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DTV 5-Year Visa Requirements: Destination Thailand Visa

The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), or “digital nomad visa” as it is also known, is an affordable and convenient visa option for freelancers, digital nomads or remote workers who want to work from Thailand.

You can also qualify for the DTV if you plan to engage in “Thai Soft Power” activities such as attending Thai boxing or cooking classes, sports training, medical treatments, short-term educational courses, seminars or artistic and musical festivals.

This visa option allows holders to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per entry, and is valid for 5 years (multiple entry).

Below are all the details you need to know about the DTV Visa Thailand and how to obtain one.

Visa Requirements:

  1. Passport or Travel Document.
  2. Passport photograph.
  3. Document showing current location (not allowed to apply from inside Thailand).
  4. Evidence of financial assets:
    • Amount of no less than 500,000 THB (approximately $13,650, £10,700.38, €12,575.58).
    • Bank statements, payslips, or a sponsorship letter will be accepted as evidence.
  5. Proof of purpose of visit:
    • Workcation: Employment contract, employment certificate, or a professional portfolio showing your freelance work.
    • Thai Soft Power: Proof of confirmation to attend the activity or a letter of appointment from a hospital or medical center.
    • Dependent of Primary DTV Holder: Proof of relationship such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or certificate of adoption.
  • Applicants must be at least 20 years old.
  • Visa holders cannot apply for a work permit.


DTV Visa

Eligible Persons:

  1. Remote Workers/Digital Nomads/Freelancers/Foreign Talent
  2. Participants of activities such as:
    • Muay Thai courses
    • Thai cooking classes
    • Sport training
    • Medical treatment
    • Seminars
    • Music festivals

And the spouse and dependent children of DTV holders.

“Foreign Talent” in the DTV framework is a broad category designed to cover a wide range of creative, entrepreneurial, and professional pursuits that may not fall within traditional job roles. For example, it could include professions like writers, artists, bloggers, music creator; essentially any skill or occupation that contributes creatively or professionally.

To qualify under the “foreign talent” category you must provide proof of your work, typically through a portfolio or other evidence that demonstrates your expertise.

NB: Notably, there’s no requirement for applicants to earn a specific income from these activities while in Thailand; just to have the background and intention to pursue them.

Visa Validity:

Upon successfully applying for a DTV, you'll be granted a 5-year multiple-entry visa. This allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per visit. The 180 days need not be consecutive. After reaching the 180-day limit, you must exit and re-enter the country to maintain legal status. Since it is a multiple-entry visa, you can leave and return to Thailand as often as you like during its validity period.

Visa Fee:

  • The visa fee is 10,000 THB (per visa).
  • Provisions will be made for family members (legal spouses and legitimate children) to accompany the visa holder to Thailand. Further details will follow.

Extension Option:

You have the option to extend the 180-day stay by another 180 days once per year for an additional 10,000 THB. This means you can effectively remain in Thailand for almost a full year before needing to exit and re-enter.

Where to Apply:

You can apply for a visa by visiting the Royal Thai Embassy or General Consulate in your country with the required documents, or online via the Thai e-Visa portal, which provides step-by-step guidance.

Entering Thailand On a DTV:

If you are a freelancer, remote worker, or digital nomad planning to enter Thailand on a DTV visa, it's a good idea to bring proof of your work with you.

Immigration may ask for evidence to corroborate your visa entry, such as an online portfolio, website, or any other documentation that shows you are actively working remotely.

Having this information on hand, whether printed or available on a computer, can ensure a smoother entry process and prevent delays at immigration.

Income Tax Consideration

Visa holders will be eligible to stay for a maximum of 180 days each year, and will therefore not be subject to foreign income tax rules. However, there needs to be clarification as to what the situation would be should a person use their 180-day extension, because that would mean staying longer than 180 days in one year. This would therefore make that person a tax resident.

