What is the easiest way to obtain a retirement visa for Thailand if I don't have the required 800,000 baht?

Dec 16, 2024
2 days ago
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey all, hope all of you had a great weekend.

Just trying to find the easiest way to get a visa for Thailand.

I will be 55 in January.

I have the monthly income that is required for retirement visa but not the 800,000.

What is the best way to get this visa?

I’m so looking to escape the daily struggles of living in the states and tired of just surviving, I want to live in peace and travel Asia.

I would like to make Pattaya my base but also travel to other Asia countries for vacations.

I have asked in a military retirement group but get different answers and have watched so many you tube videos and still not sure.

Any help is appreciated. I really did try due diligence and the closest Thailand embassy is about 700 miles away
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around finding ways to obtain a retirement visa for Thailand, specifically focusing on alternatives for individuals who don't have the required 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. The main suggestions include considering a DTV visa as a viable option, utilizing the OA visa to enter Thailand and meet the income requirement over time, or exploring other methods to secure a long-term stay while saving up. Community members shared various insights, including tips for managing finances and avoiding agents that charge high fees.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Uwe ****
Check out the new DTV visa! It's a 5 years tourist visa. Even retired people are preferring this Visa because of the low requirements... Don't listen to people who are saying you should work and this and that bla. If you think, you can live comfortably here as a tourist then go for the DTV.
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Uwe ***
lucky for me I get a good income every month to live instead of living in the states, where your just surviving
Uwe ****
With your money, you can live like a king here. Just respect the people and culture here, and you have the time of your life! Good luck, my friend.
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Uwe ***
oh absolutely 💯. That’s why getting out of here. I just want to find a home base in Thailand and travel and see Asia. I was thinking about Philippines due to much easier to live there cost wise and visa. I want to focus on bodybuilding over there and compete in different countries. With the DTV I don’t have to do the medical proof. Being disabled I can use medical FMP from the military or go to base in Manila. I get very overwhelmed and then anxiety comes in lol.
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Uwe ***
I just saw that on you tube this morning. That seems like it makes much more sense.
Matthew *******
Farang Thai visa Pattaya
Paul ***********
You need one or the other not both 65k/m or 800k
Shane ************
Robert *****
Ken. You can do 6 months quite easily. That’ll give you enough time to save up some cash. $14,700 will get you a DTV visa. You can get it in the USA and that money can remain in your US bank and not in a Thailand bank. A retirement visa is $23,500 and that money has to be in a Thailand bank. You have to get good at rat holing money. Start selling off your stuff, cut your expenses. Our rent in Bangkok is $258 a month. Easy to save money. I would do this for a no Visa 6 month stay while you save up. You get just with a passport a 2 month exemption on arrival. It’s automatic. Then before that expired get another 30 days at immigration for 1900 baht, (like a DMV) that’s 90 days. Then take a tour bus to Cambodia for a day trip and on the way back into Thailand you’ll get 60 days again, then 30 at immigration for 1900 baht. Thats 6 months. No visa. You can live well on $1000 a month USD here, save the rest every month. Don’t mention you’re in Thailand. Have the monthly you get deposited in your US bank and you just suck out what you need at the ATM here in Bangkok. Good luck sir.
Andy ************
You can get an OA visa in the US, enter on that, which will give you up to two years without needing the 800k. During that two years you commence the 65k international transfers each and EVERY month. By the time you reach the end of the two years you will have at least 12 months of 65k transfers. You do an out/in, come back on visa exempt and apply immediately for non-O retirement visa using your record of 65k transfers. Best way to avoid the 800k lump sum
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ***********
omg thank you so very much. That will save me for sure. Sincerely I appreciate you
Andy ************
@Ken ******
No worries. It sure beats paying an agent 20,000 baht each year for the rest of your life. I pay 1900 baht every year for extension. The only thing is you must keep up those 65k international transfers every single month, even when you're out of the country
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ***********
oh I will for sure do that. How do I get a Thai bank account.
Andy ************
@Ken ******
If you come in on an OA visa you'll be able to open a bank account
Jerald ********
Go see Mr Sing

He is the best lives in Pattaya he is very much respected. You get what you pay for "

Jerry
Jerald ********
There you go trust me he is the best lives
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jerald *******
do you have his info and is that who you are using
Jerald ********
@Ken ******
+66 94-860-8808
James *******
@Ken ******
let me know if you go the agent route to take care of everything. I have about 1yr before I'm trying to relocate. I'll be visiting for the 1st time (scouting trip) in Feb for a couple weeks.
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ******
you got it. Feel free to friend request me
Laterrani **********
You could come over first and start saving. I’m on a tourist visa (multiple entry) I got an apartment with a one year lease so I don’t have to travel with much. You just have to leave to visit other countries (Malaysia, Vietnam Japan and Korea) which is for me still cheaper than living in America and I go back once year to catch up and also reapply for the METV. It’s a great method for Americans who retired before 55 too
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Laterrani *********
I could do that as well. I was planning on going to those other countries for vacations. It will definitely be cheaper than living here. METV multi entry tourist visa?
Laterrani **********
@Ken ******
yes you can apply online and you just have to prove your leaving from America (flight ticket) and that your applying through the right embassy (drivers license or state ID). And a few days of accommodation with your name on it like a two day hotel reservation
Bonnie *********
Your military status in another country has absolutely no relevance here.

