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What are the current financial requirements for expats on a Thai marriage visa or retirement visa?

Thai Visa RequirementsMarriage VisaRetirement VisaImmigration RulesFinancial RequirementsBank StatementsMinimum Bank BalanceExpats in Thailand
Jun 21, 2024
5 months ago
Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have lived in thailand full time in 2000 when I retired. In 2003 I got a retirement."0" visa with having 800,000 in bank.for 6 months. Was ok till may 2023 when I went to get my visa.extended again and was told you must place 800000 for 2 months in a Thai bank.or seeing I was married to Thai national 400000 for 2 months

I am now 83 married 16 years. We lived together for 22 years

I brought 400000 from my account in England. I have done everything asked and got M visa

But now comes the chocker immigration says I have to show 400000 for 3 months every year In thailand

Have others had same problem
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses recent changes in immigration requirements affecting expats living in Thailand, particularly those on marriage or retirement visas. The original poster, who has lived in Thailand since 2000, shares their experience of needing to maintain a specific bank balance (400,000 baht) for a certain duration prior to a visa extension, which has now become a regular requirement. Various comments provide insight into the financial obligations, methods to fulfill them (such as monthly transfers or fixed deposits), and the differing practices among immigration offices across Thailand. The ongoing debate reflects concerns about the challenges faced by older expats regarding changing regulations.
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Mark ***********
Pretty sure it has been 400k baht each year for ages. The money can come out just needs to be there at certain times
5 months ago
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Douglas ******
I think they have just gotten too greedy there.Especially since your wife is Thai.Very sad.
5 months ago
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Pete **********
Or you can hire an agent for the cost of what that 25k will earn in a high yield interest account each year in your own bank at home
5 months ago
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Ayoub *********
I’m a 30 year old Trader wanting to live in Phuket can anyone give me any information please
5 months ago
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Charles *****
I have never taken the 400.000 out of the bank and out 40.000 baht a month in the bank for 19 years never a money problem
5 months ago
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Gary **********
My immigration office have always asked for 3 months and on the day of applying statements,book updated and guaranteed letter off bank all on the same day I apply for extension
5 months ago
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Stuart **********
Can you have the
*****
0bht on a yearly fixed term account.Is immigration ok with that.
5 months ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart *********
 that is why.i asked people, what happens.

Immigration look at you bank account to see you have 400k in and 40k coming in every month after that, on 2nd year show same 400k and 40k. After 2nd year you only have to.show 40k coming into account. I don't know if immigration.laws will change that is why people keep.400k in separate account just in case.
5 months ago
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Michael ********
@Stuart *********
 nope
5 months ago
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Stuart **********
@Michael *******
 do you keep it in a seperate account then
5 months ago
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Michael ********
@Stuart *********
 yes you actually best check with your immigration office, some apparently allow some of the higher savings accounts, Bangkok and samat sakorn dont
5 months ago
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Michael ********
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Durrant ********
Just read the rules nothing stays the same. So now you will get a 90 day visit the family extension to season your money for 3 months in a Thai bank and reapply for the 1 year extension
5 months ago
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Mikkel *******
Every year is a new application for a new yearly extension. Requirements are the same each year, bar maybe some small differences. But you have to show the money each and every time yes.
5 months ago
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Peter **********
@Ant****
 Just leave the money in the bank and write it off as your entrance fee to Thailand. Tell your wife you keep it there for her security if something happens to you and she’ll be eternally grateful.
5 months ago
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Stephen ********
@Peter *********
 very difficult to get the money back from the bank, when you die
5 months ago
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Peter **********
@Stephen *******
 Death certificate, will, lawyer, done.

It’s definitely more difficult for her if you leave her behind with nothing…
5 months ago
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Galenus ******
@Peter *********
 lawyer not required. Wasted money
5 months ago
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Peter **********
@Galenus *****
 Yeah. Worry about your money your entire life while I spend lots of time on being happy. To each his own. 😉
5 months ago
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Galenus ******
@Peter *********
 good to hear that. Go to the village and share your money with poor people.🙏
5 months ago
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Peter **********
@Galenus *****
 Yep. But Thankyou for your FB level consultancy. 😉
5 months ago
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Galenus ******
@Peter *********
 your level is my level. Easy as that 😂
5 months ago
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Peter **********
@Galenus *****
 That would be excellent if true. Sadly you will never in your life reach my level of care for others. But at least you get to keep your cash for your funeral. I hope you will enjoy it and I hope it will not be soon.
5 months ago
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Galenus ******
@Peter *********
 well, but I try to descend the ladder down to your level. I can't go further unfortunately. If you want to approach me, go to school first. It's a shame that you're one of those illiterate here. But I'll tolerate it.😇
5 months ago
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Galenus ******
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Brandon *****************
I do the 40k every month for a year transferred from overseas. That one is very simple and you don't need to be worried about not touching the money. You can use it as you like.
5 months ago
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Michael *************
@Bra****
 how strict is your immigration office when it comes to the date of transfers? How does this work?
5 months ago
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Brandon *****************
When I go into to renew my visa each year, I have to take a printed copy of my yearly bank statement. You have to request this from the branch you opened your account at. As long as 40,000 baht has been transferred from overseas each month, they're happy. I usually get my 40,000 over three transactions, so it doesn't all need to be at once. The statement will tell them when it came in and how. So I guess they aren't very strict. I live in Bangkok so I do this every year at Chaengwatthana Immigration.
5 months ago
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Brandon *****************
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John **********
It's not a problem, it's a requirement. If you can't show the money in your thai bank account you won't get an extension
5 months ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks
5 months ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Jack Stanners, old is a state of mind and I am certainly not struggling. I asked my ? To see if what said was what I heard. 24 years ago I held 850k and up to this year I was coming once a year to get visa. They said law changed I need 850k to continue retirement (O) visa. As I had 650k in bank I go a married visa all though I have been married for 23 years

