Answered5 months ago
What are the alternatives for US Citizens to verify income for Thailand's retirement visa after the US Embassy stopped certifying it?
Question on verification of meeting monthly income requirements for US Citizens to qualify for retirement VISA. Is there no other way to certify, since the US Embassy has removed this from list of services for tax paying citizens
Answer summary
US Citizens looking to qualify for a retirement visa in Thailand often face challenges verifying their monthly income since the US Embassy no longer certifies income for tax-paying citizens. Alternatives include proving a minimum balance of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account or demonstrating consistent transfers of at least 65,000 baht per month over the previous year. The conversation discusses the pros and cons of these methods, including the importance of being cautious with the monthly verification process and the requirement of maintaining a sufficient balance for visa extensions.
65 repliesnewest first
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Janet ********************
WHAT!!! They removed it!
Brandon ************
@Janet *******************
Many embassies in Thailand have not offered this for YEARS, including the US embassy. It's not anything new. And more and more embassies are stopping.
Simon *********
It depends on your immigration office, but many insist on the proof of income certificate, forcing us to use an agent... Same for me, as UK embassy, only do tea parties...
Ibrahim ****
OPThanks everyone for the excellent advice and the lively conversation 😁Look forward to my next trip and retirement. Don’t tell my boss 😂
James **********
Don't play games. Just have a separate account and keep more than 800,000
In it at all times
I keep about 1.5 million in it incase they raise the threshold
People will say I am wasting money by not getting enough investment money from the account but, I am guaranteed to have the cash and a buffer for emergencies .
In it at all times
I keep about 1.5 million in it incase they raise the threshold
People will say I am wasting money by not getting enough investment money from the account but, I am guaranteed to have the cash and a buffer for emergencies .
Ken ************
Get an agent no worries
Edward ********
The US embassy, 10 years ago, did not certify your income. They notarized your declaration that you had the income. Nice while it lasted.
Richard ********
Not a problem you apply for your visa while in the US through the appropriate Thai Embassy.
John *********
Have the benefit of a little experience of both. The potential for the Monthly method going wrong is significant. There is zero tolerance should you fail to meet any of the strict protocols. No matter how insignificant you believe that to be. When the IO says NO. That’s mega grief believe me. To be honest with you it’s just not worth it. Nor is the amount of interest the cash accrues elsewhere. 800K in the bank. Forget it and live your life well.
The only way to go…
The only way to go…
Nongnuch ********
You must and you should have the 800,000 THB back in the account two months before you apply for the next annual 1-year extension using the 12-months transfer method.
Because if a little something is wrong with the 12-months of consecutive transfers (let’s say two transfers accidentally happened to fall into the same month and Immigration will refuse to accept) you will be happy that you still fulfill the 800,000 THB deposit requirement for the application to the next 1-year extension.
Better play safe rather than be sorry.
Because if a little something is wrong with the 12-months of consecutive transfers (let’s say two transfers accidentally happened to fall into the same month and Immigration will refuse to accept) you will be happy that you still fulfill the 800,000 THB deposit requirement for the application to the next 1-year extension.
Better play safe rather than be sorry.
John *********
Nongnuch Kamdee - Super sensible advice
Alexander *************
Of course; the easiest way deposing 800k THB on a Thai bank account. The other way with monthly allowance probably demand legalization by your foreign government and stamped by Thai embassy. Is a nightmare, I know.
Graham ******
Alexander DThornerian No the 65k deposits do not demand legalisation by your government and stamped by a Thai embassy
Alexander *************
Graham Seal what will you do if the embassy not stamp the annual income verification anymore? That’s the question. Legalization? That will be tricky.
John **********
@Chris *******
a question for the embassies that refuse to verify income. The 65k baht per month method was only introduced to provide an alternative to citizens of the embassies that stopped doing so (or refused to do so correctly).
Ron *******
Just deposit 800,000 baht. That's only $24,700.
Nigel *******
Thai Visa Center,ask for Grace
Steven *********
When are arrive with your very 1st 90 day non-o retirement visa can you do a border run and add 30 or more days onto it or do you need to rush your cash into a Thai bank so it can mature for 60 days? I hope that made sense.
Ian *******
Steven Sheldon someone will confirm or deny, but I think you may have to remain in Thailand during that initial 90 days of the retirement visa.
