The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) has opened new opportunities for long-term stays in Thailand, especially for those involved in cultural activities such as Muay Thai. With a relatively straightforward application process, it’s quickly becoming one of the most accessible long-stay visa options in Southeast Asia.
Please note: DTV applications must be submitted from outside Thailand. Based on current trends and real client experiences, we’ve updated our list of the best countries to apply from, focusing on those with smoother processes and fewer complications.
Where to Apply:
1. Your Home Country
Submitting your application in your country of citizenship is still one of the most predictable options, provided your local Thai embassy or consulate is not known to be overly slow or strict.
In many countries, embassies process applications from their own nationals more smoothly, as you already meet local residence and documentation requirements. Processing times usually range from a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on the post.
However, some “home countries” (for example, France, Spain, Bangladesh, China) have now become slow or highly demanding. In those cases, it can be worth considering an alternative location where non-residents or tourists are allowed to apply.
2. Easiest and Most Applicant-Friendly Embassies
Based on current patterns, the following locations are among the simplest and fastest for DTV applications, with straightforward financial requirements and relatively light additional documentation:
- United States (Los Angeles)
- Approval in around 2 hours.
- Tourists and non-residents can apply.
- Standard 3-month bank statement with at least 500,000 THB balance.
- One of the most efficient and flexible posts worldwide.
- Canada (Vancouver)
- Approval typically in about 2 days.
- Standard 3-month bank statement with at least 500,000 THB.
- Clear, predictable process.
- Australia
- Approval takes 10 days in Canberra
- Requires cover letter explaining how you plan to support yourself in Thailand if you are unemployed.
- Norway
- Approval in about 2 days.
- 3-month bank statement with at least 500,000 THB.
- Minimal extra documentation.
- Denmark
- Approval takes approximately 4 business days
- Requires a cover letter related to your visa.
- Portugal (Lisbon)
- Approval in about 2 days.
- Standard 3-month bank statement with at least 500,000 THB.
- Italy
- Approval takes 4 days after all requirements are submitted
- Brazil
- Approval often within 1 day.
- 3-month bank statement with at least 500,000 THB.
- UAE (Dubai)
- Approval takes 2 weeks
- Requires rental agreement or hotel reservation covering the entire duration of the trip.
- New Zealand (Wellington)
- Proof of accommodation in Thailand for the entire duration of stay is required.
- Romania
- Embassy requires a booking confirmation or a rental agreement.
- Approval takes approximately 6 days
Poland and some other European posts (e.g., Poland–Warsaw) are also relatively straightforward, with approvals in a few days and standard financial requirements.
If you hold citizenship or legal residence in any of these countries or can lawfully be there as a visitor when you apply. They are currently among the most convenient options.
3. Applying from Southeast Asian Neighbours
For those already in the region or planning a “visa run,” neighbouring countries can be attractive. However, there are now important differences:
- Laos
- Approval is usually within about 2 weeks.
- Standard 3-month bank statement with at least 500,000 THB.
- In-person visit to the embassy is required, and they may conduct interviews.
- A clear cover letter explaining your plans in Thailand is recommended.
Laos remains a workable option, especially for those who can present a clear financial and activity plan.
- Cambodia
- Processing delays from earlier this year have eased
- Most applications are now being approved within 10–14 days
- Requirements remain standard (3-month bank statement, accommodation proof)
Cambodia is no longer considered risky, but applicants should still expect routine document checks.
- Indonesia (Jakarta)
- Processing: 5- 7 days
- Requires proof of accommodation
- English translations needed if bank statements aren’t in English
- High approval rate
A stable mid-level option.
- Taiwan & Hong Kong (High Approval Rate but Stricter)
- Require proof of financial sustainability
- Hong Kong may require detailed itineraries
- Fast processing when documents are complete
These locations work well for applicants with strong financial and employment documentation.
- South Korea
- Approval takes more than a month
- Requires tax records, lease agreements, and cover letters
- Singapore
- 3-4 day processing
- Fast turnaround
- High approval rate
- Proof of engagement in eligible activities like remote work or Thai soft power activities may be requested.
- Philippines
- 7-10 day processing
- English speaking staffs
- High approval rate
- Jordan
- Approval takes 8 days
- Myanmar
- Approval takes approximately 3 business day
- Sri Lanka
- Processing time : 3-10 business days
- Additional documents required. A photocopy of all pages of your passport, including both visa and non-visa pages.
- Turkey (Ankara)
- Interviews are conducted randomly, most likely if they have questions or need clarification about your documents
- Approval time 10 days
Countries We Don’t Recommend Applying From
While many embassies offer a smooth and straightforward DTV application process, some locations have recently implemented more complex or unpredictable requirements. Based on recent client feedback and processing experiences, the following countries are currently less ideal for submitting your application:
- Austria
- Only residents currently residing in Austria, Slovakia, or Slovenia are eligible to apply for the DTV.
