Answered3 years ago
How can a US retiree prove income for a Thai retirement visa application?
I am a 58-year-old retired US citizen not drawing any social security or pension. I live off of my personal savings and brokerage account. I would like to apply for a Thai retirement visa. How do I prove my source of Income? I would appreciate it if someone could advise me on this issue. Thanks in advance!
Answer summary
A 58-year-old retired US citizen seeks advice on proving income for a Thai retirement visa. It has been pointed out that the income verification process relies on having 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account, as the US embassy no longer certifies income for visa applications. Alternatives discussed include using brokerage account statements and various visa agencies that simplify the process. One commenter noted the possibility of using a combination of monthly income and savings to meet requirements, yet others hesitated, emphasizing that practices may differ by immigration office. Overall, many expats recommend using a local visa agency for ease and efficiency.
60 repliesnewest first
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Anna *****************
I can help and guide to, feel free to consult, also I am from Washington state too
Anna *****************
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Bill *******
I am just aboit to start that process i am 61 disabled and collecting more than enough to meet the requirement. I am from Las Vegas and have had a thsi Bank account for 2 years with the requirement of 800k baht already there
Shane ************
If you can afford an agent then no need for 800k thb in the bank and they make life easy.
@THAI *****************************
Best in the country
Michel *************
You must open a Thai bank account and transfer 800.000 THB and follow the rest of the rules. Not difficult
John-Paul ******
Get documents together showing 65K Baht per month income to show Thai Immigration or go through an agent with said documents.
Brandon ************
@John-Paul *****
you cannot show immigration documents about income. The ONLY thing immigration will accept is income certified by your embassy, and many embassies no longer offer this.John-Paul ******
@Brandon ***********
well that is true.... if they are following the rules and not applying their own discretion. To say cannot in Thailand especially is dependent upon many factors. However... you are right on general and i certainly would not advise taking the chance. Going through an agent given that many embassies and consulates do not offer an income affidavit any longer.
Darren **********
You can always get a service to help you with the paperwork whether you qualify or don’t
@Chiang ************
Terary **********
Just in case it's not mentioned already.
Every immigration office is a little different. Also, Agents can help for a fee.
Every immigration office is a little different. Also, Agents can help for a fee.
James ****************
I was recently reading about this and was pleased to find that you may also just show you have
*****
baht coming into your bank account for 4 months (?) and you will qualify. *****
ifmarried, or you can combine provable income with savings for a total of *****
0. I think that is correct...hope so!
Keith ************
@James ***************
I would be hesitant to rely on the combo method being available unless you have confirmed it with your immigration office. The head of the immigration office I visit came out in a newspaper article saying the combo method is allowed. I asked an immigration officer and he said no.I didn't push it as I went for the income method, anyway. Just be aware that what applies in one immigration office may not apply in another.
James ****************
@Keith ***********
I was just surprised to see someone mention that as an option, but I believe you...better safe than sorry here.
Steve **********
@James ***************
Correct, have been doing over 20 years.Bank book ( Thai ) just has to show income as FTT ( Foreign Transfer ).
* add a bit extra of sv'gs, or income to cover exchange fluctuation.
Keith ************
@James ***************
do you have a source for this?Steve **********
@Keith ***********
google, or bring up ImmigrationJames ****************
I just googled it recently and was pleased to see one could combine income with savings, but no, you would have to also Google it. I do remember it was
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I just cannot off-hand find that page just now.
Neal *******
Perhaps a one year O-A visa issued by the Royal Thai Embassy in the US? Three months of account statements proving 800K+
Charles **********
@Neal ******
I recently documented, on my Travel Blog, the process as it applies in the United Arab Emirates. You may find some useful tips there as the process should be similar around the world. Good Luck 🇹🇭🙏🏻 *********************************************************************
Dee ******
OP@Charles *********
Thanks for sharing your experience. How did you open a Thai Bank account while sitting in UAE? Or, did they allow your HSBC account from UAE with monies in UAE currency as the "proof of finance"? Also, if somebody doesn't own a home in Thailand like you, do you think that will create a problem with visa approval?
