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How can I switch from an Elite visa to a Retirement visa in Thailand without an embassy income certificate?
Retirement VisaNon-O VisaVisa Extension ProceduresProof of IncomeImmigration RegulationsThai Bank RequirementsExpat ExperiencesUK Passport Holders in Thailand
May 23, 2025
a year ago
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI've asked this on the Wise thailand group and a few people recommend I as here so...
I was on an Elite visa for the past 5 years. It's just expired and I want to switch to a Retirement visa.
I have a UK passport, I'm over 50 and receive a monthly pension over the 65,000bht requirement, so it should be easy... Not
The local immigration and local agents all insist I need a proof of income certificate from my embassy... They know the British Embassy do not provide this...
Local immigration will not accept pension payslips and bank statements as proof of income... (Funny that the tax man does)
Any UK retirees that use pension income as grounds for retirement visa and extensions, without the embassy certificate and withou using an agent, how and where?
Im finding it very f*&#@n annoying, that I fulfill the legal requirements, but Im being forced to obtain the visa through an agent
I was on an Elite visa for the past 5 years. It's just expired and I want to switch to a Retirement visa.
I have a UK passport, I'm over 50 and receive a monthly pension over the 65,000bht requirement, so it should be easy... Not
The local immigration and local agents all insist I need a proof of income certificate from my embassy... They know the British Embassy do not provide this...
Local immigration will not accept pension payslips and bank statements as proof of income... (Funny that the tax man does)
Any UK retirees that use pension income as grounds for retirement visa and extensions, without the embassy certificate and withou using an agent, how and where?
Im finding it very f*&#@n annoying, that I fulfill the legal requirements, but Im being forced to obtain the visa through an agent
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster, previously on an Elite visa, is seeking to transition to a Retirement visa in Thailand but faces a challenge with local immigration officials demanding a proof of income certificate from the UK embassy, which does not issue such certificates. Although the poster meets the legal requirements for the visa concerning age and pension income, local authorities will not accept other forms of proof like bank statements or pension payslips. The comments offer various strategies: some suggest depositing ฿800,000 in a Thai account as a first step before switching to a 65k monthly income method in subsequent years, while others express frustration about the complexities of immigration rules, advocating for the use of agents.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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John-Paul ******
Just go to an agent!
Rok ********
First year extension: 800k deposit only option. 2nd year extension 65,000 monthly foreign bank deposits onto the Thai bank ac for previous 12 months or 800k seasoned for 2 months. Do not forget to fulfil the term of the 1st year extension to maintain 800k for 3 months and min 400,000 thereafter. Switching to 65,000 monthly transfers can be expensive during year 1 as must maintain the balance (for year 1 extension) as well as make regular monthly transfers of 65,000 (for year 2 extension).
Henrik *****
Next time do proper research before applying for a visa.
Reading a few Thai visa group would have told the only very few nationalities that can use the income scheme in year, and have to have 800.000 Baht deposited in a Thai bankaccount in year 1 until you can present 12 monthly deposits of more than 65.000 baht.
So you can only blame yourself for not doing resarch before applying.
Reading a few Thai visa group would have told the only very few nationalities that can use the income scheme in year, and have to have 800.000 Baht deposited in a Thai bankaccount in year 1 until you can present 12 monthly deposits of more than 65.000 baht.
So you can only blame yourself for not doing resarch before applying.
Chris *********************
If you send on international transfer through your bank no problem
John ********
@Chris ********************
Apart from the 35% tax they want from you 😂😂😂Chris *********************
@John *******
no tax palReply to
Chris *********************
Reply
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ********************
you'd think soChris *********************
@Simon ********
I know so .Iv been living here about 14 years married with 2 daughter's. I have to go back to uk now and again, I send money from my account in UK to my green bank in Thailand never no problem but £25 charge ever time I sendReply to
Chris *********************
Reply
Mark ********
Not elite anymore, now just regular
@Si***
? 🤣Wayne *******
Thailand's shite now
Mark *******
Spot on Mike! Why the over complicated bullshit from the Thai Immigration? One method to disincourage visitors! And Vietnam and neighbouring countries benefit! Madness!