Graham ******
Ian Whyte no you can get a re-entry permit and leave during the 90 days while your money is seasoning but you must return in time to submit your extension application
Steven *********
Thanks, That is what I thought also. So its a race to get that money in an account so it has the time to mature the 60 days. Looks like I will land and immediately be looking for a place to live so i can even get a bank account
John **********
@Steven ********
you need to get the money into a bank account quickly so it can season for 2 months before applying for an extension. There's no extension available unless you have immediate Thai familySteven *********
@John *********
Thanks John
John ********
I submitted the letter I received from Social Security when I started receiving it and they took that I didn't have to have it legalized, notarized or anything
David *********
John Tidona same for me. VA documents were printed from my account but, had to be printed within 7 days of the appointment.
Bradley ********
I will be collecting social security at around ฿55k but I get rental income two different properties
Can the rental income be used if it get deposited every month and transferred to my Thai bank account.
I do use a management company and they send me a tax form every year, showing my gross income from the rental property
Can the rental income be used if it get deposited every month and transferred to my Thai bank account.
I do use a management company and they send me a tax form every year, showing my gross income from the rental property
John ********
Bradley Atkins If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? You don't look elderly.
Brandon ************
@Bradley *******
just collect everything in your home bank account then transfer at least 65,000 baht per month over. Most immigration offices don't care where the money came from, they just want to see the 12 transfers
Robert *******
@Brandon ***********
MostI was asked for proof of source.
Best to have a Notice of Award letter from the Pension Administrator
Brandon ************
@Robert ******
yes there are some offices that ask for the source of the income
Night *******
If you have a bank account already, deposit 65K per month for one year, and then after that apply for a retirement extension.
Ian *******
Night Rider how can you get a retirement extension if you do not have a retirement visa in the first place?
Night *******
Ian Whyte, you enter with a non-O. People should always enter with a Non-O if want to extend for a retirement visa, though people used to advocate for entering visa-exempt because some think it's easy.
John **********
@Night ******
that's unlikely to be accepted. They normally want to see those transfers made while on an appropriate visa
Jane ********
I have heard that some areas the immigration officials are not accepting the 65,000 to get the visa. Does anyone know if there is an immigration office now HH that will accept that? And I also understand that the embassies are not verifying these things are certifying them.
Graham ******
As Brandon stated the 65k deposits cannot be used for the initial in country Non-O retrement visa or the first 12 month extension but can be used for the second and subsequent extensions
Joe *******
Jane McGinn yes that’s what I use but you also have to get a credit note from the bank for each transfer showing it comes from outside the country. Along with the 12 month bank statement and letter from the bank undated bank book on the day you apply. Hope that helps 🙏
Kim *********
Jane McGinn you don't get a visa - you get an extension of stay. A visa is an entry permission.
Stuart ***********
Jane McGinn I use the 65,000 monthly method in Hua Hin with no problems. They accepted proof of bank deposits from abroad without any other certification.
Daniel *********
Jane McGinn Immigration Division 1 in Bangkok accepts proof of one year of minimum monthly income.
Nongnuch ********
Daniel Werning transfers, not income. If it's income or pension or whatsoever = totally irrelevant. (SOME Immigrations also want to see the "source" !) It must be 12 months of consecutive transfers. Transfers that are coded as having come from abroad. Every month a minimum of 65,000 THB , and you must never never miss a single month!
Robert *******
Nongnuch Kamdee yes,
I was asked to provide proof of the source.
Fortunately, I had a notarized Notice of Award from my pension administrator.
I was asked to provide proof of the source.
Fortunately, I had a notarized Notice of Award from my pension administrator.
Larry *************
Chon Buri Immigration Office requirements.
Of course it’s really up to the immigration officer that reviews your docs.
The person out front reviewed my packet, and gave me a ticket to go inside to window 8 for retirement visas, but he wanted landlord’s property deed and my Thai driver’s license additionally.
Of course it’s really up to the immigration officer that reviews your docs.
The person out front reviewed my packet, and gave me a ticket to go inside to window 8 for retirement visas, but he wanted landlord’s property deed and my Thai driver’s license additionally.
Todd ********
@Larry ************
all that crap is why i hired an agent. I gave a serious looking photo signed a few places. DoneLarry *************
Todd Capron I paid 1900 baht for mine. How much did you pay for yours?
And you’re likely “locked in” with your agent now too for the deposit.
I used an agent too for the first couple times. Tired of them charging outrageous prices and the deposit scheme.
And you’re likely “locked in” with your agent now too for the deposit.
I used an agent too for the first couple times. Tired of them charging outrageous prices and the deposit scheme.