DTV Vs LTR Visa

Note that the DTV visa is very different from the Long Term Residence Visa (LTR). The LTR visa has a number of categories for eligible high earners and wealthy retirees, whereas the DTV is targeted at younger, not so affluent digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers.

An LTV requires a minimum average income of $80,000 and $50,000 health insurance cover. If you're employed, you'll need a valid employment contract from a company with at least $150 million in combined revenue over the last three years. More on the LTR requirements here.

Details are still emerging on the DTV, and further clarification is expected on the finer details. I will update this post accordingly.
——

In a bid to rejuvenate its economy, Thailand's government has announced major updates to a number of visa rules. In addition to the DTV, there have been updates made to the visa-on-arrival and visa exemption programs, and relaxed restrictions for the Education Visa (ED) and Retiree Visa (O-A). These changes follow Thailand’s recent efforts to boost tourism by relaxing immigration restrictions, marking one of the most substantial shifts in immigration policy in the post-COVID era.

More Tips for a Better Life in Thailand

Don’t Forget Travel-Medical Insurance

This protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never travel without it. I’ve been using SafetyWing for years. You should too.

Send Money to Thailand:

If you are sending money to your loved one, or your own Thai bank account, try Wise here. It is fast and cheap. Me and the majority of my readers are using it.

Improve Your Thai Skills:

Learning Thai makes life easier, and way more fun. I use Thaipod101. Get a free account by clicking here. It is really easy to use.



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  1. JamesE says

    Hi All,

    It the article TTL describes the list of eligible categories as "Remote Workers/Digital Nomads/Freelancers" which leaves out one of the categories specified in the official list, namely: foreign talent. Having just successfully applied and been granted a DTV as "foreign talent" I wanted to share what I had learned from the whole process.

    Foreign Talent is basically anything you can think of that isn't covered in the first set of categories. In my case as a FORMER writer and blogger it was to restart those activities, but from Thailand. So writer, artist, recipe developer, mixologist, pretty much anything you can think of as long as 1) You meet the financial requirements and 2) you can prove that you are what you say you are by providing a portfolio of your work. There is no requirement that your activity earns you enough money to support yourself.

    For the financial requirements I was able to use my Thai bank account, my US checking and savings accounts, and a US investment account. The only additional financial document I was asked for was my most recent tax return to show that my income was what I said it was during the application process. I prefaced the financial statements with a very detailed cover letter describing each, what kind of account it was, and did the FX on my Thai account for the day of the statement. Then I totaled it up to save them the work.

    The portfolio, for me, was the hardest part. I had stopped actively writing a while ago and stopped maintaining my website. So I had to rebuild my site to showcase all my old work in a better layout. I have a novel up on Amazon - that I had stopped selling because moving two Kindle copies a month was not worth the effort - so I reactivated the Amazon sales page. I also reposted my magazine articles, published short stories, old blog posts, and wrote up a few new blog posts to demonstrate that I was writing again. I attached another detailed cover letter describing my portfolio with links to my website, Amazon sale page, and all the individual sections on my website describing what they would see if they went and checked. They did. My site analytics showed that they spent much longer looking around than I thought they would. This whole website reconstruction was a lot of work but turned out that it was completely worth it.

    I went with the DTV instead of an O (Retirement) because I'm not planning on remaining in Thailand year after year with no trips back to the US to visit friends and family. Plus, the ฿800K locked up in a Thai bank account for however long it is until I shuffle off this mortal coil just doesn't sit well with me. To say nothing of the burden of having to set up a separate set of estate docs for my executor to deal with. So - no ongoing financial burden, no reentry permits, no (or fewer) extensions, made this seem like my best option for right now. If the retirement visa options change, I can always change my mind down the road. The big drawback is that the DTV is basically a tourist visa so unless you already have one, things like a Thai bank account will be off the table. (Unless you spend ฿฿฿ on an agent...)

