Answereda year ago
What are the requirements for maintaining the 800,000 baht deposit for a Thai retirement visa?
This isn't clear to me so please can someone clarify: when we put 800000 in a bank account in order to get a retirement visa, does it have to stay deposited and never go under 8000000, or can it be withdrawn as we wish, at any time ( but having a smaller balance)?
Answer summary
To qualify for a Thai retirement visa, you must maintain a minimum balance of 800,000 baht in your bank account for a specified period. This balance should be held for at least 2 full months prior to applying for your extension and for 3 months afterward. However, the account balance cannot drop below 400,000 baht at any time. Many expats suggest keeping a cushion of 900,000 baht to allow for withdrawals while still meeting the minimum requirements.
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Daniel ******
LTR 10 year Visa, no money down, only proof of income!
Paul ****
First year 800,000 2 months before. Next years 800,000 3 months before and after applying, during the year not less than 400,000.
Robert **************
I keep the 800+ in one bank and use a 2nd bank for daily living expenses. Easy for immigration not to have to muddle through deposits and withdrawals makes them happy
Shawn ********
Up to 400k… but has to be replaced and seasoned 2 months before expansion
John-Paul ******
Has anyone feel that Bangkok Bank is diminishing the number of branches?
John ******
@John-Paul *****
every bank in Europe too scale the number of branches back. Branches need people and if there is a movement of less bankvisits because of most of the activities can and are done from the home adress of the clients.so less visitors at the offices needed. Fi koh chang. All the banks minus two are being closed the last four years
Bill *********
I personally do this: the simple solution is to deposit B900k and then tap into it for daily needs. You've given yourself a cushion as your balance fluctuates. And as you dip toward B820k, top off the tank with another deposit. This is far easier than dealing with the B65k monthly transfers that might develop problems.
Jen ***
@Bill ********
and what bank do you recommend? And easy transfer from US bank? Once this amount is in the bank then can you apply for the retirement visa? Also how do you open the bank account as a US citizen for eventual relocation right to the retirement visa? Is this the best option visa for a US citizen on a pension and over 55?Bill *********
@Jen **
I set it up with Khungthai bank. Yes, easy transfer using SWIFT. For me it was the best option. I don't know about a pension as I haven't elected to start my pension yet. As for your other questions, I enlisted the services of a Visa agent who took care of the bank account and the application and all the associated paperwork, so I didn't have to figure this stuff out. I highly recommend going this route as it made things so much easier... much time saved and stress-free.Jen ***
@Bill ********
I wasnt planning ever to have my pension go directly to a thai bank. No it will be a back in the USA. I was asking for the amount needed in the Thai bank for retirement visa. Someone reputable gave me a visa agents name number etc. I have a Thai embassy near me in USA and I believe you secure the retirement visa first in the USA?
Doug *******
@Jen **
I believe your best hope for opening a Thai bank account is to arrive with a long term visa already in your possession. Otherwise paying an agency might work but lately it’s difficult even for them unless you have a visa.Brandon ************
For ongoing retirement extensions, your account must be at 800,000 for 2 full months before you apply for your extension, and remain at 800,000 for 3 full months after you receive your extension.
The bank account can never drop below 400,000.
That means it must be at 800,000 for at least 5 months every year and can never drop below 400,000 for 7 months.
If the balance drops below these amounts even for 1 day, you will not qualify for your extension next year.
Most people just leave the 800,000 in the account all year so they don't have to try to remember when to bring it back up to 800,000 and risk losing their extension.
The bank account can never drop below 400,000.
That means it must be at 800,000 for at least 5 months every year and can never drop below 400,000 for 7 months.
If the balance drops below these amounts even for 1 day, you will not qualify for your extension next year.
Most people just leave the 800,000 in the account all year so they don't have to try to remember when to bring it back up to 800,000 and risk losing their extension.
Stuart ******
@Brandon ***********
can you not pin this so when someone asks it pops up. Just would save a lot of time for you. AI answers every question that's asked on this page. By the way you must the patience of a saint. Cheers Stu
Harry ********
OP@Brandon ***********
I have been told by agents that I can get the retirement visa by NOT having to put *****
0 in an account, but instead show I have over the income amount. Is this correct?
David *********
@Harry *******
yes but I think can only establish after your first yearly extension.Brandon ************
@Harry *******
to get the visa, it's correct. But that's only 90 days and from the Thai embassy in UK. Once you're in Thailand immigration will only accept 800k in the bank or embassy verified income. The UK embassy stopped offering this many years ago. That means the only option is 800k in your Thai bank account.
Michael *********
@Brandon ***********
.....ok, thanks for that clarification, Brandon 🙏Brandon ************
@Michael ********
you must be on the status you are extending during the time the transfers were made in order to use that method to extend. Which means the transfers must have all happened while you were on a retirement visa/extension already in order to use it to apply for an extension. Therefore it's not possible for the first extension. Even if you have 10 years of transfers, it will not be accepted. Only embassy certified income or 800k in the bank.
