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What are the requirements for maintaining a retirement visa in Thailand regarding the 800,000 baht rule?

Aug 9, 2025
17 hours ago
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello all once you've qualified and got all your Visa stuff in line and you're living in Thailand on a retirement Visa does the $800,000 Thai baht have to stay in the account for the whole duration of the year or does it just have to be in there a couple months before you renew
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To maintain a retirement visa in Thailand, you must keep at least 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account for a minimum of two months prior to applying for an extension and three months after receiving it. The account cannot drop below 400,000 baht after the initial period. Many expats suggest switching to a monthly transfer of 65,000 baht as a viable alternative to locking away the lump sum. However, this option can vary depending on individual immigration offices. Health insurance is not uniformly required, but it's advisable to have some form of medical 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.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Mark *********
do you want to have a stress-free Visa renewal?  keep the money in the account and during the 12 months of your first visa, deposit ฿65,000 into your thai bank account  moving yourself over to the monthly deposits category.
Charles ********
Posted in my passport a couple of months ago at Immigration Cha-Am.
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Jean ******************
Et vous allez bloquer 800,000 Thb pour un visas ??
Rui *********************
I things that money must stay in thb bank 3 mounths before you aply retired visa and 3 mounths after aply retired visa
Mark *******
@Rui ********************
depends on your local immigration office..Always check with them.
Rui *********************
@Mark ******
I have retired visa

Living in Phuket .
Nongnuch ********
@Rui ********************
you don't have a "retired visa". You have no visa at all. You have a stay permit based on being over 50 years old
Jeremy ********
Personally I would act as if it doesn’t exist and never look at it again.
Ben *******
I just keep my 800,000 in the bank and don't drop below it. The agent never asks for proof of it. But if they do it's there and been at the right level all the time.
Rui *********************
@Ben ******
my friend before make that …

After, if you aply directly in emigration for Renewall , you have problem

I allways follow the rules
Ben *******
@Rui ********************
... Quite simple .. Apply to live in a country and don't break the laws of said country and you won't have a problem
Rui *********************
@Ben ******
I know … but have people don’t know that .

This people ( same my friend ) look an easy way to apply visa …

Try to make tthat visa without an agent and you willl see

I go every years directly to emigration , pay 5400 thb for a a retired visa muti entry , and no more problem
Ben *******
@Rui ********************
... Easy way is to use a good agent. They did it for me. Made it easy for me and still make my life easy. Same as when I rented a condo. I used an agent. Proper signed contracts and get your deposit back. I know Thais who have had arguments with other Thais over deposits.
Rui *********************
@Ben ******
but how much pay for agent ? 4 years ago it was 35 ooo thb

Only for visa

And for rent my house I never used an agent before . They ( emigration ) check where I’m living and talk with my owner .
Ben *******
Many agents charge different rates. If you are happy to use an agent, then great. If not, then also great. I like the ease and peace of mind.
Roberto *********
@Ben ******
I've never used an agent but I have total ease and peace of mind, especially with the fact that I am 100% legal and if I'm ever asked to show my bankbook I can smile snugly knowing everything I do is above board. I don't want to be caught out and have to leave Thailand with a potential five year ban. However, as you say it's to each their own
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ben ******
cool but are there services legal
Ben *******
Bill *********
@Ben ******
Yes, me too
Jean ******************
Je n'ai jamais eu besoin de
*****
0Thb ma retraite suffit..
Marc ************
First of all. Don't use an agency. Only in case there is no other way.

But you have to know. It's not 800.000 in the bank or 65.000 a month income.

It is the combination.

65.000 X 12 = 780.000 TB. And that's where the 800.000 comes from.

So for every 1000 bath a month income you are short. You need 12.310 bath in a bank account. And that has to be there at least 2 months before you apply for the retirement visa or his extension.

That means. Presuming you have a pension of for example 40.000 bath. It is sufficient to have only 310.000 bath on your Thai bank account.

