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What are my options to avoid yearly immigration visits on a retirement visa in Thailand?
retirement visaLTR visaDTV visaThai immigration rulesvisa extensionexpat adviceThailand retirementcooking class requirement
Sep 17, 2025
7 months ago
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI am an American and have had a retirement visa for 3 years. I am actually retired but tired of going back to immigration every year. I have no issues with leaving the country once a year. I am retired but have no issues with taking a cooking class if required.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user holds a retirement visa and seeks advice on how to avoid the annual visit to immigration, while also being open to leaving the country once a year. Various commenters suggest exploring the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa and also discuss the Difficulty of converting to a Digital Nomad (DTV) visa. They share experiences and provide insights into extending the existing visa and mention bank balance requirements for a smoother extension process.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Robin *******
Not sure what you asking
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robin ******
just looking for Americans who have successfully transitioned from a retirement visa to a DTV. Find out what their experience was. I know it’s cheaper. I travel and hate paying every year to renew. One person recommended the LTR which requires investing more $ in Thailand and proving a larger annual income stream. I don’t want to do that. Told DTV is a loophole that could be closed to older retirees. Designed for younger people working remotely.Marty *********
@Ronnie ******
The pensioner LTR doesn’t require investment but it does require $80,000 passive income and insurance.Reply to
Marty *********
Reply
Pertti *************
5 year dtv from agent 20k. Every 6 months border run.
Stuart ***********
You seem to be trying to resolve your problem by making it much more difficult for yourself. If you have had 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account for a year, just go to your immigration office, get their list of requirements to extend, supply the documents and pay 1,900 baht. I extended mine last week and it took me about 30 minutes at the immigration office.
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart **********
in Bangkok there is a long queue. I showed up one year 45 minutes before immigration opened and I had 50 people ahead of me. I should try hoping there is no complications like my last time. My landlord said my new lease should match his ownership data. My biggest cost is the 500 baht round trip taxi and since I’m retired, time is no issue.Marty *********
@Ronnie ******
When I was getting 1 year extensions on my OA visa at Bangkok immigration I arrived at 8:30am and was out before noon. It’s once per year and not that difficult to extend DIYJesper *******
@Ronnie ******
you can make appointment using immigration website..i did mine last week at bkk CW appt at 10am reach there 9.45 show them my appt code and they refer me to counter L-30 after checking my documents by a junior staff it was pass to the next available officer.....by 10.30 I'm already waiting at counter C2 waiting to apply for re entry permit with my new extension stampRonnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jesper ******
Never made appointment online. I always went with my agent and went to the front of the queue. So you renew by yourself annually?Jesper *******
@Ronnie ******
yes I do it myself annually....I only learned about the queue appt recently and only use it once but will be using it for next extensionGraham ******
@Ronnie ******
Many people do it themselvesRonnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
I’m chicken.Graham ******
@Ronnie ******
Gai in Thailand :PReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Stuart ***********
@Ronnie ******
yes i realise it can take longer especially in places like Bangkok and Pattaya. Hopefully they have more staff to get through the applicants. I usually go at a day/time that is less busy, but there's no guarantees. Having said that I always find the immigration officers to be very efficient and helpful. Good luck with whatever you decide.Reply to
Stuart ***********
Reply
Graham ******
On a DTV you will probably have to leave not extend because most Immigration Offices set the requirements for the one-off extension so high it is much easier to do a border bounce every 180 days.
Greg ******
Look into an LTR, wealthy pensioner.
