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Can you apply for the DTV visa while in Thailand, or must it be done from abroad?

DTV visaThailand visa applicationThai EmbassiesVisa rulesVisa application processImmigrationExpat guidance
Sep 11, 2025
2 days ago
Julia *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I saw a post earlier that you can't apply for the DTV while already in Thailand, but must apply outside the country. Is this true?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
It is true that you must apply for the DTV visa (Digital Nomad Visa) outside of Thailand. While some users noted that the application process is accessible online, official rules state that you cannot apply for the DTV while inside Thailand and must wait for approval from a Thai embassy or consulate abroad. Additionally, changing to a DTV visa from within Thailand is not permitted, meaning entry must occur from outside the country after application.
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Roy ******
Yes.
2 days ago
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Julia *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The more answers I get about this visa, the more confused it get 🙃 how does thailand know i have 500k thb if I dont have a thai bank account? Im a 100% disabled veteran and I dont see an option for disability income. Im also a full-time student using my GI Bill, do i just click student? How long will the visa be good for for me to enter the country? If I am approved then do I have a certain time frame to enter otherwise the visa becomes invalid?
2 days ago
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John **********
@Julia ********
 There is no option to get a DTV for disability but you can get one for medical treatment if you need that regularly. You would need to show a treatment plan of at least 6 months signed off by a recognised doctor at a Thai hospital. You can also sign up for any other approved soft power activity for a minimum of 6 months
2 days ago
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Jan ******************
@Julia ********
 To fulfill the financial requirements, you will need to provide evidence of funds amounting to 500,000 THB in a bank account. Regarding the visa validity, it is issued for a period of five years with a permitted stay of 180 days per entry within this timeframe.
2 days ago
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Jan ******************
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T ****************
It’s an ENTRY visa so, of course, duh !
2 days ago
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Phirom *******
Yes.
2 days ago
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Clare **********
DTV is getting very difficult now, luckily we had the money in a Thai bank account for DTV & attended two classes & paid up for a further 2 on return to Thailand.We went to Vietnam to apply for the DTV visa online the process is very easy but they will ask for lots of information …. the cooking school license, ID taliban of the owner of the property & proof of attending at least two classes before applying for the visa, we had a Bangkok bank account with our seasoned money for 3 months prior to applying for the DTV, but on return to Thailand they closed it down?!! As DTV is no longer considered a long term visa!! This was Bangkok bank So we had to transfer our savings to a different bank, all good now. My husband is 50 in 12 months so we are seriously considering changing to a retirement visa as the DTV Visa just seems not very safe, despite us not using agents & using our own savings from Uk & also attending the classes which we enjoy & the school is amazing btw …but the lessons are not cheap & you have to attend at least 2-3 per month at nearly 1500 per lesson.
2 days ago
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Clare **********
Our main reason is because we will be changing from the DTV 5 year visa to a retirement visa, as we stay in Thailand long term now but have had to transfer to another bank as the DTV is not recognized as a long term visa despite being a 5 year visa! As you have to leave every 180 days. You don’t need a bank account for the DTV only for the retirement visa.
2 days ago
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Clare **********
You don’t need a bank account for the DTV.

We were very lucky we got our bank account a year ago when there were no restrictions & anyone could open one we have been to Thailand many times but now they have stopped all bank accounts except for only for retirement visas.
2 days ago
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Julia *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Clare *********
 how will the Thai embassy know you have at least 500k thb if you dont have a thai bank account? Do I just show bank statements from my american bank and then they convert it to see how much it is worth?
2 days ago
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Jack ********
@Julia ********
 yes
a day ago
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Jack ********
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T ****************
@Clare *********
 This is incorrect info
2 days ago
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Julia *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Clare *********
 how do you get a thai bank account if you're not even in the country? And im not interested in a n education visa because i have remote income. Im not sure if I am understanding this right. In order for me to have remote income DTV, I need to somehow get a thai bank account, leave thailand, let that money sit for 3 months, and then apply for a DTV and hope that my approval doesnt take long?
2 days ago
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Elías ********
@Julia ********
 No. In order to apply, you just need to prove you have the money, but it can be at an account at any country.
2 days ago
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Elías ********
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Guy ********
Yes
2 days ago
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Clare **********
Yes exactly we applied for ours online in Vietnam took a few days to come through, then we went back to Thailand. We signed up for cooking classes before we went to Vietnam & had all the relevant documents to support it.
2 days ago
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Clare **********
Cooking, Muay Thai & language school is excepted also.
2 days ago
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Chang ******
@Clare *********
 with cooking class we get visa ? Not language school or thai boxing ? 🤔
2 days ago
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Lor ******
@Clare *********
 please share cooking 🧑‍🍳 classes information
2 days ago
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Clare **********
@Lor *****
 we signed up with Ban sauan cooking school koh Chang. We attended two classes before applying for visa & booked two further on return, the immigration will ask for documentation eg photos of you attending the classes & the document of the cooking school owner their ID & reference so you will need this to apply for visa online & also show the immigration a print out copy of the information.
2 days ago
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Lor ******
@Clare *********
 thanks
2 days ago
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Lor ******
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Frank-Steven ***********
Officially, yes. Practically: yes and no. Since application process is fully electronic on
*****************************
you might technically be able to apply while in Thailand. However, you cannot change to a DTV within Thailand, so you would have to arrive from abroad in order to acticate it, anyways.
2 days ago
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Stephan ***********
@Frank-Steven **********
 Yeah... and when the Embassy ask for proof of residency or ask to come in for an interview you are screwed. Don't give people stupid ideas...
2 days ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
@Stephan **********
 Residency (and proof therof) should not change even when in Thailand (for a vacation) at the point of application. So, initiating an application on said website and selecting the Thai embassy or consulate correponding to your home country / country of residence should not cause any issues. Never heard of an interview required for DTV. But yes, when in doubt, short answer is yes: like every other visa, get it abroad, then use it to enter the country.
2 days ago
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John **********
@Frank-Steven **********
 you must be physically present in a country to use the consulate in that country, the fact its an evisa doesn't change that
2 days ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
@John *********
 Not how the internet works. 🙃 But I hear you.
a day ago
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Elías ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 If you've never heard of it, it's because you don't read the posts here in the group. Countless people have been demanded to either go to a in person interview, or to submit proof that you're at the country you say you are, including even selfie pictures with local stores or newspapers on the background + whole passport pages, to check that the exit or entry stamps match what you claimed.
2 days ago
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Stephan ***********
@Frank-Steven **********
 If you search the group you'll find a lot of posts where people had to come in for an interview. Also you can find posts where the DTV was not accepted when people tried to re-enter to activate it. About the residency... I meant the address where you stay in the country where you apply... "officially". If you fake it while still staying in Thailand you're actually cheating, no? And some Embassies will ask anyway for copies of your entry stamp in their country... so... no chance. Best ist to play fair and clean...
2 days ago
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Stephan ***********
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Graham ******
The DTV, like some other Visas, can only be applied for from Thai Embassies and Consulates
2 days ago
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David **********
Simply yes, it's true.
2 days ago
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Stuart *********
Yes it’s true. You apply from the country you’re in (apart from Thailand) and wait until approval.
2 days ago
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Julia *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 how long does approv take?
2 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Julia ********
 Depends on the country you go to (and therefore the embassy you use). Anywhere from 1 week to 2 months.
2 days ago
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Brandon ************
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