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What are the best visa options for moving to Thailand permanently, particularly for Education, Retirement, and DTV visas?
Visa OptionsEducation VisaDTV VisaRetirement VisaTourist VisaLong-term StayExpat LifeThailand Immigration
Apr 11, 2025
a year ago
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHey all!
I’m planning on moving to Thailand permanently from the US in 2-3 months and starting to think about which visa is the best to get.
I’ve been thinking about the Education Visa. Has anybody here done that? I heard it’s possible they might not let me extend it to a different visa after that year is up. True/false?
DTV visa - pros/cons?
Retirement visa - I am not pulling social security yet so I don’t have passive income. Is this still even an option? (I’m 50 years old.)
Tourist visa runs every 60/90 days. Is this really sustainable over years?
Thank you so much for any insight!
I’m planning on moving to Thailand permanently from the US in 2-3 months and starting to think about which visa is the best to get.
I’ve been thinking about the Education Visa. Has anybody here done that? I heard it’s possible they might not let me extend it to a different visa after that year is up. True/false?
DTV visa - pros/cons?
Retirement visa - I am not pulling social security yet so I don’t have passive income. Is this still even an option? (I’m 50 years old.)
Tourist visa runs every 60/90 days. Is this really sustainable over years?
Thank you so much for any insight!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is planning to move permanently to Thailand and is exploring visa options including the Education Visa, DTV (Digital Nomad Visa), and Retirement Visa. They seek feedback on the feasibility and pros/cons of these visas, especially regarding the ability to switch visas after an Education Visa, and the requirements for the Retirement Visa given their current financial status (no passive income and under social security). The conversation touches on the sustainability of using a Tourist Visa for long-term stays, with many commenters providing insights and personal experiences with various visa types.
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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Wannikea *********
DTV with a soft power scheme such as Muay Thai. The colloquial "retirement" visa has nothing to do with retirement, it's criteria definition is 50 years of age or older.
Daryl *****
I have my drivers license and bank account w/ DTV. You need to have a certificate of residency to get a driver license in Thailand. You get that once you take your lease to immigration!
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Daryl ****
so you went on a tourist visa and then got the DTV while in Thailand?Daryl *****
@Michael *******
negative. I applied for my DTV in the states. I’m a remote worker. ****************************
check here for best option…. It’s really dependent on individual situation.Reply to
Daryl *****
Reply
Daryl *****
DTV all day.
Hans *********
I'm doing DTV it's 400 us in Cambodia,another 4-500 for Muay Thai classes 5 years unlimited entries,bargain ,relatively easy to get with the soft activities.doing it in Chiang mai ,they allow you to do it over the 5 years.you can't get bank account,drivers license with DTV though
Daryl *****
@Hans ********
incorrect information.Hans *********
@Daryl ****
how so? Tell us why?Reply to
Hans *********
Reply
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Hans ********
this sounds very interesting. It sounds like a cross between the education Visa, the 5 year elite and a DTV visa.Hans *********
@Michael *******
Its dtv, but it's under soft activities just have show a 3 month bank balance , I'm going to Cambodia sunday, I've got 6 months of balances. With soft activities you don't have to prove income just get a letter from school. Can do cooking school as well. Those are the two I've seen that are sponsored by govt most likely to workMichael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Hans ********
thank you Hans 🙏Hans *********
@Michael *******
Welcome , good luckReply to
Hans *********
Reply
Dan *****
****************************
check here for best option…. It’s really dependent on individual situation.Hoffman ******
Good to see more Americans moving to Thailand after the price of everything will go up with all these tariffs
William ******
@Hoffman *****
not another one.....Joan ********
@William *****
RudeReply to
Joan ********
Reply
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Hoffman *****
this move was happening regardless honestlyHoffman ******
@Michael *******
I think once you’re here you need a hobby to keep yourself occupied.Reply to
Hoffman ******
Reply
Andi ***********
50 and over can get the retirement visa. DTV is a great option to work online for a non Thai firm
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
I’m in between wanting to fully retire and thinking I might get bored in a few years and might want to work for a foreign (US) company.Marty *********
@Michael *******
You cannot work in Thailand on any of the “retirement” visas. You could always switch visas later on.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
I considered potentially working in a year or two if I get bored. So maybe it might be best to start with the DTV visa for a couple of years and then switch to the immigrant O retirement visa when I know I’m truly done workingMarty *********
@Michael *******
I retired at 55 in the US. I moved to Thailand when I was 60. I never got bored but it is something to consider.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
do you mind if I send you a message Marty?Marty *********
@Michael *******
Yes you can message me but my visas don’t seem to be the visas you are going for.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
I sent you a message. Thank you 🙏Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Andi ***********
@Mic****
Swaine, DTV needs 500K THB or equivalent currency in a personal account. Need to show you work online for a non Thai firm via contracts, CV, portfolio etc. You should check the main DTV group on Facebook, lots of tips on how to apply. You can get USD income while in Thailand with the DTV which is great way to save some of your retirement fundsMichael ********
ORIGINAL POSTERIt seems like the requirements are similar for the DTV and Non immigrant O visa - 800k baht in a Thai bank and some forms.
