What visa options are available for a 40-year-old Norwegian man with a monthly income of 102,000 baht looking to move to Thailand?

Hej Arve!

No, you can not "just go to Immigration" to get a visa...

A visa is used to ENTER a country. Once you enter, you get a permit to stay for the specific time that your visa type allows (this is stamped in your passport).

It means, you need to apply for your visa outside of Thailand, through a Thai Embassy/consulate and stay in that embassy's jurisdiction throughout the entire visa process (from when you apply until the visa is approved/issued). The application is done online, but it is processed by the embassy/consulate where you are when you apply (you may be asked to prove this and/or they can ask you to come for an interview although that's not common).

Based on the information you provided - as several suggested already - your best option is likely to apply for DTV - Destination Thailand Visa ("not Digital" as stated in a previous comment).

The DTV is valid for 5 years, giving you a permit to stay for up to 180 days at a time. It should be possible to extend it for another 180 days at any local Immigration Office... In reality though, they've made the extension process so difficult, that almost everyone choose to exit Thailand and enter again to get another 180 days (visiting a neighboring country or travel back home for a few weeks/a period of time).

DTV is a multientry visa that can be used to enter Thailand as many times as you'd like during the 5 years it is valid. The cost to apply for DTV is 10.000 thb and you're also required to add bank statements to your application, showing that you have 500.000 thb (or equivalent in another currency).

Among the replies you've had so far, the DTV was described as "popular for digital nomads" and "if you find an activity you would like to do for at least 6 month"...

This is not wrong, but there are more options to apply for DTV so theres a lack of information that could be of interest to you.

I have no idea what kind of disability you have, but my immediate thought was that applying for DTV to get medical treatment could be something for you to consider... In case you're in need of regular checkups, physical therapy or some other treatment (even unrelated to your disability) this might be the most natural reason for you to apply for the DTV.

The DTV-categories are often referred to as "workcation" or "soft power".

Workcation is for applicants such as remote workers, digital nomads, freelancers and others that have an income from outside Thailand (i.e.can work for foreign companies and/or for foreign clients) - basically people that can work from anywhere with companies, customers and businesses that aren't in Thailand. Since you don't need to work, the workcation category is probably not interesting to you.

The so called "soft power" is for those that will participate in activities such as:

- Courses/classes/seminars in for instance Muay Thai, Thai Cooking or learning something else that's typical to Thai culture (applicants have been issued DTV to participate in seminars and learn about Thai herbs for example). This need proof that you have applied and paid for whatever course/classes you choose and a lot of documentation from the school/provider of courses (for instance muay thai gyms that are approved by the proper authorities). Many embassies require that the duration of such courses are longer than 6 month (otherwise they might issue another type of tourist visa)

- Medical treatment in Thailand (a variety of treatments, also including dental works that takes long time to complete). Applying based on medical reasons, requires a letter from a hospital/clinic in Thailand and also a treatment plan (possibly with some scheduled appointments)

- Sports Training

- Music festivals (although I haven't seen/heard of anyone applying based on this!)

I wrote some more about DTV based on "Soft Power" and to apply from your home country or somewhere else (outside of Thailand). I decided to sent the rest in a PM to you though (otherwise this comment would become the longest in the history of facebook!)

Last, but not least...

No matter if you decide to apply for DTV or some other visa, you should ALWAYS read the information on the website of the Thai Embassy/Consulate in the area where you will apply, since the requirements varies a lot!

Lycka till från grannlandet/nabolandet!

make dtv and then see whats there in 5y. otherwise theres elite but its very expensive and ive heard very unpleasant things about it (like being interrogated by border agent when the sticker is issued etc).

There’s a Visa popular for digital nomads that might work well for you. You can apply for your visa on line and have it approved before you get to Thailand. Google it. You should find all the details there.

See if you qualify for the LTR visa based on "Wealthy Global Citizen"

Or get a DTV to bridge the gap until you reach 50.

Above 50 retirement, under 50 elite visa. You can also do dtv but that require abit more, but doable for sure. Hilsen nordmann 😉

unfortunately being early retired does not qualify you for the "retirement visa" and the subsequent 1-year Extension of the Stay Permit based on Retirement. This visa can only get applied for if you are already 50 years old. . . . .you are 40 years old, this leaves the DTV (Digital Thailand Visa) as a 5-year visa option, or a costly (needs to be bought) ELITE Privilege Visa

Hello, fellow Norwegian.

There's no retirement-type visa you really qualify for, but maybe look into the DTV VIsa if you find a activity you would like to do for at least 6 months?

Or even the ED visa and make an effort learning the language. Only applicable if your disability allows you this much acitivity, of course.

Elite is a option, but it is stupidly expensive.

elite visa for sure

enjoy retirement

life is fineite

Elite visa