Schedule a free 15 minute Visa meeting →
Every financial question you always wanted to find out about the Destination Thailand Visa, but were worried to ask.
Contact us about your Thai Visa.
(We speak English).
Disclaimer: DTV Visa requirements can change and vary by embassy. Always verify the latest requirements directly with the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate where you intend to apply. This FAQ is for general guidance only and is not legal advice.
The core financial requirement for the Thailand Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is proof of at least 500,000 THB (approximately USD 14,000 to 16,000 or EUR 13,000 to 15,000, depending on the exchange rate at the time of your application) held in a personal bank account. This figure applies to the primary applicant.
Dependents — including a spouse and children under 20 — are also each required to demonstrate 500,000 THB individually, unless a joint account or sponsorship arrangement is accepted by the specific embassy.
The funds must be liquid, meaning they must be accessible cash sitting in a bank account, not tied up in assets, property, or investments. This is a baseline requirement set by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, though individual Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates can apply their own additional scrutiny.
Always check the specific requirement published on the website of the embassy through which you intend to apply, as the figure, documentation format, and seasoning period can vary.
You do not need to hold Thai Baht specifically. The 500,000 THB requirement is a threshold, not a currency instruction. Your funds can be held in any major currency — USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, SGD, and others are all broadly accepted — as long as the equivalent value meets or exceeds 500,000 THB on the date of your bank statement.
The exchange rate applied is typically the prevailing rate on the date the statement is issued or the date of application. Some embassies specify the exact equivalent in their local currency on their requirements page. For example, the Thai Embassy in London lists approximately £11,000, while US consulates typically quote around $16,000 USD.
It is advisable to ensure your account balance comfortably exceeds the threshold to account for any day-to-day exchange rate fluctuations and to avoid a borderline rejection. If you are close to the limit, consider waiting until your balance is clearly above the required amount before requesting your statement.
Most Thai embassies require the 500,000 THB equivalent to have been maintained for a minimum of 3 months prior to your application. Some embassies — particularly those in Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia — may require up to 6 months of consistent balance history.
A few embassies in Western countries, particularly in Europe, have been known to accept a balance held for less than 3 months if the overall financial picture is strong, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
A key red flag is a sudden, large lump-sum deposit made shortly before requesting the statement, as this suggests the funds do not genuinely belong to the applicant. Embassies are aware of the practice of temporarily parking borrowed money in an account, and recent policy tightening means this tactic is increasingly likely to result in rejection or requests for supplementary documents.
The safest approach is to ensure the funds have been sitting in your account organically for at least 3 full calendar months before you apply.
Both savings accounts and current (checking) accounts are generally accepted by Thai embassies for proof of funds purposes. The critical requirement is that the account is a personal account held in your own name and that it contains liquid, immediately accessible funds.
Some embassies are more specific in their wording. The Thai Embassy in Cairo, for example, explicitly requires an "original stamped saving or current account bank statement." In most cases, either account type will be fine as long as the statement clearly shows your name, account number, the bank's name and contact details, the full transaction history for the required period, and the ending balance.
Business accounts, even if held solely in your own name, are typically not accepted. Similarly, accounts where you are a signatory but not the primary named account holder may also be questioned.
If you hold both a savings and a current account, you can generally choose whichever shows the strongest, most consistent balance.
This varies by embassy. Many embassies, particularly those in Western countries such as the UK, USA, and Australia, accept PDF bank statements downloaded from your online banking portal, provided they are clearly formatted, legible, and include all the required details.
However, a significant number of embassies — particularly those in Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe — require bank statements that are officially stamped and signed by a bank branch. The Thai Embassy in Cairo explicitly states that statements must be "original stamped" documents.
If you are applying at an embassy that requires a physically stamped statement, you will need to visit your bank branch in person to obtain a certified copy. If you are unsure, contact the embassy in advance or check their published requirements.
When in doubt, obtain an official stamped statement regardless, as it is universally accepted. A self-printed internet banking screenshot is almost never accepted and can lead to an immediate rejection.
The standard minimum is 3 months, but many embassies now ask for 3 to 6 months of statements, and some push for the full 6 months as a baseline. The trend since 2024 and 2025 has been for embassies to request longer statement histories as the DTV has grown in popularity and abuse cases have increased.
As a general rule, embassies in Western countries such as the USA, UK, and EU nations often accept 3 months. Embassies in Southeast and South Asia — including Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and India — frequently request 6 months. The 6-month requirement is also common when embassy staff see an irregular income pattern, a recent large deposit, or any other financial inconsistency.
The safest approach when preparing your application is to submit 6 months of statements even if the embassy only officially requires 3 months. Providing more evidence of financial stability than the minimum required can only strengthen your application and reduce the likelihood of follow-up requests.
Most embassies require your bank statement to have been issued within the last 7 to 30 days of your application submission date. Some embassies are stricter and require a statement dated within 7 days; others accept statements up to 30 days old.
