The DTV has a simple headline fee: a base application fee of 10,000 THB. What you actually pay depends on the embassy you apply through, whether you extend your stays, and the extras around the application: documents, translations, travel and any professional help. This guide sets out each cost, what is fixed, what varies, and what is not a fee at all.
The Official Application Fee
DTV Visa Application Fee
The application 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 fee 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 often charged in local currency. The base fee is 10,000 THB, but many embassies and consulates charge a set amount in their own currency, and that amount may not match a market conversion. Check the fee with the specific mission you apply through.
Local-currency fees are set by individual missions 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
Official Thai government guidance on the DTV confirms that you can apply at the Immigration Bureau for one extension of stay of up to 180 days per entry, with a fee of 1,900 THB. The extension is not guaranteed: approval is subject to Immigration, and the fee is paid when you apply.
The extension is not automatic. You apply at an immigration office in Thailand before your initial 180-day permission expires. Apply before your current permitted stay expires and allow enough time for Immigration to process the application. Full process details, including what to bring, are at DTV Extension: How to Extend Your 180-Day Stay.
Is the THB 500,000 Requirement a DTV Visa Fee?
No. The THB 500,000 figure is a financial-evidence requirement, not an application fee. You show that you have access to at least this amount, for example through bank statements, payslips or a sponsorship letter. The money is not paid to the Thai government and is not a charge for the visa.
What counts as acceptable evidence, and the extra documents some embassies ask for, varies by mission and by your circumstances. Our DTV requirements guide explains the financial evidence in full.
Other Costs to Budget For
Passport photos: 100–200 THB
Photos in the format your embassy specifies typically cost around 100–200 THB at a photo studio in Thailand. In your home country, expect USD 10–20 (US), £8–15 (UK). A photo studio familiar with visa photos is a safer choice than an automated booth.
Document translation
If any of your supporting documents are not in English or Thai, a certified translation is generally required. Translation is usually priced per document, and the cost varies widely by language pair and provider, so get quotes before you commit. Common documents needing translation: bank statements from non-English-speaking countries and employment contracts in a language other than English.
Visa agent or professional fees
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.
Professional fees vary substantially depending on the provider and the scope of the work, from a one-off document review to full application preparation. Ask for a written quote that sets out exactly what is included.
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
If you apply in person at a Thai embassy outside your current location, factor in travel and accommodation for the time the mission takes to process your application. The figures below are rough estimates from Bangkok and will vary with season, booking time and how long you stay.
- 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.
Example Cost Scenarios
Example: First Application, Applying in Person in Vientiane
Assumptions: one applicant, documents already in English, no professional help, and the 10,000 THB base fee. This is an illustration, not a quote. Over the five-year validity of the visa, the base application fee works out at about 167 THB per month (10,000 THB over 60 months). If you also used the one extension on each of five yearly entries, extension fees would add 9,500 THB (5 × 1,900 THB), bringing total visa fees to 19,500 THB, or about 325 THB per month. Each extension is subject to Immigration approval.
How the DTV Compares to Alternative Thai Visas
| Visa | Upfront cost | Approx. monthly cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTV Visa | 10,000 THB base fee | ~167–325 THB/month (application fee alone, or with one 1,900 THB extension a year for five years) | 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. The DTV application fee is non-refundable, whatever the outcome of your application. Make sure your documents meet your mission's requirements before you pay.
No. The application fee covers the visa for its five-year validity, with no annual maintenance payment. If you extend a stay beyond 180 days, the extension fee of 1,900 THB applies each time you extend, subject to Immigration approval.
Yes. A spouse or child under 20 applies for their own DTV in the dependant category and pays their own application fee. The official guidance we reviewed does not mention a reduced family fee. Dependant eligibility is covered in our requirements guide.
Many Thai embassies charge a set local-currency fee rather than converting 10,000 THB at the market rate. The fee in your country may differ from the market equivalent of 10,000 THB. Always check the current fee on your specific embassy’s website before applying.
No. It is financial evidence that you can support yourself, not money paid to the Thai government. See the requirements guide for what evidence is accepted.
1,900 THB. This is the Immigration Bureau fee for the one extension of stay of up to 180 days allowed per entry. Approval is subject to Immigration, so apply before your current permission to stay expires.
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