This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What do I need to know about applying for a non-O retirement visa in Thailand while using a Bangkok Bank account?

Jul 15, 2025
2 days ago
Sam ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have a Bangkok Bank account, since January I've paid in 65K Bht every month. I'm now in the UK and will return to Thailand in December, before returning I'll be applying for a non O retirement visa via the London Thai Embassy so I can hopefully go for the 1 year visa on arrival in Thailand.

My questions are:

1/ Is it true the Bangkok bank requires the 800K to be in the account for 4 months before supplying a confirmation letter for immigration? If so I need to pay in the 800K into the account in August for acceptance in December.

2/ As I've been paying in 65K since January this year when can I use the monthly payment scheme to keep the retirement visa active allowing me to move or spend the 800k.
2,028
views
8
likes
56
all likes
30
replies
1
images
18
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is applying for a non-O retirement visa via the Bangkok Bank and has questions regarding the required bank deposit conditions for the visa application. Key points discussed include the requirement to maintain 800,000 Baht in the bank account for at least 2 to 4 months to get the necessary confirmation letter, and the possibility of using monthly deposits (65K Baht) after the first year to keep the retirement visa active. Community members also raised concerns about changing bank policies and the ambiguity around income certification, emphasizing the need for updated information from immigration offices and banking representatives.
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.
Max *************
4 months of deposits is not enough,and it has nothing to with Bangkok Bank. You need 12 months of deposits showing up in your bank book when applying for the extension.The 800k option is what you need to go for. The money has to be in your account at least 2 months prior to the day you apply for the extension.
Simon *********
Depends on the province...

For example, I've been paying my pension into my Thai account for 3 years and now that I want to switch to retirement visa based on monthly income, my local immigration office won't accept bank statements, they insist on a proof of income certificate from the British Embassy... British embassy only do tea parties, so this certificate is unobtainable... Hence I need an agent...

You are supposed to to have proof of income, into a thai account, for 12 months, before it can be used for conversions or extensions. Weather or not it will be accepted, depends on the immigration officer
Peter *********
65k deposit each month has to show it comes from pension now new rules
Ally ************
@Peter ********
Who's 'new rules' exactly.. and for what visa at what immigration office? Only in CM the rules read 'monthly income' and they are simply looking to see 12 deposits over a 12 month period.. and transfers from your overseas bank account to your Thai bank account are acceptable.. regardless of whether you are flipping the monthly pension you might receive into your overseas bank.. or whether it is coming from savings.. can you point me to the source of this requirement please.. and explain how you would evidence it.. thanks.
Peter *********
@Ally ***********
friend went to renew visa though agent in Pattaya they needed proof that money transferred into his thai bank was his pension income had to show uk bank detail showing it was pension income
Jamie ******
Depends on YOUR Bangkok bank ,,I was thete TODAY ,,they said 6 months backdated ,,I wasn’t bothered,,,some might be
Max *************
@Jamie *****
You need to go for a 12 months bank letter from your bank,but most banks only issues a 6 months letter. They have to order a 12 months letter from the head office. My Bangkok Bank branch issues a 12 months letter,but that doesn't mean every branch does.
Roberto ******
Similar question. If I have a Thai bank account that has had twelve months deposit of over 65.000/ month, can I use that for the one year extension?
Max *************
@Roberto *****
Yes you can.
Martyn ***********
@Roberto *****
not enough information... Is this your first extension? If yes.. Then no you can't... After that yes you can.
Marcus **********
UK govt does not issue pension certificate statement required for b65k monthly so that route is not open to you.

All IO offices vary. Based on my dealings with CM airport,

B800k must be transferred in to Thai account from abroad 1 month before retirement extension application and remain in there for 2 months after when it can drop to b400k until 3 months before renewal is required. Accurate dates and amounts are essential.

