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Should I have applied for an eVisa or a Non-O visa as a first-time retiree in Thailand?

Thai visa DTV visa eVisa Non-O visa retirement visa visa application process first-time visa application expat advice

Oct 9, 2025

15 hours ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

I applied for DTV online as a Retiree before entering Thailand. It was my first time applying for a visa. Was I supposed to apply for a eVisa or Non O visa since it was my first time?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user applied for a DTV visa online as a retiree but is unsure if they should have selected an eVisa or Non-O visa for their first application. Comments clarify that all Thai visas are considered eVisas now, and the DTV visa is not applicable solely for retirees. To qualify for a DTV visa, applicants need to follow specific categories such as workation, soft power courses, or medical treatment, indicating the user may not have qualified based on their retirement status alone.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
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John *******

All visas are e-visas. E-visa just means you apply electronically (online). All embassies moved to e-visa 100% early this year. Are you sure you selected DTV? There wouldn’t have been an option for retirement.

14 hours ago

Elías ********

You're a bit lost. All Thai visas are electronic(e)-visas now, as the visa itself is a PDF file.

As for what kind of visa you need, that's totally up to you. It doesn't matter whether it's your first time.

For the DTV, you need to go trhu one of the three allowed routes: remote worker, soft power courses or medical treatment. If you didn't, then it might be rejected.

14 hours ago

Pete *******

The DTV is an eVisa and you certainly did not qualify just by being a retiree. You must have applied via a workation or soft power option. Being retired has nothing to do with the DTV.

15 hours ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

It is difficult to sort out info provided from experienced expat travelers, but I read that for the first time one should consider a 90 day visa instead of going straight to DTV OR LTR, etc..

15 hours ago

Greg ********

Anonymous participant Just to add one of the main reasons for retirees to get the 90 day O before arriving is to open a bank account. Then you deposit 800k for 2 months and apply for the 12 months O extension based upon retirement at a local Immigration Office.

14 hours ago

Greg ********

Anonymous participant For an O or LTR in applying Thailand yes get a 90 Day O in your own country is one route. However, NOT for a DTV. Do you want an O or LTR based on Retirement or a DTV based on remote working or soft power?

14 hours ago

Reply to

Greg ********

Retirees is not a DTV category. It can be Workaytion or Soft Power. The SP included Muay Thai, Cookery, Medical and some seminars.

15 hours ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg *******

thanks for your explanation. It was over a week ago so prehaps I was mistaken but it is what I recalled. Tto answer your question, I was deciding between LTR, DTV, or Non immigrant O. I'm already here and was due to stay Oct 3- Nov 1, but immigration stamped my pasport until until Dec 1. She asked how many days I would be staying and then she added an additional month. Is that unusual?

14 hours ago

Greg ********

Anonymous participant Did ypu get a 30 days extension or just stamped in 60 days upon arrival. They are both usual.

14 hours ago

Reply to

Greg ********

Sean *******

Up to you although I never seen retired as an option when I applied last year. Sounds like you got lucky, congrats.

15 hours ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Sean ******

that's exactly what I was surprised to find on the website. It was my understanding that DTV is for working expats, nomads, remote employment, or attending classes, etc. However, I did select this option since it was a choice listed.

15 hours ago

Elías ********

Participante anónimo you can be a retiree (or not), it doesn't matter but they'll most likely would ask you later proof of either remote job, soft power courses or medical treatment.

14 hours ago

Reply to

Elías ********

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