Should Thai Retirement Visa Holders Switch to a DTV?

[@frankk.7977]

Non immigrant O is for sure the better and easier option for retirees. It's easy to get and less paperwork.

[@rickciardella]

@@Mikeyb2melb Of the 250,000 or so expats in Thailand, how many use an agent? Although not condoned, it is certainly tolerated and, at times it seems to be encouraged. Until such time as immigration and Bangkok Bank shut it down, it appears to be a viable option. Food for thought.....

[@FarangNick]

​@@Mikeyb2melb everybody living in Thailand should have some emergency "ready money" anyway. A few million baht at hand in cash and on an easy accessable account. But I do understand the problem for those who don't have it, and they can still pay an agent.

[@frankk.7977]

​@@Mikeyb2melbI put the money in our SCB Foreign Currency Bank Account in EUR with 3.2% interest....immigration accepts FCA too (with an equal amount)

[@travelingman3129]

@@rickciardellathere is a lot more than 250,000 expats your looking at over a milllion.

[@thriveasia1935]

This is not legal advice. Just my experience. But alot on this channel about DTV is soeculation. But clearly you have not applied for a DTV. 400usd for 5 years. A fraction of the cost of Rwrirement visa. The Paperwork is less than 15% compared to retirement. The tax implications are not any better or worse than an O visa. Sadly the fear of how agents and lawyers makeover from the DTV may be the problem. As it's so simple and done out of country.

[@davidfielding5404]

The DTV visa is a great option if you want to live 6 months here and 6 months at home country. Very easy and cheap visa to access. No need to use any agencies for help. Long as you tick the boxes. Apply online and within couple of weeks was available. It’s the very best option if you’re not ready for retirement but would like to set yourself up for a future retirement. No compulsory medical insurance from Thailand and can use travel insurance which is cheaper and covers you for much more. Also can leave and return and get another 6 months if you like but remember if you leave your home country more than 185 days you’re deemed non resident and higher tax rates may be applied on income. It’s simple and easy. I rent a villa on yearly contract and pay power so income generated for Thailand including 180 days residency in the kingdom. NOTE!!! You do not need to spend anymore than the cost of the visa. Do not use agencies here as you need to apply in your home country online and a kid of 10 could do it. If they could tick the boxes 555 NB you can always share your rental with family and friends when r3turning to home country to help share on costs.

[@John-G]

There's no "compulsory medical insurance" on an 'O' visa.

[@Greguk444]

But how do you apply for the DTV visas as a retiree? I am not an offshore worker or Mua Thai enthusiast, or intend to do a 5 year Thai cookery class. I don’t think it’s possible to get unless you can show documented proof of income and job. As far as I can see retirees would not get the DTV visas but if there was a way, I would love to get it as it fits my situation

[@John-G]

@Greguk444 That's the whole problem - five year back-to-back Thai cookery classes mean an awful lot of cooking, and you'd have to be a very slow learner not to speak fluent Thai after a year of full time education, let alone five. On top of that, how many on an DTV (edit: corrected) visa have extended it for a second six months yet? None have for a second year, so who knows what Immigration's view will be.

[@jeff5001]

@@John-G LTR visa? Do you mean DT visa?

[@John-G]

@@jeff5001 Thank you, my mistake, I meant DTV - corrected.

[@koolazzice447]

There cant be tax ramifications if one went with a soft power like Thai Boxing for example. Which is kind of odd that its included in the DTV to begin with.

[@John-G]

Thai boxing as a student for five years? Without competing, which would give "tax ramifications" ...

[@koolazzice447]

@John-G No it wouldn't

[@John-G]

@@koolazzice447 Sorry, I can't be bothered.

[@jacobaud6562]

DMZ?

[@somotest]

DTV is a great option if you live part time in Thailand and part time in your home country. Easy and cost affective if you fit the criteria. Why wait if you can get it. No one knows tax ramifications in thailand, especially in the future. It is always changing and always will. This is Thailand. Not a good reason in my opinion to wait.

[@OlofKarlsson-d1v]

After residence V the O is if not the best at least 2nd best V

[@John-G]

What is a "residence V"?

[@OlofKarlsson-d1v]

@John-G Residence Visa, doesnt require 90 days report and you will get blue housebook.

[@John-G]

@OlofKarlsson-d1v There's no such visa. Presumably you're talking about Thai Residency, which isn't an option for most people applying for a retirement visa unless they've already been working here for at least three years.

[@g.s.5868]

DTV, if you have money or a big fat pension

[@derekcasanares4785]

Why would you do that???

[@IntegrityLegalThailand]

People rely on bad advice from people who don't know what they are talking about. --BWH

[@thriveasia1935]

I respect this guy and his years of knowledge on thailsnd and law. But speculation is still speculation. There are no facys. But if he says go with O visa i am not one to argue. It just didn't suit me but the dtv has been simple, robust and lowcost. Let's see the future

[@gegaoli]

@@thriveasia1935It’s just a perspective which viewers want.

[@DangRenBo]

What if you aren't yet in it? I have both options available to me.

[@thriveasia1935]

You have to apply for the DTV electronically outside of thailsnd. Or use a vpn

[@DangRenBo]

@thriveasia1935 Yes, I'll be outside when I apply. My point was that he says multiple times not to change if you are already on the retirement visa. But what if you're ready and need to choose from the two?

[@davidfielding5404]

The dtv visa is for 5 years and give you so many options.

[@John-G]

@@thriveasia1935 Great idea "use a vpn" if you're in Thailand. After all, they'll never think of checking with immigration to see if you're already here .....

[@John-G]

@@thriveasia1935 Great idea - "use a VPN" if you're in Thailand. No one will ever think of checking your passport to see if you were here ...

[@JohnMarkwick-t3v]

Ltr visa is the best by a mile or what am I missing, don’t tell me most of you guys can’t qualify you just lived 50 plus years in the west …. 1 mil USA it’s peanuts so what’s the problem 10 years report 1 time per year and no tax ….. what’s the problem… or do it pension style …. I’m sick and tired of fools complaining about insurance or visa your all broke …. Don’t blame Thailand look at yourselves

[@g.s.5868]

crypto millionaire?

[@rocketman1828]

Are you bragging or what? Everyone is different.

[@davidfielding5404]

@@JohnMarkwick-t3v clown

[@John-G]

What's "best" about it? You save 5 minutes every year doing your 90 day reports on line - in return for investing $500k. Whoopee! ... and if you think there's "no tax" on earnings here or pensions remitted from abroad, in the very unlikely event they're ever taxed, you need to look at it a bit more closely.

[@John-G]

@@g.s.5868 More probably Vietnamese Dong ...