Retirement Extension? Nah, I’m DTV Now.

[Scouse123]

 

Switched today from the annual Thai retirement extension circus to the 5-year DTV soft option. My retirement extension officially expires tomorrow — good timing. I actually got approved for the DTV back in January in Cambodia, but sat on it until now.

The Border Run (a.k.a. “Activate DTV Mode”):

 

I didn’t want to waste another full passport page on a giant Lao visa, so I applied for the Lao e-visa — the total cost was $51.75 (because administrative fees are now a thing, apparently). Pricey, but neat and tidy.

 

Entered at Savannakhet. Not a soul in line at the e-visa counter, just me and a bored immigration officer who barely looked up. Quick QR scan, a small sticker (about the size of a postage stamp, but rectangular ) and a Lao immigration stamp — job done.

Immediately did a U-turn and headed back. I wasn’t there for sightseeing, and frankly, Savannakhet isn’t exactly calling to me.

 

Border “Extras”:

• 50 baht bus over the bridge, both ways.

• 40 baht mystery “processing fee” in Laos — no explanation, but a receipt given to get you through the barrier.

• On the way out, immigration staff gave us the famous smile and asked for 100 baht each — no receipt, of course. My Mrs asked, “What’s that for?” and got a smile. Everyone was paying for it. It’s not legal, but arguing about 100 baht at a border post? No thanks — I’ve got whisky to buy.

 

Speaking of which, I scored a 1.75L jug of Johnnie Walker Black at Lao duty-free — $68, with a big glass handle, looking like something Clint Eastwood would take to a gunfight. Cash only.

 

Back in Thailand and now stamped in until January 12, 2026. I’ll be out before that anyway, probably grabbing another jug of whisky.

 

Why I Like the DTV:

• No more yearly visit to immigration with a rainforest’s worth of paperwork.

• Cheaper over five years than doing extensions.

• Yes, you have to leave every six months — but I actually enjoy that. Get a change of scenery, grab some duty-free, and remind yourself why you live in Thailand.

Final Thought:
If you're fed up with the annual immigration dance and piles of documents, the DTV route is smooth, fast, and for me — a no-brainer. If you’ve already obtained approval, simply cross the border and activate it. Easy.

[DrJack54]

Thanks for detailed report. 

To each their own. 

Out of interest which soft option did you opt for. 

Also did it alone? No agent assistance? 

[Scouse123]

15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Thanks for detailed report. 

To each their own. 

Out of interest which soft option did you opt for. 

Also did it alone? No agent assistance? 

 

I did it alone without an agent and used Soft Option Medical.

[daveAustin]

Interesting. Never looked into it. So you can go in and out for six month periods for up to 5 years?

Find retirement pretty straightforward; one set of copies, in & out under an hour, 1900 baht, no leaving. 

[Scouse123]

7 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Interesting. Never looked into it. So you can go in and out for six month periods for up to 5 years?

Find retirement pretty straightforward; one set of copies, in & out under an hour, 1900 baht, no leaving. 

 

Yes, 

 

Additionally, you must have 500,000 baht to demonstrate, but it can be held in your own country, and there is no requirement to have it in a Thai bank, earning no interest at all.

 

With retirement, I had the normal 1,900 baht fee, plus a 4,800 baht multi-entry pass fee, and 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account.

 

With DTV, there's no need to go to immigration at all.

 

Each time you re-enter the country, you get 180 days.

[rwilem]

5 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I actually got approved for the DTV back in January in Cambodia, but sat on it until now.

 

5 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I applied for the Lao e-visa — the total cost was $51.75 (because administrative fees are now a thing, apparently). Pricey, but neat and tidy.

 

Entered at Savannakhet. Not a soul in line at the e-visa counter, just me and a bored immigration officer who barely looked up.

Could you elaborate? Your DTV was approved in Cambodia, but you could 'pick it up' in Laos? Was that planned for?  Seems there would have to be some kind of coordination between the Thai embassy in PP and the Thai consulate in Savannakhet. How did that work?

[DrJack54]

21 minutes ago, rwilem said:

Your DTV was approved in Cambodia, but you could 'pick it up' in Laos?

All e-Visas are now issued online..

You need to be in country where application is made. 

The approval will be sent via email. 

[Scouse123]

28 minutes ago, rwilem said:

 

Could you elaborate? Your DTV was approved in Cambodia, but you could 'pick it up' in Laos? Was that planned for?  Seems there would have to be some kind of coordination between the Thai embassy in PP and the Thai consulate in Savannakhet. How did that work?

 

OK,

 

To activate the visa I had to wait until my retirement extension expired.

 

This meant leaving the country and re-entering using the Thai e-visa today. I had enered Thailand in late May from the UK using my retirement extension until July 17th.

 

The 5 year E- Visa was granted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penn in January,2025. Once granted, you can use it to enter at any land border you wish to or by air or sea.

 

I had the visa printed and in my possession since it was granted in January 2025, as it was delivered by email and then I printed it off.

 

I didn't need to visit any Embassy or consulate.

 

I simply exited Thailand, entered Laos and exited Laos and entered Thailand through the immigration channels showing the E-VISA on my return.

 

Thailand isn't interested as to where youy obtained the visa, they just care that you have one.

 

 

[rwilem]

3 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

This meant leaving the country and re-entering using the Thai e-visa today. I had enered Thailand in late May from the UK using my retirement extension until July 17th.

 

The 5 year E- Visa was granted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penn in January,2025. Once granted, you can use it to enter at any land border you wish to or by air or sea.

Excuse me, I needed to read the initial post better. Thanks, understand it now. Guess I got a tad confused by seeing 'Savannaket', as that locale is used by many here to get a visa from the consulate there. But yours was a true border hop, a fast turnaround, in conjunction with activating the new DTV visa on coming back in to Thailand. And exiting on the day before your retirement extension's validity would expire. Played like a champ! 

[The Fugitive]

I'm presently in UK for longer than planned due to an unforeseen change in circumstances. This will mean my retirement extension will expire before I can get back. Another reason to consider a DTV in future!

[ultramarine]

That's amazing.  If you opted for the DTV over the retirement visa, are there loopholes here that may be closed in the future? 

 

Also I wonder about which countries/embassies are more likely to grant the DTV.  I have heard the rejection rate may be as high as 30%.  And since you lose your money without explanation if you are rejected, that makes the DTV a bit of a gamble.   

[Scouse123]

6 hours ago, ultramarine said:

That's amazing.  If you opted for the DTV over the retirement visa, are there loopholes here that may be closed in the future? 

 

Also I wonder about which countries/embassies are more likely to grant the DTV.  I have heard the rejection rate may be as high as 30%.  And since you lose your money without explanation if you are rejected, that makes the DTV a bit of a gamble.   

 

IMHO,

 

I think it's a case of getting all your paperwork in order from the get-go to minimise that risk.

 

All Visas can be rejected for any or no reason, but it's usually because the applicant didn't dot all the i's and cross the t's with the paperwork submitted.

 

I am unsure which Embassies or consulates are considered favourable, but mine was fairly straightforward in Cambodia.