Do I need to hold 500,000+ baht in my bank account before applying for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand?

Nov 7, 2024
6 days ago
Phil ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, Do I personally need to transfer in and hold 500k+ baht in my bank for an amount of time before starting to apply for a DTV?

I'm a freelance programmer from UK and I have a client in AUS who pays weekly and lots of on spec jobs and is happy to provide docs to be my sponsor.

I would be prefer to be applying from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but can happily visit Laos, Vietnam, or whatever is recommended.

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The requirement to hold 500,000+ baht in your bank account before applying for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand varies by the embassy you are applying from. For example, the Kuala Lumpur embassy tends to be stricter, potentially requiring the funds to be in your account for up to 6 months, while others in Southeast Asia might have more lenient requirements, possibly accepting a shorter duration.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Andi ***********
It depends on the embassy you apply from. Some require it banked for 6 months like KL, others a few days banked is fine. KL is the strictest embassy to apply from. Other SEA embassies easier.
Phil ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
Thanks, I've started organising some transfers in now to cover the 500k. Any suggestions on embassy's happy to see the money arrive near to the application? I'm about 10 days from the end of my Thai visa and have a trip to Malaysia planned, but could go to another SEA country after that to make the application if its simpler. Vietnam maybe?
Andi ***********
@Phil **********
Malaysia you also need 6 months of accommodation booked in Thailand, notarised docs. You should check their site before applying. Vietnam much easier. Jakarta, Cambodia are also other good options.
Phil ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
One final question, what is a sponsorship letter? does that mean a millionaire client can just write a letter saying they sponsor my life? would that require me having 500k baht balance locked in for a while or the sponsor?
Wannikea *********
@Phil **********
sponsorship letters would be parents sponsoring young children as dependant on DTV visa or husband sponsoring wife.

All available millionaires are currently sponsoring Mr Trump, and therefore tapped out.
Phil ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wannikea ********
oh don't worry they certainly are not likely to ever be tapped out. they are having a lovely time yachting while I make their AI work. The both of your sentences contradict each other. Are they rules or random conflicting blind assumptions? but you are literally in a clown suit so...
Andi ***********
@Phil **********
Can be anyone willing to provide the 500K, you do not need it. They have to write a letter of sponsorship and provide statement with 500K.
Phil ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
Any sponsorship lettere examples knocking around? my clients happy to do that for me. Would it like literally be 'I named person sponsor' here is the backingd docs, proofs, x,y,z?

I am quite literally a sponsored remote coder, but like James Miller says above, no one so far has obtained the visa via sponsorship (or not any anecdotal i can find)
Andi ***********
@Phil **********
Chatgpt can get you a sponsorship letter..But what you wrote is the kind of stuff for sponsoring...I have seen some posts not recently where they mentioned sponsorship...
Phil ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
I think I do legit fall in the sponsor category. Clients sponsor me to work on my projects because they believe in my work that they benefit in the long term. I dont get set rates, I literally am sponsored. Here's what GPT is saying:

[Sponsor's Full Name]

[Sponsor's Address]

[Sponsor's Phone Number]

[Sponsor's Email Address]

[Date]

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to confirm that I, [Sponsor's Full Name], have been financially supporting [Your Full Name] and will continue to do so throughout their stay in Thailand under the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) program. As [Your Name]'s sponsor, I am committed to covering all living expenses, including accommodation, food, transportation, and other necessary financial needs during their time in Thailand.

I have been providing this support to [Your Name] on an ongoing basis, as documented in the attached financial records, and am committed to maintaining this support for the duration of their stay in Thailand. My financial status allows me to fully support them, and I have provided recent bank statements and proof of my income as evidence of my capacity to fulfill this responsibility.

Sponsor Details:

Name: [Sponsor's Full Name]

Relationship to Applicant: [e.g., Friend, Employer, Family Member]

Occupation: [Sponsor's Occupation]

Monthly Income: [Amount]

Current Bank Balance (if relevant): [Amount]

Applicant Details:

Name: [Your Full Name]

Passport Number: [Your Passport Number]

Date of Birth: [Your Date of Birth]

I affirm my ongoing commitment to sponsor [Your Name] financially during their stay in Thailand, ensuring they meet all necessary expenses as required by the DTV regulations. Please feel free to contact me if further information or clarification is needed regarding this sponsorship.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Signature (if submitting a hard copy)]

[Sponsor's Full Name]
Andi ***********
@Phil **********
That can work, some embassies only allow the employee's company to sponsor.You have to check with the embassy you apply with for their sponsorship criteria.
James ********
@Phil **********
I have not seen anyone obtain the DTV visa using a sponsorship letter.
Phil ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
Do you think I could be a first? Maybe in cambodia? I meet the part, I am actually legitimately sponsored by
@Michael **********
as a remote quant programmer.
James ********
@Phil **********
If you try... submit the application in person, not using Evisa online application system, to a Thai Embassy or Consulate in SE Asia... some require an appointment...

Taipei, Savannakhet, or Vientiane,

That way if they do not accept your in person application, you don't pay for the visa. But again...no sponsorship DTV visa seen yet on the forums. I think it's defining the relationship which would be important.
Andi ***********
@James *******
There have been a few posts of approvals detailing sponsorship.
James ********
@Andi **********
please link them. Thanks 👍
Andi ***********
@Phil **********
They were like 2 months ago, not seen any recently
Phil ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
pretty sure 500k seems like the straight forward way! thanks for all your help. id just love to know for sure re sponsorship :)
Andi ***********
@Phil **********
It is the easiest, which is why very few posts with sponsorship.
Phil ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
ie between the client and the freelancer? a long trail of money being sent each week? and extras labelled laptop, work supplies, flights, etc. do you mean in that way? Well ill go on a trip to Savannakhet in person and report back. it can be a little fact finding mini break!
Phil ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I do have to go to KL, but not necessarily for the visa, I'll have a look into JK and Cambodia, thanks a lot Andi