Given that the processing time for a DTV application can be several weeks, it is advisable to obtain your bank statement as close to your submission date as possible. If your application is delayed and your statement becomes outdated, you may need to request a fresh one.
Importantly, the statement must show the ending balance at the time of printing, not just historical data. If your balance fluctuates and you are near the minimum threshold, it is worth timing the request to your bank for a period when you know your balance is comfortably above 500,000 THB.
Always check the specific embassy's published requirements for the exact age limit on accepted financial documentation, as this differs across missions.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) occupies a grey area and its acceptance varies significantly by embassy. Wise is not a traditional bank — it holds an e-money licence rather than a full banking licence in most jurisdictions — and some embassy staff are unfamiliar with it or treat it as unacceptable because of this distinction.
That said, many applicants have reported successfully using Wise statements to obtain a DTV, including at embassies in the UK, parts of Europe, and South and Southeast Asia. In practice, the outcome often depends on the individual embassy officer reviewing your file.
If Wise is your primary financial account, it is worth including a supplementary explanation of what Wise is and showing that the funds are readily accessible. Where possible, the safest strategy is to hold funds in a licensed traditional bank account, using Wise as a secondary document at most.
If Wise is all you have, consider opening a traditional bank account and transferring the funds there at least 3 months before applying. Acceptance is genuinely embassy-specific and can change without notice.
Revolut's acceptance for DTV proof of funds is also embassy-dependent, though it is generally considered slightly more credible than Wise because Revolut holds a full European banking licence and is regulated as a bank in multiple jurisdictions. Numerous applicants have reported approved DTV applications using Revolut statements, including in the UK and across Europe.
However, the same caveats apply. Some embassies may not recognise Revolut or may question whether it qualifies as a bank. In countries where Revolut holds a banking licence, this objection is weaker, but in regions where it operates only as an e-money institution, it may face pushback.
As with Wise, the prudent approach is to use a traditional bank account as your primary proof of funds and include your Revolut statement as a secondary document if needed.
If Revolut is your only option, research the specific track record of the embassy you are applying through before making a decision. Community forums and DTV-specific groups often have recent, location-specific experiences to guide you.
No — cryptocurrency is not accepted as proof of funds for the DTV Visa under the official requirements of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the vast majority of Royal Thai Embassies worldwide. The requirement is explicitly for liquid fiat currency held in a bank account.
Crypto holdings on exchanges such as Binance, Coinbase, or Kraken — regardless of their value — do not satisfy this requirement. A small number of community members have reported isolated cases where a US-based consulate appeared to accept a crypto portfolio as part of a broader financial package, but these are anecdotal exceptions and should not be relied upon.
The official position is clear: crypto is not accepted. If your wealth is primarily in cryptocurrency, you will need to convert a sufficient amount to fiat currency, transfer it to a traditional bank account, and allow it to season for the required 3 to 6 months before applying.
There is no workaround for this, and attempting to include crypto statements as primary evidence is one of the most cited reasons for DTV financial rejection.
The official position is that investment and brokerage accounts are not accepted — only liquid cash in a personal bank account qualifies. This includes stock portfolios, share accounts, ETF holdings, and trading accounts. The funds must be immediately withdrawable cash, not assets that need to be sold first.
However, a notable real-world exception exists. Some Thai consulates in the United States — particularly those in Washington DC and in some cases Los Angeles — have been reported to accept statements from major US brokerage accounts such as Charles Schwab or Fidelity, particularly where the account holds money market funds or significant cash balances. These are not official policy changes; they reflect individual consulate discretion.
Outside the United States, the chance of a brokerage statement being accepted is very low. The safest and most reliable path is to liquidate enough from your brokerage, place it in a standard savings or checking account, and allow it to sit there for the required seasoning period before applying.
Mutual funds, ETFs, and index fund accounts are not accepted as proof of funds for the DTV. These are classified as investment assets rather than liquid bank deposits. Even if the value of your fund holdings significantly exceeds 500,000 THB, the embassy requirement is specifically for money held in a personal bank account that is immediately accessible as cash.
The rationale is that investment assets carry market risk and cannot be guaranteed to retain their value at any given moment. Fixed deposit accounts present a similar issue — while they are bank accounts, the money is locked for a fixed term and not immediately accessible, which causes problems at some embassies.
If you hold substantial wealth in index funds or ETFs and need to meet the DTV financial requirement, the cleanest approach is to sell a portion, transfer the proceeds into a standard savings or current account, and maintain that balance for the required seasoning period before submitting your application.
Fixed deposit accounts — also known as term deposits or Certificates of Deposit (CDs) — are generally not recommended for the DTV financial requirement, and many embassies will reject them. The issue is liquidity: a fixed deposit locks your funds for a set period and is not immediately withdrawable without a penalty, which conflicts with the embassy's interpretation of liquid funds.
