Sharing my DTV approval for HCMC soft power cooking.

Fri Jan 31.

Applied with passport pic, copy of passport biometric page, cooking documents provided by Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy, entry stamp into HCMC, VN hotel booking and 3 months of bank statement over 500k.

Feb 5.

Further documentations requested. They wanted 6 months of bank statements, employment certificate and income proof.

On the application I wrote that I was unemployed, as I quit my job recently. I gave them my tax return, a couple of pay slips and an end of service letter that my HR provided me when I left. I wrote a short letter explaining I currently do not have a job as I moved to Thailand recently and taking a career break (I have been living here for a month on a tourist exempt visa).

Feb 10.

Further documentations requested. They wanted more information on the school.

I emailed the school who helped me with some pictures. I took screenshots of their website and resubmitted all documentations that I had already given them (receipt, cooking timetable, acceptance letter, business registration, director ID).

Feb 17.

Approved.

Flew back to Thailand today with a print out of my dtv into Bangkok. No issues.

I did extensive research in this group before my application so I was quite surprised being asked for extra documents twice. I think the HCMC embassy is starting to get more critical on soft power and the process took 2 weeks for me because I had to supply more documents.

The Bangkok Cooking Academy was very helpful with my application, I recommend them.