How can I extend my retirement visa in Thailand using monthly foreign income deposits?

Mar 15, 2024
8 months ago
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Extension based on monthly deposits experience, Jomtien.

This is NOT the ฿ 800 or ฿ 400 in the bank method!

Nor is it about those who have a complyent Embassy who will give income letters.

I was issued my extension today with little hassle.

I brought the following to Jomtien Immigration

Application

2 photos

Passport

Copies of all the pages in my passbook

The fee

Recent TM30

Home bank statement showing 12 foreign deposits

of at least ฿65 K. Below is a copy of the accepted

statement which will take a week to get.

I did NOT have to show proof of last year's ฿800K. Since 12 monthly deposits have to be shown, it requires you to have some other visa type for you to aquire this 12 deposits.

Many have done this. Some were successful and some were not. My opinion of why the failed ones happened is probably due to either confusing the two types of extensions (income and banked) or not getting the bank statement correct. It must be deposits into Thailand, 12 deposits of at least ฿65K, the bank statement must be from the bank and be in the prescribed format and definitely not money in your home country.

At first it was rejected, the bank put the wrong month on the statement and I had have it redone.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the author's successful experience in extending their retirement visa in Thailand based on monthly foreign income deposits instead of the traditional bank balance method. The author highlights the necessary documentation for the extension process at Jomtien Immigration, including evidence of 12 monthly deposits of at least ฿65K. They clarify that there is no requirement to prove a previous ฿800K balance, and mention common pitfalls that others have encountered, such as incorrect bank statements. The comments section includes discussions on various related topics, including the marriage visa, the combination method for income sources, and different immigration office practices.
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Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
For all. I wrote this OP to declutter the process of switching from banked to income. I had my own very recent experiance. There is a lot of confusion in doing what I did which I wanted to mitigate. Throwing in many extraneous senarios has accomplished just the opposite.

While worthy topics, adding in posts about marriage, 400K, combined method, etc only serve to confuse. Those subjects should be brought up as new separate posts.

If it does not stop, I will have to kill the thread.
Frank ******
So any smart ideas how to make a change to my previous 800k renewal process.

Renewed Retirement visa in Nov 23 and will expire Dec 24. Jomtien immi.

Evidenced the 800k retained 90 days after the approval.

I'd now like to move to a monthly transfer from overseas and reduce the 800 to either 400 or nil. However I am part way through the visa year and will only have 7 or 8 months of transfers - the first 4 months being linked to the 800k.

Would immigration accept the 7 or 8 months supported by 4 months of 800k.

2024 tax arrangements will also be a consideration I need to make.
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *****
I really don't know. What I was told was you absolutly needed 12 consecutive deposits. You could PM one of the unrelated people talking about combination income and bank but please keep it outside of this thread.
Frank ******
Terary **********
Thank you.
Terry ********
@Glenn ****
That’s good info, I get 150k a month, unfortunately I can’t use that method. I get a monthly pension from the government, but they always transfer on the last day of the month. Thus, some months have 0, some have 1 payment and some have 2 payments in one month. I think in a 12 month period , I have about 6-8 months of normal payments, the rest are all, 0 or 2. Just depends on which day the bank is open here 😢
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *******
what you could do is to save up a few months worth and then transfer monthly through Wise
Alex ******
@Glenn ****
Wait... WISE can be used for monthly 65k transfers? That sounds great.. And that money can be spent, no need to keep it in account? If both yes, then it totally beats the ridiculous 800k method.
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alex *****
yes and yes
Terry ********
@Glenn ****
I’ve heard that Savannkhet may have different financial requirements. A little more relaxed on required documents.
Terry ********
@Glenn ****
, it would be an ok idea, but I don’t even have an American bank account anymore. I’ve been here too many years and I get direct deposit
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *******
Other than getting a US bank, I am out of ideas with that one
Amanda ******
hello. what kind of visa it is ? is working visa or dependant visa also need bank balance papers?
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Amanda *****
sorry I should have stated it. It is a one year non O extension based on retirement.
Albert *******
Would this work in Bangkok immigration office ?
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I mentioned that a recent TM30 was needed. If you don't have one you need to get one, possibly by the things you mentioned. However, you would already have been around for a while and would already have one.
Michael *******
Ive been transferring 65,000 baht a month for the past year. Since last june.

Immigration told me to come back in june. And apply for non o retirement.

