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Do I need to take a cooking course every time I enter Thailand on a DTV visa or just once every five years?

Jul 21, 2025
15 hours ago
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Must I do a cooking course each time I come in for 180 days, or just once in 5 years
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around the requirement of taking a cooking course to qualify for a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) in Thailand. Some users suggest that a single course may be sufficient for a five-year visa, while others indicate that documentation might be needed for each entry. There are humorous comments on the expectation of cooking skills at immigration along with skepticism about the enforcement of such requirements. Overall, it's suggested that the DTV visa is subject to interpretation and may need careful navigation to avoid complications.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
TaShuna ****
👀
Jim *******
My wife, even before the classes, could make 320 different Thai meals. She went thorugh a cooking school like that. Worked in Thai restaurants in Japan.
Alan ******
Yes, immigration made me cook full English breakfast for all staff, they all enjoyed it so much, I got a extra 12 month stamp.
Jason ******
Bettina **********
The DTV seemed like a dumb idea and was implemented like a dumb idea.

Now shockingly it turns out it was a dumb idea
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bettina *********
perfect for me. 6 months a year
Joe ******
Can you fry an egg
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joe *****
Kai Dow? Chai
Mark *********
You do realize the intention is for you to participate in the economy. that means spending thousands of dollars. if it's your intention to spend nothing and say that you are constantly taking cooking classes, good luck! you'll just fly into the country one time and they'll go show us all your cooking classes and you'll say I am not taking any and then they'll say go back to your country! NOW, sounds like fun ☺️
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark ********
umm no

My intention was to find out if you needed to participate in a cultural activity like cooking EACH TIME you arrived to start another 180 days. I had no intention of just cooking, and sleeping on the street
Greta *****
Don't give Thai immigration any ideas!!!
Oliver *****
I here from next year all customs points will have a kitchen so people on cooking class visas can prove they can cook a pad kra pao

😜
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oliver ****
already can
Grant *********
Cheaper to get someone to cook 4 u and easier to
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Grant ********
doesn’t get me 180 days in the LOS
Frankie *******
If your food u cook taste gd u will get an extension if it taste like shit u will be told to self deport
John **********
Just go the medical/dental route and get a cleaning every six months 😃
Hécate ***************
Just go for it until you’re a good cook! 😁
Ken *********
You might find yourself cooked by immigration 😂
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ken ********
why. It’s a legitimate DTV activity
Ken *********
@Brett ******
it was a joke, best of luck to you.
Ar *******
I was actually interested in the answer to this , any cookery schools in jomtiem that is linked to the dev visa application? Like many my friend and others like to visit for 180 days so looking for best way as they get hassle , at the moment they are considering 90 day non o in uk then extend to year retirement visa , sorry to cut in your post .
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ar ******
no problem.
Jeremy ********
I heard that immigration has a test kitchen at the airports where they test you on how well you make

