Have you ever daydreamed about packing up and moving somewhere tropical? Do you work online, or could you shift to remote work?
Well Thailand now has a visa targeted at remote workers, or remote workers, and its actually a pretty amazing opportunity. The visa in question is the Destination Thailand Visa often referred to as the DTV and it made some serious waves when it was launched less than a year ago. Today I am going to do my best to give you everything you need to know about the destination Thailand visa as someone who is currently in Thailand on the destination Thailand visa having recently gone through the process of application myself. 

What is the DTV

The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a 5-year, multiple-entry visa designed for remote workers and freelancers employed or contracted to work by companies or individuals outside of Thailand. The visa is also often referred to as a digital nomad visa as it could be a great option for digital nomads to make a base in Thailand for the next 5 years. The visa is also aimed at people wishing to explore activities categorised as Thai soft power activities, such as training Muay Thai or studying the Thai language and perhaps even attending Thai cooking classes.

Why the DTV is a Great Visa option

The DTV made quite the impact when it was launched less than a year ago, but what exactly was all the buzz about?

• First of all it is really the first visa of its kind, Thailand didn’t have a digital nomad or remote worker visa before, so staying here and working online was a legal grey area. With Thailand being such a desirable location for digital nomad types a lot of people had been waiting a long time for a visa like this one. 
• Another pleasant surprise about the DTV was its length of validity, the DTV is valid for 5 years once approved.
  *Now, that doesn’t mean you can stay in Thailand for 5 years consecutively it is a little more complex than that. Each entry permits you a stay of 180 days (approximately 6 months) and you can extend each entry a further 180 days. So one entry + extension = 360 days.
  After those 360 days you must leave Thailand but can return and repeat that process for the 5 year validity of the visa. 
• The visa offers a great deal of flexibility being a multi entry visa, meaning you can come and go as you please without having to worry about reentry permits or you visa being cancelled upon exit. 
• The DTV is also family friendly as spouse and children under 20 can apply for a DTV as depends of you, meaning so long as you qualify for the DTV you family members should do too. 
• Affordability Finally the visa is relatively affordable given the price is set at approximately 10,000 Baht 

What are the Requirements of a Successful Application?

If you have watched the video this long then you are probably someone invested in the DTV and perhaps you fit the description of someone who this visa type has been designed for. So lets get into the finer details of requirements for a successful application. 

Lets break down the requirements into 3 groups because the requirements do vary slightly depending on who is applying for the visa. 

1. Remote workers & Digital nomads
2. Thai soft power related activities
3. Spouses & Children

1. Remote workers & Digital nomads

• Passport
• Photograph taken within the last six months
• Document indicating current location
• Financial evidence of 500,000 Thai Baht
• Proof of work 

2. Thai soft power relates activities

• Passport
• Photograph taken within the last six months
• Document indicating current location
• Financial evidence of at least 500,000 Thai Baht
• Proof of confirmation to attend activity or study

3. Spouse or Children 

• Passport
• Photograph taken within the last six months
• Document indicating current location
• Financial evidence of at least 500,000 Thai Baht / sponsorship letter
• Proof of relationship to DTV owner

Financial proof – At least 500,000 THB—that’s around $15,000 USD—in your bank account.  

You are going to need to prove that you have the means to support yourself for your stay in Thailand. You need to be able to prove that you have at least 500,000 Thai Baht in a bank account. Thats around 15,000 USD and 11,000 GBP. This is not a fee you pay you just need to provide evidence of these funds and that they are accessible to you. A bank statement should be acceptable.
If you plan on extending your visa then you will need to show proof of the same amount each time you extend. 

Document indicating current location – This would be an official document with your name and address printed on it, a driving license or a utility bill would be accepted. 

Proof of work – Remote workers will need to show proof of their work a contract or letter from your employer outside Thailand, or proof of work or freelancing should be adequate. 

You maybe required to submit extra documentation, after my initial application I was asked for an updated contract from my employer (since my contract was a year older when I started my current work) and I was asked for a letter outlining my job role from my employer. Portfolio of work 

How to Apply

You can apply for the DTV visa via Thailands E visa website here:
https://www.thaievisa.go.th/
Simply upload all of your documents and pay the processing fee then wait for approval that should come after a couple of weeks. A copy of the E-visa will be emailed to you and you can print it out and take it with you when you travel to Thailand, it really is that simple.