No lump sum of 800k. They did not seem concerned. Correct or not correct. I hear so many conflicting opinions!
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael ******
Again, if you have the the 12 X 65+, you can get an extension based on income . Since you would have been here for, immigration " could" ask for proof of last year's requirements. For me they did not. Just make sure you have a bank letter like my example. My initial one got rejected because they put February on the letter and not March. Had to redo it.
Michael *******
@Glenn ****
👍🙏🏻
Rok ********
You mentioned TM30. What about the contract, blue book and owner’s Thai ID?
Brandon ************
There's no need for an extra step to prove 800,000 last year for 3 months after you got your extension and 400,000 the rest of the year. They already have 12 months of your bank statements that will prove it
Tony *********
Very interesting post I was debating this very topic when I noticed this post.

I was wondering if immigration insist (which appears to be the case from this post) on 12 x monthly payments being shown in the bank account to add up to 12 x 65k? It seems that they are saying it has to be shown as a deposit in the bank account every month. I find this frustrating because when I use Wise to convert at a decent rate I have to leave it in Wise until the following month to comply with what I originally thought ie it has to be a monthly payment. It seems a little crazy that if in just one month you deposited 12 x 65k = 780,000 that it would be rejected but that's my understanding. It's a little annoying because I lose interest once I have made the conversion from my UK account to Wise...it has to just sit there in Wise until the 1st of the following month. I would rather send it over immediately because you do get some interest on the account in Thailand. I guess rules and rules huh.

Can someone confirm that if you are married it's only 40 k per month and no need to retain the 400 k bank balance? That's my understanding. Some have said (those who are married to a Thai national) that they rather do it based on retirement to avoid the scrutiny but not being able to spend 400k if doing the 800k yearly method is just annoying. I want to enjoy life in my retirement not watch my bank balance 55. I'm interested to hear others opinions and methods on this subject because we can't afford to get it wrong and have a big problem with immigration when going for our extensions. I have successfully done one so far also at Chonburi based on the 800k but want to either do it as a combo next year (income and minimum 400k) or possibly anything else that will be acceptable. I am now dealing with Samut Sakhon Immigration and they told me that they don't even consider income and savings method! They said I would have to write a letter to Bangkok immigration. Go figure 🤨🙄
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
for income method, 800K 400K only comes into play in that you need a visa for depositing the first 12 deposits. You start for the first 15 months and get your 12 deposits then switch. Do not try to think about the total just that you have at least 65K X 12
Tony *********
@Glenn ****
- just to add I've already started the process well before I even got my first extension so I should be OK on the income basis anyway. I have the 400 k left because I just brought a car with the 800k balance. I can make it back up to 800k if necessary but I actually want to start spending some of the 400k balance. From Tod's screenshot it would seem that it may be difficult to actually spend ANY of the 400k. They want to see that balance after 12 months and at least 40k a month by the looks of it. These immigration rules are becoming ridiculous when every Immigration Officer is allowed to interpret them how they see fit. I hope I don't come across such officers but it seems it's becoming a lottery. No wonder I see so many posts about leaving Thailand for other Asian countries. It's stressful enough just doing the annual extension but when you are getting massive divergence from the written Immigration rules it leaves you worrying for the whole 12 months about who you may be unlucky to encounter on your turn. Crazy
Nick ************
@Tony ********
Tony, I might be making some assumptions about your situation but I will attempt to put your mind at rest. You are transferring from banked 800k to monthly income of 65k plus each month right? As your current stamp was issued using banked money you must meet the conditions for it which are that
*****
0 stays banked for 3 months after application and does not go below
*****
0 for the rest of the year. To get your next extension based on income you must show 12 monthly payments of at least 65k showing on your statement as international or ftt. When you go to get your stamp based on monthly income the officer will check that you did not go below 400k as was required by last years stamp and that 800k was banked for 3 months after it was granted. So, you can not spend the 400k until you have obtained your next stamp based on income. I am currently in the middle of this process but I will leave 800k for the year to be sure and have a back up if things go wrong. I use Bangkok bank and wise for monthly transfers and so far they have all showed as ftt.

The Officers are not making up the rules they are simply applying them rigorously. Good luck.
Tony *********
@Nick ***********
- thank you Nick for your detailed reply. My situation is quite complicated in that I can't make the 65k monthly requirement. I rent property back in the UK and I get about 45k and remit monthly about 42-44 leaving some money back home for taxes. I am fortunate enough to have some savings so I can make my money back up to 800k if necessary 2 months before applying for the new extension next December.

I spoke to the Immigration Officer at Samut Sakhon about my plans for the next extension to do it based on part savings (400k) and the other 400k by monthly income. He told me that they don't accept the combined method and that I will have to write a letter to Bangkok Immigration to get clarification and I guess approval which is my intention. He said if I submitted my application next year on this basis he thought it would be denied and they would have to send it onto Bangkok to get agreement.

Over the course of the year I will easily be able to show 400k which has never gone below and the balance 400k made up from remittances (400 / 12 is actually only 33,333 per month and I am doing about 42 on average) but as I said they told me that they don't accept the combination method which is worrying.

