Royal Thai Consulate-General, Ho Chi Minh City

Consular Field Notes

Consular insights compiled from recent applicant filings and verified requirements.

• · Visa approval confirmed from HCMC embassy.
• · HCMC embassy appears more flexible than Hanoi, with DTV approvals taking approximately 10 business days.
• · The HCMC embassy granted a DTV for a 6-month Muay Thai course, even for a beginner, after 2 additional requests.
• · HCMC embassy processed a DTV application in 3 weeks, requiring two requests for additional documents.
• · Applicants applying at HCMC may be required to return for an interview.
• · A Soft Power DTV application was processed (submitted or approved) through HCMC on a Tuesday.
• · A DTV application submitted March 17 was approved April 1 in Ho Chi Minh, with funds consolidated 2 weeks prior to application.
• · Laos requires 3 months fund seasoning, while Vietnam (HCMC) embassy approves applications with less than 3 months.
• · Applicants applying from Vietnam may need to show entry stamps and photos to prove their current location.
• · HCMC embassy recently required 6 months of financial proof for Soft Power DTV applicants.