Retirement visa 800k rules: how long the money must stay in a Thai bank

Bangkok Immigration's published criteria for a retirement extension set three money rules:

1. Before you file: at least 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account for 2 months.
2. After approval: the 800,000 THB stays in the account for 3 months.
3. For the rest of the year: the balance must not fall below 400,000 THB.

These rules apply to the in-country one-year extension based on retirement. The thresholds and their sources are on the retirement visa rules page.

Forum threads often say you must keep 800,000 THB all year. That is not what the published criteria say. Some offices do apply stricter local practice, and some agencies advise 3 months before filing to be safe. If your office says something different, follow your office.

Count from the day you plan to file your extension (Month 0).

Ask your office which date the 3 months count from. Some count from the approval date written in your passport.

Most offices ask for two things on filing day:

• Your bank book (passbook), updated on the day. Many people make a small transaction or update at the branch that morning, so the last line shows the current balance.
• A bank letter confirming the account and balance. Guides differ on how recent it must be. Some offices want it dated within about 7 days, others want it issued the same day. Ask your office in advance.

Bring copies of every page showing the last few months of entries. Offices publish their own document lists, for example Samut Prakan Immigration, so check yours. Expect to bring your passport, a TM.7 form, a photo, the bank documents and your TM30 proof of address.

If you have some savings and some income, you can combine them. The total of your Thai bank deposit and your annual income must reach at least 800,000 THB.

The deposit part is usually expected to meet the same "held before filing" rule as the full deposit. The income part needs proof. Some embassies issue an income letter. Others no longer do, and offices then look at evidence such as monthly foreign transfers into your Thai account. Practice varies by nationality and office, so check before you rely on it.

The pure income route is 65,000 THB a month, with no deposit needed.

Not exactly. The seasoning timeline above is for the in-country retirement extension.

If you are over 50 and married to a Thai, the marriage visa needs half the deposit, but adds an interview and more paperwork. Once you extend in Thailand on an O-A basis, the yearly extension uses the same 800,000 THB criteria, plus insurance. See Non-O vs O-A.

• Moving the money too late. If the deposit is less than 2 months old on filing day, the file can be refused.
• Withdrawing in the 3 months after approval. A dip below 800,000 THB in that window breaks the rule, and offices can see it at your next renewal.
• Dropping below 400,000 THB. Offices can see your full bank history at renewal.
• Using a foreign bank or a joint account without asking. The rules refer to a Thai bank account, and offices differ on joint accounts.
• Forgetting to update the bank book on the day. An old last entry does not prove today's balance.
• Paying an agent to "cover" the money. Agencies that supply or fake bank documents expose you to refusal and criminal charges. See Thai visa agent scams.
• Converting too late. Since 15 September 2026, many visitors get only 30 days visa-exempt. That is not enough time to season a new deposit. Plan the 2 months before you arrive, or use the O-A route from home.