Approved!

My case is a bit unusual, as I had an active METV issued by the Chicago embassy in early November (valid until early May). I was a bit worried after reading some posts here that stated I couldn't have two visas active at the same time, but in November had entered Thailand with both a single entry and multiple entry tourist visa. Upon arrival at BKK, the immigration officer simply asked which one I wanted to use. I'm assuming he canceled the single entry visa after I told him I wanted to use the METV. Because of this and reports from others that their applications were not denied, but basically postponed due to existing METVs, I decided to give the DTV application a shot.

I still have no idea why I was approved despite others with active METVs being told they have to wait for theirs to expire.

Details:

Applied 6/1/25 from Da Nang via HCMC Embassy. Soft Power route with Botany/Cooking seminars from Discover Thai Nature. 5 years of monthly seminars for $9999 baht.

In addition to filling out a flight date/number and my Da Nang hotel address on the short-form page, I submitted the following documents with my application:

* Passport data/photo page

* Photo taken in Da Nang 5 months ago (used on previous visa applications)

* Current checking account statement (dated 2/1/25) from US-based bank showing around $19,000.

* Documents sent to me by Discover Thai Nature - letter of invitation, confirmation of enrollment, payment and participation, business registration documents

* Photo of my Vietnam entry stamp

On Thurs, 9/1, I received a request for extra documents (see photo).

This time I submitted:

* Merged PDFs of one of my brokerage accounts and two checking accounts, all of which showed 6 months of financial activity. I used [members only] to merge documents on PC.

* A new photo taken 10/1 in Da Nang (total cost was 40,000 VND or around US$2 for picture and JPEG sent to my email).

* Merged PDFs of my hotel confirmations in Da Nang, matching the address I submitted on the short form page.

* The same documents submitted initially from Discover Thai Nature, but this time with a cover letter stating my intent to attend seminars and a description/explanation of the other documents I was submitting. I also stated that I intend to participate in professional cooking classes with Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy later this year, but hadn't yet enrolled (I fully plan on taking their four-week course).

I received my approval e-mail at around 1:30 PM today. I plan on staying in Vietnam until mid-February but will update on whether or not there are issues with immigration and my two active visas (I don't expect there will be) when I fly back to Bangkok.

I was just approved for my DTV and am elated. I submitted my documents to the Washington DC Embassy electronically on October 17 in the afternoon, so 9 business days in total.

I used my drivers license as proof of residence, used a selfie I took on my phone for the picture (against a white wall). Also took picture of my passport with my phone.

I used an American Express savings account statement showing one month of activity ending on October 6 for proof of funds.

I entered a friend’s condo address and reception I’ll initially stay at as my residence until I get my own place, and entered the flight number for the last leg of my trip to Bangkok.

I was not asked for any additional information.

I went the soft power route, booking a two-week cooking course through the Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy. I paid them for the cooking course on October 16 via PayPal and received all of the necessary documents for my visa application the following day.

They also said it was fine if you want to split their 4-week course into two parts, and taking the second leg of classes at your convenience.

The director of admissions, Tanawan Malan, is extremely helpful and anyone interested in taking courses at the school, located in On Nut, can reach them here:

Ron@BangkokThaiCookingAcademy.com

All in all, it was a pretty seemless process that maybe took 2-3 hours (from paying the cooking school to getting the documents onto my computer to filling out the forms.) Your mileage may vary.

I cannot really see the point of using an agent if you’re doing things above board.

Good luck everyone!

For those who have received a DVT going the cooking route, has anyone had success with a school in Bangkok apart from the Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy?

I thought I had initially seen courses in the $500 range that qualified for DVT, but now they’re over $1,000.

Yes, $1,000 is still a bargain for a 5 year visa. But there’s also the possibility that we’ll have to reup every 6 months, and leave the country as well. Those costs would certainly add up over 5 years.