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Why was my visa application rejected in Cambodia despite following the correct procedures?

Jan 28, 2025
24 days ago
Edit: emailed Canadian Thai embassy and they require zero months duration for the minimum 500K.

I was just rejected in Cambodia. No reason, no additional requests for documents. I applied through soft power Thai botany course, had the money deposited 1 week before and 3 months of bank statements. I noticed my hostel told me the wrong city for the current address. This might be the reason but I’ll never know. Hope to have better luck elsewhere.

The soft power organization told me their agency mentioned Cambodia isn’t granting any Chinese this visa. My middle name is Chinese but I’m Canadian. Mystery…
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by individuals applying for a Thai visa through a soft power botany course, particularly in Cambodia. Users share experiences of visa rejections without clear reasons, and hint at potential problems such as having insufficient proof of funds or incorrect documentation. There is mention of varying requirement interpretations across embassies, the importance of maintaining the necessary funds for a specified duration, and tips for future applications. Users express frustration with the seemingly arbitrary nature of visa approval processes and discuss alternatives, including applying directly through different countries or agencies.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Elise *********
Why not apply online through the Thai evisa page?
Dany ********
@Elise ********
that’s exactly what you do in all those countries. even he did in cambodia.
Elise *********
@Dany *******
I guess I’m not understanding the Cambodia thing. Is it not possible to select the home country’s embassy since it’s online?
Dany ********
@Elise ********
for eVisa you select the embassy of the country that you are currently in. its not allowed to select a different embassy and might lead to rejection. for your home country you need to be physically there to legaly use the eVisa system for that specific country… so people travel to neighboring countries of thailand and after they arrive they put in their visa application via the eVisa website. there is no more walk-in visits to the thai embassies.
Gregory *******
@Dany *******
sorry, just wanna understand this correctly - are you saying that, in order to get the DTV, you MUST apply through a Thai consulate office of some kind outside of Thailand, EVEN if you are submitting the visa through Thailand's e-visa website portal? I thought if you apply for the DTV through the online e-visa thing, you don't need to apply through a Thai consulate office... Thanks!
Dany ********
@Gregory ******
You apply via the eVisa portal. you select the embassy that is responsible for the country you are currently in. That embassy will then handle your application. So if you are in your home country then you select it. if you are in vietnam then you select the appropriate embassy for your location. same for every country. these embassies then all have different requirements. you need to upload a proof of location. in your home country that is any official letter like an electricity bill or bank letter or sometimes local id card with your registered adress… in a foreign country that might be entry stamp in your passport, hotel booking, etc.. if you stay in a foreign country, or even in thailand and select your home countries thai embassy or a different countries thai embassy then you are gaming the system and the chances are that they will find out and deny you. in germany for example they started to invite people for in-person interviews.

tldr: officialy you have to be outside of thailand. use the evisa portal with the correct embassy selected to apply and get your visa.
Elise *********
@Dany *******
ah, thank you for the clarification
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
I suppose this should say proof of funds/ duration and not statements..

And to everyone pointing out depositing 1 week before was wrong, but perhaps this post is outdated now?
@Tod ********
/ group admins?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
lol sure.
John *******
Anonymous participant did they respond to you more than once? They don’t really answer your questions, but your current statement would show amount at beginning of month and end of month.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
I know it’s a bit of a vague answer. But I think if what I have was not okay they would have included more detail. And no it was just that one answer.
John *******
Anonymous participant - So will you fly to Canada and apply?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
to be decided!
John *******
Anonymous participant - so this a post from someone anonymous. Even then, it says 1 month and this applicant said it was a week or two. Common!!! Also, this post is from August.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
fair, though I feel like the balance duration requirements are changing all the time, and aren’t officially posted anywhere
John *******
Anonymous participant - Well that is why groups like this exist. Some embassy’s want 1 month, others 3 and others 6. None have been. Ok with 1 week
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
Canada is okay with zero! 😅 but yes it seems to be otherwise for Asia
John *******
Anonymous participant huh? How does what you shared imply that they are ok with zero?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
I asked them how long the minimum balance needs to be there for and that was their response.
John *******
Anonymous participant can you show your question in the email?
Dany ********
@John ******
Germany was okay with just a recent account overview. so money in the bank for a day. not even a statement required 🤷‍♀️ different everywhere. but now they also started to invite people for interviews 😅😅
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Adrià ********
Money deposited 1 week before? In many embassies it's mandatory to have the money minimum 6 months before.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Adrià *******
in Asia this seems to be the case. From Canada:
Adrià ********
Participante anónimo I didn't know about the Canada Embassy. In the countries around Thailand, it's mandatory 6 months. So perfect
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Adrià *******
yes, I’ve also seen Germany is the same. Only you need to physically be there to apply 😂😭
Jess ******
Would anyone know where we can find out about courses or dental treatment that gets DTV approval 🙏🏻 is there a list or some website online that shows it?
Shaughn ***********
@Jess *****
for dental you would likely need treatment that spans over a long period such as getting an implant. I had implant process over last 2 years…. Get old tooth removed, wait 5 months for bone healing. Get implant done, wait few more months for implant to fuse to jaw bone, then follow up process of having crown.
Jess ******
@Shaughn **********
Henrik Mau thanks for replying and sharing 🌹🌹 I'm thinking of doing Invisalign but will have to find out how to proceed with the entire process
Henrik *****
No, you must scroll the group.

