What are the income requirements and options for obtaining a non-O visa in Thailand for retirement?

Nov 19, 2023
a year ago
Henry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi. I have a question concerning the income requirement for non-O visa. I meet the age (73) and retirement income (though not by much, 75,000 bht/mo), and can provide bank statements for years showing deposits. I would like to keep my paid for house in case of any later health issues (none now). My question: if I transfer 65,000 bht /mo to Thailand, can I make regular transfers back to US, for upkeep of the house, being watched by family? I plan to live on less than $65,000 bht/mo, would like to actually save a little if possible
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the income requirements for the non-O visa in Thailand, particularly for a 73-year-old retiree. Key points include the need for 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for the initial visa application, as U.S. embassy certified income is no longer available. Additional concerns were raised about transferring money back to the U.S. for property upkeep, the OA visa as an alternative without a transfer requirement, and the implications of new tax laws on remitted income. Health insurance requirements for seniors were also discussed, with suggestions for companies that provide coverage.
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.
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Michael ********
This is not much? Lol My grandma has 20kthb
Mike ********
Come on a tourist visa and immediately hire a proven reliable Thai visa agent. They will get you through the process under the scenario you describe.
Henry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Luckily, at present, I have no health issues or preexisting conditions, diabetes, heart issues etc. I think I saw a video awhile ago that said there was a company in Thailand that could start insurance until age 75, and you could continue your coverage beyond that age once enrolled.
Henry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I would need health insurance if course, but the requirement is for $100,000 US which a lot of coverage in Thailand, as I understand it. I perhaps assumed that you could get by with less coverage with the non-O (which I can't manage with the 800,000 bht deposit requirement). I'll try to see if I can find info, maybe there's YouTube videos or something
Ken ******
@Henry *******
pls note most pre existing condition and relateD illness arising from are excluded from insurance protection. so it is doubtful if mandatory health insurance helps the insured
Henry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The non-OA visa has the insurance requirement, I imagine that might be super expensive if they would even insure me at 73. Anyone know a good company to check about availability and cost? Or personal experience?
Steve ********
@Henry *******
Contact Robert Jackson
Ken ******
there could be some complication with the new thai worldwide tax law, especially with remitted income. You can google search some info on that
Brandon ************
@Ken *****
there is no information because nothing has been published yet
Ken ******
@Brandon ***********
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Brandon ************
@Ken *****
the government hasn't published any rules yet so anything anyone is writing means literally nothing
Steve ********
You can get the OA visa in your home country and there is no requirement to transfer any money to Thailand (you just transfer what you need to live on). The OA visa can give you two years in Thailand with just one border bounce at the end of the first year.
Henry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm assuming a 73 year old can't get a education visa even with Thai class enrollment
Jamie ******
@Henry *******
like immigration officers you need to go to the school and ask then directly ,,age doesn’t restrict you getting an education Visa but in some parts of Thailand it does..
Henry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've learned to read Thai and be able to discern the correct tone in only 2 months. It's great to help memorize the sound meaning, and once you learn the vowel symbols it's very phonetic. Maybe I'll try to research about requirements and age limits for a learn Thai visa, I think you can stay up to 18 months, and the schools are not super expensive
John ***********
@Henry *******
I am 70, speak some thai, and was thinking an ed visa a cheap way to stay in the country, a good way to learn to read Thai, not just speak it and also helps structure your days. I would be very disappointed if there is an age limit.
Joe *********
@John **********
over 50 cannot get educaton visa
Gray ******
@Joe ********
There is no age limit for ED visa.
Henry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks, guess I'll try to regularly visit I guess. Want to learn to speak Thai, I'm fascinated by it. Do you happen to know if I'm correct in thinking that even with multiple tourist visas , you can't exceed 180 days in a year?
Todd *********
@Henry *******
there is no 180 day rule enforced
Brandon ************
@Henry *******
there is no 180 days in a year rule. All entries are at the discretion of the immigration officer you are standing in front of and they will make the call if they believe you are abusing short term stays to try and live in Thailand.
Henry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I see. Okay, thanks again
Brandon ************
What you do with the money isn't really important, but what you should be more concerned about is the fact that as an American you cannot use the income method for your initial 90 day non-O visa, or for your first 1 year extension. The ONLY way to use income for both of those is with embassy certified income, and the US embassy has not offered that for many years. That means the only way you can do it is with 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account in your name only for the initial 90 day visa the initial 1 year extension. You would need 800,000 baht in the bank for at a minimum of 5-7 months and then it could not drop below 400,000 for the rest of the year while you've been making the 65,000 baht transfers for the entire year to use as proof of income for your year 2 extension.
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