Cost of Living
First Month in Bangkok: Real Budget for New Expats
4 min read
Visa type
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
A long-stay visa aimed at remote workers, participants in specified activities, and accompanying family.
· checked against official sources below
Who this is for
Remote workers, participants in Thai Muay Thai / medical / cultural programmes that the DTV rules list, and eligible dependants.
Overview
The Destination Thailand Visa is a multiple-entry visa with a validity measured in years rather than weeks. Periods of stay per entry and financial thresholds are set in the current notification — they are not the same as a tourist TR. Remote work for an overseas employer is the headline use case; employment with a Thai company still requires Non-B and a work permit. Financial evidence (bank balances or income proof) and activity documentation (Muay Thai enrolment, medical treatment plan, etc.) must match the category you claim — officers reject mismatched files.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DTV application (indicative) | 10,000 THB | Confirm the fee at the embassy or e-visa channel you use |
How to do it
- 1
Read the current DTV notification
Eligible activities, bank balances, and stay length have been updated since launch. Use MFA and Immigration notices, not secondary blogs. - 2
Apply through the designated channel
Some applicants use Thai e-visa; others must appear at an embassy. Dependants file linked applications. - 3
Track stay per entry
Each entry receives a stamp with a permitted stay. Use the expiry calculator with the actual stamp date — do not assume the full visa validity applies to every visit.
Documents
- Passport with blank pages and six months’ validity (typical)
- Bank statements or income proof meeting the current DTV threshold
- Activity evidence (programme letter, course enrolment, or treatment plan as applicable)
- Health insurance if the current notification requires it
What changed
DTV stay length and financial tests are in the current notification — not the same as a tourist TR. Work for a Thai employer is a different path.
Interactive tools
Visa Expiry Calculator
Enter your entry date and permitted stay to see your visa expiry date and days remaining.
Stamp dates, visa conditions, and extension approvals vary. Always check your passport stamp, 90-day reporting obligations, and official immigration records.
Save these dates in your stay record
