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What are the requirements for obtaining a Retirement Visa in Thailand as an Australian expat with a pension?

Nov 10, 2025
4 days ago
Andy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This one is for the Australians in the group, in relation to the Retirement Visa. May 2026

Option 1: I'm on a monthly pension that exceeds 65,000 Thai baht a month. Do I just need bank statements from my banking institution and a cover letter stating I'm on a life pension? I was looking at the 90-day non-immigrant visa to begin with.

Option 2: 800k Thai baht in an account. Can you access the funds after 3 months, as long as it's topped up by the following year?

Thankyou.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
This post discusses the requirements for Australian expats applying for a Retirement Visa (Non-O Visa) in Thailand. Two options are presented: Option 1 requires proof of a monthly pension exceeding 65,000 baht, including bank statements and a cover letter; Option 2 involves having 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account, with specifics on accessibility and maintenance of funds. Community comments provide insights and advice on application procedures, bank account requirements, and ongoing compliance necessary for visa extensions.
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.
Nick ************
I'm not going to repeat the advice given as it is good. However, if you do monthly transfers of
*****
baht plus for your second extension you must also keep the required amount in your account to meet the requirements of your first extension. The monthly payments must show as coming from overseas in your bank book and on your statements. I have been using Wise to Bangkok bank for 20 months and it has worked well after getting my account tagged by Wise. Also be aware that you can do what you like with the monthly transfers as soon as they show in your Thai account. Spend them, save them or send them back to home bank account if you want.

For my extension based on monthly payments I had to provide Bangkok bank statements printed from the app AND my UK bank statements showing debits correlating to deposits. I actualy did not need to get any documentation directly from the bank so it was quite easy.

CHECK WITH YOUR OFFICE.
Frangipani *******
Hello Andy,

If you are referring to a Non O visa (Retirement), please see below:

1) Apply for the Non O visa from your home country. The required funds can be held in your bank account in your home country.

2) As soon as you arrive in Thailand, open a bank account and deposit 800,000B into it. The funds have to be seasoned in your account for two months before you apply for your first 12 month extension and for 3 months after. Following that, you may access 400,000B, as long as you top the account up again two months before your next extension.

For your second extension, you may use the 65,000B per month option if you can prove that you have deposited 65,000B per month into your Thai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ bank account. for 12 consecutive months.

You will need bank statements as well as a letter of statements from your Thai bank.
Jeremy ******
Apply in Aus.For non O showing equivalent to 800k in bank (38k). Aus embassy don't do the income affidavit so for your first extension need 800k in Thai bank for two months before extension application and 3 months after, then balance must not drop below 400k. Year two you may be able to use 65k income method using bank statements showing deposit every month.
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