Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What courses have others used to successfully obtain a Thai education visa (DT visa)?

Jan 3, 2025
a year ago
Sam *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok, from my last post many people are recommending the DT visa when addressing Thai immigration not being happy with people using the visa exempt system too often. I mentioned we do not want to live n Thailand. We do not work in Thailand. And I am a didital nothing. So this leaves studying something as the only option to comply with the requirements of this visa category. I have no problems with this, I love learning new things. I would just like to ask others exactly what courses they have used to SUCESSFULLY meets this requirement? I appreciate your experiences and any help with this question.
2,272
views
64
all likes
34
replies
14
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses obtaining a DT visa in Thailand as a suitable option for expats who do not wish to live or work permanently in Thailand and who have expressed interest in pursuing courses. Commenters suggest various educational options, such as Thai language schools, Muay Thai training, and even courses related to Thai herbs and cooking. It is emphasized that the requirements for the visa can vary by embassy, and it's crucial to meet those specific criteria.
Alastair *******
My experience of getting the DTV is they are more concerned about being able to show the 500k thb requirement than the reason for getting it. Also i had to apply using the evisa system; basically if you don't have all the right docs they don't refuse straight away instead telling you what is missing and giving you time to submit all the right docs. Thus if they are not happy with the docs for the course, etc, you can try another course, etc.
Like
Reply
Karen *******************
Isn’t there a multi entry tourist visa?
Like
Reply
Pat ********
Why don't you get a TR visa after 3 month you can go to another country, because it's a visa and not a visa excempt you can do it again and there is no problem
Like
Reply
Stephen ********
@Kim ********
ahhh the visa is for Thailand, the other country is when it expires to either apply for a new visa or return visa exempt🤷‍♂️
Like
Reply
Sam *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pat *******
might have to be the way forward as there doesn’t seem another solution. Just up until now you couldn’t do it online in Australia and I live over 1000km from a visa office. I was never home long enough to guarantee sending my passport in a month or so period.Now online shouldn’t be so much of a problem for me I hope.
Like
Reply
Craig *******
@Sam ****
24 Hours. Thats all it took me online for tourist visa last year. You need to be tech savvy though.I paid a couple of backpackers to do mine. Had visa the next day.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Craig *******
Reply
Pete *******
Learn about Thai herbs, 1hr Skype once a month for 5 years. They provide all the paperwork for the DTV. 9999 baht. The company has posted links in previous threads. Or your looking at dental/ medical treatments. There is even an option for attending Thai festivals but I haven’t seen anyone apply in this soft power category.
Like
Reply
Sergio *********
Hey
@Pete ******
! I tried to find the post you mentioned but can't find it. I'm interested in the Thai herb thing. Do you by any chance remember that name of the school?
Like
Reply
Andries *********
@Sergio ********
It would be this one.
***********************************
I am also looking into this one, so would love to hear from people whit experiences using this as an option.
Like
Reply
Pete *******
@Sergio ********
Google “Thai Herbs DTV” and it comes up on the first search result.
Like
Reply
Alan *********
@Pete ******
if applying in uk they don't accept this course
Like
Reply
Reply to
Alan *********
Reply
Ally ************
Why not apply for a 60-day tourist visa at an overseas, embassy.. then look to extend it by 30-days in-country.. which gives you 90-days in Thailand.. then leave for a period before looking to repeat the process.. though an immediate return is not adviseable since immigration might construe it as playing the system to achieve permanent residence.. tourists generally don't stay in Thailand for more than 3-months continuously.. and people that leave for a few days and then try to return are increasingly coming onto immigration's radar.. the message is to get an appropriate visa for your purpose at outset instead of using border bounces to prolong your stay.. and judging by reports this message is getting louder!
Like
Reply
Sam *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ally ***********
yeah I am not in the border bounce category, but do come to Thailand app
***
times a year while travelling all over Asia.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Sam *****
Reply
Bob **********
I’ve researched two Thai cooking schools 120 hrs 50,000-70,000
Like
Reply
Simon ********
Your looking at muay thai or cooking basically
Like
Reply
Mark *********
@Simon *******
And Immigration are looking closely at those too. Not without reason. On the other hand University courses still seem to get scant scrutiny. There's a message there. There's also a message there in the sense that might there not just be a link between border jumping and taking a "course" subsequently. Might Immigration not have worked that out? And the bigger question is why Thailand at all when we live in a region where visas are often super-simple?
Like
Reply
Sam *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Simon *******
thanks, a bit tooold for learning how to kick ass. I was hoping for language tuition.
Like
Reply
Tracy *********
@Sam ****
me too
Like
Reply
Simon ********
@Sam ****
then that's no good for Dtv, you need education visa, which can now be pretty expensive including the course, you say your not planning on living in Thailand, how long you wanna be here?
Like
Reply
Sam *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Simon *******
over the last 3 years we travel all over Asia and go home twice a year for a month to 6 weeks each time. We end up spending
***
months each year in Thailand travelling all over as it is our favourite county. Probably another 3 years doing the same. In the last 3 years have also spent a fair bit of time in Indo. Have done a month each in Lao ,Cambodia, Vietnam, Phillipines and Japan.
Like
Reply
Koda **********
@Sam ****
We also been doing same and same places the last 2 years . definitely love Thailand number 1 favorite country.
Like
Reply
Luit *****************
@Sam ****
For traveling all over the country and area METV does fit the purpose, but how convenient it will work depends on your travel schedule.

You might qualify for DTV or ED visa depending on what activity you will do,
Like
Reply
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Brandon ************
@Sam ****
language doesn't qualify for DTV at most embassies. For that you're looking at a regular education visa.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
David **********
You can obtain an education visa for two things that I know of. One is, to study thai language at an approved school. The other, is to study muay thai. (Thai kickboxing).
Like
Reply
Tracy *********
@David *********
I spoke with an agent and they told me Thai language is not included. Soft approval only Thai cooking and Muay Thai
Like
Reply
David **********
@Tracy ********
thai language is definitely included and it is very common for people to use this type of visa. I would not trust the vast majority of agents at all or use them, they are almost all parasites and not necessary.
Like
Reply
Rena *********
@David *********
laungage is still listed as ED not DTV. I've seen a couple post saying they got it for laungage but it is not a part of the list of soft power listed for DTV.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Rena *********
Reply
Sam *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *********
you don’t happen to know if there is a list or website that lists the approved language schools do you?
Like
Reply
Mark *********
@Sam ****
You're going to have more of an issue finding schools that will process the education visa than the government approving various schools. go on Google maps, search the area that you are interested in for language schools and begin calling or looking at their websites to find out if they will do the paperwork
Like
Reply
David **********
@Sam ****
there may be one out there. Look for a trusted recommendation if you want to actually learn thai rather than just tick the visa box. Some are more legitimate than others.
Like
Reply
Sam *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *********
yeah, I would just need somewhere to check my course before committing, if it doesn’t also tick the DT box I will have failed on that part and done my cash.
Like
Reply
David **********
@Sam ****
Different visa, ED visa is needed instead and will only last 12 months.
Like
Reply
Reply to
David **********
Reply
Brandon ************
It doesn't matter what other people have used. Each embassy sets their own requirements. You need to meet the requirements of the embassy that you will be using.
Like
Reply
Sam *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
well that confuses things even more for me. Thanks for the info though.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Sam *****
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.