    What I learned: Be absolutely meticulous. Make sure every entry is exactly what is required and double check everything. I was talking with one person whose application was denied because of a transposed set of characters on the passport. US$400, lost. Once you click "Submit" none of those documents can be changed. If you can, provide more than the minimum asked for. This applies more to the freelancer/foreign talent categories than those who can provide employment or contract documentation but, it's the Thai bureaucracy so more is always better.

    It's a bit like reading tea leaves when it comes to giving the visa office what they want because there is no place where they describe exactly what the requirements are. I ended up moving some money around so I could show funds in both a savings account - what the US Los Angeles consulate said they wanted to see - and in an investment account - which the Department of Consular Affairs said would be okay. Be prepared to provide additional documentation.

    In the end it was worth it for me US$400 for the ability to stay in Thailand for almost six years. Seems like a pretty good deal.
    Reply

    • Preston says

      yeah you seem to have set yourself up. I have not been interested in the DTV as I have an LTR which is perfect for me for the next 9.5 years, therefore I know nothing about the DTV. As for the tax situation, that may or may not change in the future sorta like the govt as it may be different next month too. Anyway, welcome to paradise as some of us feel it still is.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi James, Thank you for your detailed explanation of the application process. It’s incredibly helpful, and I truly appreciate the time you took to share your experience.Based on your insights, I’ve added some information to my article regarding the foreign talent category, though it’s clear that there’s still a lack of clarity from Thai immigration on this area.Also, All this time I've (virtually) known you and had no idea you were a blogger and writer!
      Reply

  3. Rory says

    Hi All,

    I was granted a Non Immigrant "O" visa for entry to Thailand by the end of August. I have a flight booked for 13 August but have trips planned out of Thailand over the next 1-2 months so could apply to change visa if necessary.

    Subsequent to the visa being granted the DTV visa was announced. I am married to a Thai national and am wondering whether I should continue with the original plan of extending the Non Immigrant "O" visa after 3 months for an additional year based on marriage or apply for the DTV visa based on marriage to a Thai national. I would not spend more than 180 days per year in Thailand and like the idea of flexibility of the 5 year visa and multi entry structure of the DTV which seems simpler than the continuing Non Immigrant "O" visa with annual visa extensions.

    Aside from the cheaper cost of the Non Immigrant "O" visa option rather than the DTV visa is there any other consideration ? I believe that both visa will need 90 day reporting ? Many thanks
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Rory, first question would be: which category of a DTV would you apply under? You can't apply solely on the basis of marriage to a Thai national. You can apply as a dependent of a DTV visa holder (spouse or child).
      Reply

      • Rory Fagan says

        Hi Peter

        Many thanks for your quick reply - I read in the Bangkok Post that the third category for DTV can include a spouse in Thailand as per the interview on 5 August with Naruchai Ninnad, one of the chief architects of the new visa scheme in his role as deputy director-general of the Department of Consular Affairs at Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

        Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2841457/explainer-thailands-new-visas

        In the description of the DTV on the evisa Thailand website it doesnt seem to mention this option ? Perhaps you just add your Thai marriage certificate to the visa application ?

        Thanks

        Rory
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          That's interesting, and quite a revelation. I have did not receive the same information from immigration. I was told that a person who has a DTV can add a dependent, and that dependent, spouse or child, can get a DTV visa based on the relationship.I would contact your local Thai embassy to clarify this. The DTV has to be applied for outside of Thailand. I'm not sure you would have time, given that you fly on 13th August.
          Reply

          • Rory says

            Thanks Peter

            I agree its not enough time to organise the DTV at short notice before travelling on 13 August but it might be worth applying for the DTV rather than a 1 year extension in 3 months time - just thought to ask if you had any more information about this since I only just read about it in the Bangkok Post recently

            Thanks again for all that you do

            Rory
            Reply

        • JamesE says

          The requirement for #3 on the US Embassy/Consulate websites says "Spouse and children under 20 years old of DTV visa holders". The use as an "O" (Thai Spouse) substitute may be an alternate interpretation that hasn't hit the territories yet or might be a mistranslation of the interview. The same official gave an interview with Chris at RWFY and didn't seem to mention this. The other interesting discrepancy is that Khun Naruchai says that an investment account is okay to use for proof-of-funds whereas the embassy/consulate websites specify checking or savings accounts only. "A copy of a recent saving or checking bank statement with an ending balance of no less than 500,000 THB or ($16,000 USD) that shows the applicant's name and date. In case of submitting a family bank statement, proof of relationship (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate) must be provided".

