This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Can I deposit more money into my bank account while applying for a Thai retirement visa extension?
Retirement VisaBank RequirementsLiving ExpensesFinancial ManagementVisa ExtensionExpat Banking in Thailand
Sep 1, 2025
8 months ago
Simon ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi. My wife and I have deposited 800,000 each into our bank accounts and in 2 months we will apply for our 12 month retirement visa extension. My question is, can we start to deposit more money into our bank account for the next 2 months to use as living expenses as long as we keep the balance at least 800,000 or should we not do anything in the bank account until we have our 12 month extension? Thanks.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, you can deposit additional money into your bank account while waiting for your 12-month retirement visa extension, as long as you maintain at least 800,000 THB in the account. It's advised to keep the immigration deposit separate from your living expenses; many expats open a second account for daily transactions to safeguard the minimum balance. Always ensure that you don’t inadvertently fall below the required amount.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Giovanni **********
A lot of people including myself open a second bank account with another bank for general living expenses.
Gerald ********
@Giovanni *********
Same as me so don't dip into that money by accidentReply to
Gerald ********
Reply
Tom ********
With some Banks such as Bangkok Bank the 800K needs to be in for 4 months prior to applying, also most banks will not give you the required paperwork for immigration if you only have a tourist 'visa exempt'
Graham ******
@Tom *******
if you have a Visa Exempt entry stamp why would you need documentation from your bank for Immigration?Mark *******
@Tom *******
best advice you can ever get is...Ask your local immigration...social media is wrong about 70% Of the time...cheers. Why? Different countries...different circumstances.....different offices....different interpretations of rules etc.Pertti *************
@Tom *******
yes because for initial visa you don't need seasoning. You get paper when you apply extension👌Reply to
Pertti *************
Reply
Marty *********
Yes. I had one Thai bank account. I kept the 800,000฿ + 400,000฿ buffer and added living expenses on top of that. There was never any danger of falling below 800k฿. Never a problem with Bangkok immigration examining my yearlong bank statements for my yearly extensions.
I had an OA visa for 6 years.
I had an OA visa for 6 years.
Colin *********
Reply to
Colin *********
Reply
Rui *********************
Three mounths you can use that money , but after , for renwal must put again the money in bank
Isariya ***************
@Rui ********************
60 days before of the renewal.Rui *********************
Reply to
Rui *********************
Reply
Stuart ***********
@Rui ********************
that's not totally correct, the balance must never go below 400,000 baht.Anna *********
@Stuart **********
that’s for marriage extension not retirement which is 800kNo wonder people get confused
Stuart ***********
@Anna ********
you are the one that is confusing people, not me!Stuart ***********
@Anna ********
so are you saying on the retirement extension, your balance can't go below 800,000 to 400,000 three months after the extension and return to 800,000 two months before the next extension?Reply to
Stuart ***********
Reply
Art ************
You better not use Bank of Bangkok they will freeze your money they don't like foreigners
Gerry ******
@Art ***********
I cancelled my account at bbk . wasn't satisfied with their service or attitude.Art ************
@Gerry *****
they will not let me close my account because it is frozenReply to
Art ************
Reply
Malcolm *****
@Max ************
I think he knows more than you do 🤔Sean **********
@Art ***********
not true of all accounts, no problems with them so farArt ************
We are one of the lucky few, I've been here following the rules and they decided to freeze my account so I think Bangkok Bank is the shittiest Bank on the face of this earth
Art ************
Reply to
Art ************
Reply
Rok ********
@Max ************
… you need to relax, dear. You have been very tense with your recent comments. Deep breath!Mark ********
@Rok *******
Yes , young Maxxy has woken up and needs to comment on something to keep his “All- star contributor” badge.Just a shame he never actually contributes and just waffles and waffles and waffles on and on and on 🫣🫣🫣
Reply to
Mark ********
Reply
Max *************
@Art ***********
Don't come up with nonsense comments when you don't know shit about issues at Bangkok Bank.Art ************
@John ********
well if you were in my shoes you wouldn't feel that way when they froze over 1 million baht of your money and they're not going to give it back to you. Why would you want to stay in a country that steals from you and treat you like s***Reply to
Art ************
Reply
Sean **********
Yes, you can. I actually opened a 2nd account at another bank for daily living expenses to leave my immigration deposit account and pass book super clean for next years extension application.
Stuart **********
@Sean *********
can that be put into a term deposit account so you can get a little interest on your moneySean **********
@Stuart *********
I actually left the 800k in place and proceeded to deposit a minimum of 65k baht for the year and at the next extension used the daily living account to qualify for the extension based on the 65k deposits for 12 months.Now I was able to move the 800k out for better usage of the cash.
Warning - once you are able to get on the 65k per month basis you cannot ever miss a month or there may be immigration drama at the next extension.
Sean **********
@Stuart *********
unfortunately NO!Jozef *********
@Sean *********
Not quite correct. I have a term deposit account, however, it does have where I can cash it all in before the expiration of the term but there's no interest paid if you do.Reply to
Jozef *********
Reply
David *********
@Sean *********
sameReply to
David *********
Reply
Dick ********
There’s always the danger of inadvertently falling below the 800k level if one or more transactions are not remembered. Many folks keep a second account for day to day transactions thereby safeguarding the minimum balance requirement
Stuart ***********
@Dick *******
yes that's what I do too.Andy ***********
@Di**
- that is exactly what I doOsian ********
@Dick *******
said nobody ever 🤦Ian *******
@Osian *******
wrong I keep two accounts. One only hold a little over 800k. Just in case I get hit by an unexpected tax, or similar.Mark ********
@Osian *******
Wrong! There have been multiple comments, posts and recommendations across many different Facebook groups over the years by people who do the same! I have 3 different bank accounts.For the Author, just remember as of a few years ago, an individual bank account is only covered by insurance/indemnity for 1,000,000 baht down from the previous 5,000,000 limit.
Some deem it wise to spread any funds across multiple accounts to protect your money etc.
Cheers
Gerry ******
@Mark *******
correct..but the government bank cover any amount they also pay interest tax free.Osian ********
@Mark *******
a far better reason and good advise, but on the op i replied if someone can't manage keeping his balance above a threshold when ample funds are available (from what ever source) should they really be allowed to travel 🤣🤦🫣Reply to
Osian ********
Reply
David *****
@Osian *******
wrongReply to
David *****
Reply
Michael **********
Yes you can
Bob **********
Yes you can you can also start transferring in 65k baht a month and use that method for your next years extension but keep your deposit in the bank until they accept your monthly transfers
Alexander *******
U can deposit as much as likenreally
Reply to
Alexander *******
Reply
8 comments
8 months ago
151 comments
9 months ago
51 comments
9 months ago
20 comments
10 months ago
10 comments
2 years ago
3 comments
2 years ago
74 comments
2 years ago
16 comments
2 years ago
17 comments
2 years ago
6 comments
2 years ago
2 comments
2 years ago
18 comments
3 years ago
4 comments
3 years ago
17 comments
3 years ago
10 comments
3 years ago
14 comments
3 years ago
33 comments
3 years ago
6 comments
5 years ago
15 comments
5 years ago
11 comments
5 years ago
27 comments
7 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
17 comments
7 years ago
14 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.