As of July 15, 2024, the Thai government has confirmed the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV Visa Thailand) is now live for those looking to work and travel (“workcation”) in Thailand. The DTV allows holders to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per entry and is valid for 5 years.
Known as the “digital nomad visa,” the DTV is cost-effective and convenient if you are a freelancer, digital nomad, or remote worker seeking a simple way to work from the tropical paradise of Thailand.
Alternatively, you can also qualify for this visa if you plan to participate in so-called “Thai Soft Power” activities. You are eligible for the DTV if you plan to attend Thai boxing or cooking classes, participate in sports training, undergo medical treatments, take short-term educational courses, take part in seminars, or join artistic or musical festivals.
This post will explain what this visa is, what its requirements are, and the DTV Visa Thailand application process.
Note that this visa has been recently introduced and this information is subject to change by the government without notice.
Destination Thailand Visa: Visa Basics
Here’s a list of the important Thailand DTV visa facts:
- Visa Duration: 5-years
- Visa Type: Multiple entry
- Length of Stay per Entry: 180 days
- Extendable: Yes, once per year
- Obtainable From: A Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate or online through Thailand’s official e-visa website
- Minimum Age for Primary Visa Holder: 20 years old
- Option to Include Family: Yes
It is important to note that the DTV is a special kind of tourist visa in Thailand, which means that holders are prohibited from obtaining a Thai work permit and working for companies in Thailand.
Who is Eligible for the Thailand DTV Visa?
To apply for a DTV, you must fall under one of the following three categories:
Workcation (Digital Nomads, Freelancers, Remote Workers)
As mentioned before, the DTV’s target audience consists of digital nomads, freelancers, and remote workers. This means that if you work remotely for a foreign company or work for yourself as a freelancer or influencer, this visa is designed for you.
Though the Thai government has pointed out that “not just anyone” can obtain a Thailand DTV Visa as a digital nomad, they did not, as of this writing, specify the minimum income, employer, or social media follower requirements. Still, it is unlikely that you will qualify for the DTV Visa Thailand if the Thai authorities do not consider your foreign employer to be “legitimate.”
Thai Soft Power Activities
However, if you do not work online but want this visa anyway, you can still qualify for the Thailand DTV Visa if you plan to engage in “Thai Soft Power” activities. These include:
- Muay Thai courses
- Thai cooking courses
- Sports training
- Medical treatment
- Seminars
- Music festivals
These activities enhance the prestige of Thailand’s culture and improve the country’s standing in the international community. This is why the government will let you acquire a DTV Visa Thailand to help spread the word about how great Thailand is.
Unfortunately, the government has yet to release details on which specific activities are eligible, or which organizations have been approved to conduct activities that qualify for this visa. So, at this point, the easiest way to qualify for the DTV is to be self-employed or work remotely for a foreign company.
Dependant of Thailand DTV Holders
One of the more attractive features of the Thailand DTV Visa is that it allows dependants to join primary DTV holders. There is no limit to the number of dependants you can bring to Thailand, but they must either be a spouse or a dependant child who is younger than 20 years old. Each dependent must apply separately and pay a separate visa fee.
What are the Requirements for a Thailand DTV Visa?
If you are going to apply for the Thailand DTV Visa, there are just a few requirements you have to meet, but they will differ depending on your category: workcation, soft power activity, or dependent. Make sure you have these documents ready before starting your application.
- Passport or Travel Document
- Passport Photograph
- Document Showing Current Location
- Evidence of Financial Assets*
- Amount of no less than 500,000 THB (differs by embassy)
- Bank statements, payslips, or a sponsorship letter can act as evidence
- Proof of Purpose of Visit:
- Workcation: Employment contract, employment certificate from your country, or a professional portfolio showing your freelancer 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
*You must show that you have enough liquid assets to support yourself during your extended stay in Thailand. The minimum for this is 500,000 THB, but as you must apply for this visa from outside of Thailand, the embassy or consulate you apply through may demand to see a higher amount and will have their own set of criteria for how much evidence is required to demonstrate this.
The Destination Thailand Visa Application Process
There are several options when applying for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV Visa Thailand).
First, you can visit the Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai General Consulate in your country of employment (of which you must also be a resident). The embassy staff will guide you through the application process, assuming you bring all of the necessary documents mentioned earlier.
As mentioned earlier, though, each embassy is different, and may charge different DTV fees, demand to see more than 500,000 THB in your accounts, or require more/different evidence of finances or employment. Call ahead to confirm your local embassy’s requirements.
