What are the requirements for maintaining a retirement visa in Thailand regarding the 800,000 baht rule?

@Peter ********

how long ago was this? I have a friend who has been here on a Non-O extension based on retirement for many years using the 65k baht monthly income method. He recently travelled to the states for a short holiday and forgot to get a re-entry permit so had to enter visa exempt. He was adamant he'd be able to get a fresh 90 day Non-O based on years of monthly transfers, he was turned away by immigration and told he needed to show 800k baht in his account. You must have hit it lucky and hit on a sympathetic immigration officer who was willing to overlook the rules.

@John *********

How long was his "short holiday"? Did he maintain the 65k transfers whilst he was away? I switched about two years ago.

@Peter ********

He was away for less than a fortnight and yes, never missed a transfer. If you look at the requirements for a Non-O visa they make no mention of monthly income, only the 800k method or the income affidavit method. He's American so no income affidavit was available from his embassy, he ended up having to borrow the money

@John *********

There was an immigration order around 2019 which substituted the 65k transfers for the income affidavit for those countries whose embassies no longer provided the affidavit.

@Peter ********

it be interested in reading that if you can direct me at a copy. Nevertheless the information sheets handed out by immigration for applying for the initial 90 day Non-O visa and those for an extension of stay differ in terminology, the former makes no mention of "evidence of income" but the latter expressly does

@John *********

Sorry, I've no idea what you're talking about. Perhaps the best advice I can give you is to call by Chaengwatthana immigration office and make your enquiries there. If you're looking to switch to non-O on 65k transfers they will be able to assist

@Peter ********

the immigration order you said was made around 2019 regarding embassies stopping income affidavits

@John *********

I have to put my hand up and accept responsibility for the meltdowns going on in this thread. About 2-3 years ago I put this method to the test. Two years on OA, returned to Australia for a few months, then came back on visa exempt, which I immediately converted to 90-day non-O, followed by 12-month extension, and did not require the 800k lump sum, as CW immigration accepted my 65k transfers (continuous) in lieu of the income affidavit. I posted this on "the other" visa group and had my post removed by one of the then mods, and was subsequently booted from that group for "spreading misinformation". However, subsequently another of the mods, Tod Daniels, investigated further and actually went to CW to confirm if what I was saying was correct. He was advised that it was correct, and Tod did post to that effect. Unfortunately because I had been removed from the group I cannot access this post. In the meantime I received a number of PMs from other group members eager to learn how I'd done this, and subsequently many have replicated what I did. Sadly, people (such as yourself) and others who believe they are "experts" have tried to downplay and negate what I (and others) have done, and are now embarrassed by their obvious lack of knowledge, and will say "well you were lucky". Yeah, all those that have done it are "lucky", or maybe, just maybe, we found the loophole, and you're all mightily pissed off. Live with it guys, there's some out there smarter than you

@Roberto ********

I'm not remotely pissed off. My "lucky" reference is exactly that. Whether you are lucky by location or lucky by the immigration officer that served you. I know for a fact, and from my friends recent experience, that you can't do that at my immigration office which we both use. Even if Chaengwattana happens to allow it there are over 80 other immigration offices in Thailand. This is a futile argument, all I can do is quote what the main regulations say and they don't allow it. Of course experience on the ground in your specific location may differ, we all know that is how things fall in Thailand

@John *********

Yeah. A lot of "lucky" people using a "lucky" immigration office....or maybe, just maybe the biggest immigration office in the country knows how to do it correctly? Maybe it's the pisspot provincial offices where staff want to feel superior and implement their own rules.

@John *********

Tod Daniels sent it to me a few years back. I don't have it now, but if you send him a PM he'll probably oblige

@Peter ********

do you remember this

@T**

?

@Peter **********

then you were lucky to have met with an Immigration office that allowed these steps. Be aware not all Immigration offices of 85 offices in Thailand will allow the first one-year extension based on the 12 months of transfers of 65,000 THB

@Nongnuch *******

Not lucky at all - I followed the advice of another group member who'd done the same. No issues at all. To be honest, I don't use all 85 immigration offices, I'm simply reporting what happened with me at CW

@Lauren ******

"Officially" it has to be income from pension and immigration has the right to ask for the source and proof of being officially retired. But, I know people sending 65k/month from accounts back home and have never been questioned. I guess it's just about karma and the immigration office. 😎

@Max ************

Thanks for the response Max.Very helpful.

@Lauren ******

Shouldn't you still be able to get a document/certificate from your pension provider showing you're officially retired.

@Max ************

We are in planning stage for 2027 when I turn 65. Keeping my fingers crossed they dont increase the age to before then. But yes I think I would be able to get something proof from them.

@Marc ***********

banks are way worse parasites lol

@Tai *********

At least it's legal