What are the requirements for a Retirement Visa extension in Phetchaburi Province, Thailand?

Aug 28, 2023
a year ago
Hi Everyone,

I heard the requirements can vary by province and also received different answers from so called experts at 2 different lawyer firms

So for Retirement Visa Extension to year #2 does Immigration Petchaburi still want 800,000 Bahts in Thai bank account 3 months prior to the extension or is it different now in my Province?

Also, for over 5 years now, I always rent the same house when am here. so does a 1 year Lease with a signed TM30 or 47 satisfy the Proof of Residence requirement?

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The requirements for extending a Retirement Visa in Phetchaburi include maintaining a balance of 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account for two months prior to applying for the extension and for three months after receiving it. Lessees should provide a signed lease agreement and a TM30 form for proof of residence. It has been noted that some immmigration officers may have specific additional requirements, so it is advisable to confirm with the local immigration office, especially concerning recent changes, such as requests for a TaBian Baan.
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.
Frank **********
Personally I think all Immigration Offices should abide by the same rules and not be allowed to make additional requirements. Just my opinion 5555.
Native ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Appreciate all the replies... Just to add to this a bit. Last year I did all of the above mentioned, but in addition to the TM30 form, the Thai Yang office in Petchaburi province also added the TaBian Baan as a last minute requirement, which is the House Blue Book with owner's name on it, so they can cross reference. Having said this, I saw on other posts that a Rental Agreement was used successfully, so would a Lease Rental Agreement be sufficient to avoid having to present the TaBian Baan which was an obvious and highly questionable last-minute request at best?
Peter ****************
This, as an example !!, not the same for all imm. offices I think, is the one I got from Korat imm.
Rob **********
@Native ***************
just go to the reception desk inside the main door on the left hand side tell them what you need and they will help you out, nearly all the staff are the same from the Tha Yang branch, they just moved there because they own the land and building, unlike in Tha Yang where they rented. There is no Tha Yang office anymore as I said, they moved to Cha-am in March of this year.
Native ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
As a retired banker, I always have all my docs in a row, but even with this meticulous attention, my last Immigration adventure was needless to say, less than perfect... On the upside, that might just be the Chapter that makes this one a best seller, so I will definitely be including my last Retirement Visa experience in the Autobiography...
Peter ****************
@Native ***************
Maybe a tip, despite living close to the imm. office, to register online for the TM30. In future, you can do it yourself and not have to go to imm. 🤷‍♂️
Native ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob *********
Glad to hear that and looks like a really nice building... We'll have to go see what list they are actually using and how much original artist copyright fees I should be requesting if they are indeed using mine ;o)
Rob **********
@Native ***************
good luck, but it is a pretty straightforward process, just be organized. Good luck with the copyright fees 555, but the boss there is really nice to talk you, and I find the staff very helpful. My yearly extension based on marriage, is normally in and out in under 40 minutes.
Rob **********
@Native ***************
Tha Yang immigration is no longer open, they moved to Cha-am as of March this year, a brand new building with plenty of parking . They will ask you for a rental agreement, the house owner’s blue book, plus house owners ID card as well, Phetchaburi immigration has been clamping down a bit lately. If in doubt go to the Cha-am office and ask them for a handout of the current documentation needed, as they are quite helpful.
Native ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob *********
Would love the see what this handout looks like... Might be the one I typed up in both languages for them, because they did not have any when I was there last, thus the reason I had to go back and forth a few times until we got it all organized and sorted out...
Rob **********
@Native ***************
they have always had an information sheet which tells you what you need for the visa you are applying for, have been using them for many many years, when they were originally in Cha-am before they moved to Tha Yang, they have always been helpful, but they are just enforcing the rules a bit more now.
Shayne **********
What province ? This may actually get useful advice! Why do people post in Thailand groups without the province?

Each immigration should be the same, except they all have different ways of fixing problems.
Rob **********
@Shayne *********
he said Phetchaburi province
Shayne **********
@Rob *********
I didn't think it was a province. 5555. I should actually read things better. It is a warning for future posters. Thanks!
Rob **********
@Shayne *********
yes it is around 2
***
hours from Bangkok heading South, we live in Cha-am which is in Phetchaburi province. Yes easy mistake to make not reading the posts correctly 👍
Kool *******
Just provide everything you provided that first year. Year number two is no different, except for showing you bank balance you used never dropped below bt400,000 and was brought back up to bt800,000 at least two months before you apply for your next year extension.
Rob **********
Phetchaburi immigration will definitely require you to show the required funds in your bank account 2 months before you do your extension, also Phetchaburi immigration will require you to lodge a new TM 30 within 24 hours after you arrive back into Thailand. No need for a TM47 as this is only used for your 90 day report
Gregor **********
well, some Immigrations run their own scheme and may ask for a seasoning of the 800.000.- THB for 3 months instead of the requirement that is listed in the police order under 2 months. The only way to avoid this kind of harassment is, you move to a different province 🫤
Native ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gregor *********
Moving to another province might be a bit extensive don't you think?
Gregor **********
@Native ***************
there are 88 immigration offices in Thailand, you got a choice. What's more extensive: loosing the stay permit because of immigration harassment, or moving and solve the issue?
Native ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gregor *********
Well Ok then, I will let you do the packing and feel free to pick any province you like... Happy trails !
Gregor **********
@Native ***************
and you shouldn't have a problem to show 3 months of seasoning the 800,000.- THB, since you wrote that this is already your second application for the 1-year Extension. Of course saying that you didn't touch the money in the meantime
Gregor **********
@Native ***************
well, if you take the same care you took about the TM30, I have little hope. Your landlord has to register you at the immigration per TM30. Maybe Immigration accepts the rental contract and signed copies of the blue house book and the Thai ID card of your landlord for your self-filing the TM30. You will definitely find out only when you ask your immigration, and not the readers of this Facebook group
Brandon ************
For the financials, I haven't heard of any offices that do it differently than what the official rules are:

You must have 800,000 in your account 2 months prior to the day you APPLY for your extension. Note that this is not 2 months before your current extension ends, it's 2 months from the day you apply for your next extension.

You then must keep the balance at 800,000 for 3 months AFTER you receive your extension.

The balance can never drop below 400,000 for even a moment the rest of the year.

A lease and TM30 should be plenty to show for your address. But as always the answer will be specific to your office.

The recommended advice is to go to your immigration office at least 1 week before you plan to apply for your extension and ask them for their handout of requirements for a retirement extension.
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