Best visa option.

I'm moving to Bangkok in four to six weeks to be with my Girlfriend. We're getting married this year and I've always wanted to move there anyway. Im 57 this year with enough money to be ok for a few years. If I get a non immigrant O visa, I can open a bank account, but if I do an advanced Thai cooking course (which I'm considering anyway), then I can get the 5 year DTV visa. Both seem good options but I can't pick a clear winner. I'll also change to a Marriage visa later too and I'm not sure which visa type will make THAT easier or even possible inside Thailand. Thoughts?

If we apply for this visa using soft power, do we need to re-register for the course every six months, or can we freely enter and exit the country after the course ends after six months?

DTV Soft Power approved – Hanoi // 9 business days 😊

-Online application submitted: 30 November

-Request for additional documents: 03 December

-DTV approved: 11 December

Applied under the Soft Power category: Thai cooking course with House of Taste (Thai cooking class) in Bangkok.

French passport holder, with only two tourist stamps this year.

I didn’t go through an agent

For each document, I prepared a table of contents and organized everything neatly in the correct order.

Doc 1 : Financial Evidence

* Letter from my bank confirming 500,000 (balance)

* My last 3 bank statements (the last one show the 500k baht)

* Currency Conversion

* Sponsorship letter + sponsor’s passport + photos of us together (it's my boyfriend)

* Sponsor’s last 3 bank statements

I added a sponsor because I didn’t have the 500k for the last three months—only in the most recent month. I don’t know if it helped, but in any case, I didn’t get refused.

Doc 2 : Confirmation of participation (Soft Power – Thai Culinary Arts)

* My motivation Letter

* School Acceptance Letter / Confirmation of Enrollment

* Official document from the culinary school confirming my acceptance and the program schedule.

* School license, tax registration, business certificate of the institution’s legitimacy.

* Invoice demonstrating payment for the Thai culinary course.

Doc 3 : Proof of Current Location

* Copy of my entry stamp, copy of my boarding pass

* Flight Booking and Payment Receipt

* Accommodation Booking Confirmation

* Proof of hotel reservation (Booking.com reservation)

Request for additional documents: All the stamped pages of my passport.

I hope this can help someone with their DTV application — it’s very simple and easy to do on your own.

Hi, just wondering what other documents are being asked for when applying for DTV at Jakarta Indonesia Embassy and the time frame for approvals. Im applying on soft power Thai Cooking 12 month course with House of Taste Bangkok. TIA.

I’ve recently been granted my Workcation (DTV) visa for Thailand through the Royal Thai Embassy in London. I’m now preparing to apply for a Soft Power visa for my girlfriend, who will be enrolling in a certified Thai cooking course during our stay.

What we’ve done so far:

• Transferred 500,000 THB into her personal Thai bank account last week to support her application.

• Secured her official enrollment in a six-month Thai cooking program.

• Drafted a sponsor letter confirming that both I and my company will cover her accommodation, utilities, and living expenses, as we will be living together in Thailand.

Additionally, she will be assisting me on the side with administrative and creative tasks for my company, which is registered in the United Kingdom and operates entirely outside of Thailand. This will serve as a supplementary, remote source of income.

I’d appreciate clarification on the following:

1. Should the 500,000 THB remain in her account for a specific duration before applying (i.e. seasoning)?

Some sources mention a 3-month history—can you confirm the requirement for the London embassy?

2. What exact documents are required from the Thai cooking school?

Is the acceptance letter sufficient, or do you also require the school’s business registration, class schedule, or payment receipt?

3. Is proof of relationship needed, and if so, what type is preferred?

Would personal photos, joint travel history, or a signed affidavit be appropriate?

4. Should we include a copy of our rental agreement in Thailand?

Will this help demonstrate shared accommodation and support her application?

5. Would you recommend including my employment contract, company registration, or income statements to reinforce the sponsor letter?

Documents we’re preparing to submit:

• Sponsor letter (detailing financial support and cohabitation)

• Thai bank statement showing 500,000 THB deposit

• Enrollment letter and payment confirmation from the cooking school

• Proof of accommodation (lease/rental agreement)

• Proof of relationship (photos, travel itinerary, joint documents)

• My employment and business documents (as financial sponsor)

• Explanation of her remote assistance with my UK-based business (non-Thai income)

Please let us know if there are any other requirements specific to the Royal Thai Embassy in London, or if there’s anything else we should include to ensure a smooth and successful application.

DTV APPROVED: HO CHI MiNH - SOFT POWER

Submitted on 8th June

Asked for more documents on 9th June

Pending check on 9th June

Pending approval on 10th June

Approved on 13th June

I took 6 months course from Arun Thai cooking (Bangkok) and I didn't use an agent to get my DTV visa

Hi guys, has anyone received a culinary visa? Where did you get it and how quickly did you get approved, were there any requests before? Thanks to everyone

Soft power DTV (6-month Thai cooking from Arun Thai) through the Chicago Consulate.

Applied on March 18th.

Pending Document Check morning of March 26. Checked again at noon - Pending Approval.

Received approval email by 3:45pm.

8 days total. No back and forth.

No income, but I submitted a brokerage statement which had the amount necessary instead of my personal bank account. I submitted my boarding pass from Taipei to Chicago as proof of location.

I’ve been so anxious reading the recent posts on here especially since I have already booked a ticket back to BKK in the beginning of April that I kept checking the status of my application everyday. I hope my experience can provide some people with relief during their application process.

Hello Everyone!

Does anyone have experience with online Thai cooking / Muay Thai courses for the DTV?

Was it accepted by the immigration?

Hello, I am a self-employed trader on the financial markets. Is there a way for a DTV visa application to be accepted ? I have comfortable funds but no business