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Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand based on monthly income instead of an 800K baht deposit?

Aug 21, 2025
2 days ago
John ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone applied for a retirement visa using the monthly income requirement instead of the 80K deposit? If so, how did you get your documents verified since the embassy doesn’t handle it?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
In this discussion, several users address the question of applying for a retirement visa in Thailand using the monthly income requirement instead of the 800,000 baht deposit. The exchange highlights that while it may be possible to use certified income for certain extensions or non-O visa applications at a consulate outside of Thailand, the initial application for a non-O visa within Thailand generally requires either the 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account or embassy-certified income. Participants also mention that for annual extensions, one can demonstrate eligibility through international transfers of at least 65,000 baht per month, contingent on verification methods facing variability depending on embassy capabilities and immigration office discretion.
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Patrick *********
Big Confusion on this topic.??Not sure who's right Who's wrong.would be great to find out.Alot of people interested. Maybe every immigration office different???
Keith ************
@Patrick ********
I think it's fairly clear. If your embassy doesn't provide proof of income, you can't use income to start. You have to have 800k in the bank for a non-o.

The bank issue is also fairly clear. It's nigh impossible to open a bank account on a tourist visa. So get a non o before you arrive, open a bank account, put 800k in it.

If you want to switch to the income method, start depositing 65k from abroad every month. Just make sure you meet the requirements for both the 800k and the income methods that entire year.

Most of the confusion is because people generalize when they should be specific. A non-o is not the same as a non-oa. A dtv or other tourist visa is not the same as a long stay visa in terms of being able to get a bank account.
Anna *********
@Patrick ********
you have to do the 800 k method for the first extension and if you also deposit the 65k monthly that first year you can use monthly deposit for the second extension
John ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrick ********
yeah I’ve seen so many YouTube videos on this topic and none is clear about the process.

It’s an oxymoron, you have to have 800K in a Thai bank but you don’t qualify to get one. lol, you can show income but the embassy don’t certify it.

I’m a former federal employee, I can print my monthly statement from OPM. I can also get my monthly payment from the VA website and not sure if the will accept that.
Anna *********
@John *****
you really are confused Check again but Praps not on YouTube 🤣

On a non o visa you can open a bank account to deposit the 800K thb
Michael ******
800k.
Roberto *********
You simply transfer a minimum of 65k from overseas each month. I've done it for years
Graham ******
@Roberto ********
The OP is getting the initial Non-O and it is not an option now for the first year
Roberto *********
@Graham *****
I switched from OA to O via visa exempt so I never needed the 800k lump sum as I already had almost two years of 65k transfers, but without that I would imagine the 800k would be required
Graham ******
@Roberto ********
What you did in the past is irrelevant as "it is not an option now for the first year"
David *******
@Graham *****
I followed Rob's advice and did it earlier this year, so I think you'll find it's still an option. The 65k transfers simply replaced the embassy affidavit. You just need to show minimum 12 months
John **********
You can do so in a consulate outside of Thailand for the initial 90 day Non-O visa but to get the 12 month extension you need 800k baht in a Thai bank for 2 months before you apply
Bob **********
Unless your embassy issues an income letter you can’t not on the first round
Brandon ************
How? You don't. You have only 2 options to apply for a non-O visa based on retirement in Thailand. Proof of a Thai bank account in your name with 800,000 baht, or embassy certified income. If your embassy does not certify income, then that means you are left with only one option.

The same goes for the first annual extension, you either show the bank account balance, or embassy certified income. If your embassy doesn't do that, then the bank balance is the only option.

For the 2nd annual extension, you can use monthly international transfers into your account to satisfy the monthly income requirement. But that will not work for the visa (if trying to apply in Thailand) or the first annual extension, even if you had the Thai bank account for 10 years with monthly transfers, it is not accepted.
Pat *****
@Brandon ***********
At immi Hua Hin there are 3 options: 1. 800k 2. pension( embassy letter) 3. 400k + monthly 40k transfert from abroad
Brandon ************
@Pat ****
NOT for the visa. NOT for the first 1 year extension. Transfer from abroad is not possible for either of those. So no there are not 3 options.
Robert **********
@Brandon ***********
cant you get an oa visa , then use the monthly income for extension of stay ?
Graham ******
@Robert *********
You can't get a Non-OA from inside Thailand as it has to be in your country of residence but you can also get the Non-O based on income if applying from there
Brandon ************
@Robert *********
yes, but you're going to have mandatory insurance forever if you do that. It might end up costing more in the end.
John ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
what if you are a disabled vet and have FMP, would you still require to have medical insurance?
Brandon ************
@John *****
Your insurance company has to sign a specific document from the embassy in order to be able to use your own insurance. And it's almost impossible to get an insurance company to sign this document. And that's only for the initial non-OA visa. You can't use that form for subsequent extensions, so you would have to get one of the qualifying Thai policies unless you go back home and apply for a new non-OA visa.
Roberto *********
@Brandon ***********
You can start with OA, and during the two-year tenure commence monthly transfers, then leave the country allowing the OA to lapse, re-enter with Visa Exempt and then apply for non-O at an immigration office, using the up to two years of 65k transfers to meet the criteria. That's how I did it, and avoided the 800k lump sum
Gerg **********
Bank letter, bank book, and statements .
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