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Is it necessary to have a Thai bank account for a retirement visa in Thailand, or can I keep my funds offshore?

retirement visaThai bank accountNON-O visaNON-OA visaimmigration rulesfunds requirementsThai banking systemproof of income
Jun 24, 2025
23 days ago
Patric *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
In the process of moving to Thailand - retirement - is it required to have a Thai bank account it can I keep my $$$ offshore?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To apply for a retirement visa in Thailand, typically referred to as the Non-OA visa or Non-O visa, you are generally required to maintain a Thai bank account with a minimum balance of 800,000 baht for a certain period (often specified as three months) before renewing your visa. However, some expatriates have indicated that if you are able to show proof of regular income (like a pension) of at least 65,000 baht per month, you may be able to meet the financial requirements without needing to keep a large sum of money in Thailand. It's important to note that requirements can vary depending on your nationality and the embassy you are dealing with, and recent discussions suggest that opening new bank accounts in Thailand may be becoming more difficult. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with an immigration expert or agency to navigate the specific requirements and processes.
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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Leatrice *****************
Many comments are advising about getting bank accounts, and then other comments say they are no longer opening new bank accounts.. I understand the part about they are harder to get these days, but I haven't read any info that they stopped opening them ... How is anyone going to get a Visa to move, if they don't ? Sounds like they no longer want visitors ??(
18 days ago
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Leatrice *****************
Applying for a retirement Visa
18 days ago
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Leatrice *****************
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Richard ********
What is acceptable "proof" of retirement income ? Please correct me if I'm wrong but I understood it to be an affidavit from your country's embassy. But that some embassies have stopped issuing them.
21 days ago
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Chris ******
Off topic, suppose retired get
*****
pm from pension, that 800,000 staying in Thai bank suppose not a problem? 🤔
21 days ago
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Ingvar *******
Greedy ones should never move to Thailand, they wont fit with local culture.😂
22 days ago
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Thomas ******
You need a bank account but you can keep what you already have off shore and only deposit the required amount of 800,000 baht or proof that you receive at least 65k per month.
22 days ago
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John **********
Yes you need a Thai bank account and need to show 800,000 bht each year or
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bht per month for proof of supporting yourself or 400,000 bht per year if you are married. The retirement funds need to be in a Thai bank at least 3 months before you renew your yearly visa. I strongly suggest that you use a agency as you only need to get one thing wrong on the documentation and it will be rejected. I've just completed mine with Onestop Service at the bottom of Soi 6. The guys name is Mark and this service is excellent. Please don't listen to some people who think they know what their talking about, because everybody isn't an expert. I completed my retirement visa, bike and car licence all at the same time. It will cost you but it will save you the heartache of it all going down the pan.
22 days ago
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Anna *********
Simple answer is Thai bank but you need to check specific requirements for your nationality and the embassy which you are applying to
22 days ago
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Carsten **********
A (security) deposit needs to be in a Thai bank account in Thailand for a retirement visa, unless you can show proof you have regular income (can be a pension or government retirement payout) of a similar amount.
22 days ago
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Alastair *******
@Carsten *********
 the
*****
thb per month has to be into a Thai bank account.

Nothing international.
19 days ago
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Sean **********
@Carsten *********
 proof of regular income will not work the first year when applying for a non-o retirement visa while in Thailand.

May be able to use this method if the retirement visa is applied for as a non-o, non-oa or non-ox through a Thai embassy in the home country. Contact the Thai embassy in country for allowed options (not all the same)
22 days ago
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Sean **********
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Simon *******
Your biggest problem at the moment is opening a bank account it is impossible as the banks have tighten up on scam gang bank accounts,was in an agents office 1 week ago she said banks are not allowing new accounts to be opened.
22 days ago
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Leatrice *****************
Any additional information as to where this is stated, and why only a agent can open it would be helpful . Thanks
18 days ago
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Leatrice *****************
@Simon ******
 so, how are people moving there then, if they are not opening bank accounts ?? Am I missing something here?
18 days ago
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Pete *******
@Simon ******
 still possible to open an account with an agent in Pattaya as long as you are applying for a Non Immigrant visa.
22 days ago
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Simon *******
@Pete ******
 I was with an agent in Pattaya,they said they could do the retirement visa if you already had a bank account. Unable to open an account for anyone. What agent is still doing bank accounts I am sure people on here would want to know.?
22 days ago
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Pete *******
@Simon ******
 One Stop Visa & Driving License can still open accounts as can several other agents.
22 days ago
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Pete *******
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Porky ******
You mentioned retirement so you’ll need a retirement visa and for a retirement visa you need a Thai bank account with 800,000฿.
22 days ago
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Sean **********
@Porky *****
 not quite that simple
22 days ago
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Sean **********
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John **********
Depends on what you call a retirement visa. The Non-OA which you can only get from your home country allows you to keep all your funds offshore. The Non-O requires funds in Thailand unless your embassy still issues an income certificate which most don't
22 days ago
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Gerg **********
@John *********
 For the OA he’ll still have to show 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for the following extension, so within a year he’ll have to transfer the money anyway. I’m doing my first OA extension today.
22 days ago
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Wannikea *********
@Gerg *********
 or he can keep going back to his home country every 2 years and getting a new OA to avoid transferring the money to a Thai bank for an extension.
22 days ago
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John **********
@Gerg *********
 yes for an extension funds need to be in Thailand. But you can get pretty much 2 years out of a Non-OA if you border bounce just before it expires and have insurance cover for the 2nd year. To avoid bringing funds to Thailand you can then return to your home country, apply for a Non-OA visa, rinse and repeat
22 days ago
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Sean **********
@John *********
 you can also qualify for the second year extension if you open an account immediately upon arrival with your non-o, non-oa or non-ox in hand. And then deposit minimum of 65,000 baht every month the first year. You can then apply for extension on the basis of monthly income.

