Visa Type: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
Provider: TSL Thai Language School, Chiang Mai
Best For: Digital nomads, expats, and long-stay visitors seeking cultural immersion and visa-backed legal stay
Course Duration: 6 months
Language School Fee: 27,000 THB
Visa Application Fee: 10,000 THB
Visa Validity: 5 years
Stay Limit: 180 days per entry (multiple entry)
Cultural Component: Weekly cultural classes on Saturdays (2–3 hours)
Valid passport (minimum 18 months before expiry)
Proof of enrollment and confirmation from TSL (Thai as a Second Language)
Financial evidence: Minimum 500,000 THB held for last 3 months
Apply for ED Visa via Thai eVisa platform (for entry)
Thai Language Lessons – Structured group or private instruction
Cultural Events – Hands-on workshops (cooking, crafts, Thai boxing, etc.)
Saturdays Program – Consistent exposure to traditional Thai life through guided activities
✔ 5-year DTV with cultural legitimacy
✔ Strong legal positioning for long-term stay
✔ Chiang Mai offers low cost of living, easy networking, and expat infrastructure
✔ No company sponsorship or employment proof required
✔ Smooth integration for non-business applicants (especially first-timers)
⚠ Must maintain visa compliance through class attendance
⚠ Financial proof may block early applicants without savings
⚠ School-based visa means lower status than business or investor paths
⚠ Limited if you intend to run operations at scale (not a company visa)
Use Case:
Ideal for men seeking quiet immersion, light structure, and language credibility while maintaining DTV access. Can be used as a buffer strategy while preparing for property, business, or family play. Use Chiang Mai as a calm base, then rotate to stronger-frame zones once the visa is secured.
Reviewers consistently praise the high standard of teaching at TSL Language School, highlighting the teachers' patience, professionalism, and ability to make lessons engaging and effective.
Students appreciate the supportive and friendly atmosphere created by both the teaching and support staff, which enhances the overall learning experience and makes the environment comfortable and welcoming.
Many students report significant improvements in their language skills, attributing their progress to the small class sizes, personalized attention, and well-structured curriculum provided by the school.
The school offers excellent support with administrative tasks, such as visa applications, making the process smooth and stress-free for students.
TSL Language School enhances the learning experience with cultural visits and extracurricular activities that are both informative and enjoyable, contributing to a relaxed and fun learning atmosphere.
Monday Parish
in the last weekThis is the only Thai language school you want to go to in Thailand. You will read and write very well. It looks scary when you first look at it, but TSL makes it easy to learn and to remember. The office staff is very helpful, the textbooks are really good and the other students are committed to learning making it overall a perfect place to learn… they also have hybrid online classes
Fumi F
in the last weekI started attending this school after a friend recommended it to me, and I'm so glad I chose it! The reception staff are kind and respond quickly, so I can leave my child in their care with peace of mind. A wide range of classes are available, including Zoom, on-site, and private lessons, so you can be flexible and choose one that suits your lifestyle. Cultural classes are also held once a week, which is great because it allows me to experience places and experiences that would be difficult to get to on my own.
Ta Nu
3 weeks agoClasses can also be attended online via Zoom. Class notes are shared in a LINE group, and Zoom recordings of classes are shared on a shared drive. I generally attended classes face-to-face, but I can now flexibly participate online even when I'm traveling, or participate partially or follow up via recordings when I have work to do.
Shibata Hiroshi
3 weeks agoThis Thai language school offers one of the largest selections of classes in the area, with flexible options based on level and time schedule. Many of the teachers are highly skilled and experienced, making the learning environment both supportive and effective. The school is located in a clean and modern building that also has a food court and supermarket, which makes it convenient to grab a meal or do some shopping before or after class. They provide excellent support for obtaining education visas and DTV visas, as well as helpful follow-up throughout the stay. In addition, every Saturday there is an optional cultural course where students can experience Thai culture and interact with classmates from other levels, which adds great value to the learning experience.
brian meerkerk
a month ago