Ask question

Can you obtain a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand through soft power courses or recreational activities?

Digital Nomad Visa DTV Thai Soft Power Visa Requirements Education Visa Government Approved Courses Recreational Activities

Jul 28, 2024

5 months ago

Frank-Steven ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

While almost all aspects of the DTV are quite clear by now, one of the biggest uncertainties remain on the Thai Soft Power activity track of it. Has anyone actually managed to get a DTV based off of a soft power course / recreational activity? Even the recently shared interview video with the Thai MFA left that part more than vague. Said video suggested that only classes / courses licensed by the government could qualify for that route of the DTV. Not sure there are any courses licensed for the DTV at this point - haven’t seen a list. Thus my question again: Did anyone actually manage to get a DTV not based off of remote work but based on participating in a Thai soft power course? Thanks.

3,976

views

14

likes

113

all likes

47

replies

0

images

21

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around the current uncertainty regarding obtaining a Thai Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) through participation in soft power courses or recreational activities. Participants debate the necessity for these courses to be government-approved and whether such courses exist. Some seek clarity on the documentation required, including school licenses, and the length of courses necessary for visa approval. There are anecdotes shared about existing classes and their costs, as well as previous experiences related to educational visas. Overall, while there are some reports of successful applications, many remain skeptical and are awaiting clear guidelines.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Frank-Steven ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Still have not seen a single proven case of a successful Thai Soft Power DTV. Kind of feels like for now it’s mainly a remote working visa.

Like

Reply

Kaj **********

@Frank-Steven **********

i got it

Like

Reply

Frank-Steven ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Nice. Congrats. Where did you apply? What kind of document did you supply as sufficient proof for a recreational course? How long is that activity? If you are willing to share.

Like

Reply

Kaj **********

@Frank-Steven **********

E-visa

Like

Reply

Kaj **********

@Frank-Steven **********

Not only me, but wife and kid with me. booking of 6 month activity and just the rest normal stuff.

Like

Reply

Frank-Steven ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Did you have to prove 500k THB savings for each person, or just for yourself?

Like

Reply

Kaj **********

@Frank-Steven **********

yes, minimum 500K each person. TIT :)

Like

Reply

Frank-Steven ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Enjoy your stay. 👍

Like

Reply

Reply to

Frank-Steven ***********

Reply

Bob *******

I am sure, quite soon many visa agencies will guide us on which embassy to apply from and offer us acceptable soft power classes

Like

Reply

Galenus ******

yeah, some need a helping hand from a nurse🤗

Like

Reply

Reply to

Galenus ******

Reply

Mariya *******

Did you pay the 10k upfront to process the application? Do you have to apply in your home country or just outside of Thailand?

Like

Reply

Greg *******

just outside Thailand. Proof of being outside, can be your paid hotel.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Greg *******

Reply

Greg ***********

one month Muay Thai course at government approved Master Toddy in Bangkok, 1799.- U.S. Dollar

Like

Reply

Al**

@Greg **********

$1799 USD for one month?! That's crazy expensive! Plus wouldn't the Thai government deny that because it's only one month long?

Like

Reply

Greg *******

if a doctors appointment or a ticket to a one day music festival gets you a five year visa. One month course certainly will.

Like

Reply

Greg ***********

this Muay Thai course is government approved. And a one month contract is enough to get a 5-year DTV. that's a fact

Like

Reply

Al**

@Greg **********

ok good to know but that's still very expensive imo. I suppose if that's all it takes it's worth it however when it comes time to get your re stamp when re-entering Thailand in order to get the 180 days again I'm almost certain you need proof of another class again. So if that's the case obviously not worth it to pay that much every re-entry.

Like

Reply

Greg *******

once you get the visa, only proof is the 500,000 baht at the bank and that proof is only on the extension of stay for additional 180 days. Leaving and going during the five years, it’s a one time requirement on the 500k.

Like

Reply

Greg ***********

we don't know

Like

Reply

Frank-Steven ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg **********

Depends on the consulate in your jurisdiction. UK consulate asked for a least 3 months booked courses. At least they used to initially.

Like

Reply

Greg ***********

@Frank-Steven **********

agreed. The lenght of the "soft power" courses is subject to how different embassies interpret it . . Damn, I am gonna take up a cooking Thai class for 3 months! It will free the 800.000 THB frozen in my Thai bank account since 2008.

Like

Reply

Frank-Steven ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg **********

After 3 months of cooking class you should be a great chef. Looking forward to a Thai Visa Advice group dinner. 😅

Like

Reply

Greg ***********

@Frank-Steven **********

you should have a go at my German grandmother receipe "'Lentil Soup"😆😄 . it goes with ALTMEISTER vinegar, Debrecziner sausage, smoked Wiener sausage, and homemade Spaetzle

Like

Reply

Frank-Steven ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg **********

Sounds good. 😋 More like a cold weather dish, though.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Frank-Steven ***********

Reply

Galenus ******

In Berlin a cooking class was not accepted. Also necessary tax declaration

Like

Reply

Adrian **********

They asked you for tax declaration?

Like

Reply

Greg ***********

probably the cooking class had no government license

Like

Reply

Reply to

Greg ***********

Reply

Dave *********

A 5 year cooking course. Should be able to knock up a decent curry after that!

Like

Reply

Dave *******

A government approved week long cooking course for the DTV? Assuming this is the case, it reminds me of coming to Thailand at the end of covid when some right grim hotels got approval for us to stay in whilst we got tested, and charged a fortune for the privilege. Suddenly I really want to learn Thai cooking, happy to pay quite a bit for the course….