          It will be interesting to see where the final interpretation lands once the dust settles.
          Reply

        • Preston says

          Rory,
          As Peter mentioned, I listened to the Dep of the For Min webinar on the DTV and as Peter says, that category of dependent is if in your case, you could get the DTV if your wife was the holder of a DTV based solely on her qualifications. In your case, you could get that visa if you meet any of the various types' requirements. Since you are on a retirement O based on marriage, you need the 400K baht in an account in Thailand (You know all that is needed for that visa already and I don't use that) so would need proof of the 500K in another bank - you probably already know all those DTV requirements too. Since you are probably going to be in and out for a while, best to wait until you are here - by then the dust will settle on the DTV and we all might have more news on that one.
          Reply

          • rory says

            Thanks Preston - I agree that sounds the best plan - I will review options in 3 months time whether to extend 12 months with non O marriage or change to DTV with a quick overseas trip - I am not planning to work inside Thailand and will be doing a few international trips and not looking to live more than 180 days in country and like the idea of one visa for 5 years so maybe leaning towards the DTV- if the marriage to Thai national DTV is not an actual option perhaps Thai boxing while attending a Thai music festival while studying a Thai cooking course followed by enrollment at a Thai hospital to recover might be an option ?
            Reply

                • Preston says

                  Yes, I read several of the articles by "tax agents" here and all indicated that yes the dependent DTV is for the spouse and children of a DTV holder. But then again, as you mentioned the Govt which might change this week or later this year, could come up with different interpretations of that particular visa. It still is not clear to all anyway about the tax exemption on remitted funds for the DTV holder who stays incountry over 180 days in the same calendar year. Tax agencies indicate that by definition - over 180 days is a tax resident and must get an ID here and file taxes. Who knows for sure? Anyway best of luck. Have a good one on this Mothers' Day (Thailand).
                  Reply

    • JamesE says

      One thing to consider is that the "O" visa you have, plus the fact that it's a Thai Family category gives you some benefits the DTV does not. If you don't already have a bank account most banks (of course some branches might) won't open an account for you as the DTV is not a long-stay visa. Plus, your O (Thai Spouse) allows you to work. Plus, the big thing, under the O you don't have to leave Thailand if you don't want. The DTV requires an exit every 360 days.
      Reply

      • Rory says

        Thanks James - excellent points to consider - a comparison between the features and benefits of both non immigrant O visa vs DTV for foreigners with Thai spouses would be an excellent read once there is clarification of the DVT options for married foreigners in due course - thanks Rory
        Reply

    • Preston says

      Rory, based on all that I have read and discussions on the forum which is of course totally rumor, everyone is of the opinion that the DTV for spouse is a separate DTV for a holder of the DTV already. It also applies to children of the DTVB holder. I do not believe that if you are married to a Thai that would solely make you eligible for the DTV. I am not an expert on visas or any of the other quirks here, so you need to check with the experts on that particular possible reason to be eligible for a DTV.
      Reply

      • Rory says

        Hi Preston - many thanks for your comments - I agree I that the DTV for the spouse of a Thai citizen doesn’t seem to fit the majority of information online so not to be relied on. I will decide whether to do the NON “O” marriage extension or new DTV application 3 weeks before my current 3 month visa expires and see which is the best option at that time. At present I am leaning towards the DTV due to being 5 years, multi entry which suit my situation better. Many thanks again.
        Reply

  4. Paul says

    Am I right in thinking because this is a multiple entry visa you would simply have to leave Thailand every 180 and then re-enter 24hrs+ later to avoid having to extending for 180 days rinse and repeat as they say for the 5yr validity period.
    Reply