Thai banks seem to be moving goalposts on issue of certificates and statements required by IO as well as initial opening of accounts. Reportedly if the required amount has not been in Bangkok bank for 4 months prior to certificate/statement request the bank will freeze the account until 4 months has lapsed.
Simon *******
@Marcus *********
you can use 12 months bank statement from your bank account in Thailand as proof of the
*****
/ month
Graham ******
@Marcus *********
They do not freeze the account, they have the account holder sign that the 800k will be frozen in the account post-issuance of the Immigration documents
Sam *******
This was displayed at Bangkok bank, someone else on FB posted it
Ally ************
@Sam ******
This notice also ends by saying 'make sure it belongs to you personally' which is adding another condition for the certificate of balance.. immigration cover this by insisting that your deposit is reflected as an overseas transfer in relation to a retirement visa application.. however, this does not apply to married visa's.. so theoretically, you could transfer monies from your spouse's bank account into your own account to create the required deposit.. without this being a problem for immigration.. but Bangkok Bank are suggesting if they identify a situation where it looks like you've borrowed the money from someone else.. then they will also refuse to issue the certificate.. I'm getting the impression that they are acting in cahoots with immigration over this.. it's a sly way to make it difficult for people to use agents to front the money needed to season funds.. particularly for the married visa where there is no seasoning requirement before applying for the initial 90-day non-o.. this bank policy effectively introduces a 4-month seasoning period for this application.. which should not be necessary at all.. and to proceed with the 12-month extension upon expiry of your initial 90-days.. you'll need to keep the funds in the bank for a total of 7-months instead of 2 months.. that's 4-months before you apply for the initial non-o and then the whole 3-months after it's granted.. leading up to the application for the extension.. if you add in the requirement to maintain the balance for 2-months (post visa issue) with the retirement visa.. that's 9-months you're expected to leave the funds on deposit.. great idea to prevent an outflow of funds by the bank though !!
John **********
Yes Bangkok Bank changed their requirements around a month ago. Normally you must use 800k baht for your first extension and honour the terms of that throughout the year. At the same time you can transfer a minimum 65k baht from overseas each and every month for a full 12 months prior to applying for your 2nd extension. You can't miss a month and you can't transfer a baht less than 65k, but you can spend the money as it arrives
Martyn ***********
@John *********
Bangkok Bank shouldn't have 'requirements' they don't decide who or if anybody gets a visa... I don't know how they are getting way with that BS...
John **********
@Martyn **********
Bangkok Bank can set their own requirements, nothing to do with the visa process per se, everything to do with whether they will issue a letter certifying your bank balance. They are doing it for good reason.
Martyn ***********
@John *********
So your basically saying the Bangkok Bank can decide weather you get your visa extension??? Sorry but no way... They can't add extra requirements and not give a letter which could lead to somebody having to leave the country even though they meet immigrations requirements???​ What's the good reason by the way?
John **********
@Martyn **********
it's to stop agents abusing the system in my view. I believe they will still give the letter but will freeze the money so it is in the account for 4 months
Martyn ***********
@John *********
Bangkok Banks have been in on the 'abusing' in fact it was the preferred bank of many agencies... What gives the bank the authority to deal with immigration issues?

And you think it's OK for them to freeze your money? Your supposed to have the funds for emergency, by freezing funds you can't use it for its intended purpose. It's out of order and should be stopped..
John **********
@Martyn **********
I'll say it one last time, the bank are not dealing with immigration issues. They are dealing with their own issues
Martyn ***********
@John *********
and I'll say it one more time... It's an immigration letter that they are putting extra requirements on by holding your money.... I'll say it slowly... IMMIGRATION..... Hence it's an IMMIGRATION... issue.
John **********
@Martyn **********
no its a BANK LETTER albeit addressed to immigration
John ********
Once your first year is finished and you have completed the
*****
0 first year and then you have been paid in the
*****
for your 2nd year and then confirm it you will need to show the thai immigration office that you have done that you have to wait for the immigration office to say yes to you can continue the
*****
thb per month and you can also use the
*****
0thb in the bank account BUT don't touch the
*****
0thb until they have given you permission or the go ahead or you may have problems
Robert ********
First time must have
*****
0 for 2 months
Brandon ************
Your plan will not work. There are only 2 things you can use for the first 1-year extension.

1) 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account

2) Embassy certified income

Since the UK embassy does not provide income certification, you are left with option 1.
Steve *****
@Brandon ***********
while your 800k is in the account, you start depositing 65k monthly. Once your extension is due you get the bank to show your monthly deposit. Then you don't need the 800k in the account anymore
Brandon ************
@Steve ****
yes but this person was talking about making deposits for a year before they even travel to Thailand so they expected to use that for the first year, but it's not possible
Frangipani *******
For your first extension, you will have to use the 800,000 method. Normally two months before applying and 3 months after.

Some people have reported that some Bangkok Bank branches now require the funds to be deposited for longer than two months, otherwise they will not issue you the certificate.

Please check with your local Immigration Office as well as your local bank branch.
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else