Answered5 months ago
What do I need to know about obtaining a DTV visa for settling in Thailand?
After years of dreaming, weighing the pros and cons, and thinking very hard about it, we made the decision 2 months ago: we are going on a world trip (in Asia) and want to settle in Thailand with a DTV visa as our home base, probably in Chiang Mai.
In the meantime, the house has been sold, we have quit our jobs, we are in contact with a lady who runs a cooking school in Chiang Mai regarding our DTV visa, and we hope to arrive in Thailand in November (with a trip to Sri Lanka and Japan, where our youngest daughter lives)!
We have already been there 10 times, admittedly on vacation, and it always feels like coming home!
Are there more people here with such a DTV visa? Is it issued easily? (Showing savings is not a problem). Are there things we need to keep in mind? We know about the 180 days; we want to visit a different country each time (Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia for sure, and then slow travel). Tips and ideas are very welcome!
After those 5 years, we will review whether we want to stay and apply for a retirement visa (that could be possible as early as May 2027, depending on age).
After years of dreaming, weighing the pros and cons, and thinking very hard about it, we made the decision 2 months ago: we are going on a world trip (in Asia) and want to settle in Thailand with a DTV visa as our home base, probably in Chiang Mai.
In the meantime, the house has been sold, we have quit our jobs, we are in contact with a lady who runs a cooking school in Chiang Mai regarding our DTV visa, and we hope to arrive in Thailand in November (with a trip to Sri Lanka and Japan, where our youngest daughter lives)!
We have already been there 10 times, admittedly on vacation, and it always feels like coming home!
Are there more people here with such a DTV visa? Is it issued easily? (Showing savings is not a problem). Are there things we need to keep in mind? We know about the 180 days; we want to visit a different country each time (Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia for sure, and then slow travel). Tips and ideas are very welcome!
After those 5 years, we will review whether we want to stay and apply for a retirement visa (that could be possible as early as May 2027, depending on age).
After years of dreaming, weighing the pros and cons, and thinking very hard about it, we made the decision 2 months ago: we are going on a world trip (in Asia) and want to settle in Thailand with a DTV visa as our home base, probably in Chiang Mai.
Answer summary
The user plans to settle in Thailand with a DTV visa after traveling in Asia. They seek information on the visa's application process, requirements, and advice for their long-term stay in Thailand. Comments suggest that DTV visas are generally easy to obtain, but recent issuance may have tightened. Participants provided tips on potential limitations of the visa, such as class attendance requirements, banking issues, and alternatives like the retirement visa. There are also suggestions about locations to live, including potential benefits of being based in Bangkok versus Chiang Mai.
27 repliesnewest first
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Jason ********
Good luck, enjoy the traveling, I think it’s the right plan to finding the right place, if you have zero intention of earning Asia is decent place to live if you’re okay with the heat and UV
Kool *******
If world travel is your objective then basing out of Bangkok is much better than Chaing Mai. From Bangkok you can go anywhere is South East Asia, and Thailand, in just a few hours. For lots of those places, if you live in Chaing Mai, you've got to catch connecting flights in Bangkok. Just something to keep in mind.
GentleTu********
I really think you’re gonna love it here you visited so many times and you’re already aware of the challenges as you said you’ve weighed the cons and for those of us that chose to settle here the pros clearly outweigh them.
Lots of people here on DTV. Generally easy to obtain.
For the admin fee, I found an agency to be worth it. Extra sets of eyes, knowing exactly what to submit and what NOT to submit. Will answer all your questions and remove any guesswork from the process.
If the cooking school you’re going with has had at least a couple dozen people get their DTV through them, and recently, then they should be able to help you with your paperwork easily and maybe even provide application assistance.
Lots of people here on DTV. Generally easy to obtain.
For the admin fee, I found an agency to be worth it. Extra sets of eyes, knowing exactly what to submit and what NOT to submit. Will answer all your questions and remove any guesswork from the process.
If the cooking school you’re going with has had at least a couple dozen people get their DTV through them, and recently, then they should be able to help you with your paperwork easily and maybe even provide application assistance.
