Can I apply for a one-year extension on my retirement visa if my required funds will only be in my account for 55 days before my visa expires?

Retirement Visa NON-O Visa Visa Extension Bank Requirements Thai Immigration Expat Tips

September 20, 2024

3 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I arrived on a retirement non-O visa and stamped with an expiry of Dec 3. It took time to get a lease and bank account opened. I am transferring the required 800k in 2 parts and the transfers are taking a very long time to show up in the thai bank. It looks like the full amount will not be in the account until maybe Sept 27 or so. 

What am I up against with the fact that it will be almost the 1st of December before the balance has been in place for 2 full months. Do I need to wait until then before or is it possible to go in a week or so early, even though the balance may have only been in place for 55 days, etc?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is facing a challenge with their retirement non-O visa, as the required 800,000 THB won't be fully transferred to their Thai bank account until September 27, leaving insufficient time before their visa expires on December 3. Responses indicate that the money must be in the account for a full two months before applying for a one-year extension. One suggestion mentions the possibility of obtaining a temporary 60-day 'visit family' extension, while another advises visiting the local immigration office for clarity on options and necessary documents.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Derek ********

I sent mine in two parts as well and it was so close to the maturity date but didnt make it litterally 2 days late immigration sees this however they give you a 90 day visa 2000baht i go on Tuesday for my 1 year see if i get charged again (probably) i figure the 90 day was an extension for the bank account to mature

2 days ago

Alan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Derek *******

thanks - if I understand correct, immigration saw that you were close but off by a few days so they offered a new 90 day visa? That makes a lot more sense to me than forcing me to leave the country or to use an agent with illegal practice. Thanks I hope everything works out for both of us.

2 days ago

Tony *********

@Alan ******

- if I was you I would go to Immigration as soon as possible and pick up the information sheet and ask all your questions there such as what are my options if the money doesn't mature in time and / or is a few days late. Each office seems to do their own thing and they don't always follow their own rules often none of it makes sense to us. Get it directly from the horses mouth and they will also probably appreciate you going in and asking them. If you don't know you must dress formally and be extremely polite and courteous. Naturally take someone with you who speaks Thai and can help you.

It will also help you familiarise yourself with the office, their procedures and the way the office is set out and where to go = less panic on the day! You will also get a feel about what they are like some people report a nice experience whilst others don't but that may also be down to the type of person reporting but you will get a vibe. At my local office I found them very helpful.

If nothing else it will put your mind at rest and you can focus on what you need to do. I know it's worrying I had exactly your situation last December 5th which is when mine will expire so going again around the same time.

Good luck 🤞🏼🍀 🙏🏼

2 days ago

Brandon ************

@Alan ******

no, that's not what happened. Most provinces in Thailand do not require you to have the money in the bank for 2 months to convert from tourist to non-O visa. That's what the op did. Your situation is different. You are applying for the 1-year extension. There is no grace period. You either meet the requirements or you don't. The commenter got his 90 day his because he met the requirements.

2 days ago

Derek ********

Also just to be clear (and i dont know why its not homogeneous in this country) it varies from province to province slightly im in Chaiyaphum

So i hope it works out chok dee!

Im interested how it works out for ya keep in touch

2 days ago

Reply to

Derek ********

Giraffe *********

Use a agent to do cheaper in the long run as you use their 800,000

2 days ago

Tony *********

Visit your local office and get the information sheet telling you what documents they want. You always have to have a letter from the bank dated on the actual day of application and everything else on the list.

Don't worry too much I had to go one day after mine expired because it expired on a Sunday. December 3rd is a Tuesday so you could go on the Monday.

Good luck 🙏🏼🍀🤞🏼

3 days ago

Michael ********

It does take time for money to show up in your bank account, it took 4 working days for us when transferring a large amount from the UK. Think it went via Kasikorn bank before it arrived in our Bangkok bank accounts.

3 days ago

Steven ***************

You may be able to get a 60 day " visit family" extension to bridge the gap but is only available if you have a Thai spouse or child, which you haven't mentioned.

3 days ago

Bart **************

@Steven **************

the

n he can't get the other extension anymore. That one can only be obtained from the original non-O, or from a small group of other extensions. But not from the visit family extension.

2 days ago

Steven ***************

@Bart *************

. When did that stop because I did it 2 years ago. Non o ext->60 day family -> non o ext. I was 2 days short of required min bank balance and they actually suggested it at immigration to bridge the gap.

2 days ago

Bart **************

@Steven **************

earlier this year it wasn't possible. Afaik it has never been.

2 days ago

Reply to

Bart **************

Brandon ************

No, you cannot apply early. The money must be in your account for 2 full months. That means if it's all deposited by September 27th, you cannot apply for the 1-year extension until November 27th.

3 days ago

Alan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

thanks. What am I facing if the final transfer does not go through until Oct 3 (my 90day visa expires Dec 3) or day after - worst case scenarios) are there options or is it a complete fail?

3 days ago

John **********

@Alan ******

you would be cutting it very fine so you'd need to ensure you ticked all the boxes. You have zero room for mistakes. Or you could exit Thailand and re-enter visa exempt and apply for a new 90 day Non-O visa inside Thailand

3 days ago

Brandon ************

@Alan ******

you'll only have 2 options if that happens.

1) leave Thailand and return and start over by applying the 90 day non-O visa at immigration.

2) use an agent to bypass the monetary requirements.

3 days ago

Alan *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

I have read comments that using an agent for that purpose tends to oblige you to using that agent for all renewals?

I was already planning to fly home for holidays but could move the trip up - and that could be a solution - but I am keeping my fingers crossed the transfers will not take that long and I just worry too much. Thanks

3 days ago

Stuart ***********

@Alan ******

I really hope your money arrives in time, but just to add to the points Brandon made. Using an agent to circumvent the financial requirements is illegal. If the immigration officer is investigated (this does happen) the visas they approved when taking bribes are all cancelled. This results in the individuals having to leave Thailand and potentially facing a ban.

Good luck and fingers crossed your money arrives on time.

3 days ago

John ********

@Stuart **********

any evidence of this ever happening? I agree it’s wrong and risky but never heard of visas being canceled. Which immigration office was this?

2 days ago

Stuart ***********

@John *******

yes, I have seen posts from several people complaining this happened to them.

Bizarrely, one of the expats blamed the immigration officer instead of himself (and/or the agent) for breaking the law!

I am unsure if the individuals are banned or for how long, but I read that this is likely in these circumstances.

I don't know which immigration offices were involved, but I think that's moot because does it really matter where you are if you are breaking the law?

I read someone recently explaining that Thailand is stepping up these type of investigations, but I have no idea whether that is true.

2 days ago

Brandon ************

@Alan ******

the reason people have to keep using an agent is because the requirement for the money is that you keep your account at 800,000 for 3 months after you receive your 1-year extension and it cannot drop below 400,000 the rest of the year. People that use an agent use it because they don't want to keep the money in the bank.

Next year if they try to go to immigration and do their own extension, their 12 month bank statement will show that they did not keep to the requirements from the previous extension, and they will be denied.

3 days ago

Norbert **********

@Brandon ***********

go to agency and ask them with your 800b .they fake the bankdate also.

3 days ago

Reply to

Norbert **********

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