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

What is the process for applying for a Soft Power DTV visa from Australia while on an education visa in Thailand?

Apr 29, 2025
a day ago
Hi guys, just looking for some advice which would be highly appreciated. I am on an education visa atm which is due to expire on the 7th of July. I have to go back to Australia as my father is sick. I fly out on May 12th and return on May 25. I was wondering if anyone has applied for a soft power DTV in Australia and how long the process could take? Do you guys think this would be a smooth process.

Thank you
1,336
views
1
likes
47
all likes
31
replies
2
images
8
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is on an education visa in Thailand, which expires on July 7, and needs to return to Australia due to a family emergency. They are considering applying for a Soft Power DTV visa while in Australia and seek advice on the process and its duration. Respondents shared experiences indicating that the processing time could take from a few days to a month and highlighted the need to cancel the current education visa before applying for the DTV. Discussions also touched on the importance of checking visa status and whether a re-entry permit is held.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks to person who commented about having to cancel my ed visa before applying for DTV. Is this πŸ’― required?? Thanks guys
Meaw ************
My latest Australian customer (Sydney) was 6 working days :)

However you need to cancel Edu visa first. Please contact your current school
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Laurie *********
Hi. Try this soft power application. Thai Cultural Exchange its a seminar program with 100s of on line videos to learn from.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Laurie ********
thanks Laurie
Alex *******
I applied at the Sydney Thai Consulate on March 20th Thursday night and was approved on March 23rd Sunday morning. So it only took 1 full business day for approval. I applied using a 6 month Muay Thai course in Phuket that cost 15,000 baht.

The application process was very easy and fast. If you want any info on what documents I used I can let you know
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alex ******
hi Alex I have a Muay Thai school lined up in Chiang Mai. Thanks for your reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alex ******
so Alex did you need to go to the embassy or is it all online πŸ™
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant hey Alex as I plan to mirror what you did, it would be awesome if you could let me know what documents I need.

Thanks heaps πŸ™
Alex *******
Anonymous it's all online
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alex ******
hey Alex as I plan to mirror what you did, it would be awesome if you could let me know what documents I need.

Thanks heaps πŸ™
Alex *******
Anonymous this is what I used.

1) Australian driving licence for proof of current address.

2) Photo of Passport

3) Bank statement. I showed them 6 months of account history since mine was only 2 pages long but I think it's fine just to show 1 page with more than the 500,000 baht equivalent total.

4) Muay Thai Documents all supplied by Phuket King Muay Thai. It was 23 pages in total. I had to merge them all into 1 PDF and compress the file under the 3mb limit.

That's all βœ…
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alex ******
you’re a legend thanks so much. πŸ™β€οΈ
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alex ******
thanks Alex
Amar *********
Where will you be applying? I am considering Brisbane
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Amar ********
i will be in Melbourne
John **********
If you're actually on a visa you won't get a DTV, but if you're actually on an extension of stay you can apply OK. Check your passport. You then need to cancel the extension of stay after you return
James ********
@John *********
John Stanners if he leaves without having a re-entry permit in his passport, his Ed Visa extension of stay is canceled. It would be wise to stay in Australia, Apply for the DTV visa for Muay Thai training , as an example, then Return to Thailand. The processing time in Australia is usually quick.
John **********
@James *******
his ED visa and extension of stay would both become invalid if he left without a re-entry permit but he would still need to officially cancel the extension of stay on his return.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
yes I do have a re entry permit I am just thinking of changing the visa from ed to DTV to save leaving the country again in a months time πŸ™
John **********
Anonymous participant so do you actually have a visa or an extension of stay? What does it say in your passport? The distinction is important.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
hi John I will check when I get home. I don’t have my passport on me right now πŸ‘
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I don’t have passport with me right now John, I will check when I get back home. I am currently enrolled in a school in Chiang Mai where I study.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
thanks James
James ********
********************************************
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
thanks for all the info James πŸ™
James ********
********************************************
James ********
********************************************
James ********
********************************************
James ********
********************************************
Kyle **********
it could take up to a month so 2 weeks might now be enough