I asked on Facebook from people what does it all mean, I have now got my answers thanks to Facebook followers
5 months ago
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John **********
@Anthony *******
 in which case I misunderstood your question. You need 400k in the bank every year, it must be there for 2 full months before you apply for your extension and some recommend you keep it there until you get the extension stamped in your passport which normally takes a further month
5 months ago
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John **********
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Jack ****************
@John *********
 it's not a problem, it's an opportunity! An opportunity for people who don't have your life to demonstrate a lack of empathy at whatever difficulties you face because they don't face the same ones! Congratulations!
5 months ago
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John *********
@Jack ***************
 What are you gibbering about now Jack?
5 months ago
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John **********
@Jack ***************
 as far as thai immigration requirements they apply equally to everyone in the same situation. The financial requirements are designed to show you have enough money to live on. Nothing to do with empathy
5 months ago
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Jack ****************
@John *********
 listen you handsome devil, it is a problem for that guy (and others) when someone posts this they are having a bad day and looking for information and/or support. Give one, give both, or pass on. You don't need to try to make the guy feel bad about it too. Maybe it was a big stretch for him to meet the requirements to move here after the dot com bust and he made sacrifices and has been quietly enjoying rural Thailand and the world changed around him- that is a shitty situation. Been here 23 years, married 16, and now he is afraid it's going to get yanked out from under him.
5 months ago
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John **********
@Jack ***************
 I did give him the information. There's no way round it. I get he's old and may be struggling but he still needs to meet the requirements
5 months ago
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John **********
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Clive *********
I was told by Phuket immigration 2 months before application and 3 months after but if a regular income from your pension it can be a combination of the two after year one
5 months ago
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Stuart *********
@Clive ********
 That’s for a retirement extension.
5 months ago
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Peter **********
@Stuart ********
 Some IOs allow it also for marriage extension.
5 months ago
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Clive *********
@Stuart ********
 yes that’s correct and first time application on time with the money in bank
5 months ago
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Clive *********
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Pete **********
Normal for Thai wife visa. Best just put the amount in an account and forget about it. Then it’s available to show immigration every year without worry regards any time periods etc.
5 months ago
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Frank ***********
@Pete *********
 make sure to make enough activity on account to avoid bank disposing of your account due to inactivity
5 months ago
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Michael *******
@Frank **********
 nonsense you visit the bank every year to get a letter and statement for visa renewal - why would they close it, especially if it’s a deposit account - I can understand if it’s an arbitrary amount and the account remains inactive for several years….fearmongering
5 months ago
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Frank ***********
@Michael ******
 whatever you say. Go ahead and try it. I had this issue before so it’s not nonsense but hey, you do you.
5 months ago
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Frank ***********
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Duncanc **********
@Frank **********
 yes! I learned this the hard way in Hong Kong
5 months ago
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Michael *******
Read my comment carefully - if it’s a current account that remains dormant - yes it will eventually be closed, but not a deposit account , particularly if the said owner of the account visits the bank every year for a statement and letter for immigration - it’s active once a year.
5 months ago
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Michael *******
@Duncanc *********
 HK clamped down on foreign account holders without a HK address - different issue, I had to deal with this issue 6 years ago took a visit and a few cups of tea.
5 months ago
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Duncanc **********
@Michael ******
 my account was frozen for having no withdrawals within a year.

Didn’t require any tea but did require a visit to the branch.
5 months ago
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Michael *******
@Duncanc *********
 yip exactly why I jumped on a plane, thankfully only from Phuket. Bank staff were actually very helpful, friends we were staying with explained a money laundering scandal in HK prompted all banks to freeze accts with no local address……Dubai did the same following year also HSBC…..I now leave my fate in the j
5 months ago
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Duncanc **********
@Michael ******
 I have a local address. Just didn’t have any withdrawals from the account.

