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Can retirees apply for a Thai visa under the 'financially independent' category?

Thailand Visas Retirement Visa Visa Application Process Non-O Visa Non-OA Visa Digital Nomad Visa Privileges Visa Financial Independence Soft Power Activities

Oct 30, 2025

4 days ago

Paul *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’m retired I’ve done AI search and it says there’s a little known about “purpose of visit” drop down section other than soft power and workcation, “financially independent” it says many retirees have made successful applications via this route. Is anyone else aware of this or successfully applied using this method please ? TIA

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around the 'purpose of visit' drop-down section for visa applications in Thailand, particularly regarding retirees. Many retirees have inquired about successfully applying under the 'financially independent' category, but comments clarify that this is not recognized as a valid Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) category. Instead, the valid options include the Non-O, Non-OA, Non-OX, and LTR Wealthy Pensioner visas, each having its own requirements. Suggestions for engaging in soft power activities or enrolling in cooking courses were provided as practical steps for long-term stay.

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John **********

Leave AI alone, it's notoriously bad at this sort of thing. If you want to retire in Thailand there are at least 5 visa options available to you, each with different criteria, requirements & and validity periods

Non-O, Non-OA, Non-OX, LTR Wealthy Pensioner & Thai Privilege

3 days ago

A. ************

Just sign up for a cooking course and be done with it. You'll just have to take 8 classes within the first 6-months and then you go on your merry way. I knocked my 8 classes out in my first 3 weeks in country. Now I can come and go the next 4+ years without any concern about going to class.

4 days ago

Anonymous ******************

AI isn’t really good with nuance and “financial independence” isn’t a DTV category. A retiree can hypothetically engage in soft power activities like attending a course or having protracted medical treatments but simply having money doesn’t qualify you for a DTV.

If you wish to simply pay for a visa then you’d use the Elite/Privilege Visa.

4 days ago

Greg ********

There are only two categories of DTV, Soft Power and Workaytion. Retirement is not a category that qualifies for a DTV. There are other visa types for that - 4 I know of the top of my head "O", O-A". "O-X" and "LTR".

4 days ago

Reply to

Greg ********

What are the pros and cons of the Retirement visa versus the DTV Softpower visa for long-term stay in Thailand?

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