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What should DTV visa holders do to prepare for potential expiration after 5 years in Thailand?
Jan 6, 2026
4 months ago
Tevin *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI have the DTV visa. Just curious people that are planning to live in Thailand past 5+ years, what are you doing to stay proactive before this DTV expires?
TLDR : Answer Summary
This discussion revolves around the DTV visa holders' plans regarding their immigration status in Thailand as their visa approaches expiration after 5 years. Various users share their thoughts on the options available, such as switching to a retirement or marriage visa, applying for a new DTV visa, or considering other long-term visa solutions. Some emphasize the uncertainty of the DTV's future and suggest maintaining a proactive mindset, while others provide insights into the requirements for retirement visas. Concerns about eventual changes in visa policies and the implications for staying in Thailand long-term are also expressed.
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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Anonymous ******************
I can do a 2nd DTV (so 10 years total) and I will be eligible for a retirement visa by then (I am 40 now). Or I can do an elite. So no stress.
Axel *******
Given the current decline in Thai tourism and other SE Asian countries’ Visa offerings and the success of the DTV I would be surprised if the visa will not be continued long term.
There may be adjustments to soft power and medical as a 5 year visa for a 6 months course or treatment still seems somewhat over the top.
I will be looking into retirement visa options once my DTV comes to an end.
There may be adjustments to soft power and medical as a 5 year visa for a 6 months course or treatment still seems somewhat over the top.
I will be looking into retirement visa options once my DTV comes to an end.
Jonas ************
Get rich and move to Japan. 🇯🇵
Todd *********
@Jonas ***********
good luck with visas in Japan 😂😂😂Jonas ************
@Todd ********
90 days no visa sounds pretty great to me.Reply to
Jonas ************
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Tevin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jonas ***********
solid move right there hahaReply to
Tevin *********
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Ian **********
As a nomad visa, the DTV is here to stay as more and more people work remotely, but I doubt the soft power DTV will survive in its current state.
Anonymous ******************
That sounds like a problem for future me in 4 years 😂
Enthusiast***********
Philippine retirement could be an option, as Thai price is catching up …
Shin ******
@Tevin ********
, you have a good question, however you will see some pretty sad and rude ppl in the comments, sad to say, this is not the most supportive community of individuals.😢Shin ******
I will switch to the retirement visa or move to another country with better long-term visa options.
Daniel ***********
Cross that bridge closer to the time
Anthony **********
Either a mariage or retirement visa . Whatever makes more sense at the time.
Don *******
Buy the golden visa for 30K usd because why not.
Adnan ********
apply again, get LTR, get married, invest money, retirement visa....
Anonymous ******************
I'll just switch to the marriage visa if the DTV is discontinued but there's no real proof it will be, only fear mongering
Anonymous ******************
5 years is a long time. Who knows what will happen.
Nkem ************
What are the retirement visa requirements?
Andi ***********
@Nkem ***********
The most popular one is basically being 50 plus and having 800K THB in a Thai bank account can be applied for in Thailand or home country. One year renewable, with multi entry option.Luit *****************
@Andi **********
800K deposit on Thai bank or 65K monthly income or combination of both.Andi ***********
@Luit ****************
That's rightReply to
Andi ***********
Reply
Nkem ************
@Andi **********
thank you taking notesReply to
Nkem ************
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Nick *******
I will get a retirement visa when my DTV expires
Elías ********
We can't possible know. No need to worry or think about it now. 🤔
Andrew ********
Leave the country and apply again
Dany ********
i will just get a new DTV then
GentleTu********
I got about a 3 year gap between this DTV and retirement age.
I’ll either be married, dead, or a millionaire so there’ll be a visa for me if I need one.
I’ll either be married, dead, or a millionaire so there’ll be a visa for me if I need one.
Craig ********
GentleTurkey6967 100% im swaying towards dead if I dont get married soon lol
Tevin *********
ORIGINAL POSTERGentleTurkey6967 good answer lol
Reply to
Tevin *********
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Kurt *************
I plan to do elite or retirement after my 5 year most likely
Anonymous ******************
If they gonna cancel it and in 5 years you haven't established proper grounds to linger then you should just leave. 5 years is a lot of time to blend in and find opportunities. Although even those 5 years are not guaranteed as every re-entry is at the discretion of an officer
Tevin *********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 658 what kind of opportunities to be seeked? I’m looking to get connected to business opportunities before residing to marriage 😂 not old enough for retirement visa
Anonymous ******************
@Tevin ********
just go to the Philippines lolAnonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 658 Phil is crap 💩
Anonymous ******************
Then perhaps consider returning to your home country
Tevin *********
ORIGINAL POSTERnawwww
Reply to
Tevin *********
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Rory *********
I will get a retirement visa
Justin ********
Don't be cheap, if the program is withdrawn buy an Elite. Or move.
