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What should I consider when applying for a DTV visa for a cooking course while planning to teach online in Thailand?

DTV Visa Digital Nomad Visa Online Teaching Soft Power Visa Immigration to Thailand Visa Change

Poppy *******

OP

asked Mar 14, 2026

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I 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:)

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.

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Khun ******

Khun ******

No need to switch if you get approved via soft power. All DTV holders are allowed to work remotely.

1

Sam *********

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.

2

Matt *******

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

0

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

Hi yes please that would be great.

0

Matt *******

Matt *******

sent u their details on pm

0

Anonymous ******************

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.

0

Anonymous ******************

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.

0

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

Anonymous 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.

0

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

Anonymous participant 686 Thanks, that’s helpful. Did you go soft power and then start teaching once there?

0

Sharon *********

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

1

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

@Sharon ********

Thanks. Yes I’m hoping to get help and reduce my household chores a bit.

0

Anonymous ******************

Anonymous ******************

The reason doesn't matter

0

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

Anonymous participant 976 The reason for what? The DTV??

0

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

Hi, just wondering why you put a crying emoji on this post? I’m looking for genuine info and advice. Do u have any?

0

Robert *******

Robert *******

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.

2

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

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!

0

Robert *******

Robert *******

Thanks, sorry that some trolls spoil your topic.

1

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

Thanks. Much more helpful than the tearful emoji 🤪

1

Robert *******

Robert *******

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

0

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

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 🤷🏼‍♀️

0

Robert *******

Robert *******

Others suggested a teaching job at a school in Thailand.

0

Frank *********

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

0

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

@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.

0

Frank *********

Frank *********

yes, but you are not allowed to work for a Thai entity on a DTV

0

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

@Frank ********

Yes I would have clients from outside Thailand 👍

1

John **********

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

1

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

@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 😬

5

Kurt *************

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

5

Poppy *******

Poppy *******

OP

@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.

1

Kurt *************

Kurt *************

Good luck with your application

1

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