It is also depending on which embassy you apply at, and of course your person and nationality, and there is no guarantee that you will get a visa with the same activity as some one else.

If you are in doubt, if your application has sufficient and is cover by the requirements for DTV, then the Embassy probably also will be in doubt.
Jess ******
@Henrik ****
thank you for your reply 🌹🌹

I'm not sure what you mean by "if the requirements are covered and application sufficient, embassy may be in doubt?"🤔
Antanas *************
Maybe it’s possible to ask an embassy before to applying if they are going to accept that kind of course
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Antanas ************
I’ve asked my Canadian embassy back home, I will let you know what they say!
Antanas *************
Anonymous participant Thanks mate I’m from the Netherlands
Henrik *****
They tell you when they reject the application.
Sar ****
It clearly says you need 6 months showing 500k,
David ********
@Sar ***
I see lots of people showing approval with money deposited very recently
John *******
@Sar ***
- can you show us that link/image?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sar ***
where? On the Cambodia embassy website it doesn’t say unless they just updated it
MJ *******
i just applied with this same course...hopefully all goes well
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@MJ ******
can you please post on this thread and let me know if yours was approved or not? Wishing you the best of luck 🤞
MJ *******
I will let you know. Thank you!
Uwe ****
In Thailand you can pay agents who take of everything. I never understand why bother with stupid embassy employees...🤣🤣🤣🤣
Dany ********
@Uwe ***
no one inside thailand can give you a DTV. its a process outside the country.
Johnny ********
@Dany *******
Maybe, but This Is Thailand.
Henrik *****
Do not support corruption in any way
Uwe ****
It's the Thai way whether you like it or not M. It's not my way, or your way. It's Thailand. Do you have a problem with the Thai way?
Anonymous ******************
I also just got rejected today in Cambodia with no reason given. I supplied all necessary documents, waited two weeks with no activity then suddenly rejected.

Applied Jan 14

Rejected Jan 28

No additional documents requested, no reason given.

I used discover thai nature course soft power, provided 500k+ baht bank account, proof of stay in Cambodia.

