DTV visa Thailand: requirements

The DTV visa (Destination Thailand Visa) is a 5-year visa for remote workers and soft power activities. Requirement: 500,000 baht; the fee is 350 euros.

Last checked: 11 October 2026

In short (as of 11 October 2026)
The DTV is a 5-year, multiple entry visa for remote workers for foreign employers or clients, participants in Thai "soft power" activities (such as Muay Thai, cooking classes or medical treatment), and their spouse and children under 20.
You show at least 500,000 baht (or the equivalent) with bank statements of the last 3 months, or with a sponsor letter.
The Hague and Brussels charge 350 euros (since 15 July 2024).
Since 31 August 2026 (00.00 Thai time) two documents are new: proof of permanent residence in the country where you apply and a certificate that you have no criminal record. For the Dutch criminal record certificate: no more than 3 months old and legalised by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thai embassy in The Hague.
You can only apply online via thaievisa.go.th and only while you are in the country of the embassy. Applying from Thailand is not possible.

This guide is for Dutch and Belgian nationals who want to stay in Thailand longer and work online for foreign employers or clients, or take part in a recognised activity there. The general Thai rules in this guide apply to all nationalities; the parts about embassies and documents are written for Dutch and Belgian passport holders, so if you hold another passport, check the requirements of the Thai embassy or consulate that serves you.

DTV visa Thailand: who it is for

The Thai e-Visa portal and the document list of the embassy in The Hague (31 August 2026) have three categories:

DTV1, workcation: digital nomads, remote workers, "foreign talent" and freelancers.
DTV2, Thai soft power activities: for example Muay Thai, Thai cooking courses and medical treatment. For the extension, Immigration Division 1 (Bangkok) also mentions martial arts, sport and training, seminars, and art and music performances.
DTV3, family members: the spouse and children under 20 of a DTV holder.

Working in Thailand. According to the embassy in The Hague (general information, 1 September 2026), nobody may work in Thailand without a work permit, whatever visa they hold. The Thai embassy in Budapest writes (11 February 2026) that DTV holders may not obtain a Thai work permit and may not work for companies in Thailand or as a freelancer for Thai clients.

What the visa gives you

Validity: 5 years, multiple entries (e-Visa portal and The Hague).
Stay per entry: up to 180 days.
Extension: once per entry, up to 180 days, at the Immigration Bureau. After 180 plus 180 days you leave the country, and you can enter again on the same DTV as long as the visa is valid.

The 180 days per entry and the single extension of up to 180 days appear in the DTV information of July 2024 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Hague). The Brussels leaflet (June 2025) states 180 days per entry, "extendable once", and the Thai embassy in Budapest (11 February 2026) states 180 days per entry. The list of 31 August 2026 does not mention a length of stay. Immigration Division 1 does have its own DTV extension procedure. The date the immigration officer stamps on entry is what counts; if in doubt, ask the immigration office.

The requirements

Financial proof

The Hague and the e-Visa portal: bank statements of the last 3 months, from one or more banks, with a minimum balance of 500,000 baht or the equivalent; or one or more sponsor letters.
Brussels (leaflet June 2025): an official bank statement showing at least 15,000 euros, no more than 30 days old. According to Brussels, a sponsor letter is only allowed for children under 18.

What is stricter since 31 August 2026

According to the announcement of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (as of 26 August 2026, published 28 August 2026):

Replaced: "document indicating current location" (proof of your current place of stay) becomes "proof of permanent residence".
Added: "certificate of criminal record clearance" (a certificate that you have no criminal record).
Effective: 31 August 2026 at 00.00 Thai time. Applications submitted earlier fall under the old requirements.

The portal and the list of The Hague put it like this: "Proof of permanent residence in the country where the application is submitted" and "Certificate of criminal record clearance from the country of nationality or the country where the application is submitted". Both apply to all three categories, so also to spouses and children.

The Netherlands: which criminal record certificate

The Hague states for every DTV category: the Dutch certificate is no more than 3 months old and legalised by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MinBuZa) and the Thai embassy. The embassy does not name a document. According to the Dutch government, when you apply for a VOG (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, the Dutch certificate of conduct) for a visa application, you fill in the official name of the country that asks for it, and a VOG issued digitally cannot be legalised: request it on paper. Ask the embassy in advance whether it accepts the VOG. The Hague also does not describe what counts as "proof of permanent residence"; for the DTV, The Hague mentions the legalisation requirement only for the criminal record certificate.

Belgium: pages not updated as of 11 October 2026

As of 11 October 2026, the DTV leaflet (June 2025) and the application page of the embassy in Brussels (updated 25 September 2025) still mention the old proof of place of stay and no criminal record certificate. The portal and the Thai ministry say that the new documents apply from 31 August 2026. Follow the portal and ask the embassy in Brussels in advance which Belgian document and which legalisation it expects.

Where and when to apply

Online only via thaievisa.go.th.
The Hague: only for residents of the Netherlands who are in the Netherlands during the whole procedure: "your visa application will be rejected if you are outside of the Netherlands".
Brussels: applications from outside Belgium or Luxembourg, and pending applications of people who are in Thailand, are rejected automatically.
Neighbouring countries: since 31 August 2026 the Thai embassy in Vientiane (Laos) accepts DTV applications only from Lao nationals or permanent residents of Laos.
Processing time, The Hague: 5 to 10 working days after a complete application. Applications more than 90 days before the planned arrival are rejected.
Processing time, Brussels: the pages mention 10 days, about 4 weeks, or in high season 2 to 4 or 4 to 5 weeks.

