What are the residual balance requirements for the 65k monthly transfer method for the Non-O visa extension in Thailand?

You are obviously mixing the two very different methods for proof of funds, namely the deposit method and the monthly transfer method. What would be more interesting is to know what will be the requirement if you mix those two methods?

Thanks but remember what one IO says might not be the same as the next one should have gotten it in writing

I’ve been in Thailand renewing my retirement visa for ten years now, and the 50,000 baht you refer to “that is needed” is a requirement I have never heard of. The following is my understanding of the financial requirements… no mention of 50,000 baht needed.

“A foreign national whose age is over 50 years or above

Must be able to present the financial evidence between:

- THAILAND BANK ACCOUNT SHOWING THB 800,000 OR

- PENSION/MONTHLY INCOME OF AT LEAST THB 65,000

- PENSION/MONTHLY INCOME x 12 months + SAVING FUNDS TOTALING NOT LESS THAN 800,000 THB

- (If you are an American/British/Australian passport holder and your embassy is no longer do the income/pension verification and you would like to show the monthly income/pension (above 65,xxx THB per month). It is still possible but (US/UK/Australian) applicants have to keep transferring the income/pension into their own Thai bank accounts every single month. Thai immigration will want to prove the last 12 month credit advice provided by your Thai bank.)

Not being prohibited from entering the Kingdom under the Immigration Act B.E.2522 (A.D.1979)

No criminal record of the Kingdom of Thailand, the country of national and …”

Isn't this the office that requires the money be seasoned even before you can apply for a Non O?

As things seem to change quickly sometimes I wouldn't bet on anything being the same in another year. Especially since local Immigration Offices are not all the same. What goes this year might not cut it next year.

Each regional office makes their own rules. I've obtained written requirements, at the IO, in both English and Thai, twice in a year, and the third time I showed up, two months before extension time, they said "we have new rules". This happened twice, 2019 and 2022. Buyer be aware. Also consider this, the banks cannot make a dime if all we do is send money to ourselves, then spend it. They want to have the money in their posession, as it looks good on their books.

No need to take it out on Brandon, he has done a consistent volunteer job at guiding the group.

So where did the magic figure of 50,000 come from. Never heard that amount raised in any visa question at all. Where in the English translation of the law does it state that amount?

I’ve use the ฿800,000 method for a long time. And yes, the interest rate is very low. The only thing I found that may pay higher is the government savings bank. Lucky prize account, which brings good report, however, I don’t know if it will qualify as immediately available, it’s a term deposit. My income is enough to qualify for the monthly method, But I pay most of my bills in US dollars, so I would have a little use for the money in my thai account

1) I appreciate the OP’s message

2) i appreciate all the genuine responses to it

3) you are all right and all wrong 🤷‍♂️🤣

4) the law is the law but immigration and officers are outside the law - they can and do what they want and you have no comeback.

5) what the OP has been told may be correct for JT right now - according to that one person asked - but it does not mean that it will still be the case in 1 year (a risk in my opinion for the OP!)

6) one hiccup and the OP could lose their NON-O retirement visa and have to leave/start process all over again (their comment is not a guarantee and he may be ok but he also may not be!).

7) A reply from an immigration officer or personnel in JT may be correct for there (currently, right now!!) but not necessarily the case for others in Bangkok or Phuket or any other area (see point 4 above: law-unto-themselves)

8.) the ONLY safe guaranteed way to keep and extend your non-O “retirement” visa is to put the 800k in a bank and just leave it there, don’t touch it, don’t juggle dates and balances and minimum deposits held and timing your top-ups!!! Just forget about it !!!

Is this ideal?

NO!

Does the interest rate suck?

Yes!

Is it the safest option to avoid stress and trauma?

Yes

This is just an observation and not ideal for everyone…. Do what you want and take your chances - 6 years doing this so far and the ONLY thing I haven’t had issues with is the money kept in an account and not touched (while many friends juggling their money/set-up unfortunately have had issues)

Everything else has been a problem with different paperwork and items asked for every damn year!

Regardless of not being required the year before - their stock answer when queried is always “need it now!”

More photos, additional paperwork, different copies, new translations of documents despite accepting the ones they have now the previous years… the list is endless….

*Little side note and humour:

I have taken to only giving immigration the official stuff they ask for and require. Then wait for their next unreasonable and different “request” which i pull out of my bag and give to them “oh!” they say, and ask for something else… which i (try to anticipate) then also take out of bag and give them “oh!” they say again!! 🤣

This can happen once, twice or three times … and then they stamp and finish! I am sure it is a game to some of them! 🤷‍♂️

LAW-UNTO-THEMSELVES and no confidence is inspired at all.

Good luck everyone but please remember- what works for you will not necessarily work for others at different offices!

The best advice anyone can give you is to minimise the risks for rejections and loss of (renewal) visa as much as possible.

If you can afford it, just keep the full amount in a separate bank account and forget about it…. You can still withdraw it and leave if you have to.

You should probably not advertise anything on FB. Now it's sure to change. I know things too. The last thing I'd do is pronounce it on FB. Besides, no good deed goes unpunished.

Wow! Good luck with that one! I hope you got it in writing! 😂

65k for 12 mo is true if FFT but never heard of residual 50 k balance.

Have been doing for over 20 years. Maybe just a JT thing

Since literally every decision is up to he immigration officer you are dealing with at any moment, what this one officer said might be completely false according to one of their colleagues.

Nothing makes sense when it comes to Thai immigration, just hope that the extension gets approved next year

The concept of being shackled to any agent is for those who have not actually done it. Guys on here love to portray the agents as 'illegal' and overpriced, when the opposite is true. They are both legal and offer good value. But they are not for everybody for sure. You can change from agent to immigration if you so choose. This makes sense if using the 65k method, but financially, it makes no sense whatsoever to deposit the 800k at less than 1% annual interest in Thailand.

Over the past near 20 years in Thailand I’ve been told all sorts of things at immigration that turned out not to be true….be wary of listening to them in lieu of the rule book

Next time you go, new staff and new rules 🤣

I wouldn't call it settled until next year when the extension is granted or denied.