Karl ********
Get the DTV visa buddy, 10,000 baht for 5 yrs
Julian *******
Can I ask. Do you have to exit Thailand and re enter. I’m shortly going to change from elite to marriage
FYIAnony********
@Julian ******
you will have to ask your local immigration if they will allow that change.You will likely have to exit and start fresh with either a non-o evisa or apply in country as a tourist.Reply to
FYIAnony********
Reply
Michael ********
I think since the Embassy stopped issuing proof of funds you first have to do the 800,000 in the bank for the first year then during that year bring in each month your
*****
+ then convert to that system the following year for the future, at least that is what I did, but wether you can do that now or not im not sure ?Jim ********
Do you qualify for the
@LTR **************************
?Khun ******
use agent
Alan **********
Go to MANEERAT agent pattaya
Stephen *******
Get an O-A in your home country and start sending the 65k to your Thai bank account each month. In a year you now have the proof.
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephen ******
spending 120-150k baht to go to the UK for a visa doesn't seem very cost effective...Graham ******
@Stephen ******
not for the first year if an income affidavit is not possible, it has to be 800k banked then 65k transfers for subsequent yearsReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Mike ******
Then Thailand wonders why people are flocking to Vietnam where things are much simpler. Thailand always overcomplicates things unnecessarily. A simple thing like a re-entry permit demands one double sided application form with photo + copies of 3 pages of your passport (which the officer is holding in his hand) - all of which has been provided six times a year, in my case, for TWENTY consecutive years!
Adam ******
@Mike *****
Try taking a fiance or girlfriend back to the UK, even for a holiday. That makes the Thai visa system look like a stroll in the park.Bill *********
@Adam *****
Thailand is protecting you! I don't think it would be too good when your Thai girlfriend bumps into your UK girlfriend.Mike ******
@Adam *****
I've secured visas for a variety of Thai ladies in my 20 years here for UK/US/SCHENGEN. They are all cumbersome. My point is Thailand is losing out to Vietnam which is far simpler yet T/land has just introduced another obstacle- TDAC when they should be making it easier.Adam ******
@Mike *****
Mine was cumbersome to the point of giving up.We applied and were rejected despite being together two years. We appealed and got rejected again. I had 'a pal' in the UK embassy here who couldn't swing it. I contacted my local MP back in Glasgow who couldn't do anything. They were all terrified in case she did a runner once inside the country. This was decided by the authorities even although neither her, nor I, wanted to stay longer than two weeks. A couple of months later we got married and it was a different kettle of fish. Two six month visas, a one year visa, a two year visa, a five year visa and a ten year visa all followed with no problem. Wedding cake solved everything! 😎Reply to
Adam ******
Reply
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mike *****
after 5 years of no nonsense with the elite visa, having to deal with this idiocy, I regret not upgrading the elite visa, 500,000bht for another 15yrsPhilippines looks like an attractive alternative
Darren *******
@Simon ********
but the the foods crap in the PhilippinesPeter ******
@Simon ********
off you go then, don't need whiners in Thailand !Jamie ******
@Simon ********
deoends where you stay …if you’re near an immigration office…,maybe ok ,,,if not ,same pain in the ass as Thailand .Reply to
Jamie ******
Reply
Jeremy ********
Hmmm why didn’t you just put the necessary ฿800k in your Thai bank acct over the past 5 years??
FYIAnony********
Broken down simply.
Deposit 800k for the first year.
Then for the second extension prove you have deposited 65k plus per month, every month for the entire year and switch to the income method.
Remember you must follow the money rules for that first extension, 800k 3 months after approval, never below 400k and best practice make sure you top up to 800k again 2 mths before trying to switch.
That way if anything is wrong you can still get accepted with the banked method.
Whether you think you qualify is irrelevant if immigration says no.
Deposit 800k for the first year.
Then for the second extension prove you have deposited 65k plus per month, every month for the entire year and switch to the income method.
Remember you must follow the money rules for that first extension, 800k 3 months after approval, never below 400k and best practice make sure you top up to 800k again 2 mths before trying to switch.
That way if anything is wrong you can still get accepted with the banked method.
Whether you think you qualify is irrelevant if immigration says no.