Nick *******
@Justin *******
right but it’s ok to suggest someone you know nothing about is bankrupt and homeless. Your intellect and arrogance just shine through mate. Well done.Justin ********
@Nick ******
Maybe. The root cause? It was an outburst after reading 10 years of posts on reddit and other sites with people actually thinking it is a good job to go overseas when they're earning $800/mo online in some very dodgy way. It gets tiring that they don't grow up and focus on getting a proper job to fund an adult lifeNick *******
@Justin *******
The world is full of wasters and chancers. I am not one of them. I am very comfortable. I would respectfully suggest you do you, and don’t let them bother you. Your post about the Elite visa was arrogant and unnecessary because you come across as thinking you are better than everyone else. I know lots of people that can comfortably afford one, myself included, but there are better value options. Wasting money in my mind is as stupid as trying to live on pennies. I wish you well. Have a good day.Reply to
Nick *******
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Stephen ********
@Justin *******
LTR is better if you have the returns and at no cost for a WPNick *******
@Justin *******
ahh there you have it, today’s idiot postJustin ********
@Nick ******
I guess I'd have an emotional name-calling reaction like that if I was near bankrupt. The stress of being on the brink of homelessness would lead me to overlook the fact that it's a very clear and perfectly good answer. I guess that's what happened here huh?Nick *******
@Justin *******
oh and you seem to have deleted the picture you got from creepily going though my profile. Maybe you are growing up a little bit. Well done.Justin ********
@Nick ******
You must have the wrong guy about whatever photo thing you're talking about. One thing I don't do is click on anyone's profiles when making my belligerent comments on facebook. I don't want to say anything different becoz of the way someone looks or their gender, that would be discriminationNick *******
@Justin *******
oh please don’t say that, you are so mean! 🙄🥱one of life’s givens my friend is that people with real money don’t talk about money, yet here you are. Your original comment shows the sort of arrogant fool you are. Grow up and have some respect. ByeReply to
Nick *******
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Justin *******
moronAnonymous ******************
Stupid comment.
Justin ********
Anonymous participant 542 I guess it's stupid if the only reason someone is in Thailand is because it allows them to scrape by when near bankrupt. There'll almost certainly be some sort of other cheaper hack to stay, but the idea that it's absurd just suggests y'all are too poor to even function as adults.
Reply to
Justin ********
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Andrew ********
@Justin *******
lets face facts people in this thread probly couldnt afford or meet the requirements for the VIP visa - i mean i dont have 20,000 USD to just pay as a fee for a visa let alone the equity or property value as required i think its 1 milliom USD in assetsJustin ********
@Andrew *******
Sir.. what are you talking about assets? The Thai Elite requires you to pay 900,000 thb membership and not fail the criminal background check, that's it. It has less requirements than a DTVJef ********
650,000 THB****
Andrew ********
@Justin *******
you're right I was thinking of the 10 year LTR visa - that also has an age requirement of 50 as wellReply to
Andrew ********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Justin *******
so are you greedy on behalf of Thais?Justin ********
Anonymous participant 957 Please explain? Elite is worth it if you really want to stay and can't find another cheaper hack. So what one should REALLY FREAKING DO is make sure they have 25,000usd cash handy in 5 years just in case that's the only route
Reply to
Justin ********
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Amin ***********
What do you mean by “stay proactive”?
Tevin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Amin **********
something to work on now just in case the DTV is not available laterMarco ***********
@Tevin ********
time to find a Thai woman for marriage visa 555Paul *******
@Marco **********
Strange that you don't already have one...LOLReply to
Paul *******
Reply
Stefan ******
@Tevin ********
The options are known and limited. Retirement visa if 50+, LTR if you qualify (various routes to qualify), Elite (maybe they'll have another closing sale at some point but doubt the conditions are gonna be good), and yes, marriageReply to
Stefan ******
Reply
Sefton ********
Just apply for another ??
Theres no indication that the DTV is a short term idea.
Theres no indication that the DTV is a short term idea.
Tevin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sefton *******
hopefully it is a long term idea but we don’t know that for sure from what I knowChrister *****
@Tevin ********
We don't know in what form your country will be in five years. More reason to worry about thatReply to
Christer *****
Reply
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