What should I consider for my Thai cooking course visa application after a recent cancellation?

Here’s what you should be asking yourself. Do you actually meet the criteria for the spirit of the visa? Or are you just doing the bare minimum to try and get the visa. Think what you would do if you were in their position?

My school in Bangkok wrote on my letter to the Embassy in D.C that I’m attending a total of 20 instructional days. For reference my hours are from 0900-1400 M-F. Got approved no problem. Good luck.

@Siam *****************************************

please asking if you want more information.🙏

The Non Immigrant ED visa is much chearper and less documents.

You can even apply for the Multiple Entry Tourist visa and join these few cooking classes.

What is the need for the DTV and living 6 years in Thailand?

You stated your application was canceled, did the embassy use the word canceled or did they use the word rejected? It matters.

I got my DTV visa House of Thai Cooking School without any issue. I signed up for a 6-month course that only required 8 classes, which lasted about 4 hours each, be taken within that 6 months. I just took a look the documents the school provided for me to send with my application, and while they did provide a breakdown of the class structure they didn't give any information showing that I could complete the classes in a couple of weeks time. They just provided the reciept to show payment and the documents showing the 6 month timeframe I would be attending. So maybe your school gave a little too much information. Either way, it would be good information for the group to know which embassy denied your application so others can be aware where they are tightening up on the soft power cooking route.

Many applicants mistakenly believe that enrolling in a 6-month or 12-month course automatically qualifies them for the DTV visa. However, this is not always the case. Even reputable schools may offer 12-month programs that do not meet DTV requirements due to the course structure and insufficient total study hours. In many cases, these programs were originally designed for flexible, tourist-oriented learning rather than for visa qualification.

Based on current practice, the most suitable format for DTV applications is a structured 6-month program. Importantly, this should not exceed 180 days of continuous stay. Many Thai embassies are cautious about applicants who appear to intend long-term residence without leaving the country. The general expectation is that DTV applicants participate in a genuine “soft power” course—one that is structured, has a fixed schedule, and includes a minimum of approximately 180–220 study hours, similar to the Ministry of Education guidelines for a 6-month ED visa program.

It is also important to understand the purpose of the 5-year DTV multiple-entry visa. It is not intended for continuous long-term residence in Thailand. Instead, applicants are expected to enter Thailand for a defined period (typically up to 180 days), complete their course, and then leave the country—returning later if needed. This cycle can be repeated during the 5-year validity period.

In this sense, the DTV visa is aligned with a “Workcation” or flexible lifestyle approach: individuals come to Thailand for a specific purpose (such as a soft power course or as remote work), stay for a limited time, and then continue traveling or return to their home country before re-entering again in the future.

40 hours is not sufficient to qualify for a DTV visa ❌. You typically need around 6 months, which equals approximately 180–200 hours. It is also very likely that the documents are from a school that is not for the DTV visa, and the course appears to be more like a tourist program rather than a valid DTV visa-supporting course.

You can upgrade the program for at least 180 hours for 6 months it's 3 sessions per week minimum for DTV visa approval as well as proper license and documents from school.

Do you get money back from the cooking school since your dtv was denied? What cooking school did you use? I am looking into the same. I came across Arun Thai cooking school and that one while a bit more expensive seems they have worked with consulate to set up classes that better meet requirements

Where did you apply? Length of course should be 6mth plus and in addition you should show evidence to continue/finance your studies after the 6mths is over. As you were informed they want to see the need to be issued a 5 yr visa. It is not as easy as before to get the DTV with short courses.

I'm not really surprised this was rejected. It looks designed to meet the absolute minimum requirements which isn't really in the spirit of the DTV. Which then raises the question of what you intend to do in Thailand and how you will support yourself for the duration of the visa. If you will work remotely then you should apply using the workation option or be prepared to show how you can support yourself otherwise