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What are the details and opinions on taking a cooking class in Thailand to obtain a DTV visa?
DTV visaThai cooking classSoft Powervisa regulationsimmigrationcooking school reviewsvisa extensionsMETV visa
Mar 12, 2025
a year ago
Seun **********
ORIGINAL POSTERIf anyone desires to go Soft Power route with a cooking class. See below
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around a cooking class in Thailand that offers a pathway to obtain a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa). Many comments express mixed opinions about the costs associated with the class, with some viewing them as exorbitant while others appreciate the experience and the assistance provided. The class duration of 2 weeks allows for potential visa extensions every 6 months, with some participants discussing concerns regarding immigration policies and the legitimacy of obtaining the visa through such classes. Others mention alternative visa options like the METV visa as a cost-effective route.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Nathan ****
I'm intrigued, is this $1350 and you pass to get the DTV and then after that, do whatever or is it a case of being enrolled for this for the next 5 years? If so, that's insane.
Qishen ******
I booked mine with Arun Thai Cooking and got my DTV Visa approved (from Singapore). I did my research, it was the most affordable cooking school/ Muay Thai course in the market. The place is super beautiful too !
James ********
Be aware several Thai Embassy's and Consulates are now offering to issue the METV multiple entry tourist visa instead of the DTV visa, as the course can be completed during the duration of the METV visa which is a max of 9 months with 2 border bounces.
Ask the course sponsor which Thai Embassy or Consulate they are sending their students for the DTV visa.
Ask the course sponsor which Thai Embassy or Consulate they are sending their students for the DTV visa.
Seun **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
by several, which ones have you heard are doing this?James ********
@Seun *********
please ask the course sponsor... Washington DC offered to issue the METV multiple entry tourist visa instead of the DTV visa. I believe others are too. Will try to find the posts.
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James ********
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Nathalie **********
I just started at this school and am doing 4 weeks. It’s a great experience! I am documenting my experience on YouTube:
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Anonymous ******************
What happens with the DTV after 6 months? Do you have to sign up for another class or something else so you can extend the DTV?
Nathalie **********
Anonymous participant 573 no you don’t have to sign up for anything else
Anonymous ******************
@Nathalie *********
wow that’s kinda crazy but I guess when your class is done you’re not supposed to work so there’s that plus what if they stop letting people do that and say you have to be in a class or they don’t let you renew or get back in… hrmmmLite ********
Anonymous participant 573 And what if the price of rice in China up? Who fkin cares. Do what you have to do with the info you have rn. Make a contingency plan just in case you have to fly back home for any reason. Simple as that.
Reply to
Lite ********
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Lite ********
Anonymous participant 573 its mean you can stay in Thailand for 6 months at a time for 5 years
Anonymous ******************
@Lite *******
but to renew it after 6 months you still have to be taking classes right. So if you want to stay for 5 years you have to continually take classes for 5 years???James ********
Anonymous participant 573 yes if you want to get the 180 day extension of stay inside Thailand at your local Thai Immigration office.
Best to do a BORDER BOUNCE to get the New 180 day stamp.
Best to do a BORDER BOUNCE to get the New 180 day stamp.
Reply to
James ********
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Lite ********
I'm a chef and I appreciate this 💯
Karen *******************
So how long can you stay in Thailand if you take the 2 week class??
Sean *******
@Alisa ***********
Yes that's right.Sean *******
@Karen ******************
6 month stamps for 5 years.Alisa ************
@Sean ******
just to be clear, say you do the two weeks in Chiang Mai, then after it’s over you can go anywhere in Thailand but you need to leave every 6 months. When you renter they don’t ask for any documentation except for the visa. Is that correct?Dave **********
@Alisa ***********
From what i read re entering for another 180 days is all depending on the immigration officer that checks you in that day. Can it be that after 2 or 3 years we could re enter just on the strength that we did a cooking course 2 or 3 years ago? Or that we had an appointment with a doctor or Dentist? Wouldn't the immigration officer want to know what procedure you had and is it still ongoing ?Alisa ************
@Dave *********
yeah that makes sense to me. I also read that soft power visas are more likely to be approved in the first place with a 6 month course rather than 2 week. My concern would also be that an immigration officer would assume I’m working if I had taken a 6 month professional cooking course.