As for spending the 400k I was thinking about the future if I get married and can then show monthly income of at least 40k (that's my understanding it drops from 65k down to 40k if married?). Obviously I wouldn't touch any of the 400k until I know it's all sweet with my Immigration Office which is Samut Sakhon. Don't get me wrong the officer was very pleasant and helpful but I was surprised when he told me they don't accept the combination method. Essentially eventually I want to be able to spend some of the 400k having a good life not just leaving it there. I have other savings back in the UK so just seeing 400k sat there to comply with 'rules' is frustrating especially when I can send over more money anyway. I know that this is not going to be possible until after getting married but I am just trying to figure out what might happen without screwing up to be honest that's why I asked the Immigration Officer and told him my plans.

If Bangkok confirm that they won't accept the combination method and won't instruct Samut Sakhon Office to apply the combination method my only other option is to send over another 400k 2 months before my application date. I would then stop sending over monthly remittances and just live off the excess 400k each year so that is an option that would work but I still have to look at the balance of 400k sweetly and smile knowing that I can never touch it 😏...and as for getting married I assume that I would STILL not be able touch the 400k but can then perhaps do the income method? I am still a little confused about how they treat the married couple scenario I only know that they will come and visit every year but not sure about the rest of the rules. My situation is also complicated by the fact I will most likely be married before the next renewal date but I have no idea what spanners that may throw into the mix other than the income requirement is lower.

Sorry for long explanation but just wanted to explain what my situation is. I am moving towards thinking about just sending over 400k each year and stopping remittances but that doesn't solve the problem of being able to spend some of the 400k. I think if married you can but not sure to be honest. It all certainly spins my head 555.

Thanks again for your reply and interest 👍🏼🙏🏼
Nick ************
@Tony ********
personally, if I was to get married, I would prefer to stay on an extension for being aged over 50 but that might just be me.
Tony *********
@Nick ***********
- yes many say the same but I do want to spend some of the 400k so I will check with Samut Sakhon about marriage and see what they say. If it means only 40k per month and I can spend the 400k happy days. I don't mind the annual visit no big deal for me. I will make a visit in the next few months and plan ahead based on what I am told. Hopefully it will be office policy and not just what one officer says!

I can always fall back on the 800k if desperate. I do think being married to a Thai national can help though in some situations but again maybe it's not consistent. Thanks for the great idea of sending the money back nice one 👍🏼
Nick ************
@Tony ********
you can not fall back on
*****
0 if you spend below
*****
0. I'm still not sure you understand.
Nick ************
@Tony ********
I am not sure for the marriage extension but I believe you can spend the 400k. Another plan, which I am following, is to send back some or all of the 65k montly payments to the UK using Dee Money. They dont mind what you do with the monthly payment amounts they just have to show so you can also spend as much of them as you like. I know there will be transfer costs to consider but it might help your cash flow as you can use the same 65k for next month as you used last month. A friend did it for years.
Tony *********
@Nick ***********
- thank you that's a very clever idea and one I've never considered 👍🏼

Any downside is the transfer costs and particularly potential losses in exchange rates although that can swing both ways. I think once 400k is transferred I would just use it to live off but I could do 65k from savings but it's too late now because I have been going along with my original combination plan not expecting any office to simply say that they don't use it. I will just have to sort things as I go along if desperate I'll need to revert to the 800k method and maybe change to marriage next time if that's all permissable 🙏🏼
Nick ************
@Tony ********
if you had
*****
0 baht on high interest deposit it would more than cancel out transfer fees and exchange rates. Gat is what I am planning. Good luck.
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ***********
that is a safe plan. In my case the officer did not check the status of my 800K as I didn't have any. It is better to have the funds in case they do check.
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
they did not ask to see my 800K. I have heard of them asking if the new extension is the same banked type. And once you get an income based extension all others will just require the special bank statement as posted above.
Tony *********
@Glenn ****
- thank you for the clarification. I will probably go and visit in advance 10 weeks before just in case 55. Rather be sure about what they will do...thanks for your help 👍🏼
Tony *********
@Glenn ****
- thank you so they do want to see a monthly deposit correct? I found the photo post very concerning so people seem to be making things up as they go along. If that happened to me I would be straight to head off lodging a complaint especially if married to a Thai national!
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
yes exactly life my initial post showing what they want to see. All other concerns like marriage or 40K is for a different post.
Tony *********
@Glenn ****
- thank you noted. I wanted confirmation that they expect to see 12 x 65k which you have confirmed. I diverged into my own questions because I was wondering about the combination method next year and how they treat the married situation. I am not married to a Thai national but was wondering how it's seen and if you can spend the 400k. Seems that the answer is do so at your own risk 😏
Brandon ************
Tony *********
@Brandon ***********
- thank you for this screenshot.

