Can I obtain a DTV visa through cooking classes in Thailand?

Aug 23, 2024
4 months ago
Dan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, has anyone received a DTV through the cooking class avenue?

I have contacted the Bangkok culinary school and they are requesting US$500 Deposit.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around the possibility of obtaining a Digital Tourism Visa (DTV) through cooking classes in Thailand, specifically discussing a deposit required by the Bangkok culinary school. Users share their experiences and raise questions about the logistics of maintaining a DTV, including yearly renewal processes and necessary documentation after course completion.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Tom ********
What school is this do you mind me asking?

I’m genuinely interested in doing long-term cooking classes in BKK but have struggled to find any offering DTVs since they were introduced, maybe too soon?
Dan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tom *******
The Bangkok culinary school. One week cooking class costs THB
*****
. Since DTV has no small print, there is no data regarding can you switch to a cheaper school after getting the visa.

I was unable to determine the reliability of the school so I am in no way saying they are or aren't legit.

Best of luck.
Colin *********
@Dan ******
'when something seems to be too good to be true... it probably is' is a phrase I've heard before, or words to that effect. The DTV, at least in some of the options, seems to fit that phrase. "DTV has no small print" you said; there's been very little information from the Thai government apart from what The Ministry of Foreign Affairs originally said, and so far nothing official said by the Immigration Office which controls visas on a day to day basis. The only information other than from the MFA, is on Embassy and Consulate websites, which you've seen for yourself. Common sense tells me that it would be 'too good to be true' for a 5 year visa to be granted based on just doing a one or two week cooking course, or a medical appointment with no specific, or very minor medical reason.
David ********
@Colin ********
I'm in agreement. It's just TOO easy and after getting shut down applying for the medical DTV in Savannakhet it is clear embassies are being vague and arbitrary.
Bart **************
@Colin ********
although that's all accurate, what is also accurate is that the visa is real, and that applicants actually receive it.
Colin *********
@Bart *************
of course the visa is real and I've seen plenty of posts by applicants saying that they've received it, but only for remote workers, freelancers, digital nomads etc. I think I've seen one mention of being approved for Muay Thai, but not cooking classes or other soft power options, which is where my doubt comes in as to how easy it seems.
James **********
how does this work with a five year visa duration? do you need to renew the course every year?
Bob **********
@James *********
after you’ve completed your course you will most likely need a new itinerary and proof of funds to continue to enter up to 5 years so no 3 month cooking class is going yo allow you to enter for 5 years
Bob **********
Yea it’s not going to be a free for all and digital nomads are telling the Thai government that there earning from inside Thailand that will be interesting to see what is going to happen with all the tax rumors
James **********
@Bob *********
so in effect you apply yearly?
Bob **********
@James *********
I would imagine you can stay 180 days and as I’ve read you can extend for 180 for 1900 baht then nobody knows
Colin *********
@Bob *********
with the very limited amount of information available in regards to the DTV, especially the 'soft power' options, I've been following as many posts as possible to see what happens, because so many foreigners seem to think this Visa is 'too good to be true' as someone put it. It's a change to see someone comment with a bit of common sense for a change. I saw a post by someone about a week ago, that their application for the DTV based on a medical appointment booked, with no specific health reason, have their application refused.
James **********
@Bob *********
interested to know anyone's experience with this... what are the ongoing requirements over five years, if any?
Dave *******
Do please let us know if it works out and you get the DTV on the back of it.
Dan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dave ******
I will.
Phil ******
@Dan ******
yes there have been reports. Use the search function. Like before any purchase ring around then make your choice
Dan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
There isn't really any valuable data doing a research in the forum. The threads are closed as well. I am just contacting a million cooking schools and then picking one.
Tod *********
@Dan ******
the threads are closed but there IS valuable data in them. 😕

Start pounding the inter-web/phone and calling the cooking schools.
James ********
@Dan ******
pardon me, but use the search 🔍 tool top of the page...

ENTER... DVT VISA

CLICK on it and All posts about getting the DTV visa will Pop up to read.

To date yours is the only one asking about the Cooking School courses for the DVT.

And most DVT posts remain OPEN.

Good Luck 🍀
Dan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
@Tod ********
Thank you both. I admire you for your patience and am glad that you are in the FB groups.

I might be going nuts because I have not seen any post stating a cooking school that was used successfully to obtained a DTV. This is all I am looking for. If there is one, I apologise for my blindness, which is different from laziness. I am doing my work and I have contacted about 30 schools in the country.

It makes sense one would prefer to hand a $500 deposit to a school that has some guarantees.

Talking with the schools and looking back at what I have done in Asia in the past five years I see that I have not cooked a single day because I was at the gym or the beach.

This shows that to truly honour the DTV purpose, a Muay Thai DTV would be more suited for me.

Also, the cost of one week cooking class, in the only school I have found, is THB 20,000.

The cost to sustain a Muay Thai DTV is about THB 4000 per month after the initial month deposit for the THB 12,305 for the DTV process.
Andi ***********
@Dan ******
i saw a Youtube DTV success vid via Bangkok Culinary school, he paid a 500 USD deposit. He applied via Chicago Thai Embassy. Check this Muay Thai school for the DTV
*********************************************************
Andi ***********
You will need to show full payment for the course to get a DTV. It is normal to pay a deposit and then final payment for courses.
Lloyd ********
If you want to learn cooking anyway, what is the problem with paying a deposit?
Dan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
a non refundable deposit of 500 bucks. I might as well do some research first.
Lloyd ********
@Dan ******
I think you meant to say, "I don't want to learn to cook, I just want the visa", would that be correct?
Thomas ********
@Lloyd *******
let's be honest, this is something that's extremely common in Thailand. Let's not pretend like it doesnt exist. I'm just very surprised the post was even approved to begin with given how the admin never lets anyone discuss those famous "visa schemes".
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