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Can I use foreign bank statements to verify my monthly income for a retirement visa extension in Thailand?

Larry *************
asked Apr 22, 2026
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Question. Sorry if it’s overly asked.

For retirement visa extensions,

the Thai government website states three ways to show Financial Proof regarding getting an extension. I’m on year three now so want to use the 65k monthly income method.

Here’s the question; for the Bank Deposit method, it clearly states 800k baht must be verified by Thai bank book and verified bank letter

For the monthly income method, it says nothing about Thai bank. Only verified income letter from embassy, or 12 months proof of income by bank statements showing over 65k baht monthly income.

Has anyone ever used foreigner bank statements to make this monthly income verification? Again, Bank Deposit method clearly says Thai bank, where Monthly Income method does not.

Bank Deposit

Monthly Income

Combination.

Thanks.
Answer summary
This post discusses the requirements for extending a retirement visa in Thailand, focusing on the monthly income verification method of at least 65,000 baht. The author seeks clarification on whether foreign bank statements can be used for this verification, noting that Thai banks are explicitly mentioned for the bank deposit method, but not for monthly income. The community engages in a discussion about the necessity for monthly income to be deposited in a Thai bank account, especially in light of changes in embassy policies regarding income verification letters.
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Dennis *********
Dennis *********
You might want to reread. It has always been verified funds in a thai bank.
Larry *************
Larry *************
OP
Dennis Starkey
John **********
John **********
I do my visa extension on income (65k baht minimum deposited every month in a Thai bank from abroad)and immigration never query the balance,mine has been as low as 2k.My bank is a bigger headache than immigration.
Doc ********
Doc ********
From what I have read the 800'000 must be in the bank to get your first one year extension.

Then after that when you renew your 1 year extension again you can use the 65'000 Baht method but must show that it has been going into a Thai bank account for that year and also you can drop down to 4000'000 Thai Baht.

I maybe wrong on that one but I'm happy to be corrected.
Michelle *********
Michelle *********
How have you been doing it for the last 3 years?
สก็อต *********
สก็อต *********
No for the monthly route the money needs to be paid into a Thai bank. This is the method I use with no issues
Todd ********
Todd ********
First off change and use Use kbank. Easier and less hassle. US embassy wont give a letter so the 65k is not a good option. I use an agent. Despite what other say im about hassle free no all day waiting and returning if u forget something. For my extention I paid 19.400 including multi entry stamp well worth it. Had the funds in the bank. Letter was painless.
John **********
John **********
Todd Capron I go to immigration at MaeSai,never been more than 1 hour and you walk out with your passport none of this going back the next day.
Todd ********
Todd ********
John Robinson jomitiem immigration is a different beast
Freddy *********
Freddy *********
Todd Capron can you DM me the agent if possible 🙏
Peter ********
Peter ********
Good luck! I know the American embassies stopped providing verified income letters. I would also guess the bank needs to be a Thai bank.
David *********
David *********
I changed in November to monthly. Print within 1 week of appointment ss & VA income.

Certificate from the bank showing 12 months of current deposits.

And immigration TM form. Memory... but I believe that was it.

Also I believe the embassy no longer verifies income.
Larry *************
Larry *************
OP
I thought so too until today when Bangkok Bank refused to give me that statement I needed, and my Visa agent wanted to basically extort me out of 24k baht to get it done.

The Immigration website doesn’t mention Thai banks for the 65k either which is why I’m asking.
John **********
John **********
@Larry ************
Bangkok Bank wanted me to have 400k in my balance,which as luck had it I did but they froze it for four months and I was told that the balance now has to be 400k for four months prior to them giving me the letter to get my visa.This is a 100% Bangkok Bank rule and nothing to do with immigration.
Ivan ************
Ivan ************
@Larry ************
income doesn't have to be into a Thai bank IF your home embassy will give you a letter certifying your income. Some countries still do this and people from those countries can still do it that way. The US stopped these (as did most Anglophone countries other than Ireland) so Americans can't use that method. Some Europeans can still use this method.

