Just an FYI for anyone applying for the DTV visa through the soft power track. It's been a nightmare. My embassy is NYC and the requirements change frequently. The cooking course I scheduled states that their 2 week intensive course is eligible but the embassy now requires a course duration of at least 6 month.

I’m trying to apply for the DTV ( destination Thailand Visa ) online

However there is very little communication (close to zero I guess they are busy With upcoming season) with the Thai embassy in Bucharest where I apply online and payed

They needed additional information regarding freelance work that I can not give them

Maybe I am the one making the mistake I thought freelance was the same as self-employed

I have been / still are Self-employed but use were little energy in to this now.

I close to early retirement.

It is only : purpose of visit

Where I want to switch from

A : freelancer status

to

B : Thai soft power Proof of confirmation to attend Thai cooking class

I have search for take cooking classes in Phuket

But I don’t know which one they mean that will count as being a participant in take cooking classes

Anyone knows if it’s just these half a day ( 4 hours) classes, is one enough or how many is required

How is the special schools I need to apply for Thai cooking classes ?

Hello, anyone here applied for the DTV visa in the thai soft power category like muay thai ? I am currently in thailand on a tourist visa and i dont make money online (i am an online student) so i figured my best way for the DTV visa is to get an acceptance letter from a muay thai school and to apply through the thai soft power category.

My plan is to cross to Laos and apply from the embassy there.

Will this work or my plan has flaws ?

Thankyou

I thought it might be helpful to share the email response I received from the Thai Embassy in Jakarta regarding my enquiry about DTV requirements. Received today. I specifically asked about the rules around the Thai Soft Power option.

As per the Jakarta Embassy:

- There is no minimum activity duration required for the DTV soft power visa. You may apply for it as long as you meet the financial criteria and can get the letter from the hospital/training school.

- The scuba diving course can also be counted as DTV activity.

- The visa fee is non-refundable.

- Proof of air tickets and accommodation are not required.

- Only at the Embassy in Jakarta

While almost all aspects of the DTV are quite clear by now, one of the biggest uncertainties remain on the Thai Soft Power activity track of it. Has anyone actually managed to get a DTV based off of a soft power course / recreational activity? Even the recently shared interview video with the Thai MFA left that part more than vague. Said video suggested that only classes / courses licensed by the government could qualify for that route of the DTV. Not sure there are any courses licensed for the DTV at this point - haven’t seen a list. Thus my question again: Did anyone actually manage to get a DTV not based off of remote work but based on participating in a Thai soft power course? Thanks.

Submitted application on 16 July and was approved today for DTV. (I applied for Thai soft power). Just follow the instructions per your embassy location and I think you’ll be fine. I think the cost is determined by your location as well. It’s going to be more than 10K THB at most places I think. Good luck to all the others!

Question about the new DTV visa. Can I apply for this new visa if I book and have confirmation of a thai cooking course? Typically the course class only lasts for a day? Is this valid?

The DTV to wrap your head around correctly in one sentence:

The DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) is in effect an extended / longer version of the METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa).

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Explanation:

With the (good old) METV, you got a visa that was valid for 6 months from the day it was issued and allowed you to enter Thailand during that period an unlimited amount of times for up to 60 days on each entry. It is possible to extend at local immigration in Thailand to stay an additional 30 days on each entry before having to leave (and possibly re-enter) Thailand.

Requirements for the METV are: Proof of a certain amount of saving in the bank account + proof of need for multiple entries.

Now the DTV is the exact same thing. Only that it is issued for 5 years from the day it is issued and allows you to enter Thailand during that period unlimited times for up to 180 days in each entry. It is possible (but optional) to extend at local immigration in Thailand to stay an additional 180 days before having to leave (and possibly re-enter) Thailand.

Requirements for the DTV are: Proof of 500k THB in savings + proof of either a remote work abroad or an (likely extended) participation in a “Thai Soft Power” activity.

As with the METV, the DTV (unlike the LTR visa) is not meant to establish residency in Thailand. Though just like people used the METV, with which most people maximized their stay in Thailand up to 6 (or even close to 9) months with border runs, so will they with the DTV, only this time for up to almost 6 years.

Just for information : just finished my visa DTV request .

This was in Belgium , Thai Brussels embassy .

Fee is 350 euro about 13.500 baht.

You have to show balance of 500k baht. Bangkok bank app balance request used as proof.

I used my doctor appointment for surgery (Thai soft power) .

PDF of confirmation mail from Bangkok Hospital used.

I will keep this post updated on how it goes.