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What are the pros and cons of the new Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) versus the Retirement Visa for expats over 50 in Thailand?

DTV Digital Nomad Visa Retirement Visa Thailand retirement Visa comparison Expat advice

Jan 13, 2025

5 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

For someone over 50 looking to retire in Thailand, what are the pro and cons of the new DTV and the Retirement Visa?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion compares the new Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) and the Retirement Visa for expats over 50 moving to Thailand. Pros of the DTV include its affordability (10,000 baht for five years), reduced paperwork, ability to work remotely, and the absence of funds required in a Thai bank. Conversely, the DTV's drawbacks include a requirement to leave Thailand once a year and potential complications in opening bank accounts. The Retirement Visa, while more difficult to obtain and requiring an annual extension with 800k baht in a bank, offers longer validity and tax considerations. Overall, many users recommend the DTV for its benefits, especially for those who travel frequently.

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.

Kina **********

in my opinion

cheaper cost average per year that's all

my student pay just 35k thb for DTV cooking course this morning

hope this information is helpful

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Sefton ********

DTV Pros

can legally remote work online or freelance outside of Thailand.

Easy to obtain

5 year validity

Once obtained can 'border run' each 6 months and need no proof of funds.

Border bouncers are likely to be off any Tax radar should it happen

DTV cons

6 months entry per time Extensions still unclear (but starting to hear it is happening).

Need to leave the country at least 1 time a year, or 6 monthly if not extending

Can be harder top open a bank account (but all are hard)

Retirement O

Slightly harder to obtain

More likely to be a tax question if it comes up (Oz super is thai taxable !!)

Annual extensions with 800k in a Thai bank

OA or OX similar to the above, longer entry and validity, specialist poor value insurance needed.

I moved over to a DTV because even if it is a bit more transient a type of visa, the perks were worth it for me, and as I travel the downsides were not relevant.

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Jennifer ******

If you can apply for a non OA in your home country, do that instead.

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Ray *****

@Jennifer *****

you need annual health insurance for that visa. It's not the best option

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Jennifer ******

unless you already have very good global coverage insurance, why would you not want to get yourself covered in Thailand? I've read of many who got into serious accidents and there was no insurance and the family has no funds to expatriate the patient back. And if you already have global coverage, you can use that for the retirement visa, don't have to purchase a local one.

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Sefton ********

@Jennifer *****

because the insurance policies from the insurers that qualify for that dont present very good value for money.

Its a captive market, from a limited set of insurers, they know this.

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Ray *****

@Jennifer *****

I didn't say you shouldn't be insured. I said it was a requirement for that visa. And whilst you say your own insurance can cover you many have reported they had to get a Thai policy for that visa

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Jennifer ******

maybe they're confused

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Jennifer ******

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Sefton ********

@Jennifer *****

needs annoying ongoing insurance to extend in country after though..

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Sefton ********

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Erik *******

It’s a no brainer : get a DTV !!! Far less paperwork , no 23k US$ to be sleeping on a thai bank account for the time of your retirement visa , no yearly extension (with retirement visa you have to extend it every year: lots of paperwork every year AND you have to be in Thailand to do it: you cannot travel outside Thailand when it’s time to extend it) !!!

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Rob *********

Thats why DTV won't be here for longer, Thai gob will realise soon that it is killing the other visas that force farangs to bring money to the country, leaving it in a bank "sleeping".

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Erik *******

rules harder now ?? Haha 😂

Not for the “soft power” category apparently : 2 guys I know just switched from retirement visa to DTV soft power with only 1 dental appointment in a clinic in Bangkok. When people say rules are getting harder it’s only because they read comments from people applying in some “difficult” embassies. Some embassies are very strict, some are very easy . Just choose wisely and you can get soon a 5 years multi entry visa with zero hassle. Now we have enough feedback: absolutely nobody with DTV (including the soft power category based on a 1 week cooking course) got denied entry after a border run (6 months ago stamp per entry). Rinse and repeat. For 5 years 😛

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

If immigration cut out their useless criteria for retirement visas, not so many would be switching. I've already switched and I know 8 other guys done the same. If you meet the requirements why not?

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Dennis *********

I tend to agree. If nobody is applying for other visas they might. They will be forced to change the rules. But anything is possible.

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Rob *********

@Dennis ********

Maybe this is the reason why the rules are harder now then two months ago, and will be more with the time.

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Ray *****

the rules haven't changed. People who follow the rules are getting the Visa.

They actually want more people here spending money in the economy. Money stuck in a bank account does nothing for the economy

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Ray *****

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

Get the DTV! Only 10,000 baht for five years and no need to bring large lump sum of money into Thailand!

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Stefani ********

Anonymous participant 717 absolutely

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Stefani ********

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Rick ************

Good question!

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Pete *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Rick ***********

I’ll be honest, I’m a YouTuber, and this is the easiest way to do research. I love this group!

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Pete *******

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