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What are the pros and cons of the Retirement visa versus the DTV Softpower visa for long-term stay in Thailand?
Retirement Visa (NON-O)DTV Softpower VisaVisa Options ThailandMuay Thai Education VisaUS Expat Visa RulesImmigration in ThailandVisa Extension ProceduresFinancial Requirements for Visa
Oct 15, 2025
7 months ago
Kamran *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHey there! I get that this might seem redundant for a lot of specialists. I'm a retired US military vet over 50, pulling in more than 65,000 baht a month from my pensions, plus I've got a financial portfolio that's over 800,000 baht. After checking out some older posts, it looks like I can qualify for a Retirement visa (without the hassle of depositing 800,000 in a Thai bank), and I'm also interested in the DTV Softcore visa since I want to learn Muay Thai.
So, my main question is: what are the pros and cons of each visa option? If I can qualify for both, which one is easier to deal with in the long run?
I heard that with the DTV soft core visa, you have to leave the country every 180 days, but that's not an issue for me. And most of the gyms offer courses 1 year or less of duration, meaning after that course Legally I would of out of status
So, my main question is: what are the pros and cons of each visa option? If I can qualify for both, which one is easier to deal with in the long run?
I heard that with the DTV soft core visa, you have to leave the country every 180 days, but that's not an issue for me. And most of the gyms offer courses 1 year or less of duration, meaning after that course Legally I would of out of status
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around two visa options for a retired US military veteran: the Retirement Visa (NON-O) and the DTV Softpower Visa meant for individuals wanting to learn Muay Thai. The Retirement Visa requires either a one-time deposit of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account for the first year or a monthly income of 65,000 THB, but it is challenging for Americans due to income verification issues. Alternatively, the DTV Softpower Visa offers flexibility with no need for a Thai bank account. However, it requires exiting the country for renewal every 180 days. Participants in the discussion also noted other considerations like potential hassles with education visas, bank account requirements, and the possibility of a 5-year Elite visa.
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Ric ******
If you don't mind paying for a MuayThai gym, softpower DTV seems your best option. Check with the consulate of choice if your 'portfolio' qualifies BEFORE paying the application fee. Crypto typically does not. Cash is strongly preferred, but some may accept other asset classes. I you continue training there, extension for another 180 days is doable for 1.900 THB.
Every 360 days you will need to leave, but you seem active and curious, so that trip probably won't bother you.
Every 360 days you will need to leave, but you seem active and curious, so that trip probably won't bother you.
Jack ********
Soft Core? lol where did you come up with that.
Kamran *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jack *******
lol my Oops. Man these visas are not a simple shit. No wonder people jumps boardersReply to
Kamran *********
Reply
Hans *********
Dtv you can get one extension at immigration stay for one year,not an issue I like to go to other countries. I got mine in Hanoi last year was fairly simple through a certified by govt Muay Thai school. As many entries as you want . Got drivers licenses, and before they stopped it a bank account. Dtv only need to show
*****
dollars or so , but it needs to be in a bank account verifiable for 6 months prior to applying.Hans *********
Actually it was this year, haha in february
Reply to
Hans *********
Reply
Jack ****************
Hey there OP, I'm not familiar with the visa you reference, but because you talk about it in conjunction with learning Muay Thai, this might be relevant:
The immigration departments HATE the education visas. Even if you use it for the intended purpose, if you want to stay after, you will be hassled at every renewal and often on your entries into the country. So, if the visa you are talking about is similar I'd be careful.
Also, while the banks here are maddening, opening an account isn't difficult the way you are probably hearing these days. Follow the process, be polite, be patient, you will be fine.
The immigration departments HATE the education visas. Even if you use it for the intended purpose, if you want to stay after, you will be hassled at every renewal and often on your entries into the country. So, if the visa you are talking about is similar I'd be careful.
Also, while the banks here are maddening, opening an account isn't difficult the way you are probably hearing these days. Follow the process, be polite, be patient, you will be fine.
Thomas ***********
I dont care what you think you gotta show 800,000 thb in a bank for a period of three months and your bank book is worthless to imigration you need printed stamped documents from the approved bank i am very expierianced in this also American
Robert ********
@Thomas **********
it's 2 months before applying and 3 months after.Reply to
Robert ********
Reply
Gábor **********
NON O-A, you can hold your money back home.
