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What are the requirements for a retirement visa (Non-O) in Thailand regarding income verification?
O retirement visaThai immigration rulesvisa requirementsUS Social Securityproof of incomeThai bank accountfinancial requirements for retirement visaNon-O visaexpat life in Thailandretirement in Thailand
Apr 29, 2026
a day ago
Sailor******
ORIGINAL POSTERA newbie here..I’d like clarification on “O” retirement visa, please.
I have SS verification letter showing above the required monthly income.
I’d rather not put 800,000 baht ($25k US) into a Thai bank. Website shows I need ONE or another but I’ve seen contrary comments here.
I’ve done research and starting to read all posts…can’t find a definitive answer 🤷🏻♀️ Anyone know the real skinny??? Thanks much!!
I have SS verification letter showing above the required monthly income.
I’d rather not put 800,000 baht ($25k US) into a Thai bank. Website shows I need ONE or another but I’ve seen contrary comments here.
I’ve done research and starting to read all posts…can’t find a definitive answer 🤷🏻♀️ Anyone know the real skinny??? Thanks much!!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The O retirement visa in Thailand has specific financial requirements that can be confusing for newcomers. To qualify, applicants can either show proof of THB 800,000 in a Thai bank account or demonstrate a monthly income of at least THB 65,000 (with a US Embassy letter for income verification, though this service is no longer guaranteed by many embassies). The funds in the Thai bank must be held for at least 60 days before applying for the visa. Some discuss alternatives such as the Non-OA visa which allows for different financial requirements, but it also involves maintaining health insurance and may not eliminate the need for the initial deposit. Different opinions exist about the necessity and practicality of the THB 800,000 requirement versus proving income through bank transfers.
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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Bill *********
What's the problem with B800k into a Thai bank? I did it with no concerns and hundreds of other people have done it as well. Makes life much easier living here as a useful tool for paying all sorts of my routine expenses.
Alan **********
@Bill ********
Would you not agree that a huge part of the allure of Thailand for many expats is the considerably lower cost of living ?Would you agree there are many potential ex-pats who have a regular income of 65K Baht, or considerably more than that, but do not have the $25K USD cash to park in a Thai bank ?
Reply to
Alan **********
Reply
Irina ******
You have several options:
THB 800,000 in your bank account
(In practice — for the full 365 days per year. After 90 days, the balance can be reduced to THB 400,000, and then 90 days before the visa renewal it must be brought back to THB 800,000. However, there is little point in reducing it — if you miscalculate the dates, your visa may not be renewed.)
This is a good option: you will always have a financial buffer for emergencies.
Or
Monthly transfers to your Thai bank account from abroad
THB 65,000 or more per month, plus a letter from your Embassy in Thailand confirming that your pension is at that level.
(The Embassy of our country issues such letters — we used this option for several years, and it works perfectly.)
Or
Using local visa assistance services
You can apply through local agents and extend your visa for about THB 15,000 per year (only your passport and the service fee are required).
THB 800,000 in your bank account
(In practice — for the full 365 days per year. After 90 days, the balance can be reduced to THB 400,000, and then 90 days before the visa renewal it must be brought back to THB 800,000. However, there is little point in reducing it — if you miscalculate the dates, your visa may not be renewed.)
This is a good option: you will always have a financial buffer for emergencies.
Or
Monthly transfers to your Thai bank account from abroad
THB 65,000 or more per month, plus a letter from your Embassy in Thailand confirming that your pension is at that level.
(The Embassy of our country issues such letters — we used this option for several years, and it works perfectly.)
Or
Using local visa assistance services
You can apply through local agents and extend your visa for about THB 15,000 per year (only your passport and the service fee are required).
John ********
You will pay any way.
Jan ************
Take a agent
Kenneth ************
Is it necessary to file a TM30 after arrival into Thailand with a Non-0 90 day based on retirement ?
Alan **********
Dca Dca May I ask for the links to both documents you posted ?
TIA
TIA
Dca *****
Alan Rothwell 1.) U.S. Embassy stops income Affidavits >
>
2.) Requirements for a Non–O over 50 ( 'Retirement' )
>
3.) Thai Consular Jurisdiction in the USA
>
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********
/10/FINAL-FAQs-v3.pdf >
********************************************
2.) Requirements for a Non–O over 50 ( 'Retirement' )
>
******************************************************
3.) Thai Consular Jurisdiction in the USA
>
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Reply to
Dca *****
Reply
ScenicQu********
No thai bank account, no visa. Plain and simple.
