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What is the best visa option for a semi-retired individual considering living in Thailand?

DTV Visa Non-O Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Options for Expats Retirement Visa Freelancer Visa

Aug 18, 2025

5 days ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

London Application. 

64 year old semi retired nomad male with monthly pension of 26K BHT and can meet and exceed the 500K in bank account comfortably.

I am looking to file for DTV or possibly 1 year non immigrant visa. Looking potentially to live permanently in Thailand but not 100% sure of this yet.

Opinions on what is the best option and most successful? 

Thanks in advance.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A 64-year-old semi-retired expat is seeking advice on whether to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) or a one-year Non-Immigrant visa to potentially live in Thailand permanently. He has a monthly pension of 26,000 BHT and meets the financial requirements for a bank account balance of 500,000 BHT. Community comments highlight that the DTV offers more flexibility, less hassle with paperwork, and a five-year validity with multiple entries compared to the Non-O visa, which requires yearly extensions and is more restrictive. Additionally, there were suggestions for using schools in Thailand to assist with visa applications.

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks to all.

I've read that DTV is usually accepted if you have a bank account at a certain number (500K bht?) and I'm comfortably above that category here, but apart for the pension as originally mentioned don't have a actual income stream at present.

Anyone have any first hand or third party knowledge on this for the freelancer criteria if I apply?

Thanks in advance.

5 days ago

Dave ***********

DTV will be easier to get if you meet the criteria for freelancing. It’s good for 5 years, multiple entry-whilst you decide what you what to do long term.

5 days ago

Craig *******

I'm in the same situation, I spend 6 months in Thailand and DTV is perfect if you qualify. Much simpler than non-o.

5 days ago

Jirachote *******

You can contact to this muaythai school, it’s muaythai school under Thailand education ministry , can support both DTV or ED visa by themselves paperwork. Facebook: Chiangmai Muay Thai Gym or IG: chiangmaimuaythaigym (website:

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5 days ago

A. ************

Since you say you aren't sure about Thailand, that probably means you want to explore other SEA countries for periods (months?) at a time. So you should be looking for flexibility. To me, the DTV offers that by giving you 5 years of multi-entry privileges with the ability to stay up to 6-months at a time. With other visas, you will have to get re-entry visas, so the visa you're on doesn't become void, and apply for yearly extensions.

5 days ago

Ray *****

The DTV gives you much more freedom. I had a non o retirement for many years and you always have to be in country to extend and the pain of paperwork.

Plus if you travel you have to buy a multi re entry every year

DTV is 5 years of never seeing in country immigration if you don't want to and it's multiple entry so no further hassle or cost

5 days ago

Luit *****************

If you mean with semi retired you are still working and can work remote, you might try DTV for the time being. DTV soft power might be too expensive with 26k a month. When you have 800k to put on Thai bank the idea of

@Pete ******

is by far the best option.

5 days ago

Pete *******

Keep it simple, apply Non-O based on being over 50. Then apply for the 1 year extension of stay. And repeat ad nauseam.

5 days ago

Reply to

Pete *******

What are the best visa options for a retired British-American expat looking to live in Thailand?

20 comments

4 days ago

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