Do you need to have 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account plus an income stream for a retirement visa, or is it either/or?

Nov 12, 2024
2 days ago
Julie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
DO you have to have 800,000 in a Thai bank account plus the income stream or is it, you have one or the other?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
For obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand, you can either maintain 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account or provide proof of a monthly income of 65,000 Baht. Some expats opt to use an agency to handle the process, which can simplify the requirements but may involve additional costs. Alternatives include hybrid options, where funds can fluctuate during the visa period, provided legal conditions are met.
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Mary ********
My husband and I both use the 800K for ours. I believe it saves us money as the structure of it allows us to use some of the funds (You need it in there for the 3 months before and 3 month after application / 4 months before the end of your Visa I believe - could be wrong for your situation so check) at any rate it allows me 5 months to use half and transfer monies only when the AUD is up and allows that money to build interest in our home country while we wait - plus we are only paying the 1,900 each immigration charges when applying so that works well for us but you need to look at your own situation and see what will work best for you.
Julie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mary *******
thank you, sounds like a good idea. ๐Ÿ˜€
Tony **********
Assuming your embassy doesn't provide income verification....

เธฟ800k in Thai bank for 14 months (yes, you can draw it down to เธฟ400k and put it back). During the last 13 of those you can deposit เธฟ65k/month from foreign source. Applying for your 2nd 12 month extension you can use the เธฟ65k/month. You can then use the เธฟ800k however you like.

I've heard this could be immigration office dependent, but it is how the law is written.
Todd *********
You either need 800k in a Thai bank account OR 65k monthly income stream. Or use an agent if you prefer. More expensive, but hassle free
Tony *********
@Todd ********
hassle free until it isn't as with any illegal activity.
Todd *********
@Tony ********
thinks using an agency is โ€˜illegalโ€™. Donโ€™t be a Tony in paradise. Their life sucks
Tony *********
@Todd ********
that's correct, using an agent isn't illegal if what they do is legal. I've lost count over the years of how many immigration officers have been busted by the Bangkok bosses.
Todd *********
@Tony ********
I know itโ€™s correct. And now you know. You are welcome.

How many immigration officers busted?? Cmon tony. Letโ€™s not pretend
Jim ********
@Todd ********
It does happen. I agree not often.

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Tony *********
@Todd ********
yes let's not pretend. I have my sources. But I also have my personal experience when I used the services of an immigration officer once in Phuket many years ago. For a fee he would take your passport and drive to Sadao and get a stamp in your passport while you lie on the beach. Not long afterwards he got busted while being in the possession of seven passports whose holders were deported. Yes I'm sure that this scheme is going to work most of the time, it's just that in Thailand you never know what crackdown is coming and I've seen a few in the 27 years I've lived here including in the company registration and property sectors. But good luck anyway.
Dieter *******
As already mentioned, with an agent you need neither 800,000k nor certified income. The agent is dealing directly with the Immigration. A way Immigration really likes, as they can earn some extra money ๐Ÿค‘๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ‘
Tony *********
@Dieter ******
yeah, it's called corruption ๐Ÿ˜€
Dieter *******
@Tony ********
Not in Thailand ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘
Tony *********
@Dieter ******
right, you just give it another name. Tea money, service fee Lol.
Dieter *******
@Tony ********
๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ˜
Paul ***************
Speak to an agent
Brandon ************
For a retirement visa it's one or the other. But for most their only option is the proof of funds in a Thai bank account because immigration will only accept embassy certified income for the first year and many embassies no longer offer this.
Willem ****
@Brandon ***********
I do the certified income statement from my embassy for the last 7 years. Never is there any word about only accepted the first time. I guess you are incorrect in your statement. And there are still plenty of countries who issue a certified income statement. I know the US, UK and Australia don't.
Brandon ************
@Willem ***
I said that immigration will ONLY accept embassy certified income for the first 1-year extension. No where did I say it's only accepted for the first year.

You cannot use monthly transfers to satisfy the requirement for the first year, but can use that for subsequent years if your embassy doesn't certify income.
Luit *****************
@Brandon ***********
Does this mean first year you need an embassy letter and next years the monthly transfers are OK?

Is there a special reason for this?
Brandon ************
@Luit ****************
most immigration offices will not accept monthly transfers if your embassy is one that still offers income verification
Willem ****
@Brandon ***********
You mean that at the first 1 year extension you can not use the monthly transfer method. Thats correct. But still many embassies profied verified income statements.
Damo ***********
@Willem ***
give up! Hahaha
Julie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
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