Emerald********
Same as every answer every day
Alan **********
EmeraldWolf7059 Same "nickname" every day ?
Emerald********
Alan Rothwell why are you worried ? Give the lazy op his answer or direct him to read the same thing everyday or stfu.
Isn’t it time to play your lonely video games ?
Isn’t it time to play your lonely video games ?
Reply to
Emerald********
Reply
James ********
I was told #4 is virtually impossible. Requires a letter from the US Embassy which they no longer will do. Just got mine. Now just have to survive a home visit from immigration 👍
Alan **********
James Harris May I ask where you got this ? Web page ? Response from a Thai source to an inquiry ?
James ********
Edit - From the agency service i used. I remembered incorrectly 😆 I'm old and I know it.🤣
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Nick **********
James Harris Had only 1 home visit from immigration in 15 years. They were very polite and just wanted a few pictures.
James ********
Nick Reynolds Thanks for the info. I hope mine goes as well.👍
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Graham ******
James Harris The Embassy income affidavit and 12 consecutive months of 65k international transfers are two different ways of meeting requirement 4) but the 65k bank transfers cannot be used for used for the first extension.
James ********
Graham Seal - I appreciate the feedback. Thanks for the clarification 😊
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Brandon ************
@James *******
You can use that for the 2nd annual extension by showing your Thai bank statement with 12 monthly international transfers of 65,000 baht, but you cannot use that for the first extension.James ********
@Brandon ***********
- I appreciate the feedback. Thanks for the clarification 😊Reply to
James ********
Reply
Greg ***********
If the 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account make sense or not, that's for you to decide. However, you should hesitate briefly and give it a second thought.
Some people actually love having a parking ticket for Thailand for as cheap as 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account, a parking ticket for a country where everything costs less than half compared to prices you pay in your home country.
To moan that a mere 800,000 THB deposit creates zero interest, that's the typical wailing of the "cheap charlies".
The benefit of living in low price-Thailand is actually a much higher sum of money than those alleged losses of interest you lose because those 800,000 THB would allegedly earn in a fixed account in your country. The quintessence of such a comparison is ridiculous and laughable.
There’s people who claim that paying an agent to get around the financial proof rules costs less than the loss of interest. However, you should always consider that this route is not kosher, and you will be caught up in the agent’s hamster wheel
Some people actually love having a parking ticket for Thailand for as cheap as 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account, a parking ticket for a country where everything costs less than half compared to prices you pay in your home country.
To moan that a mere 800,000 THB deposit creates zero interest, that's the typical wailing of the "cheap charlies".
The benefit of living in low price-Thailand is actually a much higher sum of money than those alleged losses of interest you lose because those 800,000 THB would allegedly earn in a fixed account in your country. The quintessence of such a comparison is ridiculous and laughable.
There’s people who claim that paying an agent to get around the financial proof rules costs less than the loss of interest. However, you should always consider that this route is not kosher, and you will be caught up in the agent’s hamster wheel
Lee **********
Greg Alexander typically muppet answer obviously flash harry dick that has ruined it for people visiting here for decades !!! ohh and l think you will find many products arnt cheap ie eating in western owned places, simple things like eggs, milk , pork !! even fruit or yogurt , basic pop certainly still more expensive than the uk or same after over our 100% 200% on goods mark up in last 18 months
Greg ***********
Lee Harrison Your flimsy calculation makes absolutely no sense. Actually most amenities in Thailand are less than a THIRD. . . . . I do not eat often in western restaurants, I cook mostly at home, using fresh market produce, the rent of a 100 square meter village house with carport and small garden is 7000 Baht a month (200 U.S. Dollar !), electricity and water is dirt cheap, trashbin service is for free, fruits are less than a third of the price in my home country. A WHOLE fried chicken with sticky rice and a sweet-sour dip is 120-140 Baht. If I need work to be done on our farmhouse, a one-hour wage of a construction worker, painter, electrician, carpenter or barber & hairdresser is 2.oo (!!) U.S. Dollar compared to one-hour wages of 35.oo USD I would pay for such services in my home country. 35 compared to 2. Your calculations are ridiculous. Completely laughable. We have two cars and 4 motorcycles. We live very comfortably and I feel like a king on monthly 2200 USD - they grant more than double a purchasing power than they would elsewhere
Alan **********
Greg Alexander $25K USD is a big chunk of cash to some/many/most retirees wanting to live in Thailand.
