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What are the requirements for maintaining a retirement extension visa in Thailand concerning bank balance and timing?

Retirement VisaVisa ExtensionsBank RequirementsImmigration RulesExpat Financial Advice
Feb 16, 2023
2 years ago
Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Retirement Extensions

A point of confusion for some is the dates and the seasoning needed for banked money for “retirement” extensions.

A “retirement” extension requires 800k in your bank 2 calendar months prior to your application - not 2 calendar months prior to your existing stamp running out. You can apply 30 (perhaps 45) days prior to your stamp running out but the key here is the 2 calendar months are from the date you apply.

You need to keep the money in the bank for 3 months after the date your last extension was due to expire - not 3 months after you applied for your latest extension.

Don’t be a day counter. If you neeed access to those funds after your extension leave a few days of “wiggle room” just to be on the safe side before withdrawing.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The retirement extension visa in Thailand requires a minimum balance of 800,000 THB in the applicant's bank account for at least 2 calendar months prior to the application date. Additionally, the funds must remain in the account for 3 months following the expiry of the applicant's previous extension stamp. There is some confusion regarding the timing, as applicants have experienced inconsistencies at different immigration offices regarding the interpretation of these rules. It is advised to keep the necessary funds in the bank and allow for a buffer period to avoid complications during the application process.
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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Paul *******
This is crazy. Basically to be safe, you'll need to keep a minimum of 800K in your account at all times. Therefore, whatever your yearly expenses are, transfer that in ADDITION to the 800K. For example, if you need 1.2 million per year, then you'll want to transfer 2 million initially, making sure that the minimum balance in your account is always at least 800K.
2 years ago
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Nick ************
I was told 3 months before applying for extension. I applied 5 days early and was rejected. Went back the following week with another set of statements and bank letter and was approved. Every office different.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ***********
 Yes as with many “rules” some offices may differ in their interpretation. The 3 months before rule changed way back (can’t recall the date but many years ago). Your office may still have a hang up on that old rule, but officially it’s 2 calendar months prior to application.

You could try arguing the point at your next extension time but you’d probably be wasting your breath.
2 years ago
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Mick *********
@Stuart ********
 Maybe because he applied TOO early?
2 years ago
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Nick ************
@Mick ********
 no I applied 28 days before expiry but required 5 more days for my
*****
0 baht to be in the bank which I topped up in November thankfully. I had time to spare!
2 years ago
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Nick ************
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Terry ********
I did not know that. very valuable information. Thank you Stuart.
2 years ago
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Zap **********
3 months after extension application date in Phuket
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2 years ago
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Zap **********
@Stuart ********
thanks for the info, much appreciated
2 years ago
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Zap **********
@Stuart ********
we were told by Phuket immigration 3 months from date applied.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michelle ***********
 I physically checked with them. It’s 3 months after your last extension stamp was due. Perhaps it was a lost in translation thing.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michelle ***********
 worded badly on that page. It’s 3 months after the expiry of your last extension stamp - not 3 months after the day you applied.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Richard ***********
Thanks, Stuart
2 years ago
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Patrick ********
If you have the dosh leave it in there for the year earning interest
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrick *******
 Yes if you have the means leave it in there, but don’t rely on any interest to make you rich. The perhaps 5-8000 baht might get you a nice meal once a year….
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Russell *******
Hi Stuart , I don't understand the money in the bank 3 months before your next extension not 3 months after you applied for the extension.

I understood that if the money is in the bank 3 months before I apply for the yearly extension I can spend it once I have the extension? As long as the balance doesn't go below
*****
0 . Am I misunderstanding something ?

Thanks 🙏
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Russell ******
 yes, you misunderstand.

You must have 800,000 in the bank 2 months before you apply, and 3 months after your initial extension expires. So that's going to be 5-6 months. The rest of the year it can never drop below 400,000.

It's the marriage extension that allows you to spend it immediately after you get your extension approved.
2 years ago
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Henrik ****
@Brandon ***********
, are you sure it is allowed to drop below 400,000 THB at any time? It has been changed again and again...
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Henrik ***
 I said it can NOT drop below 400,000 ever for retirement.
2 years ago
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Henrik ****
@Brandon ***********
, Prachin Immigration might ask ppl on marriage extension to show the 400,000 THB when "getting" the extension, i.e. they don't approve it if you do not have the 400,000 THB in your account at this point in time. It is no fixed rule and probably their own rule...
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ***
 A number of offices have been reported to require the 400k to be shown still in the bank during the “under consideration” period of a marriage extension. Not all will require this. Best to ask your own office what they deem as their requirement.
2 years ago
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Henrik ****
@Stuart ********
, strange story is that I have never been asked to show money when going to pick up the approval, but a friend is being asked for this every year...
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ***
 Yes. TIT.
2 years ago
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Henrik ****
@Stuart ********
, their list of requirements doesn't say. My friend was asked to leave Thailand in 7 days when he didn't have the money in his account. This way he learned about secret requirements...
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ***
 oh you mean those that are listed in the brown envelope under the table.
2 years ago
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Henrik ****
@Stuart ********
, that's yet another story 🙂 "Money for diesel for the home visit" and such...
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Henrik ***
 There are 2 times you want your money untouched. When you apply for your extension, and then keep in the bank until you go back after the under consideration and get the final stamp. But once you have your 1 year extension, the money is yours again until next year.
2 years ago
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Henrik ****
@Brandon ***********
, true.
2 years ago
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Henrik ****
@Brandon ***********
, oh, sorry...
2 years ago
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Henrik ****
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Russell *******
Brandon Thurkettle Wow ok , good I noticed that. So with that being the case it only affects your next extension as how would they know. I am not trying to get round it , just trying to understand . 🙏
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Russell ******
 exactly, it will only effect your next extension. Basically they'll ask you for 12 months of bank statements to prove it and if you didn't follow the rules they will not give your next extension.

***Jomtien immigration office requires you to go back into the office after 3 months and prove that you kept the money at the required level. They're the only office known to do this.
2 years ago
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Andy *********
Brandon Thurkettle

*** However, there is no penalty for not doing that.
2 years ago
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Russell *******
@Brandon ***********
 ok excellent . Thanks for the information. Have a good evening 🙏
2 years ago
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Russell *******
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Tom ***********
Well said.
2 years ago
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Tom ***********
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