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Answered6 months ago

How can an American prove Social Security and VA benefits for a retirement visa in Thailand?

David **********
asked Apr 28, 2026
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Help, how does an American prove his Social Security and VA benefits to get a retirement visa I have the bank statements, but is that enough?
Answer summary
An American applying for a Retirement Visa (Non-O) in Thailand must provide proof of income or funds. While bank statements are crucial, they may not suffice. It's recommended to obtain Verification Letters from Social Security and the VA, accessible via online accounts. However, the Thai Immigration Authority typically requires 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account for the visa application and first extension, along with proof of consistent income (at least 65,000 THB monthly) for subsequent extensions. Verification letters alone may not be accepted, and applicants must consult their local immigration office for specific requirements.
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hhhh****
hhhh****
They don't take the verification letters. You need to show 800,000 thb or get an agent.
John **********
John **********
Your social security and VA benefits are irrelevant other than applying for the initial 90 day Non-O visa outside Thailand where you just show money in your home bank. When you get to Thailand you have no option but to show the required money in a Thai bank for an extension of stay, so 800k baht in a Thai bank
David **********
David **********
OP
@John *********
thanks but this is where I’m getting confused I want to choose the option if I have enough money and can prove it I don’t need to keep money in a Thai bank and still get a retirement visa I think it’s like $2200 a month. You have to prove as a monthly income.
John **********
John **********
@David *********
given you get VA benefits I assume you have an American passport. That being the case you can't use monthly income for the 1st extension from a Non-O visa you can only use the 800k baht method. During that 1st year if you also make a transfer of a minimum 65k baht from overseas each month for a full 12 months you can use monthly income for the 2nd extension and going forward. The American embassy in Thailand stopped verifying income some years ago so this is the only workaround for the Non-O visa. If you don't want to put money in a Thai bank at all then look at the Non-OA visa but that requires insurance, police checks etc, and to obtain an extension within Thailand you still need money in a Thai bank but at least will have time to build up the 12×65k transfers
Alan **********
Alan **********
@John *********
Just a(nother) case of "practice"(?) being different from what the Thai e-visa site says when applying for a "Retirement Visa",,,,,,,

"Financial evidence showing monthly income of at least 65,000 THB or equivalent, or having the current balance of at least 800,000 THB or equivalent (e.g., bank statements from any banks for the last three months, or proof of earnings)" 😭
John **********
John **********
@Alan *********
that is correct for the initial 90 day Non-O visa. It is not for the 12 month extension of stay
David **********
David **********
OP
Alan Rothwell OK so I grab all the records I need from those two agencies show up on a tourist visa apply for a retirement visa maybe use an agent and I’m in right
David **********
David **********
OP
Alan Rothwell wow thanks
Alan **********
Alan **********
David Maddocks John is saying that to GET your "Non-O" visa, you do the things listed on the e-visa site, including the part I quoted earlier.

That gets you the Non-O visa and entry into Thailand for 90 days. Once you are there, you will need to get a 1-year "permission to stay", which is NOT a visa.

To get the 1-year permission, you need to get the details from Immigration when you get there, the sooner the better.

For your FIRST 1-year permission, the monthly income you showed to get the visa is (apparently) NOT acceptable to Immigration. So, you need to get a bank account asap, and fund it with 800K Baht (approx $24,000).

That $$$ needs to be in the THAI bank for 2 months before you get the permission to stay, and you can't go lower than that balance for 3 months after getting the permission. That fulfills the monetary requirement for your permission to stay.

During that year, you need to transfer to your Thai bank monthly deposits of at least 65K Baht (approx $2000 USD) every month from the U.S.

For your SECOND and all subsequent annual permissions to stay (on the retirement basis of course), thos monthly deposits must continue every month. Once you get the approval and have the trail of 12 months' payments, you can take out your 800K Baht from the bank.

There's a bit more to it, but those are the essentials.

P.S. On the Washington DC U.S. Thai Embassy site, the amounts for U.S. citizens seem to have increased to 1 million Baht (instead of the 800K), and income of 80K Baht (~$2500) per month.

*************************************************************
John **********
John **********
@David *********
Your US financial records are meaningless in Thailand
Baron ***********************
Baron ***********************
Go to the Social Security website. Follow the prompts right to your verification letter
David **********
David **********
OP
Baron ***********************
Baron ***********************
David Maddocks

BTW- I believe that letter is always there incase you need it.
Bern ******
Bern ******
The verification letters can be downloaded from your SS and VA accounts.
David *********
David *********
Bern Reid my office wanted them printed within 7 days of the appointment. 3 month old print was rejected.
David **********
David **********
OP
Bern Reid Ty
Emerald********
Emerald********
Simple

Login to your account and get copy of your documents proving it
Mary ********
Mary ********
you can get your Social Security Benefit Verification Letter from your my social security account - not sure on the VA
Den ****************
Den ****************
Mary Gerber you can sign up for myhealthyvet, you can download benefit/rating letters, refill scripts, message providers, set up video appointments.
Mary ********
Mary ********
Den Newbold-Powell he was just asking how to verify it - and I am assuming that it is for visa purposes considering the group. For specific help for veterans for using those veterans here there are a few FB groups that deal with those issues.
Pat **********
Pat **********
Mary Gerber you can get it from the VA just as easily.
Alan **********
Alan **********
Mary Gerber Are we all sure the SS Verification is acceptable ?

In years past, the American Embassy in Thailand would NOTARIZE your signature on a statement where the potential retiree stated s/he had enough income.

That stopped, no doubt because of shenanigans, and lack of ACTUAL proof. Hence, the bank statements (notarized by the bank ?)

Do we know for a fact that the SS Verification letter would be acceptable ?
Mary ********
Mary ********
Alan Rothwell The question was how to verify the income from the two entities, so I answered that.

A U.S. Social Security benefit verification letter alone is generally not accepted by Thai Immigration for a retirement visa, particularly for extensions, because it is not an income affidavit certified by the U.S. Embassy. You must usually provide a Thai bank statement showing 800,000 THB or consistent 12 monthly income transfers into a Thai bank to get the visa.

Also keep in mind that Thai immigration regulations can change, and interpretation can vary by office. Always verify requirements with your specific local immigration office or the Royal Thai Embassy

To get a visa here generally you must prove income by showing 12 consecutive months of at least 65,000 THB (or 800,000 THB annual equivalent) in transfers into a Thai bank account, verified by your passbook.

U.S. citizens must usually deposit 800,000 THB in a Thai bank for the initial visa and first-year extension and can generally only use the 65K per month once they have 12 months of bank statements that prove that income is available for your use in Thailand. They don't care which government agency provides that income - they only want to see that you have the funds accessible to use within this country.
David **********
David **********
OP
Mary Gerber wow thanks
David **********
David **********
OP
Mary Gerber so you’re saying the only way I can get a Thai retirement visa is to keep that 800,000 in my Thai bank account  maintain to 400,000 ???
David **********
David **********
OP
Alan Rothwell yes thank you. This is exactly what I’m talking about. Just wish I was as articulate.

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