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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
21 days 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 inquiry focuses on whether a cooking course is needed each time an individual enters Thailand for a 180-day stay on a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) or just once every five years. Discussions suggest that a one-time course may suffice, but there are varying opinions on immigration's enforcement and interpretation of regulations, with some fearing stricter scrutiny in the future. It appears that subsequent stays do not require repeated courses as long as the initial visa and requirements are satisfied.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Jim *******
My wife, a Thai national, no visa needed, did one of those cooking courses. A graduate from the Ramkhanhaeng University, Bangkok. She has always been a good cook (could make 320 different Thai meals) and she got a certificate from the cooking course.

With that, she got a job in a Thai restaurant in Japan (Nagoya) and worked part time (only lunch time when white collars come for lunch, 3 hours a day).

Still, she was cutting, preparing, serving 120 meal sets within 3 hours. But had never had access to the pan and fire. That was for a Thai chef, who went through a Hospitality high school, where cooking was last 2 years of the 4 years of that vocational school.
Joe *********
Actually all you have to show is that you can get a rubber band off a plastic bag of pad ka prow in 30 seconds or less.
Alf ***********
@Joe ********
, that's just plain impossible 😂
Treider ******
Jepp, this is Thailand. We make you greatagein.
Treider ******
Fantastic
Peter ******
Just start a new course, how hard is it FFS !
Alastair *******
If you leave and re-enter you will be fine. But if you go to immigration to extend then maybe they might ask you what you have learned from your cooking course 😀
Judge ********
I still can’t understand why learning the Thai language isn’t included as a legit course.
Walt ********
I applied for my 5 year DTV July 1st and after some clarification and additional do uments I was approved quickly. I applied as a digital nomad but it was very straight foward. Keep in mind they need your bank records in pdf format for 2 or 3 months sowing $16,000 usd in a single account and not an i vestment account. I also had to develop a business portfolio and it was quite detailed. I also think this visa will go away because too many will game the process. I am happy to have the 5 years and we will see how this plays out in the coming months/ years. Keep in mind that nothing in Thailand immigration stays the same.
Gerard **************
I think he's joking.

But seriously for all the hand wringing from the Thai about dropping tourist numbers why don't they allow longer visas.?

Having said that I have never been questioned coming and going to BKK.
Joe ******
Do me a omelette tomorrow see how you go
Mcgow ********
I would watch watch you post pal. Some people may just bring this to the attention of immigration
Mark *************************
Learn while you are at it, food wont kill but please. Stop bitchin.
Marty *********
Who cares?
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 😳
Kevin ******
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 ?
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *****
every major destination apparently has one
Jodie *******
@David *****
there are heaps around. khoalak have good ones
David ******
@Jodie ******
any good ones in korat id like to lẻarn to cook .
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
David *********
@Brett ******
common sense doesn’t apply in Thailand. but now I know about this 1 weeks cooking course it is…😎👍
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?
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max ************
it’s a 6 month course
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!
Euan ********
@Greta ****
never say never.

A friend in udon got his educational visa cancelled. He claimed to be studying Thai but after nearly 18 months couldn't answer a very basic question whilst visiting immigration.
Greta *****
@Euan *******
You don't need to visit immigration at any time when you're on DTV
Dk ****
@Greta ****
the key word lad is ‘could’ the visa is 1 year old how do you know they aren’t going to change the rules or move the goalposts like they often do with their rules? The visa is already getting mass abused so an official can ask for anything they like at immigration to prove you are using the visa legitimately.
Greta *****
@Dk ***
True, but they have no incentive to do that. DTV brings money into the country
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.
Brett *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
I fail to see how, if I’m doing precisely what the visa requests.
Sea *****
@Steve ******
F off damn bootlicker
Steve *******
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
Daniel *****
@Matthew ********
it's nice that the common man can also participate in a little corruption. In my country it's only for politicians and big players.
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 🤪
Karl **********
@Paul **************
Cooking meth.
Euan ********
Posts like this make me wonder just how long the DTV option will last.
Eric ******
@Euan *******
seems like I read they were going back and rescinding some of the ones that didn’t qualify. It was a little unorganized at first, but now they are supposedly going back and cracking down on it. I think I read it on here. Made me rethink trying to go that route.
Euan ********
@Eric *****
I've never heard anything like that.
Keith *******
@Eric *****
I think you might have read that in the unstable posts on Facebook. There's been nothing official. In fact, I read a report last week saying how happy the MFA is with the success of the DTV
Mike *******
@Euan *******
So what is the problem?
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
Frank **********
@Scottie **********
I don't remember which ones.
Walt ********
@Scottie **********
you can only apply to the embassy assigned to your home state
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