Answered5 years ago
What are the current requirements for maintaining a retirement visa in Thailand, specifically regarding the 800,000 THB financial rule?
At Phuket Town Immigration today officials telling retirement visa applicants that there has been a rule change regarding having minimum 800,000 bht in the bank. They were saying the new rule requires the money to be in the account for 12 months and they were asking for statements to that effect. A number of people were caught out by this and not a little upset.
Has any member of the group heard about this?
Has any member of the group heard about this?
Answer summary
Recent discussions among expats indicate confusion regarding the requirement for maintaining a retirement visa in Thailand, specifically the financial rule concerning 800,000 THB. Many claim that this rule has not changed and has always required the funds to be held for a specific duration. Typically, 800,000 THB needs to be in the account for at least two months prior to application and maintained for three months after. Further, throughout the rest of the year, the balance should not dip below 400,000 THB. Some individuals reported encountering immigration officials who insisted on new requirements, leading to misunderstandings, while others affirmed that the existing rules have been in place for some time. It appears that consistent proof through bank statements is essential, and potential miscommunications may occur due to varying interpretations by immigration officers.
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Joe *********
Does it make sense to have a SECOND bank account that you use for everything Other than keeping your 800KTHB?
Tod *********
I think you had a "lost in translation" or are confused and that you didn't understand the seasoning rules
You need to show a year transaction history proving you kept the 800K baht in the bank for 3 months AFTER you got the extension last year,
AND
then the balance never went below 400K baht the rest of the year
and
that you had it back at 800K baht at least 2 months before your new extension.
There is no 'new rule' about the 800K staying in the account all year.
You need to show a year transaction history proving you kept the 800K baht in the bank for 3 months AFTER you got the extension last year,
AND
then the balance never went below 400K baht the rest of the year
and
that you had it back at 800K baht at least 2 months before your new extension.
There is no 'new rule' about the 800K staying in the account all year.
Tod *********
Here's the pieces cut from the current police order concerning extensions based on retirement (the ONLY difference between an O and OA is the insurance requirement, the financials are the same if you're using banked money)
Believe what you want
Believe what you want
@Michael *******
but someone was blowing smoke up your backside.
Mike *******
Well then how do new people apply for retirement visa if they don't have the ability to have 12 months of bank statements. So I'm guessing 12 months is wrong.
Dana *******
@Mike ******
"Applying" is not the same as "renewing"...
Frank ********
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Antonino *******
The alternative to THB 800,000 is a minimum income of THB 65,000 on a Thai bank account in the previous 12 months.
Michael ********
OPHi all.. it was my post...immigration were adamant that it was a new rule. They wanted proof that there had been at least 800,000 in the account at all times. Lucky i had passbook and was able to provide photocopies of pages. It was an renewal of O A visa.
Many others there getting caught out with this also
Many others there getting caught out with this also
Benjamin ******
@Michael *******
If they deny you based on some B/S rule, call them out on it. Ask to see the police order. If they don't, ask to let Bangkok immigration review the documents and approve it.
James ********
@Benjamin *****
could it be its because its an OA visa extension ?Not the Non O for retiree extension... ???
Benjamin ******
@Michael *******
I’ll be honest with you. This post doesn’t sound correct at all. There *may have * been a misunderstanding about the requirements. I have joined the Phuket expat groups and the islanders groups. You’re first person with this problem. My advice: if you meet the seasoning requirements of 800K THB seasoned in a bank for two months before you apply, three months after you apply, and not let the balance fall below 400K during the in-between, they should give you the extension of stay
Michael ********
OP@James *******
it was OA for retiree
Chris ****
@Michael *******
wow! Yes it would be very alarming if it was retroactive.
Chang *****
never ending topic!
Bobby ********
Michael Turner. Might be having their own "Great Reset" 🤣🤣🤣
Justin *****************
Who are the ' they' you are referring to? The officials at the information desk.? Or Room 103 officials?
Michael ********
OP@Justin ********
room 103 officials
Peter *********
Easy when go bank just ask for a one year statement of account day you go in don't know what the fuss is about
Wayne ********
i heard they wanting 12 month copy of account now to check while year through but min 800k whole period not sure correct
Colin *******
News to me, wait for the offical govt news on this.
Garrett ***********
You've needed to show 12 month bank statement for a while.
Rick ********
i think rule is 800,000 2 months before and 2 months after, rest of year 400,000. Please let me know if this has changed.
Tod *********
@Rick *******
close the REAL seasoning rule is 800K baht in the bank account for 2 months before you get the extension, it has to stay IN the account for 3 months after you get the extension granted and then the balance can't go below 400K baht the rest of the yearJames ********
@Rick *******
that's the current rule.Bobby ********
Rick Nuffer. 3 months after
Rick ********
@Bobby *******
thank you 🙏
Nick ************
@Rick *******
I was told 3 months after. Top up again 2 months before. I went under *****
0 for a few days which in July they said was OK. Then in October they said it wasn't. Now I've had to get covid visa.Nick ************
The fact is that a lot of immigration officers are unaware of the rule themselves and give incorrect advice and information. I was denied the non o visa because I did not have the required funds in a Thai account which I now understand is completely wrong.
Rick ********
@Nick ***********
last year when I renew very old man before me live here long time but was turned down because 12 months earlier his account go below 800,000, rest of year have over million. I am sorry you get hassled. Thanks for the clarification!
Daniel ******
@Rick *******
i think you are correct.Benjamin ******
Can you ask them to prove this new requirement?
Bobby ********
For an extension it's 800 for two months before application and three months after, and for the other seven months it's 400. But it's always been a 12-month qualifying period. Can you be more specific in what they are saying?
Michael ********
OP@Bobby *******
hi Bobby.. they were adamant that it was a new rule. Went through my passbook line by line. I didnt feel i was in a position to query them too hard. Many visa applicants upset..I was happy to get visa, but I will be interested to know if it is in fact a new rule.Tod *********
@Michael *******
I am putting this down to a lost in translationBobby ********
Michael Turner. It may well be, the Thai authorities are known for last minute changes of mind! I'm just happy I use the 65k/month method. I'm a little nervous leaving a large sum of dosh in a bank account!
Bobby ********
W Samurais. It earns almost zero interest and I can't touch it for as long as I remain in Thailand. To me it's an enormous waste of a financial resource. I can get 5-6% tax free in my super fund in Australia, which easily pays for a pretty good health insurance policy. I have to bring money in anyway (as I can't touch the 800k) so I bump up my monthly requirement to 65k and as soon as it hits the deck, it's mine to spend. To me it's a no brainer
Chris ****
@Bobby *******
Bobby what worries you about a large deposit here?Michael ********
Uhmm thats not a new requirement. Same as normal
Carl ********
@Michael *******
if it was normal then immigration would not have said it was a rule changeMichael ********
Oh yes
*****
0 minimum throughout year*******************************************************
Garrett ***********
@Ca**
When did they say that?
Richard ********
@Michael *******
If this is true then it most certainly is a new requirement.Michael ********
@Richard *******
or was it minimum *****
0 before throughout the yearMichael ********
@Richard *******
When i did marriage extension of stay end of october, the IO said to me make sure keep *****
0 in account, i said no thats wrong and she just looked at me.Lets hope they havent changed stuff without informing
Richard ********
@Michael *******
It was, yes. And maybe still is.Activity
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