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Is a monthly social security payment sufficient for a 90-day O Non-immigrant retirement visa application in the US?
Non-O VisaRetirement VisaFinancial RequirementsSocial SecurityThailand Visa RulesImmigration RegulationsThai Consulate Procedures
Jan 25, 2026
3 months ago
Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI plan to apply for a 90-day O Non-imigrant retirement visa at the Seattle consulate in US. Regarding the financial evidence, I currently get a social security payment every month of 2,161 USD, which is about 67,000 baht (only a bit higher than the 65,000 baht monthly requirement!). Would that be sufficient and acceptable ?.. Do I still need to show a bank statement of 800,000 THB in funds ? (My understanding is that you only need to prove one or the other financial requirement).
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user plans to apply for a 90-day Non-O retirement visa at the Seattle consulate. They receive $2,161 monthly from Social Security, slightly exceeding the 65,000 baht requirement. Responses confirm that the user can use this income to apply for the visa, provided they fulfill the monthly requirement. However, for the 1-year extension after arriving in Thailand, they will need to deposit 800,000 THB in a Thai bank. It's noted that the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles handles applications for residents in Seattle, and applicants should be cautious regarding financial evidence requirements, as some consulates may have different policies.
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Dca *****
Regarding using Monthly income Requirements for applying for a Non–O E–VISA PDF at a Thai Embassy/Thai Consulate OUTSIDE Thailand
vs.
a Non–O Visa ink Stamp at a Local Thai Immigration Office in–country, INSIDE Thailand, specifically for those countries that their Embassies/Consulates inside Thailand do NOT issue Pension/income Verification/Certification Letters (e.g. USA, Australia, UK, Denmark Canada, very soon Norway, soon Finland, etc.):
if one applies for a Non–O E–Visa at a Thai Embassy/Thai Consulate OUTSIDE Thailand, then a Thai E–Visa applicant can use monthly income to get a Non–O E–Visa PDF
vs.
a Non–O Visa ink Stamp at a Local Thai Immigration Office in–country, INSIDE Thailand, specifically for those countries that their Embassies/Consulates inside Thailand do NOT issue Pension/income Verification/Certification Letters (e.g. USA, Australia, UK, Denmark Canada, very soon Norway, soon Finland, etc.):
if one applies for a Non–O E–Visa at a Thai Embassy/Thai Consulate OUTSIDE Thailand, then a Thai E–Visa applicant can use monthly income to get a Non–O E–Visa PDF
Dca *****
1.) there is NO Thai Consulate in Seattle, but if you are residing in Seattle, then the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles has always had consular jurisdiction for that area (Washington State) and all current residents would apply for a Non–O E–Visa based on Age over 50 years old at the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles
2.) CAUTION:
Need to be very careful as:
the Website of the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles may NOT be Updated to their most recent Requirements for a Non–O E–Visa based on over 50, as the Monthly Income Requirements for the Thai Embassy in DC, Thai Consulate in Chicago, and Thai Consulate in New York are already UPDATED to USD $2,500.– Dollars per Month as their Local Currency Equivalence of THB ฿65,000.– Thai Baht per Month for the Monthly Income Requirements of a Non–O E–Visa based on Age over 50 years old
2.) CAUTION:
Need to be very careful as:
the Website of the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles may NOT be Updated to their most recent Requirements for a Non–O E–Visa based on over 50, as the Monthly Income Requirements for the Thai Embassy in DC, Thai Consulate in Chicago, and Thai Consulate in New York are already UPDATED to USD $2,500.– Dollars per Month as their Local Currency Equivalence of THB ฿65,000.– Thai Baht per Month for the Monthly Income Requirements of a Non–O E–Visa based on Age over 50 years old
Dan ********
I see a lot about retirement here. Does anyone use the BOI? I have and seems pretty straightforward.
**********************
Colin *********
What Visa would you be looking at?
From what I've read in groups like this, is that avenue is for LTR Visas (Maybe the Privilege Card - former Elite Visa, but I don't know).
Non-O Visa applications from outside Thailand have to go through a Thai Embassy or Consulate.