Marty *********
@Dee *****
It has always been the case that you can qualify for an OA visa with money in your home country bank. At some point, 1-2 years later, you will be going to Thai immigration inside Thailand to apply for a one year extension of the OA visa. To get the 1 year extension you must have money in a Thai bank account.The O visa is a different visa with different requirements. Most people pursue an O visa because it doesn’t have a yearly health insurance requirement. The OA visa does have a yearly health insurance requirement.
Dee ******
OP@Charles *********
Amazing! Everyone else is asking to show proof of money (80k TBH) in a Thai bank. This kind of doesn't make sense because one cannot open a Thai bank account while applying for an O-A visa sitting overseas. I would be really curious to see what other members have to say on this issue.Charles **********
@Dee *****
yes. That’s what happened, I showed my UAE bank statements which were fine. And then once I arrived into Thailand with my O-A visa I was able to open a bank account with Bangkok Bank.Dan ********
When I arrived in Pattaya last year, I dreaded applying for a retirement visa directly, because I don't like bureaucracy and think the official visa instructions are ambiguous at best. Fortunately, other retired expats told me how easy retirement visas are from local visa agency. Two services were mention often: Maneerat Service and Cambodia Inter Tour. Both have good 4-star Google reviews and are in central Pattaya. After visiting each, I choose Maneerat. It cost ~$800 for a 1st time retirement visa (lasts for 15 months). Included bank setup and multi-entry visa. (Costs ~50% less to renew it after the 1st year.) The visa service was very easy and stress free. Well worth it not having to deal with the immigration office myself. They also make the required 90-day reports easy.
Steve ********
@Dan *******
Dealing with immigration is often over-exaggerated by many expats. I've been on retirement visa/extensions for many years and do the extensions myself. All very easy and straightforwardDan ********
I've been visiting Thailand for +20 years. The older I get the less I like dealing with immigration. Used a local visa agency for the first time in Pattaya last year. Easiest most pleasant visa experience I ever had by far. Reasonable price. I highly recommend it.
Julane *******
@Steve *******
some expats are just too lazy or unable to figure out the process. Rather hide it under the excuse of "I've got enough money, etc"! We can read between the lines. They just can't swing the procedure or they can't afford the 800k?Agree, it only took about 1.5 hours with bank verification, waiting, photocopies, etc. Jomtien has improved alot since the past year too.
Steve ********
@Dan *******
Ah ok. You see, I make an appointment with immigration. So no waiting in any line. I value my time too, which is why I'm in and out in about 45 minutes. I've never been asked at an immigration office for any bribe or tip. In fact, there's signs everywhere totally forbidding this practice! It's ok, I know expats who complain bitterly about paying 200 baht to get into a Thai national park, but hand over anything between 5000 and *****
baht to get a visa extension! It's a funny old world isn't it? But fortunately I still have the mental faculty to fill in a form, attach a photo, present a bank statement and bank book and pay 1900 baht! So easy for some! 🤣🤣🤣Dan ********
Apparently, I value my time more highly than you value yours.
It's common to wait hours in line at the Immigration office, even for 90-day reports - in hot sun or rain. Immigration officers often speak English poorly and are rude to expats. If you get one thing wrong with your application, you have leave, fix it, then come back and restart at the end of the line. It's unpleasant when an Immigration officer asks for a bribe/tip, which happens. I value my time and can easily afford the visa service fee. I don't worry about the small amounts that seem to thrill you.
It's common to wait hours in line at the Immigration office, even for 90-day reports - in hot sun or rain. Immigration officers often speak English poorly and are rude to expats. If you get one thing wrong with your application, you have leave, fix it, then come back and restart at the end of the line. It's unpleasant when an Immigration officer asks for a bribe/tip, which happens. I value my time and can easily afford the visa service fee. I don't worry about the small amounts that seem to thrill you.
Steve ********
@Dan *******
I'm here coming up to 24 years. A couple of hours of my time once a year going to immigration is a cake-walk for me. Unless an agent is prepared to get the price under 1900 baht, what's the point of using one. I'd rather pay myself the fee. It's the easiest money I'll ever earn in my whole life!! And tax-free!!Dan ********
Pattaya and Hua Hin are good places for new retirees to stop first. They're not too big. But big enough to have fun.