Some embassies may accept a fixed deposit statement if it is combined with a healthy savings or current account balance, but this is inconsistent across missions. If your fixed deposit is maturing soon and you intend to move the funds into a standard account, the safest approach is to complete that transition and wait for the required seasoning period before applying.
If the only evidence you can produce is a fixed deposit, contact the specific embassy in advance to clarify their stance before paying any fees. Relying solely on a fixed deposit as your proof of funds is a gamble that may well result in rejection or requests for additional documentation.
Retirement accounts such as 401(k)s, IRAs, SIPPs, and similar pension vehicles are not accepted as proof of funds for the DTV Visa. These accounts are designed for long-term holding, carry tax penalties for early withdrawal, and are not classified as liquid assets by Thai embassies.
Even if the account value is substantially above the 500,000 THB threshold, the inaccessibility of the funds without significant tax and penalty consequences means they do not meet the requirement for immediately available liquid cash.
If you are primarily relying on retirement savings, you would need to demonstrate that you have 500,000 THB equivalent in a separate, freely accessible personal bank account. Some retirees who receive regular pension income may find it easier to demonstrate regular pension payments credited to a current account over a 3 to 6 month period, which combined with a healthy current account balance can present a strong overall financial picture.
Always verify the exact requirements with your target embassy.
No — business bank accounts are explicitly excluded, even if the account is registered under your personal name. The DTV financial requirement calls for proof of personal, individual financial stability, not business liquidity. Thai embassies and official guidance explicitly state that business accounts are not accepted.
The logic is that business funds are not the personal property of the individual — they may be subject to business liabilities, creditors, or operating expenses — and therefore cannot be relied upon as evidence of personal financial resources.
If you are self-employed or a sole trader and your business and personal finances overlap, you should ensure that you have a clearly separate personal bank account with the required balance, and that this is the account you use as your proof of funds.
Providing a business account, even with a letter of explanation, is likely to result in a request for additional documentation or an outright rejection at most embassies.
Yes, a joint bank account can generally be used, provided the statement clearly shows both account holders' names and demonstrates that both parties have access to the funds. This is particularly relevant for married couples applying together as a primary DTV holder and a dependent spouse.
According to guidance from Siam Legal and the Thai Embassy FAQ, if both the main applicant and their spouse are applying and they share a joint account, the combined account can be used — but the total balance must meet both applicants' requirements, meaning at least 1,000,000 THB combined (500,000 THB per person).
The joint account must be clear, legible, and show both names prominently on the statement. Some embassies may additionally ask each person to sign a declaration that the funds are accessible to both.
Always ensure the statement clearly identifies both holders. If only one name appears, it may not be accepted as a joint account document for a second applicant.
A spouse or family member can act as a sponsor in certain circumstances, but the rules are narrow. Official guidance indicates that for the Workcation and Soft Power categories, the sponsor must transfer the required funds into the applicant's own bank account, along with documentation proving the source of those funds and a signed sponsorship letter.
The funds then need to be shown in the applicant's account — not merely in the sponsor's account. A family member such as a sibling, parent, or other relative cannot simply show their own bank balance and write a letter — they must actively transfer the money to the applicant and provide documentation showing the transfer.
Only a legal spouse can formally sponsor a dependent DTV application in the conventional visa sense. Family members outside of the spousal relationship cannot act as a dependent sponsor.
Requirements for sponsorship documentation vary by embassy and this is an area where professional visa assistance is strongly recommended.
Sponsorship letters from third parties are accepted by some embassies, particularly when the sponsor is a formal entity such as an employer or corporate backer. The official Thai government DTV checklist references "sponsorship letter" alongside bank statements as an acceptable form of financial evidence.
However, in practice, the standards for a third-party sponsorship letter are high. The sponsor must provide their own bank statements, proof of identity, a formal notarised letter committing to fund the applicant's stay, and in some cases proof of their relationship to the applicant. A casual letter from a friend with money in their account is unlikely to be accepted at stricter embassies.
The safest scenario is an employer-backed sponsorship with full corporate documentation. If a third party is going to transfer funds to cover the requirement, those funds should ideally be in the applicant's own account for the required seasoning period.
Sponsorship routes are generally higher risk and more document-intensive than having the funds in your own account.
Yes, a recent large lump-sum deposit is a significant red flag and is one of the most common triggers for additional scrutiny, requests for supplementary documentation, or outright rejection. Thai embassies are well aware of the practice of temporarily parking borrowed funds in an account purely to meet the financial requirement.
A sudden jump in account balance — particularly within the 1 to 3 months before application — will often prompt an embassy officer to ask for an explanation of the source of funds, additional months of statements, salary slips, tax returns, or evidence that the money genuinely belongs to you.
The closer the deposit is to your application date, and the more it represents a dramatic departure from your normal account balance, the more suspicious it will appear.