After all, as you yourself point out, a huge part, sometimes the only reason, of the allure of Thailand is living at HALF the price, or better, than a U.S. citizen can at home.
So if they can provide proof of stable, forever monthly income, why do you suppose they are disqualified by the onerous required 800K "deposit" ?
TIA
After all, as you yourself point out, a huge part, sometimes the only reason, of the allure of Thailand is living at HALF the price, or better, than a U.S. citizen can at home.
So if they can provide proof of stable, forever monthly income, why do you suppose they are disqualified by the onerous required 800K "deposit" ?
TIA
Greg ***********
Alan Rothwell and Lee Harrison . . . . . you could not be more wrong . . . . . . The PURCHASING POWER of your DOLLARS or EUROS in Thailand
The PURCHASING POWER of your currency is more than TWICE as high in Thailand as in Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand
Anyone who plans to live on expensive imported items such as French wines, imported sausages, Swiss cheeses, Australian beef steaks, New Zealand lamb fillets and Alaskan wild salmon has not really arrived in Thailand.
The prices for such luxury imported goods should not be used for a comparison.
A typical shopping basket in THAILAND compared to one in your country, in approximate percentages:
*** a TV set, a notebook, most electrical items: rather one to one - same price
*** Cars and motorcycles made or assembled in Thailand: cheaper!
Only imported brands are almost twice as expensive in Thailand as in your country
*** clothing & shoes: cheaper, but it depends on the quality and brand
*** Rentals in Thailand are much lower: 25% to 30%
*** ELECTRICITY: 30%-35% of the price per Kilowatt in your country (compared not the the USA but to an European country)
*** municipal WATER fees: something like 10% to 15%
*** FISH and other seafood: 35% to 40%
*** PORK and CHICKEN: 35% to 40%
*** VEGETABLES: 35% to 40%
*** FRUITS: 30% local fruits. Imported fruits, however, cost about the same than in your home country
*** cost of one hour of labour: 3-5% (!!) Just imagine
*** a scooter: 40% to 50%
***GASOLINE and DIESEL: it depends. If you are from Europe, you find the Thai price real charming
*** dining out in a restaurant : 30% to 40%
Beer and all alcoholic beverages in general do not belong in a typical shopping basket for comparison!
*** Non-alcoholic beverages: 35-40%
*** BAKED PRODUCTS: 30% to 35% "farang bakers baking bread products = same price
*** EGGS: 25-40%
This means: Anyone who can spend 1500 Euros or Dollars in Thailand, can enjoy a living standard as if he/she had 3000.- Dollars or Euros at home
Of course, always assuming that you have done your homework. Most initial investments need to be secured:
***health insurance
*** furnishing
*** means of transport
*** costs for obtaining the stay permit (some require a deposit in the bank)
If you need imported foods - go ahead but don't complain about high prices.
I avoid imported foods - as I can find everything on local markets for less than half the price I would have to pay in my home country. Fish, poultry and pork is cheap, and vegetables cost less than half.
Rentals are less than half, diesel & gasoline is less than half from the price in Europe, clothes and shoes are cheap.
Restaurant meals cost only a third of what I would have to pay in my home country. . .
It depends on your lifestyle if you think Thailand is expensive.
I don't need any Swiss cheese. I don't need Australian steaks. I don't need French wines. I don't need imported stuff.
You are comparing a cheap Honda to a Rolls Royce. My typical shopping bag does not contain any imported foods
The PURCHASING POWER of your currency is more than TWICE as high in Thailand as in Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand
Anyone who plans to live on expensive imported items such as French wines, imported sausages, Swiss cheeses, Australian beef steaks, New Zealand lamb fillets and Alaskan wild salmon has not really arrived in Thailand.
The prices for such luxury imported goods should not be used for a comparison.
A typical shopping basket in THAILAND compared to one in your country, in approximate percentages:
*** a TV set, a notebook, most electrical items: rather one to one - same price
*** Cars and motorcycles made or assembled in Thailand: cheaper!
Only imported brands are almost twice as expensive in Thailand as in your country
*** clothing & shoes: cheaper, but it depends on the quality and brand
*** Rentals in Thailand are much lower: 25% to 30%
*** ELECTRICITY: 30%-35% of the price per Kilowatt in your country (compared not the the USA but to an European country)
*** municipal WATER fees: something like 10% to 15%
*** FISH and other seafood: 35% to 40%
*** PORK and CHICKEN: 35% to 40%
*** VEGETABLES: 35% to 40%
*** FRUITS: 30% local fruits. Imported fruits, however, cost about the same than in your home country
*** cost of one hour of labour: 3-5% (!!) Just imagine
*** a scooter: 40% to 50%
***GASOLINE and DIESEL: it depends. If you are from Europe, you find the Thai price real charming
*** dining out in a restaurant : 30% to 40%
Beer and all alcoholic beverages in general do not belong in a typical shopping basket for comparison!
