DTV rules from 31 August 2026
From 31 August 2026 every DTV application needs two more documents: proof of permanent residence in the country where you apply, and a certificate of criminal-record clearance from your country of nationality or permanent residence. Thai embassies announced the change on 28 August 2026; applications filed and paid before 31 August are assessed under the old list. Everything else — passport, photo, 500,000 THB, proof of purpose — is unchanged.
On this page · 4 sections
What changed, line by line
| Requirement | Before 31 Aug 2026 | From 31 Aug 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Where you can apply | Any Thai embassy that accepted you; many asked for a residence permit or proof of being there | Only in a country where you are a national or a permanent resident — proof of permanent residence required |
| Proof of location | A document showing your current location (lease, utility bill, entry stamp) | Replaced by proof of permanent residence |
| Criminal record | Not on the list | Certificate of criminal-record clearance from your country of nationality or permanent residence (London: issued within 6 months; Los Angeles: FBI certificate within 3 months) |
| Passport, photo, 500,000 THB, purpose | Required | Unchanged |
| Fee, validity, 180 days per entry | 10,000 THB equivalent · 5 years · 180 days | Unchanged |
The announcements (Moscow and Osaka, both dated 28 August 2026) say the change took effect at 00:00 Thailand time on 31 August 2026 and that applications submitted through the e-Visa system before that are processed under the previous requirements.
Sources
- thaievisa.go.th — DTV visa — the e-Visa portal
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — DTV checklist (PDF)
- Royal Thai Embassy Moscow — announcement of 28 Aug 2026 — the 31 Aug 2026 documents
- Royal Thai Embassy London — DTV
- Royal Thai Consulate-General Osaka — announcement of 28 Aug 2026
- Royal Thai Consulate-General Los Angeles — DTV — FBI certificate within 3 months
What it means if you apply through Muay Thai
- Apply from your home country, or from a country where you hold permanent residence — a tourist, work or student visa there is no longer enough.
- Order the police certificate first: it takes days to weeks depending on the country, London wants it no older than 6 months and Los Angeles no older than 3.
- Documents issued outside the country where you apply (and outside Thailand) need a certified English translation notarised by an embassy or a Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The rest is as before: our 9-month enrolment letter is your proof of purpose, and the 500,000 THB rule with 3 months of statements still applies.
Already filed before 31 August?
Applications submitted and paid in the e-Visa system before 31 August 2026 continue under the previous document list — the announcements say so explicitly. A request for more documents on such an application does not add the new ones.
The police certificate by country
| Where you apply | Certificate | Age limit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (London) | Police clearance certificate | 6 months | london.thaiembassy.org |
| United States (Los Angeles consulate) | FBI criminal certificate | 3 months | thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org |
| Japan (Osaka consulate) | Certificate of criminal record from the country of nationality or permanent residence | Not stated | osaka.thaiembassy.org |
| Elsewhere | Certificate of criminal-record clearance from your country of nationality or permanent residence | Check the embassy page | Moscow announcement, 28 Aug 2026 |
We update this table as embassies publish their own wording; the row for the embassy you use is the one that counts. Not sure which embassy that is? Ask us — it is part of the free check.
31 August 2026 — frequently asked questions
Does the new rule apply to spouse and children applications too?
The announcements speak of DTV applications without exception, so plan for both documents for every applicant. Ask the embassy whether a minor needs a police certificate before you order one.
I live in a third country on a work visa — can I still apply there?
Only if you hold permanent residence there. A work or student visa is not permanent residence under the new wording; London, for example, asks for proof of permanent residence in the UK, Ireland or the British Overseas Territories.
Does the certificate need to be translated?
If it is not in English or Thai, yes — a certified translation notarised by an embassy or a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the Los Angeles and London pages require for any document issued outside their country and Thailand.
Did the 500,000 THB or the 180 days change?
No. Validity (5 years), 180 days per entry, the 500,000 THB rule, the fee and the three categories are unchanged.