Reply to
Alisa ************
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Seun **********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnother option, cheaper... message @ houseoftaste on Line
James *****
5 year visa for 2 weeks of studying cooking? wtf
James *******
@James ****
Why not? I just use my computer and don't have to book anything at all.Reply to
James *******
Reply
Seun **********
ORIGINAL POSTERSome of y'all are crying about the prices lol if you're broke, just ignore the post and move on 😂 let people that can afford it speak
Arnold *****
@Seun *********
If money wasn't an issue there is the Elite VisaMeredith ********
@Seun *********
Some people want to and can afford the experience. My experience was great and I even looked up cooking schools in other countries to try in the future. Their prices are similar and in some cases cheaper than other international cooking programs. We learned literally 5 restaurant quality dishes a DAY. They are working with little money and it shows. There were several people in class with me who were not even there for a DTV just to learn Thai cooking. Don’t mind them.Travelling ********
@Seun *********
Stfu, there is difference and ripping people of. 2000 usd 🤣Ric ******
@Seun *********
sorry, not sorry. If you have money to blow, go for Thai Elite visa. DTV is inherently a budget conscious option and your friends should rethink the pricing of their courses.Anonymous ******************
@Ric *****
I don't get your point. What's wrong with people participating in an activity they can afford? DTV isn't only for people with no money, is it? It wasn't designed just to attract budget travelers. Thailand wants tourists to spend money. Otherwise, they’d just give you a standard tourist exemption...Travelling ********
Anonymous participant 877 No it was designed so the Thai government could earn a bit more money. Instead op people doing cheap border runs.
Anonymous ******************
@Travelling *******
That's a 2000THB yearly... Any other visa brings more money than that to the government and immigration. If you're purely talking about people abusing of free exemptions we do agree, but DTV isn't bringing a lot compared to other visas.Travelling ********
Anonymous participant 877 Hence the use of "a bit"
And you are not taking in the original amount of about 400 USD.
So yeah, a again: a BIT more than visa runs.
And you are not taking in the original amount of about 400 USD.
So yeah, a again: a BIT more than visa runs.
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Travelling ********
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Anonymous ******************
@Seun *********
After this, these same guys will tell you that DTV is mostly attracting people with money...Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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Barry **********
Very pricey
An ********
@Seun *********
Hi, I'm now in my second week at this cooking school, and I highly recommend it! The chefs are excellent teachers, making it easy and fun to learn Thai dishes. The Director is also very helpful with all the necessary paperwork. Plus, many students who enrolled here have successfully obtained their DTV application approval.Dave **********
@An *******
Can i ask where the class is ? Did you get accomodation close to the school or do you travel to class each day? Do classes start early morning or afternoons ? Finaly when you get your DTV approval you have to leave Thailand in order to apply for the DTV visa as i read, it cannot be applied for within Thailand ? Many thanksAn ********
@Dave *********
The school is in Bangkok, just 5-6mins walk from Onnut BTS. Yes since I’m planning to stay here most of the time I decided to get a condo. My class starts at 9am to 2pm. Yes I left Thailand and applied in Hanoi as you can’t apply while you are here.Reply to
An ********
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Nathalie **********
@An *******
I’m in my first week here. Love the classes too!An ********
@Nathalie *********
which class? 😊Reply to
An ********
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Sergey *********
Don’t know what is funnier, prices or giving chef diplomas
Matt *******
Only clueless people would pay this price to help them get a DTV. You can make a single free medical appointment and get that same results.
Jon ******
@Matt ******
I don’t know man I think you got lucky and squeaked through with that one. I submitted an official appointment letter from Bangkok Hospital and the embassy in Los Angeles said it doesn’t qualify for DTV, but my application is still showing pending. Be glad yours was accepted but I think others shouldn’t count on it.Matt *******
@Jon *****
I’m definitely not the only one as i did it myself based on others in forums doing it with one medical appointment, of course things change and unless the embassy / consulate gives you a definitive reason there’s no knowing exactly the reason. I would do three over three months if you want.Jon ******
@Matt ******
And I’m glad you and others got it, really. It just seems like some US embassies are getting strict with soft power requirements now and 1 appointment letter may no longer be enough for DTV. 6 months of appointments might be a better bet.Matt *******
@Jon *****
that’s a good data point.Reply to
Matt *******
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Dave **********
Matt id like to think it is that easy ! Which hospital did you get your appointment with ? Is it in Bangkok ? And appointment for a general medical examination ? Or something spacific? As we have to apply for DTV outside of Thaland , I find it hardly likely that sending an email or letter to a Hospital asking for just an apppointment is going to get a reply! The hospitals specialise in different medical areas , so we are going to need to reveal what it is your wanting to be examined for and know what department or even the hospital to apply to . I know this from past living in Thailand and having to go to hospital on a number of occasions. I'm sure its unlikely an appointment for just an general examination will qualify for a DTV! It will need to be evidence of ongoing treatment and that it is going to be paid for, that qualifies for the visa. We'd need to enter Thailand on visa exempt and go to hospital to get all in place with reports of proceedure and cost , then apply for DTV outside of Thailand as specified in order to re entry with the DTV .