- United Kingdom (London)
- Royal Thai Embassy in London requires applicants to be UK residents
- Egypt
- Every Non-Egyptian applicant must have an EGYPTIAN Residence visa and the visa must have a minimum of 6 months validity.
- Bangladesh (Dhaka)
- Approval may take up to 2 months
- 1 YEAR passport validity to travel to Thailand is required for the DTV application
- Bank statement of the last 6 months with at least 1,750,000 TAKA or 500,000 thai baht or equivalent.
- For documents in other foreign languages (including Bangla) must be translated into English and shall be certified by a credible translator and notary public. (June 12, 2025)
- There have been a lot of visa rejections from the Thai Embassy in Dhaka lately, specifically for their citizens.
- 6-month bank statements + certified translations
One of the most unpredictable posts.
- France
- Approval time 33 business days, location Paris.
- Financial evidence: amount of no less than 500,000 THB for the last 6 months
- Spain
- If you do not have legal residence in Spain or Andorra, you cannot apply for a visa at this consulate. If your nationality is not Spanish or Andorran, you must present your NIE (National Identity Document) or residence card for Spain or Andorra.
- Approval time is 7 weeks. (June 3, 2025)
- Cover letter explaining how you will finance your stay in Thailand while on a DTV.
- Greece
- Only permanent residents and citizens of Greece are allowed to apply for a DTV.
- EU citizen residing in Malta can apply DTV in Greece
- Approval time: 8 days
- China
- Requires 6-month bank statements
- Must show full-year entry/exit record
- Detailed training schedule and reasons such as entry and exit records for the past year from the National Immigration Administration and detailed training schedule and reasons.
- Pakistan
- Embassy often recommends a tourist visa instead of the DTV due to practicality issues, and bank statements needing apostilles aligns with documented practices.
- Bank statements must be apostilled
- Japan (Osaka and Fukuoka)
- Requires Training Schedule
- Need to submit flight and accommodation details
- For Japanese citizens, provide My Number Card or drivers license.
- For Non-Japanese provide My Number Card or Residence Card (Zairyu Card in Japan)
- Must be accompanied by a certified English translator and notarized by an Embassy or any Ministry of Foreign Affairs of their own country or it will not be accepted.
- Hong Kong
- Requires cover letter explaining your interest related to your visa
- Must upload a clear copy of Hong Kong ID when applying for a visa. Applicants who use their landing card for their visa have been denied.
- Applicants must demonstrate the need to stay in Thailand for a prolonged period
- India (Mumbai)
Currently not viable for Muay Thai-based DTV due to unrealistic document demands. They are now asking for:
- A letter from the Sports Authority of Thailand
- A letter from the Ministry of Tourism & Sports
These documents cannot be issued for Muay Thai gyms because:
- Muay Thai gyms are private entities, not government schools
- Gyms cannot request these letters on behalf of students
- DTV applicants cannot obtain these documents on their own
Mumbai is effectively not suitable for DTV Muay Thai applications.
- Malaysia
Malaysia has also begun requesting documents that cannot be provided for a Muay Thai DTV:
- Government-level documentation
- Long-term Thai residence agreements
- Salary slips and income history
- Proof of prolonged activity in Thailand
Extremely difficult for DTV Muay Thai applicants.
- Israel
- Requires to submit Business registration and business license of the company. (Original copy)
- List of shareholders of the school
- Details of business operation
- Approval takes approximately 7 business days.
- Saudi Arabia (KSA)
- Passport holders of all nationals with residence permits (Iqama) in KSA
- All applicants must be residing within KSA or Lebanon when applying for the Visa.
- Processing time up to 10 working days.
- Taiwan
- Applicants are required to explain how they intend to sustain themselves. If employed, they must provide supporting documents such as a work contract, certificate of employment, company license with authorized seals, payslips showing salary deposits to their account, and certifications from gyms.
- The approval process is stricter compared to countries like the Philippines, and Cambodia.
- Vietnam
- 5-10 day processing time
- Proof of participation or acceptance in permitted activities, such as remote work, Muay Thai training, or other approved workcation activities.
- Update: We are now placing Vietnam under our list of Countries We Don’t Recommend Applying From for DTV applications.
Applicants in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh have recently reported unexpected DTV visa rejections even when their bank balance exceeded the required amount for over three months. Some rejections included applicants under the soft-power category, including a one-year Muay Thai training applicant with a valid and qualified 3-month bank statement.
No reasons were provided in the refusal emails, suggesting stricter or discretionary screening at the Vietnam consulate despite meeting published requirements.
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