How to apply for the Thailand DTV
The Destination Thailand Visa is a 5-year, multiple-entry visa for remote workers and a few other groups. You apply online through the Thai embassy for the country where you live. Here's each step, from the embassies' own pages.
- Money
- THB 500,000 balance, each of the last 3 months
- Fee
- $400 (Washington DC) · £300 (London)
- Stay
- 180 days per entry, +180 once
- Valid
- 5 years, multiple entries
New since 31 August 2026: two document changes
Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs replaced the "document indicating current location" with proof of permanent residence, and added a criminal record clearance certificate. The change took effect on 31 August 2026 at 00:00 Thailand time; applications submitted before then were processed under the previous list. The Washington DC page still also lists a document showing your current location, so include it if you apply there.
Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: DTV supporting-documents announcement (status as of 26 Aug 2026) ↗, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 10 Sep 2026) ↗ · read Nov 3, 2026
Step by step
Step 1: check you fit one of the 3 purposes
- Workcation: digital nomads, remote workers, foreign talent and freelancers (employment contract, employment certificate or professional portfolio)
- Thai soft power activities, e.g. Muay Thai, Thai culinary training or medical treatment (letter of acceptance from the organiser, or an appointment letter from the hospital or medical centre)
- Spouse and children under 20 of a DTV holder (with the holder’s DTV and proof of relationship)
London labels these DTV1, DTV2 and DTV3. The bank-balance test and the criminal record clearance apply to all three.
Sources: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 10 Sep 2026) ↗, Royal Thai Embassy, London: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 8 Sep 2026) ↗ · read Nov 3, 2026
Step 2: apply from where you live, not from Thailand
Each Thai embassy or consulate handles people who live in its area, and asks for proof of permanent residence there. The Washington DC embassy says it can't issue visas to people who are currently in Thailand. Both embassies add extra documents if you aren't a citizen of the country you apply from (see the checklist).
Sources: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC: visa information (updated 19 Oct 2026) ↗, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 10 Sep 2026) ↗, Royal Thai Embassy, London: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 8 Sep 2026) ↗ · read Nov 3, 2026
Step 3: fill in the e-Visa form carefully, then pay
Apply on the official Thai e-Visa site ↗. It's stickerless, so you don't mail your passport. The DC embassy warns that officers can't edit what you enter. Names must match your passport exactly, and a wrong passport expiry date or a mix-up between 0 and O can mean a rejection and a new fee, because fees aren't refundable. Consular officers may ask for more documents and can reject an application without giving a reason.
Fee: USD 400 at the Washington DC embassy; £300 at the London embassy (varies by mission).
Sources: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC: visa information (updated 19 Oct 2026) ↗, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 10 Sep 2026) ↗, Royal Thai Embassy, London: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 8 Sep 2026) ↗ · read Nov 3, 2026
Step 4: wait, and answer any document request
Neither embassy publishes a fixed processing time. DC says e-Visa processing may take longer than usual because of high demand. If you get an email asking for more documents, the status updates within 3 to 5 business days after you upload them. Screenshots or unclear files trigger these requests and slow things down.
Sources: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC: visa information (updated 19 Oct 2026) ↗, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 10 Sep 2026) ↗ · read Nov 3, 2026
Step 5: before you fly, the TDAC
Since 1 May 2025, every non-Thai traveller must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 3 days before arrival. It's an immigration form, not a visa, and DTV holders need it too.
Source: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC: visa information (updated 19 Oct 2026) ↗ · read Nov 3, 2026
What you'll need
Documents checklist for workcation (8 items)
- Passport biodata page, valid for at least 6 months from your travel date
- A photo taken within the last 6 months
- Proof of permanent residence where you apply (DC: a valid US visa or green card; London: e.g. UK indefinite leave to remain or Irish long-term residency)
- Bank statements for the last 3 months showing at least THB 500,000 (DC puts it at $16,000; London at £12,000) at the end of each month, in your name and dated. A family account needs proof of relationship, or a sponsorship letter
- Proof of your purpose: for workcation, an employment contract, employment certificate or a portfolio showing you are a digital nomad, remote worker, foreign talent or freelancer
- A criminal record clearance (DC: an FBI certificate issued within 3 months; London: a police certificate such as ACRO issued within 6 months)
- If you’re not a citizen of the country you apply from: a copy of your residence card or visa there, plus an employer letter. DC wants it hand-signed by HR or a manager and doesn’t accept pay stubs; neither embassy accepts a job offer
- Certified English translations, notarised by an embassy or foreign ministry, for anything issued outside Thailand and the country you apply from
Children: DC asks applicants under 20 for a birth certificate, parents' marriage certificate (or a custody order), parents' IDs and, if travelling alone, notarised parental consent. London asks for extra documents for children under 16.