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@FYIAnony********
prove 65k how?FYIAnony********
@Simon ********
drop your Thai bank accounts deposits.You will need a bank letter, bank statement and updated bank book when you apply.Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@FYIAnony********
Immigration here, say that is not enough. They insist on an embassy certificate... My Swedish, German and Irish friends just pop to their embassies, get the certificate and do the extension for 1900 baht. The British Embassy don't provide thisFYIAnony********
@Simon ********
you have to do the 90 day and 1st extension using the 800k.Only way around it is an Agent and then that starts the agent wheel, where you need an agent every year.Reply to
FYIAnony********
Reply
Mike *********
@Simon ********
you use your Thai bank account statement and letter from the bank saying you met the 65,000 baht minimum each month for the 12 months prior to renewal which means 13-14 months. Since your renewal will be a month or two before your 1 year expires. One key thing is to ensure the bank deposits are flagged as “international deposits” because companies like Western Union doing debit card deposits aren’t recorded as international transfer.Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mike ********
first couple of years I was transfering into Krungthai and didn't check the statements. When I did check, I found Krungthai dont list the transfers as International... Switched the transfers to Bangkok Bank and they are listed as International, on the statementsReply to
Simon *********
Reply
John **********
If you're from the UK applying for a retirement visa, Non-O 90 day visa, inside Thailand for the first time you need to transfer into a Thai bank account 800k baht from overseas. You can also use that same 800k baht to apply for the 1st 12 months extension so don't touch it. It needs to remain in your bank account for 3 months after you get the extension and can't drop below 400k at any point in the 12 months. Once you get the initial visa you can start transferring a minimum of 65k baht each and every month from overseas so you have 12 full months of transfers prior to applying for your 2nd (and subsequent) extensions but you can spend this as it arrives. That's the only way to do it yourself. If you can't do that you can go down the agent route but then you get stuck using agents for the foreseeable
Tom *******
@John *********
It's not the first time I've heard this. Why are you stuck with agents if you use them once or twice? Is there a problem with immigration if you stop using them? I don't understand why you have to continue using them if you have the funds/means to do it yourself.Bill *********
@Tom ******
You're absolutely not stuck. Those that have a problem must have some sketchy agents. My agent did a fantastic job for me in getting everything established and I have no problems choosing to do it myself thereafter. So don't discount the agent method.Chris *********
@Tom ******
the agent won't give you the documents they submit so the following year you won't know what they neededTom *******
@Chris ********
Ok thanks. So they try to make it as difficult as possible to do yourself in future.John **********
@Tom ******
that's a bit harsh. If you deliberately circumvent the regulations why would you think that they would welcome that?Tom *******
@John *********
Not sure I understand the question. What's a bit harsh? I just asked a few questions. I never said I had circumvented any regulations.John **********
@Tom ******
basically most people use agents to circumvent the immigration regulations. Didn't mean anything personal by it.Tom *******
@John *********
Oh right. I understand. So in this scenario, the only way to break the cycle is to leave and start again. Thanks for your advice. Much appreciated.Keith ************
@Tom ******
some agents also send your documents to another immigration office than the office you're supposed to go to. But it's the office in which they have a contact.In future years, an immigration officer may wonder why you've been living in one area and getting your extension in another.
John **********
@Keith ***********
and there are certain "offices" that others just won't touchReply to
John **********
Reply
John **********
@Tom ******
the problem is when you use an agent to provide the funds for your visa and extension. These funds don't stay in your bank account long enough to honour the terms of the extension and if you go to do it yourself the following year your next extension will be refused. They check that you have met the terms of the current extension when you go to apply for the next one.Tom *******
Ah I see. So even if you put the funds in yourself at a later date, the records will show that you didn't maintain the balance. Does that still apply if you later apply for an extension based on monthly income rather than the 800,000?
John **********
@Tom ******
sure. You always have to meet the terms of your current extension as well as the one you are applying for. So if you put the 800k baht into the bank rather than letting the agent do it, you might be OK but some agents also don't use the immigration office where you live so that can also be an issue. Usually the way to sort it is to leave Thailand, return on a visa exempt and start over from scratch with your own fundsReply to
John **********
Reply
Andrea ********
Year 1 do the 800k method, on renewal for year 2 show the monthly 65k into your bank.
Andrea ********
It's possible to do it this way in Nakhon Si Thammarat province (I can't comment on other provinces).