Best is to approve your monthly income with an 'affidavit' from the embassy. Although many embassy don't give that anymore.

Make in your calculations Marge for the fluency of the exchange rate.

Careful....

This is how it should be based on the law. But it can be different from immigration office to immigration office. Even intern in the immigration office it can be different from the officer that you land up.

I always use bank details from my Belgium bank with sufficient €. Details from Belgium pension department attached with an affidavit and my details of my Thai bank.

So show as much as you can.

Another advice. Use 2 Thai banks. One you use fore daily use. One to save and almost never touch. That way it's more clear for the officer that your money is stable in your account.
Steve *********
Basically, don't ever touch the 800,000 baht. Leave it alone for as long as you plan to live in Thailand.
Robert ********
@Steve ********
think of that as an escape, it's a parachute plan
Bill *********
@Steve ********
Exactly right.
Ron ******
@Steve ********
Make sure you have plans in place for it when you check stop drawing air.
Dany ********
definitely switch to the monthly transfer option as soon as you can. just financialy a bad decision to put 400 or 800k dead money into a thai account… non-oa would also work for the start since its 12 months and

enough time to get 12 months of international transfers into your account for the 65k monthly option
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello all thank you so much for all the information on my last question I have one more what is the absolute minimum insurance I have to have to be legal when I retire and live in Thailand I will have medical coverage for my home country I'm just wondering if it's an absolute mandatory to have medical coverage to retire and live in Thailand from extended period of time
Marc ************
@Dany *******
it's ALWAYS .. 65.000 a month, or 800.000 on a Thai bank, or a combination of both.
Max *************
@Marc ***********
Some immigration offices don't accept the combination method.Most of them out in the sticks.
Marc ************
@Max ************
there is no insurance required I think. I don't have one yet. Although i will take one for small risks. Because i have a health insurance in Belgium for serious deseases
Max *************
@Marc ***********
How old are you?
Beverly ***************
@Dany *******
this visa also includes requirement of health insurance which I cannot afford at my age.
Dany ********
@Beverly **************
you cannot afford health insurance? how do you think you can survive in a foreign country then??? you know that healthcare will be expensive? just a minor thing and stay in hospital can quickly cost you 5-10k $£€ and more. what if there is an accident? what if there is a more serious illness?
Beverly ***************
@Dany *******
I’ll rephrase it. I choose not to spend $17,000 USD a year for insurance. I will hold on to that money for medical care. If I need care for something that’s going to cost a lot, I would fly home and use my government insurance. I should have explained better.
Nongnuch ********
@Beverly **************
Keep in mind, in case of emergency, an airline would not allow you to board a flight back home if you are visibly sick or injured
Max *************
@Beverly **************
Where did you get $17,000 from? You can go for the minimum amount which is 400k baht in-patient and 40k baht out-patient. Then change the cover later.
Dany ********
@Beverly **************
*****
USD? sounds like a massive number. probably pre-existing things that drive up the price? i dont see inruance companies asking for 1400USD monthly under normal circumstances. so i guess its very individual and then i can understand.

