How can I transition from the 800K baht option to the 65K monthly transfer for my O-A visa renewal in Thailand?

Aug 19, 2021
3 years ago
Hi all, I am looking for advise.

I am a 51 y/o canadian on O-A visa which I need to renew, extend in December.

I understand that there are two ways to meet the financial requirements: either 65K deposited monthly in my thai bank account or 800K for at least 3 months prior and two months after.

Now, being 3 months prior the renewal, I could get the 800K in time, but how can I transition to the monthly transfer?

Do I need to start doing the transfer while the 800K is also covered? Do I need the 65K monthly fo the entire 12 previous months?

Does it mean that my best scenario would be 800K now until January while starting to transfer 65K / month now so next year I could transition ?

Thanks for your help.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking guidance on the financial requirements for renewing their O-A visa in Thailand. They understand they can either maintain 800,000 baht in their Thai bank account or transfer 65,000 baht monthly from overseas. They want to know how to transition from the 800K option to the monthly transfer, specifically if they need to start transferring the monthly amount while still meeting the 800K requirement and how long they must maintain these funds.
Nick *******
Hi
@Tod ********
I’ve heard before you are the guy to give the ‘correct’ answers. Can I pm you as I’m getting conflicting info on O and OA?
John ********
800 k only
Tod *********
actually you as a canadian CANNOT use the 65K baht a month transfers for the previous 12 months,

That's because your embassy issues the income affidavit notary letter.

You either bank the 800K baht in the account for 2 months before you apply for your yearly extension OR you get that letter from the Canadian Embassy stating you get over 65K baht a month in income from overseas.

Those are the only 2 ways you can meet the proof of funds
Jean-Francois **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
crystal clear, detailed and to the point as always. Thanks a lot
Todd *********
@Jean-Francois *********
Tod D info here is all you need to know 🙂
Tod *********
@Jean-Francois *********
because your embassy issues the income affidavit that is the ONLY thing you can use to show monthly income. You CANNOT use monthly incoming transfers. So if you can't qualify to get the income letter from your embassy your option is banked money method only
Kool *******
Your options are having bt800,000 in a Thai bank account in your name only at least 2 months before, and three months after your first visa extension, then keeping at least bt400,000 in the account for the full year. The second option is to have at least bt65,000 coming into your Thai bank account from an overseas source for at least the last 12 months before you apply. It is not an average. You can not receive bt45,000 one month then bt85,000 the next. It must be at least bt65,000 every month, and on your bank statements it must show as coming from an overseas source. ATM withdrawals, or deposits from inside Thailand are not accepted. Because the Thai immigration started requiring embassies to certify as accurate the notarized letters they had been issuing stating monthly income, many quit issuing these accepted letters, as they were not certifying the amounts listed by the signee were accurate. If your embassy still issues these letters they are accepted, but is is not a requirement no matter what country you are from. The bank statements showing at least bt65,000 came into your account from an overseas source each and every month is accepted. If you use the bt800,000 option the first year, and decide to switch to the monthly option the next year, for that first year the bt400,000 must still stay in your account that whole first year, until you apply again. If you use the bt800,000 option for your next year extension, then your account has to be brought back up to over bt800,000, at least 3 months before you apply, and kept in your account for just 2 months, but you still must keep bt400,000 in your account the full year.
Stuart *********
@Kool ******
not so. The OP is Canadian so cannot use the monthly transfers option because their embassy will issue the income affidavit.
Kool *******
@Stuart ********
the income letter from an embassy, if they still issue one, is not a requirement for the monthly transfer option. It can be used, but it is not a requirement.
Stuart *********
@Kool ******
your answer was correct IF the OP was from Australia, UK or the US as those countries will not issue the income affidavit anymore. (There may be others but they’re the three I know of). If you are from those countries you can use the 65k per month for 12 months method. If not you can’t.
Stuart *********
@Kool ******
you Can’t use the monthly transfers from overseas option if your embassy issues the income affidavit. You either use their letter or banked 800k.
Kool *******
Stuart *********
@Kool ******
I see Tod has also answered. Read his post. If you don’t believe either of us then you’re in the wrong group.
Stuart *********
@Kool ******
Believe what you like. I can advise but I can’t tell you what to believe.
Sid *******
As a Canadian and you you meet the requirements in regards to annual income you can use the Income Statement letter . Go to Canada Revenue Webpage and click on Proof of Income Letter. It is basically a copy of your Tax Returns for the year . Print off a copy and take that to Canadian Embassy or Consulate in Chiang Mai . They review it and if it meets requirements will issue you a letter to take to Immigration. They charge 1200. Baht for the service . Just be aware presently you can’t just show up at the Embassy you have to go on their website and book an appointment.
Jean-Francois **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the tip, but my income is mostly investments capital gain, which I withdraw only when needed, which means my TAXABLE income is not enough to meet the requirement.
Timmy ******
800K THB 2 months prior and 3 months after. You had it reverse.
Bobby ********
Jean-Francois Larocque. The 65k by bank transfer is available only to citizens of UK, USA and Australia, as these three countries embassies stopped issuing the affidavits required to show overseas income. If you cannot show the proof of overseas income you are stuck with the 800k method. However, do first check with your immigration office to see if they can make exceptions
Jean-Francois **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
There are no mention of such countries restrictions. The only restriction I saw was to show bank book with 65K deposit coming from abroad.
Bobby ********
Jean-Francois Larocque. I think you'll find that if your embassy still does the affidavit to certify monthly income from pension/investment, then you must use this method. A German friend has to do the same, as immigration will not accept bank transfers from Germany. The actual police order merely specifies proof of having an income of 65k baht per month, which is generally taken to be the affidavit. As an Australian, I use the 65k transfer each month, but the first time earlier this year, immigration wanted to see where the money was generated in Australia, so I provided a statement from my pension fund which illustrated this, and this lined up with my transferred payments. However I'm not 100% on this, but it might pay to check with your immigration office to see exactly what they require at extension time, so that you're not given an unexpected and unwelcome surprise.
Sid *******
@Jean-Francois *********
Ok . To answer your question you can use the 800,000 for your 1st year , but for the monthly deposit option you will have start at least 12 months before your next extension. You will also be required to leave the full 800,000 in the bank for the required months before you withdraw. Also keep at least 400,000 in for the entire year to meet all the requirements that yearly extension . Then next year just switch over to monthly. Good Luck Cheers
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