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

DTV Visa Retirement Visa Thai Visa Types eVisa Immigration Visa Application Process Expat Visa Advice

Oct 9, 2025

a month 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 individual inquired about applying for the Digital nomad visa (DTV) as a retiree, questioning if they should have applied for an eVisa or Non-O visa due to it being their first application. Responses clarified that the DTV is not available for retirees, emphasizing that it must be sought under specific categories such as remote work or soft power activities. Many comments highlighted that all Thai visas are now considered eVisas, contributing further to the confusion surrounding their entry status in Thailand, with suggestions to explore alternative visa options.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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Tha****

No. You apply for whatever visa best suits your needs.

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Bradley ********

If didn't get a pdf issued to you that was sent to your email address from the thai embassy that you applied thru before you flew to thailand then you entered the kingdom on what's called visa exempt which is a 60 pass to visit. It would not have mattered if you told the Immigration officer you were leaving in a month. The exempt stamp in your passport would still be for 60 days

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Pete *******

Sounds like you have no visa at all. From your replies it seems to me that you entered Thailand on a visa exempt entry of 60 days. Perhaps you can clarify by posting a picture of your entry stamp?

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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.

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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..

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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.

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Angela *********

if you qualify based on a pension for the retirement visa, must you have a bank account in Thailand? In other words, do you have to deposit the reqired pension amount each month into a Thai bank or can it be left in your home country bank?

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Greg ********

@Angela ********

The first year if you get O-A in your home country it can be in home country. Renewals in Thailand it needs to be 1) in a Thai account or 2) Proof of 65k THB a month deposited into your Thai account. If you arrive here and get O here you will need the 800k in your account for 2 months before 12 month extension issued.

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Greg ********

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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?

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Greg ********

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Greg ********

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

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

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?

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Greg ********

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

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'd just arrived and told her my date for leaving was November 1, as indicated on my flight itinerary. She looked it over and stamped it for Dec 1, 2025. I did mention that I was awaiting approval on my DTV application that I completed before arrival.

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Greg ********

Anonymous participant Looks like you entered on a 60 Day Visa Exempt.

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Greg ********

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Sean *******

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

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

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.

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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.

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Elías ********

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