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What visa options should I consider for retirement in Thailand if I can only apply for a DTV in April?

Thai Retirement Visa DTV Visa Visa Exempt Tourist Visa Bank Requirements Visa Application Process Expatriate Living in Thailand

Oct 16, 2025

a day ago

Chris *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, my situation seems complex. I want to go to Thailand in January for eventual retirement. I receive a yearly payout of nearly 800k on January 1, not monthly payments. But I will need some of that to live on, so can’t tie it up in a Thai bank for months. 

I don’t currently have 500k for the DTV, and I understand that I need to show a bank statement with that amount for 3 months before applying for a DTV. So, I can apply April 1. 

What visa makes the most sense when I go in January? 

Is it reasonable to have “some kind” of visa until April 1, then apply for a DTV, then get an over 50/retirement visa when I can leave 800k in a Thai bank?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user plans to retire in Thailand but faces challenges regarding visa options due to financial requirements for the DTV visa. They will need a temporary visa from January until they can apply for the DTV on April 1. Suggestions include entering Thailand on a tourist visa, which allows a 60-day stay with possible extensions, while also understanding the necessity to exit Thailand to apply for the DTV. There are also indications that having funds readily accessible without tying them into a Thai bank is crucial.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
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Thomas ***********

Just enter on tourist visa and do extentions every 60 to 90 days

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Jay *******

@Thomas **********

I don't think you can do multiple extensions on the same tourist visa

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Thomas ***********

i did in phuket imigration

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Thomas ***********

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J **************

Stay where you are and save like crazy ….when you have the funds then apply….its not a place where you want to run out of money

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Alan ********

@J *************

you know your answer is good but not eveybodys situation..about money..SO YOUR ANSWER IS OUTTA TIUCH.

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J **************

two expats have jumped off their condo next door to mine this year alone due to financial issues!

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Alex *******

the jumpers are not the average person that runs out of money. The jumpers already had severe psychological issues and then the financial troubles just was the thing that topped it off. Any mentally stable foreigner living in Thailand that runs out of money would just go back home to work and earn some more money. It's not a big deal

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J **************

we are not sll

In our 50’s

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Ron ******

Yeah right...so some guy in his

*****

s can just head home and get a job? Good to know.

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Alan ********

@J *************

sad..but we dont know the bottom of the story..

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Alan ********

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Graham ******

If you come to Thailand 1-Jan you need to plan which neighbouring country you will exit to for your DTV application before 1-Apr as you cannot still be in Thailand then without a proper visa.

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Chris *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Would I get a tourist visa for 60 days with a paid exit plan to another country at near 90 days, then extend another 30 days, then apply out-of-country for DTV? Or 90 day non-imm-O visa?

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Graham ******

@Chris ********

Most prople get 90 days with a 60 day Visa Exempt entry and a 30 day extension

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Chris *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you. Will I need a paid exit plan for this type of entry when I arrive?

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Graham ******

@Chris ********

What is a paid exit plan?

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Neil ********

can a person come to Thailand for 60 days extended to 90 days then go back to his home country for say two months and then go back to Thailand and do the 60 extended to 90 days again and just keep repeating it

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Graham ******

No, you cannot live long term in Thailand without the correct Visa as people are finding out

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Neil ********

one last question Mate. How many times can I visit Thailand in a year if I want to stay for 90 days?

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Graham ******

Every entry is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer holding your passport. There is no number for entries or days using Visa Exempt.

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Neil ********

thanks Graham. Appreciate your help.

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Neil ********

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Graeme ******

A bit confused with what your asking? You as a USA individual can enter 60 days visa exempt and then extend in thailand for an addition 30days at a local immigration office, giving you 90 days. Typically you can apply for a DTV with just a single bank statement showing the 500kbaht equivalent in dollars in your own bank ( this is the case with the London embassy) but of course you need to either have a soft power or your own business that allows you to work remotely in thailand to apply, the DTV can only be applied for outside of thailand so in the USA or a neighbouring country but not thailand.

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Graeme ******

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