Ideally, your account should show a naturally consistent and stable balance above 500,000 THB for at least 3 months, with normal transaction activity. If you have recently received a windfall such as a property sale or inheritance, be prepared to document it thoroughly.
No — you are not required to continuously hold 500,000 THB in your bank account for the entire duration of your stay in Thailand. The financial requirement is primarily a snapshot requirement assessed at two specific points: at the time of your initial DTV application outside Thailand, and again if you apply for a 180-day in-country extension at a Thai Immigration office.
There is no mechanism for Thai Immigration to monitor your ongoing bank balance during your day-to-day stay. You are free to spend your money normally once you have arrived.
However, if you plan to extend your stay within Thailand, you should ensure your finances are in order well before you apply for that extension, as proof of funds will be required again at that point.
It is also worth maintaining a reasonable balance in case immigration officers ask general questions about your financial situation, though in practice this is uncommon for standard entries.
Yes. When you apply for a 180-day in-country extension at a Thai Immigration office, you will need to show proof of funds again. This means providing bank statements demonstrating that you still meet the 500,000 THB equivalent threshold.
The documentation requirements for an in-country extension mirror those for the original application: a recent bank statement showing sufficient liquid funds in a personal account. Some immigration offices may also request other documents at this stage, such as updated proof of employment or income.
Given that the extension is reviewed by Thai Immigration officers at the local level rather than by an overseas embassy, the exact approach can vary by province and office. Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Phuket are the most commonly used immigration offices for DTV extensions.
It is advisable to prepare your bank documentation carefully before visiting and to arrive with statements that are as recent as possible — ideally issued within the previous 7 to 30 days.
Typically no. When you exit Thailand and re-enter to start a new 180-day period, immigration officers at the border are not routinely requesting bank statements from DTV holders. The DTV is a multiple-entry visa and each re-entry simply starts a fresh 180-day stay period.
However, immigration officers do have the legal authority to ask about your financial means at any entry point, and if there are concerns about your stay — such as an unusually frequent pattern of re-entries — they may ask you to show evidence that you can support yourself.
Carrying a printed copy of your bank statement when crossing borders is always a sensible precaution, even if it is rarely requested.
The more stringent financial checks specifically occur at the embassy application stage and during in-country extension applications at Immigration offices. A simple re-entry after a brief border run does not typically trigger financial documentation requirements, though immigration enforcement practices can and do change.
Yes — each dependent applicant must individually meet the 500,000 THB financial requirement, including a spouse and each dependent child under 20 years of age. This is a common misconception: many applicants assume that only the primary DTV holder needs to show the funds and that dependents are automatically covered.
According to official guidance confirmed by Siam Legal and the Thai Embassy FAQ, each applicant — whether primary or dependent — must demonstrate access to 500,000 THB. The only exception is where a joint account or sponsorship arrangement clearly covers all applicants.
For example, if a couple applies together and they share a joint account showing at least 1,000,000 THB, that single account can satisfy the requirement for both. For children under 20, the primary parent applicant typically sponsors the child's requirement, but this must be clearly documented with a sponsorship letter and the sponsor's own sufficient bank statement.
Not necessarily, provided you can demonstrate that both of you have access to sufficient funds. According to the official Thai Embassy DTV FAQ, if your spouse is applying as a dependent and you share a joint bank account, the joint account statement can be used for both applications — but the total balance must meet the combined threshold of at least 1,000,000 THB (500,000 THB per person).
The statement must clearly show both names on the account. If your account is in your name only, your spouse can still be covered via a sponsorship arrangement, where you provide a signed sponsorship letter alongside your bank statement showing sufficient funds to support both of you.
Some embassies may require the total to clearly exceed 1,000,000 THB in this sponsorship scenario rather than just 500,000 THB. Each embassy interprets this slightly differently, so it is worth clarifying the specific mission's stance on spousal sponsorship before submitting your application.
In theory yes, but in practice this approach adds complexity and can create problems. The embassy's preference is typically to see the full 500,000 THB equivalent in a single account. If you split the funds across two or more accounts, you will need to submit statements for each account and clearly demonstrate that the combined total meets the threshold.
Embassy officers reviewing such applications may be less satisfied than if a single statement clearly shows the required amount, and some may request additional documentation or explanation. There is also the practical issue that different accounts may be with different banks, in different currencies, or cover different time periods — all of which add layers of complexity to what should be a straightforward financial check.
If you genuinely cannot concentrate the funds in one account, combining statements is possible, but accompany the submission with a clear cover letter explaining the arrangement and summarising the combined total.
Consolidating your funds into one account for at least 3 months before applying is the cleanest approach.
Yes, a Thai bank account can be used as proof of funds for your initial DTV application, provided it meets the standard requirements. Some applicants already have an existing Thai bank account from a previous long stay or prior visa — such as an education visa, marriage visa, or retirement visa — and choose to use this.
