World news story

British Embassy Bangkok to stop certification of income letters

With effect from 1 January 2019, the British Embassy Bangkok will no longer provide British Nationals with letters confirming their income.

British Embassy Bangkok to Stop Certification of Income Letters

This letter has previously served as a supporting document for obtaining a Thai retirement or marriage visa. The British Embassy Bangkok is stopping the certification of income letters because it is unable to fulfil the Thai authorities’ requirements to verify the income of British Nationals.

British Nationals should now demonstrate that they have an amount of at least 800,000 THB in an account in Thailand for no less than three months prior to the visa application, or a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB transferred into an account in Thailand for a retirement visa. For a marriage visa, the amounts are 400,000 THB in an account in Thailand for no less than three months prior to the visa application, or a monthly income of at least 40,000 THB transferred into an account in Thailand. A bank statement should be used as the supporting document for obtaining a Thai retirement or marriage visa.

All British Nationals concerned should note that the last date for income letter applications is 12 December 2018.

Further information

Stop pension letters (PDF, 911 KB, 1 page)

How to open a bank account in Thailand (PDF, 178 KB, 1 page)

A. Requirements for a retirement visa:

  • must be at least 50 years old
  • must have an amount of at least 800,000 THB in an account in Thailand for no less than three months prior to the application for a visa, or a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB
  • further information: www.immigration.go.th/content/service_22

B. Requirements for a marriage visa:

  • must be legally married to a Thai national
  • must have an amount of no less than 400,000 THB in an account in Thailand for two months prior to the visa application, or an average annual income of no less than 40,000 THB per month
  • further information: www.immigration.go.th/content/service_18
Published 8 October 2018