Anna *********
@Michael *******
A simple view but basically true The only variable is that all embassies and immigration officers do seem to take a different view on the day with the DTV. It may be worth joining the DTV group to see the huge number of variablesReply to
Anna *********
Reply
Anna *********
You need to do some more research s there are so many options and you seem to be a little confused about the details. "retirement" and DTV require savings in a bank account not passive income. Tourist
*****
days are not sustainable and already immigration are clamping down on consistent use of these tourist visaMarty *********
@Anna ********
Not entirely confused . . . the pensioner LTR visa (my current visa) requires $80,000/yr of passive income.Anna *********
@Marty ********
The LTR wasn't mentioned by the OP so I wasn't responding to that visa as more confusion was not going to be helpfulMarty *********
@Anna ********
The LTR would fall under the “retirement visas” category and he did mention “passive income” so he did hear something somewhere. Since the LTR is not mentioned on Thai embassy websites (I think) I decided to mention it . . . plus that is my current visa.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Anna ********
I didn’t know about the LTR visa actually. As confused as I started, I’m piecing things together and really appreciate everybody’s input! 🙏
Marty *********
@Michael *******
The details about the LTR visa can be found on the Thailand Board of Investment website. Google BOI LTR. It is really passive income required. For example I meet the requirements using my work pension. They also accept certain investment passive incomes but I don’t know the details on that. They don’t consider earned income or savings.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
got it. Thank you Marty! That rules out that visa for me. That narrows it down to the DTV and non immigrant O. If I’m considering the possibility that I might want to work in a year or two when I’m bored, I’m leaning towards the DTV and can shift it to the O visa when I know I’m truly done working.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI think that’s the plan based on what I’ve learned here
And the education Visa just doesn’t sound right at all since nobody commented on that and it’s only for a year
And the education Visa just doesn’t sound right at all since nobody commented on that and it’s only for a year
Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
80k usd?Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Anna ********
I am confused about the details for sure. I’m hoping to build a little foundation of knowledge here to help guide me to the best option for me.Anna *********
@Michael *******
For example Andi Traveller is correct but does not mention the 800K THB or 500KTHB required to apply for these visas and that is an important point with both these visas. Nor does he mention the "soft power" available for the DTV This is all outlined on the official siteMichael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Anna ********
soft power? I think I’ll head to their website next to see what I need for both. It sounds like the education Visa is not likely the best one and that I should shops e between the DTV and non immigrant retirement O visa.
Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Anna *********
FB is very much based on individual experience so you could end up even more confused. I learnt a great deal by reading and understanding the Thai visa official websites before taking advice from FB
Reply to
Anna *********
Reply
Marty *********
If you are over 50 years old the typical visa used by retirees is the non immigrant O visa. As an American you must be able to deposit 800,000 (about $24,000) baht in a Thai bank account. There are more details to this but over 50 and 800k are the basic requirements. If you don’t have the 800k then you might consider using a visa agent (which was never my choice).
Other visa options are the OA visa, Elite visa, pensioner LTR visa . . . possibly the DTV visa.
