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

@Bigd *********

you'll still need the 800,000

@Bigd *********

highly recommend.. they do free consultations/ advice

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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

@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.

@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.

@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.

@Jim *****

I do the 65k per month transfers

@Bigd *********

Yes

@Andy ***********

That is the price in Pattaya in Bangkok it costs more.