What are the requirements for a Thai visa extension based on funds in a bank account?

Jan 29, 2020
5 years ago
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My wife was denied extension visa because the 800,000 baht was on her account 4 months only. She was told the money should be in the account 1 year. Yet when they showed her the list of requirements it says 3 months. So......what is going on?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user's wife was denied a visa extension due to confusion about the requirement for maintaining 800,000 baht in her bank account. She was informed that the funds should be held for a year, whereas requirements state it should only be at least three months before the application. The post discusses varying opinions among community members about the validity of the denial, previous extensions, and the implications of changing the basis for their visa extensions, including handling of applications, necessary funds, and overall immigration processes.
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Robert *******
This new form and yes, i stand corrected. You changed the reason, so actually you cancelled your Extension of Stay and applied directly for a new Extension of Stay. Sorry.
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
We're back from Immigration and everything was settled. When I showed up with my information on pensions from last year the problem disappeared. Don't ask me what the problem was; I still don't understand, but we got our extension, which is the most important thing.

They did, however, extend the visa for 1 year starting today instead of on February 26 which is when the old one expires. I think this is related to that new form that they're having everybody sign; since I changed the reason for my extension, the new one takes effect immediately, not on the anniversary.

My thanks to all concerned! Including the lady at Immigration that convinced the Big Boss to let it through.
James ********
Thanks for the update.

Enjoy your year retired in Thailand and more..

Commenting closed.
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The front desk warned me that when the status you use for your extension changes, it becomes effective on the date you apply. Also, you're supposed to change your status whenever any event happens to cause it to change (e.g., your spouse dies). It's on the new form they're making everybody sign now when they apply for a visa or extend an existing one.
Robert *******
No, regulations did not change. Your Extension of Stay as in the word extension should be added to your current stay. They made a mistake and you should go back to get this corrected

EDIT: Congratulations with the Extensions even after a little trouble you got it done.
James ********
Good luck tomorrow...

Let us know what happens.

Good night...
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks, all... I think I understand what happened. Immigration is under the impression that last year we renewed based on 800K in a bank account...which is not true.

Because they think that was the basis for the renewal last year, they want to see where we maintained 800K in an account all of last year.

This also explains why they want to see my renewal application from last year. Does this make sense?
Wayne **********
@George *******
Hopefully they will not say incomplete....
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well, since I have the stuff I may as well show it to them.
Robert *******
So after the Immigration Officer stamped, put a signature on each and every copy, you asked the set back, went out to copy all one by one and saved them in case the Immigration officer want to see it again? Immigration has them saved somewhere. if they want to read last year documents again they search them.
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
Not sure how far that will get me!
Robert *******
Just tell them, I delivered the copies last year, if you want to see them, check your files cabinet.
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Should be, I agree. But the extension is up to them!
Robert *******
Which is complete irrelevant with your application at the moment.
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
That's just it. We didn't use the bank account as the basis of our renewal last year...but Immigration thinks that we did, so they want to see the paperwork from last year. That's the only way I can make any sense of this.
Robert *******
That does not matter as last year requirement was at least 3 months prior the application date in your bank account. The moment the stamps are made in your passport you could wire the 800.000 Thb to any bank account of your choice. There was no requirement to keep that money 12 months in your account.
Michael ********
If they won't give your wife an extension, then get her a 90 day Non O and then extend that later, ie effectively starting the process completely again for her and separating it out from being your dependent. That is, if you go tomorrow and they say the same thing.
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It may come to that. I'll see after tomorrow.
Michael ********
@Robert ******
Yes that is correct, and is what I am referring to. Start the process over again with his wife as the retiree :) She already has the money in the bank in Thailand, so easy, and as mentioned, no insurance.
James ********
@George *******
no health insurance required for Non O
Robert *******
@George *******
There is no requirement of health insurance for the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age and the Non Immigrant O visa based on being dependent on a foreigner with temporary permission to stay in Thailand.
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
That's right...we'd have to leave and apply for the visa outside of Thailand. Which is an option, but it will mean that we will have to buy health insurance.
Robert *******
unfortunately if you are on an Extension of Stay as this couple is, you can not apply for an Non Immigrant O visa at the Immigration Office.
Robert *******
Okay, you had an Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age and your wife an Extension of Stay as depending on you.

