Answereda year ago
What are the current requirements for the retirement visa in Thailand regarding bank deposits?
I recently call a Law firm in Bangkok about the 1 year retirement visa requirements. I was told that a change was made in January of 2025. Forcing all new requests to make it mandatory to place 800000 Thai baht in a Thai . And can not be touched. Then I went on line to Royal Thai consulate in Los Angeles web site- it states 800000 baht OR 65000 baht a month. Which is it?
Answer summary
The requirements for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand involve showing proof of financial stability. As of January 2025, applicants must deposit either 800,000 Thai Baht in a Thai bank account, which must be unwithdrawn prior to application, or demonstrate a monthly income of 65,000 Baht over the course of 12 months. The choice between these two options comes with different stipulations, including the need for funds to be seasoned in the case of the bank deposit method. Further, various comments emphasized challenges with opening a Thai bank account while on a tourist visa and switching visa types after arrival. It is important to note that U.S. passport holders may face difficulties obtaining the affidavit needed for the monthly income method.
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Liam ***********
That’s exactly what Korat immigration told me, I told them my Irish embassy still offers affidavit for pension proof and the lady told me that will be okay in your case. You do not have to deposit the 800 K.
Dca *****
if anyone is using their U.S. Passport to make Entry into Thailand, then don't bother with the 65k (Retirement) / 40k (Thai Citizen Wife/Spouse) Thai Baht Monthly Income Method for an Extension of Stay because for over the past 6 years already (since 2019) the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and the U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai do NOT issue income affavits required by your local Thai Immigration Office for an Extension of Stay based on Retirement (over age 50 years old) or Thai Citizen Wife/Spouse for the Monthly Income Method
Sam ******
I am in country right now on a non o visa and getting ready to start the process. My friend is inquiring with the legal team about
*****
vs *****
0. Will let you know hopefully next week.
Roberto *********
@Sam *****
Why oh why do you need a "legal team". The process is so simple. If I can do it without paying someone to hold my hand anyone can
Frazer ******
@Roberto ********
sure hope you're right. Just arrived last night and a bit nervous as I'm hearing that it's a bit hard to open a bank account. One step at a time.
John ********
Out of thin air you called a Law Firm in Bangkok?
Not cost for the information they gave you?
Not cost for the information they gave you?
Keith *******
It's THB800,000 OR THB65,000 per month. However, you have to show that the money goes in every month for 12 months to qualify. If you elect to put the THB800,000 into your account, it must stay there for 3 months prior to the application and 3 months after the application.
David *******
Either or.
Mark ********
Easiest way to do this is get the OA nonimmigrant visa in Los Angeles, good for one year and can extend for second year. You have to fulfill the requirements but then when you arrive in Thailand you can open your bank account and put 800,000 in and then can change to a non O in Thailand if your not wanting to pay the health insurance costs. You can do all of this without an agent.
Paddy **********
To make up the
*****
0bhat in bank deposit as much as you can into the bank and prove that you have. also prove you got income coming in to make up the difference between what you have in bank and what you need to make up the *****
0 plus the cash you need to live on I like too believe the *****
0 stays in bank until you get the visa you require
Marcus **********
@Paddy *********
Retirement visa/ extension requires b800k to remain in Thai account for 3 months after initial application, then deposit can be reduced to b400k until 3 months before renewal when it must go back up to b800k. Banks have started making there own rules for issuing the IO required statements and certificates.
Paul *********
Get an OA/OX and keep your money in your home country
Paul *************
@Paul ********
can you clarify what you mean? I am looking at coming to live in thailand I have a thai wife who has land I got told I could come on an o a visa for ninety days and as long as I put 400,0000 (£10k) i could get the year one .So what do you mean by saving your money at homeMarcus **********
@Paul ************
Seems you want a marriage visa which has different requirements than a retirement visa discussed here so far. Afaiu marriage visa capital deposit is b400k.Anna *********
800k for the first extension and then if you deposit
So the answer is either but with different requirements
*****
per month every month for the 12 months you can change to that method So the answer is either but with different requirements
John **********
@Anna ********
Yes, now this only wayAnna *********
@John *********
it’s been like this for a while now
Francois ********
98% unlikely u can open a bank act IF u arrive on a tourist visa ,
Then u need funds to be seasoned for 3-4 months etc…
Then u need funds to be seasoned for 3-4 months etc…
Graham ******
@Francois *******
only with Bangkok BankFrancois ********
Best and easiest
Contact an agency
Thai Visa Centre
They DO ALL documents etc.
For you
Contact an agency
Thai Visa Centre
They DO ALL documents etc.
For you
Randy *******
@Francois *******
I totally agree. That’s what I’m doing. I’m using a Visa agent. There’s no way I could’ve figured it out without them.Mary ******
I'd like to open a Thai bank account and deposit the 800,000 THB so it can "season". I would like to fo this prior to entering Thailand on tourist visa. Is this possible?
Mike ********
@Mary *****
you might want to get a non o 90 day visa while in your home country first. When you arrive open a bank account and deposit the 800k
Thomas *******
@Mary *****
I did a 90 day non-o visa even though I was only staying 1 month for the express reason of opening a bank account. Got the bank account in November and now I'm back on the 90 day non-o that will take me into my first extension. Takes some of the pressure off on getting it right away and getting that money marinating in time for your extension.Randy *******
@Mary *****
you will need to get the non-tourist visa before you come to Thailand. That’s  how I understand it since I’m already in Thailand I have to go to a different country to get my non-tourist visa and then open a bank account. I’m doing that next week.Anna *********
@Mary *****
simple answer is no as you have to be in Thailand on a non tourist visa to open a bank accountMary ******
@Anna ********
Thank you
Stuart ***********
@Mary *****
not possible, it must be in a Thai bank. It's even getting difficult to open an account inside Thailand with a long term visa.Mary ******
@Stuart **********
thank you
Stuart *********
Getting a visa from the consulate can be either. Getting a Non O visa or the first year extension in Thailand has to be 800k in a Thai bank.
Daniel ************
@Stuart ********
so they dont accept the pension *****
thb anymore for the yearly extension?Randy *******
@Daniel ***********
you can use that after the first year per my agentStuart ***********
@Daniel ***********
you need the 800,000 for the first extension and for the second extension you need proof of 12 monthly deposits of at least 65,000 baht.
Peter *********
@Daniel ***********
after 1 year you can do the 65k monthly but 1st year must be the 800k in bank
Erik ***********
@Brandon ***********
luckily we are not all US citizens, there are still a lot of nationalities who can receive their first extension based on the monthly income/pension, right? Update: sorry, didn’t see your answer above,
Brandon ************
@Daniel ***********
Correct, but more and more embassies are ceasing that service.Daniel ************
@Brandon ***********
so other countries where the embassy issue these papers , can do it - right?Peter *********
Brandon ************
@Daniel ***********
Yes for every immigration. The ONLY things accepted for the first annual extension is 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account or embassy certified income. The US embassy does not do this for many years, therefore the ONLY option is 800,000 baht.Daniel ************
@Peter ********
is that for every immigration office?Activity
28 joined28
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