Matt *******
@Dave *********
you can email them after appointment made and request an official letter of appointment from them letting them know it’s been requested by Thai consulateMatt *******
@Dave *********
it was through Bangkok hospitalReply to
Matt *******
Reply
Tomas *********
@Matt ******
I did and was refusedMatt *******
@Tomas ********
I’m sorry to hear that. Which consulate?Tomas *********
@Matt ******
ViennaReply to
Tomas *********
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Matt *******
I did mine online at Washington DC
Arnold *****
@Matt ******
wasn't the case for me. Was it for you? I'm not attacking you I am just wondering.I had to have a 6 month plan and documentation. Most other embassies reported on here I've seen within the last few months have also been more strict than just 1 appointment.
Matt *******
@Arnold ****
mine was one but will depend on consulateAnonymous ******************
@Arnold ****
Rules are changing and are different depending on embassies. It is very unlikely you'll get a DTV with a one time appointment if doing it now.Arnold *****
Anonymous participant 877 Was yours a 1 time appointment?
Matt *******
@Arnold ****
yes mine was a one time appointment through Bangkok hospital websiteReply to
Matt *******
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Matt ******
The difference is that some people are genuinely interested in certain activities and can afford it… You’re just gaming the system until immigration decides that your one free appointment isn’t enough to cross the border. It’s already not enough to get an extension in Thailand, and yet we are told DTV is bringing money spenders.Travelling ********
Anonymous participant 877 There are way more affordable courses. This is just ridiculous
Anonymous ******************
@Travelling *******
And? People are free to spend their money however they like. Perception of value differs for everyone; you can find a cheap, low-quality class or an expensive, high-quality one. No one is forcing you to do anything. The issue is that you're here for a cheap visa, so you're focusing on the lowest costs.Travelling ********
Anonymous participant 877 Hahaha
1. Cheap visa. You pay way less in other SEA' countries. Especially since many of us won't stay the full 5 years because of the regulations surounding the DTV
2. Costs are not subjective but relative. And compared to other courses this is insanely expensive. You can twist it anyway you like, but your gas lighting doesn't work.
1. Cheap visa. You pay way less in other SEA' countries. Especially since many of us won't stay the full 5 years because of the regulations surounding the DTV
2. Costs are not subjective but relative. And compared to other courses this is insanely expensive. You can twist it anyway you like, but your gas lighting doesn't work.
Reply to
Travelling ********
Reply
Avalyn *********
@Matt ******
Hi can you elaborate please. What would you be applying under, etc etcMatt *******
@Avalyn ********
I recommend reading the post on here. Soft power allows for medical tourism. Some consulates only require a single appointment. Others require more.Jason *******
Reply to
Jason *******
Reply
Seun **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Matt ******
medical appointment of ANY kind? Or something specific?Sophie *************
@Matt ******
do you still need the funds in bank for this medical appointment?Matt *******
Reply to
Matt *******
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Rob *******
extortionate prices. cant understand why anyone would pay those prices.
Lite ********
@Rob ******
because you're probably not a chef so it don't make much since to youRob *******
@Lite *******
There are schools charging 75% less….Lite ********
@Rob ******
post pleaseRob *******
@Lite *******
look in this thread pleaseReply to
Rob *******
Reply
Tim *********
@Rob ******
well, you need material to cook, always going to be more expensive 🤷An ********
@Tim ********
everything is provided.Tim *********
@An *******
hopefully for 75k 🤣 I'm a chef, i don't need to learn how to cook 😅Tim *********
@An *******
you should probably read this again, i was defending you, but what ever suits you...Reply to
Tim *********
Reply
Rob *******
@Tim ********
for 75.000 baht i could eat out twice a day for 6 months+Tim *********
@Rob ******
cool story, do they teach you too? 🤣🤡Reply to
Tim *********
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Meredith ********
I went there! It was great. If anyone has any questions or needs to get sent additional info, let me know.
Nathalie **********
Edy *********
@Meredith *******
this seems awesome. Do you still need the 500,000 tbh funds when enrolling into this at all?Meredith ********
@Edy ********
Yes, but I have heard there are ways around that from people who used a visa agent.Edy *********
@Meredith *******
gotcha thanks☺️Reply to
Edy *********
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