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Can I obtain a retirement visa for Thailand without the required bank deposit but with monthly income proof?

Jan 18, 2026
3 months ago
Frank *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
so, if I obtain a retirement visa in the UK but dont have the 800000 bahts nor a Thai bank account, can an agent set me up for permanent retirement in Thailand based on my ability to pay at least 80,000 bahts a month?

I do have Thai ladyfriend in the north, who owns her own condo and a normal bank account. I've been over there several times and now would like to stay with her. obviously, I don't want to break the law, but if it can be done safely I'm willing to try. I'm over 50. many thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand without the required ฿800,000 bank deposit, focusing on monthly income proof as an alternative. Participants emphasize the necessity of showing either a one-time deposit of ฿800,000 or a consistent income of at least ฿65,000 per month. They highlight the differences in interpretations of requirements by various Thai embassies and immigration offices and the potential role of visa agents in facilitating this process. The conversation warns against attempting to bypass legal requirements while expressing concerns for those without sufficient funds to meet the financial criteria.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Will *****
I can't believe people can't afford to put in 800k thb in a Thai bank yet wants to retire in Thailand. 😂
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Matilda ******
Following
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Colin *******
You can only get an OA Retirement Visa via the Thai Embassy in the UK which includes Insurance and a requirement to put 800,000 in a Thai Bank within Three Months, otherwise you will enter with a Tourist Visa and try your luck with an Agent.
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Brandon ************
@Colin ******
He can get a non-O visa from the London embassy. But that will still require proof of funds
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Brandon ************
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Dave ********
Not indefinitely
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Frank *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Many Thanks for all your advice.

Yes, it's tricky but I did look on the Thai London embassy's Web site and it was 800,000 THB... OR 65,000 THB.

So, when my UK bank gives me written proof of monthly funds exceeding 65,000 and the Thai, embassy in London accepts this along with my non immigrant type O visa application, (plus all other required docs), then all should be well. I believe then, if after the 1st year, I wish to renew this, I then have to demonstrate that I have been depositing a minimum 65,000 THB every month for the previous 12 months to qualify.

would appreciate those of you in the know out there, to say yay or nay to this interpretation and for anyone who has already done something similar to let me know. I'll be grateful.
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Will ******
Allegedly agents can find a way around the deposit issue. The main question is have you got enough money to live comfortably in Thailand for the foreseeable future? It’s no fun here if struggling I can assure you
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Michael *********
My suggestion dont do anything for 5 years if you still have it in you after that time do it even then think carefully
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Khayaw **********************
Go to a visa agent, they can help you with ewrything
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Rich ****
Yes just find an agent. They cover the cash. Cost 25,000
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Doug *******
Rich De Double that estimate and you’ll be almost correct
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Lisa **************
Rich De if one takes this route then so they deposit the 65k/mo for the next 12mo to qualify for the one year extension?
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Lisa **************
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Paul *********
Hi guys can someone answer a couple of questions for me please

I am married to Thai lady have Thai marriage certificate

Have yellow house book for property

Have Thai I D card

We both live in Australia but plan to move in 3 years

How do I open a bank account in Thailand

Bank says I need visa

But I have addres, yellow book and Thai I D card
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John **********
@Paul ********
get a 90 day Non-O visa in your home country before travelling to Thailand and once there you will be able to open the bank account
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Paul *********
@John *********
Thankyou John
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Paul *********
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Brook ********
Paul Hosking you answered your own question and threadjacked someone
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Ian ********
You have to have a non o visa to open a bank account
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Paul *********
Ian Carman Thankyou Ian

Do I apply in Australia
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Michael ********
Paul Hosking yes
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Michael ********
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Gina *******
I have friend from England who had this money in bank (investments savings). Then he stayed here maybe 8-10 years. Bought house restaurant. The money was left only half and he got sent back to England soooooo
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Lisa **************
Gina Brown to clarify your friend qualified for the visa a decade ago but under current regulations (I guess 25k must remain the account at all times) he was deported?
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Gina *******
Yep
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Gina *******
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Stuart ******
You also can not obtain a Non O visa in the UK unless you can show money in your UK bank account equivalent to 800,000 baht.
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Judy *******
In the first year you have to show you have
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0 thb in the bank. The monthly option is not available
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Frans *************
Judy Blyth that's not true.

I stay already 2 years in Thailand and always i prove my monthly income.
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John **********
@Frans ************
but your embassy still provide an income affidavit/certificate, the UK embassy stopped doing that a number of years ago
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Wayne ********
@John *********
John, he must be talking about something else because according to his profile, he’s from Belgium, and according to the Internet, Belgium does not offer affidavits of income.
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Wayne ********
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Judy *******
Alistair John Grant my understanding is the monthly income can only be done on the extension as the British Embassy don’t validate monthly income initially
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Alistair *************
Judy, I met with the Immigration Office in Ubon Ratchatani last week. They will accept 12 months of UK bank statements proving I meet the
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THB per month requirement.

They said this does not have to be an affidavit from the UK Embassy. That was never a requirement from Thai Immigration, but many ex pats chose to provide it.

As I mentioned before this now academic for me as I am marrying my Thai fiancée in February. The Ubon Immigration Office confirmed that 12 months of UK bank statements confirming I meet the 40,000 THB per month income requirement is all they need. They said for my renewal in one years time I will need to show that this monthly income has been going in to a Thai bank account.

After only 4 months looking at this it is very clear that each Thai Embassy and each Thai Immigration office has their own interpretation of Thai immigration law.

My advise is check with the local Thai Immigration office who will process and issue your visa and only follow their instructions.
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Alistair *************
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Alistair *************
Judy Blyth this is not what the Royal Thai Embassy in London advised me before Christmas. They said 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account OR proof of a minimum of 65,000 THB monthly income.
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Vee *******
You’re correct Just google Thailand retirement requirements. And stop asking people online for their opinions. They don’t know everything. Even if it changes you have to keep yourself informed
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Alan **********
Alistair John Grant I believe Ms Blyth was referring to the OP where supposedly he'd pay an AGENT 80K per month and the agent (presumably) would put up the 800K Baht.
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Graham ******
Alistair John Grant the Thai Embassy and Thai Immigration are not the same, one operates outside of Thailand and one inside
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John **********
@Alistair ************
that's fine for applying for the initial 90 day Non-O visa inside the UK but not for the 1st extension of stay inside Thailand
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John **********
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Brook ********
If you don’t have ฿800,000 to put into your own Thai bank account you shouldn’t be relocating to Thailand.

Also, you shouldn’t post your intent to violate Thai law in a public forum under your real name.
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Damien ********
Brook Powers bullshit !!

Get off you high horse !

The guy has 80k a month income which is more than enough to live

And your bullshit fearmongering about posting his name is not a problem as no one in Thai immimmigration checks sites like this ….
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Ralphy *****
Brook Powers holy Moses !! A massive amount of retirees use agents because they don't have the
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0 baht and banks, IMMIGRATION happily accept the b...bs !!!
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Brook ********
Ralphy Ben if immigration is happy to a fake deposit, please post your real name and visa stamp.

I think we all can predict the results
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Sam *****
Another criminal lol
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Sam *****
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