Answered7 months ago

Can you transition from a DTV visa to a Retirement visa (O or OA) while living in Thailand?

DTV visa Non-O visa Retirement visa Education visa Visa transition Bank account on visa

Kenneth **********

asked Mar 27, 2026

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Curious, looking at getting a DTV because I plan to retire in Thailand longterm but I wanted to take cooking and language classes anyway.  Can you transition from a DTV to a O or OA down the road?

Answer summary

The conversation discusses the possibility of transitioning from a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) to a Non-O or OA retirement visa in Thailand. Several users suggest that while it is theoretically possible to convert a DTV to a retirement visa at an immigration office, it is more straightforward to apply directly for a retirement visa such as Non-O. Some mention that complications can arise when attempting to change visa types, especially needing to leave the country and apply through a consulate. There are also discussions on the misconceptions surrounding opening bank accounts on a DTV, with varying experiences shared on this issue.

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Kenneth **********

Thanks everyone for your quick response.

7 months ago

John *********

Just go directly to the visa you want.

7 months ago

Steve *******

Just retire with the Non Imm O, you don't need a specific visa to take cooking or language classes.

7 months ago

Ian **********

You need to get a retirement visa. A DTV is a multi entry tourist visa primarily aimed at digital nomads

7 months ago

Frank **********

Best not to complicate things and just do the retirement visa. As someone stated you can still take classes on any visa.

7 months ago

John **********

In theory you could convert a DTV to a retirement visa at an immigration office inside Thailand but I've yet to hear of anyone doing so. The other option would be try and cancel the DTV but that needs doing via the consulate that issued it, then you have to leave Thailand and apply for the retirement visa. If you are old enough to qualify just go with a retirement visa from the outset, nothing to stop you studying on that.

7 months ago

Alexey **********

You do not DTV at all. You can take cooking and language classes on any type of visa. It is not a job. Try to get Non-O retirement.

7 months ago

Bradley *******

Yes, but I believe you’d have to do a border run at some point for that. You might want to consider a 1 year ed visa if you want to eventually get retirement visa, as you can’t have a bank account based on a DTV but you can get one on ED visa, and I believe you’ll need a bank account for your retirement visa.

7 months ago

Mike *******

Bradley Jones i have DTV, no problem to get a bank account 👍 seems to be a common misconception that you can't, I also got thai ID card, driver's license, and yellow book, all on DTV 😄

7 months ago

Bradley *******

Mike Smith just looked it up. Some banks allow it but it says the big chain banks here won’t allow it. Cool to know.

7 months ago

Mike *******

Bradley Jones I'm with Krungthai 👍

7 months ago

Bradley *******

Mike Smith wow, I’m a language student full time and nobody can get a bank account on a DTV here in Chiang Mai, but might be different other places.

7 months ago