Have you visited the Thai Embassy website?
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bonnie ********
I am doing that now. The closest one to me is 700 miles away
Bonnie *********
@Ken ******
But it's all online.
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bonnie ********
looking at it now. I appreciate your help very much
Ernesto ********
So you are looking to bypass the 800k for the retirement extension? Maybe save until you have it. You can find a work around I guess. Start down that path
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ernesto *******
think that’s what I’ll have to do. I thought it was either, or on income
Ernesto ********
@Ken ******
you will find that having a full military is nice as a supplement but not nearly enough just to live off unless you were an officer. You will need the banked money as well so you need to borrow or use an agent. Unfortunately being a veteran doesn’t do much except give you a false sense of security
Ernesto ********
@Ken ******
I have your same plan in mind. I will sell my house to have the required banked money. I will use my savings to get me to 59 then access my 401k without penalty. I would like to move now but I must maintain
James *******
@Ernesto *******
sounds like me. Although I'm waiting for 62 to receive SS. I've had enough and trying to relocate by next Dec hoping home prices don't fall too much so I can get as much equity to live in Thailand until SS (another 2yrs wait 😔). I will be looking into an agent to take care of the amount needed in a Thai bank acct.
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ernesto *******
that’s a good plan
Randy ******
Another dude fleeing the MAGA TSUNAMI… Au revoir! 5555
Dave **********
@Randy *****
he is fleeing the current poor economy. A growing number of American retirees are choosing to move abroad after leaving the workforce. In fact, the number of beneficiaries collecting Social Security payments while living abroad increased from around 500,000 in 2016 to 760,000 in 2024.
Carey *********
@Randy *****
there is real truth in that
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Randy *****
just tired of surviving here. Ready for a switch and believe Thailand will be the peace I need
Ernesto ********
@Ken ******
is it an income issue ?
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ernesto *******
income is about 4500 a month for now. I have a hearing coming up with SSDI and hopefully that gets approved.

It’s income here as far as always broke at end of month. Even gave up bodybuilding right now due to income. Other reason I want out of here is I have lived in Arizona and Florida and feel Thailand is a mixture of both. I am 💯 due to mental from military and feel like Thailand will give me that peaceful life where I can just go to beach or really do anything I want and not worry about being broke and the bs negativity that is here in the states.
Ernesto ********
@Ken ******
understand. I want to leave because of bs as well. I have a Thai wife that I will need to support. I was prior military but got out way before any damaged occurred. I don’t want to get there and run out of money. I suppose I feel I cannot come back if I fail.
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ernesto *******
yes you could do that as well. I got out in 93 and did some reserve time also. I belong to a great group here that is for vets. Us military retirees and veterans living in Thailand. Check it out
Ernesto ********
@Ken ******
1993? Did you do 20 years ?
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ernesto *******
oh God no. I could barely do the 4 I did. I am 💯 from military and that’s my income.
Ernesto ********
@Ken ******
how do you get income from barely 4 years of military service?
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ernesto *******
disabled from the military, sorry thought I said that. But that’s how
Ernesto ********
@Ken ******
oh. Not physically physically disabled I’m assuming
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ernesto *******
correct. All mental
Ernesto ********
@Ken ******
ok. Understand. Good luck with everything
Ernesto ********
@Randy *****
they can leave. Will make for a better country
Gordon *******
@Ernesto *******
Absolutely

When are all the Z rated celebs going to leave?

Will be a great time when that happens
Ian *******
You should try KEY VISA, GOOGLE IT
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian ******
got it. Have you used them?
Ian *******
@Ken ******
my mate has used them, he got 15 months visa
Lynnette *******
@Ian ******
what sort of 15 month visa is that? 🤷
Ian *******
@Lynnette ******
retirement visa you can come and go multiple times
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian ******
oh cool. Will try them
Jan ******************
There’s no legal way around depositing 800K baht for the first year to get a legitimate stay in Thailand. An agent can give you an expensive non legal stay in Thailand by bypassing formal requirements and you’ll be stuck with an agent for all the future.
Robin ********
@Jan *****************
you can have 400k in with a pension of £ ??? Monthly coming in .
Jan ******************
@Robin *******
funds equal to 400K baht or income equal to 40K baht monthly is for a Non O as married to a Thai.
Robin ********
@Jan *****************
seen a video , it said 400k in plus a regular monthly income of ??? . Instead of the 800k route . Wrong info?
Jan ******************
@Robin *******
I guess that has to be trough an agent and bypass of formal requirements. It’s 800K baht for the initial 90 days Non O visa and 800K baht for 5 months and 400K baht for 7 months seasoned together the first year before you can switch to monthly income with 65K baht for twelve months consecutive transfers.
Robin ********
@Jan *****************
there's that skinny bloke high pitched voice bald moustache . His videos pop up in my feed . It's one of his videos .
Andy ************
@Jan *****************
Unless you come in on OA and start the 65k transfers in your two-year "tenure", then switch to non-O via an out/in process
Jan ******************
@Andy ***********
I know people have done it this way, but I don’t know if all immigrations will accept it. You’ll need to cancel your stay anyway, leave and re-enter with or apply for a Non O.
Andy ************
@Jan *****************
You leave at the end of the second "free" year of the OA without getting a re-entry permit. You don't need to cancel anything
Jan ******************
@Andy ***********
Yes, but then your stay also is terminated.