Thai bank statements for visa purposes should be officially issued directly from the branch rather than printed from online banking, as several sources note that self-printed statements may not be accepted for visa purposes.
The statement must show your name, account number, the bank's address, the full transaction history for the required period, and an ending balance of at least 500,000 THB.
However, it is important to note that as of 2025, DTV holders generally cannot open new Thai bank accounts, so this option is only available to applicants who already hold a Thai account from a previous qualifying visa.
This has become extremely difficult as of 2025. Thai banks, operating under pressure from the government's stricter KYC (Know Your Customer) regulations, now officially classify the DTV as a tourist-category visa. Under these policies, tourist-visa holders are not eligible to open new bank accounts.
Most major Thai banks — including Kasikorn (KBank), SCB, Krungsri, and Krungthai — will decline DTV holders at the branch level. Reports from the expat community indicate that even existing accounts held by DTV holders are sometimes being frozen or closed during routine account reviews.
The banks that have been reported with occasional success for DTV holders are Bangkok Bank (particularly the Silom headquarters) and TTB (TMBThanachart Bank), though success is branch-dependent and far from guaranteed.
The practical recommendation for most DTV holders is to rely on international fintech solutions such as Wise or Revolut cards for daily spending rather than attempting to open a Thai bank account.
Given the increasingly restrictive environment, Bangkok Bank and TTB (TMBThanachart Bank) are the two most commonly cited institutions where DTV holders have occasionally succeeded in opening accounts, based on community reports as of late 2025.
Bangkok Bank's Silom headquarters in Bangkok has been specifically highlighted in multiple accounts, as branch managers at flagship locations may have more flexibility than regular branches. TTB has been noted in a smaller number of anecdotal reports. However, there is no formal policy from any Thai bank that explicitly permits DTV holders to open accounts — any success is dependent on the individual branch manager's discretion.
Attempting multiple branches before giving up is a common strategy. Bringing a full set of supporting documents — passport, visa sticker, proof of address, and proof of income — maximises your chances.
For daily spending needs, Wise and Revolut cards remain the more reliable alternatives for most DTV holders.
Yes — Wise and Revolut cards are widely used and broadly functional for daily life in Thailand. Both cards are accepted wherever Mastercard is accepted, which covers most supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, and tourist services. Both offer competitive exchange rates close to the mid-market rate, which is considerably better than airport or hotel exchange counters.
The Wise card supports holding THB and other currencies simultaneously and can be used to withdraw cash at Thai ATMs, though ATM withdrawal fees apply. Revolut offers additional benefits such as higher daily ATM limits, cryptocurrency spending features on premium plans, and travel insurance.
One key practical note: since May 2025, Wise only supports THB transfers to 8 specific Thai banks, which limits its usefulness for paying rent or making other direct bank transfers. Revolut has broader Thai bank transfer support.
Setting up both apps and obtaining a linked physical card before leaving your home country is strongly recommended, as receiving physical cards at a Thai address can be difficult.
Potentially yes. As of 2025, there are widespread reports from the expat community of Thai banks conducting KYC (Know Your Customer) reviews and asking existing foreign account holders to confirm their visa status. Customers on DTV visas — which are officially classified as tourist-category visas — have in some cases been told their accounts no longer meet the bank's eligibility criteria and have been asked to close them.
This is not a universal or immediate outcome. Many DTV holders still have functioning Thai bank accounts that have not been reviewed or flagged. However, the risk is real and has been increasing throughout 2025 as Thai banking regulators tighten compliance.
If you are transitioning to a DTV from another visa type such as a Non-Immigrant B or retirement visa and you have an existing Thai bank account, be aware that your account status may come under review.
Keeping a well-stocked international fintech account as a backup is a prudent precaution regardless of your current account status.
Yes — this is one of the most important things to understand about the DTV application process. Each Royal Thai Embassy and Consulate operates with a degree of autonomy in how it interprets and applies the financial requirements.
While the core requirement of 500,000 THB is universal, the following specifics can vary significantly by location: the number of months of statements required (3 vs. 6 months), whether the funds must be maintained consistently or just present at the end of the statement period, whether Wise or Revolut statements are accepted, whether brokerage accounts are accepted, whether funds must be in a single account or can be combined, and how recently the statement must have been issued.
US-based Thai consulates, particularly in Washington DC, are generally known to be more flexible. Embassies in Southeast Asia tend to be stricter.
Always check the specific requirements published on the website of your target embassy before preparing documents, and consider researching community forums for recent applicant experiences from that specific location.
For the Workcation category of the DTV, most embassies require both proof of savings (the 500,000 THB balance) and proof of income — typically in the form of recent payslips, an employment contract, invoices, or business registration documents. The 500,000 THB is treated as the savings threshold, not a standalone replacement for income evidence.
