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Can I apply for a DTV visa in Thailand as a family member if my spouse does not meet the financial requirements?

May 22, 2025
4 days ago
Sol **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey guys! I'm going kinda crazy with the DTV visa requirements and was hoping someone could help me understand this situation better.

I meet all the requirements, but I would like to link my spouse as my family member to my application. However, he does not meet the financial requirement.

The Thai Embassy in Argentina said that he must also meet the financial requirements, even if he applies as my family member.

And I just can't understand what's the point of applying as a family if he's going to be treated as an independent applicant at the end.

Also, in other agencies websites they say that you in fact CAN apply just as a dependant or family member, so I'm completely confused.

Has any of you been in this situation or has a recommendation?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is confused about the DTV visa application process, specifically regarding linking their spouse as a dependent despite the spouse not meeting the financial requirement of having 500,000 Baht. While the Thai Embassy in Argentina insists that each applicant must meet the financial requirement, some commenters suggest that embassies may have different policies on dependents. Various insights indicate that the spouse can apply referencing the primary applicant's DTV and potentially use a sponsor letter to meet financial requirements. Suggestions also include utilizing loopholes, like temporarily moving funds to the spouse's account. Overall, it appears that the application process can vary significantly by embassy, and the financial requirement can apply to both main applicants and dependents.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Anonymous ******************
I agree to what people said that it depends on the embassy. I’m the main DTV holder and I have my child as a dependent and we share the 500k baht requirement.
Greg ********
Some Embassies 500k is enough for main applicant and dependents. Then others want to see 500k per dependent.
Kool *******
This is a loophole you can try, after you get your DTV there is currently no requirement that the money stays in your account. Just transfer the money needed into your spouse's account, and after how ever long the funds have to be in the account is when the dependant DTV can be gotten using his bank account. They already checked yours when they gave you the visa. This loophole could change in the future, but nothing that changes after you both get your DTVs affects you are you're grandfathered in until the five years ends, unless you try to extend them your one time inside Thailand.
Luit *****************
@Kool ******
Where do you read there is no need the money stays in your account?

It is stated as visa requirement, and not as a requirement at moment of application only.

A lot of people here seem to think requirements are only at moment of approval, which of course does not make any sense.

Why should they want you to have 500K at the moment you apply for the visa and not anymore when you actually visit the country? What would be the logic behind that.

It is not a loophole, the 500K has to stay at the account, but the chance it will be checked is very low, and that might make your idea work.

But even when it works, there is no guarantee you will not be checked somewhere in the 5 years, and grandfthered only means that old rules are respected when new rules become active, so that has nothing to do at all with this situation.

The granted visa is only valid as long as you comply with the visa requirements.
Elías ********
@Luit ****************
the DTV is nothing like a retirement visa and the money doesn't need to stay at a specific account. Also, remember it can be at any account of any country or the world.
Luit *****************
@Elías *******
Correct, it can be anywhere in the world on a bank account, it does not need to be a Thai bank account, and also there are no rules you cannot put it on another account if you prefer to do so.

The only rule is that it should have a value of at least 500K and that it is freely accesible at any moment.
John **********
Your spouse doesn't apply in the same application to you. Once you have your DTV your spouse applies for his DTV referencing your DTV details and supplying a copy of your marriage certificate. Some embassies allow you to write a sponsor letter for your spouse so you get him to provide your bank details along with the sponsor letter but not all embassies allow this.
Henrik *****
The 500.000 Baht is a guarantee that you can pay f.ex. a hospitalbill at once if getting involved in a accident, that’s why every person must show the 500.000
Sol **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
Thank you that makes sense. I didn't think of that
Elías ********
La diferencia es que la persona que aplica como dependiente, tu esposo en este caso, no debe cumplir ninguno de los otros requisitos, como tener un trabajo remoto, o estar inscrito en cursos de muay thai o cocina, o recibir tratamiento médico. No obstante, el requisito de que cada persona que aplica tenga ahorros equivalentes a 500.000 baht es otra cosa. Que yo sepa, no es algo exclusivo de la embajada en Argentina.
Shandy ********
Did you already get your DTV or do you want to submit a joint application? If you believe you qualify, you may want to apply on your own and then go to one of the SEA countries that allow non-residents to apply. You'd have to do some research, but there may be a few that only require the main dependent to meet the financial requirements. This requirement varies by embassy.
Michi ********
It depends on the embassy…I would suggest for you to search the history of this group and find out where to apply to be approved!
John *******
There are three routes to apply: digital nomad, soft power, and dependent. For example, If one spouse is a digital nomad and the other isn’t, they can apply as a dependent of the spouse who is a digital nomad. That being said, they still have to fulfill the other requirements, such as 500k
Anonymous ******************
Well because 500k isn't even enough for one person to survive a year in Thailand. Imagine when applying for a 5 year visa... Thailand wants people to spend money here.
D**
مشارك مجهول الهوية ‏٣٨٣‏

500k almost enough for 6 months stay in Thailand as an expat living in expats area
Sol **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah I get your point but what's weird to me is that I'll be applying with a job contract with no end date and proof of salary too... So I'll definetly be able to sustain myself even without touching those required baths. And so will my spouse.

But what was said below made sense to me: hospital bills in case of misfortune or whatever must be crazy expensive and you must have savings at hand.

Thanks guys ☺️
Luit *****************
@Sol *********
Indeed the 500K is meant as a proof of financial stability in case of emergency, it has nothing to do with daily cost of living in Thailand itself.

Allthough it looks like official rules state 500K for every applicant, some embassies seem to handle this different.

The real difference for dependants is that they don't need the other requirements like a remote job or soft power activity.
Anonymous ******************
DTV Right. But the visa is for 5 years, there is almost no financial checks at borders and you can divide that amount per extra person...