How does the switch from the 800K method to the 65K method work for expats with affidavit income in Thailand?

Jul 12, 2024
4 months ago
Walter *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
In addition to a posting earlier today, about switching from the 800K method to the 65K method, I wonder how this switch works for citizens of countries that still work with the affidavits.

My embassy still legalizes affidavits as proof of income. So I do not need to have monthly 65K transfers to Thailand. I only have to proof 65K income in my country.

So, I suppose that an affidavit, would be sufficient to switch from the 800K to the 65K method? Although I still would have to prove that I didn’t go under the 800K/400K limit during the past 12 months.

Or do I need 2 affidavits, one from a year earlier, and one from the moment that I want to switch? It was never clear to me if those affidavits are statements about past income (last year I earned …) or future income (to declare that your income during the next 12 months will be enough to pay for your stay in Thailand) .
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around switching from the 800K financial requirement to the 65K income affidavit method for retirement visas in Thailand. It clarifies that individuals can use income affidavits issued by their embassies to meet financial obligations for their visa extensions. However, they must maintain a bank balance in compliance with the previous 800K requirements until the extension is secured. It's suggested that the affidavit must be current (not older than 3 months) and outline current income. There are differing opinions on whether multiple affidavits are necessary and what historical income proof (if any) is required.
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Greg ***********
Your embassy will issue an income affidavit based on the income information you present to them. This affidavit can’t be older than 3 months, for use on Immigration

When your next application to a new “1-year extension of stay” comes due, up from 30 days before the current EOS expires, you can apply and use the income affidavit to fulfill the financial requirements needed for this application.

Regarding the 800.000.- THB onto which the current extension is based on, you MUST be able to prove that they have never gone under 400.000.- THB in the rest of the year (and have never gone under 800.000.- in the first 3 months after the extension had been issued). Just bring an updated bankbook to Immigration.

For your own safety and in regard that an Immigration officer might draw his/her personal conclusions on the matter, which we will never know beforehand, I would keep the balance at a minimum of 800.000.- THB until the new “1-year extension” has been issued!
Guz ********
I switched to the affidavit method in March of this year. The consulate issued the appropriate document. Immigration didn't want to see my previous 800k bank book. It was one of the admin on the channel who made me aware that I still had to keep the 800k banked until I had secured the visa extention which I did
James ********
Hmmmmm 🤔🤔

I think you are trying to find a way to take money out of the retirement bank account you received your recent one year extension of stay as retired.

As you did 🚫 NOT use the available Affidavit of Income letter to obtain the current one year extension of stay, I believe that you are stuck with meeting the banking balance requirements for the one year extension you just received until you apply for your next one year extension of stay.

Then...use your country's Embassy affidavit of income to get the renewal.

An option would be for you to leave Thailand and reenter WITHOUT A RE-ENTRY PERMIT... getting the visa exempt entry stamp on arrival and start All over with obtaining the Non O Visa as retiree and the One year extension of stay as retired.

Meaning NO 🚫Thai bank account is required IF YOU HAVE AN AFFIDAVIT OF INCOME from home country Embassy in Bangkok.
James ********
IF you do leave Thailand and reenter Thailand and start all over, suggest you do the monthly transfer of 65,000 Thai baht or more each month just in case your Embassy STOPS 🛑 issuing the Affidavit of Income letter in the future.
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