Will the bank account requirements for the retirement visa in Thailand change in 2022?

Dec 16, 2021
3 years ago
Joanne ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone - I have a question about the retirement visa. We heard they will change the bank account amount rules in 2022, so that a couple only needs to deposit/show evidence of 1 person’s bank deposit. This would cut the amount needed in a Thai account in half. But I can’t find information about this new rule online. Can anyone verify that this will indeed change? And will it be as of Jan. 1st? We’ll need to apply early Jan as our extension runs out Jan 26 and we need 21 days left on it to apply for non-immigrant O first. Thanks for any info.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquired about potential changes to the bank account amount rules for Thailand's retirement visa, specifically if only one spouse would need to show the required bank deposit amount starting in 2022. Several comments indicated that this is not a new rule but rather a long-standing provision for foreign couples. Others emphasized that requirements can differ based on the type of visa ('O' or 'OA') and that if both individuals are over 50, they would typically need to meet the financial requirements independently. Additionally, there's concern about applying for a visa extension within the constraints set by the immigration office.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Peter **********
which retirement visa 'O' or 'OA'? The rules are different.
Joanne ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter *********
, Yes i saw this on the immigration website. They only explain OA, but not O. So I don't know.
Martin ********
Not heard this one it would be big news on this site if it was the case. I think you are being led up the garden path here.
Tod *********
@Joanne ***********
; There always HAS been a rule that if a foreign couple are married only ONE needs to meet the proof of funds for the retirement extension and the other spouse can get a matching extension based on being the "trailing spouse" So that's not a new rule or a rule change that's gonna happen next year.

Unfortunately for you and your spouse what you can't do is get a 90 day non-O visa inside the country issued for the reason of being a trailing spouse of someone applying for a 90 day Non-O based on retirement.

You say you need 21 days left on your stamps to apply for the Non-O's so that leads me to believe you're in Chiang Mai <- they are about the only office I know that requires a minimum of 21 days left on a stamp to apply for an in country Non-Imm visa.

IF you're going to get the Non-O's inside the country you're BOTH gonna hafta be over 50 and BOTH meet the financial requirements to get the initial 90 day non-O's.

After you have those you MIGHT <- as in possibly be able to have your husband meet the financial requirements for the year extension (800K baht in a thai bank account in his name only for 2 months before he applies) and you get the trailing spouse extension. I say might, because as a general rule you have to get the first extension on the Non-O visa for the reason it was issued and you'd have a 90 day Non-O issued based on retirement because you met the requirements to get it NOT based on being a trailing spouse. I honestly don't think it'd work but you're out nothing by trying it
Robert *******
Make your own question to avoid you don't get the answer you really want and need to stay legal in this lovely country.
Robert *******
As this go totally of rails with questions from others members I close it for commenting.
Longy ****
Isn't there the concept of a trailing spouse? Maybe I'm thinking of another scenario
Brandon ************
@Longy ***
I believe that's possible when the other spouse is younger than 50 but as soon as they're old enough to get their own, they can't be trailing anymore
Tod *********
@Brandon ***********
there is no rule that says a trailing spouse extension has to carry their own retirement extension once they turn 50.

Immigrations might try to 'suggest' they switch but there is no actual rule that says they have to
Robert *******
I approved just to make clear.

Last time the amount of money in the bank changed was 1998, 23 years ago.

There is no information it will change again in the next few weeks, Thailand does not change as regular the law as people try to tell others.

On the other hand, you can not apply earlier than the normal 45 or 30 days specified by your Immigration office based on thinking or hearsay rules may be changed somewhere next year.
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