i heard the same argument from people. „if i have something then i will just fly home, i dont need insurance“. 3 months later they needed an urgent operation and no chance to go back home first. medical emergencies often are not possible to time.
Per-Arne ***********
@Dany *******
they can be very expensive depending on your age when you sign up
John **********
@Per-Arne **********
really its impossible to compare insurance pricing across 2 individuals, just too many variables. Sum insured, deductible, outpatients cover or only inpatient, age and so on
Per-Arne ***********
@John *********
sure, that’s what I said, age can make a big difference as well as IP, OP, deductibles, cost sharing, insurance sum, local policy, international policy, area of cover, us or not us, options and so on ( like you said ) 👍
Beverly ***************
@Dany *******
that includes the $3000 annual deductible. No pre-existing conditions.☹️ It’s a gamble, right?
Nick *******
@Beverly **************
No pre existing conditions?? $17k is day light robbery, highly extortionate. Can’t be your age. Where were you quoted that cost for insurance?
Peter ***********
@Dany *******
You can get two years from an OA, and this is probably the best strategy when the intention is to switch to 65k transfers. Although the actual changeover from OA to O is clunky (requiring leaving the country and reentering on visa exempt before applying in-country for the 90-day O visa), it offers flexibility of easily opening a bank account (so saving money on an agent), and it avoids tying up 800k dead money. Wisely invested overseas the interest earned on that 800k will pay for the mandatory insurance required for the OA
Max *************
@Peter ********
Isn't the 1+1 year on an O-A gone since a few years back? The expiration date on the health insurance should be what counts.
Peter ***********
@Max ************
You renew health insurance for the second year
Max *************
@Peter ********
Nah, I don't know if I'm buying it. Earlier,yes.A lot of people did it.
Peter ***********
@Max ************
Contrary to your belief, it is still possible to get almost two years from the OA. It is necessary to have a new insurance policy for the second year. That hasn't changed, but you can believe whatever you want
John **********
@Max ************
still the same but on the 2nd year you need a re-entry permit if you travel abroad
John **********
@Peter ********
be aware that when you implement the switch to a Non-O visa you are starting over from scratch so would need 800k baht in a Thai bank for the 1st extension (and for the Non-O itself if you get it inside Thailand)
Peter ***********
@John *********
That's incorrect. I went from two years on OA (during which time I started the 65k transfers), left the country, returned on visa exempt (all the while maintaining the transfers), then started on a 90-day non-O using the long history of continuous 65k transfers, which I then extended to 12 months, still using the 65k transfers. I never once had a lump sum deposit
John **********
@Peter ********
how long ago was this? I have a friend who has been here on a Non-O extension based on retirement for many years using the 65k baht monthly income method. He recently travelled to the states for a short holiday and forgot to get a re-entry permit so had to enter visa exempt. He was adamant he'd be able to get a fresh 90 day Non-O based on years of monthly transfers, he was turned away by immigration and told he needed to show 800k baht in his account. You must have hit it lucky and hit on a sympathetic immigration officer who was willing to overlook the rules.
Peter ***********
@John *********
How long was his "short holiday"? Did he maintain the 65k transfers whilst he was away? I switched about two years ago.
John **********
@Peter ********
He was away for less than a fortnight and yes, never missed a transfer. If you look at the requirements for a Non-O visa they make no mention of monthly income, only the 800k method or the income affidavit method. He's American so no income affidavit was available from his embassy, he ended up having to borrow the money
Peter ***********
@John *********
There was an immigration order around 2019 which substituted the 65k transfers for the income affidavit for those countries whose embassies no longer provided the affidavit.
John **********
@Peter ********
