What are the current requirements for a Non-O visa extension regarding the financial consideration period in Thailand?

Jun 15, 2023
a year ago
Steven ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Went to Changwattana Imm today to collect my non O spouse yearly extension after the 21 day "consideration period"

Handed over my passport and updated bankbook.

She handed back my bankbook saying " not needed"...?

4 minutes later she handed back my passport with year extension stamped init.

I asked is it necessary to keep 400k in bank for 21 day con period now?

Answer was... "We don't check anymore but it's a good idea to... "

I give up on it making sense anymore..
2,560
views
34
likes
91
all likes
36
replies
0
images
15
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the recent experience of an expat collecting their Non-O visa extension at Changwattana Immigration Office, who was informed that maintaining 400,000 baht in a bank account for the 21-day consideration period was no longer strictly checked, although keeping the amount was still advised. This has led to a debate about varying rules across different immigration offices in Thailand and the lack of consistent communications regarding visa requirements. Participants shared their past experiences, noted the potential for miscommunication, and expressed frustration over the unpredictability of immigration regulations.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Rc *******
She's being very honest actually telling that they don't check anymore but better to maintain that amount in your bank account in any case any immigration officers were to check it out..

So it's best to maintain that bank account and consider it as an emergency fund for future urgent cases when needed.. a backup financial assistance.. like for major medical expenses.... who knows.. 😊
Tim *******
Agree. They can change their practice at will or on a whim. Hate to be the person who finds that out.
Graham ******
I thought the financial requirement was for the main Non-O (marriage) visa/extension and not for the linked spouse extension
Steven ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
. What???
Graham ******
@Steven **************
Are you applying for your own Non-O extension or a dependent extension for your spouse based on your Non-O?
Steven ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
read my post again slowly. What part of my extension, my passport and my bankbook confuses you buddy? If it was an extension for my spouse, SHE would be at immigration dealing with officer giving HER passport etc.
Graham ******
@Steven **************
You included spouse which usually means trailing spouse not a marriage extension, hence my confusion
Vic *********
People ask me what I like the least or what is the most challenging about Thailand and this sort of stuff is it. The whole visa - work permit process is an ever changing target.
Frank **********
@Vic ********
I think it's the whole Thai system where apparently every bank, every government agency can add so called "local" or office specific extra requirements. You should be able to go to any immigration office, any bank, and they should all have the same requirements. No add ons.
Vic *********
@Frank *********
Yeah, it would be nice. You mention banks. We always hear advice, "If one office won't do it, go to another one." Immigration is different office to office. Even from time to time, you show up with everything you brought last time and it's, "Oh, sorry, you need this." บ้า
Prinze ******
There are 2 things where I see the confusion here.

1. Language barrier - "if you asked them while talking fast or using unusual words like "con period" , or maybe you have a strong accent, or they were not paying attention with your question and only understood some words from what you said. There is a big possibility that there was a miscomminication and they didn't underatand your questions clearly and they just blurted out an answer.

2. I think you worry too much - the con period is there, and the bank documents are there, even photo copies of your updated bank book are all submitted. Then you also mentioned that you have been doing this for years. My suggestion for you is to not worry so much - you did the right thing.

-you kept your money untouched during the 21 days con period. They call it prrof of financial capacity for a reason.

-they gave you the visa extension because you conpleted the requirments.

-job well don for you and the officer.

(Now if you want to confirm that something was wrong with it. Maybe you can try withdrawing your money during the con period on your next extension) please update in this group what happened, so we will be enlightened.
Paul *******
@Prinze *****
You see confusion where there is none and are imagining things. There is no post application requirement to keep money in your account on a marriage extension. Immigration officer obviously handed back passbook since she was probably like "what's this guy handing me this for?"
Prinze ******
@Paul ******
what do you mean NO post application requirement to keep money in your account. That's why the con period is there AFTER the application.

It is part of the process, even the visitation (that rarely happens) is still part of the process during the con period AFTER the application.

In this case the process is already done and the dude who posted, already got his visa. So I better stop replying to this thread. Good luck on your next extension.
Steven ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
. The reason I handed it to her was because they asked for it every previous time in the last 5 years.. that why I questioned her about it.. only explanationi can come up with is they changed the rules recently and haven't bothered to publish it. Just like going from 30 days to 21 days consideration period last year. I asked them about that last year too and same response.. they didn't publish that either
Prinze ******
@Steven **************
yeah I understand what happened. Just to be clear, when you came back to fet the stamp, you still gave them the photo copy of your passport and bank book?
Steven ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Prinze *****
. My overall thought is I'm more than happy to provide what's needed, however it would be nice if they told all of uswhat IS needed and what ISNT needed in advance and stuck to it like every other govt office in the civilized world does..