*** Non-alcoholic beverages: 35-40%
*** BAKED PRODUCTS: 30% to 35% "farang bakers baking bread products = same price
*** EGGS: 25-40%
This means: Anyone who can spend 1500 Euros or Dollars in Thailand, can enjoy a living standard as if he/she had 3000.- Dollars or Euros at home
Of course, always assuming that you have done your homework. Most initial investments need to be secured:
***health insurance
*** furnishing
*** means of transport
*** costs for obtaining the stay permit (some require a deposit in the bank)
If you need imported foods - go ahead but don't complain about high prices.
I avoid imported foods - as I can find everything on local markets for less than half the price I would have to pay in my home country. Fish, poultry and pork is cheap, and vegetables cost less than half.
Rentals are less than half, diesel & gasoline is less than half from the price in Europe, clothes and shoes are cheap.
Restaurant meals cost only a third of what I would have to pay in my home country. . .
It depends on your lifestyle if you think Thailand is expensive.
I don't need any Swiss cheese. I don't need Australian steaks. I don't need French wines. I don't need imported stuff.
You are comparing a cheap Honda to a Rolls Royce. My typical shopping bag does not contain any imported foods
Reply to
Greg ***********
Reply
John ********
It’s all relative. Greg is obviously reasonably set up and thinks of it differently.
If you’re looking at the price of milk, eggs and fruit then I can understand why you need to be more careful.
If you’re looking at the price of milk, eggs and fruit then I can understand why you need to be more careful.
Reply to
John ********
Reply
Yo***
Greg Alexander people like you always think so. 800K Thb in the thai bank is not a parking ticket that makes you eligible to live in Thailand. Thailand reject or cancel any foreigners permit or visa at any time regardless of 800K thb. And this 800K Thb is a secure deposit for Thailand like secure deposit for rent. If a foreigner, does not pay bills or any thing, or damaged something or someone, or broke the rules in thailand, Thailand will forfeit that money. So 800K thb is not a parking ticket but secure deposit for Thailand. Some without putting 800K Thb just do not want to be tied up with this, rather free from everything in Thailand. If anything goes wrong in Thailand, who knows? they can easily exit without worrying about 800K secure deposit. But if you think 800K is a parking ticket in Thailand, you can think so. no problem. But, there are some people who just do not want to be tied up with Thailand. We are foreigners in Thailand. No one can guarantee our legal stay in Thailand. At any time, Thailand can kick foreigners out for no reason. This is only fact I know. So, just good luck and better to have exit plan too.
Greg ***********
Young these 800,000 THB in my SCB account are my "parking ticket" and the EASY guarantee - since 17 years - for ensuring I get my annual 1-year extension of the stay permit issued. And they remain MY MONEY all the time
Yo***
Greg Alexander I am not against it. That is good for you. But, that 800K THB can not guarantee your stay in Thailand as you want. Actually nothing can guarantee it. That is my point here. 800K THB is a secure deposit for Thailand, not for you. like the rental secure deposit that landlords keep as long as you are tenant and do not damage or break rules. Again, 800K THB is not a guarantee for your stay in Thailand. You can not decide this. But only Thailand can decide this. Your thought or experience or opinion do not play a role at all in this matter. Anyway, good luck to you for further extension.
Reply to
Yo***
Reply
John **********
If you seriously don't want to put money in a Thai bank then look at getting a Non-OA visa, a 12 month visa which you can only get in your home country and using funds in your home country. It does require insurance, police checks etc though
Phil ********
@John *********
But you will still need 800k in a bank account or 65k/month international transfer to extend it. And the health insurance requirements as you mentioned every year.John **********
@Phil *******
sure, but you can actually get close to 2 years out of a Non-OA visa as long as you have insurance for the period, and then return to your home country and start overReply to
John **********
Reply
Mark *********
Or hire an agent
Mark *********
Who would not want to put zero dollars into a non-interest bearing account? If our government would verify your pension, then you would be eligible to have zero dollars in a non-interest-bearing account. However, our government does not verify pension income, so you must put the ฿800,000 into a non-interest bearing account. Once you have done so and been granted your non-o, you may then put ฿65,000 per month every month following specific guidelines put out by Thailand immigration and once that ฿65,000 per month method is accepted you may remove the ฿800,000 from the non-interest bearing account. It is at least a two year process for an American. Good luck!