Greg ***********
@Gábor *********
The Non-O/A visa is a beast on its own . . . . . . Funds in your home bank only for the first two years. As soon as you switch to the Extension out of a former Non-O/A Visa, you need 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account in your sole name, AND a mandatory tgia-listed Thai private health insuranceGábor **********
@Greg **********
I don't make extensions, new visa every second year.Kamran *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gábor *********
there are a lot of bureaucratic red tapes.Reply to
Kamran *********
Reply
Kamran *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gábor *********
ok. Kindly elaborate. That will solve my issue.Bob **********
@Kamran ********
with the OA you’ll need police background check,medical certificate and you’ll need basically not very good Thai insurance and yes you can use the 800k in your US bankGábor **********
@Bob *********
for years I used non Thai travel insurance. Now I have Thai insurance... Anyway needed if you long time here.Reply to
Gábor **********
Reply
Donald **********
@Kamran ********
There are other requirements too for non-oa, like Thai health insurance from specific providers. Make a list of requirements for all the visas (non-o, non-oa and DTV) and choose the best option for you. Oh and you can study Muay Thai on the non-o and non-oa too, Grasshopper!Greg ***********
@Donald *********
"There are other requirements too for non-oa, like Thai health insurance from specific providers. " . . . . . . no "Thai health insurances" required for the first two years. Foreign health insurances will be acceptedReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Greg ***********
@Kamran ********
Non-O/A visa, it needs a police record check, a medical check, a mandatory one or two-years health insurance and a minimum of 25,500 US Dollars (equivalent of 800,000 THB) in your home bank account (it says "bank", not fixed account, or stock market bonds or whatever else!)Carla ****
@Greg **********
is it a medical check OR insurance? I always thought the OA required health insurance?Sean **********
@Carla ***
health certificate and insuranceGreg ***********
@Carla ***
it is both: for the application to the 365-days Non-Imm-O/A Longstay Visa, you need proof of a thorough medical checkup, and a one- or two year health insuranceReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Gábor **********
@Kamran ********
you do it back home and you can use it for 2 years.Michael ********
@Kamran ********
Check with local embassy in States that deals with your area. All requirements will be on there websiteReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Ian ********
The 800k option is easiest to maintain as is a set and forget.
The 65k/calendar month remittance cannot be missed otherwise it's game over. Further, having immigration identify that the funds were from overseas can be problematic via some routing.
The 65k/calendar month remittance cannot be missed otherwise it's game over. Further, having immigration identify that the funds were from overseas can be problematic via some routing.
Kamran *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ian *******
something learn new. Funds will be from overseas taxed pension. Will they monitor monthly pensions deposits?Sean **********
@Kamran ********
no, immigration does not monitor your pension. They want to see 12 monthly deposits from a foreign source of *****
thb or more each.Bob **********
@Kamran ********
your funds must show as an international transfer taxed or not you can start this immediately and use it for your second year extension the 800k has to stay in your account for 5 months then it can drop to 400K then top it up to 800K 2 months before your second extension use your monthly for that once you get the stamp do as you please with the 800KIan ********
Reply to
Ian ********
Reply
Gregory *********
Soft power not soft core. DTV gives you only 180 days per visit while a non o means you dont have to leave.
Pe ****
@Gregory ********
DTV. Trying to understand the 180 day rule.Does it mean:
1. After 180 days you have to leave, cross into Laos and come back the same day? Or:
2. After 180 days you must leave and stay out of Thailand for 185 days before you can return (180 days’ stay in a calendar year)? Or:
3. Something else?
Kamran *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pe ***
Regarding # 2. Are you sure person must stay out Thailand 185 days before return. I just returned from a DTV helping consult at authorized Mai Thai school, and I was told I can just go to Laos for a day and return to fulfillment of 180 day exit rule.Pe ****
@Kamran ********
If you read carefully, I asked questions. Asking me “Are you sure …?” is very strange.Gregory *********
@Kamran ********
one day out can return for another 180 days. Or can extend for a further 180 days from within thailand once and then leave for 1 day and start againPe ****
@Gregory ********
Thanks for the information. Appreciate it.Kamran *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gregory ********
yes that is what i have learned. I got confused after reading above 185 out comments. Thank you.Reply to
Kamran *********
Reply
Kamran *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gregory ********
oops thanks Soft Power lolMatthew *********
@Kamran ********
its not like everybody didn't know what he meantReply to
Matthew *********
Reply
Jeremy ********
Non-o retirement you can open a Thai bank acct
DTV no bank acct
Non-o The first year you need to deposit the entire ฿800k the second year you can transfer the ฿65k a month
DTV you can come and go as you want
Non-O you need to apply for exit stamps and purchase the multi entry non-o
Non-O extend every year at immigration
DTV 5 years locked in
Also look into the Elite visa 5-20 years and you can have a Thai bank acct
Good luck
DTV no bank acct
Non-o The first year you need to deposit the entire ฿800k the second year you can transfer the ฿65k a month
DTV you can come and go as you want
Non-O you need to apply for exit stamps and purchase the multi entry non-o
Non-O extend every year at immigration
DTV 5 years locked in
Also look into the Elite visa 5-20 years and you can have a Thai bank acct
Good luck
Brandon ************
Because you're American, your income is irrelevant. The US embassy in Thailand does not verify income, so you cannot use that for the first annual extension. That means the only thing you can use for the first one year retirement extension is 800,000 Thai baht in a Thai bank account in your name only. Having a portfolio isn't going to help you unless you're willing to cash it all out and transfer those funds into Thailand and keep them mostly locked up, for at least 1.5 years.
Kamran *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thanks for your quick respond. I am trying to avoid the hassle (as I read) to deal with thai banks and leave 800,000 bhat for years. I watched a video interview of Thai Ministry Official at FitFac site, he said ANY BANK ACCOUNT INCLUDING USA. According to your respond DTV softcore is easier to avoid local banks.Brandon ************
@Kamran ********
I'm referencing the non-O retirement visa. DTV is its own beast.Kim **********
@Kamran ********
yes any bank account to apply from OUTSIDE Thailand for the initial 90 days. But to get a 1 year extension you need to open a Thai bank account and deposit the 800,000 baht and have it sit for 2 months before you do the extension.Reply to
Kim **********
Reply
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