Does the money for a Thai retirement visa need to be in a Thai bank account or is a UK bank acceptable?

Thai bank account

thai account ,or can send 65,000 a month from a uk bank instead off hold 800,000.i believe you can apply for the visa from the uk using the 65k a month method but u still need a thai bank account to send it too .contact the london embassy for what you need .uk method req proof of income etc .

Everything you apply for in Thailand requires funds in a Thai bank, unless you can provide an income verification letter from your embassy.

*** for the application to the initial 90-days retirement visa in your home country or anywhere in the World except in Thailand, the equivalent of 800,000 THB can be in ANY bank account ANYWHERE in the World as long as you prove it is in your sole name and has been in the account to for the recent THREE months!

*** for the application to the 1-year extension of the 90-days stay permit on Immigration inside Thailand, a minimum of 800,000 THB must be in your Thai bank account, and this deposit, on the day you apply, must have been sitting in your Thai bank account for a minimum of 2 months, which must be proven with a bank letter

WATCH the wording: in your home country, you apply for the “visa”. In Thailand, you don’t “apply for the visa” if you have entered on the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa. You instead apply for a “1-year extension of the stay permit”

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Thailand offers several types of retirement visas depending on your age, nationality, and how long you plan to stay. Here’s a clear breakdown of the main options in 2025:

🇹🇭 1. Non-Immigrant O (Retirement) Visa

Best for: Retirees aged 50+ who want to stay in Thailand long-term.

Key points:

• Age: 50 or older.

• Stay length: Initially 90 days, then extendable for 1 year at a Thai immigration office.

• Financial requirement:

• 800,000 THB in a Thai bank (must be seasoned for 2 months before extension), OR

• Monthly income/pension of 65,000 THB, OR

• A combination of both totaling 800,000 THB/year.

• Re-entry permit required if you travel outside Thailand.

• Reporting: Must report your address to Immigration every 90 days.

🇹🇭 2. Non-Immigrant OA (Long Stay) Visa

Best for: Retirees applying from outside Thailand for a one-year visa.

Key points:

• Age: 50+

• Stay length: 1 year, renewable annually inside Thailand.

• Financial requirement:

• Same as the O visa (800,000 THB in the bank or 65,000 THB/month income).

• Health insurance required:

• Minimum 400,000 THB inpatient and 40,000 THB outpatient coverage.

• Policy must be from an approved Thai or foreign insurer.

• Police and medical certificates required when applying abroad.

🇹🇭 3. Non-Immigrant O Visa (Retirement – In-Country)

Best for: Foreigners aged 50 or older already in Thailand (often on a Tourist or Non-O visa).

✅ Requirements:

• Age: 50+

• Financial requirement:

• 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account, OR

• Monthly pension/income of at least 65,000 THB, OR

• Combination totaling 800,000 THB/year.

• Health insurance: Not required (for standard O visa retirement extensions).

• Funds seasoning:

• Must be in the Thai bank at least 2 months before application, and

• Maintained at 400,000 THB for 3 months after the visa is granted.

• Police or medical certificate: Not needed for in-country extensions.

🕐 Validity:

• 90 days if converting from another visa.

• Renewable every 1 year at immigration (same financial proof required).

🇹🇭 4. Non-Immigrant O-X (10-Year Retirement Visa)

Best for: Wealthier retirees from specific countries (including the U.S.) seeking long-term stability.

Key points:

• Age: 50+

• Stay length: 5 years, renewable for another 5 years (total 10 years).

• Eligible countries: U.S., U.K., Japan, Australia, Germany, France, Canada, etc.

• Financial requirement:

• 3 million THB in a Thai bank (kept at least 1 year), OR

• 1.8 million THB + annual income of 1.2 million THB.

• Health insurance: Required (400,000 inpatient / 40,000 outpatient).

• Must not work in Thailand.

🇹🇭 5. Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa – Retiree Category

Best for: High-income retirees or investors seeking 10-year residency and tax benefits.

Key points:

• Age: 50+

• Financial requirement:

• Annual income of at least $80,000 USD,

• OR at least $40,000 USD if you invest $250,000 USD in Thai property, bonds, or funds.

• Stay length: Up to 10 years (5 + 5 renewal).

• Health insurance: Minimum coverage of $50,000 USD, or deposit $100,000 in a Thai bank.

• Benefits:

• Fast-track immigration lanes,

• Work permit (if needed),

• 90-day reports reduced to once per year.

🇹🇭 6. “Elite Visa” (Thailand Privilege Card)

Best for: Retirees who want an easier, premium long-term stay without financial proofs or renewals.

Key points:

• Not age-restricted, but popular with retirees.

• Stay length: 5 to 20 years depending on package.

• Cost: From 900,000 THB to 2.5 million+ THB.

• No financial proof or health insurance required.

• Includes perks: Airport assistance, concierge services, and multiple entry privileges.

Visa

Any

You apply for 90days nonO retirement visa outside of thailand using overseas funds once u arrive in thailand open a thai bank acct and transfer the funds from overseas into the thai bank acct and there after apply for your 1yr extension (funds need to be seasoned for 2mths before u can apply for extension)

This is where language is so important

applying for the non-O Visa in your own country requires the money to be in any bank.

When you apply for the one year extension based on retirement within Thailand the money has to be in a Thai bank

Depends where you are. If applying for a visa (rather than an extension) it can be in your home bank. If applying for an extension of stay in Thailand, needs to be a Thai bank.

For Thai visa extension (inside Thailand) then it needs to here in Thailand 🇹🇭

If you are applying for a 90 day Non-O retirement Visa from your home country , you can show any bank acc with funds .