That There is no Rule that States you must have a Thai Bank Account to obtain a Retirement Visa.Just conformation of ample funds from your Embassy.This must be renewed yearly at your Embassy here in Thailand. One for the Experts i recon.

Is there a question?

Is there a question?

Hard to tell when the ace of Pop speaks but I think he is asking about a retirement extension with proof of 65k per month income letter from the embassy instead of 800k in the thai bank.

Edited August 4, 201312 yr by LivinginKata
Member name changed back to corrcet name

Yes, is it True or Waffle. Seems a Straightforward Question to Me. Immigration were a tad put out,i'm told.

Yes

Off-topic post deleted.

Never Heard this one before. That There is no Rule that States you must have a Thai Bank Account to obtain a Retirement Visa.

Also I have never heard of a document stating what rules there are not. There are, however, links to these documents in one of the pinned topics indicating what rules there are:

Thai Police Order 777/2551 basis for extension of stay

Immigration Bureau Order 305/2551 documents for extension of stay

Please feel free to forward these links to whomever you heard from what you had never heard before. You may even want to suggest to this person to sign up as a member on ThaiVisa. He will probably be pleased to see confirmation of what he told you. Incidentally, these links are about the extension of stay for the reason of retirement, for which application is is made at the local immigration office and which is often inaccurately referred to as "retirement visa". If you meant something else with "Retirement Visa", please clarify.

While not being a 'rule', some immigration offices want to see a bank account even when using an embassy letter for income.

recently at Jomtiem Immigration I renewed my retirement visa (with embassy income letter) , included in the package I had copies of 2 Thai bank books showing recent activity and balances. The clerk asked me where is my letter from bank, I pointed at the bank book copies, she showed me a bank letter saying "you need this". I remember in previous years getting the letter from the bank (B100) I said this should work, she said no, but let me get away with it.

Edited August 5, 201312 yr by lopburi3
fix font

The money can be in any bank for the monthly income method, with a printout of the funds in account, embassy will issue letter to immigration to confirm it and asking to issue you visa. These 2 papers and the application form is all you should need.

The person in question does not have a Thai Banl Acc,just draws cash on his Visa Card.Says the Interest rates are too low to have money here.

So, both my German Neighbours were correct.One has a Bank Book,one doesnt but both on Retirement.25 Years here on a Marry Visa i think ill change now im retired. Thnaks to all.

recently at Jomtiem Immigration I renewed my retirement visa (with embassy income letter) , included in the package I had copies of 2 Thai bank books showing recent activity and balances. The clerk asked me where is my letter from bank, I pointed at the bank book copies, she showed me a bank letter saying "you need this". I remember in previous years getting the letter from the bank (B100) I said this should work, she said no, but let me get away with it.

If using just income there should not have been any bank statements presented unless asked to prove you have access to funds for support - if using combination of income and bank account then a bank letter of account balance would also be required and appears to be the reason you were asked for such.

The money can be in any bank for the monthly income method, with a printout of the funds in account, embassy will issue letter to immigration to confirm it and asking to issue you visa. These 2 papers and the application form is all you should need.

Since Immigrations does not issue visas, why would any embassy ask them to issue one?

Then I guess you do know the 3 options for a retirement extension(visa) on the financial side.

They are.

1. Bank account(s) in your name with at least 800K Thai Baht .

2. Letter from your embassy showing an income of 65K Thai Baht equivalent monthly.

3. Or (applies only to retirement, not extension for marriage to Thai) a combination of the two above with a total of at least 800K Baht yearly income/savings total.

Now, all immigration offices always will reserve the right to ask for "further clarification of your eligibility or status" if they think it's needed.

That's why even with an embassy letter showing that 65K income.... they still can ask for a bank account from you if they think it's required.

Most times they don't, but they can if they want to.

If using bank account a letter from bank of account balance is always required in addition to statement/passbook and copies.