What is the DTV?
The DTV, or Destination Thailand Visa, is a long-stay visa Thailand launched in 2024. It is valid for five years, and each entry allows a stay of 180 days. A regular tourist visa is meant for a holiday; the DTV is built for people who spend long stretches in Thailand year after year.
The visa covers two main groups: remote work for a foreign employer or your own clients, and Thailand's so-called soft power activities such as muay thai training or cooking courses. Both use the same visa, but the supporting documents differ.
Who is it for?
The typical applicant works remotely and wants to spend winters in Thailand without a constant visa cycle, or freelances for clients back home. The other group is long-course participants: muay thai camps and cooking schools are the most common.
The DTV is not a Thai work permit: working for a Thai employer is outside its scope. For over-50s spending their retirement in Thailand, the O-A retirement visa is often the better fit; we compare the options for you.
What does the application need?
The application is made online and includes your passport, proof of your grounds (for example an employment relationship with a foreign employer, or a course confirmation) and proof of sufficient funds at the level the embassy requires. We give you the exact document list and the funds requirement at the start of the assignment.
The embassy's official processing estimate is up to 15 working days. In practice the decision often comes sooner, but assembling the documents takes longer for the DTV than for a tourist visa, so start early.
What does it cost?
The total price is from €500: Thailand's consular fee of €350 and our service at €150. The service covers filling in the application, checking the documents and following the processing. We tell you right away if your situation needs anything extra.
We handle the DTV application for you
We check whether the DTV fits your situation, assemble the documents and follow the processing.
See the Thailand visa service