What Are My Options After Being Rejected for a Non-Immigrant Retirement Visa Extension in Thailand?

Dec 21, 2019

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

First-time poster here, but I have learned so much from reading. Thanks for the education so far and any advice on this post:  I am US citizen rejected for non-imm retirement visa extension, which expires January 2, 2020. I showed 12 months proof of monthly pension deposits into US bank exceeding 65k THB/month, and 12 months of BBL statements showing an overall >1.4M international transfers. However, some months had a few hundred thousand THB transferred, and others, none. IO (Chiang Rai Imm.) wanted to see minimum 65k transfers every month. I am ticketed back to US on March 2, 2020, so there isn’t enough time to reapply by bringing balance above 800k THB, getting a non-O, then non-imm. 

Aside from getting an elite visa now, or postponing the above process until my return, are there any other options to maintain visa continuity?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A US citizen was rejected for a non-immigrant retirement visa extension due to not meeting the monthly income requirement of 65,000 THB, despite showing sufficient yearly bank statements. With a departure ticket back to the US on March 2, 2020, they seek advice on maintaining visa continuity. Suggestions include making a border run on January 2 for a 30-day visa exemption, utilizing a 60-day extension through marriage to a Thai national, and the importance of depositing funds in a Thai bank account. Other commenters confirm the strict income requirements and discuss alternatives like applying for a Non-Immigrant O visa.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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Lee **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am very grateful for the informative comments. Thank you all. I think I will do a Mae Sai border bounce on January 2, then plan a holiday via air to a nearby country in early February. That should get me through the two months and leave one land crossing left for the year in case something goes awry during the new application process on the next trip back. The 60 day extension using marriage is new news, and valuable information. I assumed (incorrectly) proving income presence and averaging 65k/month would have worked.

5 years ago

James ********

@Lee *********

are you now married to a Thai?

5 years ago

Tod *********

yep, it's NOT an average it's a minimum of 65K baht each month EVERY month for the preceding 12 months before you apply for an extension. The clause that covers monthly income for people who cannot get the affidavit from their embassy is written really specific.. :(

Good Luck

5 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Marty *********

Also, if you choose to continue using the monthly transfer method the money needs to be deposited in a Thai bank account. If you can afford the banked money method that is easiest. Make sure you get a non-immigrant O visa. Not an OA.

5 years ago

Ivan ************

Elite isn't an option, you won't get one before Jan 2. Your best bet I think is border runs with extensions like Robert suggests, that will take you through to March no problem. If you are in Chiang Rai this is easy at Mae Sai which is near, just bring $10 for Myanmar immigration.

5 years ago

Dan ******

Supposedly, monthly variation in deposited amounts IS allowed for a visa based on marriage to a Thai, as long as the totals per year average 40K bht per month.

5 years ago

Robert *******

Make a border run on 2 Jan to get 30 days Visa Exempt Entry. Extend this with another 30 days at Immigration and make border run again to be well over 2 March and you can fly back USA and apply there for a NEW Non Immigrant O visa and if you come back into Thailand get the 90 days of stay and apply after 60 days for the Extension of Stay if you can meet the 12 months of foreign deposits OR if you put 800.000 Thb two months prior application date into your Thai bank.

5 years ago

Ivan ************

I don't think he can get a non-O for purpose of retirement in the US. Only the O-A with insurance. I may be wrong but the embassy website does not list retirement for the O and directs to the O-A and this is my recollection. Alternately he could come back as a tourist and convert in country.

5 years ago

Reply to

Ivan ************

Robert *******

Alternative IF you are married to a Thai National or have half Thai kids apply for the 60 day Extension of Stay to visit family

5 years ago

Robert *******

As you wrote, you do not meet the financial requirement by banked money or with monthly foreign deposits, there is no other way.

5 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

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