Terry *********
Reply to
Terry *********
Reply
Goldie ********
The LTR visa is the best
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Goldie *******
Goldie doesn’t this visa require investments in Thailand and health insurance? I am old and had issues with getting healthcare that I trust. I think there are also minimum annual income requirements which I am retired and live off of social security.Joe ********
@Ronnie ******
the LTR does not require investments but it requires 50,000 US dollars in insurance coverage, or 50k in the bank. It also requires you are receiving either 80k if working or 80k passive income. The amount of income can be reduced to 40k if you have a masters degree. In both cases it needs to be in a job not competition with Thai workers (digital/remote). Also the company (if still working and not passive income( has to be public, above a certain size and generate a minimum revenue per year so small companies are almost a non starter
Also, there is no issue with taxes
Andy ********
@Ronnie ******
It does require health insurance although this can be waived if you can show a bank balance of USD$100,000 or more. They quote USD so presumably this can be in a foreign account on an interest bearing deposit. You're probably better off just getting the insurance if you can but nice to know you have an option.Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *******
tried to get health insurance with reputable Thai carriers but it was a moving target trying to clarify coverage and they baited me with lower premiums and found ridiculous reasons to raise them. I am pretty healthy but I’m old and not perfect. There are some European insurance providers I contacted that insure too easily so I don’t trust them plus I want a direct pay carrier that’s highly accepted by Thai hospitals.Andy ********
@Ronnie ******
thanks for sharing. In your case the most practical option might be getting cheap insurance that is good for the visa but not much more than that. Fortunately the medical care in Thailand is very good. I know some retired expats have been moving to Thailand from the Philippines for the better medical care. It is ironic because the Philippines are famous for their nurses.Goldie ********
@Andy *******
Sorry for the late response, but many have answered the question. Just get the cheapest insurance to cover the qualification, and as long as you have the passive income requirements, you will be fine. It comes with a lot of benefits, no 90-day reports, fast track service at all Thai airports that have the service, one one-year report only if you don't leave the country within the year, if you leave, you don't have to worry about the 1-year report and tax exempt, plus much more.Andy ********
@Goldie *******
what is the tax exempt?Goldie ********
@Andy *******
, I meant not paying double taxes. You only pay your taxes from your country. Even if you pass the 180 days, it does not apply to us.Andy ********
@Goldie *******
I thought no double taxation was already the standard. So do you mean they still tax your remittances but credit back any taxes paid already if to a tax treaty country? ... Which they otherwise don't do on other visas?Reply to
Andy ********
Reply
Kim **********
@Ronnie ******
yes health insurance, yes 80,000 usd passive income or 40,000 plus 250,000 investment.Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kim *********
I guess a bank CD for *****
0? I assume a checking account is not enough.Kim **********
@Ronnie ******
likely either investment in a business, property or bonds.Reply to
Kim **********
Reply
Stuart *********
Not sure of your question. Perhaps you’re asking about getting a DTV rather than a retirement extension (you don’t have any visa - you have an extension of stay based on an original visa you held).
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
hi Stuart I currently have my retirement visa which expires in December. I am tired of paying an immigration agent every year who seems to do so little since I meet all of the requirements. I know people who don’t have the minimum baht in the bank or for some reason need to pay off immigration to look the other way.Rok ********
@Ronnie ******
DIY is 1900 baht. Familiarise yourself with the system, be compliant and it is easy to DIY.Stuart *********
@Ronnie ******
Once on the “agent train” it will be difficult for you to get off it as immigration will know you used an agent and will probably require you to do so again. You can jump off that train by leaving and entering on a “clean stamp” or new visa and DIY your extensions.
Depends on what the agent is charging you as to whether you’d want to keep using them. 14k per year (for some agents) isn’t an excessive amount to charge based on they do everything for you and save X number of visits to immigration and the time taken for those visits.
Many here will advocate DIY because it’s only 1,900 to do so. Your call really.
Ron ******
@Stuart ********
He said he meets the financials so why would it be difficult to stop using an agent? I assume the agent is just doing the running around on his behalf.Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ron *****
it’s more fear and laziness on my part. Last time my lease ownership description differed from the actual government description and because I had an agent, the officer passed my renewal. Without the agent I would have been declined. The condo owner was in the hospital and was not available to send an amended lease document.Stuart *********
@Ron *****
Because they used an agent. If they used an agent to pen push and fill forms but supplied said agent with financials so the agent didn’t need to do the financing then they may be OK. Otherwise not.Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
I probably should try to get this done myself. I do not speak Thai but they do have some workers who would help me. There are strong ties between some of the agents and the immigration officers. A good old boy network.Rok ********
@Ronnie ******
none of us speak Thai and immigration does not expect you to. If you tick the boxes (get the fact sheet from your IO) there is no need for an old boy’s network.Reply to
Rok ********
Reply
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI do not have an employment contract and am not self employed. No issues with banking requirements and no history of any government or police related issues
Bob **********
@Ronnie ******
why don’t you do it yourself it’s 1900 baht I doubt you’ll get the whole 5 years out of a cooking class you may have to book new classes for each 180 day stay and you’ll need 500k in the bankRonnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
Thanks Bob. I have unfortunately been paying much more than that yearly for my retirement visa. Do you have a DTV visa? I’ve had people tell me I need to leave Thailand to get this visa.Bob **********
@Ronnie ******
no I’ve had a non-o retirement for 15 years and yes you need to leave to get this visa but some are being issued multi entry tourist visas on soft powerReply to
Bob **********
Reply
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