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Answered5 months ago

How can I apply for the DTV visa through cooking classes and what is required for sponsorship?

DTV Visa Thai Cooking Classes Visa Application Sponsorship Soft Power Activities Visa Requirements

VioletB********

VioletB********

OP

asked May 24, 2026

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hi! i am considering applying for the DTV via the soft power, cooking classes route. I have read having a 9 month course is essential. Has anyone been approved recently with sponsorship letters / bank info from family?

Answer summary

The discussion revolves around applying for a DTV visa via the soft power route, specifically through cooking classes. Users highlight the importance of enrolling in a 9-month course with at least 180 academic hours, as this is often required by Thai embassies for visa approval. Several comments mention successful applications using family sponsorship letters and bank transfers. It's advised to connect with reputable local agents and ensure proper documentation is prepared for submission. The conversation further touches on the variables affecting the visa application, including the location of submission and the applicant's nationality.

28 repliesnewest first

6

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Koh ********************************************************

Koh ********************************************************

One of the sponsors of our surf club is a local agent in Samui who specialize in DTV

Part of their fee goes back to our local club that helps us fundraise to help teach local kids to swim

In the ocean and other water and safety skills

Happy to connect you

0

James ********

James ********

@Koh *******************************************************

what is the fee for that agents assistance with the preparation of the DTV visa application?

0

Koh ********************************************************

Koh ********************************************************

I can connect you

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James ********

James ********

@Koh *******************************************************

I don't need the connection... merely asking what your agent friends FEE is for the services provided.

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ExcitingR**********

ExcitingR**********

Hurry up : soon a 5 years course will be required !!

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James ********

James ********

ExcitingRaccoon1731 that's the Master Chef Course level of Thai Cooking School.

2

ExcitingR**********

ExcitingR**********

Haha 😂

I love your British humor James 🤭😁

1

Sky ***************

Sky ***************

6, 9, or 12 months — it depends on many factors.

1. Place of submission

2. If a 6-month Thai cooking course has only 8 sessions and 40 academic hours, many Thai embassies will not accept it. However, if a 6-month course has 180 academic hours, in our experience, all Thai embassies accept it.

3. Your nationality and additional supporting documents also affect the outcome.

So, if you take a cheap 12-month course with only 60 academic hours and submit in the wrong location where the Thai embassy counts only 180 days for the DTV visa, it will not work. A longer course is not always better.

0

James ********

James ********

@Sky **************

and...what are you now recommending? And where are you recommending your DTV Visa students submit their application?

How many DTV Visa students have you successfully sponsored?

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Sky ***************

Sky ***************

We currently recommend applying through a properly structured long-term Thai cooking or soft power program with real academic hours, fixed curriculum, attendance structure, and complete supporting documents.

For many applicants, the strongest option right now is a serious cooking program rather than extremely short “tourist-style” activity courses that some embassies increasingly scrutinize.

For DTV applications, the recommended submission location depends heavily on:

nationality,

immigration history,

overstay/travel history,

current visa status,

supporting financial documents,

and the specific embassy or consulate practices at the moment.

Because acceptance standards are not fully standardized between embassies, we usually recommend locations based on current real approval patterns rather than just official written requirements. Some embassies are significantly more flexible with soft power applications than others.

In practice, applications with:

stronger academic structure,

longer duration,

higher total study hours,

clearer schedules,

and professionally prepared documentation

tend to have substantially better approval consistency.

Regarding student numbers, we do not publicly publish exact approval statistics or client totals but we can say approximately for last year (2025) around 200 accordingly with our class schedules. ( All applicants used 6 months courses for 2025 and beginning of 2026 )

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James ********

James ********

@Sky **************

again... thank you for your helpful reply 😊.

1

Sky ***************

Sky ***************

1

Sky ***************

Sky ***************

1

James ********

James ********

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

0

James ********

James ********

@Sky **************

thank you for your helpful reply ✅

1

Sky ***************

Sky ***************

1

James ********

James ********

0

Sky ***************

Sky ***************

It's very depending on location of submission some Thai embassies is ok, some not ok. About sponsorship

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Anonymous ******************

Anonymous ******************

Yes my cooking class DTV got approved with sponsorship letter from my dad. The embassy requires the sponsor to transfer the money to the applicant’s bank account already, so I had my dad transferred to me and attached the transfer slip for their review as well and they accepted it. It can be any bank account as long as it’s under your name. Normally the money needs to sit in your bank for three months, but in the case of sponsorship, it doesn’t seem necessary (mine got approved).

1

James ********

James ********

What is your passport nation?

Where will you be living in Thailand?

Where will you be applying for the DTV visa?

YES it is recommended to have 9 months or more of your soft power activity.

Please Note that it's now recommended by many soft power activity course providers to submit at least 9 months or more of your course with your DTV Visa Application. Reason for that is to avoid getting the SETV single entry tourist visa or METV multiple entry tourist visa issued by the Thai Embassy or Consulate instead of the DTV visa applied for.

Reasoning that with the SETV ( 3 months) or METV (6 months) visa you can complete the course you're applying for vs the DTV visa.

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VioletB********

VioletB********

OP

us passport & applying from australia (currently here on a working holiday visa)

1

Sky ***************

Sky ***************

VioletBison4841 Thai embassies in Australia are generally okay with Soft Power courses that include 200–250 academic hours, which is usually equivalent to a 9-month Muay Thai or Thai cooking course. However, if a course is listed as 9 months but the documents show only 150 academic hours, it may not always be accepted.

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James ********

James ********

VioletBison4841 thank you for your helpful reply 😊

How long are you REALLY PLANNING on staying in Thailand this trip ?

You say you are on a working vacation... how long is a working vacation?

Are you a digital nomad and actually now working for yourself or your clients online from Thailand?

A sponsorship letter may be accepted by some Thai Embassies and Consulates if its documented family member with CASH resources for sponsoring you.

If you receive the DTV visa, What will be your sources of income to support yourself in Thailand?

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VioletB********

VioletB********

OP

thank you ◡̈

1

James ********

James ********

VioletBison4841 a soft power activity is BETTER choice for you vs workcation.

1

VioletB********

VioletB********

OP

VioletBison4841 i also am actively seeking more remote work but i am unsure how i would present this as i don't make a ton of money as a freelancer for the work-cation option which is what i would rather apply under... looking for the best path for a successful visa

0

VioletB********

VioletB********

OP

the working holiday visa is a 1 year visa & i am actively interviewing for hospitality jobs in australia and should have something in the next few weeks. I just don't think ill be able to save enough for the visa on my own. My parents would always sponsor me if i have any issues. I know i am lucky for this.

1

VioletB********

VioletB********

OP

my savings from work in australia and it gives me to time to look for more remote work / build a business. I freelance online occasionally but not enough to have a stable income. The freelancing is for US based companies with clients in the US. I also have a bf who is burmese but resides in thailand. I am unsure if i should mention this; most advice ive received was to never mention it. So we would be living within his means and renting a house that is 8,000 baht a month.. very affordable for me right now and not what a typical nomad spends i would guess.

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