@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.

@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?

@Graham *****

I’m chicken.

@Andy *******

tried to get health insurance with reputable Thai carriers but it was a moving target trying to clarify coverage and they baited me with lower premiums and found ridiculous reasons to raise them. I am pretty healthy but I’m old and not perfect. There are some European insurance providers I contacted that insure too easily so I don’t trust them plus I want a direct pay carrier that’s highly accepted by Thai hospitals.

@Kim *********

I guess a bank CD for 0? I assume a checking account is not enough.

@Jesper ******

Never made appointment online. I always went with my agent and went to the front of the queue. So you renew by yourself annually?

@Robin ******

just looking for Americans who have successfully transitioned from a retirement visa to a DTV. Find out what their experience was. I know it’s cheaper. I travel and hate paying every year to renew. One person recommended the LTR which requires investing more $ in Thailand and proving a larger annual income stream. I don’t want to do that. Told DTV is a loophole that could be closed to older retirees. Designed for younger people working remotely.

@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

@Stuart **********

in Bangkok there is a long queue. I showed up one year 45 minutes before immigration opened and I had 50 people ahead of me. I should try hoping there is no complications like my last time. My landlord said my new lease should match his ownership data. My biggest cost is the 500 baht round trip taxi and since I’m retired, time is no issue.