Danza *******
I'd be concerned about putting all eggs in one basket on a temporary visa if they don't let you back in for whatever reason. At least with the retirement visa they are accepting that you are there to retire. Don't want to sound negative but I see many stories on here.
GentleTu********
@Da***
it’s not a temporary Visa. It’s a five-year multi entry Visa.Danza *******
GentleTurkey6967 it’s a temporary visa in the eyes of Thai immi
Pascal ***********
Check the LTR - wealthy pensioner. As you have enough savings for an early retirement, I suppose you can qualify for this.
Contrary to the DTV, the LTR isn’t a tourist visa and it will give you more benefits.
Contrary to the DTV, the LTR isn’t a tourist visa and it will give you more benefits.
Robin *********
Great plan, DTV suits it, Just remember If you are granted the visa on a weekly cooking class for 6-9 months, you are obligated to paricipate and not leave Thailand for more than a weekend. At least in theory and for a foreseeable future also in practice as long as they have to play their crackdown theater for local audiences
GentleTu********
Just remember, Robin made up this information up and you have six month course to attend as many or as few cooking classes as you want and be gone as long as you want in between classes.
Anonymous ******************
Have you thought about banking, taxes, medical insurance, residency status, how to go about getting visa for retirement purposes in the future, burning season?
Elly ******************************************
OPAnonieme deelnemer 496 yes we did! Thank you
Phil ******
@Elly *****************************************
ok you realise you cannot open a thai bank account on a DTV ?
Liam ********
@Phil *****
getting a Thai driver’s license on a DTV is not a problem, if that’s what you mean.And not having a Thai bank account isn’t really a problem while living here in my experience.
I agree that the retirement visa might also be a good fit / worth looking into.
Liam ********
@Elly *****************************************
it’s not a problem. It can be a minor inconvenience in some very infrequent scenarios (like receiving back a security deposit from your landlord). But mostly you’ll be fine without a Thai bank account.You can get a Thai driver’s license. You just need to get a residency certificate from immigration once you’re here.
Phil ******
@Elly *****************************************
it should be for a long term visa or extension and a DTV isn't classified ss a long term Visa or extensionIf your over 50 consider a Non O
If under Non B or ed visa will work.
Elly ******************************************
OPElly ******************************************
OPIs that a problem?
Is it possible to get a thai drivers lisence?
Is it possible to get a thai drivers lisence?
Mi ****
DTV will do, but judging by the posts recently they have tightened the issuance considerably. Otherwise it is ideal for a base type setup, when you leave Thailand frequently and come back.
Fascinati**********
That’s epic! We started 5 months ago. Currently in South Korea :)
choose*******
You gonna have fun in SEA! Year 2 out of 5 for me. DTV is a great visa. You have 2 types here - soft power eg muay thai, thai cooking classes and workcation. Since you mentioned using Thailand as a home base to travel SEA, you probably want to apply for workcation. Do you have your own business or work remotely?
Elly ******************************************
OPchooserich007 we don't need to work, we have enoigh savngs
Trustworth**********
@Elly *****************************************
enough savings? 50 years is young. Is this a permanent move or temporary because your savings will go quicklychoose*******
@Elly *****************************************
ok you might need to use the soft power category. If you do apply under workcation and unemployed, you might face a higher chance of rejection. I would clearly show/document that your savings can sustain both of you for a few years at least. Best of luck.
Robert *******
Just to let you know, the retirement visa is available for people who are at least 50 years young and who are willing to sit out the rest of their lives in Thailand.
You wrote depending on age, it is easy to know if you are 50 years or older.
You wrote depending on age, it is easy to know if you are 50 years or older.
Elly ******************************************
OP@Robert ******
in may 2027 we will be 50 bothRobert *******
@Elly *****************************************
sold the house, quit your jobs?Lots of savings to spend the rest of your life?
Or planning to work somewhere?
Elly ******************************************
OP@Robert ******
enough savings 😊Activity
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