Retirement visa requirements

[JazRod]

I was told by a Thai lady here in the States that the requirements have changed for a retirement visa in Thailand. She informed me that the 800.000 baht in the bank was no longer required. I searched but could not find anything to back up her story. As soon as we sell our property here, we will be moving to Thailand, perhaps Krabi, and I want a retirement visa. I lived there for 2 years and loved it. The States has become a sewer pit. We can not afford those high dollar beach homes so we are looking for a small house to rent 15,000 baht max. Ant help would be appreciated.

[poanoi]

according to my american friends, US citizens are only required a scouts honor on their pension being 800k or more,

(just make up any number, no checks will be done, dont ask dont tell)
while the rest of the world has to prove either show 800k in bank or pension, or a mix of the two, like 400k each in pension & bank

[elviajero]

If you want a 1 year extension of stay (renewable each year) based on retirement you need 800K in a Thai bank, OR a certified (by the US embassy) income of at least 65K pm, OR a combination of income/cash in the bank totalling 800K.

 

Alternatively it’s possible to get a visa (non-immigrant ‘O-A’) in the US that would give you permission to stay for 1 year when you first enter the country. The cash or income requirements are the same, but the cash can stay in a US bank. It’s a multiple entry visa valid for 1 year so an exit/entry just before it expires gets you a final 1 year stay giving you nearly 2 years in the country. At the end of the 1-2 years you can apply for a 1 year extension of stay, as above, or return to the US and get a new ‘O-A’ visa.

 

 

[elviajero]

2 minutes ago, poanoi said:

according to my american friends, US citizens are only required a scouts honor on their pension being 800k or more,

(just type in any number, no checks will be done)
while the rest of the world has to prove either show 800k in bank or pension, or a mix of the two, like 400k each in pension & bank

Immigration sometimes check.

 

It’s not just the US embassy that doesn’t require proof of pension/income.