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What are the implications of a bank account balance dropping below 400,000 THB for a retirement extension of stay in Thailand?

Non-Immigrant O Visa Extension of Stay Retirement Visa Bank Account Requirements Thai Immigration Rules Reentry Permit Visa Renewal Process Expat Visa Advice

Apr 2, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi

I'm looking for advice on renewing an extension of stay for retirement

I'm on a Non immigrant O visa and with an extension of stay for retirement. I left Thailand with a reentry stamp to return to the UK for a few months to deal with some personal matters. I am planning to return to Thailand soon.

I plan to top up the money in the Thai account to more than 800,000 thb three months before renewal of the extension of stay. No problem. 

Whilst in the UK, I let my Thai bank account fall under 400,000 THB.  I recently read that this may be a problem when it comes to renewing my extension of stay.

Does this rule apply even though I'm abroad? How strictly is it applied? What are my options when it comes to renewal time?

Regards

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking advice on renewing their extension of stay on a Non-Immigrant O visa for retirement after having let their Thai bank account fall below the required 400,000 THB while abroad. The conversation highlights the strict conditions regarding maintaining the minimum balance regardless of location, and it suggests options for safely returning to Thailand, including applying for a new 90-day Non-O visa and ensuring the bank balance is topped back up to 800,000 THB before applying for the annual extension.

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Adrian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for your advice everyone, very much appreciated. I will take the safe option and come in on a new 90 day non-O visa and a new passport (to make sure I get stamped back in correctly).

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James ********

getting a new passport will not help (unless you need a new one) as Thai immigration software will pick up your entry and immigration history upon arrival...using facial recognition and fingerprinting means to match you.

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Adrian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I need a new passport soon anyway - pages running low. And if I get the new non-O visa in the new passport I think this is what they will stamp when I arrive at the border

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James ********

Good plan...Safe travels.

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James ********

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Dave *******

Listen to what

and

have stated and follow their advice.

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Bobby ********

You have to stop using the term "renewal" as you do not renew anything. Every year you have to apply for a NEW stand-alone extension, and must meet the conditions of that extension for the entire year. If the balance dropped below 400k whilst you were out of the country, you might get away with it, as theoretically if you're not in the country there's no reason to meet the requirements, but immigration has long memories and it may depend on the interpretation of an Immigration Officer when you attend the office. If you have the 800k in the bank now, do not touch it, come back in on a 90-day visa, and fingers crossed this will insulate you from your previous extension. This is a "suck it and see" situation - you really won't know until you're sitting in front of the immigration officer. Good luck!

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Tod *********

I do agree with you that a 90 day Non-O visa (that he makes SURE he gets stamped in on when he shows up here) is the best way to go, as it starts a whole new "cycle" and this will be his FIRST yearly extension on that visa only requiring the 2 months seasoning (at least in theory) 😉

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Stephen *******

Yes, but won't it have to come from overseas?

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Tod *********

@Stephen ******

nope, the only proof of funds origin is when you first apply for the in country 90 day Non-O visa at the immigration office. There is no such requirement when applying for the year extension only that it's in your thai bank account for 2 months on the date you apply.

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Stephen *******

Ok, in country 90 day O only. Thanks.

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Tod *********

@Stephen ******

and believe it or not it's only for the 90 day Non-O based on retirement, if you get it based on marriage to a thai there is no proof of funds origin for the 400K baht 😮 Strange and quirky rules indeed

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Tod *********

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Tod *********

I believe you are not correct at all. There is no mention about being in or out of the country as far as following the terms of your extension of stay.

For banked money method you need to follow the seasoning rules even if you're not here

For monthly income method you need to transfer in to the country the 65K baht a month each month every month for the previous year even if you're out of the country

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Bobby ********

Tod Daniels. I agree, which is why I think it will depend on the immigration officer at time, which is why I believe the OP is better to start a whole new process, rather than trying to link an extension to the previous extension (as you've suggested). By not meeting the conditions for the full year of the extension, it has effectively become invalid and the OP might face overstay charges for not having the valid extension. However, the OP might get away with it, as he was out of the country and has now broken the chain, and applying for a new visa/extension might just save him from any fines. He's not going to know until he's making that application. Lots of "thinks" and "mights" but I think your suggestion is the preferred option

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Bobby ********

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Tod *********

I'd say get a new 90 day Non-O visa before you come back, make sure when you come back you have the funds at 800K so you can do the 2 month seasoning (it's NOT 3 months before). That way you'll be applying for a NEW yearly extension and in theory they won't care about the previous one where you failed to meet the requirements

OR

That's what I'd do

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Tod *********

I think you're not going to get your next extension AND if they want to play hard core with you they can say you voided your current extension the second you failed to follow the terms of the extension (the day your account went under 400K) and they could charge you overstay from that date 😮 Which I have seen happen.

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Tod *********

I think you will find that the seasoning requirements on banked money method are pretty much cut in stone 😕

Here's the english and the thai of the current police order controlling banked money retirement extensions

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Reply to

Tod *********

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Tod *********

If you used banked money method to get your last extension it's critical that the balance not fall below 400K baht at any time of the year whether you're inside or outside the country 🙁

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James ********

Hmmmm....the never let the bank account balance go below 400,000 Thai baht rule applies for the entire year...where you are has nothing to do with it.

I'm afraid you may have to start all over again after you return to Thailand.

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James ********

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