For the Soft Power category (e.g., Muay Thai enrollment), some embassies are satisfied with the bank balance alone and do not specifically require proof of regular income, since the visa is framed around cultural participation rather than remote employment.
However, embassies processing Soft Power applications are increasingly requesting supplementary financial documents — such as 6 months of bank history showing salary credits — particularly where the applicant has enrolled in a suspiciously cheap or short course.
If your bank balance meets the threshold but shows no visible source of income, be prepared for additional questions about how you sustain yourself financially.
Irregular deposits can attract additional scrutiny, particularly at stricter embassies, but they are not automatically disqualifying. Many DTV applicants are freelancers, consultants, or business owners who receive income in irregular amounts rather than a fixed monthly salary.
If your bank statement shows periodic large transfers that align with invoices, client payments, or business income, having supporting documentation — such as contracts, invoices, or business registration — alongside the statement significantly strengthens your case.
At embassies in Southeast Asia, irregular income patterns are more likely to prompt additional requests. At Western embassies, there is generally more understanding of non-traditional income structures.
The key is to present your financial story coherently. If the deposits make sense in context and the overall balance remains above 500,000 THB, most embassies will accept this. Problems arise when large, unexplained deposits appear suddenly and without context, as these raise the borrowed-funds red flag.
PayPal, Payoneer, Stripe, and similar payment platform statements are very unlikely to be accepted as primary proof of funds. These platforms are payment processors rather than banks, and the funds held within them are not treated as personal bank deposits in the traditional sense required by Thai embassies.
However, statements from these platforms can sometimes serve a useful supplementary role. If you are a freelancer and your income is received via PayPal or Payoneer, showing these statements alongside your main bank account statement can help explain the origin of your deposits and demonstrate ongoing income flow.
This is particularly useful if your bank account shows irregular large deposits that might otherwise look suspicious — a corresponding PayPal or Payoneer statement can show these align with legitimate client payments.
Never submit a payment platform statement as your sole proof of funds. Always ensure your primary bank account statement shows the required balance, and use platform statements only as supporting context.
Not always, but in increasingly common circumstances, yes. If your bank statement shows a pattern that appears normal — regular salary deposits, consistent balance, no sudden large transfers — most embassies will accept it without querying the origin of the funds.
However, if your statement shows a sudden large deposit in the months before application, an embassy may ask for documentation explaining where the money came from. In such cases, you may need to provide a letter explaining the source (e.g., property sale, inheritance, business sale, savings consolidation) along with supporting evidence such as a sale agreement, inheritance document, or transfer records.
Some embassies routinely ask for source-of-funds documentation as part of their standard process. This is more common at embassies in countries with stricter anti-money laundering frameworks.
Preparation is key. If your financial history involves any large unusual transactions, draft a clear explanation and gather supporting evidence before submitting your application.
The prevailing exchange rate on the date of your bank statement is the most widely accepted standard. There is no single official conversion rate mandated by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs — individual embassies apply their own approach. Some embassies use the rate on the statement date; others use the rate at the time of reviewing your application.
Many embassies pre-publish the local currency equivalent of 500,000 THB on their requirements page. For example, the Thai Embassy in London specifies approximately £11,000, while US consulates typically reference around $16,000 USD. These figures are periodically updated to reflect exchange rate movements.
Because of natural currency fluctuations, it is advisable to ensure your account balance is noticeably above the equivalent threshold — not right at the minimum — to create a buffer against rate movements between the time of your statement and the time of the embassy's review.
A margin of 10 to 15 percent above the minimum is a sensible precaution.
Combining funds from two separate personal accounts is possible but adds complexity. The embassy's preference is typically to see the full 500,000 THB equivalent in a single account. If you split the funds across two accounts, you will need to submit statements for each and clearly demonstrate that the combined total meets the threshold.
Embassy officers reviewing such applications may be less satisfied than if a single statement clearly shows the required amount, and some may request additional documentation or explanation. Different accounts may also be with different banks, in different currencies, or cover different time periods — all of which add layers of complexity.
If you genuinely cannot concentrate the funds in one account, combining statements is possible. Include a clear cover letter noting the total combined balance and referencing each statement.
Mixing personal and joint accounts, or a personal and a business account, is not advisable. If you have time before applying, the cleanest solution is to transfer all funds into one account and allow the balance to season there for the required period.
This depends on the embassy where you are applying. Many embassies process applications from non-English-speaking countries and are accustomed to receiving documents in various languages. If your bank statement is in a widely spoken European language such as French, German, or Spanish and the key figures — name, account number, balance, dates — are legible and clear, many embassies will accept it.
However, if the statement is in a language with a non-Latin script such as Arabic, Chinese, Korean, or Thai script, a certified or notarised translation into English is commonly required. Even for Latin-script languages, some embassies specify that all documents must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation.
Check the specific requirements of your target embassy. When in doubt, providing a certified translation alongside the original is always safer than assuming it will be accepted.