Kenneth ************
Mark Schultz THIS ADVICE SOUNDS SPOT ON
Angelo ***********
Mark Schultz bank accounts give interest. And you always could put it into a savings account, that gives more interest.
Reply to
Angelo ***********
Reply
Dave *********
What Brandon said. But you only need to put that lump sum aside for the first extension.
Once that gets approved you can start your monthly international transfers so that when it comes time for your second (and subsequent) extensions you show your bank statement with 12 months of international transfers for the monthly income method.
Once that gets approved you can start your monthly international transfers so that when it comes time for your second (and subsequent) extensions you show your bank statement with 12 months of international transfers for the monthly income method.
Kenneth ************
Dave Montore SOUNDS GOOD
Reply to
Kenneth ************
Reply
Brandon ************
To get the initial 90-day non-O visa from a Thai embassy, a SS verification letter should be fine.
But that is useless once you arrive in Thailand. Immigration in Thailand only accept TWO things for proof of funds for the first annual extension.
1) Embassy verified income (most embassies no longer do this)
2) Proof of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account
The US embassy does not do income verification, which leaves you with only one option for the first annual extension, and that is proof of 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account.
But that is useless once you arrive in Thailand. Immigration in Thailand only accept TWO things for proof of funds for the first annual extension.
1) Embassy verified income (most embassies no longer do this)
2) Proof of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account
The US embassy does not do income verification, which leaves you with only one option for the first annual extension, and that is proof of 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account.
Alan **********
@Brandon ***********
I guess the thing I can't quite wrap my head around, and don't understand about all of this is that many(?) ex-pat retirees do not have $25,000USD CASH readily available to park for a year+, but DO have twice the 65K Baht per month income, life-time reliability, as in US Social Security.So this person could easily afford to live, rather comfortably, actually, most anywhere in Thailand.
But, without the $25K USD, they can't get in ? Seems a bit unusual, even for Thailand, don't you think ?
Any idea, from a Thai pov, why this would be ?
TIA
Brandon ************
@Alan *********
Rules in Thailand don't have to make sense. They are just the rules. Immigration has interpreted it as if you want to use monthly transfers into your bank account for proof of income, then they need to see 12 of those transfers BEFORE they will let you use that as proof of income. And those transfers must have been done while you were already on a non-immigrant status.The requirement to show proof of transfers for a year makes sense. It's very easy to create a fake bank statement from home, or a fake pension statement from home. Takes all of 5 minutes. But you can't fake a statement directly from a Thai bank that was issued and stamped by the bank teller. Why it requires those transfers to be done while on non-immigrant status doesn't make much sense though.
Alan **********
@Brandon ***********
Yeah, I get all that, but if the requirement to GET the visa allows showing bank statements for a year, I guess it's a little surprising that to get the retirement "permission to stay", it's not good enough.I mean, it's not like they can't find you and ask you to leave if the deposits don't start (and continue) coming into one's Thai bank account regularly.
I suppose at some point, governments' computers will eventually "connect", or otherwise make such info "official".
Thailand's come a fair way since I started going.
Reply to
Alan **********
Reply
MJ *********
@Brandon ***********
wuts the process to get the money back when/if u decide to move to another countryAngelo ***********
MJ Spicoli You transfer it to the other bank ... silly.
John **********
@MJ ********
it's in your bank account, you can withdraw it if you don't care about not getting your next extension.MJ *********
@John *********
I’m moving there in 30 days the guy I’m renting from is also from the US & said he would help me with everything. Any tips or advice is always appreciatedJim *********
MJ Spicoli you need to have a non immigrant O or OA visa to open a bank account, along with a resident certificate from your local immigration office. If you are entering on a 90 day O, you need to get your ฿800,000 into your bank account ASAP as it needs to be in your account for 60 days before you can apply for a one year extension. While you are at immigration getting your resisdent certificate, pick up the paperwork and checklist for your one year extension.
Reply to
Jim *********
Reply
Jim *********
MJ Spicoli with an internationalal fund transfer in the banking app or online. Or an ATM card. Mine is Mastercard branded.
Reply to
Jim *********
Reply
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