What are the requirements for U.S. citizens to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand?

Jul 29, 2024
3 months ago
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I understand US does not do the monthly income verification any longer. If I want to retire there with the monthly income method, what verification is good for Thailand government for retirement visa? TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
If your embassy no longer does income verification, you cannot use the monthly income method for a retirement visa in Thailand. Instead, you can apply for an initial 90-day Non-O visa by proving your income through your embassy/consulate. For your first year extension, you must show 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for two months prior to applying. In subsequent years, you can demonstrate income with proof of monthly transfers from abroad after the first year.
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.
Gary **********
Use a agent cost is approx
*****
,k. They do it all no need for money in bank ..
Randy ******
@Gary *********
Will they help in opening a bank account? 90 days reports?
Gary **********
@Randy *****
yes that as well.
John **********
Get the initial non-o visa before you come to Thailand. Open a bank account and put 800k baht in it as soon as you arrive. Start transferring a minimum of 65k baht each and every month (which you can spend). Use the 800k baht for your first annual extension and for year 2 onwards you can show your monthly transfers for your annual extension
Anthony *********
John Stanners Can you use an agent for that first year extension and then the 65k for the second?
John **********
@Anthony ********
possibly but only if you also stick the 800k baht in the bank. If you use an agent to supply the 800k it's only in your bank momentarily so you will likely be refused the 2nd extension due to not meeting the requirements of the first year. This is how you get stuck using agents.

The office the agent uses also comes into play as many immigration offices won't touch you if the stamp is from a known dodgy office.
Anthony *********
@Jo**
Definitely some considerations when that time comes around. Thanks!
Lynnette *******
What happened to the Ed visa you were going to do?
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
still probably will to begin
Lynnette *******
@Bigd *********
what's wrong with just the retirement visa?
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
I need help on the 800,000 deposit, that would be the only thing. Either way, I will still study thai for a year.
Lynnette *******
@Bigd *********
you'll still need the 800,000
Eric **********
I retired here two years ago from USA and used an agent. If you don’t have the funds, use one
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Eric **********
@Bigd *********
I used to Thai visa experts, out of Bangkok .. for my first year.
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *********
would you use them again? If so, name?
Eric **********
Eric **********
@Bigd *********
highly recommend.. they do free consultations/ advice
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So confused I am lol.
Jan ******************
You can apply for the initial 90 days Non O visa with income at your embassy/consulate at home. For the first year extension of stay in Thailand there’s no legal way around to prove the first year yourself by banking 800K baht in a thai bank two months before you apply. For your second year extension of stay you can use your income again after showing proof of twelve months consecutive transfers over sea.
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
not sure I can get the 800,000 with my divorce coming up. I sure want to retire there!
Todd *********
@Bigd *********
that’s why agents thrive in Thailand. And obviously using an agent isn’t illegal. And no, you are not ‘stuck’ with them. Although, you will likely appreciate them and wish to continue. As Jan says, it happens all the time. And has for decades
Rob **********
@Todd ********
if you don’t meet the legal financial requirements to obtain or maintain your visa here in Thailand, and use an agent, you have legally broken the rules there is no other way to say it Todd. That is why there are legal financial requirements in place to obtain and maintain your visa here. If you can’t afford to 800k in the first place you really shouldn’t be trying to retire in Thailand.
Tore *********
@Rob *********
your welcome to have your 800k sitting/rotting and depreciating in with low to no interest rate. While financial literates use an agent and make up the fee many times with returns on investment.

I highly doubt its illegal. Immigration like agents as its more effective for them.
Rob **********
@Tore ********
I don’t require 800k to maintain my extensions here in Thailand. You should obviously read the rules set down by the Government in regards to obtaining and maintaining visas in this country, the financial requirements applicable for each visa are clearly stated, using a agent to circumvent the legal requirements and pay officials under the table happens regularly, but it is still an illegal practice. Agents themselves are not illegal at all, as some people use them to save time, or they just don’t know what to do, and that is fair enough. If you are personally taking a shot at me, don’t waste your time, as I retired very early and my investments probably earn more money than you have ever seen, so before you go shooting your big mouth off, try to think first.
Todd *********
@Rob *********
can you point us all in the direction of the thousands of convictions that would have occurred if what you say about illegality has a grain of truth?

There is another way to say it Rob, using an agent is not illegal. And the stamp you will receive is also very legal. All the amateur western lawyers can interpret all they wish, but frankly, they are poorly equipped to make this judgement.