Don’t even think of staying long term on a tourist entry unless you’ve never been here and are you are coming to see what Thailand is all about.
Other visa options are the OA visa, Elite visa, pensioner LTR visa . . . possibly the DTV visa.
Don’t even think of staying long term on a tourist entry unless you’ve never been here and are you are coming to see what Thailand is all about.
Tim **********
@Marty ********
you can do a retirement visa without a Thai bankMarty *********
@Tim *********
If you are referring to using an agent . . . well then that is a particular choice. Not my recommendation but plenty of people do thisMarty *********
@Tim *********
You can’t get a 1 year extension without a Thai bank account. An O visa is only 90 days. An OA visa is one year but that is not the best visa unless you really like its particular features.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
so I could get the O while I’m stateside and then get the OA while I’m there after I open up a Thai account and transfer money into it. Is that about right?Marty *********
@Michael *******
Forget about the OAMichael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
got it. Thank you. Get the O here, go to Thailand, open an account and fund it, apply for the one year extension. Rinse and repeat annually with the account maintaining 800k+
Marty *********
@Michael *******
No. you get an O in the US and extend the O for 1 year at immigration in Thailand.Reply to
Marty *********
Reply
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
thank you Marty. This might be the best option. Do you know how long the O visa lasts for? Does it need to be annually renewed? If yes, is there an easy process as long as I maintained 800k baht in a Thai account?Marty *********
@Michael *******
You might want to say where in Thailand you plan to move to since this will help others give their advice. The immigration details can be a little different in each of the provinces.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
I plan on moving to KoratMarty *********
@Michael *******
Try to get your bank account where you plan to live.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTEREasy bus ride to Bkk
Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Marty *********
@Michael *******
Look into getting the O visa while in the US. Getting a Thai bank account, I hear, is much easier if you already have an O visa.Marty *********
@Michael *******
The O visa is a 90 day visa. You extend this visa annually. I kept the 800,000 baht in my Thai bank account year round. I found this to make the 1 year extension process, in Bangkok, to be very easy to do myself (1,900 baht fee annually).Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
so you start with 90 days on the O visa and then extend it for one year? Rinse and repeat annually for 1900b. Is that right? And thank you Marty!
Brandon ************
@Michael *******
Yes, the non-O 90 day, extended annually with 800,000 in the bank is the "normal" way. It'll get you what you are looking for. There are more advanced things you can do such as switching to monthly bank transfers as proof of funds after your first year, but they require planning a year in advance and making sure you never miss a transfer.Just make sure you get the non-O visa from the Thai embassy BEFORE you go to Thailand, or you won't be able to open a bank account. No bank account, no extensions.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
that’s good advice - get it before I get there. Do you know how long that process takes? And thank you!Brandon ************
@Michael *******
1-3 weeks depending on the embassy. There are 4 in the US and the one you use is determined by where you live. The visa is valid for 90 days so you can apply for it anytime within 90 days of your trip, but normally 1-2 months early is plenty.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thank you Brandon!Marty *********
@Michael *******
Yes, you can extend an O indefinitely without leaving the country. Just meet the extension requirements each year.Marty *********
I came on an OA visa in 2017. I extended it 5x. I am now on a pensioner 10 year LTR visa ( the visa that requires $80k/yr passive income).
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
ah ok. I understand. I won’t have $80k in passive income. A 10 year visa sounds great though lolMichael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
thank you Marty 🙏 This might be the way to go. I suppose if I get married one day, it might even get easier.
Marty *********
@Michael *******
Getting married makes the visa cheaper (400k vs 800k) but the process is a little more complicated.Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marty ********
if I get married one day, I’m going to look into starting the likely arduous citizenship process.Brandon ************
@Michael *******
Citizenship is not an option for most people even if they are married to a Thai. You have to work in Thailand for multiple years while paying taxes to qualify, and then you must continue working the entire time the application is processing (more years).Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
ah ok. Thank you 🙏Jack ********
@Michael *******
you need to be working and paying taxes in Thailand not just get marriedReply to
Jack ********
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