Larry *************
Todd Capron let’s see about that the next time you renew your extension.The multiple reentry visa was 3800 baht. Still a helluva lot less than an agent or bank charged you. And again, you’ll be locked into the agent the way you’re doing it.
Todd ********
@Larry ************
not locked into anything. Up to me. You paid 1900 only for extension. No rentry visa.
Alan **********
@Larry ************
And ??????? What happened ?Larry *************
Alan Rothwell well, I’m still in country if that answers your question.
Graham ******
@Larry ************
not really, you could be in a detention centre 555Brandon ************
For the FIRST annual extension off the 90-day visa, there are only 2 options for proof of finances.
1) Embassy verified income
2) Proof of 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account.
For subsequent years, you can provide one of the following:
1) Proof of the previous 12 months of receiving an international transfer into your Thai bank account of at least 65,000 baht per month. This must be every single month for the previous 12 months from when you apply for the extension.
2) Proof of 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account.
1) Embassy verified income
2) Proof of 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account.
For subsequent years, you can provide one of the following:
1) Proof of the previous 12 months of receiving an international transfer into your Thai bank account of at least 65,000 baht per month. This must be every single month for the previous 12 months from when you apply for the extension.
2) Proof of 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account.
Ibrahim ****
OP@Brandon ***********
Thanks so much. Sounds like you only need that *****
0 Thai Baht tied up for that first year. Then subsequent years only need that *****
coming in per month. And can move the *****
0 elsewhere. Thank again!!
Chili******
Ibrahim Al Per the replies here, you should begin “seasoning” your monthly income of THB 65,000 during the first year of your retirement visa, which was originally qualified based on the THB 800,000 deposit method.
When you apply to renew for the second year, Immigration will review evidence showing 12 consecutive months of qualifying monthly income.
When you apply to renew for the second year, Immigration will review evidence showing 12 consecutive months of qualifying monthly income.
Nongnuch ********
ChiliDog888 wrong - you must start transferring as soon as you have opened the Thai bank account, not only start after you get the 1-yer extension issued. You must start to transfer BEFORE that
Nongnuch ********
ChiliDog888 one should start the monthly transfers as soon as the bank account got opened - meaning, you start the transfers 2 months before your first one-year extension of stay sets in. Then at the end of the first year you will have accumulated 13 or even 14 monthly transfers for sure
Graham ******
Ibrahim Al 800k for 2 months prior to your first 12 month extension application then maintain that for the first 3 months of the extension and never falling below 400k for the rest of the year. The following extension can either be a repeat of this 800k process or at least 12 consecutive monthly deposits by international transfer of 65k.
Paddy *****
Ibrahim Al
*****
0b tied up first few months of the first year but you have to start monthly transfer of *****
every month (12x) of the first year as well.Graham ******
Allan Corg Morris maintain 800k for the first 3 months of the extension then never below 400k for the rest of the year
Graham ******
Allan Corg Morris it's 800k for 2 months before application and first 3 months of the new extension not 2
Nongnuch ********
Allan Corg Morris Not only that. You must and you should have the 800,000 THB back in the account two months before you apply for the next annual 1-year extension.
Because if a little something is wrong with the 12-months of consecutive transfers (let’s say two transfers accidentally happened to fall into the same month and Immigration will refuse to accept) you will be happy that you still fulfill the 800,000 THB deposit requirement for the application to the next 1-year extension.
Better play safe rather than be sorry.
Because if a little something is wrong with the 12-months of consecutive transfers (let’s say two transfers accidentally happened to fall into the same month and Immigration will refuse to accept) you will be happy that you still fulfill the 800,000 THB deposit requirement for the application to the next 1-year extension.
Better play safe rather than be sorry.
Ian *******
Allan Corg Morris I have heard that some immigration offices require it to remain for 3 months. Check with your office.
Allan **************
Paddy Kan . No when you get your first extension you agree to keep 800,000 for 2 months then can go down to 400,000 other wise your not doing what you agreed to do for your first extension.
Nongnuch ********
Paddy Kan CAREFUL! Not only tied up for the "few" months after getting issued the 1-year extension. You must and you SHOULD (!) have the 800,000 THB back in your account two months before you apply for the next annual 1-year extension - because if A LITTLE SOMETHING is wrong with your 12-months of consecutive transfers, you can trash the 12-months transfer method. In case this application goes down sh.. creek, at that point you will be happy that you still fulfill the 800,000 THB deposit requirement
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