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Can a retiree obtain a DTV in Thailand using overseas pension statements and banked funds?

DTV Retirement Visa NON-O Visa Medical Requirements Visa Extension Expat Life in Thailand

Apr 30, 2025

22 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

As a retiree, is it possible to obtain a DTV by showing the requisite banked ฿500K, supported by monthly overseas pension statements? Or, would I have to obtain a medical/dental appointment? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A retiree in Thailand is considering obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) by showing a bank balance of ฿500K supported by monthly overseas pension statements. Opinions from the community suggest that while applying for a DTV is possible, it may not be the easiest option. Many recommend exploring the retirement visa (NON-O) as it may have more straightforward requirements. Dental or medical appointments could be a part of the DTV application process, but success depends heavily on documentation and meeting specific requirements. Members of the community also discussed alternatives to DTV, including using funds in a Thai bank account for visa extensions.

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Keith ************

Non-o for retirement is easier than DTV, unless you regularly travel out of the country.

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Geoff *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Keith ***********

I like the idea of a 5-year multi-entry visa. I spend six months a year in Thailand, in two 90-day stints. DTV would save on admin and avoid having to bank money in a Thai account.

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Andrew *********

get a tourist visa and 30 day extension.

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Geoff *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andrew ********

Done that, plus the non-Imm O and the OA, even visa exemption over the years. DTV would avoid all the hassles. I'm no longer a tourist.

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Andrew *********

What hassles and what does it matter ?

Signing up for a course, paying the money for the course and visa, worrying if you will be tested and refused entry, finding the program gets cancelled sounds like more hassle to me.

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Geoff *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andrew ********

I was considering the medical appointment route. The hassle otherwise would be setting up a Thai bank account and needlessly tying up cash in it.

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Geoff *******

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Kyle **********

if you are older than 50then you should look at the retirement visa. You can apply for DTV but dental appointments are a big gamble, some got approved, a lot of folks got denied. You should invest

*****

k in a muay thai/cooking class, no matter if you'll attend those courses/classes, all you need is the documents to show up the embassy. That's a

*****

k for the DTV +

*****

k for the courses but you'll be good for 5yrs

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Geoff *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kyle *********

Thanks. I've been using the 90 day multi-entry non-O retirement visa, until they made it single entry only last year. Just looking at fresh options.

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John **********

get a 12 month extension and multi entry permit, just need to meet the criteria

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Kyle **********

get a muay thai class up to 6 months and a week/10days in vietnam to apply for your DTV visa. If you don't mind gamble

*****

k then you can try with the medical route but the dental part is very risky and likely to get denied (as most of dental procedures require no more than a few weeks to be done)

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Kyle **********

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Tod *********

you have to meet the requirements for the DTV, there is no "I'm retired and want a DTV" category

Proof of funds is just one of the requirements under ALL categories, but these are the only reasons you can get a DTV

So if you want to get one, you find one of the categories and meet the requirements for that category,

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Geoff *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I don't see myself doing muay Thai or cooking but a medical appointment may be possible. The term 'such as' in para 2 of the eligible foreigners requirement implies a degree of flexibility.

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Tod *********

when that DTV came out they were handing that 5 year visa out to anyone who had an appt for a hangnail from a doc,

Then consulates got harder and started wanting treatment plans, proof of treatment, appt schedule,

SO whether you can or can't do a DTV based on medical reasons would come down to why you are having medical treatment here and how good your documentation is about the treatment.

If you apply and they want more documentation they'll email you, but worst case you apply and they reject the application and you are out the fee

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Geoff *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks. I thought it all sounded too good to be true, when the DTV was first announced. I'll just carry on with my 90 day non-O for the time being. Pity it is single entry only.

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Tod *********

you can always bank the money and get a year extension based on retirement like thousands of foreigners do inside the country 🙂

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Geoff *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am aware of this option. I don't want or need a Thai bank account and I certainly wouldn't want cash tied up in one. A DTV would avoid that.

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Vin *********

So does a non OA. Use your monthly pension and have multi-entry.

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Geoff *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I tried that before they introduced the health insurance requirement. It worked fine, just used my regular travel insurance. Since then they've introduced an onerous health insurance requirement. Non-starter now.

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Vin *********

$2k a year for world-wide coverage is inexpensive.

But you do you.

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Geoff *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I use an annual multi-trip travel insurance that costs £450 annually and allows up to 90 days per trip. Perfect for me but wont work with the OA though.

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Frank *********

it does seem crazy that these funds just have to sit in a Thai bank account and not an investment account where it could accumulate profit

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Geoff *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Frank ********

Agreed. It does seem pointless, especially as you can't use the funds, even in an emergency, without foregoing your visa extension.

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Geoff *******

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Lloyd ********

Certainly monthly pension payments would not work. As for medical/dental appt, if you want to play the system, try it.

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Reply to

Lloyd ********

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