it be interested in reading that if you can direct me at a copy. Nevertheless the information sheets handed out by immigration for applying for the initial 90 day Non-O visa and those for an extension of stay differ in terminology, the former makes no mention of "evidence of income" but the latter expressly does
Peter ***********
@John *********
Sorry, I've no idea what you're talking about. Perhaps the best advice I can give you is to call by Chaengwatthana immigration office and make your enquiries there. If you're looking to switch to non-O on 65k transfers they will be able to assist
John **********
@Peter ********
the immigration order you said was made around 2019 regarding embassies stopping income affidavits
Roberto *********
@John *********
I have to put my hand up and accept responsibility for the meltdowns going on in this thread. About 2-3 years ago I put this method to the test. Two years on OA, returned to Australia for a few months, then came back on visa exempt, which I immediately converted to 90-day non-O, followed by 12-month extension, and did not require the 800k lump sum, as CW immigration accepted my 65k transfers (continuous) in lieu of the income affidavit. I posted this on "the other" visa group and had my post removed by one of the then mods, and was subsequently booted from that group for "spreading misinformation". However, subsequently another of the mods, Tod Daniels, investigated further and actually went to CW to confirm if what I was saying was correct. He was advised that it was correct, and Tod did post to that effect. Unfortunately because I had been removed from the group I cannot access this post. In the meantime I received a number of PMs from other group members eager to learn how I'd done this, and subsequently many have replicated what I did. Sadly, people (such as yourself) and others who believe they are "experts" have tried to downplay and negate what I (and others) have done, and are now embarrassed by their obvious lack of knowledge, and will say "well you were lucky". Yeah, all those that have done it are "lucky", or maybe, just maybe, we found the loophole, and you're all mightily pissed off. Live with it guys, there's some out there smarter than you
John **********
@Roberto ********
I'm not remotely pissed off. My "lucky" reference is exactly that. Whether you are lucky by location or lucky by the immigration officer that served you. I know for a fact, and from my friends recent experience, that you can't do that at my immigration office which we both use. Even if Chaengwattana happens to allow it there are over 80 other immigration offices in Thailand. This is a futile argument, all I can do is quote what the main regulations say and they don't allow it. Of course experience on the ground in your specific location may differ, we all know that is how things fall in Thailand
Roberto *********
@John *********
Yeah. A lot of "lucky" people using a "lucky" immigration office....or maybe, just maybe the biggest immigration office in the country knows how to do it correctly? Maybe it's the pisspot provincial offices where staff want to feel superior and implement their own rules.
Peter ***********
@John *********
Tod Daniels sent it to me a few years back. I don't have it now, but if you send him a PM he'll probably oblige
John **********
@Peter ********
do you remember this
@T**
?
Nongnuch ********
@Peter **********
then you were lucky to have met with an Immigration office that allowed these steps. Be aware not all Immigration offices of 85 offices in Thailand will allow the first one-year extension based on the 12 months of transfers of 65,000 THB
Peter ***********
@Nongnuch *******
Not lucky at all - I followed the advice of another group member who'd done the same. No issues at all. To be honest, I don't use all 85 immigration offices, I'm simply reporting what happened with me at CW
Dan *********
@Dany *******
so I can start right away with the 65K for a non-oa?
Marc ************
@Dan ********
it's ALWAYS .. 65.000 a month, or 800.000 on a Thai bank, or a combination of both.
Marc ************
Peter ***********
Best strategy is to move onto the 65k per month international transfer method. Saves having to tie up the lump sum year after year, and you can use the money
Simon *********
@Peter ********
easier said than done. Depends what country you are from and what province you live in Thailand.

