thailand
Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What is the process for changing from a retirement visa to a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand?

DTV visaretirement visavisa change processThai visa regulationsexpat advice
Sep 17, 2025
2 months ago
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone here in Bangkok changed from a retirement visa to a DTV visa? Im a 65 year old retired American. I’ve used the same agent every year to renew my retirement visa and he doesn’t provide DTV services. He downplays the DTV and calls it an inferior visa and would not help me nor refer me to someone else.

If you have changed visas how has it worked out for you and who did you use for the service and what classes did you end up taking? I have no problem leaving the country once a year.
1,868
views
2
likes
57
all likes
31
replies
1
images
9
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the experiences of expats in Bangkok regarding the transition from a retirement visa to a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa). A 65-year-old American expat expresses frustration with their agent who dismisses the DTV as inferior and refuses to assist in the conversion. Community members share insights about the DTV, including the necessity of applying from outside Thailand and their personal experiences. Some believe that agents oppose the DTV due to loss of income from fewer renewals. The discussion also touches on challenges faced by expats with financial institutions and housing in Thailand.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Pelle Eriksson
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...
recently on Facebook
Luca G.
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...
recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Mark *********
you're making yourself a second class citizen. you cannot open the bank account or do other common features that resident Visa AKA retirement Visa will allow. you also have to continually be taking classes. do you want to be spending thousands of dollars a year on cooking classes?
a month ago
Like
Reply
Mark ****
@Mark ********
 Don't think you have the info right on the DTV. You only need to take a course once to get the 5 year visa if I'm not mistaken. And as for the bank account I'd rather just use wise and not have to put 800k into Thai bank that can just freeze your account for no reason.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Mark ****
Reply
Mark ****
I'm in the process of getting the retirement visa one year extension but haven't done it yet. Dealing with shady landlords trying to get a condo, the problem with the banks, having to leave 800k in them. I'm now thinking of just riding out my 90 day Non-o, leaving the country, and coming back on the DTV. I just don't trust the condo owners and banks at all.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Frank *********
What is the reason for wanting to change?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank ********
 To not have to go to immigration each year to renew, and I already leave the country. 5 years versus 1 year. Cheaper than an elite visa which has some benefits but I am not a golfer. If I did not pay my agent annually I would save lots of money too.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Ronnie *******
Reply
Us *****
Of course agents hate it. They can only make money off of you once every 5 years.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
David ***********
I changed from Retirement VISA to DTV (remote worker) and had no problems. I didn’t use an agent as you have to apply online and the process looked simple enough. I applied to Vietnam Embassy (Hanoi). You have to submit evidence that you are outside Thailand at time of application (copy of Thailand exit stamp in my passport was sufficient for me). Process took 5 days from submitting application online and receiving DTV as a PDF in email.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Mark ****
@David **********
 So you proved your remote worker income and didn't go soft power right?
a month ago
Like
Reply
David ***********
@Mark ***
 Yes I applied as remote worker.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
David ***********
Reply
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David **********
 Sorry for extra questions. When I got my retirement visa it states you have to have a bank letter and prove your balance the same day of approval. The immigration officer did not require this because I used an agent. It was a couple of days old. I updated my passbook the day before and made a transaction at the bank atm at the immigration to prove current balance. In Vietnam how old was your bank letter and updated passbook for your DTV application in Vietnam?

What did you use for proof of income?

Minimum Health insurance proof? I only have USA health insurance. What insurance company do you use and are you happy with them?

Online it discusses proof of employment or self employment for DTV. Unfortunately I’m retired. What did you use?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
David ***********
Re bank statement: I just printed 6mths statement from my Thai bank A/C a couple of days before I left Thailand so it was probably about 4-5 days old by time I submitted my DTV application.

Re Proof of income: I am a UK Company director. I provided most recent Financial Statement & latest CT600 submitted to HMRC along with 6mths Company Bank Statement and a covering letter explaining how my company trades and how I remunerate myself.

Re Health Insurance: I don’t have health insurance - I self insure. I don’t recall Health Insurance being a requirement for DTV - probably because DTV is a tourist VISA.

Re Proof of employment: Company Financial statement (see above) declares me as a Company Director.

I applied for DTV as a Remote Worker. If you’re retired then I doubt this option would be applicable for yourself - but I’m no expert, I’m just telling you what worked for me.

Good luck 🤞
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
David ***********
Reply
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David **********
 so to go to Vietnam you needed a Vietnamese tourist visa there, a hotel reservation, a flight entering and leaving Vietnam. How long before your retirement visa expired? My agent said if my retirement visa expires the fees to renew it increases. Did you have to provide a lease in Thailand? Proof of self employment?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
David ***********
@Ronnie ******
, see my other replies above re expiry of my Thailand retirement VISA. I didn’t need a VISA to enter Vietnam. I did include hotel accom booking in Hanoi as well as entry/exit stamps from my passport for proof I was applying from outside Thailand. Not sure what your agent means when he says fees increase if your retirement VISA expires. All I can say is I didn’t pay any extra fees and my retirement VISA had expired when I applied for DTV. However I didn’t use an agent so maybe he’s referring to the agent fees increase.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Ronnie ******
 the fees don't increase, unless you mean agent fees.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 he told me there is more paperwork if the current visa lapses. Not sure if is only his fees or also late fees too
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Ronnie ******
 Immigration does not have late fees. The only fees immigration charges is 2000 baht for a visa, and 1900 baht for an extension. The only "late" fee at immigration is 500 baht per day if you overstay your visa.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David **********
 So you went to the Thai embassy in Hanoi and as far as evidence of being outside, a hotel reservation?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
David ***********
I didn’t actually need to go to the embassy in Hanoi. You have to apply online and as part of your application you need to state which embassy you are applying at - I stated Hanoi. If they want to interview you then you need to be prepared to visit that embassy. So I just took a short vacation in Hanoi, included copies of my Thailand exit and Vietnam entry stamps from my passport as proof I was applying from outside Thailand (but hotel reservation might work as well - I would advise you to check with the embassy what proof they will accept). In my case an interview was not required so I didn’t need to attend the embassy in Hanoi. As soon as I received the email with my DTV as PDF I printed it out and re-entered Thailand on my DTV.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
David ***********
The other thing to keep in mind is when does your existing retirement VISA expire. You obviously can’t have 2 VISAs for the same country active at the same time. In my case I timed my short vacation to Vietnam so I could exit Thailand on my existing retirement VISA (British citizen I didn’t need a VISA to enter Vietnam for a short vacation), my retirement VISA expired the next day and then I submitted my online application.

