These are brandnew rules for non o married and retirement

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Application vs Entry vs Extension vs Ongoing Conditions

There’s been a lot of confusion about what the DTV actually requires and *when* those requirements apply, so this post lays it out clearly based on official wording and standard visa structure.

The information below is current as of 10 January 2026. As with any visa, rules can change, and if they do, Thai Immigration will formally publish updated guidance.

To be clear, this post is based on official sources, not second-hand stories, assumptions, or “someone heard from someone else” accounts. Personal anecdotes and rumors are not policy.

In my own experience, Thai Immigration officers whether at entry or during reporting have been consistently professional, knowledgeable, and reasonable. I’ve also seen no verified evidence of DTV holders being “hassled” at airports due to the visa itself. When issues occur, they are almost always unrelated to the DTV conditions.

I will post the links to the official sources I have used in the comments.

APPLICATION CONDITIONS (One-time assessment)

These are checked only when you apply for the visa:

• Proof of ฿500,000 THB (or equivalent) in savings

• Proof of eligible activity, e.g.

– Remote work / digital nomad evidence OR

– “Soft power” activity (Muay Thai, cooking course, medical treatment, etc.)

• Passport, photos, location outside Thailand, etc.

Important:

The financial requirement and activity proof are application criteria, not stated as ongoing conditions.

There is no official wording that says the ฿500,000 must be maintained after approval.

ENTRY CONDITIONS (Each time you enter Thailand)

When you enter Thailand on a valid DTV:

• You are granted up to 180 days per entry

• Immigration may (at discretion) ask basic questions about your stay

• There is no published requirement to re-prove:

– ฿500,000 in savings

– Active participation in your original activity

Entry is based on holding a valid visa, not re-qualifying for it. Technically, DTV holders must still comply with standard entry requirements applicable to all travellers; however, in practice it is uncommon for Immigration officers to request additional proof from DTV holders at entry.

EXTENSION CONDITIONS (Inside Thailand)

If you apply for the 180-day extension at Immigration:

• Extension is tied to your current lawful stay, not re-adjudicating the visa

· Extensions are an immigration process, not a visa re-application.

As of 1 Jan 2026, Immigration policy is that if you want to apply for the extension one must have funds in a Thai bank account, however currently DTV holders are not able to open Thai bank accounts.

Save yourself the headache and go for a nice long weekend out of country. There are plenty of cheap flights around SE Asia and some really beautiful places to see.

ONGOING REQUIREMENTS (What you must continue to do)

These *are* real, ongoing obligations:

- Respect stay limits (180 days per entry + optional extension)

- Complete 90-day reporting as required (in person or online, depending on eligibility and current immigration policy)

- Exit Thailand when required

- Do not work for Thai companies or earn Thai-source income without a work permit

- Comply with Thai law and immigration rules

- Be aware of tax residency rules if staying long periods

What is NOT officially stated anywhere:

- No rule requiring you to keep ฿500,000 untouched for 5 years

- No rule requiring continuous soft-power activity beyond the application period

- No requirement to submit ongoing proof of activity after approval

Key takeaway

The DTV works like most long-stay visas worldwide:

You qualify once → the visa is issued → entry and extensions follow visa rules, not application rules.

If Thailand wanted ongoing balance or activity requirements, they would be explicitly written, as they are for other visa types (retirement, student, etc.). They are not.

If anyone has official Thai government wording or document(s) that states otherwise (not agent opinions or assumptions), feel free to share it ill be happy to read it.

When l applied for a certificate of residence at Division 1 in Bangkok the form asked what it was for giving 4 options driving license for a car or motorbike and to buy or sell a car or a motorbike. I ticked all 4 as l want both licences and to buy a car and a motorbike. I had such a carry on at immigration they went through my 1 year lease contract with a fine toothcombe and after 4 revisits to the desk with corrections l finally got 4 seperate letters of residence but only valid for 30 days each and l was charged 800 thb 200 for each one. My question is: is this normal and is there a certificate of residence that covers your address for the period of the lease that l can get instead of having to apply every 30 days for new ones to cover other purposes?

[members only]

GPT summary:

The "Destination Thailand Visa" (DTV), introduced in July 2024, has seen significant uptake in its first six months. Initially targeting digital nomads, approximately 30,000 visas have been granted to remote workers. Additionally, around 50,000 visas have been issued to individuals engaging in "soft power" activities, such as enrolling in Thai boxing or cooking classes, or seeking medical treatments.

Initially, application processes varied, with some embassies issuing visas swiftly. However, from early 2025, procedures have become more standardized, requiring online applications. Despite this, individual embassies maintain discretion over specific documentation, particularly concerning the mandatory 500,000 baht (approximately US$14,000) bank bond.

The success of the DTV has prompted adjustments in other long-stay visa programs. For instance, the Thai Privilege Card has suspended its 50,000 baht enrollment fee and introduced a more affordable 5-year Elite visa. Similarly, the Board of Investment has lowered income requirements for its digital nomad visa under the 10-year Long Stay Residence program, focusing more on applicants' qualifications and potential contributions.

Overall, the DTV has broadened its appeal, attracting a diverse group of long-stay visitors to Thailand.

I have heard on the 'grapevine' that the Thai is either now or in the near future planning to tax pensions from overseas and any lump sum payments to whoever in Thailand for 'Farangs' (hate that word should have said foreigners).

I heard that the tipping point for this taxation is stays of over 180 days in the kingdom in a calendar year, and would most probably impact long-stay, retirement and married-to-Thai foreigners.

Any truth to this rumour and if so to what extent and what are the implications? It seems that the money in a bank account is already a significant implementation to long stay.visas in Thailand.

Please just genuine knowledgeable responses.

Hello I have an American passport. I'm 30 years old. I have been on 2 education visas, 1 volunteer, 1 work permit and then different border runs and tourist visas on this current passport.

I have been told I'm not allowed to make another visa with my passport until I get a new one.

I have 20 days left on this visa and then I can do a border run for 45 days (from what I've been told).

Questions:

• can I simply go to the border and cross out and then easily come back in? Is anything required to do that other than my passport? I am in phuket and probably will go to Malaysia?

• can I get a new passport if I still have 5 years until it expires?

• if I can will they transfer all of the previous visas or just current?

•in 45 days, what if US embassy hasn't finished my new passport and it overseas before I received my passport? Any info on making new passport?

• would leaving to another country and going to that American embassy be of any use so they don't transfer all of the information?

Thanks u very much 🙏

Hello question about Non-OA visa.

My boss got a 1 year Non-OA visa, but his passport was stamped only for 5 months because his insurance is about to expire.

What are the requirements for him to extend his stay in Thailand? When should he apply?

Thank you for answering.

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:

Covid 19 extension program continued until January 25th 2022

It appears everyone (including us :P ) were wrong and the 60 day covid extension program has been continued until Jan 25th, 2022.

So there is no need to run to the immigration office this week and get another extension if you don't have a stamp running out

Has anyone heard anything about when the 1900 baht, 60 day Covid extensions will come to an end?

Hello everyone, I'm Tanakrid (Benz)

I have a few questions that I want to ask a member group

Every answer will be applied to the workgroup in the university

My question is "Does the current Covid-19 situation in Thailand affect you? If so, how does it affect you?"