DTV Visa : Costs & Process
Costs for DTV Visa
The cost of applying for a DTV visa varies based on individual circumstances and the preparedness of supporting documents.
The DTV visa is among Thailand’s most affordable long-term visa options, especially compared to other categories like marriage, retirement, business, or education visas.
Document-related expenses
Expenses related to documentation for the DTV visa application depend on the category of travel purpose, as follows:
Applying for a visa under the workcation or spouse/child category
– Applicants in these two categories can prepare their documents by themselves without any additional costs.
Applying under the Thai soft power activities category
– Applicants participating in activities such as Muay Thai training, cooking classes, or medical treatments may incur document preparation costs, such as:
Muay Thai gym: Enrollment fees for Muay Thai training to obtain a certification letter
Cooking school: Course fees or program fees that include document issuance
Hospital/clinic: Fees for medical history reports or medical certificates
Important note:
All certification documents must be issued by institutions accredited by the Thai government to be eligible for submission to embassies or consulates.
Purpose of the DTV visa
The Thai government’s primary objective in issuing the DTV visa is to stimulate the country’s economy by attracting high-income foreigners who are willing to spend long-term in Thailand.
Embassy’s considerations for visa approval
High expenses and long-term commitment
Applicants who demonstrate significant and continuous spending in approved institutions or activities (such as enrolling in long-term courses, participating in medical programs, or making high-value investments) are more likely to receive visa approval.
Low expenses and short-term commitment
Applicants intending to participate in low-cost or short-duration activities may be considered for other visa types instead. The embassy may also scrutinize their intent and reject the visa if concerns arise, such as:
– Using the DTV visa to work illegally in Thailand
– A high likelihood of financial crime involvement
* Japanese participant who registered for the seminar hoping to obtain a 5-year DTV visa
but instead received a different type of visa.
Recommendations to Increase the Chances of Visa Approval
DTV applicants should demonstrate a long-term commitment to Soft Power activities and register with reputable organizations accredited to issue acceptance letters for the DTV visa.
FITFAC offers a private Muay Thai training package consisting of 45 sessions within a 9-month period for 35,990 THB. This package also grants unlimited access to group training sessions throughout the 9-month duration. We have successfully issued certification letters for DTV visa applications for over 160 applicants.
For free consultations on DTV Visa, feel free to reach out to us at visa@fitfacmuaythai.com or click here.
Visa Fee
The visa application fee varies by embassy, with most embassies charging between 10,000 to 15,000 THB. However, the Thai embassy in New Zealand has a significantly higher fee of 40,000 THB.
If your visa application is rejected, the embassy will not refund this fee.
Agency Fee
Hiring a visa agency to assist with DTV visa document preparation comes with a wide range of costs. Services such as document review start at 8,000 THB per session, while full assistance, including escorting applicants to apply at a Thai embassy abroad, can go up to 120,000 THB. Many agencies do not guarantee approval or offer refunds if an application is rejected.
Additionally, some agencies may forge your documents or violate regulations set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to increase your chances of obtaining a visa—often without your knowledge.
If immigration officers detect forged documents and launch an investigation (and they are highly skilled in identifying falsified documents), you will be immediately charged with document forgery. This offense carries a penalty of up to three years in prison in Thailand.
See reports on visa document forgery cases here
* The Thai embassy in China has warned visa applicants that if they apply through a third party and that person falsifies documents, the applicant themselves will be held responsible for the consequences.
FITFAC Muay Thai is the number one Muay Thai school in Thailand, with over 11 branches across Bangkok and more than 10 years of experience. We are accredited by both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports— the only two ministries that can certify an institution for issuing DTV visa documents.
FITFAC carefully selects its students and does not issue DTV visa documentation for travelers from high-risk countries, including China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and African nations. This policy is in place due to the high risk of individuals from these regions misusing the DTV visa for illegal activities or unauthorized work in Thailand. If such misuse becomes widespread, our authorization to issue DTV visa documents could be revoked, putting all applicants who obtained their visas through us at risk of visa cancellation.
For those who contact us solely for visa documents without genuine interest in Muay Thai training, FITFAC strictly does not issue cheap visa documents. We are a reputable Muay Thai gym, not an illegal visa factory. The Thai government has been cracking down on such operations consistently.
If you are looking for the cheapest way to obtain a DTV visa, we recommend seeking services elsewhere. However, be aware that places offering cheap document issuance often attract individuals seeking to work illegally in Thailand. If authorities raid these locations, all associated visas, including yours, could be revoked at any time.
For clients who need assistance with reviewing and preparing their DTV visa application documents, FITFAC has experienced staff who have handled over 160 cases. Our team understands the expectations of embassy officers and the required documentation thoroughly. We charge a review fee of 4,990 THB, and if your visa application is denied, we will refund the full amount within three business days.
If your DTV visa application is approved, we will also gift you a pair of Tuffs Muay Thai shorts, which are normally sold abroad for 2,500 THB.
DTV Visa Process
Step 1: Filling out the application form
Since you cannot apply for DTV visa in Thailand, you must remain in the country where you submit your application until the embassy approves your visa request. The application must be submitted exclusively through thaievisa.go.th.
Some countries have multiple Thai embassies or consulates. Applicants must select the office responsible for their current place of residence at the time of application.
If you submit your visa application to an office that is not responsible for your current area of residence, your visa request will be immediately rejected.
* List of Thai embassies in Vietnam specifying the jurisdiction of each office.
