This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What should I consider when applying for a DTV visa for a cooking course while planning to teach online in Thailand?
DTV VisaDigital Nomad VisaOnline TeachingSoft Power VisaImmigration to ThailandVisa ChangeTeaching VisaCooking ClassesRemote WorkExpat Life in Thailand
Mar 14, 2026
2 months ago
Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI am just looking into DTV visa for heading to Thailand in September.
My initial plan is sign up to a cooking course for 12 months (Infusion koh Samui).
I am a teacher though so longer term I will start teaching online.
Am I best to set up online teaching before I go? Has anyone changed their reason for DTV after 6/12 months?
Sorry if these questions seem obvious, I have been googling like mad but then found this page so thought someone might have actual experience!
I am a solo mother to triplet boys (age 4) and currently also teaching in London while raising them here. So my life is really full on at the moment (hence wanting a calmer life in Thailand!). This is why I would like to start by learning Thai cooking for us as a family and have a calm few months before getting back into teaching for income.
Thanks in advance:)
My initial plan is sign up to a cooking course for 12 months (Infusion koh Samui).
I am a teacher though so longer term I will start teaching online.
Am I best to set up online teaching before I go? Has anyone changed their reason for DTV after 6/12 months?
Sorry if these questions seem obvious, I have been googling like mad but then found this page so thought someone might have actual experience!
I am a solo mother to triplet boys (age 4) and currently also teaching in London while raising them here. So my life is really full on at the moment (hence wanting a calmer life in Thailand!). This is why I would like to start by learning Thai cooking for us as a family and have a calm few months before getting back into teaching for income.
Thanks in advance:)
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is considering moving to Thailand on a Digital Travel Visa (DTV) while signing up for a 12-month cooking course. They plan to switch to online teaching eventually but are unsure about setting this up before moving. The discussion highlights concerns about the viability of the DTV for teaching online, the importance of proper visa classification, and the potential need for a different visa depending on work plans. Responses suggest that starting online teaching beforehand can be beneficial, and that it's possible to transition from a soft power visa after 6-12 months. The user also shares personal insights about raising triplet boys and the desire for a calmer lifestyle in Thailand.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Khun ******
No need to switch if you get approved via soft power. All DTV holders are allowed to work remotely.
Sam *********
Once you have the Dtv, you can work remotely in Thailand anyway, as long as your clients are outside of Thailand.
If you were to go down workation route I sure you have to provide 3 months payslips from your "company".
From what I've read, probably easier to get a soft power dtv, if your online business isn't off the ground yet.
If you were to go down workation route I sure you have to provide 3 months payslips from your "company".
From what I've read, probably easier to get a soft power dtv, if your online business isn't off the ground yet.
Matt *******
Happy to introduce you to a great local Samui agent who specializes in DTV and also generously donates part of their fees to the Samui Surf Lifesaving club (to help local Kids to learn to swim in the ocean). I can send you their details
Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Matt ******
Hi yes please that would be great.Matt *******
@Poppy ******
sent u their details on pmReply to
Matt *******
Reply
Anonymous ******************
I'm also a self-employed English teacher but chose to go Soft Power route because there are just fewer documents to provide. I think you should make sure you have all the required documents b4 you choose to go down that path. If not, just go Soft Power and pay for a 6-month course minimum.
Anonymous ******************
I teach students from my home country so it's totally irrelevant to Thailand. But on the DTV application, I chose "Unemployed + No income". Technically it's a lie but that's what I read people did and should do on this group so that they don't require further documents related to your job.
Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 686 Arh I see. Yes I would look to teaching children online that are outside of Thailand. A lot of travelling or army families have shown interest. But that makes sense what you are saying and I don’t intend to start working online until a few months after we arrive anyway.
Reply to
Poppy *******
Reply
Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 686 Thanks, that’s helpful. Did you go soft power and then start teaching once there?
Reply to
Poppy *******
Reply
Sharon *********
Sort online work in your country
When your kids are older get a job at a school you can send them to on discounted fees
Here you can get home help, much easier to work+ parent, good idea to move here while kids are young
When your kids are older get a job at a school you can send them to on discounted fees
Here you can get home help, much easier to work+ parent, good idea to move here while kids are young
Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sharon ********
Thanks. Yes I’m hoping to get help and reduce my household chores a bit.Reply to
Poppy *******
Reply
Anonymous ******************
The reason doesn't matter
Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 976 The reason for what? The DTV??