One more pointless hoop to jump through 🫣
5 months ago
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Duncanc **********
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Melissa *********
@Pete *********
 my plan also. Set it and forget it. Separate account for my daily spending
5 months ago
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Brook ********
@Melissa ********
 Seperate bank too to prevent commingling. Make sure it’s a fixed deposit account acceptable to your immigration office and that it pays 2.5% APR.
5 months ago
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Michael *******
@Brook *******
 SCB Easi is perfect for this
5 months ago
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Pete **********
I use the same account for my daily spending but never allow it to drop below 400k.
5 months ago
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Brook ********
@Pete *********
 Yea, why ensure your visa is secure when you can put your bank balance at risk of fraud, theft or mistake?
5 months ago
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Brook ********
@Pete *********
 but it doesn’t earn 2.5%?
5 months ago
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Pete **********
@Brook *******
 who cares. If your so concerned about a pathetic 2.5% then maybe Thailand isnt a place for you.
5 months ago
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Brook ********
@Pete *********
 555. Ok
5 months ago
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Brook ********
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Vinny **************
I'm doing 400 k this year being my 1st year

But next year doing the 40k a month

Method . Pension from uk just about covers it .
5 months ago
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Graham ******
@Vinny *************
 Check that your Immigration Office will accept that as many only accept income earned in Thailand as proof of income
5 months ago
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Vinny **************
@Graham *****
 i will do thanks
5 months ago
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Vinny **************
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Jan ******************
@Vinny *************
 Have you checked with your immigration if they’ll allow transfers over sea without an affidavit letter from your embassy. Not all immigrations allow the income for extension without affidavit letter.
5 months ago
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Vinny **************
@Jan *****************
 uk embassy don't give affidavit .
5 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Vinny *************
 I know, so I hope they will accept just transfers from overseas.
5 months ago
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Vinny **************
@Jan *****************
 me to for the year after . I have yet to tell dwp that I will be staying here 2024 till 2025
5 months ago
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Vinny **************
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John ********
@Vinny *************
 please make sure that your immigration office is ok with your plans, as some immigration offices will not except that
5 months ago
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Vinny **************
@John *******
 i go in one month I will ask
5 months ago
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Vinny **************
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Steve *******
That’s standard. In the bank 3 months before extension and 2 months after. A Thai bank
5 months ago
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Peter **********
@Steve ******
 Two months ahead and 1 month after.
5 months ago
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Mikkel *******
@Peter *********
 only two months before. But a few immigration offices insist on a month after too. If they do, they will give you a document stating that. My local immigration only want the 2 months before.
5 months ago
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Steve *******
@Mikkel ******
 which is why 3 months before 2 months after or even simpler - just keep it there all the time. There are enough twists and turns without having to remember a calendar date that you might forget or miss because “Fang. The Mastermind” kidnaps you
5 months ago
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David *****
@Steve ******
 two months before and three months after
5 months ago
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Mikkel *******
@Steve ******
 Well I agree that it's a good idea to just have it there all the time. But you can get away with only having it in the account for two months before applying, and that's it. At most immigration offices.
5 months ago
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Steve *******
@Mikkel ******
 until you can’t. Considering how arbitrary things are and just how badly a problem could mess one up it’s just so much simpler. Mine at BB gathers a small amount of interest and I never have to think about it
5 months ago
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Peter **********
@Steve ******
 I couldn’t agree more. Put it in the bank and forget about it until your next extension is due.
5 months ago
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Peter **********
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Jan ******************
@Steve ******
 not for extension based on marriage.
5 months ago
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Jan ******************
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Jan ******************
Formally it’s two months, but unless you have income in Thailand or your embassy offers to issue you a affidavit letter to confirm your income/pension, you’ll unfortunately need to prove 400K baht every year for your yearly extension of stay.

Just some immigrations accept income minimum 40K baht transferred over sea for twelve consecutive months for the extension.
5 months ago
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Ron ********
@Jan *****************
 Is there a easy way to find out which particular offices accept 40k instead of the standard 56k income? Also, are you speaking regarding retirement visas in addition to a marriage visa, or only marriage visas? Thanks a bunch!
5 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Ron *******
 No sorry, I don’t think there’s any organised overview regarding this, so you’ll need to ask your local immigration or ask if someone has experience or knowledge regarding this particular immigration.
5 months ago
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Ron ********
@Jan *****************
 OK......thanks much. To clarify though, are you speaking in regards to retirement visas, or marriage visas, or both?
5 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Ron *******
 Just extension of stay based on marriage. For regular retirement visa all immigrations accept twelve consecutive transactions over sea of minimum 65K baht as proof of income.
5 months ago
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Ron ********
@Jan *****************
 Ohhhhhh OK. Thanks again Sir!!
5 months ago
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Ron ********
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