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Can I get a retirement or remote worker visa in Thailand with a tourist visa and significant bank gains?
visa typesretirement visaremote worker visaDTV visabank account requirementsThailand immigrationexpat living in Thailandtourist visa regulations
Oct 9, 2025
7 months ago
Jason **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk I’m coming to Bangkok on the 22nd or so of October for 3+ weeks, have a plan of sorts - I’m coming on the standard tourist visa as I plan to leave on the 16th of November. I want to find a decent 1bed 1 bath place near 24 if possible. I don’t work, I’m a day trader/swing trader so I make fast cash and then chill. Is the ability to show the Thai visa agency’s say an $80k USD realized gain in my account a good enough piece to get either a retirement visa (50 in December) or a remote worker visa? If not, if my plan is to come for a few weeks then back to US for a month or two then another month in Bangkok and so on doable 100% on the free tourist entry each time?
Have to do it like this till my son is 18 and graduated since he wants to remain in the US and I have a desire to not be in the US anymore 😆
TIA
Have to do it like this till my son is 18 and graduated since he wants to remain in the US and I have a desire to not be in the US anymore 😆
TIA
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user plans to stay in Bangkok on a tourist visa but is interested in long-term visa options as they approach retirement age. They inquire if showing significant gains in their bank account could qualify them for a retirement or remote worker visa. Responses indicate that the standard tourist visa is suitable for short visits, but to qualify for a retirement visa, they need to be 50 years old and fulfill specific financial requirements, such as maintaining funds in a Thai bank account. Additionally, frequent border hopping is discouraged as Thai authorities are cracking down on it. The suggestions lean towards exploring the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) option until they are eligible for the retirement visa.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Mark *********
Why would you tell everyone how you make money?
Jason **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mark ********
quick answer is that even in the US making money as a trader on the markets complicates a lot of things as it’s not an easy thing to show weekly/monthly fixed income. For a lot of private traders it can be a great March/April and a crappy June and then a wonderful October/November….just wanted insight on how that type of income source is viewed with these visas.Reply to
Jason **********
Reply
Frankie *****
I trade US and HK stocks and cryptos to stay active .. was ex banking treasury in SG. I got non immi OA visa and bought my own apartment. DM when you are here. Will help you to settle in
Jason **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Frankie ****
would appreciate that as I think you may have some insight on some questions I haveFrankie *****
@Jason *********
sure. I do my best to what I knowReply to
Frankie *****
Reply
Frankie *****
Just nice for Halloween 🎃
Mike **********
I would say DTV as a remote worker. Unless you really want to have a thai bank account
Bent *************
You are too young for retirement visa!
Jason **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bent ************
I’m aware, I turn 50 in 2 months. Still feel way to young to be thinking about anything that has the word retirement in it though 😆Reply to
Jason **********
Reply
Brandon ************
Can't do much until you're 50. But once you reach that point, it's just a matter of paying an agent if you don't want to deal with it yourself. Around $2k to get started. Subsequent years significantly cheaper (~$400-500)
Dan *************
I'm going to second what Jason Campbell said. You won't be able to open a bank account without committing to Thailand.
When you are ready to move you should look into getting the OA visa through the embassy in the US. This will let you apply for a one year visa that can be stretched out to nearly 2 years with the funds remaining in your US account until you want to renew it
To open a bank account in Thailand you'll need a long term visa and a signed lease along with a local sim.
If you are going back and forth hopefully it'll help you figure out where you want to live and that way when you return you can look for places there and get everything sorted
Can't open a bank account on a dtv
When you are ready to move you should look into getting the OA visa through the embassy in the US. This will let you apply for a one year visa that can be stretched out to nearly 2 years with the funds remaining in your US account until you want to renew it
To open a bank account in Thailand you'll need a long term visa and a signed lease along with a local sim.
If you are going back and forth hopefully it'll help you figure out where you want to live and that way when you return you can look for places there and get everything sorted
Can't open a bank account on a dtv
Ben *****
Since you're going back and forth I would look into the DTV for now. When you decide to stay here long term after your son turns 18, you can get a retirement visa.
Darren *********
No and no. You need to put money in a Thai bank for the retirement visa and they are cracking down on people doing border bounces. You also can’t legally work on a retirement visa.
If you truly make decent money look into the wealthy pensioners ltr visa or the privilege visa.
If you truly make decent money look into the wealthy pensioners ltr visa or the privilege visa.
Marty *********
@Darren ********
The wealthy pensioner LTR requires $80,000 passive income.Jason **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Darren ********
I truly do make decent money, but I don’t work but a bit every week or two. Am I considered border bouncing if I’m there 3 weeks and home in the US 1-2 months though? Kind of a strange thing to consider but I feel like placing my money in an account eating away with no real interest vs in a high yield one is pointed. And I also feel like that wealthy visa option isn’t me unless I’m working regular days trading, I’ve never had the personality to make millions only what I need and I found I don’t need to kill myself to get just enoughBob **********
@Jason *********
you should be fine doing bounces as long as your not maxing out your stay each time my neighbor works in the North Sea and has been coming and going for at least 16 years no problemBrad ************
@Jason *********
the people that don't have the 800,000 thb to put in the bank for a retirement Visa are always the ones talking about interest? You want to be here follow the rules and stop worrying about a pittance of interestReply to
Brad ************
Reply
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