Do I need to transfer my pension monthly for a retirement visa in Thailand?

@Jan *****************

there are pro's snd con's to it, but Govt wants to be assured you have means to support yourself here.

A bit silly as if you don't, there aren't agencies to assist, and unless work permit, can't work.

@Steve *********

I agree but after the first year extension of stay everyone can use their bank statements to proof their income and for some people it can be a bit hard to put 800K in a bank for the first year even though they don’t have any problems supporting themselves on their monthly income.

@Jan *****************

I agree , I honestly can't recall, as so many years ago. I don't believe, or recall nesting funds, only my monthly income. Requirements have changed over the years . But can certainly agree, a criteria is needed.

When 1st came, knew a few that hadn't had visa in decades, pretended to be jewelers or guides feeding off the tourist trade.. any income went straight toward bar tab.

@Jan *****************

Northern European countries usually excel

@Steve *********

I think this why they stopped. The thai authorities wanted them to verify the income. A couple of embassies just notarise income but that is no longer acceptable to immigration

@Jan *****************

I don't believe you can use monthly income if your embassy provides an income affidavit/certificate

@John *********

I see there’s comment about this and I don’t know, but if there’s an updated list at the immigration offices over which embassies who provides and who don’t, I guess this is right. So this means if you’re pension is below 65K a month and your embassy provides a letter, you’ll anyway need 800K in your bank also for your second year extension of stay. (Combination option is out).

@Anne ******

As I understand from Norwegian people living in Thailand is that they just send their pension papers by e-mail to the Norwegian embassy in Bangkok, pay a small fee and after a while have the confirmation letter in return and that this is sufficient for the local immigration when they apply for their yearly extension of stay. (Or when applying for a Non O from Thailand if that’s the case). If you’re not already in Thailand it’s best to apply for a 90 days Non O in Germany first as it’s not easy to open a bank account in Thailand without a Long stay visa. (An agent might anyway help you to open).

@Anne ******

As you see her if they’ll ask for your bank, at least the last two months is sufficient. As told, normally letter is what’s required. But practice varies and I’ve heard of someone also asked to show bank statements when they applied for extension of stay. (Chiang Khan).

@Anne ******

I think the letter from the embassy it’s self it’s sufficient for to proof your income. (Nice to hear that you anyway can live a good life in Thailand with less than minimum of what’s required for visa😉).

@Jan *****************

that's my understanding

@Steffi **********

yes she was and if she can satisfy that option via an income affidavit/certificate from her embassy she's good. If she can't her only alternative is 800k in a Thai bank account

@John *********

But she said, she has the 65.000 THB 🤷🏼‍♀️

@Steffi **********

she was referring to transferring 65k baht per month but that option is not open to her. She only can prove her income via her embassy or use 800k. If she can prove the 65k income to her embassy she's good to go

@John *********

Exactly 👍🏼 I never said anything else 🤷🏼‍♀️She does not need to transfer the money to Thailand at all

@Steffi **********

yep, as long as she can get the certificate. There is a distinction to be made, to get the certificate you need to show income, to transfer 65k baht per month you don't (you can use savings) so that's why I answered the way I did.

@John *********

Gsus 😱 She will get the certificate because she has that income 🤦🏼‍♀️

@Steffi **********

these things are not straightforward

@Anne ******

proving is enough