This year you want to change that she is older than 50 years and you are depending on your wife.

Then one question with the new rules in Oct 2019, what was the kind of visa used as basis to get the Extensions of Stay from your wife?

If this was an Non Immigrant O-A visa, the new health insurance could be a problem

Otherwise I do not see a reason why you can not swap the reasons for Extension of Stay
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Robert Lagas no it is not an O-A visa, and the issue of health insurance was not raised. My wife's extension last year was as my spouse, and mine was based on pension income. Now we are swapping, with my wife having a bank account with 800 K and with me as the spouse.
Robert *******
Please make an overview, we have no all kind of dates and answers as that's right but next answer is no it is wrong as it was Feb and not may or aug. Or just make pictures and blank out personal details.
Robert *******
If she got a Visa in May 2019, valid for 90 days, brings her to Aug 2019.

You're way out of date to apply for an 1 year Extension of Stay, it should be done in Aug 2019.
James ********
@George *******
thank you.
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
James ********
@George *******
your nationality is ?
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
No, she did not have a separate bank account in February 2019. We only opened it in September. She extended her visa last year as my spouse. I extended based on amount of my pension. As of last February, my pension did not have to be deposited in a Thail bank account, so I just provided the documentation on my pension balances.
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
In February 2019 I extended based on my pensions, which were not being deposited in a Thai bank, which was acceptable at the time. My wife extended as my spouse. Now we are attempting for my wife to extend on a bank account with 800K that we opened last September, and I am extending as her spouse.

I got the distinct impression that the staff didn't even know why it was being denied, but they were being told not to renew. They suggested that I come back with last year's application for them to review. I don't know what difference that should make, but I dug it out and I will go back tomorrow.
Robert *******
The one with the end date in 2020, that what you try to arrange in May and Feb 2019
James ********
@George *******
so she got her last extension in February 2019... But did not keep the required bank balances for the year?

Did she have 800,000 In the Thai bank when she got her last Extension February 2019? If she did ...did she draw it out or what?
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Which ones?
James ********
@Robert ******
it would help if we could see his and her stamps in passports.
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No, she originally got her visa in November 2017, extended it for 1 year in February 2018, again in February 2019 and now is trying to extend it again.
James ********
In May 2019 you posted about your wife...

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Is your wife NOW on your visa as a spouse rider?

If so why the need to change the arrangement with you having the visa.
Joe ***********
It is not easy to think about challenging an I/O decision - but the law is the law. Appealing to a supervisor or superintendent may be the only answer. Seems quite straight forward. It sounds to me like the I/O is applying a similar requirement for using Monthly Income to meet Financial Requirements - that is the applicant must show 65,000 Baht a month for a year (12 deposits). Sometimes the I/O thought process gets a bit crossed up. There is absolutely no justification to tell you that the 800,000 needs to be in the bank for a year.
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
Yes, that's right; we agreed it would make it simpler for her to deal with if something should happen to me. My wife is the same age as I am.
James ********
@George *******
you did this because you are older than she? Per your posted concerns of what happens if I die?
James ********
@George *******
now we have the picture
@Robert ******
.
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, that's right. On this extension, we opted to set up an account for her to have 800K in the bank, and she would extend on that basis and I would extend as her spouse. The whole thing blew up in our face and right now we're wondering if we will even be able to stay here.
James ********
Is she currently on an Extension of Stay issued to her about a year ago?
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes.
Robert *******
Good question as the rule is: at least 2 months prior application date until at least 3 months after application date and the rest of the year not less then 400.000 Thb.

Is the bank account on her name only?

Did she have the letters from the bank?

Did she already have an Extension of Stay or is this her first time?

Edit the latest Police Order change of 27 Sep 2019:
George ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, the bank account is in her name only. Yes, she had letters from the bank. No, this is not her first extension.
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