What is the best nearby embassy to apply for a non-O visa in Thailand?

I spent about 8 years on back--to-back tourist visa then I turned 50 and now I am on a retirement visa. The whole time I have been a remote employee in the US.

"Retirement" in Thailand means something a little different.

This is one of those things "don't ask, don't tell". If you are not sucking money out of the economy, conducting business openly, employing people - nobody will care what you get up to.

Similar situation .... DTV was turned down as my "digital hobby" did not produce enough income to meet guidelines and pension cannot be counted ... it may be in your best interest to book an appointment at Thai consulate in US before any application ...

Commenting to subscribe and see how things go for you, and I hope it goes well. I'm also retiring soon and will have a very nice pension. Good luck! Maybe I'll see you in CM!

Another Day in Paradise, after 20 years here even simple tasks can become a huge ordeal, today at Mr DIY spent almost an hour trying to exchange 140 baht light bulb for a 53 baht light bulb, they kept telling me "everything in the store is 93 baht, no money come back" I tried to give them another 100 baht and they refused the money, after talking to 3 different employees in the end they gave 87 baht, accepted the exchange, (I refused to let them blow me off) = total insanity. I think they finally gave me the money even though I didn't want it just to get me to leave. Needless to say I'll never go back to this Tukom South Pattaya shop...

Thanks John

I am a US citizen. I've retired here for 5 years & I have FEHB for health insurance. If you need more information about using US health insurance, Thai visa and earning income in Thailand, I maybe able to give real life answers. I also agree-to not over think it. Just do it. However, don't buy house/condo yet. Learn the process-live life first.

Have you been to Thailand before?

IMO your best choice is DTV and to work as a digital nomad. This is a legitimate path, one that I took even tho my husband and kids came in under different visas. I work occasionally doing consulting work outside of Thailand & wanted to make sure I was classifying my situation correctly. I also believe that if my situation changes, I can look at readjusting my visa status as well (I.e. apply for a retirement or LTR visa). Play by the rules, be above board despite what anyone says. You are moving your life here, which is not insignificant, so it’s not worth the risk to do things slippery. Also, I consider myself a guest in Thailand, a country generously allowing me to live here, and despite how obscure their rules are or how often they change them, I believe fervently than I should follow them. Good luck!!

Apply for a DTV workcation, but you can only from outside Thailand. As long as you are not doing business with any Thai company or individual you will be fine.

Not expensive it will give you 5 years of hassle free entry/exit as often as you want but each stamp permits you to stay up to. 180 days, don’t for get the 90 day reporting and never overstay GL

Your $$ is not enough for living in Thailand!

Retirement visa - best option. do not disclose your income to anyone, including foreigners. Buy only a modest Motorbike, rent everything else for at least a year. Make NO investment here for at least a year. Avoid any permanent relationship for at least 6 months. Learn at least basic Thai. Enjoy the discovery !!!! (23 yrs resident)

You say you’re looking to retire in Thailand. I assume that means you intend to, possibly, spend the rest of your life here.

I’d be willing to take a bet that the DTV visa is no longer around in 10 years. Possibly not even in 5. If I were you I’d think of alternative options.

As far as your Youtube channel is concerned - as long as the work is done in front of your computer (as opposed to a Thailand travel vlog/influencer type channel), and does not involve any activities in Thailand, it’s unlikely to cause any issues even if you’re on a retirement visa.

Alternatively, have you considered the Elite Visa/Privilege visa? Yes, it’s a bit of money up front, but it will cover you for 5-20 years, and is generally accepting of doing remote work.

Keep your health insurance. BCBS does an excellent job with direct payment to several hospitals. Can't speak to other providers.

While everyone else is going to argue about the DTV versus the O visa, you are missing the forest for the trees. You have your finances and visas mostly handled, but you are completely overlooking the practical, day-to-day realities of surviving and thriving in Thailand.Here is some invaluable, "street-smart" advice based on real, hands-on experience that no guidebook or visa agent will teach you.1. The Real Danger: Transportation & MotorbikesYou are worried about a $300 YouTube channel, but the single biggest threat to your life, savings, and retirement here is a motorbike. Thailand’s roads are notoriously dangerous. Riding a bike here has massive consequences at every level—from corrupt police stops and zero-fault insurance issues to devastating accidents and death. Even if you are completely sober and careful, the guy next to you might not be. I recently got hit by a drunk driver myself, and I have neighbors who refuse to touch a bike for this exact reason. If you drink, or if you value your life, do not ride a motorbike. Budget for a car, use Grab/Bolt, or walk.2. The "Naïve" Tax (Romance and Scams)There is a naïve phase every new expat goes through. You have to learn it hands-on, and it usually costs you money. Thailand is intoxicating. If you aren't careful, a beautiful girl (or guy, whatever your preference is) will easily brainwash you. Before you know it, you are losing your nest egg to a "sick family member" or a bad business deal. To many people here, you are seen as a number and a walking ATM. Keep your guard up, have a game plan, and never give away money you aren't prepared to lose forever.3. The Tax Reality & The 150,000 Baht ThresholdYour $300 a month is roughly $3,600 a year, which is about 120,000 Thai Baht (THB). If you live here for more than 180 days a year, you are a tax resident. However, Thailand has a progressive tax system where your first 150,000 THB of income is taxed at 0% (completely exempt). You fall well under the threshold. While you would eventually need to get a Thai Tax ID and file, you won't actually owe any tax on that hobby money. It’s a non-issue.4. Financial Logistics (Condos & Banking)Figure out your housing game plan early (renting vs. buying a condo). When you move your nest egg, do not exchange your money into Baht before it gets here. Send your money directly from overseas in USD (via wire or Wise) to a Thai bank account, and let the local bank do the exchange. If you ever buy a condo, you legally need a Foreign Exchange Transaction (FET) form from the Thai bank proving the funds came from overseas in foreign currency, or you can't put the property in your name.Stop stressing about the $300 hobby. Focus on how you're going to navigate the streets, the culture, and protecting your money once your feet hit the ground

