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What are the visa options for a British expat married to a Thai national who wants to work online and can't afford the 800k requirement?
Visa optionsThai visaNon-O visaMarriage visaDTV visaOnline teachingExpat life in ThailandImmigration advice
Jan 14, 2026
4 months ago
Colin ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi there, I am seeking advice. I am a British passport holder married to a Thai and I have been in Thailand Teaching with a visa and work permit for 20+ years, however my work recently has become increasingly and more concentrated to online teaching (Europeans, no Thai students), so I'm considering doing that full-time. I don't have the 800k for a retirement visa, so what are my options?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A British expat, married to a Thai citizen and having lived in Thailand for over 20 years with a teaching visa, is seeking alternatives for long-term stay as he transitions to full-time online teaching. He does not meet the 800k THB financial requirement for a retirement visa. Various options suggested by community members include obtaining a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa), a marriage visa with proof of a 40k THB monthly income from any source, and utilizing agents to help bypass financial restrictions. Other considerations include creating a company to secure a work permit while adhering to legal requirements.
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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Colin ********
ORIGINAL POSTERBut you need a WP
Alek *********
Ask for Grace
Alek *********
Thai Visa Centre
AliJames *****
Ed visa for 28 k a year. Caveat is you pay 5k every 3 months
Jesper *******
Cheapest option nonO marriage showing a monthly deposit of 40k for 12 mths
Sean *************
1) Being married to a Thai, you can get a 1 year visa extension with a salary of 40k (with tax receipts), or proof of 40k inbound income.
2) Being married to a Thai, you can get a 1 year visa extension through a company (which can be owned by you, your wife, or any other company/agency) with a 40k salary. Either get a language school gig or make your own company, hire 2 staff (paying their wages and social security) and get your own work permit issued. If you are not a director of the company, you would also be able to keep your social security medical.
Don’t listen to the other comments encouraging a zigzag visa that could lead to questions in the future
2) Being married to a Thai, you can get a 1 year visa extension through a company (which can be owned by you, your wife, or any other company/agency) with a 40k salary. Either get a language school gig or make your own company, hire 2 staff (paying their wages and social security) and get your own work permit issued. If you are not a director of the company, you would also be able to keep your social security medical.
Don’t listen to the other comments encouraging a zigzag visa that could lead to questions in the future
Steve *********
Thai visa centre , Bangkok
Mma *******
You can use an agent to byPass the 800k requirement. The agent sets this up for you and the cost is minimal.
Andy ********
Seriously, you got to retirement age and don't have THB 800k ? What are you doing? Why be so passive? You're too old to be broke. Option #1: Go out into the world and earn some dosh while you still can. Come back to Thailand when you can afford to retire.
Jack ********
@Andy *******
Exactly wasted his whole career working for peanuts. It’s not too late to try to do something with your life.Colin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jack *******
read my post before making assumptions, you have no idea about me, my past or my circumstances.Reg ***********
@Jack *******
its clear you are an unpleasant man 😗Sarah ******
@Reg **********
That's putting it mildly!Reply to
Sarah ******
Reply
Guy ********
Soft power DTV and dont tell anyone you are working.
Graeme ******
@Guy *******
once you have a dtv then whether soft power or not you can still work remotely nothing would stop you , the dtvs are the same no differenceReply to
Graeme ******
Reply
Warin **********
Marriage Visa
John **********
As you are planning to teach remotely from Thailand your only real option is a DTV based on workation
Robert **********
Get an agent
Stuart ***********
Do you have the 400k for the marriage visa?
Graham ******
Do you have 500k for a DTV?
Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
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