What are the steps and requirements for applying for a Soft Power DTV visa in Thailand?

Question

Approved visa in Hanoi Vietnam! ✅🎉
Applied for the Soft Power DTV with Arun Thai cooking

Application submitted: Friday 16/10

Changed to Pending approval 17/10

No document requests.

Approval received: Wednesday 29/10

What I submitted:

Bio data page of US passport

Passport photo

Proof of current address:

- Hanoi evisa document

- 1 passport page with Vietnam stamp

- Agoda bill recent for apartment in Hanoi

- Confirmed booking for flight from HAN to DMK for 25/11

- a picture of me holding apartment keys and a grocery receipt showing the date on the receipt as 14/10

- A close up of the keys and receipt together.

- Agoda page with address of serviced apartment

Three months of bank statements from a HYSA

- September, August, July statements

- The tenth of August had the full amount 500k baht amount and September the entire month. July had like 200k baht.

Arun Thai Cooking school documents.

I wrote a cover letter in English explaining that I will write a small letter in Thai explaining why I choose soft power cooking. I explained why in Thai because I had previously studied Thai getting an ED visa for 18 months and wanted to show that I actually studied and am continuing to learn Thai. The letter was basic and just said Thai food is famous and listed some of my favorites and that I want to learn.

Last time I went Bangkok in January 2025 after spending a month in Japan, I got grilled by the IOs for trying to come back without a proper visa. Because I had basically lived in Thailand for a little over two years. Mostly with ED visa. So an hour later they agreed to let me in but they left a note on my file that said I would apply for the dtv visa.

Huge thanks to the group for all the help. I'm excited to go back! Happy to answer any questions!

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user successfully obtained a Soft Power DTV visa in Hanoi, Vietnam, after a well-documented application process. They submitted various documents, including their US passport bio data page, proof of address, bank statements, and a cover letter explaining their motivation for choosing the Thai cooking program. Their application status progressed from submitted to pending approval within a day, with the final approval received on October 29. The user encouraged others to print their visa approval email for travel, providing a detailed account of the documentation required.

Benjamin ********* · Answer

Congratulations! I have a quick question. Did you apply online in Hanoi, or did you have to go to the embassy?

I'm planning a trip for December to get the DTV and wondered if I needed to stay close to the embassy in case they call me in for an interview.

Anonymous ****************** · Answer

Hello, where did you upload your Cover Letter? In what section of the evisa site? Thank you

James ******** · Answer

Thank You for your helpful report 👍

Congratulations 👏👏👏

PRINT OUT THE EMAIL THAT HAS YOUR DTV VISA.

That's what you should do... print it out.

You may have to show PROOF of your DTV Visa to airline staff on check-in for your flight ✈️ to Thailand...even to the connecting airline staff. Or to the land border crossing entry Thai Immigration Officer.

Upon arrival into Thailand, show the DTV visa to the Thai Immigration Officer and look at the STAMP placed in your passport to be sure you are STAMPED in for 180 days.

Zarko ******* · Answer

Congratulations! I know how stressful it was. Great job

Hari ******* · Answer

Hi for the Thai cooking class how many months of course you have to take and how much she had to pay please can you share thank you

What are the steps and requirements for applying for a Soft Power DTV visa in Thailand?

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