Hope that helps, good luck. 🤞
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
David ***********
Reply
Graham ******
You can't get the DTV inside Thailand so there is no conversion and not much to be made for the agent who would only upload documents for the online application in your name
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 I was told there are companies that provide services in for example Cambodia or Vietnam for people already living in Thailand
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Andi ***********
@Ronnie ******
 There are but you need to go to Cambodia or Vietnam during the process. Vietnam is quicker than Cambodia which can take a month or so.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Andi ***********
Reply
Andi ***********
That agent is thinking only of his loss of income not what is best for you. You should check the main DTV page on FB. You can find accounts of visa changers to the DTV Inc those formerly on retirement visas.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
 went to DTV fb page and posted a comment. Want a reputable company I can trust that will handle this process for me. Someone who can provide documented positive reviews of satisfied customers.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Andi ***********
@Ronnie ******
 This site owners Thai Visa Centre are a reputable agent who can sort you out.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
 Thanks I have heard of them. They also do the retirement visa as well. Have you used them or know someone who has?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Andi ***********
@Ronnie ******
 I have corresponded a lot with them and was about to use them before the DTV launched. I decided to apply for it myself and succeeded. I would use them as they are professional and helpful as reviews show.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Andi ***********
Reply
Roberto *********
Agents don't like the DTV because it's costing them money. They've duped mugs out of 20,000 baht year after year and that's going to be lost to them
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Ronnie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roberto ********
 I know. So have you changed and who did you use to get it?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Roberto *********
@Ronnie ******
 I've never used an agent in my life and never will
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Roberto *********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Should I apply for a DTV visa myself or through an agency while transitioning from an ED visa in Thailand?
27 comments
2 months ago
Are DTV holders considering a switch to a retirement visa due to banking issues?
26 comments
2 months ago
What are the latest updates on Thailand visas, specifically regarding DTV and retirement options?
42 comments
3 months ago
How do you transition from a DTV to a Marriage Visa in Thailand?
48 comments
3 months ago
How can I obtain a DTV visa in Thailand?
23 comments
3 months ago
Which visa should I choose: DTV or Retirement visa for staying in Thailand?
29 comments
4 months ago
Is it a good idea to switch from a Retirement Visa to a DTV in Thailand?
37 comments
5 months ago
What are the chances of getting a DTV visa with a history of ED visas in Thailand?
16 comments
5 months ago
What are the steps to obtain a DTV visa in Thailand after issues with an LTR visa application?
12 comments
6 months ago
Should expats over 50 switch from a retirement visa to the DTV visa in Thailand?
131 comments
7 months ago
Is the DTV visa more suitable than a retirement visa for long-term stays in Thailand?
17 comments
7 months ago
How can I change my Non-B visa with a work permit to a DTV visa in Thailand for myself and my wife?
2 comments
7 months ago
What are the steps to obtain a DTV visa from the USA for a retired expat in Thailand?
31 comments
8 months ago
Can I switch to a DTV visa from a retirement visa while in Thailand, and what are the requirements?
7 comments
10 months ago
What are some recommendations for DTV visa agents in Thailand?
19 comments
a year ago
What is the easiest way to obtain a DTV visa for retirees over 50 in Thailand?
27 comments
a year ago
Can you change from a Non-O marriage visa to a DTV in Thailand?
3 comments
a year ago
How do I change from a non-O visa to a DTV visa for retirement in Thailand?
3 comments
a year ago
Is the DTV a better long-term visa option compared to the retirement visa in Thailand?
66 comments
a year ago
Should I choose the DTV visa or a retirement visa for living in Thailand after 50?
201 comments
a year ago
What are the best ways to apply for a DTV visa in Thailand without using an agent?
17 comments
a year ago
What are the requirements to obtain a DTV through the medical appointment route while currently on a type O visa in Thailand?
7 comments
a year ago
Is the DTV visa a better option than the Non-O retirement visa for expats in Thailand?
110 comments
a year ago
What is the process to apply for a DTV visa in Thailand as a digital nomad?
5 comments
a year ago
What is the best cannabis dispensary in Bangkok?
7 comments
a month ago
Where can I find the best cannabis dispensary in Chon Buri?
9 comments
a month ago
What are the best dispensaries in Phuket?
21 comments
a month ago
What is the best cannabis dispensary in Surat Thani?
16 comments
a month ago
Where can I find the best weed in Chiang Mai?
8 comments
a month ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.