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What are the correct income requirements for obtaining a visa in Thailand based on recent experiences?
Visa requirementsProof of incomeThailand visa processesIncome criteriaBritish EmbassyBank statementsRetirement visaMarriage visaExpat advice
Aug 4, 2017
9 years ago
Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHappy as a sand boy again and thanks for the advice given to obtain my Proof of income As always given sound advice and follow correct information . Before id listernd to different people,s comments
1 You have to have 65,000 baht per mth . Not if married 40,000 baht per mth .
2 Get to the Embassy early to avoid quews . You can only do by post.
3 You have to get written confermation from pension providers . Wrong you can supply your bank statements
4 . You cant use house rental as an income Wrong ive just supplied my bank statements and its been included in my proof of income letter.
Its so unbelieveably easy it took 9 days from posting to return it cost £ 53 which was taken from my debit card , which is the only method of paying. . Google proof of income for visa Down load forms Down load bank statement Photo copy picture from passport hope this helps as even if you dont have enough income , you can conbine with money in the bank and vissa versa
1 You have to have 65,000 baht per mth . Not if married 40,000 baht per mth .
2 Get to the Embassy early to avoid quews . You can only do by post.
3 You have to get written confermation from pension providers . Wrong you can supply your bank statements
4 . You cant use house rental as an income Wrong ive just supplied my bank statements and its been included in my proof of income letter.
Its so unbelieveably easy it took 9 days from posting to return it cost £ 53 which was taken from my debit card , which is the only method of paying. . Google proof of income for visa Down load forms Down load bank statement Photo copy picture from passport hope this helps as even if you dont have enough income , you can conbine with money in the bank and vissa versa
TLDR : Answer Summary
Users shared their experiences and clarifications regarding the income requirements for obtaining a Thai visa. Key points include that married applicants only need to show 40,000 baht per month as income (instead of 65,000), that bank statements can suffice as proof instead of pension provider confirmations, and that rent can be included in income calculations. The process is generally reported as straightforward, with postal applications being efficient. Users encouraged others to provide accurate documents and be aware of varying requirements at different embassies.
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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Graham *********
easy way for me.....3 x pension p60.....also self employed accounts...
Graham *********
the form is easy....the income is the one..you either have it or not...if not don't bother applying...
Graham *********
I only do 2 months at a time ...then fly home...don't think I could settle long time in thailand. ..been going 25 years...so time to slow down..lol
Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI was told you cant use the rent from a house . My house has been perminately rented for 5 yrs through sn agent the agent puts the money in every month i put the last 6 mths no problem . If you havent got the documents for any visa dont waste your time
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Paul **********
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Graham *********
my fried was going to try on benefits from uk government. ..lol
Graham *********
on the form you have to pug passport number...also who pays the benefits...a quick check would reveal all....marriage visa ..stays if over e months..he would be shafted. .by his own admission
Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHe would probly get away with it but if caught hes in deep shit as you can only claim bennifits 1 mth in every 12 mths and if they find hes living in Thailand he,ll have to pay the whole lot back
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Paul **********
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Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERDavid ive just got a visa for my wife and kids to take them on holiday to England ,now ive just got this proof letter, . If your,ve got all the correct information why pay and if i can do it any one can
David ************
Agree wholeheartedly
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David ************
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Richard *********
How much history of your bank statements does the embassy require?
Jim *******
I sent the British embassy my accountants tax summary and the baht. All good and back next day and verified.
Barry ******
they will sometimes take your word for it.. but not a good idea to lie
Ray *********
Their due diligence is minimal. I send one months bank statement backed up by my latest P60.
Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERIm told 3mths Richard but i surplied 6 mths
Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERIm told 3 mths Richard but i supplied 6 mths
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Paul **********
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David ************
Good to see you do some of your own leg work. Good job.
Mike *******
Found the income conformation.letter from British embassy. A very efficient service.and the last 4 times had my letter back by near enough return of post.
Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERNo problem imelda if you should have a problem your welcome to ask on here or inbox me
Imelda *********
Thank you so much,
@Paul *********
Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERYes Imelda Tibbott firstly google proof of income letter from British consulate . Down load the form and also form for payment , The form is self explanitary to fill in I sent 6 mths statements showing my income 40,000 baht for married 65,000 baht for retirement but im told 3 mths will do . If your mthly income doesnt reach the amount for a retirement visa you can use money in bank and mthly income combined . Once form filled in and payment by visa card , you can only do by post it takes about 10 to 14 days and is valied for 6 mths . Once you have the letter from UK consulate take this plus 2 copies of passport 1 picture and copy of entry slip 1,900 baht plus 1,000 baht for reentry stamp if required . Im not too clever at explaining things but i found it very easy
Imelda *********
Hello,
@Paul *********
. I'm new to this forum, so please excuse any naivety on my part. From what you've written here, my understanding is, that proof of savings in my UK accounts (statements), and proof of monthly pension from my previous employer (a letter confirming this at the time of retirement, plus the pension is paid into my UK current bank account monthly), will suffice for the pension income letter, without the need to transfer a large sum to my Thai bank account. Is this correct, please? If so, does the supporting paperwork have to be notarised, or just original statements? Once I have the letter, I then need to present this to immigration to obtain the "extension of stay" stamp? My retirement visa doesn't expire until mid-November, I'd just like to be prepared. In advance, thank you so much.Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERGary i dont know 100 per cent but i believe not , i just supplied 6 mths statements from my 2 British bank accounts but some one just qouted they surply 1 mths statement . This is the first time ive done this ive always had 400,000 baht in the bank . Me for one will not bother loading my Thai bank up This is for me the easy option
Gary ********
Does the embassy check all documentation i e phoning yr pension provider etc?
Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERYes Mike i listernd to people who did,nt realy have a clue , for 5 yrs ive had money in the bank , but a big bill took all that , and i nearly paid 24,000 baht for someone to do it for me as you say so easy
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Paul **********
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Robert *******
Combination income and money in the bank is only for retirement. When married it is OR 40.000 Thb a month OR 400.000 Thb in bank. I guess due to the cost in British pounds this is the information using the British Embassy for income statement. Unfortunatly not every country and Embassy works the same.
Jim *******
Countries currencies have never been this volatile for many years,and I defy most to be able to pick highs and lows, especially so called economists who have a piece of paper from university. I'd definitely have faith in Warren Buffett,he has a track record of proof. I deal with an excellent forex company, get daily movements,and when I feel comfortable I make my deal. Sometimes I lose,and others I win. What I'll never understand is those who ONLY use an ATM card for each 20,000 k. I pay BKK bank 200thb,and zero to the forex company. A win win.
Ivan ************
@Pa**
yes, I've met people who are struggling all right and can't get a retirement visa they used qualify for simply due to the shift in the exchange rates but they'd hardly stretch their OA pension further at home either... and easier to live on peanuts with the sun shining.My point is more just that there is no one "right" exchange rate that it "should" be and that long-term, as a developing country develops and gets richer, the currency appreciates and prices go up, this is only natural and to be expected, and is a good thing for the country as a whole long-term.
Places like South Korea have only attained full developed-country status in the last 10-20 years. Look at the development in Eastern Europe since the end of the Cold War and since these countries joined the EU, places like the Slovenia or Estonia are rich countries now. Point is, nothing stays the same.
