Can I switch from a Non-O retirement visa bank method to the monthly deposit method without an affidavit?

Jun 13, 2024
5 months ago
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am currently on a non-O retirement visa. I started with the 800,000 in my Thai bank but have been making deposits of 65,000 or more every month without missing any month for a year now. My visa will need to be renewed in 90 days as I just did my 90 day reporting yesterday. Can I use the money in the bank and go below the 400,000 and switch to the required monthly deposits from my US bank when I apply for another year extension without an affidavit of proof of income? Hopefully I used the correct terminology.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster is on a Non-O retirement visa and is inquiring whether they can switch from the bank deposit method (initially maintaining 800,000 THB) to using monthly income deposits (65,000 THB) for their upcoming visa extension, without needing an affidavit of proof of income. Responses clarify that while they need to keep the 800,000 THB until after the next extension, they are allowed to switch to the monthly income method for the renewal. However, they must ensure the necessary deposits are made for twelve months and that they meet the specific requirements set by the immigration office.
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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Tod *********
So this doesn't become a magnet for off topic stuff AND because the O/P already checked with their immigration office and was told they're fine just showing the 65k baht a month transfers for this coming extension we are done.

Thanx everyone and thank you
@Michael *******
for the update (y)
Tod *********
Just so we're clear, switching from a yearly extension based retirement using banked money method to one using monthly income by international transfers (when your embassy doesn't issue the affidavit letter) means you actually meet the seasoning requirements of TWO extensions at the same time 😮

You have to follow the requirements of the extension you're currently on (banked money) by keeping the 800K baht in the account for 3 months after the extension takes effect, and then you can't let the balance go below 400K baht the rest of the year

AND

you need to start transferring in to the country a minimum of 65K baht a month, each month, every month for the previous 12 months (meaning you start when you get your extension issued) before you apply for the next extension.

Most immigration offices require you to get a year detail transaction report showing every transaction on your account for the previous year so they can check that you met the seasoning requirements, because as a rule, no one updates their bank book enough to show every transaction)
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
I stopped by my immigration office in Khon Kaen today to see if everything is going to be okay. They told me that I am fine as long as I can show 12 months of deposits of 65,000 per month I don’t need to keep the 800,000 or 400,000 in the bank. Yes I had to wait for 3 months after the initial 1 year extension which I did. I realize each IO is different. But they said no problem when I come back for my 1 year extension.
Tod *********
@Michael *******
that is great to hear and just shows how much variance there is between offices (y)

Congrats on being able to use monthly income method by transfer for the upcoming extension, and thank you for the update too
Ellie *******
might help some people who are easy with image (not all)
Marty *********
You might consider keeping 800,000 in your account the two months before to apply for the next extension. If for some reason your attempt to use the monthly method is unsuccessful then as a backup you can continue with the deposit method.
Nick ************
@Marty ********
exactly what I plan to do. Always have a plan b.
Wannikea *********
You can remove the monthly 65k tho anytime you want
Tod *********
You did fine explaining it

You can't let the bank balance go below 400K until AFTER you get the next yearly extension using a different means to prove proof of funds (the 12 monthly transfers of 65K baht a month)

That's because the seasoning requirements using the banked money method for the extension you're on now stated you'd bank 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you got the extension, you'd keep that 800K baht in the account for 3 months after the extension took effect, and then you wouldn't let the balance go below 400K baht the rest of the year.

So that 400k needs to stay in until you get the next yearly extension granted but once you get that next extension based on monthly income you're free to bring the account right down to nothing.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
what if I went under 400,000? Which I did.
Wannikea *********
@Michael *******
that could easily be disastrous. Without going through every nitty gritty scenario, if as you say you were transferring 65k monthly into a different account while maintaining the 400k, which fell below the 400k, yet the balance in the 65k monthly account gave you an accumulated combined total of at least 400k for the period the balance was low...then, you might be able to convince an IO to be merciful.
Tod *********
Sadly
@Michael *******
that would have been a fail 🙁

It will remain to be seen IF the immigration office catches it when you apply for the new extension or not. If they notice it you're done and in theory you lost your extension the day you stopped following the seasoning rules (so when ever you went below the threshold). They may make you exit the country, come back in and start ALL over again.

BUT

That is between you and them, not much you can do about it now
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
I thought it was either or (800,000 or 65,000 monthly) but I understand now. Thank you
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