Is there a lower financial requirement for retirees with consecutive type "O" visas?

Question

Hi,
Sometime ago I remember reading that people who have had 20 or more consecutive type "o" visas would be grandfathered in at a rate of 400,000 instead of the 800,000. Does anyone remember this and maybe have some documentation pertaining to it. TIA

Ask Thailand · Answer

The inquiry discusses the potential grandfathering of individuals who have held 20 or more consecutive type "O" visas, which allegedly allows them to meet a lower financial requirement of 400,000 baht instead of the standard 800,000 baht. Responses indicate uncertainty and varying opinions, with some suggesting that the grandfathering rules primarily apply to those who first entered Thailand before October 21, 1998, and not based on the number of years continuously held. Other comments mention different grandfathered financial requirements for specific retiree groups, emphasizing that maintaining annual extensions without breaks is crucial for eligibility.

David ******* · Answer

If when you did your first Extension of Stay the requirement was 400k and you’ve done annual Extensions without a break every year since, then the old rule still applies to you. Won’t be many people left that this applies to though.

Kool ******* · Answer

There are actually two different instances of lower grandfathered in financial requirements. The first is Vietnam era retirees, at bt20,000 if they have held their visa, and gotten extensions continuously without any breaks. The next, and I can't remember the date, but those that were under the bt400,000 requirement, as long as they again continuously held their visa and extensions, are still under that requirement. At those times it was assumed retirees were on a fixed income, and could not meet the new requirements, so we're allowed to stay under the old amount, as long as they never missed getting their yearly extension.

Bobby ******** · Answer

It is 200,000 baht and it applies to people who first entered Thailand before 21 October 1998. It is not a rolling date, so getting 20 years up now makes zero difference.

กะลาสี ***** · Answer

I've heard this mentioned before but I'm sorry to say that I don't know any details about it. Hopefully someone in the group will be able to shed some light on it for you. 👍

Peter **************** · Answer

Sorry, never heard nor read about it. (but that's not holy 😉) I think you mean year extentions based on "O" visa ? Grandfathered amounts are only from a certain (high) age.

Is there a lower financial requirement for retirees with consecutive type "O" visas?

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