The officer who processed my yearly extension application told me clearly to return in 21 days with passport and updated bankbook to get stamp. Which I did. The lack of communication skills is their own.
Steven ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Prinze *****
. No. No photocopies were asked for either. This time and last 5 times photocopies weren't ask for of anything when collecting stamp.. Just passport and , until this time, updated bankbook.

Ironically , I've never had a home adress visitation either in all 6 years here..
Jordi ********
@Prinze *****
You see confusion in him being worried too much? I don't think he is asking for advice, its just a funny anecdote about the randomness of Thai Immigration. Also don't read anywhere the words "con period" were used in communicating with an officer so I don't see any language barrier you keep mentioning.
Prinze ******
@Jordi *******
that is exactly my point. You only see the randomness of the "Immig Officer". Very one sided! How about you, are you sure that you're communicating effectively so that the other peraon understands you?

Or you're just assuming that everyone knows or understands WHAT you're saying, HOW you're saying it or even WHEN you're saying it.

I do not have bad intentions when replying to this thread. I just want to raise a point that expats sometimes miss small details like "miscommunication" and blames it to Thai people.

Also I understand that in Thailand, the rules changes so often and randomly at times. But I guess it is the same with any other developing country.
Steven ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Prinze *****
. I guarantee you she understood me.. her answer proves that. Immigration officers that can't comprehend basic questions in English should probably find a colleague that does or find another dept to work in seeing the vast majority of the people they deal with are not fluent in thai.. also nothing stopping her from asking me to repeat the question.. It's her job to know and understand Thailands immigration laws and regulations, it's my responsibility to abide by them under her instructions. Why does that confuse you.?
Lynnette *******
Friend has set up new bank account (after 10 years), for extension based on marriage/family so can keep that money separate to his other account. It'll season for 3 months and not be touched. His wife was worried Phuket immigration might not like that it's a new account.
Steven ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
. (Re spouse ext) they don't give a shit where the money comes from, how old the account is. As long as it's 400k in the applicants personal thai account (or 800k in dual account with wife) and hasn't dropped below minimum for 2 months prior.

Before any woke people jump in with the wife word.. foreign wives of thai men don't need 400k. It's zero for them.
Lynnette *******
@Steven **************
thanks. His wife is Thai and pretty switched on but was just being a bit cautious.
Chris *******
@Lynnette ******
it doesn't matter along as it is his account and seasoned for the marriage extension.
John ********
🤣🤣🤣 don't be surprised anything can happen in Thailand and at any immigration office as they all have their own rules and ideas of the rules 🤣
Todd *********
@John *******
they sure do. Which is why the smart people use agents
John ********
@Todd ********
🤣🤣🤣🤣 anything that you have to say to promote your agency friend we will take like a pinch of salt 🧂
Todd *********
@John *******
can't have it both ways John Boy. Get your BS story straight. This morning you were busy beaking off about how easy immigration is. And now... 🤣😂🤣🤣😂😂 it's a new story. U are great for a laugh.
Brandon ************
The ONLY immigration office that requires you to return and check your money is Jomtien.

Every other office will check next year when you bring in your 12 months of bank statements. If you didn't keep the required funds for the required time, you don't get an extension next year.
Andy ********
@Brandon ***********
are you sure that is true in the case of married to a Thai national?
Brandon ************
@Andy *******
yes I misread and posted another comment
Steven ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
. Really?? This is my 6th yearly extension at CW and they wanted to see it last 5 times when collecting it.
Brandon ************
@Steven **************
I mistook your post as retirement. It's marriage. There's no requirement to keep money your account after. It's recommended to not dip into your account during the consideration period because they could potentially ask to see again when you go to get your stamp but generally they will not. The only requirement is the 2 months before you apply.
Steven ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
. Well I think you.need to explain that to the imm officers because the last 5 years they have made it very clear to.me that the balance must stay above 400k during con period. Today was different for some reason and the answer was still obscure when asked.. 2 months plus con period for the 400k MN balance has been stated clearly in this group and others countless times.. I asked every ext application every year in past to make sure and the answer was same . 400k until you collect extension. Check history if you don't believe it.Maybe the rule changed recently. As it did last year when at CW it went from 30 days to21 days con period without any official notice.

I'm questioning and listening to the IOs.. not you.. they make the decisions.
Brandon ************
@Steven **************
it's been that way for a while
Steven ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
. Ok.. how the hell would they know what my account balance was 10 months ago in they only ask for evidence of 2 months prior...??

And if they did in the past, they don't for next year because they didn't check the year. Your logic makes no sense this time around. If for some unlawful reason they kept tabs of bank account in their system.. they wouldn't need printouts and bank letters at all on yearly application..
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else