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.

Greetings all! I am super excited to let you all know that my DTV was approved!

I received lots of helpful information by searching within the group so thank you!

UPDATE:

Date of Application: 12 Dec 24

Date of Approval: 16 Dec 24

Embassy: Washington, D.C.

DTV purpose/category: Thai soft power related activity

Company: Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy (highly recommend)

*For my Veterans*

I’m not sure if it helped any, IF at all, but when I submitted my bank statement, I also submitted my VA benefit letter with it. (I combined the two documents into one via Adobe)

I’m not saying you NEED to do that, as it’s not a required document to submit, but since there was no opportunity to submit additional documents, MY logic for doing that was to show them that in addition to the money in my account, I also have monthly income coming in. That way they can see I can absolutely support myself financially while in the country.

Soft power (cooking) approved in HCMC, Vietnam.

Sharing my experience last month, all thanks to this group which has been a big help. Background: I am an Australian who live in Thailand. I filled out the form, uploaded as many documents on the evisa website as I could prior to my flight to Vietnam. As soon as I arrived in HCMC I uploaded the arrival stamp. The embassy did not ask for any further documentations.

Nov 22nd, Friday 1am: Applied online.

* Passport photo 4x6, taken at a passport shop

* Copy of the biometric page of my passport

* Manually filled out all my personal details, rather than use the the pre-filling option

* Permanent address: Thailand address

* Current address: VN hotel

* Copy of my arrival stamp, hotel key with its name and business card in the background. I would have uploaded a hotel booking if I had one, but my accommodation was booked under my husband's name as we were in Vietnam for his work trip. I was worried they were going to ask for one but they didn't

* 6 months bank statements in my name only with at least 500k THB each month (overseas bank). Because it was Nov 22nd, I only had estatements for May-Oct. I did not upload current bank balance of that day. The website didn't ask for 6 months, but from what I read in this group I decided to upload 6 months of statements just in case since I already had the savings.

* Cooking documentations from Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy. Acceptance letter, payment receipt, business registration and copy of the director's ID. I highly recommend them for anyone wanting to go through soft power cooking course. They're very responsive to emails and experienced with the DTVs. I love to cook so am looking forward to the classes.

* Flight details: picked a random date in the next 2 months and looked up a flight number. I wanted to wait for the DTV before buying flight tickets. I wrote that I planned to stay in Thailand for 175 days (because the entry stamp is only for 180 days).

* Accommodation in Thailand: my condo address as I already live there. I did not upload any lease documents or hotel bookings.

Nov 26th, Tuesday 1pm: Status changed from 'awaiting document check' to 'awaiting approval'. I did not receive an email regarding status change, I just kept checking the website periodically so I'm not sure on the exact time.

Nov 29th, Friday 5pm: Approved via email.

In total it took about 6 business days. I would recommend anyone who wants to apply in HCMC to stay longer than '5 business days' to allow some time in case it gets delayed or they ask for more documents. Double check the form and maybe have someone else go over it (luckily my husband caught a mistake on my form) and never use the pre-fill setting. Type your passport details yourself!

If anyone has any questions, please let me know! Happy to help :)