What are the requirements and options for obtaining a cooking visa in Thailand?

Thai cooking visa Visa rules Cooking school requirements DTV visa Thai visa categories Ministry of Education registration Cooking courses in Thailand

Aug 27, 2024

3 months ago

Terje **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I've tried getting the Visa via the cooking route. At first I just applied to a random school for an afternoon course in Phuket as I was told by the embassy here in Norway that there was no minimum time the course had to take in order to qualify. The embassy wanted additional documentation and and asked for a confirmation from the school that they were allowed to teach/run a business in Thailand. When I asked the school for this I was told to get in touch with their Sister school in Bangkok [members only] They will not provide the paperwork Unless you sign up for a 4 or 6 week course that cost  70000 THB or 100000 THB resepctivly. Anyone else found a cheaper cooking option? That doesn't last as long?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion centers around the challenges of obtaining a Thai visa through cooking courses, including difficulties in receiving necessary documentation from schools and the costs associated with courses required for the visa. Participants share their experiences with different schools, particularly the Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy, and provide insights into course lengths and accreditation status affecting visa applications.

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Farzad *******

4-6 week course to get started on a 5 year visa. Think it’s a steal. Especially at the price of 10k

2 months ago

Deepak *******

So, did you expect to name a random school and get the DTV?

2 months ago

Andi ***********

@Terje *********

Congrats!

3 months ago

Terje **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Got approved today :)

3 months ago

Upasaka ********

@Terje *********

Did they give you a visa in your passport? I’m just curious if a soft power Visa size looks the same as the workation nomad ones?

2 months ago

Upasaka ********

OK, thanks for the reply that’s fantastic I was just wondering if You will have to carry a piece of paper with you for five years or if you’ll get a stamp somehow

2 months ago

Terje **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Upasaka *******

This is going to be different by how you apply and at what embassy. I applied in Oslo, Norway so here they are all digital. I know in some of the other countries around Thailand they don't let you do that though, and you deliver the paperwork physically at the embassy and get a Visa in your passport.

2 months ago

Terje **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Nope, they sent me the approval by email

2 months ago

Reply to

Terje **********

Jo *******

Hi I was looking at the Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy. According to the website some of their professional thai cooking course that's only 2 weeks says it is eligible for dtv, I wonder if that's correct or they haven't updated their website

3 months ago

Andi ***********

@Jo ******

I recently saw a youtube vid of someone approved for a DTV via the Chicago Embassy. He used the Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy.

3 months ago

Terje **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andi **********

I have payed the deposit fot a 2 week course just waiting for the paperwork now. I will make a new post after the paperworl has arrived and I've submitted it to the embassy to say if I got approved or not.

3 months ago

Jo *******

@Terje *********

the school still hasn't replied to me to confirm if the 2 weeks is definately OK. May I ask did you pay the deposit first then book the class? Thai Embassy in Singapore requires a business licence too, so I'm wondering if they'll provide me that

3 months ago

Terje **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jo ******

I spoke to them on WhatsApp. And payed trough a link they had sent me via email earlier. Made it clear to the person i spoke to that it was the 2 week Thai culinary cheff class or whatever it was called I wanted. Also sent in an email via their contact page. They also wanted my biometrics page from my passport. I was promised I'd have the paperwork by tomorrow, so now it's fingers crossed.

3 months ago

Jo *******

@Terje *********

thank you for that! Let me whatsapp them then

3 months ago

Andi ***********

@Terje *********

ok.He also mentioned he had to pay the deposit to get the paperwork. You should be ok as he was approved.

3 months ago

Terje **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andi **********

Do you have a link to the video?

3 months ago

Andi ***********

@Terje *********

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3 months ago

Andi ***********

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3 months ago

Reply to

Andi ***********

Terje **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jo ******

If you're in contact with them I'd be curious what they have to say about it.

3 months ago

Jo *******

@Terje *********

yes! I emailed them and they also told me 4-6 weeks. I have emailed them again asking how come their website says 2 weeks is eligible and awaiting their reply. Will get back to you

3 months ago

Terje **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jo ******

I've been in contact with them and can confirm two weeks is now an option.

3 months ago

Jo *******

@Terje *********

oh that's amazing news! Thanks for letting me know

3 months ago

Reply to

Jo *******

Terje **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jo ******

They must have changed this recently

3 months ago

Terje **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Under additional details for all trainimg courses they say: "DTV Visa: Available for 4 or more weeks of professional culinary training."

3 months ago

Reply to

Terje **********

Sé *****

How long is this visa cooking ? How many months do you get from it please ?

3 months ago

Katy *******

@Sé ****

It's a category of the DTV. So five years.

3 months ago

Reply to

Katy *******

The embassy in Vientiane, Laos, has confirmed that the course duration does not matter; the only thing that the Vientiane consulate is focused on is that the school is registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE). I have messaged many cooking schools that are registered with the MOE. However, the shorter, cheaper courses offered are not accredited.

3 months ago

Terje **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Katy ******

I've messaged tons of schools as well, but haven't heard back from any of them that they can provide the paperwork but this one,. Can you list some of the other ones with the courses please?

3 months ago

Katy *******

@Terje *********

, I haven't yet found one where the shorter, cheaper courses are accredited by the MOE. The one you posted above says they are but at 70,000 Baht. I just got a reply from The Food School Bangkok: Their course is 3-9 months and costs 224,500 all in. If you look at the monthly cost of the 70K option for the next 5 years, it's only 1167 a month. It's a lot upfront, but it's a pretty reasonable and cheap option in the long run, and you learn a new skill.

3 months ago

Reply to

Katy *******

Graham *******

It will not be long before this visa class become so overwhelmed by its work load that major changes are made to this visa class. Embassy or consular staff are not adequately resourced to determine which institute can offer the necessary course to satisfy this visa class but instead it's the responsibility of the relevant dept in bkk, who are also under resourced. If these staff are unsure what to do, they will reject applications in increasing numbers and renewal may not be honored.

3 months ago

All****

@Graham ******

In 2019 I was living in Vietnam and we saw a huge influx of foreigners from Thailand. I don't remember what policy changed at that time, but I know they were all living there on tourist visas. Vietnam managed it, I imagine Cambodia (and Vietnam) will as well. Thailand's immigration policies are just too 'fluid' for me to take a chance living there long-term. To answer your question, I live in Siem Reap 🙂

2 months ago

Graham *******

@All****

since the draft proposal to tax on global income I have not had chance to hear feedback from the "educated expats" here in Thailand, soon I have met up with a large number of "lifers" I have noticed one realtor regularly listing "latest reductions" in prices of property so maybe word is getting out. also, there are many stories now of crack downs on nominee companies used to illegally own land. Stay away from Thailand untill we have a better idea of whats becoming embedded in law.

2 months ago

Reply to

Graham *******

All****

@Graham ******

Yep I predict the DTV devolves into a huge mess, at the whim of the Thai government that loves to change it's requirements on a whim. I'm staying put in Cambodia where you don't have to jump through any hoops at all.

2 months ago

Graham *******

@All****

if they implement tax on global income in Thai, can u recommend good places to stay for the 100,000's falangs who will be coming to join you?

2 months ago

Graham *******

@Bo *********

Why?

2 months ago

Reply to

Graham *******

Which schools in Phuket offer Thai culinary courses eligible for the DTV visa?