Verified 10 September 2026
DTV vs LTR
The DTV is a five-year multiple-entry Thai visa allowing 180 days per entry, aimed at remote workers and at people enrolled in approved Thai cultural activities. It requires 500,000 THB in liquid savings and, since 31 August 2026, a criminal record certificate. Thailand's LTR is a ten-year residence track for high earners, pensioners and skilled professionals. Its health insurance floor is USD 50,000, materially lower than the retirement visa's, and a USD 100,000 deposit can be substituted for cover entirely.
| DTV | LTR | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | thailand | thailand |
| Stay per entry | 180 days | 5 years, renewable for a further 5 |
| Total validity | 5 years | 10 years |
| Government fee | ฿10,000 | ฿50,000 |
| Income required | None | None |
| Savings required | ฿500,000 — liquid funds in a personal account, shown on a 6-month statement and maintained through at least the final 3 months | None |
| Deposit required | None | $100,000 — optional — substitutes for the insurance requirement |
| Minimum age | None | None |
| Health insurance | Not required | Required — $50,000 |
| Processing time | Typically 2–6 weeks, varying widely by embassy | Around 20 working days after qualification endorsement |
| Apply from | Outside Thailand, at the Thai embassy or consulate covering your place of residence | Inside or outside Thailand, via the Board of Investment LTR portal |
Choose the DTV if
- Five years of validity from a single application, with unlimited re-entry.
- No income floor — savings alone qualify you, which suits people between contracts.
- Covers dependants (spouse and children under 20) on the same basis.
Choose the LTR if
- Ten years of certainty, against the DTV's five and the O-A's annual renewal.
- The insurance bar is half the O-A's, and can be replaced by a deposit.
- Comes with a digital work permit and reduced reporting obligations.
DTV last checked 10 September 2026; LTR last checked 10 September 2026. Sources are listed on each visa page.