      • Preston says

        Thai Life: I thank you! I always welcome all your comments and based on our experiences together in this paradise (still) I am sure we can provide some helpful hints for folks. Life is great here, just for some people, must have an
        open mind, kind heart, and thoughtful lifestyle. Take care stay safe
        Reply

    • Preston says

      There dies seen to be some different stories about different immigration officers interpretation. I do believe that the interior ministry/police/others
      might change some of these beliefs as this would mean that visas currently costing 900K to several million baht (24,900 - 55,300 $USD!) would no longer be of use except for some minor benefits. Thus the Thais might lose a lot of monies from those folks. Other visas too become useless as this DTV seems right now to be a free stay as long as one wants - unsure even if there might be tax advantages versus almost all the other visas except the LTR. In Thailand the only sure new law could change or be done away with immediately. Good luck
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        Indeed, though this DTV visa is restricted to specific categories and is not for retirees. Also, the Elite visa does afford privileges like discounts and fast track airport access and other VIP stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if they raise the price of the DTV in the not too distant future, depending on the take up, of course.
        Reply

            • Preston says

              Jamese and Mick,
              You both are experiencing that which we long-stayers have learned about TIT. The govt offices hear a comment from the big boss and act many times without completing the full picture of what they are recommending for some problem. When they sit down with different offices to figure out what they want to do, there are many different views but not every problem is resolved to everyone's satisfaction and a law or interpretation of one is published and accepted as the new law. But then when the dust settles over everyone, the big boss realizes that this is not complete so changes or even total cancellations result. This is why every immigration officer or every Renue dept officer has a different view of what can be accepted and why expats constantly have different stories of trying to live by the laws. Sometime soon I believe we will get some more definite instructions on what can and cannot be done with the DTV and/or other visas. Best of luck though and hope all get what they wish for but never forget TIT! take care
              Reply

              • Preston says

                JamesE/Mick, as we mentioned earlier, there might be a new government here too and as of yesterday, the PM was sacked and now they have to come up with a new government leadership so anything goes or nothing goes. Who knows what the future holds for all these visas and the plans for possibly more changes coming in Sept. But, right now it looks like the DTV is a cheaper and easirer in and out many times category visa good for 5 years. The best in my opinion and for which I changed, is the LTR from the board of investment. But although there are 4/5 categories of that visa, one must meet the criteria and then no taxes on remitted foreign income and some allow work permit too. Good for 10 years. Good luck and watch the news and any Thai forum for more info to come.
                Reply

                • JamesE says

                  Yeah, I gathered that from your post. I just thought that since you knew where to find the exact page you were referencing you might help the other readers out. It doesn't really concern me as I go through the US-based embassy/consulates which do not say what you indicate are the rules posted in the UK-based outlets.
                  Reply

        • Preston says

          As mentioned by the ThailandLife, and according to the webinar with the deputy of the Foreign Ministry in Thailand, yes one extension but as mention by TL - you can go across the border and just come back in as it is multiple entry. If you do the extension then you have to pay for that too but just going out and coming back in you are not charged for that. But, we still do not know about taxes - if one stays more than 180 days in the same calendar year, you are by definition a Thai tax resident and could be required to file taxes depending on assessable money remtted to Thailand from overseas. Best of luck.
          Reply

  5. preston says

    for the DTR the final is yet to be presented in total yet we just like the tax program(s) have not got the last words as the govt indicates some bureaucratic details are to be worked out. For all concerned, please wait until the final version to be published.
    Reply

  6. Marcus says

    Thanks for the update on this promising visa. however the thought of having to go back to UK, then upto Thai embassy in Kensington to get the thing means I would not bother with it....unless they make it possible to obtain the visa overseas.....
    cheers!
    Reply

  7. Mohamed Elleid says

    180 days per year valid for 5 yrs with allowable one time extension only of 180 days during those 5 yrs period , fees 10000 Bath ( added another 10000 if you wanna use that given one time extension ) Taxes not clear yet if the extension is used in that year.
    Reply

  8. JamesE says

    Currently the DTV is much like the "new" tax policy. The announcement was unclear in the details so speculation seeks to fill in the holes. However, if you take the announcement at face value - never a bad plan, initially... - then the DTV seems to fill a hole at the bottom of the Elite visa offerings. Also, if you take the announcement's description and replace the details with the same set of details from any other visa, it will describe that other visa as it is implemented.