My local immigration won't accept my bank statements from Bangkok Bank, as proof, they insist on a proof of income certificate from my home embassy... But since the British Embassy only attend tea parties, they won't provide this.. So I need an agent
Lynnette *******
@Simon ********
what immigration office is that?
Greg *********
Andy ****
@Greg ********
Thai Baht
Alan **********
@Peter ********
maybe yes BUT you might get taxed
Peter ***********
@Alan *********
My transfers come from pension so not taxable
Max *************
@Alan *********
No, that won't happen. The Revenue Department is not after income from pension. Thats just rumours and gossip.
Lauren *******
@Max ************
Does the 65k per month have to be from a government pension? Our country won’t allow us a pension if we are not living there.

So we will need to use our own savings.

Can you use your own funds and direct credit to a Thai bank account every month?
Max *************
@Lauren ******
"Officially" it has to be income from pension and immigration has the right to ask for the source and proof of being officially retired. But, I know people sending 65k/month from accounts back home and have never been questioned. I guess it's just about karma and the immigration office. 😎
Lauren *******
@Max ************
Thanks for the response Max.Very helpful.
Max *************
@Lauren ******
Shouldn't you still be able to get a document/certificate from your pension provider showing you're officially retired.
Lauren *******
@Max ************
We are in planning stage for 2027 when I turn 65. Keeping my fingers crossed they dont increase the age to before then. But yes I think I would be able to get something proof from them.
Alan **********
Use agent don’t need money in bank
Nick *******
@Alan *********
Until the crack downs on Farang owned property, companies and bank accounts extend to illegal visa activities.
Max *************
@Alan *********
And you're going to do that year after year? Not very smart,pal.
Per-Arne ***********
@Max ************
smarter to get a LTR visa, specially if you need to do a tax return and pay to have it done.
Malcolm *******
@Max ************
depends on how long gone you do it for
Alan **********
@Alan *********
And when it all comes ontop you will be banned from Thailand !The government are tightening up on this type of fraudulent visa and bank accounts also dodgy set up Company's.
Max *************
@Alan *********
The government as you said, isn't tightening up anything when it comes to using agents. But Bangkok Bank is fed up with 800k showing up in bank accounts, then suddenly disappear. They are basically trying to make it harder for agents "lending" money short term.
Norbert *******
@Alan *********
hi, I heared the bank letter for immigration will not be issued easily like it happend until June/July this tear. Need now the 800k banked 2 month before the letter could be obtained.
Max *************
@Norbert ******
It's 4 months prior to the day you apply for the 1 year extension, to obtain the bank letter,but only at Bangkok Bank.
Timothy *******
@Alan *********
If you can afford it just leave it in the bank the whole time no need for a agent
Marc ************
@Alan *********
waste money on an agency. No way.
Sylvia ********
@Marc ***********
but many invest the 800,000 back home and the interest far out weighs the agent fee
Per-Arne ***********
@Sylvia *******
yes exactly, you can get a yearly return of 10-15%
Sylvia ********
@Per-Arne **********
even UK @5% more than covers fees!
Nick *******
@Sylvia *******
Show me a UK bank giving 5% net on savings please.
Sylvia ********
@Nick ******
several if fix for one year
Nick *******
@Sylvia *******
Nice try but you need to read the fine print. These accounts only allow limited funds to go in each month. I have the co-op one and it’s £250 p/m. Now can you show me an a UK savings account that allows the equivalent of 800k bht and returns 5% net. Considering the Bank of England just cut rates to 4%, I’m very eager to see your answer.
Sylvia ********
@Nick ******
i fixed my funds last year and currently getting 5.5% with HSBC OFFSHORE Friends opened account in Cambodia with May bank gets 10%. You can shop around, try Cherry Godfrey isle of Mann also
Nick *******
@Sylvia *******
Off shore, ok so no UK based bank offering 5% net. I have recently exhausted a search of best rates and only CHASE will give you 5% but that’s gross and only for one year.