There’s no official regulation regarding this and therefore between you and the IO and immigration you use.

The regulations gives three alternatives regarding financial requirements

(1) Income with affidavit letter.

(2) 800K baht

(3) A combination of (1) and (2) 800K in total for the extension.

Even the (3) is not accepted by all immigrations for extensions. So if they will accept this alternative without any regulations is between you and them without any regulations.
Andy ************
@Jan *****************
Actually you're wrong. It's in the requirements for obtaining the non-O visa in-country, although the stipulation is a total of 800k, whereas 12x65k adds up to 780k, but it appears they overlook this when issuing the visa
Jan ******************
@Andy ***********
(1) and (2) is the requirements for a Non O in country. (3) is allowed at some immigrations for extension of stay.

I’m know I’m not wrong as this has been a subject several times, and if the IO accepts previous transactions for your Non O it’s only between you and him.
Andy ************
@Jan *****************
So this published immigration handout is wrong, but you're right? 😂
Jan ******************
@Andy ***********
No, but I’ve previously never seen anything from this particular immigration. In Chiang Mai as an example it’s not an option. If that’s the case it’s interesting, but I’ve never seen any immigrations stating this in their formal requirements before.
Andy ************
@Jan *****************
So because you haven't seen something, you're happy telling people it doesn't exist? There are other immigration offices other than Chiang Mai. If people want to avoid the 800k trap, perhaps they should just stay in Bangkok for a few days whilst they carry out the transaction? Or perhaps as this group is owned by an agent, it suits you to push people down the agent path?
Jan ******************
@Andy ***********
I would never recommend an agent for anything else than helping you with forms and papers anyway as you see in my previous comment. But as said I’ve discussed this with Tod Daniels previously and at that time there was no formal statement allowing previous bank transfers for the initial Non O in country. This had to be an agreement between you any immigration if they allowed it.
@Brandon ***********
can you give some additional information or clarify this further?
Brandon ************
@Jan *****************
the OA method with monthly deposits is a very, very grey area. There are success stories but I think it's one of those things that depends on the officer you talk to and the day of the week etc. Kind of like some immigration offices will let you get a non-O trailing spouse visa if you're on a non-OA but no immigration office in Thailand will let you do it if you're on a non-O or regular retirement extension.
Andy ************
@Brandon ***********
So you think the official handout from immigration is wrong too? Hmmmm. When my buddy first found the "hack" in the system of getting onto 65k transfers without the 800k lump sum, he described his strategy on the "other" group and one of the mods there booted him for "spreading misleading information". But funnily enough, Tod Daniels actually went to CW to enquire if this actually happened and they confirmed it could be done. However the "other group" (also owned by an Agent) didn't like my friend possibly cutting into their business. I know now of two others plus myself who have carried out this process, it has nothing to do with "the officer you talk to" or "the day of the week". What is clear however, is the mods in this group don't like being wrong 👍✅
Brandon ************
@Andy ***********
nothing from anywhere is set in stone. They can change their policy tomorrow. Or the person processing your paperwork can decide to ignore the paper you have. You can usually escalate but that's sketchy at smaller immigration offices because they may hold a grudge in the future.
Andy ************
@Brandon ***********
Pretty well set in stone in Bangkok. They have the handout which specifies what you can do. I wonder why these visa advice groups exist if the answer to everything is "it's up to the immigration officer on the day". For some reason this and the other group owned by a Thai visa agency always get their mods to push the "you can't do it" agenda, which is totally wrong, but I guess if it's going to cost your bosses 30,000 baht a time, it's pretty obvious why you spread the misinformation and then hide behind the "every office is different" facade. Why not just be helpful with the advice?
Jan ******************
Chris *******
As an American you cannot use income as the US embassy does not endorse income.

Therfore you must use 800k for at least the first extension.

And by depositing the 65k per month consecutively you can try and switch to income the 2nd extension to free up the money.

Otherwise you'll have to use an "agent" which will cost you year after year.

Best to somehow borrow the 800k and do it correctly if possible.
Joseph *******
@Chris ******
You can use income for follow-on extensions by using certain third-party transfer services, such as Wise, or make monthly transfers from your US bank.
Ken *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ******
I wish I could. I get so much from VA but living in the states it would take me a few years to put that in an account. I don’t mind an agent as long as I don’t kicked out of the country. I can always keep putting money away for a year if I’m in Thailand already due to cost of living there.
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