You'll find many expats to get advice/tips from. There's plenty of Visa agencies and other services that cater to new expats.
You'll find many expats to get advice/tips from. There's plenty of Visa agencies and other services that cater to new expats.
Ken ******
not sure how new tax policy on worldwide income would impact retirees
Jo **********
@Ken *****
there is no new tax treaty they are just going to give more scrutiny to those people living in Thailand and having income that is not taxedKen ******
thanks for info! perhaps better avoid remitting too much starting next year, or best, within tax allowance limit, people buying condo or land need to remit large sum though
Dan ********
@Ken *****
I found this recent video helpful in explaining how Thailand's new tax policy will effect expats.*******************************************
Jo **********
Dan Chatka there is no new tax treaty they are just going to give more scrutiny to those people living in Thailand and having income that is not taxed
Ron ******************
@Ken *****
nothing is final and no tax rules exist yet to make this tax possible. But if your home country does have a tax treaty with Thailand then you will only pay tax in Thailand if your tax liability here is greater than in your home country. A simplified example, if your tax in your home country is 10% but here it would be 15% you will pay the 10% tax in your home country and 5% here. Doubt however exists if they can get everything in place to start on 1st January 2024. The tax is in fact aimed at Thai people hiding money offshore and not at foreigners.
Peter *********
@Ron *****************
if you spend more than 180 days in Thailand you will become a tax resident and need to register as suchRon ******************
@Peter ********
yes but if there is a tax agreement between your country and Thailand your taxes with be determined by this treaty.Steve ********
@Ron *****************
Legislation has always been in place for retirees, but Thai treasury has never bothered to attempt to tax retirees income and most probably still won't. The changes being implemented next year do not target retirees, but wealthy Thai people previously using the loophole which is now closedSteve ********
@Jo *********
Oh YES! Absolutely they are!Jo **********
@Steve *******
exactly right , but people on these pages are exaggerating everythingSteve ********
@Jo *********
That's exactly what I said. But they're not targetting retirees, they're targetting wealthy Thai peopleJo **********
@Steve *******
there is no new tax treaty they are just going to give more scrutiny to those people living in Thailand and having income that is not taxed
Chuck ********
I just submit I IRI and brokerage accounts statements.
Dee ******
OPThanks for the info. What is IRI?
Chuck ********
@Dee *****
IRA. Personal retirement accountBrandon ************
You don't prove your source of income. You prove that you have 800,000 baht in a bank account. The US embassy no longer certifies income so the banked money method is the only way for Americans for the initial Non-O visa and the first 1-year extension.
Daniel *********
Brandon Thurkettle Do you know if Americans can do the 65,000 baht after the first year extension?
Mike *********
@Daniel ********
just a word of caution as not all transfers show as international transfers as required by Immigration. krungthai bank only shows international transfer when it’s bank to bank transfer. Example WU offers debit card payment and Thai debit card receive, that option does not show as international transfer and they can’t offer the bank letter needed by immigration.Brandon ************
@Daniel ********
as long as they make a deposit into their bank account every month from overseas for the 12 months before applying for year 2 and show that to immigration
Bill *********
@Brandon ***********
just answer the question. It means nothing. I know, I am here with no incomeDee ******
OPThanks, Brandon. If I apply for a 60-day tourist visa to come to Thailand, they are also asking about income .... as I am dependent on my Brokerage account, my income varies widely from year to year. Would you know, if it would work if I just showed them the brokerage account statements?
Brandon ************
@Dee *****
for a tourist visa they usually just want to see a bank statement with like $600. But reports indicate they recently removed the question about money from the tourist visa application in the evisa system. Who is asking you about income?
Christian **********
@Brandon ***********
I see. Thanks.Brandon ************
@Christian *********
they changed the application in November.Christian **********
@Brandon ***********
As recently as late September 2023 the Los Angeles consulate evisa application still required proof of savingsBrandon ************
@Dee *****
they don't commonly ask. It's just a question.Dee ******
OP@Brandon ***********
Thanks again for your prompt reply. There was a question like this on the eVisa page (see below) ... but I don't know whether they would require me to furnish any evidence. I am new to this, so maybe I am reading too much into it.Activity
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