Even a single character mistake in your personal information can result in the embassy rejecting your visa application without refunding the application fee.
Common errors include:
– Forgetting to add spaces in names that contain spaces
– Entering the wrong birthdate
– Confusing the letter “O” (Oscar) with the number “0” (zero)
Additionally, ensure that you provide a correct and active email address with enough storage. The embassy will send your approved visa via email and may also request additional documents through this email.
For document submission, make sure to upload the correct document types as specified on the official website. All documents should be in PDF format and must not exceed 3MB in size.
If your documents are incomplete, the embassy may request additional documents, which will prolong the visa processing time.
If you are unsure about filling out the application or preparing the required documents, we offer a consultation and document screening service for DTV visa applications for 4,990 THB. Payment can be made via PayPal, and we guarantee a 100% refund if your visa application is denied.
For inquiries about the process, contact us at visa@fitfacmuaythai.com or click here.
Step 2: Submit and pay the visa fee
Once you have completed the application form and uploaded all required documents, the next step is to pay the visa fee to the embassy. You can make the payment using a credit card through the official website thaievisa.go.th
* Credit Card Payment Form
However, some countries still do not support online credit card payments. In such cases, applicants must visit the embassy in person to make the payment. For example, the Thai embassy in Vientiane, Laos only accepts payments in Thai baht.
Step 3: Wait for approval
After making the payment, while your visa application is under review, you must remain in the country where you applied. You are strictly prohibited from traveling to another country, as the embassy may request additional supporting documents or even call you in for an in-person interview.
* Email from the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris requesting the applicant to provide proof of their current address once again, as well as informing them that the visa will not be issued if the applicant has already left the country.
Most embassies take 7-14 business days to process visa applications. Therefore, it is advisable to submit your application at least one month before your planned entry into Thailand. For example, if you plan to enter Thailand on October 15, 2025, you should submit your application by September 15, 2025.
Step 4: Entering Thailand with a DTV Visa
If your visa application is approved, the embassy will send your E-visa to your registered email. You must print at least 2-3 copies of your E-visa to present to the airline and Thai immigration officers upon arrival.
In addition, before entering Thailand, you must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. You can register at: https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home
When you arrive in Thailand, immigration officers will stamp your passport, indicating the period you are allowed to stay. A single entry stamp allows a maximum stay of 180 days. For example, if you enter Thailand on September 12, 2024, your permitted stay will be until March 10, 2025.
90 Days Reporting and 180 Days Extension
90 days reporting (TM.47)
If you stay in Thailand for more than 90 days, you must report your stay every 90 days. For the first report, you must visit the Immigration Office in person. After that, you can complete the reporting process online (read more here).
A crucial document required for the first 90-day report is TM30, which must be filed by the owner of your residence to notify immigration of a foreign national’s stay. If you attempt to complete the 90-day report without a TM30, you may face a fine ranging from 700 to 2,000 THB.
180 days extension
The DTV visa is valid for five years, but you can stay in Thailand for a maximum of 180 days per entry.
Once you have stayed in Thailand for 180 days, you have two options to extend your stay:
1. Leaving and re-entering Thailand
By exiting and re-entering the country, immigration officers will grant you another 180-day stay automatically. This method does not require any additional fees.
However, upon each re-entry, Thai immigration officers may request supporting documents, such as:
– Financial proof: You must have at least 500,000 THB in your account for each re-entry. This financial proof should be an official and easily verifiable document, such as a Thai bank account statement. (FITFAC provides assistance in opening a Thai bank account for students enrolled in our Muay Thai programs, click here for details).
– Muay Thai training plan: Proof of training, such as a gym membership card or photos of you attending training sessions. (FITFAC has a mobile app that allows you to show Thai immigration officers your training records as proof of regular attendance.)
– Proof of residence in Thailand that aligns with your Muay Thai training location
2. Extending your stay at the immigration office
You can apply for a 180-day extension at the Thai Immigration Office for a fee of 1,900 THB (read more here).
Required documents include:
– Financial proof
– Proof of overseas employment, such as a work contract valid for the duration of your stay in Thailand
– Proof of muay thai training, such as a membership certificate from a Muay Thai gym
– Proof of residence in Thailand, such as a rental agreement and a TM30 form
* Documents from the Immigration Bureau specifying the required documents for DTV visa extension
For DTV visa extensions for those who wish to stay in Thailand for more than 180 days, FITFAC recommends preparing financial proof and Muay Thai training membership documents thoroughly before re-entering Thailand each time.
Even though you hold a five-year visa, the final decision on your entry into Thailand is at the discretion of the immigration officer.
Immigration officers will screen individuals who may intend to work in Thailand illegally. They will assess this based on:
1. Financial proof. If you have a low bank balance, your chances of being denied entry into Thailand are high.
2. Your living plan in Thailand. If you do not have a stable residence or a clear plan, such as not knowing whether your Muay Thai gym is near your accommodation, you may also be denied entry.
FITFAC offers consultation services and assistance in opening a Thai bank account for customers applying for a DTV visa through Muay Thai training at FITFAC. If you are interested, you can contact us at visa@fitfacmuaythai.com
For More Information
Contact Our Office
Located at DTV VISA Thailand office, next to BTS Saint Louis, B1 Floor, Ascott Sathorn Hotel
Operating Hours
Monday – Thursday: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
We recommend making an appointment before visiting our office at visa@fitfacmuaythai.com