In most cases I think it’s not a lack of having 800k (although it appears to be in this case). I agree that if you don’t have 800k, you certainly aren’t really retired. But retirement in Thailand is a hell of a lot cheaper than UK, Aus, USA, Western Europe and Canada. And those are a lot less enjoyable places to live. The 800k offshore makes me at least 8% annually. That’s 64k per year. 640k baht over a decade not even factoring in compounding. It’s simply the financially prudent thing to do. If you think putting the 800k into a bank in Thailand at 1% or less is a smart way to save your nickels and buy a 1900 baht visa - fair enough. But if you don’t value your time and can’t afford an agent, you probably shouldn’t retire here either
Rob **********
@Todd ********
Todd, if you read my post again properly this time, nowhere did I mention using a agent is illegal, I stated that not meeting the legal financial requirements to obtain or maintain a visa is basically breaking the law.

I understand what you are saying in regards to banking the 800k and missing out on interest etc, but if this a veiled swipe at me you are sadly mistaken. I only require 400k in my account, as my extension is based a marriage to a Thai National, and as we have been married for 36 years this year, I have no problem doing that and have been doing so for many many years. You certainly don’t want to get in a pissing contest with me over investment and money mate.

Everyone here knows you use a visa for everything, some people are different I know, but as the OP stated he doesn’t have the money, which is a basic legal requirement to obtain and maintain your visa status in Thailand, if he said he didn’t have the time or didn’t know what to do that’s a different story. As I previously stated it is not illegal to use a agent, but he is trying to circumvent the law, plain and simple.
Todd *********
@Rob *********
great - this is a more accurate assessment. ‘Basically breaking the law’ is more practical. But in fact, it’s not the visa holder breaking any law. He paid an agent for a service. He breaks no laws. And the fact there are absolutely no charges laid or convictions nationwide strongly supports that. The visa game is clearly changing here with LTR, DTV, extended visa exemption etc. I can appreciate the old guard is annoyed that the average 22 year old you tuber now holds a 6 year residency visa for 20k baht. But the game has changed.

Yes - the math on the 800k makes it very dubious from a financial perspective. If one is living in fear of the potential consequences then making a financially silly move of 800k to Thailand is their decision. No problem. But many people including you, understand the hassle involved especially for a newcomer. I wouldn’t bring 400k to sit either, but it’s a small amount. And the interest from it (if held elsewhere) might not cover the agent cost. Fair enough. Same for people using the 65k method. This makes absolute financial sense.

A pissing contest? Not sure what you are on about. You definitely don’t want to go there.

And we agree that using a legitimate agent is not illegal. And the stamp you will receive in your passport is also perfectly legal. Circumventing the law is a way of life in most parts of the world. Just in different ways.
Jan ******************
@Bigd *********
Ok, that’s the requirement for legally retire in Thailand. And I understand you’ve already heard about the “industry” that does illegal bypass of formal requirements for a price. If you use this option you’re also stuck with an agent to bypass the former agent’s bypass for the future, but it happens all the time.
Brandon ************
You cannot use that method if you're from a country whose embassy no longer does income verification.

The only option you have for the initial 90 day visa and the first 1-year extension is showing 800,000 baht in a bank account.
Jim ******
@Brandon ***********
I just got my initial 90 day visa using the Royal Thai Embassy in London.

Showed proof of income above Thai baht 65,000.
Andy ************
@Jim *****
That's ok for the embassy 90-day visa, but you cannot extend in Thailand without the 800k in the Thai bank
Jim ******
@Andy ***********
Yeah. I used to live in Thailand and did the annual extension of my stay based on my monthly income. I find the 800K in a Thai bank account as very harsh. I simply can't do it.
Andy ************
@Jim *****
I do the 65k per month transfers
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ***********
transfer into thai bank account?
Andy ************
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim *****
I'm US
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I hear agents can help if I don't have the 800,000?
Stuart ***********
@Bigd *********
it is illegal and if the immigration officer is caught (this does happen) all of the visas are cancelled and you will have wasted your money and be leaving Thailand.
Andy ************
@Bigd *********
You pay a big fee of
*****
+ baht. Keep in mind it's a bribe.
Andi ***********
@Andy ***********
That is the price in Pattaya in Bangkok it costs more.
Andi ***********
@Bigd *********
They can..
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