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Can I apply for a DTV Visa based on gym membership instead of Muay Thai in Thailand?
Feb 4, 2026
3 months ago
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am looking to apply for the DTV Visa. However I have no interest in Muay Thai, on a number of levels. Instead, I'm seeking to apply on the basis of gym membership. I am in my 60s. I am good at gym and can run 10km or walk 30km in a day. I want my application to be completely genuine. From the research that I have done, I would need::
● acceptance letter from gym and trainer
● six months (preferably a year) course
● 500k THB
● gym certification/ business license
● proof of payment
● current proof of location outside Thailand
● training schedule
Please don't suggest Thai cooking as I don't wish to tarnish the good reputation of Thai cooking. Nor do I really want to do a retirement visa at this stage. I won't do anything that is contrived or nor genuine as this isn't who I am.
More specifically, has anyone else applied for a DTV as a gym membership? Thank you in advance for any positive and constructive advice. 🙏
Sports training is listed as a category on the embassy websites. So what do they mean?
● acceptance letter from gym and trainer
● six months (preferably a year) course
● 500k THB
● gym certification/ business license
● proof of payment
● current proof of location outside Thailand
● training schedule
Please don't suggest Thai cooking as I don't wish to tarnish the good reputation of Thai cooking. Nor do I really want to do a retirement visa at this stage. I won't do anything that is contrived or nor genuine as this isn't who I am.
More specifically, has anyone else applied for a DTV as a gym membership? Thank you in advance for any positive and constructive advice. 🙏
Sports training is listed as a category on the embassy websites. So what do they mean?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The DTV Visa in Thailand is primarily for serious training in recognized Thai sports, particularly Muay Thai. Many responses indicate that applying based solely on gym membership is unlikely to meet the requirements. To qualify, you must be enrolled in a registered gym that provides documentation, typically for training in Muay Thai or similar sports activities. The conversation suggests reaching out to gyms directly for clarification on whether they can support your application. The term 'sports training' does not generally refer to regular gym activities but rather to structured training in specific sports.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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James ******
Could they possibly mean…training, for a sport?
🤣
🤣
Dave **********
Anyone know a muay Thai gym in Bangkok that does DTV?
Gordon *******
Taking the mickey,he's having a laugh
Deepak *******
There is DTV in the category in going to the gym.
John **********
Key Aspects of DTV Sports Training:
Eligible Activities: Primarily Muay Thai, but can include other recognized Thai martial arts or sports.
Requirements: You must train at a registered gym (e.g., licensed by the Sports Authority of Thailand) that can provide official documentation, such as a letter of enrollment and the gym's business registration.
Duration: The visa is designed for serious, long-term, or, in some cases, medium-term training rather than quick, short-term courses.
Documentation Needed: An invitation letter or acceptance letter from the Thai gym is required.
Eligible Activities: Primarily Muay Thai, but can include other recognized Thai martial arts or sports.
Requirements: You must train at a registered gym (e.g., licensed by the Sports Authority of Thailand) that can provide official documentation, such as a letter of enrollment and the gym's business registration.
Duration: The visa is designed for serious, long-term, or, in some cases, medium-term training rather than quick, short-term courses.
Documentation Needed: An invitation letter or acceptance letter from the Thai gym is required.
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Mark ***********
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Nitzan *****
FFS. Just get a retirement visa. You don't need to actually be retired, just be over 50 and have money.
Christian **********
Rather than continue to refute the responses you're getting to your query, why don't you simply, as part of your research, contact several of the hundreds of gyms in Thailand and ask if they will support your DTV application?
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERChristian Blessing some of the responses are actually really helpful. That doesn't mean I'm not conducting other enquires in tandem. But.... thanks?
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Mark ***********
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Panida **********
I’m MuayThai gym and I get the DTV visa for my fighter.
But for fitness gym membership you can’t get the DTV because the rules is really clear for Muay Thai.
But for fitness gym membership you can’t get the DTV because the rules is really clear for Muay Thai.
David *******
@Mark Spartacus stop trying to make the DTV fit your desires. You need to fit in their requirements. The ‘soft power’ category is specifically aimed at Thai culture. Merely going to a gym is not a Thai cultural activity.
Wayne ********
Contact Issa compass in Bangkok and they might can give you some advice
John **********
Thai soft power related activities e.g. Muaythai, Thai culinary training and medical treatment. Going to the gym is not a Soft Power activity, you won't get a DTV for that. However I'm pretty sure many of the Muay Thai places will also have gyms you can use and won't force you to actually participate in Muay Thai fights
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
Sports training is listed as a category on the embassy websites. So what do they mean? It is listed separately from Muay ThaiJohn **********
@Mark **********
sports training is not the same as going to the gym.Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
true, but that doesn't help.John **********
@Mark **********
it doesn't help you. But you need to face facts, you're simply not going to get a DTV based on gym membershipMark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
we've established that. So what is sports training? I can't find much informationJohn **********
@Mark **********
one example would be Muay Thai. If you could find an authorised and licensed provider for say the high jump, hurdles or whatever I'm sure you could sign up for a course of suitable length with them and use that to applyMark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
I visited one that had a gym. I just don't want to do anything contrived or disingenuous. Thanks 👍Andreas *********
Mark Spartacus find an authorised and licensed provider, pay them beforehand for the courses, receive documents and use these to upload in the E-visa application
Andreas *********
Mark Spartacus believe it or not . . . . you are a candidate for the Ripley's Museum of Believe it Or Not. . . . having a contract with a gymn does NOT make you elegible for an application to the DTV. Why not enlist in a Thai Food Cooking course with a licensed cooking school? This will get you a 5-years DTV
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERAndreas Mueller I don't want to poison people. Sports training might not be gym, but if you don't know, that's fine
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Mark ***********
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Stephen ********
Gym membership doesn't cut the ice. It's soft power - something unique to Thailand. Every country in the world has gyms - why do you need to be in Thailand to visit the gym?
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERStephen Howell Sports training is listed as a category on the embassy websites. So what do they mean?
Stephen ********
Mark Spartacus Martial arts, scuba diving are a couple of examples. You must enrol in a specific course with an organisation who can help you arrange the DTV
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERStephen Howell thank you 🙏
Reply to
Mark ***********
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Graeme ******
Mark Spartacus muay thai
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERGraeme Mort no, sports training is listed separately from Muay thai. Thanks
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Mark ***********
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Wayne ********
Mark Spartacus sports training most likely Muaythai
Reply to
Wayne ********
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Graeme ******
I have never heard of a DTV on the basis of gym membership, only gym related DTV is on the basis of muay thai so not sure where yiu have read about gym membership?
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERSports training is listed as a category on the embassy websites. So what do they mean?
Martyn *********
Mark Spartacus gym is not a sport exercise yes
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERThat's clearly established. So, what is sports training?
Reply to
Mark ***********
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Graeme ******
Mark Spartacus muay thai
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERsports training is listed separately
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Mark ***********
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