Step by step

Choose the category (DTV1, DTV2 or DTV3) and stay in the Netherlands or Belgium during the whole application.
Request the criminal record certificate (the Netherlands: VOG on paper, no more than 3 months old when you submit).
Have it legalised, first by the Consular Service Centre (Consulair Dienstencentrum, CDC) of MinBuZa, then by the Thai embassy in The Hague (at least 2 to 3 working days). The CDC notes that a document sometimes needs another legalisation first; check this in advance.
Collect the other documents (see the checklist).
Submit the application via thaievisa.go.th to the embassy of your country of residence and pay 350 euros. Visa fees are not refunded.
Travel within the validity and fill in the TDAC beforehand.
Extend in Thailand (optional): at the immigration office before your stay ends.

Document checklist for the application

According to The Hague and the e-Visa portal:

Passport page with personal details
Passport photo, no more than 6 months old
Proof of permanent residence in the country where you apply
Bank statements of the last 3 months with at least 500,000 baht or the equivalent, or sponsor letter(s)
Criminal record certificate from the country of nationality or of application (the Netherlands: no more than 3 months old, legalised)
DTV1: employment contract or employer's statement from your country, or a portfolio as a digital nomad, remote worker, foreign talent or freelancer
DTV2: confirmation of participation in the activity, or an appointment letter from a hospital or medical centre
DTV3: the DTV of the main applicant and proof of the relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate or proof of adoption)

According to the portal, each embassy can add its own requirements.

Document checklist for an extension

Immigration Division 1 (Bangkok):

Form TM.7
Copy of your passport (personal details, visa, entry stamp) and one passport photo of 4 x 6 cm or 2 inches
At least 500,000 baht in a Thai and/or verifiable foreign account, together for no less than 30 days before the application date, or a guarantee letter from an employer or guarantor of at least 500,000 baht
DTV1: proof of work, such as a current contract for work abroad; DTV2: proof of the activity plus photos of your participation; DTV3: proof of the relationship
Proof of accommodation in Thailand (rent or payment for a hotel, apartment or house)
Copy of the previous 90-day report (TM.47) and of the address notification (TM.30)

Costs

Euro amounts next to baht amounts are an indication (ECB reference rate 9 October 2026: 1 euro = 37.574 baht).

DTV, embassy The Hague or Brussels           350 euros
(Thai fee according to MFA, 2024      10,000 baht, about 266 euros)
VOG on paper (the Netherlands)             41.35 euros
Legalisation CDC (MinBuZa)                    10 euros per document
Legalisation Thai embassy The Hague           15 euros per legalisation
Extension of stay in Thailand              1,900 baht  (about 51 euros)

Balance to show (no cost):               500,000 baht  (about 13,307 euros)
Brussels (leaflet June 2025):             15,000 euros

When the DTV was introduced in 2024, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned a fee of 10,000 baht. The 1,900 baht is the Immigration Bureau's general fee for an extension of stay; its fee list does not mention the DTV separately. If you use the CDC by post, you also pay for the registered return mail.

Common mistakes

Applying from Thailand or a neighbouring country. The Hague and Brussels reject applicants who are not in the Netherlands or Belgium; since 31 August 2026 Vientiane accepts only Lao nationals and permanent residents of Laos.

An old or unlegalised criminal record certificate, or a digital VOG. Allow time for the legalisation.

Where the sources contradict each other

Brussels versus the portal: Brussels asks (June 2025) for one statement of 15,000 euros, no more than 30 days old, and allows sponsor letters only for children under 18; the portal asks for 3 months of statements with 500,000 baht and allows sponsor letters. The Brussels pages also do not yet mention a criminal record certificate.
Length of stay: 180 days per entry appears in documents from July 2024 up to and including February 2026; the extension of up to 180 days only in the documents of July 2024. The list of 31 August 2026 does not mention a length of stay.

What has changed

15 July 2024: the DTV is introduced; The Hague and Brussels charge 350 euros.
28 August 2026: the ministry announces new DTV documents (as of 26 August 2026).
30 August 2026, 00.00 to 31 August 2026, 00.00 (Thai time): e-Visa system out of service.
31 August 2026, 00.00: new documents mandatory; The Hague publishes the updated list (category page updated 22 September 2026).

Frequently asked questions

How much money do you need for a DTV visa?

At least 500,000 baht or the equivalent, shown with bank statements of the last 3 months or a sponsor letter. The Brussels leaflet of June 2025 mentions a statement of 15,000 euros.

How much does the DTV visa cost?

350 euros at the embassy in The Hague or Brussels. If you use a Dutch VOG, also count on 41.35 euros for the VOG and 25 euros for two legalisations (CDC and Thai embassy).

How long can you stay in Thailand on a DTV?

Up to 180 days per entry, according to official documents from July 2024 up to and including February 2026. The documents of July 2024 mention one extension of up to 180 days. The visa is valid for 5 years.

Do I need a criminal record certificate (VOG) for the DTV?

Since 31 August 2026 a criminal record certificate is mandatory. The Hague does not name a document; the Dutch government names the VOG on paper for visa applications abroad. Ask the embassy which document it accepts.

Can I apply for a DTV in Thailand?

No. The Hague and Brussels reject applications from people who are not in the Netherlands or Belgium, and since 31 August 2026 Vientiane accepts only Lao nationals and permanent residents of Laos.

Can I work for Thai clients on a DTV?

No. According to the embassy in The Hague, you may not work on any visa without a work permit, and the embassy in Budapest explicitly says that work for Thai companies or clients is prohibited for DTV holders.

Sources

All sources opened on 11 October 2026.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Thai visa rules can change and are sometimes applied differently from one office to another. Check the current requirements with the Thai embassy or the immigration office before you apply or travel.

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DTV visa Thailand: requirements, costs and the rules since 31 August 2026