What the DTV is
The Destination Thailand Visa was launched in 2024 to attract remote workers and "soft power" travelers. In practice it's the digital nomad visa: 5 years of validity, multiple entries and 180-day stays per entry, extendable once for another 180. Translation: you can live in Thailand almost continuously by leaving once a year — a weekend in Kuala Lumpur counts.
The requirements, no fine print
| Requirement | The detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 20 or older |
| Funds | ฿500,000 (~€13,000) in provable balance |
| Activity | Remote work for clients/companies outside Thailand, or "soft power" activity (muay thai, cooking, training…) |
| Proof | Contracts, invoices, a website or professional profile; bank statements from recent months |
| Official fee | ≈ €270 |
| Duration | 5 years · 180 days per entry (+180 extension) |
The €13,000 balance is the requirement that sinks the most applications — not because people don't have it, but because they document it badly: odd movements the month before, "parked" money that comes and goes, screenshots instead of statements. The file is built on three months of clean statements.
What the DTV is not
- It's not a Thai work permit: you can't take a job at a local company with it (that's what the Non-B is for).
- It's not a tax exemption: if you spend 180 days a year there, you're a Thai tax resident and pay tax on what you remit into the country. The tax guide explains how much (spoiler: brackets run from 0 to 35% and many nomads come out ahead).
- It's not permanent residency: after 5 years it ends and you apply again, or move up to a higher route (LTR).
DTV or LTR: which one fits
If your income is above ~€6,400/month, there's the LTR Remote Worker: 10 years, a €1,300 fee and tax perks of its own. For everyone else, the math is simple: the DTV gives 90% of the benefit for a fifth of the cost. The full table is in the general visa guide.
How we process it
It's step 1 of our four steps: assessment on the first call (free), preparing the file — statements, proof of activity, e-visa forms — submission and follow-up through to the decision. You pay the fee at cost (≈ €270) and our fixed fee of 1.200 € covers that and everything else: flight, airport pickup and apartment. The full numbers are in the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly are the requirements?
20 or older, ฿500,000 (~€13,000) in provable savings, and proof that you work remotely for clients outside Thailand (or of your soft-power activity). Fee: ≈ €270.
How long can I stay?
The visa is valid for 5 years. Each entry gives 180 days, extendable once for another 180: in practice, continuous residence by leaving the country once a year.
Do I pay taxes in Thailand with the DTV?
If you spend 180 days a year, yes: you become a Thai tax resident and pay tax on what you remit into the country, with the protection of the treaty with Spain. Many nomads pay less than in Spain, but it's worth planning before you fly.