Like

Reply

Jason ************

Chris (

@Retired ******************

) and his side-channel, “RW4U” in particular has gone to the source for some of these DTV queries:

************************************************

Like

Reply

Michael *******

And will language course be accepted with the same multitude of follow up questions

Like

Reply

Graham *******

Yea I am gonna start offering 1-day courses in cooking rice, you get a free rice cooker.

Like

Reply

Tim *********

I'm interested. What do you charge for that course? 😉

Like

Reply

Graham *******

usd800 and a free DTV. oh and a rice cooker.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Graham *******

Reply

Al**

This is the question that really hasn't been answered yet. It's what myself and tons of people I'm sure want to know as well. Only time will tell.

Like

Reply

Michael *******

A question for those who want to game the system, similar to the situation around the educational visas that were very popular for a while

Like

Reply

Andreas *********

the question rather is: which schools/cooking classes/ Muay Thai camps are "government approved"?

Will the applicant be required to upload the licence of a school, along with his contract for a course or seminar? Can I book a 4-week Thai cooking class and receive a 5-year multi entry visa on the sole assumption that I will participate to a 4-weeks cooking class? Who will control that I really attended the classes? 😂😁

Like

Reply

Marc *******

@Andreas ********

Afaik Master Toddy in BKK is approved.Dunno about other ED Gyms.

Usually the ED MT gyms are doing the Paperwork.

But yes, many questions...😁

Like

Reply

Lena *******

@Andreas ********

If you like, you can book the longest cooking class and pay for it and I'll attend for you. I like to cook. 😃

Like

Reply

Frank-Steven ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andreas ********

All good questions. Plus: will the ED visa license to, or will schools for the DTV need a special license for DTV. Or no license at all.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Frank-Steven ***********

Reply

Rob *******

And does a softpower course have to cover the full 180 days ? still very vague

Like

Reply

Stephan ***********

Exactly... and what about extension and reentry? Hard to believe that one can stay more than 5 years because of one cooking class for a week or one doctors appointment... 🤔🙄

Like

Reply

Graeme ******

@Stephan **********

interesting I discussed this with the embassy in London and have seen some approved DTVs. The London embassy needed a confirmed weeks cooking course and I have seen a confirmed hospital appointment only being needed for an approved DTV. Also if you wish to extend the visa you have ro show a justification again ro local immigration so you would need another course or hospital appointment, although not required if you leave and re enter Thailand. Also yes you only need one course to get the 5 year visa no need for a government approved course.

Like

Reply

М. ****

considering how hard was it to get a long term visa before those changes, it makes no sense to be able to get 5 years visa based on one visit in a hospital or similar, especially having in mind that the visa exemption is 90 days which’s more then enough. I believe we have to wait for some time to get those answers

Like

Reply

Greg *******

Just as the ocean shifts from stormy to calm, so does the landscape of immigration. At the moment, they've made it extremely easy. Can it change later? Of course, just like the ocean does. However, if you have the five-year visa, they can't cancel it. You're secure for five years. Right now, the requirements are as easy as just one doctor's appointment or a ticket to a music festival, along with 500,000 baht. These are the easiest rules I've seen in my 25 years here.

Like

Reply

Bob *******

applying asap

Like

Reply

М. ****

yeah but it also makes no sense immigration to be declining access with Visa exemption as well :)

Like

Reply

Reply to

М. ****

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Can I obtain a Digital Nomad Visa for training in Muay Thai or culinary courses in Thailand?

39 comments

3 months ago

Can I obtain a DTV visa through a language school in Thailand?

4 comments

3 months ago

Which schools in Phuket offer Thai culinary courses eligible for the DTV visa?

16 comments

3 months ago

How can I get a DTV visa through Muay Thai or cooking classes in Thailand?

9 comments

3 months ago

Does the DTV visa specify workcation or soft power?

24 comments

3 months ago

What are some reliable options for obtaining a DTV visa in Thailand without proof of consistent income?

14 comments

3 months ago

What are some recommended programs for enrolling in soft power activities to support my Thailand DTV visa application?

62 comments

4 months ago

What are the requirements for applying for a visa through Thai Soft Power Activities, such as Muay Thai or cooking courses?

6 comments

4 months ago

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

26 comments

4 months ago

What are the requirements for obtaining a Thai Soft Power DTV Visa?

4 comments

4 months ago

Can I apply for the DTV visa using courses from Bangkok?

0 comments

4 months ago

What visa options do I have while traveling to Thailand for a scuba instructor course and other activities?

30 comments

4 months ago

How can I obtain a DTV visa based on soft power activities like seminars or courses in Thailand?

3 comments

4 months ago

What are the requirements and details for obtaining a DTV visa through Muay Thai in Thailand?

104 comments

4 months ago

What are the experiences of obtaining a DTV for soft power activities in Thailand?

5 comments

4 months ago

What are the eligibility criteria for the DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) regarding Thai Soft Power Activities?

7 comments

4 months ago

What is the process for getting approved for a DTV visa for a Softpower course in Thailand?

20 comments

5 months ago

How can I obtain a DTV visa from a Thai embassy in Asia based on a Soft Power option?

1 comments

5 months ago

What insights can be shared about the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) process?

64 comments

5 months ago

What are the misconceptions about the new Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand?

145 comments

5 months ago

What are the requirements and process for obtaining a DTV visa in Thailand?

60 comments

5 months ago

What are the key considerations and requirements for obtaining and maintaining a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand?

11 comments

5 months ago

What are the requirements for obtaining a DTV visa as a freelancer at the Thai embassy in Vientiane?

6 comments

5 months ago

Can I apply for the new DTV visa with just a one-day Thai cooking course?

15 comments

5 months ago

What are the pros and cons of selecting the 'soft power' category versus the digital nomad category for the DTV visa in Thailand?

24 comments

5 months ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.