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What are the steps to apply for a DTV Soft Power visa and what documents are needed?
Thai VisaVisa Application ProcessSoft Power VisaVientiane LaosCooking School VisaDBD DocumentsProof of FundsBank Statement CertificationVisa CostsAppointment BookingSchool Location Requirements
Sep 12, 2024
2 years ago
Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTERDTV Soft Power Approved!
In Person, Vientiane Laos.
Make an Appointment on their website!!
Documents Provided to the Embassy.
Fully filled out application with two photos attached.
Proof of funds. This consisted of a certified bank statement from my Thai Bank, along with a full copy of my bank book to show the original deposit of funds. (My funds have been seasoned for multiple years)
Acceptance Letter from a cooking school. (I love cooking!)
A copy of the cooking Schools DBD documents, along with a copy of the owner’s ID Card.
Signed Copy of my hotel reservation in Laos, evisa to Laos, and entry stamp into Laos.
When you make your appointment, you are assigned a number. That number didn’t seem to matter at all. Show up early on the day of your appointment. Bring a Sun Umbrella. You leave everything (including your passport) with the Embassy. Once they review your application and take your money, you are given a slip with a date and time to return to pick up your visa. If you drop stuff off on a Monday, pick-up is Wednesday. Drop off Tuesday, pick up Thursday. This is the cooking school I chose. www.bangkokthaicookingacademy.com
In Person, Vientiane Laos.
Make an Appointment on their website!!
Documents Provided to the Embassy.
Fully filled out application with two photos attached.
Proof of funds. This consisted of a certified bank statement from my Thai Bank, along with a full copy of my bank book to show the original deposit of funds. (My funds have been seasoned for multiple years)
Acceptance Letter from a cooking school. (I love cooking!)
A copy of the cooking Schools DBD documents, along with a copy of the owner’s ID Card.
Signed Copy of my hotel reservation in Laos, evisa to Laos, and entry stamp into Laos.
When you make your appointment, you are assigned a number. That number didn’t seem to matter at all. Show up early on the day of your appointment. Bring a Sun Umbrella. You leave everything (including your passport) with the Embassy. Once they review your application and take your money, you are given a slip with a date and time to return to pick up your visa. If you drop stuff off on a Monday, pick-up is Wednesday. Drop off Tuesday, pick up Thursday. This is the cooking school I chose. www.bangkokthaicookingacademy.com
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post provides a detailed account of the visa application process for a soft power visa through a cooking school in Vientiane, Laos. Required documents included a completed application form, photos, proof of funds through a certified bank statement, an acceptance letter from the cooking school, and hotel reservation details. The appointment must be made in advance, and there is a three-business-day processing time for the visa. Various community comments ask for clarifications on the duration of the course, requirements for payment, and methods of document submission.
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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Kersh *****
Hello i am going to apply through the soft power route, my only question is can I have my muay school send me all the documents via PDF and print them off, or do they after be original documents sent by post?
Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kersh ****
all my documents were sent via pdf and printed. I'd print in color because it looks more "official."Kersh *****
@Katy ******
Cheers that'll do thanks :)Reply to
Kersh *****
Reply
Greg **************
What methods of payment are accepted? Cash ? Card?
Krystal ******
Hi, does it matter where the school location is? does it have to be a school where you plan to live in thailand?
Andi ***********
Krystal Chen it does not have to be where you plan to live. You can commute to the school.
Krystal ******
thank you!
Reply to
Krystal ******
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Kevin *******
How much does the visa cost? And what currency did you use to pay for it?
Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kevin ******
The application fee is 10,000 Baht. Paid in Thai Baht. The nice thing is that they were giving the application fee back to those who were declined.Reply to
Katy *******
Reply
Marco ******
How did you get the letter from the school
Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marco *****
I paid and they emailed it to me.Marco ******
@Katy ******
may I know how much is it and did you pay full cost in advance?Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marco *****
Take a look at their website. They have multiple class options. All the payment info is there.Marco ******
@Katy ******
pretty expensiveReply to
Marco ******
Reply
Dobey *************
@Katy ******
were you required to pay the total amount for the course upfront? A deposit (%)? Or did they offer an alternative payment option such as 1 week in advance of starting the course, or the day you begin?Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dobey ************
They have a deposit option. I didn't bother to ask them if other payment options were available. I'm sure they could work with you if you needed it.Dobey *************
@Katy ******
great info 👌🏽 thanks 🙏🏽Reply to
Dobey *************
Reply
Tod *********
@Katy ******
how long of a course did you sign up for?Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
The school has an option for two or four weeks. I did four.Tod *********
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Martha **********
How many weeks did you book?. Some people said they succeeded booking 2 weeks at that school.
Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Martha *********
I did 4. Many have had success with 2.Reply to
Katy *******
Reply
Netanel *******
Can you set the appointment while still in Thailand? and how many available slots were there to choose from? cause I hear that you need to book a month forward due to high demand
Tod *********
@Netanel ******
you book the appt to APPLY for the visa at Vientiane before you go there. You need to check almost every day because they add appts. also you need to remember they have 3 working day processing counting the day you apply.
So apply Monday morning, get the passport back Wednesday afternoon, apply Thursday morning, get the passport back the following Monday,
They show openings Friday the 20th, and Thursday the 26th of this month right now
This is where you make an appt for vientiane
***********************************************
Netanel *******
@Tod ********
I want to spend as little time as possible in Laos, that is why I ask how long it takes to set an appointment - can I do it from today to tomorrow, or there are no available slots for the coming weeks.So that is why I ask if I can set the appointment while still in Thailand, if yes, I will set the appointment while still in Thailand, land in Laos a day before, go there the next day, wait 3-5 days and get my visa.
Tod *********
@Netanel ******
Apply Monday, passport back Wednesday Apply Tuesday, passport back Thursday
Apply Wednesday, passport back Friday
Apply Thursday, passport back the following Monday
Apply Friday, passport back the following Tuesday
And those are processing times if there are NO holidays 🙂
Tod *********
Netanel Ingel are you not understanding that you book the appt to get IN to the consulate and APPLY for the visa before you go to Lao ?
You aren't gonna set the appt a day before you go, what part of the earliest openings are the 20th and the 26th of this month are you not glomming on to?
You're going to make an appt, go to Lao the day before, show up at the consulate the day of the appt and apply for the visa, pay, they will keep your passport for the 3 business day processing time and then you show up that day in the afternoon to get you passport back with the visa in it
You aren't gonna set the appt a day before you go, what part of the earliest openings are the 20th and the 26th of this month are you not glomming on to?
You're going to make an appt, go to Lao the day before, show up at the consulate the day of the appt and apply for the visa, pay, they will keep your passport for the 3 business day processing time and then you show up that day in the afternoon to get you passport back with the visa in it
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Kaia ******
How did you certify the bank statements? Public notary?
Tod *********
@Kaia *****
it's just the "standard bank letter" from the bank you have your account at with the banks stamp on it on their letterhead looks like this
Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
and @Kaia *****
Yes, this is exactly what I provided them. Along with a copy of my bank book. I don't know if bank books are available in all countries, but it's a small book that shows my transaction history with the account.Tod *********
@Katy ******
thailand is one of the countries that still uses bank books 😛Kaia ******
@Tod ********
unfortunately Singapore and Estonia, where my accounts are, don't. In fact, never heard of a bank book before... I'll probably just print out the statements.Reply to
Kaia ******
Reply
Kaia ******
@Tod ********
thank you!Reply to
Kaia ******
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Bob *******
Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉What was the specific cooking class course you booked with the school, if you don’t mind sharing? How many days of classes?
Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Carter ******
, I can't think of anything off hand. Maybe how to pay. I don't know what their online payment system is like.Carter *******
@Katy ******
got it . Not sure if that class needs to be renew every now and then or not sure ?Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Carter ******
At this point no one can answer that question. No one(that I'm aware of) has even applied for an extension at this point. But ..... I already entered, and exited Thailand. Will re enter in December. But don't start my class until January. I don't foresee issues or changes, but it's possible.Carter *******
@Katy ******
much appreciate your info 😇Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Carter ******
Just message me if you have any other questions.Reply to
Katy *******
Reply
Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob ******
They have two options. A 2 and 4 week program that qualifies for the DTV. Take a look at their website.Carter *******
@Katy ******
thank you so much for your valuable information - if you allow me to ask - do you tell the cooking school that it's for the DTV or how dose that work ? To give you the letterKaty *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Carter ******
Hello. They have a DTV option. The owner is responsive by email. But I choose to go into the school to make sure I was actually going to get to cook meals. I think messaging the owner is a safe bet and just telling her your interested in "x amount of classes" to qualify for the DTV. But please check their site for updates. I got mine back in September and have no idea if things have changed.Carter *******
Reply to
Carter *******
Reply
Bob *******
@Katy ******
and may I ask, how many months of bank statements you provided. Thanks so much for sharing your valuable information. Happy cooking!Tyler *******
@Bob ******
following thisKaty *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob ******
I provided four that were stamped by the bank. Then copied my bank book that covered a two year period. I wanted them to see the original deposit of funds.Reply to
Katy *******
Reply
Bob *******
@Martha *********
I did not book anything. I asked the author of this post the same question. Maybe she can clarify.Reply to
Bob *******
Reply
Andi ***********
Congrats..i have seen a few posts of success with that school. What are DBD docs?
Katy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
It's their government docs that show how they are registered.Andi ***********
@Katy ******
ok, thanksReply to
Andi ***********
Reply
Thiri ******
Congratulations
Reply to
Thiri ******
Reply
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