A friend of mine informed me that he was instructed to have 1 million baht, rather than the typical 800,000 baht, in a bank account to qualify for a "retirement" visa. Has anyone else heard this as well? Is this a new requirement? Thank you.

Instructed by who?

Sounds like and is a Rumour !

Where does your friend intend to obtain this "VISA" ?

There have been no changes to the financial requirements to get an extension of stay based upon retirement.

Or to apply for a OA visa at an embassy or consulate.

No and No.

There is no such thing as a Retirement Visa.

Anything else that might be called that requires 800,000 Baht in the bank or 65,000 monthly income or a combination of both.

Scare mongering again. Why do some people do it. Goodness knows.

Rumors, rumors and more rumors.

55 years

one million baht

to be continued

one more for the bin

Rumors, rumors and more rumors.

55 years

one million baht

to be continued

one more for the bin

Yes....you'll need the extra 5 years to save 200K baht

There is no such thing as a Retirement Visa.

Anything else that might be called that requires 800,000 Baht in the bank or 65,000 monthly income or a combination of both.

Not the old chestnut again does it mater what people call it really we all know what it is just diffrent terminology is all

There is no such thing as a Retirement Visa.

Anything else that might be called that requires 800,000 Baht in the bank or 65,000 monthly income or a combination of both.

Not the old chestnut again does it mater what people call it really we all know what it is just diffrent terminology is all

It is people like you that confuse everybody and lead to wrong information being given.

If you took the trouble to read this forum everyday you will see the chaos it courses.

Silly rumour.

When it does go up, I would predict it will be a heck of a lot more than 200k. Last time it doubled as I recall.

False information.

But I have a theory about how misinformation like that could spread.

If you're using the 800K baht in the bank method for retirement extensions, that money needs to be seasoned for two (first time) or three months before applying for the annual extension based on retirement.

Many retirees SPEND directly from that account, and top up annually.

So if you're doing that, 800K two or three months before won't work. It will need to be more if the account is to still show over 800K at application day and to never go under the 800K during that seasoning period.

So most people probably spend less than 200K in two or three months, so that's my theory as to how such a rumor may have started.

Edited January 20, 201610 yr by Jingthing

Silly rumour.

When it does go up, I would predict it will be a heck of a lot more than 200k. Last time it doubled as I recall.

The last raise was GRANDFATHERED for people on the old levels.

People don't know what a retirement visa is and the wrong terminology confuses people who make mistakes based on their misunderstanding. A visa is a visa and an extension of stay is just that. The requirements for each are different.

People don't know what a retirement visa is and the wrong terminology confuses people who make mistakes based on their misunderstanding. A visa is a visa and an extension of stay is just that. The requirements for each are different.

True that.

My post was about annual extensions based on retirement obtained in Thailand.

The financial requirements for O-A visas in home countries also haven't changed.

Scare mongering again. Why do some people do it. Goodness knows.

For the same reason that some people call everything a "visa." They are, to put it politely, confused or enjoy stirring the pot.

i heard in 5-years it will go to 100 million baht!!!!

this thread should be closed....it gets me too worried!!!!!

Just go make a few million baht and problem sorted!!!!

Not directed to you, Jingthing. Written in reply to Sutty's "old chestnut" remark.

Just be careful which side of the bed you get out of in the morning when in SE Asia... blink and your life's changed.

No and No.

-------------------------

Correct

The only "change" that might be called a new change is that when using the combination method of a pension income and a Thai Bank account balance, immigration wants the bank account to be seasoned for 3 months.

And that "new change" has been asked for since at least back in 2014 or at least 2 years ago

Edited January 20, 201610 yr by IMA_FARANG

Not by all immigration offices, I believe, only by some, for reasons unknown.

All that matters is what your (mandatory) local Immi office (fiefdom) requires.

There is no such thing as a Retirement Visa.

Anything else that might be called that requires 800,000 Baht in the bank or 65,000 monthly income or a combination of both.

that's why immigration stamps twice "RETIREMENT" in your passport but calls it "extension of stay"

Extension of your permission to stay based on Retirement.

Clingons should be exempt anyway.

There are two stamps on the page that say "Retirement." Can you find the word "Visa" on the page anywhere? If not, why would you persist in calling it a "retirement visa?" It is clearly identified as an extension of stay.

Silly rumour.

When it does go up, I would predict it will be a heck of a lot more than 200k. Last time it doubled as I recall.

The last raise was GRANDFATHERED for people on the old levels.

Doesn't mean the next one will or in fact if the grandfathered one is made null and void

People don't know what a retirement visa is and the wrong terminology confuses people who make mistakes based on their misunderstanding. A visa is a visa and an extension of stay is just that. The requirements for each are different.

True that.

My post was about annual extensions based on retirement obtained in Thailand.

The financial requirements for O-A visas in home countries also haven't changed.

In response to Jingthing, and all the other 'experts' who keep khrapping on about - 'There is no such thing as a Retirement Visa"

YOU ARE WRONG !!

This is the the front page of the Thailand Embassy in Australia - note the section titled "Retirement Visa".

Now look at the new Application Form for a Visa (Form A) - this is the Section about "Retirement Visa"

You guys do a great job - but please stop 'correcting' people who call it a Retirement Visa instead of a Non-Immigrant O-A (Long Stay) Visa - Retirement.

If the Thailand Embassy calls it that both on its website and in its documents - then please just let that one go.

However having said that - I do believe there is a lot of 'incorrect descriptions used that do cause people real confusion and these should be corrected - like:

'Extending my Visa' - A person cannot extend a Visa, you can only extend the date/period you are allowed to remain (Permission to Stay) - either by application (depending on your specific current Visa situation) or by leaving and re-entering (again depending on your current Visa situation). Or of course you can leave and apply for a new Visa.

Oh Brutha....here we go again..................

BB24

Thanks !

Perhaps you can now find , scan and post a picture of an actual visa which states it was issued for "Retirement " .

I do not believe you will succeed !