Phad Thai

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Don’t fail
Kevin ******
I am not on a DTV but I was curious to see if these are easily handed out. I contacted the Thai embassy in Ottawa and inquired about a cooking course. They said it must be four to six months in duration- that’s all, one four to six month course for a five year DTV.
TaShuna ****
@Kevin *****
it seems kinda too good to be true. I had questions about the legitimacy of it. I was like 😳
Jason ********
@Kevin *****
Do you still need the 500k baht requirement?
TaShuna ****
Kevin ******
@TaShuna ***
yes they mentioned that
Gustavo *********
Keep on cooking every day or order don't matter ,, soon you find out best is for you 🤣
Nick *******
Two every six months or sixteen in five years.
Lye **********
Immigration will ask you to say the ingredients in making famous Thai dishes... in Thai language.
Thomas ******
You have to cook every fucking day😂
Don *********
Immigration will ask you to cook a phad krapow or a TomYung Goon to prove your worth in getting this visa. 😃 😃
Pedro ********
A Thai attorney put out a YouTube video... you pay for a (short) coarse, under $400 USD, you get approved for the DTV soft power visa, you get approved. Once you're approved and have the visa, you have the visa... no having to qualify for that visa.
Alan ********
Can you boil water
David ******
What area did you find a cooking course in ?
Jodie *******
@David *****
there are heaps around. khoalak have good ones
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *****
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Max *************
Can you actually cook at all?
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max ************
I’m a pretty good cook and love Thai food. It’s just not clear in the qualification for the DTV
Max *************
@Brett ******
Do you really think that a 1 week cooking class should grant you a 5 year visa in Thailand? Where's the logic in that?
Tony *********
You must cook you own Breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday. If they see any restaurant or grab food on your bank statement, instant cancellation.
Sam *********
@Tony ********
Don't they have street cams in night markets, too? I'd take a knitting class. Just one pot warmer pad. You could string"Imm." a long for a decade with just clips from one video. btw: My phone can record movies now.
Dk ****
They can ask you any time they want if they aren’t satisfied they will just cancel the visa.
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dk ***
for a DTV?
Dk ****
@Brett ******
yes so you could find every time you re enter they want to see all documents of funds, soft power activity, accomodation etc. I mean they maybe won’t ask but maybe wise to have it ready they could well tighten up on these visas soon with people abusing them, which lots of people are doing.
Greta *****
@Dk ***
Stop making up shit and scare people off. Nothing you say has a base. Thai immigration don't care what you do while you're in the country on DTV as long as you spend your money and don't take a Thai person's job!
Mikkel *******
I have been here for close to a decade, and no one has, yet, forced me to do a cooking course. I did do a bachelor's degree while here though, and soon-ish can say the same for a master's degree.

Kidding aside.. Sounds like you are asking about a DTV, which I have never had.

Typically you will need to sign up for something that will satisfy the embassy to give you the visa. How many days/hours of whatever? I don't know.. Ask them where you will apply. Once you have the visa, it is good for 5 years. Every time you enter Thailand within those 5 years, you will get 180 days of stay stamped in your passport.

The only "however", is that if you want to extend the stay for 180 days without leaving Thailand, it will be up to the immigration office you will use, how they interpret the wording of the law. Will you need to again show finances/documentation/registration for cooking courses? Only they can tell you.
Frank **********
I cannot believe this is even an option.
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
agree. But it’s an option for DTV
Steve *******
The reason that authorities are cracking down on visas is because people are abusing the system. If you are not a tourist, i.e. your intention is to stay long term then you should apply for the appropriate visa.
Sea *****
@Steve ******
F off damn bootlicker
Tim *********
@Steve ******
what a nonsense you wrote
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Matthew *********
@Steve ******
then you must hate how agencies work to pay off immigration. Thais are abusing the system far more. So go and complain to somebody about them.
Jack *******
Donald **********
@Matthew ********
🎶 The times they are a changing
Phill *****
@Matthew ********
thais dont need a dtv to enter their own country.
Matthew *********
@Phill ****
no but thais love taking money for bribes. Farangs been lining thai pockets for decades. Corruption at its finest and i totally support it. Money gets things done in this country
Andy *******
How bad is your cooking?
Kevin *******
I don't know but they will ask you to cook a meal at immigration when you extend.
Jason ******
@Kevin ******
lol 555 lol
Tom ********
@Kevin ******
I had to cook 5 portions of Pad Krapao moo gai dao because all the immigration staff were hungry. and pay for the ingredients myself!
Richard ********
@Kevin ******
have to cook chicken legs and eat them
Trofim ********
@Richard *******
no problem with the legs it’s the feet Im not to sure about
Paul ***************
Depends if you can cook 🤪
Euan ********
Posts like this make me wonder just how long the DTV option will last.
Wannikea *********
@Euan *******
posts like this make me wonder if after 11 months in this group there is any help available for this person
Braulio *********
@Euan *******
always some one gaming the rules
Reed **********
Its what they dtv visa under soft powers was designed to allow though. Now a year in surely people will be questioned on reason for entry on those soft power dtvs
Frank **********
@Euan *******
I agree some Embassies giving a 5 year visa for one medical appointment is crazy.
Scottie ***********
@Frank *********
can you tell me which embassy this is so I know which one to avoid using
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