Is a short communicative Thai language course at Chiangmai University accepted for a soft power DTV at the Hanoi embassy?

@Alma **************

correct ✅

@Alma **************

exactly. Most people who have applied using a Thai language school have been told to get themselves an ED visa

@Alma **************

What embassy will you apply via? The best option is to reach out to that embassy, as each one has different rules/requirements.

@Alma **************

I'm sure the owner of the language school would be more than happy for you to sign up for a course, but whether that would qualify you for a DTV is questionable

@Alma **************

I think he is saying that from what most embassies have said is that language courses, regardless of the length of the course, are not grounds for DTV visa. So far only 1 individual seems to have done it, months ago, and that embassy since then has confirmed that language courses don’t count. Please reach out to the embassy you will apply through before spending money on a course.

@John ******

wise advice ✅

@Alma **************

there's NO THAI LANGUAGE COURSE to get the DTV visa. Try a Cooking school course. There are several that have been successful in getting the DTV visa for its students in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

William Echols posted:

"I was just approved for my DTV and am elated. I submitted my documents to the Washington DC Embassy electronically on October 17 in the afternoon, so 9 business days in total.

I used my drivers license as proof of residence, used a selfie I took on my phone for the picture (against a white wall). Also took picture of my passport with my phone.

I used an American Express savings account statement showing one month of activity ending on October 6 for proof of funds.

I entered a friend’s condo address and reception I’ll initially stay at as my residence until I get my own place, and entered the flight number for the last leg of my trip to Bangkok.

I was not asked for any additional information.

I went the soft power route, booking a two-week cooking course through the Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy. I paid them for the cooking course on October 16 via PayPal and received all of the necessary documents for my visa application the following day.

They also said it was fine if you want to split their 4-week course into two parts, and taking the second leg of classes at your convenience.

The director of admissions, Tanawan Malan, is extremely helpful and anyone interested in taking courses at the school, located in On Nut, can reach them here:



All in all, it was a pretty seemless process that maybe took 2-3 hours (from paying the cooking school to getting the documents onto my computer to filling out the forms.) Your mileage may vary.

I cannot really see the point of using an agent if you’re doing things above board."

Good luck everyone!



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@Alma **************

where do you see language on the list?

@John ******

Found it from another post on here by the originator..." short term educational course" that was on the original schedule, and based on that, that's how I got the DTV

@John ******

The wording has changed now compared to back in July when it was first announced. I can't find my original copy unfortunately, but it definitely had reference to education or something that related to learning the language...otherwise I wouldn't have applied that way...

@George ********

The London embassy still has their post up from July 15

@John ******

maybe, but the one I saw and worked on was the same as the originator has posted !

@Alma **************

- Everyone keeps telling you that it is most likely not included. However, regulations vary by embassy/consulate. Which embassy will you apply through? It is a good idea to reach out directly to that embassy and ask them if they will accept language courses for DTV.

@John ******

it's not allowed under DTV. Where does it say it is. You believe one person who posted here otr the many who are saying it's not. I have never seen it printed anywhere a language course is accepted. You are going to apply and lose your money. Language course is Ed visa not DTV

@David *******

- No, I agree it is not allowed. Just suggested, that if one doesn’t trust the advice of this group, then go right to the decision maker, the embassy you plan to apply to, to get the answer. I know they will 99.99% likely say no, but that is the only way I believe to get this poster to believe, as she posted multiple times, that she will do this, even when everyone else says it won’t work

@George ********

I also believe I saw one report of a DTV based on language course from an ASEAN embassy. Congratulations on a successful application.

@Charles *********

look back at previous posts.