Either they are just flatly refusing soft power applications or they are no longer accepting this course.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 619 sorry to hear this :( I also used discover nature. How many months of statements did you submit and how long did you show the minimum balance there for?
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant I showed 3 months as was recommended and 2 months had the balance above 500k
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 619 how many months of statements and how long did you have the 500K balance for?
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 2 out of the 3 were 20k usd or so. The 3rd month was like 12k usd
Fąndn *******
Anonymous participant 619 did the course refund you already? They mentioned will do a refund if unsuccessful, do update us 🙏
Anonymous ******************
Henrik *****
You will never get any reason, which is clearly written on most Embassy websites, that they do not provide any reasons, so how can you expect to get a reason.
Anonymous ******************
@Henrik ****
because many times people do get a reason or usually a request for additional documents
Henrik *****
You will be asked for additional documents long before being rejected, so if you haven’t been asked for documents, they would not be able to change the outcome.
Anonymous ******************
@Henrik ****
this is incorrect. Mine immediately went from submitted to pending approval, then silence for two weeks before sudden rejection
Henrik *****
You could not have changed the outcome by submitting other documents.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 619 I am Canadian
Dong ******
I got DTV and helped my friends applied from Phnom Penh successfully with soft power very smoothly.
Fąndn *******
@Dong *****
pls share which course you purchased, how much, and how long it was for , thanks 🙏
Anonymous ******************
@Dong *****
which course did you buy ?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dong *****
how long did they have the minimum balance for?
Rio ******
So was I on a border run.
Fąndn *******
@Rio *****
which border do u go to ? may I knw the frequency of your border run? Had they started to question you yet ?
Rio ******
@Fąndn ******
This was my first border run ever and I am at Aranyaprathet. What he told me he is on the 60-day Visa they are no longer allowing in and out You have to stay for 24 hours.
Fąndn *******
@Rio *****
I wonder if there are ppl who do Border-Run every 60 or 90 days for a few years 🤔
Rio ******
@Fąndn ******
You are allowed 2 before they start looking at you. From what I have been told. 2 runs unlimited departures.
Helen ********
@Rio *****
That is incorrect, it was changed when they made the visa exempt entry 60 days in July... however has absolutely nothing to do with the DTV which is what this group is specifically for. In other visa groups people have mentioned that immigration is tightening up on border bounces, some ay you need to stay out at least 1-2 nights or just decline outright but ultimately depends on the officer you are standing in front of at the time.
Rio ******
@Helen *******
I'm going to go with what I was told at the border and witnessed with me and 6 other angery people. I had zero problems crossing today, as I was told I wouldn't by the same agent.
Wesley ********
I wonder what the details of the botany course are
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wesley *******
***********************************
Henrik *****
If you have read the Embassy website, you should know, that rejections will not be justified.
James ********
John Stanners it's monthly seminar for 5 years at a cost of 9,995 Thai baht. The sponsor has been successful before with DTV Visa applicants in Cambodia.
William ******
@James *******
thanks for the information!
Fąndn *******
@James *******
it's not 9995, the last they quoted me a few days ago was close to 11k
James ********
@Fąndn ******
thank you 👍. It was 9,995 before.
Fąndn *******
@James *******
yes I saw the advert, last week I saw 9999 on advertisement, but when I inquired they say it's
*****
.90 thb
James ********
it was this one and it’s a hybrid course that goes for 5 years…!!! 11,000 Baht

**********************************
Crystal *******
@James *******
hi, can you explain how this works? Is it a job? Or a class?
James ********
@Crystal ******
it's a class., contact the course sponsor for details.
Ko *****************
I am not sure for botany course but you can reapply it in other countries.
Julien ****
Why don't you apply in Canada. This is probably the fastest approval time.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Julien ***
because it’s a $1500 ticket back and I don’t want to go to my home country 🙃

I’m considering applying in Vietnam once the minimum balance has been there for 6 months
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
the way I see it is be in Asia for 5 more months or freezing depressing cold in Canada for 5 months. I’d be spending the 10,000 fee a second time either way. Unless I’m missing something
Henrik *****
But now you have lost 10.000 Baht.
Fąndn *******
@Henrik ****
they said will refund

85% refund if by credit card

90% refund if by Thai bank
Henrik *****
Show that with link.

Visa fees are non-refundable
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
he means the botany course will refund you if not successful
James ********
Anonymous participant correct ✅
Anonymous ******************
Maybe because funds just transferred 1 week before, lots ask for 6 months statements to show you have adequate funds for the last 6 months
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 927 thank you
Jeremy *****
They are a legit company you must have submitted something wrong

I just attended a seminar with them

Also mant embassies are rejecting these type courses

Yet you don't listen to the company that says

Can't be used 🤦‍♂️
Anonymous ******************
@Jeremy ****
no, I just got rejected with their course too. All documents were provided, clear cut, birthday and passport number and expirations all correct, stayed in Cambodia the entire time
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy ****
which embassy did you apply with? Other than the incorrect city of my current address I’m sure I submitted everything correctly.
John **********
Has anyone been granted a dtv using a botany course and if so 🤔 long was the course
Patrick ******
@John *********
I was. Its five years of seminars with one seminar every month. Approved by HCMC. It took about ten days.
Roshni *******
@Patrick *****
do you have to go to the seminars in person?
Patrick ******
@Roshni ******
No. Attendance is optional and they do online as well.
Roshni *******
@Patrick *****
so you can attend online even when in Thailand?
Jeremy *****
@Roshni ******
yes or in person
Roshni *******
@Jeremy ****
may I ask from where you applied? I really appreciate you answering all my questions!! 🙏🙏🙏
Jeremy *****
@Roshni ******
Washington DC
Roshni *******
@Jeremy ****
thanks 🙏🙏🙏
Roshni *******
@Jeremy ****
oh great! I'd attend online as don't fancy being in BKK every month 🙏
Fąndn *******
@Patrick *****
when did you applied ?
Patrick ******
@Fąndn ******
Jan 6. Approved Jan 16.
David ********
@John *********
I have never heard of soft power botany course for DTV the soft power course allowed are printed on the DTV site of the Thai embassy. Also most embassy want at least 3 months of statements. I don't believe people have been transferring money the week before. Anyway try again it's only 10,000 bht a shot 🤣🤣🤣
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *******
multiple people have been approved on that botany course
John **********
@David *******
I think they're talking about this one