From what I've read in groups like this, is that avenue is for LTR Visas (Maybe the Privilege Card - former Elite Visa, but I don't know).
Non-O Visa applications from outside Thailand have to go through a Thai Embassy or Consulate.
Dan ********
I applied under the wealthy pensioners. 80k or a combination of income and money on deposit.
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Dan ********
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Steve ***********
Watch the exchange rate
Not 67k
Not 67k
Jack *****
With the dollar dropping..be careful with the 65K baht monthly transfer..all you can do is to start the process and hope the exchange rate doesn't leave you with less than 65K transfer..maybe...keep the 800k baht in thai bank...until you know for sure..
Tony **********
That will get you the visa. But you will have to deposit ฿800k in a Thai bank after you get here for your 1yr extension.
George ********
For visa, yes. For fun, maybe not 😀
Mark ********
The US Embassy will not issue you the pension income letter required to use only pension as financial responsibility. You need to have the money in the bank.
Jan ******************
Mark Larson That’s for applying for a 90 days Non O in country Thailand or the first one year extension of stay. When applying for a Non O at home, three months salary/pension is sufficient.
Mark ********
Jan Kenneth Neslandwhen I got my Non-O from Los Angeles Consul for my February visit we researched the extension requirements & I was told paperwork from Social Security is not considered proof of steady income. I had it, but was told US Embassy in Thailand would not issue the proof of income letter. Rules may have changed.
Jan ******************
Mark Larson That’s probably still correct and you might not even be able to apply for a Non O at home with a social security and not a pension, but you can apply by proving three months of salary/pension min equal to 65K baht a month.
The US as several other embassies stopped issuing affidavit letter to confirm income several years ago, so if you apply for a Non O or one year extension of stay in Thailand, there’s no way around banking 800K baht for the application and the first year.
The US as several other embassies stopped issuing affidavit letter to confirm income several years ago, so if you apply for a Non O or one year extension of stay in Thailand, there’s no way around banking 800K baht for the application and the first year.
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Jan ******************
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Steven *******
Americans have to use the 800,000 baht option the first year because our consulate no longer certifies monthly payments. After a year of showing international deposits, you can switch to that method. Make sure your monthly deposits are shown to be made from outside of Thailand.
Jon ********
is ten times the 800,000 baht mark in an investment account able to qualify someone for the Non-O?
Jan ******************
Jon Turner The funds must be immediately accessible, without having to liquidate them first.
Reply to
Jan ******************
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Jan ******************
Correct it’s one or the other. Three months statement from your social security provider or bank should be sufficient for the 90 days Non O as long as you meet the minimum requirement, as you do.
Jan ******************
Seattle Washington is under jurisdiction og the Thai consulate in Los Angeles, and these are the specific requirements for a regular Non O.
(Washington DC consulate requires for some reason min 2500 USD a month, but Los Angels for Seattle Washington sticks to the standard requirements with minimal equal to 65K baht).
(Washington DC consulate requires for some reason min 2500 USD a month, but Los Angels for Seattle Washington sticks to the standard requirements with minimal equal to 65K baht).
David ********
Jan Kenneth Nesland I copied this from the DC embassy website: "A copy of a recent savings or checking bank statement for the last three months showing an ending balance of at least $1,000 per person or $2,000 per family, with the applicant's name and date. If submitting a family bank statement (joint account), proof of relationship (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate) must be provided "
Jan ******************
David Romero I guess that’s for turist entries. These are the specific requirements for a Non O through DC as stated on their website.
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Jan ******************
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Shawn ********
Jan Kenneth Nesland so he can just show the Social Security paperwork stating his payment and that’s good…. Someone who doesn’t have a fixed income would need to show the 80k
Jan ******************
Shawn Lawrie I’m not entirely familiar with how Social Security payments are structured in the US, but if it functions as a regular, fixed monthly pension, it can normally be used as the basis for an application. If, however, it is a benefit that depends on ongoing eligibility decisions rather than a guaranteed recurring income, then the lump sum requirement would likely need to be met instead.
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Jan ******************
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