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Is the combination method for a Thai retirement visa application still accepted if I have monthly income and a bank deposit?

Feb 12, 2026
3 months ago
Vinny *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone, I’m helping my 79-year-old mother apply for a Thai retirement visa. She receives about $1,200/month in U.S. Social Security.

Is the combination method (monthly income + partial bank deposit totaling 800,000 THB per year) still accepted?

If so, how does immigration verify the monthly income now? Do the funds need to be transferred into a Thai bank each month?

Thank you for any guidance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is inquiring about the eligibility requirements for a Thai retirement visa (Non-O) for their 79-year-old mother, particularly the combination method of using monthly income and bank deposits, and the verification of income by Thai immigration. The comments highlight that many believe the combination method is no longer accepted for initial applications or extensions, emphasizing the need for 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account for the first year. There are discussions about transferring monthly income to meet verification requirements, issues with Social Security not being recognized as reliable income by the embassy, and suggestions for consulting local immigration offices or using visa agents for assistance.
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  • 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.
Tim **********
1200 is not enough

Don’t come to Thailand
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Sean **********
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Sean **********
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Sean **********
******************
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Sean **********
You need around $
*****
today. It could be more it could be less. It was just a little over $
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when I opened up my account about 3 years ago. They do not verify income at the embassy anymore so that is the only way to start. After year 1 then you can start making Deposits of
*****
K baht into your account. Today it is $2090 .57. $1200 would not be enough. As the value of the dollar has dropped immensely over the past year. I Thought my $1700 would be enough when I started, today it would not qualify. So I just am leaving a million baht in my account so I do not have to worry about it. Maybe if the Dollar gets strong again you may be able to qualify.
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Tracey ********
I came on a non o visa, my 800,000k bhat in my bank is staying there as a safety net, If my savings run out before I get my pension in 6 years, at least I have enough money to get back home.
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Wayne ********
79 year-old people are normally pretty set in their ways. Personally, I would get her a tourist visa, which can be extended. I think the total time is 90 days. I’m not sure but she may not have everything here that she is normally used to every day and that can be very hard for someone that age to accept. Bring her over for a couple of months if she likes it, happy days if not, you’ll prevent a mistake from being made.
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Chloe *********
Get her a medical visa first. Then explore other options once here.
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Frank *********
I have all my funds invested in real Estate in the USA 🇺🇸 But I make $3,233 a month in Social security and $2,000 in passive income from real estate investment would I qualify for a retirement visa in Thailand 🇹🇭. Thank you so much for any advice.😇💯
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Paul ***************
Not to put a damper on things but what are your mother's provisions for health insurance?
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Ally ************
Your mom should apply for the initial 90-day non-o through the Thai embassy in her home country before travelling.. with funds evidenced in her 'home' bank account.. this will make it easier for her to open a Thai Bank account.. but she will need to deposit the 800k into the Thai bank account to support her first application for the 12-month extension.. after that she can switch to the monthly income basis.. subject to crediting 65,000 baht each and every month to her Thai bank account.. this does not need to be wholly pension though.. meaning she can supplement her monthly pension from savings to reach the minimum threshold.. so her pension should continue going into her U.S. bank with a transfer triggered each month to meet the requirements.. note, the transfers should start 1-month before she applies for the 12-month extension in order to achieve the total of 12 transfers one month before the next renewal date.. since she will want to submit the renewal around 1-month prior to expiry.. so it's best to open the bank account and begin the transfers as soon as she arrives in Thailand really.. and make them mid-month to avoid month-end hiccups screwing up the deposit history.. hope everything works out for her 👍
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Mary *******
I used a visa agent, definitely very helpful!
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Bill *********
Definitely get the services of a Visa agent to layout a plan. I did and it saved so much time and stress free.
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Vinny *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bill ********
whats the name of the visa agent and how much did they charge for the service?
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Brad ********
@Bill ********
Might you be able to share the name of the visa agent you used?
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Kevin **********
Brad Culley I used Anna Visa in Hua Hin, they were great. I just recently got my retirement visa.
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Kevin **********
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Nongnuch ********
she cannot use income as proof because the US embassy will not issue an income affidavit. She needs 800,000 THB in her Thai bank account in order to be able to apply for the 1-year extension. She must get a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement visa in the USA before she wings her way to Thailand
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Thomas ***********
The 800,000 thb must be in a partisipaiting bank 3 months prior the embacy no longer verifys income so no
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Robert *****
She will be required to deposit 800 thousand Thai baht and not until the 2nd year she can do the 65,000 baht per month by showing that much being deposited every month for a year.
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Sean **********
Robert Eeg unfortunately today that is $2090.27 deposits. The US Dollar gas weakened over the past year.
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Ralph *******
Robert Eeg She doesn’t have 65k a month.
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Ralph *******
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Wannikea *********
Prepare yourself for a paperwork nightmare, monthly insecurity, and funds locked away. In your case an agent assisted visa/extension/funding might make the most sense. Contact the admins of this group
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John *********
There’s no real getting around the initial 800K THB in the bank anymore.

