ask
Search
Ask
Unanswereda year ago

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

John ******
asked Aug 21, 2025
3.2k
views
23
replies
6
likes
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?
Summary so far
The discussion centers around applying for a retirement visa in Thailand by demonstrating monthly income rather than the required 800,000 baht deposit. Responses indicate that while some expats have successfully used monthly transfers for extensions, the initial application typically requires either an embassy-certified income or the full deposit in a Thai bank. Confusion persists regarding the varying interpretations of the rules, the documentation needed, and the possibility of using bank transfers as a legitimate method for the retirement visa application.
23 repliesnewest first
14

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Patrick *********
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 ************
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 *********
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 ******
John ******
OP
@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 *********
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 ******
Michael ******
800k.
Roberto *********
Roberto *********
You simply transfer a minimum of 65k from overseas each month. I've done it for years
Graham ******
Graham ******
@Roberto ********
The OP is getting the initial Non-O and it is not an option now for the first year
Roberto *********
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
David *******
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
Graham ******
Graham ******
@Roberto ********
What you did in the past is irrelevant as "it is not an option now for the first year"
John **********
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 **********
Bob **********
Unless your embassy issues an income letter you can’t not on the first round
Brandon ************
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 *****
Pat *****
@Brandon ***********
At immi Hua Hin there are 3 options: 1. 800k 2. pension( embassy letter) 3. 400k + monthly 40k transfert from abroad
Brandon ************
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 **********
Robert **********
@Brandon ***********
cant you get an oa visa , then use the monthly income for extension of stay ?
Graham ******
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 ************
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.
Brandon ************
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.
John ******
John ******
OP
@Brandon ***********
what if you are a disabled vet and have FMP, would you still require to have medical insurance?
Roberto *********
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 **********
Gerg **********
Bank letter, bank book, and statements .

Activity

14 joined
John ******
John ******
John ******
John ******
John ******
John ******
14
people
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
...members60% approval
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5
Member 6
Member 7
Member 8

Related

25
Can we switch from the 65k monthly deposit to the 800k bank deposit for our visa renewal in Thailand?
13.3k912122mo
What should my Mom do if her insurance company won't provide the required certificate for her retirement visa application?
1.3k8183mo
What are the requirements for obtaining a 90-day Non-O retirement visa regarding exit tickets and bank proofs?
5.7k221275mo
What are the alternatives for US Citizens to verify income for Thailand's retirement visa after the US Embassy stopped certifying it?
12.4k672385mo
What are the requirements for maintaining a Retirement Visa in Thailand, specifically regarding the 800,000 baht funds?
5.6k46637mo
What type of photo and proof of residence is required for a Non-O retirement visa application in Thailand?
3.5k35229mo
Do I need to provide proof of accommodation and cash when entering Thailand with my Thai wife?
1.5k12119mo
Can I obtain a retirement visa in Thailand with 400,000 baht savings and an income of 650,000 baht?
3.8k29431y
Do I need savings in addition to proof of monthly income for a retirement visa in Thailand?
2.1k15201y
Is it necessary to provide U.S. bank statements for a retirement O visa application in Thailand?
1.3k1161y
Can I use a foreign bank account for the Thai retirement visa income requirement and apply for it while in Thailand?
2k16101y
Is it difficult to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand myself without an agent?
3.2k18481y
Does an SSI letter indicating a monthly income of over $3,300 replace the need for an 800,000 THB bank account for a Thai visa extension?
2.3k19161y
How do I obtain a retirement visa for Thailand?
25.3k2023032y
What are the important considerations for obtaining a visa to live in Thailand?
7k52872y
Do you need to have 800k baht in a Thai bank for the 90-day retirement O visa related to the 1-year extension?
2.6k14372y
What is the best visa option for retiring in Thailand as a UK citizen?
5.3k34742y
How can I convert my marriage visa to a retirement visa in Thailand after my divorce?
3.9k29413y
What is the correct bank deposit requirement for a retirement visa in Thailand: 800k or 400k baht?
1.1k1183y
Which is more advantageous: the 65k baht per month visa or the 80k baht per month income verification option in Thailand?
4.5k37404y
How can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand within 5 weeks using a US passport?
5.8k49555y
Can an American use a Social Security annual report to qualify for a retirement visa in Thailand?
1.7k8215y
What documents are needed for an American to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand?
13.9k141906y
Do I need to have my retirement visa income in a Thai bank or can I use UK bank statements?
3.1k3179y
Can I use a pension certificate from the UK embassy for my retirement visa application in Thailand?
2.1k1979y

Resources

Need help with your retirement visa?