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

Hi, for me this is the most important thing to clarify with DTV: Imagine you complete your course (cooking, muay thai…) in the first 180 days. Is just this enough for the rest of 5 years? Or do you have to show proof every 180 days that you are enrolled in a course and actively studying?

Apart from that,

I have consulted online with Siam Legal International and they told me that the minimum course length to be DTV eligible is 6 months. So then I have asked what is the cheapest cooking course in this school ( The food school Bangkok) and this is their answer:

DTV Visa Application Process

The DTV Visa application can be done by enrolling in a Thai cooking course with more than 72 hours of study at The Food School Bangkok.

Thai Cuisine Intensive (Weekend Programme)

Course details: [members only]/

Course Duration: Every Saturday for 11 weeks, or Sundays for some weeks

Course Time: 08:30-5:30pm

Hours per day: 8 hours/day

Total hours: 88 hours

Fees:

Tuition fee: 96,800 THB

Application fee: 2,500 THB

Chef uniform (1 set): 3,250 THB

Total payment amount: 102,250 THB

So as you can see 11 weeks length doesnt match with 6 month length. I am so confused about not having any evidence.

Any answer will be much appreciated, thanks in advance 💪💪💪💪

I spoke to an agent in Pattaya last week who told me that they’re stopped doing DTVs as they’re checking people so much and people being refused entries etc

Another agent told me they’re good to go for 95-100k Baht and enrollment into a cooking course is all that is needed and border runs or immigration stamp every 6 months

Anyone had one for a long time doing a cooking course or similar and not had/had any issues?

Iam Egyptian seeking to dtv visa with muythai or cooking course I don't like to apply by myself if any recommendations for agency and please if you know about what embassy accept Egyptian to apply because some of them refuse like Malaysia bank statement ok from my home country

Note Egyptian allowed for dtv because many Egyptian approved already

Hey Guys,

I am looking into doing a 2 week to 6 week Thai Cooking course to attain a DTV visa. I emailed the school and they said their students who have already taken the course have been given a 5 year visa (must leave every 180 days).

I can't help but think and feel it can't be true, doing a 2 week up to 6 week course and getting a 5 year visa is ringing some alarm bells in me.

Has anyone here done this and been successful?

I would really appreciate some insights and proof if it has worked for you.

Thank you very much