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What are the financial requirements for a retirement visa or Non-O visa in Thailand if I want to live in Korat?
Retirement VisaNon-O VisaImmigrationVisa RequirementsFinancial RequirementsThailandExpats in ThailandKoratBank AccountIncome ProofAgent Services
Jan 19, 2025
a year ago
Liam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERHello, I want to retire in Thailand in the korat area at the end of this year, looking at the financial requirements for a retirement visa or I believe the other option is a non o visa for a year and then extend it for another year and in that time deposit 65,000 or more into a Thai bank account, would this work or do I have to stump up the 800,000 , no intention of getting married at the moment, have friends in Korat who have married and built their own houses, love the area and the friendly people
I don’t know whether to go and use an agent to simplify the process and I’m not sure if this is hundred percent legal, is there any comeback on using an agent, Thai government websites say that if you can prove from your pension provider that you have over 65,000 baht per month paid into a Thai bank account then this negate the need for the 800,000, I’m not sure what to believe because my friends are telling me that no bank or pension provider in the UK will certify this, confused
I don’t know whether to go and use an agent to simplify the process and I’m not sure if this is hundred percent legal, is there any comeback on using an agent, Thai government websites say that if you can prove from your pension provider that you have over 65,000 baht per month paid into a Thai bank account then this negate the need for the 800,000, I’m not sure what to believe because my friends are telling me that no bank or pension provider in the UK will certify this, confused
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the process of retiring in Thailand, particularly in the Korat area, focusing on the financial requirements for a retirement visa or a Non-O visa. The user is uncertain about whether they need to have 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account or if they can prove a monthly income of 65,000 Baht. Comments clarify that conflicting information exists, especially for UK citizens, who cannot obtain an income affidavit from their embassy, leaving them with the bank balance option. Services of a visa agent are suggested to navigate these requirements, as the process may vary by immigration office.
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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Liam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERJust got this from a korat friend
Andrew ********
Go to the relevant immigration office and do as they say.
It varies!
It varies!
Tim *********
Get a friend in Korat to visit the Immigration Office and pick up the handout for Non-Imm O visa extention. You can apply for the visa online via the embassy in your country. It will initially be for 90 days. When you arrive, that will allow you time to open a bank account and 'season' 800,000 for 2 months, if that's the route you take.
There is an alternative route of showing you have 65,000 baht per month income. But the way you prove that differs from one IO office to another, hence the value of getting the handout from the office covering where you will live. Warning: Many IOs require a statement from your embassy in Thailand confirming your income. Many embassies will not provide this service, including the US and UK embassies, so this method is denied to you. Your remaining options are 800,000, as above, or use an agent to sort it all for you
There is an alternative route of showing you have 65,000 baht per month income. But the way you prove that differs from one IO office to another, hence the value of getting the handout from the office covering where you will live. Warning: Many IOs require a statement from your embassy in Thailand confirming your income. Many embassies will not provide this service, including the US and UK embassies, so this method is denied to you. Your remaining options are 800,000, as above, or use an agent to sort it all for you
Liam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tim ********
thank you for that ,very straightforward, it looks like I will have to go the 800,000 baht routeTim *********
@Liam **********
Good luck, I know you'll love living here 👍Reply to
Tim *********
Reply
Chuck **********
Thai national site! I’ve been here 27 years now, I guess I know a little about the system. Some people are too lazy to read the site!
Rod *********
@Chuck *********
and some are to lazy to help right. ?Chuck **********
@Rod ********
no wonder, see where your from! Probably newsome neighbor!Rod *********
@Chuck *********
thankyouReply to
Rod *********
Reply
Chuck **********
@Rod ********
there is information on Thai go.com up to date!Reply to
Chuck **********
Reply
Pierre ********
Same for me
Henrik *****
Have you ever stayed for months in Thailand ?
if not you should make a several month long testrun, before burning bridges to you homecountry.
Everyday life may be very different from holiday life.
if not you should make a several month long testrun, before burning bridges to you homecountry.
Everyday life may be very different from holiday life.
Liam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henrik ****
i’ve done a couple of three months stints in the last few years but now the time is right, I will regret it if I don’t tryLuit *****************
@Henrik ****
I agree, testing first, but even a few months will not give the same experience.For a few months it is unlikely to have the accomodation you want.
Just keep the possibility open to go back, unless you are absolutely sure.
Todd *********
@Henrik ****
no bridges ever need to be burned. It's quite easy. Just move and get a dependable agent like @THAI *****************************
to facilitate EVERYTHING if you don't want to go thru the whole aggravation of DIY process. Which is cheap and any fool can do it. But an annoying waste of timeHenrik *****
Some people start selling house and everything before moving, and if they have only been on short holidays, they may experience everyday life is quite different.
Todd *********
@Henrik ****
That’s true. And other people have less fear, better decision making ability, and innate ability to follow through on their convictions. Others spend years wavering on the fence. Suffice to say, retirement in Thailand is generally a dramatic improvement on retirement in the home countryReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Steve *******
The Non Imm O visa based on being 50 or over IS the 'retirement visa'. This is the best option if you have 800k Baht or
*****
Baht monthly income for the yearly extensionsTerry ********
@Steve ******
technically, there is no such thing as a retirement visa. You can get a 1 year extension of the Non-O visa (which is valid for 90 days) for the purpose of retirement.Steve *******
@Terry *******
I think you need to read my post again. That's exactly what I said.Terry ********
@Steve ******
no, it isn’t. You should read your own post again. The Non-O visa is not a “retirement visa”. It can have many different types of extensions.Reply to
Terry ********
Reply
Matthew *********
@Terry *******
than why is passport actually stamp with words retirement visa. Do you need a picTerry ********
@Matthew ********
if you have one, sure.Matthew *********
Oh look it says non o retirement.
