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What is a detailed portfolio for cooking experience required for the DTV visa application?
Thai VisaSoft Power RouteCooking Class VisaPortfolio RequirementsDTV VisaImmigrationExpat Experiences
Mar 25, 2025
a year ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi I applied for the soft power route cooking class and I received feedback saying I need to send a 'detailed portfolio of applicant must demonstrate cooking past experience for no less than 6 months'
What is this? Has anybody received this request before and what am I supposed to send? I am not a professional cook as the school I paid for is to cook Thai in a fun group class setting. The school is DTV approved and sent me all the documents.
Appreciate any help
Thanks
What is this? Has anybody received this request before and what am I supposed to send? I am not a professional cook as the school I paid for is to cook Thai in a fun group class setting. The school is DTV approved and sent me all the documents.
Appreciate any help
Thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user applied for a soft power route cooking class and was asked to submit a detailed portfolio demonstrating at least six months of cooking experience. They are not a professional cook and are unsure about what to include in this portfolio. Comments from the community discuss the ambiguity of the request, suggesting possible ways to respond, such as providing photos from classes and asking the cooking school for assistance. There is speculation on whether this request is specific to certain embassies.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Alex *********
Just ask cooking class take photo of them activities with other students, the embassy wants to know is this class legit or not.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alex ********
thanks I am writing a letter and putting screen shots of the company with cooking classesReply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Liam ***********
Trolling I think
Never ever heard this before,back it up with photos or documents
Never ever heard this before,back it up with photos or documents
Liam ***********
Anonymous participant thanks for that
Reply to
Liam ***********
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Reply to
Anonymous *************
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Tae'lur ********
That’s interesting! I just applied via soft power with a Thai cooking school, they just asked for the business registration letter. I applied from Hanoi embassy tho
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tae'lur *******
thanks I'm applying in Hong Kong . Wonder why it should make a difference . Shouldn't the requirements be the same regardless of location?Greg ********
Anonymous participant Requirements can change from embassy to embassy. The local guys in charge have discretion. The local Ambassador/Consular Head will make the decisions. The MFA set the minimum guidelines then local discretion.
Tae'lur ********
Anonymous participant that was my initial thoughts as well, but this group taught me that the requirements can change depending on the embassy you apply from
Reply to
Tae'lur ********
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Amanda ************
Maybe contact the school to help you clarify?
Mika ********
@Amanda ***********
this is a good ideaReply to
Mika ********
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Felipe *******
ask gpt and make a good stuff
James ********
What is your passport nation?
Where are you now?
Where are you applying for the DTV visa?
For how long a course of study in cooking are you applying for with your cooking school course?
What Thai Visa have you been on recently in staying in Thailand?
Where are you now?
Where are you applying for the DTV visa?
For how long a course of study in cooking are you applying for with your cooking school course?
What Thai Visa have you been on recently in staying in Thailand?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
hi I am a Hong Kong national with a Hong Kong passport. The course is for 6 months so it should fit the criteria. I'm applying in HK. Not had any visa in the past. This is my first visa applicationJames ********
Anonymous participant thank you for your reply. The HK Thai Embassy is not an easy one when it comes to any Thai Visa. Although we have seen several approved DTV Visas. None for cooking, yet. As you already have submitted your DTV application for the Cooking course, you will need to reply to the questions asked by the Thai Embassy. Otherwise get DENIED.
I suggest that you thank them in reply for considering your application for participating in the Cooking School course.
Share with them your desire to learn more about the Thai recipes, rices, herbs and spices and their preparation. Thai foods
are notably famous and delicious. And hopefully from the course of study, you may be able to share with my family and friends the goodness learned from the course.
As a citizen of nearby HK, you have enjoyed your past visits to Thailand on holidays and the DTV visa allows you to focus on learning more about Thailand and it's foods in particular. I have no interest in working in Thailand.
Good Luck 🍀... hopefully others may be able to of offer their suggestions. Please let us know the outcome of your application.
.....Hmmmmm 🤔🤔
How do you support yourself while you are in Thailand? 5 years... ??? Do you have other sources of income which will support you while in Thailand. The Thai Embassy may be thinking your intent is to attend the Cooking course then apply for a job in Thailand, while you have a 5 year DTV VISA.
I suggest that you thank them in reply for considering your application for participating in the Cooking School course.
Share with them your desire to learn more about the Thai recipes, rices, herbs and spices and their preparation. Thai foods
are notably famous and delicious. And hopefully from the course of study, you may be able to share with my family and friends the goodness learned from the course.
As a citizen of nearby HK, you have enjoyed your past visits to Thailand on holidays and the DTV visa allows you to focus on learning more about Thailand and it's foods in particular. I have no interest in working in Thailand.
Good Luck 🍀... hopefully others may be able to of offer their suggestions. Please let us know the outcome of your application.
.....Hmmmmm 🤔🤔
How do you support yourself while you are in Thailand? 5 years... ??? Do you have other sources of income which will support you while in Thailand. The Thai Embassy may be thinking your intent is to attend the Cooking course then apply for a job in Thailand, while you have a 5 year DTV VISA.
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Christopher ***********
@James *******
Good questions as always James! It’s important that the applicant answers these at this point. I too suspect some subtle trickery (leading questions) here.Reply to
Christopher ***********
Reply
John *******
There have been several posts like this over the last 9 months, but very very few. One applicant was asked to show their experience with Muy Thai, etc. I wonder, is this an embassy specific request. Which embassy you applying via?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
thanks I am applying via Hong Kong embassy which I'm told is one of the strictest embassies to apply...only found out after submitting .John *******
Anonymous participant Yes, not many apply via that embassy, since you need to be a resident of Hong Kong or Macau to apply via that one.
Reply to
John *******
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Wannikea *********
I always took a Thai soft power class in something I've already had lots of experience in. Madness.<end sarcasm>
Anonymous ******************
@Wannikea ********
With so many people trying to use the Soft Power visa as a workaround to stay in Thailand,they’re likely tightening requirements and checking if applicants genuinely fit the criteria. If they’re asking for a detailed portfolio, they probably want to filter out those who are just using the program to stay in the country without real involvement in the field.Wannikea *********
Anonymous participant 664 that should have been the MFA's job in the beginning when the visa was applied for.
David *******
Anonymous participant 664 this sounds like the exact reason
Reply to
David *******
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Greg ******
@Wannikea ********
I wouldn't be surprised if they are now expecting cooking classes applicants to have some prior experience under tourist exemptions. Let's see.Wannikea *********
@Greg *****
at the very least an attendance recordReply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
Greg ******
Seems like they want to see proof that you were following another class recently. For how long have you signed?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *****
thanks it is for 6 months , May to October inclusiveReply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Greg ********
Which Embassy is this? Never seen this request before.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
Hong KongGreg ********
Anonymous participant Very strict. Not seen it before. The whole point of SP was to encourage people to come for Thai Soft Power activities. Professional cookery courses would probably be on ED visa
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
I know just found out Hong Kong is one of the strictest, just my luck!Greg ********
Anonymous participant Apply elsewhere and I am sure you will be fine. If you do not respond I think you current application is just cancelled and not rejected.
Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
What are the experiences of applying for the DTV visa through the NYC Consulate for cooking schools?
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