Translation costs are modest and the investment is well worth it to avoid a rejection on a technicality.
Yes — converting your crypto to fiat currency and holding it in a traditional bank account is the correct and required approach. Crypto itself is not accepted as proof of funds, but there is nothing preventing you from liquidating your crypto holdings, converting them to a fiat currency, and depositing the proceeds into your bank account.
The critical issue is timing. Once the fiat funds are in your bank account, they need to season there for the required period — typically 3 months, and up to 6 months at stricter embassies — before you apply. A sudden deposit of exactly 500,000 THB equivalent from a crypto exchange, immediately before application, is likely to raise concerns.
The longer the funds have been sitting in your account as normal fiat currency, the stronger your application. If asked about the origin of a large deposit, be honest and provide exchange records or a transfer history showing the conversion from crypto to fiat.
Most embassies will accept a well-documented cryptocurrency liquidation as a legitimate source of funds.
No — property and real estate equity are not accepted as proof of funds for the DTV. Property is an illiquid asset: it cannot be immediately converted to cash and its market value can fluctuate. Thai embassies require evidence of liquid cash held in a personal bank account.
No matter how substantial your property holdings are — in your home country or internationally — a property valuation, title deed, or mortgage statement will not satisfy the 500,000 THB financial requirement. Similarly, equity in a property (the portion of your home that you own outright) cannot be counted.
If your wealth is primarily tied up in real estate, you would need to liquidate or refinance to release sufficient cash into a bank account.
This is an area where wealthier applicants can sometimes be caught off guard: net worth is irrelevant if it is not reflected in accessible liquid bank balances. The DTV is specifically concerned with whether you have readily available cash to support yourself during your stay.
No — gold, silver, commodities, and other physical or paper asset holdings are not accepted. Like property and cryptocurrency, these are classified as non-liquid assets that carry price risk and cannot be immediately converted to cash without market exposure.
A gold account statement, a certificate for precious metals held in a vault, or commodity trading account balances will not satisfy the embassy's requirement for liquid bank deposits. This also extends to collectibles, art, and other stores of value.
If you hold significant wealth in gold or commodities and need to meet the DTV threshold, the path forward is the same as for any illiquid asset: convert a sufficient portion to fiat currency, place it in a personal bank account, and allow it to season for the required period.
There are no known exceptions to this rule at any Thai embassy. The DTV financial requirement is specifically and exclusively about cash in a bank account.
Nothing happens automatically — there is no mechanism for Thai Immigration to monitor your day-to-day bank balance while you are in Thailand. The 500,000 THB requirement is a point-in-time check at your application and again at any in-country extension request, not a continuous obligation. You are free to spend your money as needed during your stay.
However, if you plan to apply for a 180-day in-country extension, you must demonstrate the 500,000 THB equivalent again at that time. If your finances have deteriorated significantly, you will need to replenish your account and ideally allow some seasoning time before the extension review.
There is no formal penalty for having less than 500,000 THB in your account during your stay, but immigration officers at the border or extension counter can theoretically ask about your financial means.
Maintaining a reasonable financial cushion is always advisable, both for peace of mind and for practical immigration purposes.
A letter of credit or formal bank guarantee is not a standard accepted document for DTV proof of funds under normal circumstances. These instruments are primarily used in commercial and trade finance contexts, not for personal visa applications. Thai embassies want to see personal bank statements showing that the applicant personally holds the required funds.
That said, the official DTV checklist does reference "sponsorship letters" as acceptable alongside bank statements, and a formal bank-issued letter confirming available funds can in some cases support an application. If your bank is willing to issue a formal letter on official letterhead confirming your account balance, account type, and the period over which the funds have been maintained, this can complement your bank statements.
It should not be used as a replacement for actual statements. If you are in an unusual banking situation — for example, banking in a jurisdiction where statements are difficult to obtain in a standard format — contact the embassy directly to discuss what documentation they can accept.
A sponsorship letter is a formal document in which a third party — such as an employer, spouse, or parent — commits to financially supporting the DTV applicant during their stay in Thailand. It is referenced in the official DTV documentation as an acceptable form of financial evidence, alongside bank statements.
A strong sponsorship letter should include the full name and contact details of the sponsor, their relationship to the applicant, a clear commitment to cover the applicant's expenses during their stay in Thailand, the sponsor's signature (and ideally a notarised stamp), and the date of the letter.
The sponsor must also attach their own bank statements showing sufficient funds to cover the commitment. The letter alone, without financial evidence from the sponsor, is insufficient. The sponsor's funds must meet or exceed the 500,000 THB threshold.
In some embassy interpretations, the funds must have been transferred to the applicant's own account rather than remaining with the sponsor. Sponsorship letters from employers must include company registration documents and financial evidence of the company's ability to sponsor.