Graham ******
@Michael ********
it's possible but highly improbableBill *********
@Deslea *******
To me maintaining this capital in Thailand with a single deposit vs hoping a monthly deposit comes in on time to avoid immigration issues far outweighs the interest received elsewhere. It's not big money; easily replenished thru my income streams. My monthly expenses certainly exceeds B65k!
Deslea ********
@Bill ********
I imagine to avoid tying up capital you could invest more profitably elsewhere. If you’re planning to live on 65K or close to it, you can meet that requirement through normal living.Michael *********
@John *********
...right, yes, nothing is certain at Immigration, but at least the 65k method for a 1st extension is possible.
John **********
@Michael ********
just that because I've heard of a couple of specific situations where its happened doesn't mean it will happen for youMichael *********
@John *********
...ok, so it is up to the IO's discretion and not a hard and fast rule. Thanks John. What do you mean by my mileage may vary?John **********
@Michael ********
it will be up to your specific immigration office whether they will accept it or not. I've heard of some accepting it when someone has been on an OA visa left and shortly after returning on an O visa. Your mileage may varyMichael *********
@John *********
....yes John, I will have this criteria satisfied. I am questioning the first extension not being accepted by this method.John **********
@Michael ********
to use monthly transfers from overseas requires that you can show a transfer of a minimum of 65k baht each and every month for the 12 months prior to applying for the extension. It's clearly documented on immigration websites.Michael *********
@John *********
...could you please point me to where this is mentioned in the Thai regulations. I can't find this anywhere.John **********
@Michael ********
you can't use the 65k baht per month for the first extension, only from the 2nd onwardsMichael *********
@Bill ********
....by the time I apply for the extension I will have already done the 12 monthly transfers.David *********
@Harry *******
yes. I can say that that is what I have done and still do. There are experts in here that can clarify better than I can. Just speaking from experience. This is for Non-O (or non-OA) retirement extension of stay.Harry ********
OP@David ********
so are you saying we must have a bank deposit of *****
0 for the first year, but in future years we can do a 65k transfer in year 2 and withdraw the *****
0?Harry ********
OP@David ********
I can certainly do this too. Is it the alternative to having *****
0 "lost" in a bank ?Bill *********
@Michael ********
I'm not clear why people go for the monthly transfers. They have to occur precisely on time with no delays. So why worry about this 12 times per year instead of a single deposit?David *********
@Brandon ***********
or proof of income, by foreign transfer of 65k per month, every month, verified by bank letter.Michael *********
@Brandon ***********
....I'm very interested in this post and the comments as I am thinking of applying for the 12 month extension of stay next year based on the 65k per month bank deposit. It will be my first application for this extension so will the 65k deposit type application be acceptable? I will have satisfied the criteria when making the application.
Harry ********
OPBrandon ************
@Nigel *******
yes. But best to check with your immigration office as some might have further requirements to use that method like proof it's a pension.Harry ********
OP@Brandon ***********
Brandon thanks. I re read your earlier reply. If I take out money it needs to be back to *****
0 . Got it!!
Nigel ********
@Bra****
but on your 2nd year onwards extensions, if you can show at least 65k deposited into your Thai bank account per month then there is no need to keep the 800k in the account, is that not correct?Brandon ************
@Harry *******
you have to have 800k every year.Harry ********
OP@Brandon ***********
this is very important news as I was thinking I could get access to my *****
0 for holidays. So very much like in Malaysia where they insist on a permanent deposit. At least I can take no more than *****
0 out after one year as previously statedJohn *********
It can never go below 400,000 and you have to have 800,000 in the bank about 3 months before and about the same after
Wayne ********
@John ********
2 months before, 3 months afterJohn *********
@Wayne *******
Read what i put above some immigrations are different 555Harry ********
OP@John ********
thank you. No one has ever clarified that
Graham *****
@Harry *******
this is correctBrandon ************
@Harry *******
it's been clarified about 500 times in this group. And the list of requirements immigration gives out says it as well. And it will probably be stamped inside your passport too.Doug *******
@Brandon ***********
Only 498.John *********
@Harry *******
Don't tell me tell himHarry ********
OP@John ********
trawling through thousands of comments isn't the quickest way for me. Many people I see on here all questions that have been asked before. I really appreciate the kindness of everyone on here. Moving to another country at 73 is a big event, so I need to be 100% sureJohn *********
@Brandon ***********
Probably is not good enough and he might have not seen about it before 555John *********
@Harry *******
Or you can do 65,000 every month for 1 year before the startJohn *********
@Bill ********
Plus you get better interest in the UKBill *********
@John ********
Yes! I used an agent when I first set up my Visa and continue with my agent for anything regarding immigration. Saves a ton of time and is stress free.John *********
@Harry *******
Use a agency thenHarry ********
OP@John ********
assuming I have a bank account there. Which I don't have. Thanks anywayJohn *********
@Harry *******
Just double check with the immigrationActivity
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