Note: for those inclined to say no way. i just completed this process successfully a week ago at Bangkok Immigration office with a bank certified statement showing the required deposits.
22 days ago
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Gerg **********
@John *********
 That’s true, but for me, too much of a hassle. And I have no problem keeping 800,000 in my thai bank account indefinitely, so it’s easier for me to just go down to immigration and extend, than do a border bounce. But I know we’re not all in that situation.
22 days ago
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John **********
@Gerg *********
 on the immigration website site
22 days ago
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John **********
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Sam *****
@Gerg *********
 this is the first I have heard of this. I was under the impression that you just need documentation to show you still have the funds in the bank in Australia. Where do you find this info?
22 days ago
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Gerg **********
@Sam ****
 It’s common knowledge. Showing funds in your bank in your home country is only for your initial visa. To extend the next year you’ll have to move that money to a Thai bank, unless you do it like John laid out.
22 days ago
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Sam *****
@Gerg *********
 apologies, I just saw another comment from John I missed that as you point out explains perfectly.Ignore me.
22 days ago
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Sam *****
@Gerg *********
 so the second year I get on the OA by leaving and returning with insurance for another year, the funds in Australia are fine? But if I want to extend for another year in Thailand then I need the Thai bank account or go home and apply for a new OA, correct?
22 days ago
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Gerg **********
@Sam ****
 Yes
22 days ago
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John **********
@Sam ****
 not for an extension. An extension of stay requires funds in Thailand and also insurance
22 days ago
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Sam *****
@John *********
 where is this info you found please?
22 days ago
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Sam *****
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Gerard **************
You will get a Thailand bank account as part of the application process. (Assume you are getting a retirement visa)
23 days ago
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John ******
************************************
23 days ago
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Anna *********
Yes
23 days ago
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Alan ***********
Do you pay tax in Thailand and in England on the same money ?
23 days ago
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Wayne *********
@Alan **********
 take a look at this article, should assist with your question

*********************************************************************
22 days ago
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Andy *******
@Alan **********
 no Theres a dual taxation agrement between UK and Thailand income cannot be taxed twice
22 days ago
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Pete *******
@Andy ******
 but you will pay the higher rate which may mean additional tax on money already taxed.
22 days ago
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Andy *******
@Pete ******
 where is this stated?if this is the case would not UK pensions ( not taxed) be taxed here ??

That would be one way to empty the country of expat pensioners
22 days ago
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Pete *******
@Andy ******
 UK pensions means what exactly? All pensions are taxed on remittance to Thailand unless specifically exempted through a DTA. In the case of the UK only civil service pensions can be remitted tax free, all other types are taxed.
22 days ago
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Andy *******
@Pete ******
 ok i am only talking about state pension here...a basic UK state pension is so poor its under UK tax threshold so it would not be taxed in UK so are saying a paltry amount of less than 12k year would be then taxed here??
22 days ago
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Pete *******
@Andy ******
 yes the UK state pension is taxable on remittance to Thailand. As it is below the standard UK tax threshold you do not have any tax credit against a Thai tax liability meaning once you remit above Thai tax thresholds it will be subject to Thai taxation.
22 days ago
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Pete *******
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Pete *******
@Alan **********
 you won’t pay twice but you will pay the higher rate which may mean you pay additional tax on already taxed income.
22 days ago
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Alastair ********************
@Alan **********
 No
23 days ago
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Pete *******
Possible
22 days ago
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Pete *******
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John *********
Yes. Keep your home country bank accounts, retirement benefits and the like. Use WISE to transfer funds from your home country account to your Thailand bank account. Easy as that.
23 days ago
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Karl ***************
@John ********
I’ll dig into it, but thank you!
18 days ago
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Karl ***************
@John ********
Do you know how much income Thailand taxes?
22 days ago
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John *********
@Karl **************
 no, I don’t.
18 days ago
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Pete *******
@Karl **************
 sliding scale, from 0-35%.
22 days ago
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Wayne *********
@Karl **************
 here’s an article to read about pensions and Thai taxes for expats

*********************************************************************
22 days ago
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Wayne *********
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Karl ***************
@John ********
Will this prevent having to pay tax in Thailand?