They can, but the outcome depends on context and the amount involved. Wire transfers visible on a bank statement — particularly large ones arriving shortly before application — may prompt embassy officers to ask about the source of those funds.
If the transfers are regular, predictable payments such as a monthly salary from an overseas employer, they are unlikely to raise issues and in fact positively demonstrate income flow. If a large, one-off wire transfer arrives shortly before your statement date, this may be interpreted as a suspicious lump-sum top-up.
In such cases, having a transfer confirmation receipt from the sending bank, a note from your employer confirming it was a salary payment, or other supporting documentation helps establish that the transfer is legitimate.
A wire transfer from a clearly identifiable source — such as a known company, a family trust, or a property sale — is much easier to explain than a transfer from an unknown account. Context and documentation are everything in these situations.
Generally no — screenshots from mobile banking apps are not accepted. They are too easily manipulated, lack the formatting of an official bank statement, and cannot be verified. Thai embassies require documentation that can be authenticated as genuinely originating from a financial institution.
Accepted formats include officially issued PDF statements obtained directly from online banking portals (accepted by many Western embassies), or physically stamped paper statements obtained from a bank branch (required at many Asian and Middle Eastern embassies).
A screenshot showing only a current balance without transaction history is particularly unhelpful, as embassies want to see the historical balance over the required period, not just a snapshot of today's figure.
If you bank primarily via a mobile app, contact your bank to request an official statement to be issued as a PDF or printed document on official bank letterhead. Never submit edited or modified documents of any kind — this constitutes fraud and will result in a permanent rejection.
It may work, but it is a weaker approach than concentrating funds in one account. If you have, say, three accounts each with around 170,000 THB equivalent, you could theoretically submit all three statements to show a combined total above 500,000 THB. However, embassy officers may not accept this, particularly if any of the accounts are with different banks, in different currencies, or show inconsistent transaction histories.
The combined-accounts approach also adds administrative complexity and may trigger requests for additional documentation or explanations. The threshold is often interpreted as applying to a single account balance, not a combined total across multiple accounts.
If time permits, the recommended approach is to consolidate the funds into one primary account, allow them to season for the required period, and then apply using that single, clear, unambiguous statement.
If consolidation is genuinely not possible, accompany the multi-account submission with a detailed cover letter and a clear summary of the combined total.
There is no officially stated minimum monthly income figure for the DTV. The primary financial criterion is the 500,000 THB savings threshold. However, in practice — particularly for Workcation applicants — embassies want to see that you have an ongoing, sustainable income source that can support your lifestyle in Thailand.
This is demonstrated through employment contracts, payslips, invoices, or business documentation rather than through a specific income figure. An applicant who meets the 500,000 THB savings requirement but cannot show any income source may still be questioned about how they sustain themselves financially.
A reasonable, documented income stream — even if it is irregular freelance income — reinforces confidence that the applicant will not become a financial burden or overstay.
For Soft Power applicants such as those doing Muay Thai, income documentation is less strictly enforced, though embassies processing under-documented applications in any category are increasingly requesting tax returns and extended bank histories.
The most frequently cited reasons for DTV rejection on financial grounds include submitting crypto or investment account statements instead of a personal bank account statement, and presenting a bank account balance that only just meets the 500,000 THB threshold with no visible history of maintaining that amount.
A sudden large lump-sum deposit shortly before application — suggesting borrowed funds — is another major red flag, as is using a business account instead of a personal account. Submitting a Wise or Revolut statement at an embassy that does not accept them, or providing a statement that is out of date at the time of review, are also common pitfalls.
Other mistakes include submitting a PDF screenshot rather than an official bank-issued statement, failing to provide the required number of months of history, showing funds that are inconsistent with stated income, and failing to provide a translation for statements in non-English languages.
The solution to almost all of these is careful preparation and understanding the specific requirements of your target embassy well in advance of submitting your application.
Yes — a rejected DTV application does not permanently bar you from reapplying. A rejection means you need to address the specific issue that caused the refusal, strengthen your documentation, and submit a new application.
If the rejection was due to insufficient funds, you will need to build up the required balance and ensure it is properly seasoned before reapplying. If it was due to using an unacceptable account type such as crypto, a brokerage, or a business account, you will need to switch to a qualifying personal bank account.
Some applicants who are rejected at one embassy choose to apply at a different embassy on a subsequent attempt, particularly if they believe the rejection reflected overly strict or inconsistent interpretation rather than a genuine financial failing. There is no official cooling-off period before reapplying.
Practically speaking, submitting an application that is substantially the same as one just rejected will not produce a different result. Take the time to understand the reason for rejection and fix the underlying issue. Visa assistance services can be particularly valuable at this stage.
Business Visa and Work Permit Service in Thailand
DTV Visa Service
Thailand Dependent Visa Service
Thailand Expat Immigration Services
Thailand Marriage or Child Visa Service
Thailand Retirement Visa Service
Thailand Tourist Visa Application Service