    With that in mind, here's my speculation:

    5-year visa validity, 180-day permission to stay on each entry, Multiple entries permitted during the life of the visa, but, Only one extension of stay during the visa's life.

    I await clarification from the authorities but, at first glance, this could be the Holy Grail of Expat Visas... I mean, if I'm retired and don't want to lock ฿800K (soon to be ึ฿1M...) in a Thai bank, I can very quickly re-employ myself as an "Investment Analyst" working remotely and go for the DTV.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      I read the details in much the same way.The main question I have is regarding the 180-day extension. Can this be activated in the same year that you have already spent 180 days in Thailand? If so, a person could stay for a year, and therefore would fall under the new tax rule.I also want clarification on the 500k financial reserves: where this has to be/can be kept, and how it will be proven.It is certainly a good alternative to 800k in a Thai bank and the antiquated retirement visa extension requirements.
      Reply

      • JamesE says

        I think the one-time extension is a bit of a distraction. Using my "substiture another visa type logic", if I had a multi-entry tourist visa I could choose to run down to immigration and extend my 60-day permission to stay, or, I could choose to do a border run and come back in with a new 60-day permission to stay. Now, IMO, just swap "DTV" for "tourist visa" and "180" for "60" and that's how the DTV will work.

        You are correct that activating the extension or staying for more than 180 in any year will activate the tax resident switch. But that is true with any scheme to stay in the country long term. I'm looking forward to hearing what you find out this week.
        Reply

        • Preston says

          James: the LTR is not affected (yet) byt becoming a tax resident in Thailand in that one does not have to pay any tax on funds remitted into Thailand. The LTR is good for 10 years with a re-hash of qualifications at the 5-year period. Yearly one is only required to provide residence to BOI or immigration office in that area. BOI also helps with work permit and then if working in Thailand a lower than normal tax rate which can be found in the LTR benefits explanation. But the 5-yea DTR total benefits, etc have yet to be fully explained - I blv one can only stay 180 days a calendar year without becoming a tax resident so... also one can only extend another 180 days in a different callendar year once unless the periods of stay are below 180 days per year. This last bit is the unclear bit folks are waiting for. I personally feel it means someone can only stay 360 days total during the 5-year period of the visa. WE shall see.
          Reply

  9. Sandor says

    "Visa holders will be eligible to stay for a maximum of 180 days each year, and will therefore not be subject to foreign income tax rules."
    This is wrong info. If someone stay 180 days or more, will be Thai tax resident.
    Reply

    • Preston says

      Yes that is correct, this was I think to allow for a long-term tourist visa but, some of those coming in on this DTV and some talking to immigration officers in their local areas indicate that the holder of the visa can enter and depart free of charge as many times as they want. So some indicate that this means they can stay 180 days, leave the country and then turn right around immediately and return to Thailand. This then means they will be in the country more than 180 days during that particular calendar year and thus by the Thai Revenue Department definition of a tax-resident comes into play and if they do stay over the 180 day limit, they would have to pay taxes unless they can prove a valid exemption. That is my opinion anyway but I am not a tax expert by any means, I just read the TRD regulations. Have a good day
      Reply

    • Preston says

      however, if after a 180-day stay during a calendar year, or if extending after staying in Thailand and then accumulating a number of days during the same calendar year so that one totals more than 180 days during a particular year, then they would be a tax resident in Thailand subject to being taxed. The key is 180 days during one calendar year 1Jan -31 Dec. Hope this is clear enough for you
      Reply

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