Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand three months before I turn 50, and what are the fund requirements?

Question

I actually have 2 questions but I’ll start with the first…..

The first is basic i believe: can I apply for a retirement visa in the USA 3 months before turning 50? Or do you have to be 50 prior to turning 50? ( I ask because it’s my understanding that you can apply then go to Thailand and deposit necessary funds into a bank account before an exempt visa entry runs out, or perhaps a tourist visa of some type)……

The second question relates to required funds sitting in a Thai account(I.e. 800kbaht)…..: Does that balance have to stay in there for the year that your using that retirement visa?  Or could you then just show deposit of 65,000baht a month into that account and take the first 800k out and re-deposit to country of origin?

I know that sounds crazy let me simplify:  If I were to get a retirement visa using 800k method, then start depositing 65000baht a month into the account, could I spend or transfer the initial 800k at my leisure and get the following years retirement visa using the monthly deposit method for verification?

Thanks!

USA passport holder
50 years of age
Embassy doesn’t verify income currently? Correct?

And lastly:  how many months must a person have 800k in an account to apply for a visa? Is there a law that says they must maintain that for the duration of their 1 year retirement visa?

Thanks’.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The applicant inquired whether they could apply for a retirement visa in Thailand three months prior to turning 50. The consensus is that you must be 50 years of age at the time of application. Additionally, there are specific requirements related to maintaining funds in a Thai bank account, including a minimum balance of 800,000 baht for a certain period and the option to demonstrate monthly deposits of 65,000 baht for subsequent visa renewals. Key points include the necessity of keeping the funds in the account for the first three months after approval and not letting it drop below 400,000 baht after that, along with proof of continuing monthly deposits if opting for that verification method in future applications.

Robert ******* · Answer

People may call it a retirement visa but retirement is none of the requirements:

The visa is called: Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age, according my calculators 49 is not over 50, but it may be different in the US.

James ******** · Answer

First.... You need to be age 50 to apply for the Non O Visa as a retiree.

Second... You will need to deposit by international wire transfer 800,000 Thai baht at least 2 full months prior to applying for the Non O Visa as a retiree inside Thailand.

Third... Plan on keeping that 800,000 Thai baht in your Thai bank account in your name only for the First 3 months from the date of approval of your One year extension of stay as retired.

Then do 🚫 NOT allow that account balance to drop below 400,000 for the following 7 months.

AND raise the account balance again to 800,000 Thai baht a full 2 months PRIOR to your one year extension ending date.

Fourth... IF you wish to use the 65,000 Thai baht internationally transferred to your Thai bank account in your name only...

You must show PROOF of your making the 65,000 Thai baht or more in international transfer deposits into your Thai bank account for a full 12 MONTHS when you apply for the One year extension of stay as retired for the second year of retirement in Thailand.

Can I apply for a retirement visa in Thailand three months before I turn 50, and what are the fund requirements?

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