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Can a music creator apply for a DTV visa in Thailand?

Mar 26, 2026
a month ago
Tony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is a first time for me… I am 69 years old … I would like to apply for the DTV .. my only issue is what to I put down or apply for … I currently am a music creator and putting out music etc on Different platforms… I don’t make a lot of money out of it , it’s more for my own personal interests.. can this profession be used to apply for the DTV … please looking for a serious answer I’m looking at living in Thailand for the next 5 to 10 years .
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster, a 69-year-old music creator, is seeking advice on applying for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) to live in Thailand for 5 to 10 years. Many commenters suggest that the Non-O retirement visa might be a more suitable option since it requires less hassle and provides more benefits, such as easier bank access and not worrying about income validation. A few commenters acknowledge that it is possible to apply for a DTV by demonstrating remote work, but caution that proving sufficient financial stability is crucial. Overall, the consensus leans towards the Non-O visa as a more appropriate choice for the user's situation.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Roger ***********
Just go for the retirement visa, all you need is 800k bahts on a Thai account
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Luit *****************
@Roger **********
Not even necessary if you can prove 65k income
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Roger ***********
Clear one or the other is ok
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Roger ***********
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Tommy *******
Reti
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Luit *****************
Why do you want to choose for DTV and not for the more appropriate non-o retirement visa?

Then you don't have to worry about if your work is seen as a remote job, don't have to leave the country and can get a bank account.
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Wannikea *********
There's no income requirement but that said how are you going to show that you can financially support yourself in a stable way? The embassy staff will be asking themselves the same question.
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Frank-Steven ***********
Luit van der Linde I don’t know what you are saying. Yes: anybody that cannot demonstrate at least 500k THB won’t get a DTV and would stay home. But everyone who does, meets the requirements of that visa. No little wannabe king in some banana embassy should have the freedom to go beyond that legal requirement.
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Frank-Steven ***********
@Wannikea ********
That is what the 500k THB in savings account requirement is for.
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Luit *****************
@Frank-Steven **********
no, the 500k is not for daily financial support, it is for emergency situations.

For daily support you need some active or passive income, or sponsoring.

500k is by far not enough for 5 years...

There is no fixed income requirement for the visa, but that does not mean the embassy is not allowed to decide about your possibility to support yourself.
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Frank-Steven ***********
@Luit ****************
wrong. Actually passive (only) income is not suitable for DTV workation.
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Luit *****************
@Frank-Steven **********
no, of course not, I never said so.

For workcation you need income from work, but for soft power passive income is also OK.

You must demonstrate that you can support yourself financially during the soft power activity.

This can be through passive income or income earned during the time you are not in Thailand.
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Frank-Steven ***********
@Luit ****************
no such thing mentioned in Thai official law published. All they ask for money wise is 500k THB on a savings account. Which is much more than the common “Pattaya” guy can show for himself.
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Luit *****************
@Frank-Steven **********
Every foreigner entering Thailand must possess sufficient funds.

An embassy will take this into account when issuing a visa.

There is no need to create yet another law for this.

The embassy has complete freedom to assess whether the visa applicant is suitable.

Someone having trouble to show 500k THB better should stay at home.
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Luit *****************
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Wannikea *********
@Frank-Steven **********
That 500K isn't to live off of, that's emergency money, they expect you to have other money/income to live off of. For example if you did an extension in country they want you to show the 500k again.
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Frank-Steven ***********
@Wannikea ********
Is that your opinion? Because the law underlying the DTV as published in the Thai Royal Gazette mentions no additional monetary requirements beyond the 500k THB in savings. I expect Thai bureaucracies (including embassies) to follow their own laws:
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.pdf
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LongTimeLivi************
@Frank-Steven **********
@Wannikea ********
the reality is in addition to the 500K you need to show the officer you can support yourself with a steady income or have someone guarantee your expenses, it's all about proving financial stability. Gone through the process already.
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Frank-Steven ***********
LongTimeLivingInThailand If that’s the new reality, then it has no legal basis. If they wanted a certain amount of regular income, they would have asked for it in the law. This is what they did with the LTR visa, that requires a certain monthly income. The DTV at least by law does not. Maybe things have changed, but when I applied for the DTV in the early days, nothing beyond 500k THB in savings was needed.
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Frank-Steven ***********
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Anonymous ******************
Non o retirement visa is best for you. Its a 12 month visa and you dont need to go in and out each 6 months lije DTV. Retirement visa has other benefits also like eady to open bank account. Apply in your country check thai government website
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Andi ***********
You have an online music business so yes, you can apply for the workcation DTV. Detail how you work online, business registration etc. There is no minimum income requirement, but it is best to show savings above 500K THB if your business income is currently low.
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John *********
Just get a non o retirement visa
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Frank-Steven ***********
This should be doable, yes. The official requirements by law for a DTV worcation category are personal savings in a bank account of at least the equivalent of 500k THB (in your currency) AND demonstrating work that can be done remotely and that allows you to do this work from within Thailand. Many people that make freelance or rental or whatever income from different platforms have successfully aplied for the DTV. IN your case, just hand in your supporting documents with a cover letter explaning, and add maybe the channels / screenshots of the platforms you are "selling" music on. BUT, best check with the specific requirements of your embassy in your juristiction. Sadly, recently some embassies require overboard things like payslips or such things that are not even required by law for the DTV.
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KindMa*******
Just use retirement visa
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KindMa*******
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