It comes down to whether the embassy will actually verify your income. Historically the US and many other embassies just certified a personal affidavit, they were just saying "this person said this in front of me", they didn't actually check that the income was real. So many people got letters without having to prove income. Thai immigration started asking embassies to actually verify and stand over these letters. Many embassies were unwilling or unable to do this, so stopped issuing the letters entirely.
John **********
John **********
Ivan McAvinchey it's made life awkward for some Canadians I know.The UK hasn't offered letters for a long time now.
MagentaGo**********
MagentaGo**********
@Larry ************
Other banks do not have this problem.😎
Stephen ********
Stephen ********
MagentaGoldfish4443 None of the banks will issue the statement as he's requesting
Freddie **********
Freddie **********
@Larry ************
Change your bank pronto. SCB or K bank muck less hassle
Stephen ********
Stephen ********
Freddie Percival I've used Bangkok Bank for 16 years. Never had a problem. The letter he is requesting no longer exists. He simply needs a 12-month statement which Bangkok Bank provides on its app
Larry *************
Larry *************
OP
Freddie Percival and then the hassle of all the things I have tied to Bangkok Bank.
Ivan ************
Ivan ************
@Larry ************
many people find it easier to keep a dedicated account for the 800k for immigration anyway so you wouldn't need to drop Bangkok Bank for the other stuff you have tied to it.
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Larry ************
are you in Pattaya? There are some branches in Pattaya that have been reported to refuse to provide the 12 month bank letter. Just go to a different branch.
Larry *************
Larry *************
OP
@Brandon ***********
I went to two branches today. Mine near Phratumnak and the one in Central. I have a copy of the letter I need from an agent, but both bank branches say they no longer do that “program.”
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Larry ************
Go to immigration (not an agent) and ask what they require for the extension.
Stephen ********
Stephen ********
@Larry ************
Immigration want the full 12-month statement. You are very confused
Larry *************
Larry *************
OP
Stephen Howell that came from Bangkok Bank today too. They won’t give me the statement I need, but for 80k baht, guess what they offered me….
Stephen ********
Stephen ********
@Larry ************
Stop listening to agents. The only words they know is "give me your money" 😂
John **********
John **********
@Larry ************
Bangkok Bank won't refuse to give you the statements. They may refuse to give you a guarantee letter addressed to immigration if you don't have 800k baht in your account for 4 months.
Larry *************
Larry *************
OP
@John *********
it’s a letter with all international transfers. Not a traditional monthly “statement.”
John **********
John **********
@Larry ************
yep, the guarantee letter
Stephen ********
Stephen ********
@Larry ************
You're mistaken. It's a 12-month statement showing all transactions. Years ago some banks would give a letter with just the monthly transfers but not anymore
Stephen ********
Stephen ********
@Larry ************
Where you're confused is that the 65k method in years gone by has to be by way of embassy affidavit. As some embassies started refusing to sign these, immigration looked for an alternative and came up with the 65k international transfers into a Thai bank account. This was specifically designed for those unable to obtain the affidavit. The Australian embassy is one which stopped signing these, so I'm now transferring the 65k each month into my Thai bank account. There's no other way around this. It must also show as an international transfer. You can obtain a twelve month statement from your bank which will show these transfers. Bangkok Bank has a facility on their app which allows account holders to obtain this statement via email. I've been here 16 years and refuse point blank to use a visa agent and pay stacks of money for something I can easily do myself
Larry *************
Larry *************
OP
Stephen Howell not confused. Here’s a snapshot from today.

Immigration won’t take the full up statement according to the agent but I’ll try. I have it now

The app does indeed have that capability. Found out today after I tried to find a way to filter it to just inbound transfers. No bueno.
Stephen ********
Stephen ********
@Larry ************
That's an AI interpretation of information off the internet. What AI is not aware of is the government order which allowed those without access to income affidavits to transfer the same amount from overseas into a Thai bank account. Unfortunately you're relying way too much on advice from an unlicensed and unaccountable agent. Your best strategy is to make your enquiries at your immigration office
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
Only embassies deal with outside bank accounts.

ANYTHING you do with finances with immigration in Thailand will be with a Thai bank. So to show the 800,000 baht, it must be in a Thai bank. To do monthly income, if you do not have embassy certified income, then it must be international transfers into your Thai bank account. For a retirement extension that means you must be able to show 12 months of international transfers of a minimum of 65,000 baht into your Thai bank account. Any less than 65,000 baht in a month and you will be denied. Miss a month even by a day and you will be denied. The requirements are quite clear and very strict. At the time you apply for the extension you must be able to show, with a bank statement issued by your Thai bank, that the account has received monthly international transfers of at least 65,000 baht for every month of the previous 12 months from the date you apply.
John **********
John **********
@Brandon ***********
I have done it for 4 years and the UK embassy do not issue any letters regarding finance.They don't want to know.
John **********
John **********
I agree with the terms of income,it must be a minimum of 65k and must be every month,no exceptions.
Vyasa ******
Vyasa ******
@Brandon ***********
Yes, and when you do go to immigration for renewal you must attain the Thai bank confirmation of past 12 month transfers AND after the bank that morning updates you must make copy of bank passbook to also submit to immigration, at least where I am.

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