***********************************
Jeremy *****
Fąndn *******
@Jeremy ****
which country you applied from ?
Anonymous ******************
@Jeremy ****
which embassy you applied to ?
Jeremy *****
DC America
John **********
@Jeremy ****
how long did you sign up for?
Erik *******
Might be because the address of the soft power organization is not the same on your bank statement .
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Erik ******
I didn’t know it was required to show payment this way unless I’m misunderstanding something? I’m confused
Fąndn *******
Sorry to hear that...

Was your botany course an online course ? How long was it for may I ask much did you pay for it ?
Peter *****
I just received my DTV, it took 10 days. Applied online in Singapore. One of the additional information I was asked to send in was the last 3 months' bank statements (Nov, Dec and a screenshot of latest update). I remembered it was stated online the 500k baht must be in your account for 60 days.
Fąndn *******
@Peter ****
may I knw did you apply using soft activity program , if yes, would you be able to share which course did you sign up , the price and duration? Thank you 🙏🙂
Peter *****
@Fąndn ******
No, I signed up as a digital nomad.
Henrik *****
Online courses would not make you eligible for DTV.

Only courses that need you to be physically present in Thailand, make you eligible.
Dany ********
@Henrik ****
and you better take pictures of you at the course or you will never be able to extend inside thailand :D
Henrik *****
Online courses would not make you eligible for DTV.

Only courses that need you to be physically present in Thailand, make you eligible.
Greg ********
@Henrik ****
That course has had approvals before. You can attend the seminars in person. The online is only when it is not possible.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
quite a few people have successfully gotten a DTV with this course. It’s in person and online.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant cambodia
Fąndn *******
Anonymous participant did those ppl mentioned which country they applied from ?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fąndn ******
yes it was this one and it’s a hybrid course that goes for 5 years…!!! 11,000 Baht

**********************************
Incognia **********
Anonymous participant many people got approved there with same way botanic.Must be another reason for rejection
Shandy ********
Even though it was approved for some applications, maybe it has something to do with being advertised specifically for DTV applicants. There was a report from someone who was denied based on muay thai because the embassy had an issue with the course marketing itself as a guarantee for DTV approval.
David ********
Anonymous participant I’ve seen in other groups this very course being rejected for DTV
Thomas ******
@David *******
care to share where? I was about to hit submit before checking for the most recent information.
David ********
@Thomas *****
ill check. It was in a group I’m in
Fąndn *******
Anonymous participant I was looking at this course too , did you apply for refund already? Do let us know how long they took to refund you 🙏
Phyu ***********
May be because of your bank statement

Address is not the main
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phyu **********
told by the course provider 😞
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phyu **********
I was told and read here by other successful applicants that they only deposited 1 week prior, I didn’t know that. Seems like it changed :(((
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant there are a few people who have posted to this group that they did not have the balance the entire time. I maybe wad stupid to submit only 3 months of statements. I wonder if they would have asked me for more. Here is an example
John *******
Anonymous participant - can you show where you saw that?
Phyu ***********
Anonymous participant Royal Thai Embassy from Cambodia and Laos don’t like to accept that
Erik *******
@Phyu **********
Agree 👍🏼
Fąndn *******
@Phyu **********
was it stated we need to maintain the required amount in the bank(s) for 6 months or something? 🤔
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fąndn ******
I had 4 pages of transactions, bill payments and transfers to my investment account plus some cash atm withdrawals. I don’t know what more activity they would want?
John *******
Anonymous participant - I think you need to show you had those funds for at least 1 month.
David ********
@John ******
that is written nowhere
John *******
@David *******
- so why do you think he was rejected?
Phyu ***********
@Fąndn ******
you don’t need to maintain but you need to have
*****
0 baht before applying Visa with well transactions
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phyu **********
sorry what do you mean?
Phyu ***********
Anonymous participant you said you deposit the money 1 week before right?

Cambodia Thai Embassy doesn’t like that