Reply to
Matthew *********
Reply
Pygo ********
@Steve ******
yep, and if you find a 'tame' immigration officer (there are plenty running this scam) you don't need the 800k yourself...Liam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pygo *******
apparently this has been going on for years and nothing’s been said as far as I can see on any website or forums about it ever been stopped, I think the Mire is too deep, also it’s something that happens and is not hidden so all immigration officials and their superiors and even further up must know what’s happeningMatthew *********
@Liam **********
I read recently of you apply for the elite visa l, the government has a list of approve agent's. So agency are never going away. I did mine recently with agent and at the immigration desk that was for agency only. There was a stack of applicant so thick with each one with a lot of money paper clipped to each application. Immigration realize they make a shit load more than the stand 1900 baht fee.Reply to
Matthew *********
Reply
Steve *******
@Pygo *******
Then your visa/extention of stay will be fraudulently obtained. If the sh*t hits the fan you'll be the one covered in it not the Immigration OfficerReply to
Steve *******
Reply
Chuck **********
Look at the website
Todd *********
@Chuck *********
lol, here we have it, the stupid must always come out. Good work Chuck. Thanks Stuart for offering the smart response.Chuck **********
@Todd ********
no wonder, a stupid Canuck!Chuck **********
@Todd ********
your a idiot!Todd *********
@Chuck *********
lol. Check the you absolute sack of hammers 😂😂😂Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Stuart *********
@Chuck *********
What website would that be? Thai embassy websites are notoriously bad in information that they give out as they are operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (who run the embassy and sell visas), but it’s immigration who set the policy for getting in country visas or extensions. Probably better to ask a FB group who specialise in visa situations and are up to date with current policies.Liam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
that’s exactly why I’ve asking the initial question before doing whatever I have to do, at least I’ve got some idea now thanks to all these answersReply to
Liam ***********
Reply
Stuart *********
Conflicting information all over the web about this as it entirely depends on your nationality as to whether you can use an affidavit of income (issued by your embassy) or have to use banked money or monthly transfers.
The UK embassy won’t issue that affidavit so you’re stuck with the banked money option.
For the initial Non O visa (90 days) and the first year extension from that your only option is 800k in a Thai bank. Some offices will want to see that it was an international transfer for the initial Non O (if applying in country).
For the second year you could switch to the 12x monthly international transfer of 65k or more per month method. Works for some but can be a real PITA for others if they use a service like Wise to send money over.
The UK embassy won’t issue that affidavit so you’re stuck with the banked money option.
For the initial Non O visa (90 days) and the first year extension from that your only option is 800k in a Thai bank. Some offices will want to see that it was an international transfer for the initial Non O (if applying in country).
For the second year you could switch to the 12x monthly international transfer of 65k or more per month method. Works for some but can be a real PITA for others if they use a service like Wise to send money over.
Liam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
thanks will now be pointing in the right direction,less confusionLiam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
I am from uk thanksGood information, this is what I’ve been told on previous conversations with my friends but I will ask my personal pension provider if they can enlighten me on this and why this is a problem
Liam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
I live in the UK but have an Irish passportJohn **********
@Liam **********
it's the passport that counts not where you currently live. And you're in luck as the Irish embassy provides income verification letters. You can read up about it on their website ******************************************************************************
Reply to
John **********
Reply
Stuart *********
@Liam **********
Not everyone in the UK has a UK passport I assumed he had one too based on the wording but without knowing if that’s the case it’s just not possible to be presise.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Wayne ********
@Stuart ********
since he mentioned that no provider in the UK would provide a income certificate. I would assume he’s coming from the UK.Henrik *****
To be able to switch to monthly transfers year 2, you should make transfers of at least 65.000 Baht every month in year 1
Be prepared that it may be very difficult to get a Thai bankaccount, if you haven't stayed in Thailand for a longer period, even when depositing 800.000 Baht.
Be prepared that it may be very difficult to get a Thai bankaccount, if you haven't stayed in Thailand for a longer period, even when depositing 800.000 Baht.
Pygo ********
@Stuart ********
just use an agent, they bypass the corrupt immigration service by charging you for their corrupt 'handling' of the Thai scams...Stuart *********
@Pygo *******
That’s an option. For the first “year” they normally charge around 35-40k for the Non O plus the 12 month extension (so 15 months) and then around 20k for yearly after that. Some prefer to pay 1,900 baht and DIY.
Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Paul **********
If unsure use an agent. 800k in a Thai bank or 65k monthly that must be evidenced coming into the Kingdom.
Getting a Thai bank account will be your first challenge but an agent will get it sorted.
Getting a Thai bank account will be your first challenge but an agent will get it sorted.
Liam ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul *********
thank youLuit *****************
@Paul *******
getting a Thsi bankaccount is not a real challenge as you follow the procedure as intended.Get the non-o in your home country, then travel to Thailand, and arrange the bank account in the 3 months the visa will give you.
Arrange the funds or if you country has possibility, get the affidavit. Then apply for 1 year extension at immigration in Thailand.
Reply to
Luit *****************
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