hi. 

im planning on applying for a retirement visa, one of the requirements is that you have a certain amount of money in a thai bank for 3 months. how can i do this while still in the uk? 

any tips or advice are welcome

thanks

If you apply in the UK it can be in a local bank.  If you apply abroad.. Example in Laos,  it can be in a Thai bank but initially there is no seasoning required. Only when you apply for an extension of that stay di you need to season the funds. 

If applying for an extension of stay in Thailand the money has to be in a Thai bank for 2 months.

If applying for a Non Imm O-A Visa in U.K it does not.

It can be in a U.K bank.

Let me add that if you are still in the UK, your most advantageous visa option is the O-A long stay Visa. Requires a medical certification, criminal background check, and bank balance letter but can give you almost 2 years before you need to move money into a Thai bank. It is also multi-entry, every time you enter before the expiry date of Visa will give you 1 year of permission to stay.

 

I just arrived in one from the USA yesterday, it's relatively easy to obtain as long as you pay attention to details of what they want.

Personally I would advise applying for the extension in Thailand.

Much easier and cheaper.

isnt the  o-a the same as the retirement visa?   either way thanks for the advice, so i get that, then extend once im there?

 

 

34 minutes ago, oldsoulchild said:

isnt the  o-a the same as the retirement visa?   either way thanks for the advice, so i get that, then extend once im there?

 

 

The OA long stay visa issued by an embassy or official consulate is the only visa that comes close to being called a retirement visa.

The OA visa the and term "retirement visa"  is often confused with a one year extension of stay based upon retirement issued by immigration here in Thailand.

A OA visa if used correctly can allow almost 2 years of total stay before you need to a apply for an extension of stay at immigration.

A "plain" Non-O is also an option - good for 90-days and without as many qualifications to meet as the "Non-OA" visa.  This provides more than enough time to transfer the money to Thailand and get it seasoned before applying for a 1-year retirement "extension" here in Thailand.