Sources: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 10 Sep 2026) ↗, Royal Thai Embassy, London: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 8 Sep 2026) ↗ · read Nov 3, 2026
The THB 500,000 bank test, in detail
Bank balance ≥ THB 500,000 (≈USD 16,000) for each of the last 3 months (funds test, not income).
DC wants recent savings or checking statements for the last three months, each showing your name, the date and an ending balance of at least THB 500,000. You can use a family account if you prove the relationship (birth or marriage certificate), or provide a sponsorship letter. London asks for at least £12,000 (THB 500,000), e.g. bank statements.
Sources: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 10 Sep 2026) ↗, Royal Thai Embassy, London: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 8 Sep 2026) ↗ · read Nov 3, 2026
After you arrive
The 180-day rule, extensions and re-entry
Each entry gives up to 180 days. You can extend once per entry, for no more than 180 days, through the Thai Immigration Bureau (the embassies tell you to contact it directly once you're in Thailand). After 180 + 180 days you must leave Thailand, and you can come back on the same DTV while it's still valid.
Sources: Royal Thai Embassy, London: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 8 Sep 2026) ↗, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC: Destination Thailand Visa (updated 10 Sep 2026) ↗ · read Nov 3, 2026
Not legal or tax advice. Each Thai embassy sets its own fee and checklist, and the officer decides every application. Check the official page for the embassy that covers you before you rely on anything here. We don't summarise tax rules.
Quick answers
How do I apply for the Thailand DTV?
Online, through the official Thai e-Visa system (thaievisa.go.th), choosing the Thai embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Since 2021 it's a "stickerless" e-Visa, so you don't post your passport. Thai embassies can't issue a visa to someone who is already in Thailand (washingtondc.thaiembassy.org, read Nov 3, 2026).
How much money do I need for the DTV?
Bank statements for the last 3 months with an ending balance of at least THB 500,000 each month. The Washington DC embassy puts that at $16,000 and London at £12,000. It's a balance test, not an income test (washingtondc.thaiembassy.org and london.thaiembassy.org, read Nov 3, 2026).
How much does the DTV cost?
It depends on the embassy: $400 at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington DC and £300 in London. DC says visa fees are non-refundable, including when an application is rejected over a form mistake (washingtondc.thaiembassy.org and london.thaiembassy.org and washingtondc.thaiembassy.org, read Nov 3, 2026).
How long can I stay on a DTV?
The visa is valid for 5 years with multiple entries, and each entry gives up to 180 days. You can extend once per entry, by up to 180 days, through the Immigration Bureau in Thailand. After 180 + 180 days you have to leave and can re-enter on the same DTV while it's valid (london.thaiembassy.org, read Nov 3, 2026).
What changed for DTV documents in 2026?
From 31 August 2026, Thailand's Foreign Ministry replaced the "document indicating current location" with proof of permanent residence, and added a criminal record clearance certificate. Applications submitted before 31 August 2026 were processed under the old list (image.mfa.go.th, read Nov 3, 2026).
Who counts as a "workcation" applicant?
Digital nomads, remote workers, foreign talent and freelancers. You show it with an employment contract or certificate from your country, or a professional portfolio. The other DTV purposes are Thai soft-power activities (like Muay Thai, Thai cooking courses or medical treatment) and the spouse and children under 20 of a DTV holder (washingtondc.thaiembassy.org and london.thaiembassy.org, read Nov 3, 2026).
Can my spouse and children get a DTV?
Yes. Spouses and children under 20 of a DTV holder apply in their own right, with the holder's DTV and ID, proof of relationship, the same THB 500,000 bank evidence and a criminal record clearance. DC lets children under 16 use the main sponsor's FBI certificate (washingtondc.thaiembassy.org and london.thaiembassy.org, read Nov 3, 2026).
Do I need anything else to enter Thailand?
Yes: since 1 May 2025, every non-Thai traveller, whatever their visa, must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 3 days before arrival. It isn't a visa (washingtondc.thaiembassy.org, read Nov 3, 2026).