Ok I’ll look into HSBC and your other suggestions. 👍
Sylvia ********
@Nick ******
i get gross as thai resident so pay tax here
Sylvia ********
@Nick ******
yes had you invested this time last year easy, but dropped since
Gustavo *********
@Nick ******
In is dreams
โธมัส ************
@Marc ***********
better give 0% loan to the bank ??
Marc ************
@โธมัส ***********
bank 0%. Is still cheaper then the money you pay to the parasites of agents.
Tai **********
@Marc ***********
banks are way worse parasites lol
Peter ***********
@Tai *********
At least it's legal
Laurie ******
@Alan *********
And pay them 17k
Kerry *********
@Laurie *****
17K would be 2%. That could be a good deal if the alternative to putting the 800K in a Thai bank would be to invest it outside of Thailand.
Mike ********
Brandon ************
For extensions based on banked money, the balance must be at 800,000 for 2 months before you apply for the extension, and then 3 months after you receive the extension. It can never drop below 400,000 after that, and must be back at 800,000 for a full 2 months before you apply the next year. So it's 800,000 for 5 months, and 400,000 for 7 months. Easiest if you just leave it at 800,000 so you don't make any mistakes with timing and ruin your ability to qualify the following year.
Kerry *********
@Brandon ***********
are there similar rules for the required $400K when extending on the basis of marriage to a Thai?
Brandon ************
@Kerry ********
No, not at all. Marriage is 400,000 for 2 months before applying, and then nothing else. No requirement to keep any money in the bank until 2 months before the application next year.
Chet *******
@Brandon ***********
good information thanks
Greg *********
@Brandon ***********
excellent anwser.finally
Jo **********
@Brandon ***********
that’s the most clear and accurate explanation
Dan *********
@Brandon ***********
so it’s 800,000 for one year or two years before you can use the 65K option? TIA
John ********
@Dan ********
can you leave it in a savings account in bank and get interest think best is 3% better than nothing
Nongnuch ********
@John *******
I am very interested to know which Thai bank savings account earns 3% interest. I bet everybody here in this group would also like to know 😄
Max *************
@John *******
Interest in a savings account might be 0.5% at best. In a Fixed Deposit Account at Bangkok Bank maybe 1.85% for a 7 months term which is slightly better than a 12 months term. Strange but true. Ask me how I know.
Brandon ************
@Dan ********
If you immediately start the 65,000 transfers when you get your non-O visa, and then continue them through the entire first year extension, you can switch to using that for year 2. But you would need to leave the 800,000 for 3 months after that first extension and never let the balance drop below 400,000, while also doing the monthly 65,000 transfers.
Tracey ********
@Brandon ***********
does it have to be there every year that you live in Thailand?
Graham ******
@Tracey *******
Yes unless you convert to the 65k monthly international transfer (income) for your extension from your second year or any year therafter (unless your Embassy does the income affidavit)
Brandon ************
@Tracey *******
yes. This is showing Thailand that you have money to support yourself in an emergency so you don't become the responsibility of Thailand
Dany ********
@Tracey *******
yes but you could and should use the income option after a year and not let 800k dead money sit in a thai account. just bad financial decision
Marney ********
@Tracey *******
Yes Every Year 2 months before it was explained perfectly by Brandon
Paul *****
@Brandon ***********
Excellently and concisely explained 👍
Max *************
@Paul ****
You can also open a Fixed Deposit Account and park your 800k there. Better interest rate and you never have to worry about going below 400k.It's accepted at most immigration offices.Then you can have another account for your daily/monthly spendings.
Gary **********
@Max ************
hey up Max what is the interest rate in a FDA, if ya don't mind.
Peter ********
@Gary *********
You fell for it. 😀😃🙂🙃
Max *************
@Gary *********
It's not the best but way better than 0.4-0.5% from a savings account. I get 1.85% for a 7 months term at Bangkok Bank which is better than a 12 months term. I got 2.10% a year ago. I earn a total of about 22k baht per year from interest. (I have three accounts at the moment.) Not a fortune but I'm not complaining. It's just money. 😎
Nongnuch ********
@Max ************
I get 1.2% interest for the 800,000 THB in my SCB savings account, which I use for my yearly application to the next extension. Not too bad an interest for the parking ticket which enables me to live in a country where my Euros have double a purchase power 😉
Nongnuch ********
@Max ************
you better ask "your" Immigration if you can use a fixed account, because not every Immigration allows it
Max *************
@Nongnuch *******
Well, every retiree here doesn't stay out in the sticks in Isaan. I don't have to ask "my" immigration office about it because I already have my money in an FDA.
Nongnuch ********
@Max ************
it's not only the offices in the sticks, many offices in the South like Nakhon Si Thammarat or Phang Nga don't allow fixed accounts. I have seen reports
Max *************
@Nongnuch *******
So you don't consider for example Nakhon Si Thammarat being out in the sticks way down south? I do. But of course you need to ask the immigration office where you're staying. That's a given. I did that when I opened my first FDA.
Nongnuch ********
@Max ************
not only Nakhon Si, also Koh Samui Immigration does not allow a fixed account. Now don't fall out of your bed explaining that Koh Samui is in the sticks 😂
Max *************
@Nongnuch *******
Now there's 82 immigration offices left. 😎
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