you can maybe do a wealthy pensioner. it’s what. $6,000 income a momth. i think you can work. with it? It’s cushy. even help you open a bank acct. with bangkok bank. little reporting. you have a federal pension and a 401k, which they counted towards my qualification. I was a state employee 10 years ago private practice lawyer 25 years once I could roll over my 401k there. it doubled. i’m sure you had that investment. in your federal ( i forget letters). plus you have access to like cheap blue/cross blue shield through your employer, open enrollment. private hospitals. I still have AXA

here as another layer of health. make sure you buy evacuation insurance. Medjet.com in case you are too sick at injured. seems like lots of expats age and things happen. you have to protect yourself here. flight home on private medical jet would be $800, 000. download apps before you come. bring a lot of cash and two ATM and credit cards. download every bank and pension and 401k statement for a year and a half. scan. it’s hard here with text verification codes. security blocks. feel free to dm me. just got here.

I am 62 and have had the DTV for a year. It was a little different when I got it but no one has asked me a single question. I have printed out a copy. When I arrive in country, I show it to them and it looks like they jot down the visa number. I live near and help sometimes at an orphanage about an hour north of Surathani. No one has asked me if I volunteer anywhere although by technical definition I guess you could say I am. These people are my neighbors so I just go and play with the kids and help sometimes. Best of luck to you. Let me know if you make it to southern Thailand. I can show you things here you could not see otherwise and I am always looking for an opportunity to share them.

I received an early retirement from the federal government and live in Thailand solo. I run an online business. I went the DTV route to avoid any issues with working remotely while here. I have helped quite a few other solo women figure out their best options.

If your YouTube channel is monetize, which yours is, then you need to get a DTV

Your still citizen of US even if you move here, tax laws apply for you citizenship and not country.

Paint on your hobby is not a work.

Your online stuff has nothing to do with Thai law, Theres is no law against send feeds into YouTube or equal.

At age 50 you can apply for retirement visa. No matter your age in US retirement. You do need to show proof of income and some money at bank account, preferably also show some sort of insurance.

Read up on all, look where you want to live (important) and know the area, immigration can be different from area to area.

First of all, the DTV is not 'so new', it's been available for over 2 years. You definitely want to get the DTV as ANY work is prohibited under the retirement visa and extensions thereof. Don't listen to people who say "if it's online no one will know" Loose lips sink ships 😉

Apply for the DTV through the Thailand E-visa website and allow yourself some time for processing and providing extra documents if requested.

Id do the DTV and be safe. I wouldn’t get into anything with it except your YouTube channel. Include in your application you also have considerable passive income which allows you to “work” on your YouTube channel and include your last income tax return showing this or an official letter showing your pension income. This is what I did (I don’t have a YouTube channel but am a part time stock day trader) and I was approved in the first few weeks of the start of the DTV visa. Hope this helps.

Nobody will notice or care about your online work, if it’s fully online with no customers in Thailand.

Trying to make a profit as a painter is more problematic. Artist jobs are prohibited to non Thai citizens. I couldn’t find painter on the list specifically but similar roles like wood carver and lacquer bowl maker and engraver are list.

You need a work permit anyway to work at an in-person capacity, and won’t get one.

Your question is a bit “dreamy” as well and eventually that will encounter certain hard realities in Thailand so it’s best to approach it with a realistic attitude. There are many things you can take for granted in America that just don’t apply in Thailand.

You would think there would be “communities of [foreign] artists” or something in various places in Thailand and people do try but the individuals in such communities exist because they are already wealthy from something else. Otherwise they tend to be small and with a transient population.

Anyway good luck

If you are going to live here, I suggest you learn to speak some Thai. Come in on a tourest visa and join a credited Thai language course. You can always change to a retirement visa at a later time. Good luck with your move. Let us know the name of your YouTube channel.

Dont think to much, come and live.

You're right when you say no work is permitted with a retirement visa. Maybe no immigration officers will notice your online businesses, but maybe one day they will. So it's a bit of a gamble.