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Is an earned monthly income of $4000 sufficient for a retirement visa in Thailand, or does it need to be a pension?

Retirement Visa Thailand Non-O Visa Visa Requirements Financial Requirements for Visa Income for Visa Eligibility Immigration Process Thailand Expat Visa Advice

May 14, 2025

3 days ago

Stephen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Can an earned monthly income of $4000 USA currency is acceptable to get a retirement Visa ? Or does it have to be a pension? I'm 52 and married to Thai woman with a 3 year old Thai baby.

Feedback please, Thank you ☺️

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The monthly income of $4000 can qualify for a 90-day Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai citizen. However, for an extension of stay in Thailand, particularly the first-year extension, one needs either 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account or demonstrable embassy-certified income, which is currently not available through the US embassy. If not qualifying for the retirement visa, which requires the applicant to be at least 55 years old, considering alternative options like the Non-O visa based on marriage or other visas is recommended.

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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Jeremy ********

You’re 3 years too young to qualify for a Thai retirement visa…55 is the golden age for a retirement visa..do a DTV, Non-O based on marriage or elite…good luck

2 days ago

Stephen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeremy *******

I thought it was 50 for retirement in Thailand? Thank you for your feedback

2 days ago

Thomas *******

@Stephen ******

it is 50.

2 days ago

Reply to

Thomas *******

Diane ********

I’m doing the non immigrant o visa.

2 days ago

Jan ******************

You can apply for a 90 days Non O visa based on being married to a Thai through your embassy at home with your income. Doesn’t have to be a pension.

For your first year extension of stay in Thailand you’ll need to bank 400K baht in a Thai bank two months prior to your extension. If you do twelve consecutive transfers of min 40K baht a month to your Thai bank it might be accepted as proof of income. If your immigration don’t want to accept it, you’ll need to bank 400K baht two months prior to your extension each year.

3 days ago

Stephen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

thank You 😊

2 days ago

Stephen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you, but what is holding me back from getting a retirement Visa ?

2 days ago

Frank **********

@Stephen ******

having 800k baht in a Thai Bank.

2 days ago

Jan ******************

@Stephen ******

As Brandon also explains, you have two options;

Apply for a regular Non O based in retirement. The requirements are income 65K baht or funds equal to 800K baht. You’ll need to bank 800K baht for your first year in Thailand. For your second year you can use twelve monthly transfer of min 65K baht a month.

Or

Apply for a Non O based on being married to a Thai. The requirements are income 40K baht a month or 400K baht. For the first year you’ll need to bank 400K baht in Thailand. For the second year they might accept monthly transfer of min 40K baht a month which not all immigrations do. Then you’ll need 400K baht every year.

So if you fulfill the requirement for a regular Non O and yearly extensions of stay based just on retirement, it’s the best and easiest route.

2 days ago

Graham ******

@Stephen ******

We don't know, tell us?

2 days ago

Stephen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Graham *****

Ohh my question is. Is my earned income count the same as gareetee pension ? Meaning if I show that I have $24,000 in a Thai bank can I also use my monthly earned income?

Thank you for your time and feedback

2 days ago

Jan ******************

@Stephen ******

Yes you can just leave 24K or 12K USD (retirement/marriage) in a Thai bank as a guarantee and "forget" it, and that’s it.

But you don’t have to save anything if you don’t want to. The requirements are just minimum income for life expenses every month. (From the second year).

2 days ago

Reply to

Jan ******************

Brandon ************

You would be able to use income to get the 90 day visa from the Thai embassy, but you wouldn't be able to use it to apply for an extension from immigration once you're in Thailand. The ONLY thing you can use for the first 1-year extension in Thailand is 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account or embassy certified income, and the US embassy does not offer that.

3 days ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

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How can I qualify for a retirement visa in Thailand without a monthly income?

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