Choosing Between DTV and Retirement Visa

[Issa Compass]

Choosing Between DTV and Retirement Visa: 3 Key Considerations
 

Many of our community members have asked about deciding between Thailand's DTV and Retirement Visa options, so we've put together a brief YouTube video with 3 important points to consider when making this decision.

#1 Your current work status

Are you over 50 but still actively working (your own business or foreign company), or are you fully retired?

 

#2 Ongoing compliance requirements
Each visa has different compliance requirements for renewals, stay permits, and validity periods.

#3 Practical considerations
Tasks like opening bank accounts or getting a driver's license may be easier with one visa type.

The video explores each of these considerations to help guide your decision-making process. 🇹🇭🙏

 

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Important note: Every individual's circumstances could be different. The right visa choice depends on your specific situation and long-term plans for Thailand. 

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to share them below and our legal team will get back to you.

 

PS - we took your previous feedback of preferring YouTube videos over TikTok, so we hope this channel works better for you this time ❤️

 

 

 

[Fairynuff]

Whilst the DTV seems like a great option on the surface there seem to be issues that can cause difficulties. The bank account is one but doesn’t affect me right now as I already have accounts, but what if the bank decides to close it based on visa status? Next year I want to change my car, it seems I might not be allowed to buy a new car on a DTV. My pink card expires next year, might I face difficulty on a DTV?

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, Fairynuff said:

Whilst the DTV seems like a great option on the surface there seem to be issues that can cause difficulties. The bank account is one but doesn’t affect me right now as I already have accounts, but what if the bank decides to close it based on visa status? Next year I want to change my car, it seems I might not be allowed to buy a new car on a DTV. My pink card expires next year, might I face difficulty on a DTV?

You raise some valid points. 

Previously folk had bank accounts that were opened with tourist status. 

Add to that folk that previously had extensions from a Non O and since have opted for other options. 

Esp with Visa exempt currently 60 days. 

Annual extensions might not be best fit for some. Example snow birds. 

Banking is a real issue. 

The limit of TDL to two years instead of 5 is not nice but possible. 

At current time you could consider obtaining a Non O + 12 month extension. 

After a year banking issues might be clear. 

Perhaps by then  DTV no longer issued. 

[Rob Browder]

1 hour ago, Lorry said:

De facto with DTV, there now is

- the bank account shït

- the DL shït

- some reports of problems re-entering

- reports that, even after years (?), you have to again submit the documents and fulfill the requirements that you needed to apply for the visa 

On bank-accounts, reports that some who opened new accounts on DTVs had them closed.   BKB's new "4 month balance-freeze" plays in the other direction.  If adopted by other banks, many would be moving to DTVs or other options - or just leaving.

 

DLs are 2 years instead of 5 - though some DL branches were reported to be restricting Non-Imm applicants to 2 years, while others continue to offer the 5-year.

 

I have not seen any recent reports of problems re-entering, or requiring "proof you still need it" documentation upon entry.  OTOH, for in-country extensions of DTV entries at immigration offices, "harder than getting the original visa" requirements have been reported. 

 

[DrJack54]

A negative (bashing) post along with reply has been removed. 

[Greenwich Boy]

I am in Thailand 7 or 8 months a year and have been on Tourist visas and exempts for over 10 years. I now have funds and next week will be applying for Non Imm O (retirement)from London rather than a DTV. My thoughts behind this which are, obviously, personal and subjective are.

I am aware of the opportunity cost of tying up 800k in Thailand, it doesn't faze me. I already have a Thai bank account so that is not an issue.

I have no intension of working so would be limited to a 'soft' option DTV ( Cooking classes - really!) I have nothing to back this up but do believe that a tightening on the rules for a DTV is a real possibilty. I don't need the hassle.

Good luck to those with or applying for a DTV but for me it will be an O and multi re entry permit

[DrJack54]

37 minutes ago, Greenwich Boy said:

I now have funds and next week will be applying for Non Imm O (retirement)from London rather than a DTV

Good summary. Do you have a Thai Bank account in your name only? 

[Greenwich Boy]

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Good summary. Do you have a Thai Bank account in your name only? 

Yes. I transferred 50k Baht yesterday, no problem it is still active!

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, Greenwich Boy said:

Yes. I transferred 50k Baht yesterday, no problem it is still active!

Excellent. In that case obtain the Non O eVisa prior to entering Thailand. 

At some point transfer 800k and then obtain the 12 month extension after the funds have been in bank for 2 months. 

The Non O will provide 90 day stamp on entry. 

[JTXR]

On 7/31/2025 at 1:38 PM, Rob Browder said:

On bank-accounts, reports that some who opened new accounts on DTVs had them closed.   BKB's new "4 month balance-freeze" plays in the other direction.  If adopted by other banks, many would be moving to DTVs or other options - or just leaving.

 

...

 

What exactly is BKB;s "4 month balance freeze".  I have an account at Bangkok Bank but never heard of this.

[DrJack54]

38 minutes ago, JTXR said:

What exactly is BKB;s "4 month balance freeze".  I have an account at Bangkok Bank but never heard of this.

Covered in this thread. Have a read.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1365279-bkk-bank-4-months-banked-method/