Another option is to apply online through the Thai e-Visa portal. This platform lets you complete your application from home, with step-by-step instructions to help you along the way. Keep in mind that while this is done online, your application will still go through your local embassy, so you must also do this from your country of residency and be aware of the embassy’s unique requirements.
If you prefer professional help then Siam Legal, a full-service law firm and visa consultancy, can assist you. Our immigration team has over 20 years of experience in Thailand and will walk you through the DTV visa Thailand application process, ensuring everything is correctly filled out and submitted on time. This option offers a hassle-free experience and peace of mind for a small service fee.
Extending the Destination Thailand Visa
Once you have your visa and are in Thailand, you can extend your yearly stay by an additional 180 days, allowing you to stay in Thailand for nearly a year without having to leave and return. To do this, you will have to visit the immigration HQ in Bangkok and file for an extension.
You will be charged a DTV extension fee, though at the time of this writing, it is not yet confirmed how much this fee will be. Conflicting reports suggest that it will either be the same cost as the initial visa (10,000 THB per extension) or will cost the standard Thai visa extension fee (1,900 THB per extension).
Thailand DTV Visa: Visa FAQ
Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about this new visa to give you an understanding of what the DTV Visa Thailand is and how you can get one for yourself.
Is the DTV Thailand’s cheapest long-term Visa?
The Destination Thailand Visa costs 10,000 THB. This is considerably less than similar visas from other countries in Southeast Asia and other Thai visas, but keep in mind that you must have significant funds in the bank when you apply to prove that you can support yourself while in Thailand. So while cheaper on paper than many other long-term Thai visas, its significant financial requirement of 500,000 THB or more may be an insurmountable obstacle to many.
How long can you stay in Thailand on the DTV?
If you successfully apply for a DTV Visa Thailand, you’ll receive a 5-year multiple-entry visa. You can stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per entry with a DTV, but after reaching the 180-day limit, you must leave the country and re-enter to continue staying legally. However, as this is a multiple-entry visa, you can leave and re-enter Thailand as many times as you want over the course of its validity.
Furthermore, you can extend the 180-day period for another 180 days, once per year for an extension fee. So in effect, you can stay in Thailand for nearly an entire year before having to leave and re-enter.
What’s the easiest way to get a DTV visa in Thailand?
You CANNOT apply for this visa while in Thailand. You will have to return to your country of residence and apply through the Thai embassy or a participating consulate.
To give yourself the best chance of approval, the easiest way to get the Thailand DTV Visa is to apply as a digital nomad or remote worker. As of this writing, there are no guidelines on which specific “Thai Soft Power Activities” are eligible for the DTV, and there is no certification process for organizations offering these activities. Based on reports from our international contacts and clients, applying through the “Workcation” category has the best results.
Do I pay Thai taxes on my foreign income as a DTV Visa Thailand holder?
This depends on the duration of your stay. According to the law, anyone who stays in Thailand for over 180 days out of a calendar year will be considered a tax resident by the Thai government. You will be liable to pay Thai taxes on your foreign income if you are a tax resident, even if you hold a Destination Thailand Visa.
Due to updates to Thailand’s Tax Code in 2024, all foreign income of tax residents in Thailand is subject to income tax regardless of when/if it was brought into the country.
However, you may be exempted from this if your country has a Double Tax Agreement with Thailand, which prevents income from being taxed twice.
The DTV does not seem like a good fit for my needs. Are there similar visas that might be a better choice for me?
If your goal is to work and/or relax in Thailand long term and the Destination Thailand Visa does not seem like a good fit for you, there are other visas that could meet your needs.
The Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR Visa) is geared toward professionals working in Thailand and even has a special category for remote workers. The LTR provides an uninterrupted 10-year stay in Thailand and has many other important perks for professionals such as tax exemption for all your foreign-earned income.
The Thailand Elite Visa is the opposite, being geared more toward long-term tourists, offering stays of 5-20 years. It provides a similar flexible visa and only requires you to leave the country once a year. What sets it apart most is the huge mountain of VIP benefits and luxury perks it provides. If you’re just looking to relax in Thailand with maximum comfort, this might be a better option.
Contact Siam Legal International
If you want a Destination Thailand Visa and a hassle-free application process, retain the services of Siam Legal International. We are a full-service law firm and visa consultancy with over 20 years of experience in helping clients from all around the world secure immigration solutions in Thailand.
Our immigration team will walk you through the application process for the Thailand DTV Visa or any other Thai visa you might need and ensure that you get your visa quickly and successfully. With our professional assistance, you can minimize your stress and focus on building your future in the Land of Smiles.
To learn more about our services and fees, check out Siam Legal’s DTV Services page.
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