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrea *******
ok, not too far away, gives me another option, I could pop to Samui for a couple of days 😎Andrea ********
@Simon ********
hmm you'd need to live in Nakhon Si Thammarat for a minimum of 12 months.Reply to
Andrea ********
Reply
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrea *******
what province?my province won't accept the 100k/month statements, even for extensions...
Brandon ************
@Simon ********
they're not accepting it because it's the first extension. No office in Thailand will accept monthly transfers for the first extension. Even if you can show 10 years of transfers, it doesn't matter. Only year 2 is possible.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Tony **********
You will need to deposit 800k in your Thai bank account and apply for your non-o visa. Then, for your 2nd extension you can show 12 consecutive 65k deposits into that account. After your 2nd extension is approved, you can spend your 800k. Not sure why you're frustrated, it's just the rules of how it works.
Graham ******
@Tony *********
the 800k only needs to be maintained for 3 months of the first extension then it must be 400k for the rest of the yearTony **********
@Graham *****
also, if there's a hiccup in a transfer he'd need to ensure he topped up to 800k before 2nd extension. Much easier to deposit and forget it.Graham ******
@Tony *********
easy to make a transfer in the first days of a calendar month to give you almost 4 weeks to ensure it has been receivedReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Tony **********
@Graham *****
trying to describe the simple approach given there seems to be difficulty reading/following the rules...Reply to
Tony **********
Reply
John *********
@Tony *********
if you maintain 800k every year and don’t touch it, is there any need to have another source of income?Jack ********
Pretty simple. Obviously you haven’t done any research. This is why agents exist to assist people that are slow learners or low intelligence
Tom *******
@Jack *******
So they are all charitable organizations and don't exist to make money? I didn't know they did it out of the goodness of their hearts. Very helpful and good to know. Could you share the name of your agent? You obviously needed one.Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERmust've taken a while to type that, wearing a straight jacket...
Reply to
Simon *********
Reply
Garrett ***********
Not sure why youd ask on the Wise fb group, has nothing to do with visas.
For a retirement visa with the monthly 65k deposit, you can either do that with 65k a month going into a thai bank account, or an income affidavit from your embassy, and most embassies don't issue them anymore. That means, and wait for it, you can't use to monthly 65k for your retirement visa. You'll need to put 800k in a bank account.
For a retirement visa with the monthly 65k deposit, you can either do that with 65k a month going into a thai bank account, or an income affidavit from your embassy, and most embassies don't issue them anymore. That means, and wait for it, you can't use to monthly 65k for your retirement visa. You'll need to put 800k in a bank account.
Lynnette *******
@Garrett **********
could they pay in the 65k every month for year, whilst still on the 800,000 retirement basis. Then at next extension change to income.Garrett ***********
@Lynnette ******
The initial Non-O needs to be 800k. Your 2nd yearly extension (and then on) as long as you deposit 65k a month into a thai bank account you can switch to the monthly income method, but that's because you'll have 12 months of 65k into a thai bank.Lynnette *******
@Garrett **********
yes, that's what I was meaning. Whilst initial one is in place, deposit 65k every month then switch.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
seems to depend on the province... Here they insist on an embassy certificate... Other provinces are happy with bank statements and a certificate from the bankGarrett ***********
@Simon ********
How are you trying to prove the 65k? You have 65k a month for the past 12 months going into a thai account?Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Garrett **********
yea, more than 65k/month, for the past 4 years... Apparently not acceptable as proof... paying an agent to put 800k in my account for 1 day is acceptable...Garrett ***********
@Simon ********
If you've had 65k a month for the last 12 consecutive months you shouldn't need an income affidavit. All you need is a statement from you bank (you have to order it, takes 2-5 days). Which immigration office did you go to? Its possible they misunderstood you, or didnt care to ask the details.Graham ******
@Simon ********
not for the first year if an income affidavit is not possible, it has to be 800k banked then 65k transfers for subsequent yearsReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Peter **********
@Garrett **********
How is it Not to do with Visa ?Frank **********
@Peter *********
because it is mainly a group for answers about Wise. I'm not going to a group asking about how to live in Australia if I am wanting to live in Italy. This is the correct group for Visa questions.Peter **********
@Frank *********
ok sorry think I was confused with your answerReply to
Peter **********
Reply
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