I find the comments rather disturbing to be honest. Surely the immigration officer is going way beyond their remit? I know that you can appeal so if someone tries that nonsense with me in the future that's exactly what I would do. I can see why a lot of expats are getting fed up with this kind of bullying and leaving Thailand for other nearby countries 🇹🇭➡️
Brandon ************
@Tony ********
Good luck with that. Trying to escalate is very rarely successful. Thais are all about saving face, and you going over their head is a good way to make an enemy at your immigration office, especially if you'll be using that office for years to come.
Tony *********
@Brandon ***********
- good point but it's wrong that they should be allowed to flout their own rules. I will take on your comments though and hope that I'm never put in that situation 🙏🏼
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
totally different subject
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I have no idea what you are talking about. My specific example was in Jomtien and I got an extension today based on income. I am not married and I can do it with 65K. If someone cannot deposit and spend 65K every month, they would be in trouble living here.
Brandon ************
@Glenn ****
My original reply was to Tony. If you read Tony's post he asks about marriage visa.
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
please stick to the OP. No mention of marriage or 40K was there. You are welcome to start your own post.
Brandon ************
@Glenn ****
What are you talking about. I'm not the one who changed the subject. I don't know why you are even replying to me when I wasn't talking to you. And don't tell a moderator what to do.
Phuket ******
@Brandon ***********
Brandon Thurkettle Tony Handley hijacked the post and you replied and started a separate discussion....

As a moderator you should know that is not cool......
Gray ******
My only issue is when the US government deposits fall on the same calendar month. Once I showed them the deposit schedule and that I have no control everything was fine.

I use an account just for immigration. The deposit comes in and is moved to another bank for spending.
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Again people are conflating income or bank. When someone shows up for an income extension it would mean they have probably been in in Thailand for at least a year and you would have 800 / 400 ฿ in the bank. So it is very plausible for immigration to ask for proof if that. I never had ฿800 in the bank for more than a few minutes, hence I was concerned.
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gray *****
if you have at least ฿65 K in your home bank just transfer to a Thai bank every month. No one has ever asked me if it comes from retirement, just that it is a foreign transfer.
Gray ******
@Glenn ****
My immigration wants to see the source, plus direct deposit is free, transfers are not.
Vincent ***************
It's flexible , you need to prove 800,000 baht in total for the year ... They would accept 12 x 50,000 pension with a 200,000 baht deposit on the account.
Peter ****************
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter ***************
And that has exactly zero to do with the OP. You have just confused many people. You could have also mentioned who can and cannot get an income affidavit. You could have posted section (4). You could have posted the price of bananas. You could of posted if Jomtien accepts it.

Please stop posting information that is not germane to the OP or just start a thread.
Peter ****************
@Glenn ****
This where answers on this partial thread where you started with the word "Wrong" as answer on the statement Vincent mentioned. It's not, but have a nice day with y'r bananas.
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vincent **************
wrong, did you read the op? 800,000 has nothing to do with it for the income method. You are talking about the money in the bank method. In fact most people do the income method precisely to avoid the 800,000
Peter ****************
@Glenn ****
some imm offices DO accept the 'combination method' what Vincent mentions !!
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter ***************
does Jomtien do it? My experience with 1.2M, immigration counted, twice, to confirm my 12 deposits. If people could just show up with 800K and say it was for the income method and not the banked method. In any event, this has nothing to do with the OP.
Peter ****************
@Glenn ****
This I don't know, but I know some imm. offices accept it. You have double work to do though. 1st the bank statement that the missing money from y'r monthly international deposits was there already 2 months before y'r application and 2nd the statement of the 12 deposits.
Jan ******************
@Peter ***************
«a combination of a deposit account plus a monthly pension totaling not less than 800,000 Baht a year».
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
please stop posting incorrect information. The rule clearly states at least 65K for the income method. 65 X 12 is the norm and it is only 780K. People who have missed a deposit, or a short one, have been denied and not allowed to make it up.
Jan ******************
@Glenn ****
The combination is possible if your 12 months monthly income transfered over sea is below 65K a month.
*********************************************************************
Peter **********
Easy immigration in Jomtien always has been

Good result for you
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter *********
I don't know about easy one way or the other. But I do hear many many complaints about that offuce
Neil ********
And I believe you can spend the cash as you go as ,one as you keep up the deposits ?
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Neil *******
absolutely
Peter ****************
@Glenn ****
I cannot read Thai, but does it says somwhere these are international transfers ? Or is it proven by the 'international transfer' text in the bankbook.
Glenn *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter ***************
it actually does say international in the Thai text. It also has the wrong Thai month which is why I had to have it redone.
Graham ******
Neil ********
Chris *****
Good sharing info
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