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Do I Need to Keep My Pension in a Thai Bank for 1 Year to Apply for a Long-Term Visa?

Visa application 90-day visa Non-O visa One year visa Pension scheme Thai bank account Income affidavit Extension of stay

Feb 10, 2026

3 months ago

John ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi ..I will apply for a 90 day visa when I return to my own country  ..I  will come back  in November  and start  the application  for a 1 year visa  using the 65000 a month pension scheme..I hear many people say my pension  must go into a thai bank for 1 year before  I can get a 1 visa ..how is that possible  if I don't  have a bank account..I can bring 12 months of statements  showing I get my pension  from my home country..thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user plans to apply for a 90-day visa and later a one-year visa based on a monthly pension scheme. There are conflicting views on whether the pension must be kept in a Thai bank account for a year before applying for a long-term visa. Some suggest that receiving an income letter from the embassy can waive the requirement for a Thai bank account, while others advise using the 800,000 Baht method if the letter is not available.

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3 months ago

John **********

It depends which countries passport you hold and whether the embassy of that country in Thailand will supply you with an income affidavit/certificate. If they will visit them and obtain one before applying for the extension, if they won't you have no option but to use the 800k baht method. Many embassies including US, UK. Australia etc no longer supply this

3 months ago

John ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

I will use the German consulate here in Thailand I have been to see them ..they said bring bank statements showing pension if all correct they will give me my income letter

3 months ago

Reply to

John ********

Lynnette *******

In a nutshell: You get the Non-O. Enter Thailand. Open bank. Deposit 800k tbt. Season this. Get 1 year extension of stay. Then do 12 months equal deposits of 65k for the ensuing year. Second extension can use the 65k proof of transfers.

3 months ago

Gary ***********

You have to use the 800,000 method for first years extension if you can't get an income letter from your embassy

3 months ago

John ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Gary Colclough hi ..yes I can get an income letter from my embassy ..but people are still saying I need to have it in the bank for a year

3 months ago

Liam ***********

John Molloy I have been through the process today. I am an Irish citizen and the embassy in Bangkok has done me an affidavit I’ve been in today to the immigration Centre to get all my paperwork filled in with the help of the lovely girls, I inquired about my affidavit and opening a bank account and the 800 K she assured me officially if you’ve got an affidavit certifying your pension above 65,000 bat per month you do not even have to open a bank account in Thailand it completely negate having any money in a Thai bank account, the affidavit overrides everything, I’ve been through the process

3 months ago

John ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Liam O'connell thanks Liam 😊

3 months ago

John ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Liam O'connell Hi Liam ..I also have a Irish passport but I live in Germany over 25 years ..so the German consulate will issue my income letter

3 months ago

Reply to

John ********

Graham ******