Thailand DTV vs LTR: which digital nomad visa fits you?
Destination Thailand Visa and Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa – Work-from-Thailand Professional, side by side. Every figure comes from the official government source, with the date we last checked it.
- Income
- Different tests
- Family
- The DTV: Yes · The LTR: Yes
- Renewable
- The DTV: Yes · The LTR: Yes
| Destination Thailand VisaThailand | Long-Term Resident Visa – Work-from-Thailand ProfessionalThailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income | No fixed USD figure | ≈ $6,667/mo$80,000 / year |
| Official rule | Bank balance ≥ THB 500,000 (≈USD 16,000) for each of the last 3 months (funds test, not income) | USD 80,000 per year average over last 2 years (USD 40,000+ with extra conditions) |
| Stay | 5-year multiple-entry visa; 180 days per entry | 10 years (5 + 5) |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Family | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | USD 400 at the Washington DC embassy; £300 at the London embassy (varies by mission) | THB 50,000 per person for the 10-year visa when collected in Thailand (more at embassies abroad) |
| Official source | washingtondc.thaiembassy.org ↗Verified, checked Oct 30, 2026 | ltr.boi.go.th ↗Verified, checked Oct 30, 2026 |
USD figures are approximate (FX Oct 20, 2026). The official currency figure is what the authority applies.
Key differences
- Different money tests: the DTV asks for a bank balance of at least THB 500,000 for each of the last 3 months, with no income test. The LTR’s Work-from-Thailand Professional track asks for average personal income of USD 80,000 a year over the past two years (USD 40,000 to 80,000 if you also hold a master’s degree or higher).
- Who you work for matters on the LTR: you need an employment contract with a company listed on a stock exchange, or a private company with at least 3 years of operation and USD 50 million in combined revenue over the last 3 years (or a wholly owned subsidiary of either). The DTV’s workcation route accepts remote workers and freelancers with an employment contract, employment certificate or professional portfolio.
- Length: the DTV is a 5-year multiple-entry visa with 180 days per entry, and each stay can be extended once by 180 days at Thai Immigration. The LTR is a 10-year visa (5 + 5) and, per the Board of Investment, replaces the 90-day report with a 1-year report.
- Cost and extras: the DTV costs USD 400 at the Washington DC embassy (£300 in London; varies by mission). The LTR costs THB 50,000 per person when collected in Thailand, plus THB 3,000 a year for a work permit, and needs 5+ years of experience in the last 10 and health cover of USD 50,000 (or a USD 100,000 deposit), per the official pages.
- Family: both allow a spouse and children under 20. The LTR caps dependants at 4.
Quick answers
Which needs less income, the DTV or the LTR?
They test different things, so there's no like-for-like ranking. Destination Thailand Visa: Bank balance ≥ THB 500,000 (≈USD 16,000) for each of the last 3 months (funds test, not income) (washingtondc.thaiembassy.org, checked Oct 30, 2026). Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa – Work-from-Thailand Professional: USD 80,000 per year average over last 2 years (USD 40,000+ with extra conditions) (ltr.boi.go.th, checked Oct 30, 2026).
Which lets you stay longer, the DTV or the LTR?
Destination Thailand Visa: 5-year multiple-entry visa; 180 days per entry. Each 180-day stay can be extended once, by 180 days, at Thai Immigration. Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa – Work-from-Thailand Professional: 10 years (5 + 5) (renewable).
Can I bring my family on the DTV or the LTR?
Destination Thailand Visa: yes, family members can be included. Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa – Work-from-Thailand Professional: yes, family members can be included.
How much do the DTV and the LTR cost?
Destination Thailand Visa: USD 400 at the Washington DC embassy; £300 at the London embassy (varies by mission). Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa – Work-from-Thailand Professional: THB 50,000 per person for the 10-year visa when collected in Thailand (more at embassies abroad).
Full official notes
Destination Thailand Visa
Each 180-day stay extendable once by 180 days at Thai Immigration; after that, leave and re-enter on the same DTV. Three purposes of visit: workcation (digital nomads, remote workers, foreign talent and freelancers, with an employment contract, employment certificate or professional portfolio); Thai soft power activities such as Muay Thai, Thai culinary training or medical treatment (with a letter of acceptance from the organiser or an appointment letter from the hospital); and spouse and children under 20 of DTV holders (DTV dependant). Every route needs the THB 500,000 bank evidence. Embassies ask for a criminal record certificate.
Sources: washingtondc.thaiembassy.org · london.thaiembassy.org
Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa – Work-from-Thailand Professional
Health insurance of USD 50,000+ (or a USD 100,000 deposit) required; 5+ years of experience in the last 10 for the professional track. Spouse and children under 20 eligible for dependent visas (max 4 dependants). Work permit costs THB 3,000 a year.
Sources: ltr.boi.go.th
Not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the issuing authority before you apply. How we verify
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Thailand's Long-Term Resident Visa – Work-from-Thailand Professional asks for health insurance
The official requirements for Thailand's Long-Term Resident Visa – Work-from-Thailand Professional mention health insurance. SafetyWing offers nomad insurance.
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