The Destination Thailand Visa and other long-stay options
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Thailand has several visas for people who want to stay for months or years without a Thai employer. The newest is the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), introduced in 2024. Older options for retirees, spouses and wealthy or highly skilled people still exist and suit different situations.
The Destination Thailand Visa
The DTV is a five-year multiple-entry visa. Each entry allows a stay of up to 180 days, which can be extended once at Immigration for up to another 180 days. The government fee is 10,000 baht, although the fee charged in local currency varies by embassy.
It is available to three broad groups:
- Remote workers and digital nomads employed by, or contracting with, companies outside Thailand ("workcation")
- People taking part in Thai "soft power" activities, such as Muay Thai training, Thai cooking courses, medical treatment and some cultural or sports programmes, with a letter from the course provider or hospital
- Spouses and children under 20 of DTV holders
Applicants must show financial evidence of at least 500,000 baht or the equivalent, usually as bank statements, together with documents supporting the purpose of the stay, such as an employment contract or a course enrolment letter.
What the DTV does not do
The DTV does not allow you to work for a Thai employer or for Thai clients. Remote work for foreign companies is the point of the workcation category. Reporting rules, including 90-day reporting during long continuous stays, still apply.
Other long-stay options
| Visa | Who it is for | Main conditions (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Immigrant O (retirement) and extensions | People aged 50 and over | Funds in a Thai bank or monthly income meeting Immigration's thresholds |
| Non-Immigrant O-A (long stay) | People aged 50 and over applying from abroad | Funds or income, a police certificate, medical certificate and health insurance |
| Non-Immigrant O (marriage) | Spouses of Thai nationals | Marriage registration and funds or income thresholds |
| Long-Term Resident (LTR) | Wealthy individuals, retirees with pensions, remote workers and highly skilled professionals meeting high income or investment criteria | Ten-year visa, administered with the BOI |
| Thailand Privilege | Anyone willing to pay a membership fee | Paid membership programme run by a state-owned company, with long-stay visas attached |
Thresholds and fees for each of these change from time to time. Check the current figures on thaievisa.go.th or with Immigration before relying on the table.
Health insurance
The O-A visa requires health insurance meeting set coverage levels, currently with cover of at least 3,000,000 baht. Several other visas and extensions require or encourage health cover. See health insurance for visa applications.
Choosing between them
For a remote worker under 50, the DTV is usually the simplest route. For someone over 50 planning to stay for years, retirement extensions are more predictable. People who meet the LTR's income criteria get the longest validity and fewer reporting duties. Marriage visas suit spouses of Thai nationals who want to live in Thailand together.