What are the current financial requirements for obtaining a one-year visa in Thailand?

Jul 7, 2023
a year ago
Last week i went to the immigration here in Cha-am to do my 90day report.

And the Lady behind the desk told me that from now on i have to show 400k on my account for 12 month. I always getting my 1year visa showing 800k 2 month before expiring date. And when i ask her if they want to see now the 400k every time when i doing my 90 day report, she replied " no , only when you doing your 1year Visa they would check it.

Does anybody here in the group heard about it or can confirm that they have changed the rules.

Thanks in advance
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A recent inquiry regarding the 90-day report and financial requirements for a one-year visa in Thailand highlighted concerns about potentially new rules. The immigration office in Cha-am advised that applicants must show a minimum of 400,000 baht in their account for a 12-month period, with verification only required during the one-year visa application. This has sparked discussions among expats, confirming that while the rule exists, there is confusion about its enforcement. Traditionally, expatriates needed to maintain 800,000 baht in their account for two months before applying for the visa and three months after. Members also discussed alternatives like the elite visa for individuals preferring to avoid high financial commitments in local banks.
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โธมัส ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Until last week they wanted to see only 800k 2 month before Visa and 3month after. Which they never checked.

Is there any website in english available, where all the rules and regulations are printed. Because it looks to me that every immigration got their own rules
Andy ********
โธมัส เมห์ลฮอร์น I also use Phetchaburi immigration and have done since 2016. The rules changed 1st March 2019. I have attached a translation of the actual police order that instigated this change.

If you have been in Thailand continuously since before October 1998 you could qualify to have a lesser financial requirement.
Geoff **********
@โธมัส ***********
Every immigratiln office does set some of their own rules. Only way to know what they are for a specific office is to go to that office and ask.
Brian ********
So really, a 5 year elite visa costs 600,000. For an extra 200,000 (because basically that 400,000 isn't really yours if you never plan to leave) it almost makes sense to just pay up front then forget about it. Unless you do the 65,000 every month (and never, ever miss a month.)
Wayne *********
@Brian *******
Thats why I went OX visa 5 years plus 5 years for $600aud and leave my money in Australia bank. Don't have to show any proof of money once issued only thing is health insurance every year which I like having anyway.
Brian ********
@Wayne ********
not putting 3 million or even 1.8 million into a Thai bank and tying it up.
Wayne *********
@Brian *******
correct not need anything in a thai bank
Brian ********
@Wayne ********
the OX requires either 3 million baht deposited into a Thai bank or a deposit of 1.8 million with an income of 1.2 million per year with the requirement that the deposit be 3 million within a year. Plus the deposit can't be brought down to less than 1.5 million and that must be spent inside Thailand. How did you get around that?
Wayne *********
@Brian *******
because Sydney asks different thats how. Go have a look. I got mine with proof of my income
Gio *****
@Wayne ********
you use a agent or is it easy to do by yourself?
Wayne *********
@Gio ****
did it myself was very easy pre-approval in 24 hours
Brian ********
@Gio ****
either way I'm probably going to use an agent. Bureaucracy drives me nuts.
Soni ********
@Brian *******
can you give contact of agent
Wayne *********
@Brian *******
was very easy, had pre-approval in 24 hours
Phil **********
@Brian *******
and then in 5 years you have to find ano 600,000? 🤨🧐
Brian ********
@Phil *********
actually, within the 5 years I can find 400,000 and be good for 20 years. Otherwise, if I don't want to, I can convert to a retirement visa. I"m still undecided on whether to go retirement or elite, but I have 8 months to figure it out. Right now I'm leaning towards elite, but that could change.
Steven ***************
One of the disadvantages of a retirement visa over a spouse visa if you are eligible for both. After approval of yearly extension (spouse) you can do whatever you want with your own money until renewal is nearly due.
Brandon ************
They haven't changed any rules. The rule is always 800,000 in your account 2 months before you apply for extension and 3 months after. Then it can never drop below 400,000 the rest of the year. Now they are checking the past 12 months when you go for your extension to make sure you followed the rules you agreed to last time.
Steve ********
@Brandon ***********
Bangkok has always done that. Always scour the bank book looking for that one lapse!
Graham ******
That is the rule, never below 400k for the 12m of the extension
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