I’ll be doing the same thing, and will already have to pay taxes in the US
23 days ago
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John *********
@Karl **************
 That I kept my US address and all financial institutions and Medicare had nothing to do with any tax liability in Thailand. I pay taxes in the US. I live in Thailand for 179 days a year so I am not a Thailand tax resident. I just do it this way because currently foreigners are having difficulty withdrawing funds from Bangkok bank. Also, if you die your nearest relative will have to generate a ream of paperwork in duplicate and wait years or longer to claim the money. Thailand makes everything more difficult for foreigners and when in doubt, the foreigner is at fault. Also, Thai banks are not FDIC insured, so if it fails, we’re out of luck.

I only keep the required 400k BHT in a Thailand bank that my Non-O marriage visa requires. I have the Thai bank app on my phone. I instructed my family to take my phone and drain my account to get the money out without having to beg for it. My Thai wife has all the remaining funds.
18 days ago
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Pete *******
@Karl **************
 no it won’t. Any assessable income remitted whilst tax resident may be subject to a tax liability.
22 days ago
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Sean *************
@Pete ******
 absolute FICTION
19 days ago
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Pete *******
@Sean ************
 what part is fiction?
19 days ago
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Sean *************
@Pete ******
 do you have ANY examples of foreigner’s funds transferred in from abroad having to pay Thai taxes?

The rhetoric you’re spreading isn’t based in fact. Thais are not taxing inbound transfers
19 days ago
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Pete *******
@Sean ************
 Thailand taxes foreign sourced income based on remittance. A 5 second google search will confirm. This is not news.
19 days ago
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Sean *************
@Pete ******
 can you name one instance that it’s been done?

No, didn’t think so.

It is all over the internet, but it’s not happening in real life.
19 days ago
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Pete *******
@Sean ************
 your ignorance of how Thailand taxes foreign sourced remittances is obvious from your comments.
19 days ago
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Pete *******
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Craig ************
@Karl **************
 I don't think so, but you'll only be taxed on what you bring to Thailand. Also, some income is tax exempt. You have to check the agreement between Thailand and your country of origin. For instance, I'm retired US military. I've heard my pension is tax exempt according to the agreement between Thailand and the USA. I'm not there, yet, so I'm not 100% sure this is correct.
22 days ago
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Pete *******
@Craig ***********
 that is in fact correct, your military pension is exempt from Thai tax.
22 days ago
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Pete *******
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Brandon ************
That depends on a lot of factors. What embassy you use, what visa you will get, which immigration office you'll be using. You didn't give us any information. For most people they'll have to keep 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for as long as they want to remain in Thailand.
23 days ago
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Todd **********
@Brandon ***********
Not true, after a yr you can show X amount of money being direct deposited a month and free up that 800,000 baht
23 days ago
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Anna *********
@Todd *********
 only if you have deposited the funds for the previous 12 months
22 days ago
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Todd **********
@Anna ********
Right
21 days ago
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Todd **********
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Abey *********
@Brandon ***********
 I thought one can have
*****
monthly income as well other than
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0
23 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Abey ********
 too broad to just say they. It also has many factors based on your embassy etc
22 days ago
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Todd **********
@Abey ********
You Can
23 days ago
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Phil ******
@Todd *********
 not in the first year. ฿800,000 only
23 days ago
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Todd **********
@Phil *****
Really.. I’m here now and doing the marriage visa and after a yr the 400,ooo baht is yours and just sure show this fucking Siri I tell you anyway I think it’s $1200 American money a month being direct deposit or the ฿400,000 so if you find a sweetie and marry them it’s to less money, you gotta throw in there
22 days ago
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Andy *******
@Todd *********
 the words marriage, thai wife and saving money should never ever be used in the same sentence !
22 days ago
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Paul *******
@Andy ******
 if you remove the word "Thai" you have a sentence that works on a global level 🤣🤣🤣🤣
22 days ago
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Phil ******
@Todd *********
 its great your here and I'm here too enjoying a coffee and about to start cleaning the dishes from last nights pork dish. I stated "NOT IN THE FIRST YEAR" So I stated a fact and don't start attacking me with gutter talk please.
22 days ago
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Gerg **********
@Todd *********
 But if you get divorced, you’ll have to figure out a different visa.
22 days ago
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Gerg **********
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