Should expats over 50 switch from a retirement visa to the DTV visa in Thailand?

Anonymous participant 966 Did you use an agent? what kind of cost?

@Tore ********

A non-O is still a temporary stay. If you don't wish to leave Thailand it's the best. I travel a lot so the DTV is by far the better option, both cost-wise and the fact for the next five years I don't need to go to an immigration office! That's the cream on the top!

@Dany *******

How long you got until you get one?

@Kim **********

you need to show you still meet the requirements of the visa every 6 mths within the 5 year period. So I guess dental work every 6 months would tick that box theoretically. And you would have beautiful teeth😂

@Sam ****

Well, all I know is that the OX is available through some consulates only and that I understand there is a health insurance requirement. Other than that, a 5 year stamp and just the need to make 90 day reports but otherwise having no other interactions with immigration (my understanding is, it's also a multiple entry visa) and considered a long term visa too, is far superior to the DTV, for those aged 50 and over. This is assuming you're able to apply for it, in your home country or another location where it's offered. I understand it is only available to a small number of nationalities such as Australians, Americans and a few western European countries.

The DTV is fine for those with existing Thai bank accounts who come and go every few weeks or months, have businesses abroad and have a need to travel to take care of those companies while spending their time living and working in Thailand remotely (likely being married to Thais).

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

The OX retirement visa is the best - you get stamped in for 5 years and have many more advantages over a DTV holder, who is simply a long stay tourist who receives almost no advantages over a visa exempt visitor.

Following

@Karsten *******

at what consists thr medical soft power please?

Just say that you are having treatments like with dentist?

@Katja ********

kind of. For the initial application both will accept foreign bank accounts. For extensions in Thailand the retirement visa money must be in Thailand but DTV extension officially says it will accept in Thailand or foreign. There are reports of some immigration offices only accept a Thai bank account for DTV extensions though.

@Katja ********

The 800k does not have to be there 12 months in practice. More and more we are seeing the DTV 500k for extensions being asked to be in Thai bank and it can be difficult to get one.

@Andrew *******

People have been spreading this bs since day one, but nothing is happening. The visa is five years. Immigration cannot cancel a visa issued by MFA. Sure, they can be "difficult" for extensions, which is why DTVers are border bouncing each 180 days.

Anonymous participant 979 that's not true, you can get it if you have a pension you don't have to work

@Allan *************

that’s a lot of what if’s .. nothing is guaranteed but best to live in the moment and not bog down with what if’s 🙏

@James ********

no you can not. You have to be at least 50 years of age to be granted a retirement visa

Anonymous participant 371 00% agreed 👍

Anonymous participant 371 Safer? 😂😂

Anonymous participant 371 Agree!

@J.P. ********

agree