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Thailand DTV Visa (2026): 180 Days Per Entry, 5 Years, 500,000 Baht — The Rules From the Embassy

By the SettleBuddy editorial teamUpdated 3 November 20268 min read

The Destination Thailand Visa is the "digital nomad" visa Thailand launched for remote workers, long-stay learners and their families. It is also, legally, a tourist visa, which is why the one thing it does not let you do is take a Thai job. This guide uses the Royal Thai Embassy's own DTV page (last updated 18 August 2026) for every requirement, document and figure.

Quick answer

The DTV lets you stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per entry and is valid for 5 years, with multiple entries. You must fall into one of three groups: Workcation (digital nomads, freelancers, remote workers), Thai Soft Power activities (Muay Thai or Thai cooking courses, sports training, medical treatment, seminars, music festivals), or spouse and dependent children of a DTV holder. You need evidence of financial assets of at least 500,000 THB (a 6-month official bank statement, payslips or a sponsorship letter), documents proving your purpose, and the fee, which the Budapest embassy sets at 350 euro for multiple entry and which varies by consulate. A Thai cultural activity must last at least 6 months. Because the DTV is a special kind of tourist visa, holders are prohibited from obtaining a Thai work permit; extensions of stay are handled by Thai Immigration. A DTV application for a child whose stated purpose is studying in Thailand is not accepted.

Bangkok's skyline along the Chao Phraya River at dusk with boats on the water
Bangkok on the Chao Phraya. The DTV gives 180 days per entry across a five-year visa. Photo: Piyatad / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).

Who the DTV is for

CategoryWhoProof of purpose
WorkcationDigital nomads, freelancers, remote workersEmployees: certificate of employment or contract, a letter from the employer confirming remote-work status and ongoing salary, personal tax return and recent payslips. Self-employed: business registration and corporate tax return. Freelancers: a professional portfolio or evidence of freelance work (invoices, profiles on platforms, a personal website)
Thai Soft Power activitiesMuay Thai courses, Thai cooking courses, sports training, medical treatment, seminars, music festivalsConfirmation of attendance from the institution plus a copy of its business registration; the activity should be at least 6 months long
FamilySpouse and dependent children of DTV holdersMarriage certificate, birth certificate or certificate of adoption

Documents for every applicant

What the visa allows, and what it does not

Workcation: what "remote" has to look like

The embassy wants the employment relationship on paper. For employees that is a certificate of employment or the contract, a letter from the employer confirming remote-work status and ongoing salary, and optionally the personal tax return and recent payslips. For business owners it is the company registration and the corporate tax return. For freelancers it is a portfolio or evidence of work: invoices, screenshots of profiles on platforms such as Fiverr or LinkedIn, or a personal website. The common thread is that the income comes from outside Thailand.

Soft Power: the six-month rule

The second category is built around Thailand's cultural economy. Muay Thai and Thai cooking courses, sports training, medical treatment, seminars and music festivals all qualify, with proof of confirmation to attend and a copy of the institution's business registration. The embassy's page is explicit that the Thai cultural activity should be at least 6 months long; any shorter and you risk having your application denied.

Family members

A spouse and dependent children of a DTV holder can apply in the third category with proof of relationship: a marriage certificate, a birth certificate or a certificate of adoption. Each family member is a separate application and fee.

Before you apply

Frequently asked questions

How long can I stay in Thailand on a DTV?

Up to 180 days per entry. The visa itself is valid for 5 years with multiple entries. Extensions inside Thailand go through the Immigration Bureau.

How much money do I need for the DTV?

Evidence of financial assets of at least 500,000 THB, shown with a 6-month official bank statement, payslips or a sponsorship letter. Crypto and investment statements are not accepted.

Can I work for a Thai company on a DTV?

No. The DTV is a special kind of tourist visa and holders are prohibited from obtaining a Thai work permit. Remote work for a foreign employer is what the Workcation category covers.

What does the DTV cost?

The Royal Thai Embassy in Budapest charges 350 euro for multiple entry, non-refundable. The fee varies by consulate; the embassy notes it is typically 400 to 500 USD elsewhere.

Can my children study in Thailand on a DTV?

No. A DTV application for a child whose stated purpose is studying in Thailand is not accepted; children come as dependants, and a study purpose needs the education visa.

Sources

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