The DTV Visa has a simple headline fee: 10,000 THB to apply. But when you factor in extensions, the cost of applying from abroad, document preparation, and any agent fees, the total picture is higher than the sticker price. This guide gives you the honest, complete cost breakdown, so there are no surprises after you have submitted your application.
The Official Application Fee
DTV Visa Application Fee
The 10,000 THB fee is paid either through the Thai e-Visa portal at the point of online application submission, or to the cashier at the Thai embassy when you apply in person. It covers the cost of reviewing your application and issuing the visa.
Two things matter most about this fee:
- It is non-refundable. Whether your application is approved or rejected, the 10,000 THB is not returned. This is standard practice for most visa programmes globally, but it is the most important thing to understand about the DTV cost structure. Make sure your documentation meets the requirements before you pay.
- It is the same everywhere. The fee is set by the Thai government and does not vary between application locations, online portal, Hanoi embassy, London consulate. Some individual embassies add a small administrative charge on top. Check the fee schedule on your specific embassy's website.
| Country / application route | Fixed fee charged |
|---|---|
| United States | ~USD 350 (fixed rate) |
| United Kingdom | ~GBP 300 (fixed rate) |
| Australia | ~AUD 600 (fixed rate) |
| Southeast Asia embassies / online portal | 10,000 THB or local equivalent |
Fixed local currency rates are set by individual embassies and can change. Always verify the current fee on the website of the specific embassy you plan to apply through before submitting.
The Extension Fee
180-Day Extension
If you want to extend your initial 180-day permitted stay for a further 180 days, which you can do once per entry, the extension costs 10,000 THB. This is paid in person at any Thai Immigration Bureau office. Most offices accept cash in Thai Baht. Some now also accept card payments; bring cash as a backup.
The extension is not automatic. You must attend the immigration office in person before your initial 180-day permission expires. Apply at least seven days before your permitted stay ends. Full process details, including which offices to use and what to bring, are at DTV Visa Extension: How to Stay 360 Days.
Other Costs to Budget For
Passport photos: 100–200 THB
Passport photos in the correct format (4×6 cm, white background, recent) cost 100–200 THB at a professional photo studio in Thailand. In your home country, expect USD 10–20 (US), £8–15 (UK). Use a professional photographer rather than an automated booth, Thai visa photo specifications are strict and booths frequently get the proportions wrong.
Document translation: 1,750–5,250 THB per document
If any of your supporting documents are not in English or Thai, certified translation is required. The cost varies significantly by language pair and provider. Budget 1,750–5,250 THB (USD 50–150) per document for certified translation. Common documents needing translation: bank statements from non-English-speaking countries and employment contracts in a language other than English.
Visa agent or service fees: 5,000–35,000 THB
You do not need a visa agent to apply for a DTV Visa. Most people complete it successfully on their own. However, some applicants choose to use a service, particularly if their financial documentation is complex or they have had a previous rejection.
- Document review only: 5,000–10,000 THB
- Full application preparation and submission: 15,000–25,000 THB
- Premium or complex cases: 25,000–35,000 THB and above
Be cautious of agents who guarantee approval. No agent can guarantee the Thai government will approve your visa. Avoid anyone making this claim.
Travel costs to apply abroad: 5,000–25,000 THB
If you apply in person at a Thai embassy outside your current location, factor in travel and accommodation during the 5–7 business day processing period.
- Vientiane (from Bangkok): ~5,000–12,000 THB total (bus or short flight + accommodation)
- Hanoi (from Bangkok): ~10,000–20,000 THB total (flight + accommodation for 1 week)
- Kuala Lumpur (from Bangkok): ~15,000–25,000 THB total (more expensive city)
Bank confirmation letter: usually free
Most banks provide this at no charge. Some charge a fee. Ask your bank before assuming it is complimentary, and ask specifically for a letter addressed to the Royal Thai Embassy to avoid needing a reissue.
What Does the DTV Visa Cost Per Month?
Year 1 Budget: One Entry with Extension (360 Days)
Spread over five years at one extension per annual entry cycle, the maximum use scenario, total visa fees come to approximately 60,000 THB (10,000 application + 5 × 10,000 extensions). That is roughly 1,000 THB per month averaged over the full five-year visa period.
How the DTV Compares to Alternative Thai Visas
| Visa | Upfront cost | Approx. monthly cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTV Visa (with annual extension) | 10,000 THB | ~1,000 THB/month | Remote workers, nomads, under-50s with qualifying activities |
| Thailand Elite Visa (5yr) | 900,000 THB | ~15,000 THB/month | Those who want zero admin and can afford it |
| Retirement Visa (O-A, annual) | ~2,000 THB/yr | ~170 THB/month | Retirees aged 50+ with 800k THB in Thai bank or 65k THB/mo income |
| LTR Visa | 50,000 THB | ~830 THB/month | High-income earners ($40k–$80k+/yr) or wealthy pensioners |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Once submitted and the fee paid, the 10,000 THB is non-refundable regardless of the outcome or whether you withdraw your application. This applies to both the online portal and embassy applications.
No. The 10,000 THB application fee purchases five years of visa validity with no annual maintenance payment. The only ongoing cost is the 10,000 THB extension fee, which is payable each time you want to extend a specific stay beyond 180 days, not automatically each year.
Yes. Each dependent (spouse, child) applies for their own DTV Visa and pays their own 10,000 THB application fee. There is no family discount or dependent visa sub-category with a reduced fee. Each applicant is assessed and charged independently.
Thai embassies charge fixed local currency fees rather than converting 10,000 THB at the market rate. The fixed fee in your country may be significantly higher than the market equivalent of 10,000 THB. Always check the current fee on your specific embassy’s website before applying.
Not for the DTV Visa as of April 2026. The application fee is uniform across all eligible nationalities. Thai immigration does not operate a hardship waiver programme for visa fees.
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