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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

4 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.

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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.

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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.

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Kaj **********

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

i got it

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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.

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Kaj **********

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

E-visa

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Kaj **********

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

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

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

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Kaj **********

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

yes, minimum 500K each person. TIT :)

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Enjoy your stay. 👍

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

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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

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Galenus ******

yeah, some need a helping hand from a nurse🤗

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Galenus ******

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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?

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Greg *******

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

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Greg *******

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

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

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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?

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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

we don't know

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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.

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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.

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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. 😅

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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

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

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

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

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Galenus ******

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

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Adrian **********

They asked you for tax declaration?

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

probably the cooking class had no government license

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

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Dave *********

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

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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….

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

Chris (

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

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

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

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Michael *******

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

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Graham *******

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

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Tim *********

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

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Graham *******

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

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Graham *******

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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.

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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

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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? 😂😁

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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...😁

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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. 😃

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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.

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

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Rob *******

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

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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... 🤔🙄

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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.

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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

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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.

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Bob *******

applying asap

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М. ****

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

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М. ****

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