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79fd18cPaul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERYes ive been coming here 35 yrs and just as a rule of thumb i always booked it at 50 baht to the pound not often far away . I to remember the baht going craxy im sure i got a little over 80 in walking street . Theres many men on basic O A pension and i know quite a few are strugling Many havent got a hope in hell of getting a staight visa There was even a mooron on one of these groups giving names and addresses where to get them If i only had my goverment pension i could not live here to the way ive beem accostomed to and ive got no credit every thimgs paid for
Ivan ************
Paul it's an issue for people on tight fixed income pensions but I don't see how it would make so much of a difference for young people actively earning... even at 30-35 Thailand is still a LOT cheaper than the UK or for that matter anywhere near the UK. The exchange rate was literally 1 GBP = 75 THB a little over 10 years ago, now it is 43 THB and Thai tourism has only been on the up and up.
Prices could literally DOUBLE here and it would still be dirt cheap, coming from Western Europe.
Thailand is a developing country and has a far higher long-term growth rate than the UK or indeed most other developed countries whether in Europe or elsewhere... it's only logical that long-term as the country develops the currency is likely to appreciate.
Prices could literally DOUBLE here and it would still be dirt cheap, coming from Western Europe.
Thailand is a developing country and has a far higher long-term growth rate than the UK or indeed most other developed countries whether in Europe or elsewhere... it's only logical that long-term as the country develops the currency is likely to appreciate.
Steve *******
@Iv**
. Yes brexit fucked up the pound. It had been steadily increasing before the vote, however, the baht is too strong and there's plenty of experts saying it will have to be devalued soon. Like I said at the moment a £50 fee is better than converting your rubs to baht and only 500bt if you sit on it and wait to see what happens. With any luck brexit might not even happen.Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTER30 to 35 baht to the GBP will see a exidous of Brits bigger than the wilder beast migration . Many of my younger friends holidayd here twice a yr have now stopped
Ivan ************
@Steve ******
my point is, there is no reason to believe that GBP isn't going to fall further. In which case you might well be better off converting into baht. That it is low now doesn't mean it isn't going to get lower. It has been on a continual long-term drop, which has only been accelerated with Brexit.All forecasts are that GBP is only going in one direction, DOWN, thanks to the Brexit shambles. So the longer you hold your GBP, the more you lose. I would suspect it could go below 40 THB this year, long term, 35, 30, who knows. Sell now.
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/03/bank-england-super-thursday-dominates-markets-focus/Steve *******
@Iv**
. Exactly my point, so a £50 fee is good value rather than changing your rubs into baht.Ivan ************
@Steve ******
it's just to be aware of it as a cost. As to "considering the exchange rate", the exchange rate is what it is, there was a time when £1 would buy you $5 but it is unlikely we will see that again any time soon... what £1 used buy you in THB 10 years ago has little bearing on what the exchange rate is now or what it might be in the future, that £1 used buy you 75 THB doesn't mean it is likely ever going to reoccur, sterling has been in long-term decline against most currencies and THB has been appreciating.Steve *******
@Iv**
. Appreciate the input, its only a 500bt fee to transfer 400,000bt equivelent sterling to Bangkok Bank. You can leave it and hope gbp increases in value or pay 2000bt to remove it. Either way you're only looking at a £50 charge all in. Pretty reasonable considering the exchange rate.Ivan ************
Steve Greir you want to be careful with that, my bank at least (Bangkok Bank) charges a haircut if you subsequently want to move money out of a foreign currency deposit without converting it at any point to THB. It's 0.25% for USD which I have but is higher for GBP I think 0.5% and as high as 1% for some other currencies. It also wouldn't be clear to me that GBP is a more solid store of value right now.
Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERDid,nt know that Steve ive lived up here 17 yrs still learning But i cant believe how easy the proof of income letter was to get
Steve *******
@Paul *********
. You can use a sterling account at a Thai bank to show the equivelent of 400,000bt without having to change it into baht.Paul **********
ORIGINAL POSTERYes retirment pension i wouldent know about other embassys but im told American and Aussi embassys are only 500 baht but only hearsay . My thoughts only anyone british wanting to transfer 400,000 or 650,000 baht at
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baht to the £ is throwing money away if you have the monthly incomeReply to
Paul **********
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