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Which visa should I choose: DTV or Retirement visa for staying in Thailand?

DTV VisaRetirement VisaNon-O VisaVisa RequirementsRemote Work VisaThai ImmigrationExpat Visa OptionsHealth Insurance for ExpatsVisa AgentsSoft Power Visa
Jul 3, 2025
12 days ago
Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
So I'm trying to decide between the DTV and the Retirement visa since I just turned 50. I have enough in savings to meet both the requirements for those two visas. The main drawback for the DTV is that I am a freelance video editor but have hardly any income from it right now. I do have about $1000 per month in rental income from my family but it's not in my name (another problem).

The retirement visa seems much more complicated than the DTV and since I'm still a freelancer that is my preferred visa. But seeing as my freelance income is almost nothing right now the savings won't be enough on it's own right now right?

The other option is soft power for the DTV which I'm also researching. Any advice is much appreciated, thanks!

EDIT: Thanks for the replies/advice. From all the responses it definitely looks like the best route is to apply for the Non-O from where I'm at now (US-San Francisco).
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual is considering whether to apply for a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) or a Retirement visa now that they are over 50. They have sufficient savings but limited income from freelance work and face complications concerning rental income not in their name. There's a debate in the comments about the complexity and advantages of each visa type, with many suggesting the Retirement visa as a long-term solution due to its stability and less frequent travel requirements. However, the DTV is also seen as suitable for those planning to work remotely from Thailand.
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FYIAnony********
DTV will require you to leave at least every 6 mths and return.

Doing in country extension is just like applying again, not worth the effort.

Non-o from home and then extend in Thailand, deposit the lobe and leave it. It's always your money and once on extension you never have to leave the country, bank accounts and 5 year drivers license all no problem.

DTV is not the answer for most people and is very misunderstood.
11 days ago
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Rok ********
Retirement visa much more of a stable visa … retirement visa any time if 50+
12 days ago
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Bill *********
Retirement Visa and to make it uncomplicated secure the advice of a Visa agent. It'll all get taken care of in under a day without stress and time wasted.
12 days ago
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Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm in the US now so do I apply for the Non-O from here and then go to Thailand and get a visa agent when I'm there to complete the process? Or get a visa agent from here in the US when I apply?
12 days ago
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Bill *********
@Mark ***
 Short answer is I waited until I got to Bangkok; I didn't work with any embassy in the US. During one of my reconnaissance trips to BKK I met up with an agent where we discussed the whole process and what the requirements would be. In a few months once I was ready to make the move we met up again: reviewed the paperwork and then off to immigration where passport photo was taken, bank account setup, and the Visa process. There were a lot of moving parts and I was so glad to have someone walk me through it. Came away after lunch with everything completed properly. Definitely recommend this approach.
12 days ago
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Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bill ********
 How much does the agent charge for the whole process?
12 days ago
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Mark ****
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Brandon ************
@Mark ***
 You don't need an agent for either one, but an agent in Thailand won't be able to do anything to help you apply for the non-O from an embassy.
12 days ago
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Brandon ************
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John **********
While for me the Non-O based on being over 50 is superior if you're going to be doing remote work from inside Thailand you should get the DTV visa, that's what it's designed for. If you don't think you currently qualify using the workation option use soft power
12 days ago
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Tony **********
DTV is still a tourist visa. Non-o from home country is simplist and easiest path.
12 days ago
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Elías ********
If you're over 50 y/o, the election should be a no brainer.
12 days ago
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John **********
I've heard that the DTV soft power/medical route is an viable option. Receive some initial / continued treatment at a Thai private hospital or dental clinic good to go.
12 days ago
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Brook ********
Non-O based on retirement.

Dont even look at the Non OA

No one cares about your remote work.
12 days ago
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Dan *******
Are you planning to stay full time in Thailand, or do some travels? If staying full time and not leaving Thailand retirement visa is the one, but if you go out of Thailand frequently DTV is the easier option - even with your income
12 days ago
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Doug *******
@Dan ******
 What are the travel advantages of a DTV over a Retirement Visa with multiple entry?
12 days ago
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Doug *******
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Antony *********
Just done my DTV and

Chose that over retirement visa.

Really easy to do but they did ask for bank statements to prove over 500k and payslips

For Last 6 months. As i had moved in that 6 months and my salary wasnt paid 2 months weren’t there.. they asked for a short explanation but that was it
12 days ago
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Dany ********
Retirement Visa is far superior as its a real longterm visa. I would allways choose it over a DTV.

800k for the non-o only for a year. after that i would switch to the 65k baht option instead. research that topic first.

add: you definitely should think about health insurance. or do you have tens

of thausands of savings in case something happens? what if you get into a serious accident or disease?
12 days ago
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Brandon ************
What about the retirement visa seems more complicated? I would say it's much less complicated and you won't have to worry about doing border bounces.
12 days ago
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Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I am looking to maybe apply for the O Retirement when I go to Thailand again at the end of the year as opposed to the O-A from the US as it's more difficult. What do you think?
12 days ago
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Kool *******
@Mark ***
 if you have very little income how are you going to afford to live in Thailand?
12 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Mark ***
 get the non-O in the US. You won't be able to get it in Thailand without a Thai bank account and you can't open a Thai bank account without a non-immigrant visa. So you have to get the visa from the embassy
12 days ago
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Jay *******
@Mark ***
 applying for the non immigrant O from the US is a fairly simple process if you meet the requirements
12 days ago
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Greg ***********
@Mark ***
 yes, apply in the USA for the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, enter Thailand, get stamped in for a 90-days stay permit. Open a Thai bank account ASAP and transfer a minimum of 800,000 THB onto it. Then as soon as the money has sat in the account for 2 months, apply for the "one year Extension of the Stay Permit". There is no health insurance requirement (although I recommend you gotta have one)
12 days ago
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Greg ***********
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Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Aren't the health insurance and income requirements stricter? Also you have to put 800k baht into a Thai bank which seems difficult and risky. Also you have to renew the retirement visa each year as opposed to 5 years with DTV right?
12 days ago
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Nev ********
@Mark ***
 get the OA visa you need Thai health insurance and police clearance from your home country, and you can leave your money in your home account.
12 days ago
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Anna *********
@Mark ***
 There are no health insurance or income requirements with a Non O visa It may be worth your while to revisit the visa requirements

What are the risks to using a Thai bank? 🤣

Retirement visa is the better option
12 days ago
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Paul *******
@Mark ***
 what's risky about putting 800,000 baht into a Thai bank account?

Just do the retirement visa.
12 days ago
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Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
 I saw that some people were having problems opening up a Thai bank account, but I think that was on the tourist visa.
11 days ago
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Cliff *********
@Paul ******
 for me its about putting anything into Thailand that you aren't prepared to lose. That government is anything but consistent.
12 days ago
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Cliff *********
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Dnatjugweme ************
@Mark ***
 No health insurance requirement, you're probably looking at the non-imm O-A visa requirements. No income requirement either, if you deposit 800K in a Thai bank.

What you need is a non-imm O single entry visa from a Thai embassy/consulate. Then you open a bank account, put the funds in it and apply for a one-year extension of stay inside Thailand.
12 days ago
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Dnatjugweme ************
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