Far more straightforward exploring this “in country”

Visit the local Immigration Office and request the exact protocols. The rules that always existed, but were once circumvented are now being rigidly applied. She needs a 90 day Non O retirement Visa. Then it can be extended. Effectively that gives you 15 months. It also offers flexibility, she can bail out and return if it’s not for her. The first extension will also likely require 800K. Then a minimum of 400K Banked, and a combination of pension may be viable. That depends on the local Office. Believe that is 65K 12 months bank statements from overseas. Because the US Embassy no longer confirms that. Practically she needs to be in Thailand with her Non O Visa granted in the US. That is without considering the practicalities of healthcare, for which provision needs to be made.
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John **********
You can't use the combination method when applying for a visa, nor will you be able to use it for the 1st extension of stay. Whether you can subsequently use it or not will be up to your local immigration office in Thailand
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Gerry ******
Just use a agent about 35,000 for the year..
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Mark ********
You can't use SS as a pension because the US Embassy will not certify it as steady income. I guess they don't consider it reliable 🤔
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Kevin **********
Mark Larson You use WISE or something similar, have it deposited in your local bank and transferred to your Thai bank. It's what everyone does.
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Mark ********
@Kevin *********
I don't have trouble getting money sent there but was told by L.A. Consul the US Embassy won't issue the proof of Pension letter for monthly SS income like other nations so I have to have the 800,000 Baht for my Non-0. It drops down to 400,000 later due to my having a Thai wife. I wire money from my US bank direct to my Thai bank account.in dollars. It works great 👍
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Kevin **********
Mark Larson This is correct. I think it is more Thai immigration wanting to verify the $$ is actually flowing into Thailand and not partially going to ex-wives from divorce settlements etc.
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Kevin **********
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Rick *****
Mark Larson why not. it's deposited into my account every month
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Ralph *******
Rick Ess Because the embassy won’t certify it. Needs to go into a Thai account each month so it’s visible.
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Ralph *******
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Fred **********
need
*****
bht!

But if have 800.k. Rule:

must have 800k on your account for 2 month before applying visa Non OA.

Then in Thailand must have the 800k for 3 month on thai account. After that 400k but not less the 400k each month
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Stuart ***********
I do not think many (if any) immigration offices accept the combination method anymore. If you explain which office you intend to use somebody might know.
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Jo **********
1200 USD is 37,000 baht.
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Sean **********
Try Thai Visa Centre in Bang Na area just southwest of Suvarnabhumi Airport on BangNa Trat Freeway Frontage Rd.(between Mega BangNa Mall and Srinakarin Rd
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Sean **********
Jo Clemente
*****
baht today is $2090.57
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Sean **********
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Barb ******
the Thai Visa website gave me a lot of information
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Braulio *********
Her $1200/ month does not equal 65,000 THB
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Garrett ***********
Braulio Escobar That's why he want's to us a combination, requiring 400k baht back at 35k baht per month.
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Tim **********
@Garrett **********
that’s not possible anymore

1200 a month is not enough to live here legally
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Garrett ***********
@Tim *********
Lol what law is that?
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Tim **********
@Garrett **********
Thailand says minimum of 65k baht a month for a retirement visa?

Figured you would know this

Guess not
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Garrett ***********
@Tim *********
Doesn't say that anywhere.
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Garrett ***********
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Tony *********
I think you'll need the full 800k for the first year then you can switch to the 65k baht method .
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Sean **********
Tony Cabello 1200 US would not qualify if opened today. Its $2090.57. Not a great time using US dollars
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Frank **********
Tony Cabello 1200USD does not equate to 65,000 baht a month.
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Ken *********
Tony Cabello not true
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Tim **********
Ken Withers STFU troll

You never respond

You’re wrong you damn liar
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Donald **********
Ken Withers two word statement with no explanation? Not helpful!
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Raymond *********
Why not? Thai Immigration will only accept confirmation of revenues from your embassy for the first year

... which they no longer do.
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Lisa **************
Ken Withers why not true?
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Lisa **************
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Nonie *****
Yes I would like to know that as well. I’m relocating with my 85 year old mom who is also on SS and pension.
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Nonie *****
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