Reply to
Poppy *******
Reply
Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
Hi, just wondering why you put a crying emoji on this post? I’m looking for genuine info and advice. Do u have any?Robert *******
@Poppy ******
Easy life in Thailand with the wrong visa, sound like a dream but reality will kick in soon.Kids have to go school, you need DTV purpose workcation, and I guess nobody speak Thai.
Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
So do you actually have some advice about the right visa? So “purpose workation”…like being a qualified degree level teacher? I have 19 years teaching experience and a degree….I’ll teach my kids!
Robert *******
@Poppy ******
Others suggested a teaching job at a school in Thailand.Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
So you also read the responses? I can earn more teaching online than in a international school. So back to the original question….would you suggest going straight in as a digital nomad (online teacher) or a DTV cooking course and transferring it?
I genuinely don’t understand your negativity to a legitimate intelligent adult who has asked a sensible question?
I have savings. I want to enjoy my first few months there with my children and then get back into working. Hence my question 🤷🏼♀️
Robert *******
@Poppy ******
IF you want to work on-line there is ONLY 1 official visa DTV purpose workcation.
In your spare time you can visit a cooking school
Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
Thanks. Much more helpful than the tearful emoji 🤪Robert *******
@Poppy ******
Thanks, sorry that some trolls spoil your topic.Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Frank *********
Do you know how many foreigners are aiming for a teaching job? Anyway, it will probably be easier to get the correct visa obtained through the school and work permit from the start than having to switch visa afterwards
Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Frank ********
Yes I’m aware. I however am 45 years old and have 19 years experience across all primary ages and held many managerial positions. I do not want to work in an International School because the salary is low and I am over qualified. I can earn more working 3 hours a day online. I also have 3 children I would need to pay for while I am at work. So teaching online is far more suitable as I can then pay for a live in nanny to care for them while I work instead of finding 3 x international school fees. Also pointless paying someone with
***
years experience to teach my children in a class of 20 when I am far more qualified to teach them myself.Frank *********
@Poppy ******
yes, but you are not allowed to work for a Thai entity on a DTVPoppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Frank ********
Yes I would have clients from outside Thailand 👍Reply to
Poppy *******
Reply
John **********
You're going to either have your hands full or will need a lot of money. Have you looked into the costs of putting 3 kids through an international school in Thailand? If you have the experience to get a good teaching job at an international school in Thailand that may be a better solution for you than a DTV, some schools will allow your kids to attend as part of the package
Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
I do not want to work in an International School….see reply to Kurt above. Yes the fees are extortionate and why pay someone far less qualified than myself to teach my kids when I would be far more capable and passionate about doing it myself. I can teach online 3 hours a day for the same salary an International School offers.
And yes I will have my hands full but I am used to that. Part of the reason I want to move to Thailand is for a more simple outdoor life and time with my children. That’s another reason I don’t want to be in an International School 5 days a week.
I am happy for us to live in small modest accommodation and on a budget rather than our outrageous cost of living in London 😬
Reply to
Poppy *******
Reply
Kurt *************
Remote work is stronger then softpower in the long term.
Right now there is no rules about how long a soft power course needs to be, but that might change in the future.
So if you can do remote work now, i would do that more then soft power.
Cooking class is something you can do anyway if you want to learn the skill
Right now there is no rules about how long a soft power course needs to be, but that might change in the future.
So if you can do remote work now, i would do that more then soft power.
Cooking class is something you can do anyway if you want to learn the skill
Poppy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kurt ************
Thanks for the advice. I will set up my online teaching platform before I go (I have customers keen already) and then apply for the remote work visa.Kurt *************
Good luck with your application
Reply to
Kurt *************
Reply
30 comments
2 months ago
5 comments
3 months ago
2 comments
3 months ago
2 comments
4 months ago
13 comments
6 months ago
19 comments
9 months ago
41 comments
10 months ago
22 comments
a year ago
3 comments
a year ago
50 comments
a year ago
Is the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) the best option for a therapist moving to Thailand to work remotely?
1 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
What are the best visa options for a family moving to Thailand while considering work and education?
4 comments
a year ago
17 comments
a year ago
13 comments
a year ago
69 comments
a year ago
3 comments
a year ago
20 comments
a year ago
9 comments
a year ago
10 comments
a year ago
3 comments
2 years ago
35 comments
2 years ago
19 comments
2 years ago
5 comments
2 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
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.