heard all the banks closed DTV accounts a while back.

Interesting, I was under the impression Laos had a mandatory interview, apparently this policy has changed?

@Elías *******

Wrong country

@Samuel *************

unfortunately the “what if” feeling is going to be with you no matter where you live in SE Asia. Rules can arbitrarily change no matter where you live and no matter what visa you have, unless you can secure permanent residence.

You'll likely need to go the soft power route and may eventually be required to show proof on ongoing enrollment and attendance in a potentially pricy cooking or Muay Thai program to get the full 5 years out of the visa. As of now, no requirements for duration of program or attendance checks. But longer duration (6 months+) = higher chance of visa approval. Getting approved doesn't mean they won't make the rules trickier down the road for soft power folks.

@Sefton *******

The expat-focused tax firms aren't necessarily better, they have an incentive to get you to file and get paid so they'll find every excuse and technicality possible to make you think you need to file

Anonymous participant I'd recommend calling over emailing (saw a post a while back saying someone got a reason by calling a consulate), but from what I'm hearing, a reason for rejection is rarely given. It's just how it is. Sucks but you have to fork out the cash and apply again.

Anonymous participant Just hang out in Vientiane while the app is processing. Very charming, low key city, not that much different from Isan. You're right across the river from Thailand. What happens sucks, but both applications fees + all these travel expenses are still very low when you factor in how valuable a 5 year multiple entry visa is. Just look at how much people were paying for 5 year elite visa a few years ago. And you both want to be together, hassle free, so this is what I would do if I were you.

Go to Laos together, have her apply there, there is a required in person interview that is apparently mostly focused on being able to prove income via your mobile phone, if everything is okay there, supposedly very high acceptance rate, unless things have changed.