Answered2 years ago
What should I do if my wife's retirement visa does not meet the 800k requirement for renewal?
Hi everyone! My wife’s retirement visa is due for renewal in May but just realist she didn’t maintain her 800k in the first 3 months. She topped it up to 800k in the past 4 months. If she go renew herself, would it be a problem or we need to pay a fine or tea money (what is a good amount). Is it a serious offense as it would be considered overstay? Also would like to consider canceling it and attach it to my visa to make it easier to renew together as a couple. Would appreciate if anyone can suggest any ideas.
Answer summary
The user is concerned about their wife's upcoming retirement visa renewal, as she did not maintain the required 800,000 Baht in her account for the first three months. The discussion indicates that this may lead to complications with the visa renewal process, including potential fines or a requirement to leave Thailand and reapply. Suggestions include consulting with immigration or visa agents, the potential for a fine of approximately 10,000 to 15,000 Baht, and the possibility of canceling the current visa to apply under the user's visa instead.
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Sally *******
They want people to spend money in Thailand but how can you do that if you have to sit on 800k permanently. Surely most bank accounts can expect to fluctuate. I really don't understand this retirement visa. I'm watching and learning, but can't see much advantage compared to visa exempt for 90 days. (Uk)
Elías ********
@Sally ******
think of it as a deposit. You can't use that money during your stay, but if you're to leave the Kingdom, you'll receive back your deposit.Sally *******
@Elías *******
but you have to pay for the visa aswell. I'm just not sure it's worth it. Maybe I'm not ready to commit just yet.
Sylvia ********
@Sally ******
the visa is only 1900 a year. Regard the funds as an emergency safety net should you be ill.
Bill *********
@Sally ******
Start out with the 800k and then add an extra 100k to allow for "fluctuations". This seems like a pretty simple concept.Sally *******
@Bill ********
when you've got more than 800k, but just don't see this as your major account, and you just forget.. that's what they are missing.... 😆John **********
@Sally ******
it's not doing nothing. Primarily it allows you to get the visa extension each year. But for the 2nd year onwards you can apply for the extension using 12 months of transfers of 65k baht each month for the full 12 months, but you can spend this 65k as it arrives (assuming your from a country whose embassy doesn't provide an income affidavit). Also the 800k earns interest of around 1.5% and only needs to be in the bank for 2 months before you apply for an extension, 3 months after and can't drop below 400k at any pointJohn **********
@Sally ******
you need to realise that you can't live in Thailand on visa exempt entries. Sooner rather than later you will be denied entrySally *******
@Matthew ********
😆 🤣 yes I'm starting to see that.
Matthew *********
@Sally ******
one thing to learn i have realized in Thailand that common sense is thrown out the window and policies are written so nobody and including government offices don't understand their own words written.Sally *******
@Matthew ********
yes I realise that's their main reason but it seems rather stupid, when the visa exempt costs are so low in comparison. If I do go and live there I'd be traveling about every 90 days for at least 2 weeks, so I can't see what visa would be financially best/ and legal?Matthew *********
@Sally ******
it's not doing nothing, trust me the Thai bank is investing your money on foreign banks and drawing interest with your money while they basically give no interest for loaning them the money. I have yet still to see a more expensive demand for a visa.Sally *******
Yes I guess but it seems a waste if it's sitting in an account doing nothing..
Simon ******
I was fined 15,000 baht for a mistake going under but I had a agent do the visa talking
Jim ***********
What province are you? I'm in Hua Hin and technically the 800k is to be in account 3 months after renewal previous year....mine wasn't and Monday after finally receiving bank letters showing 65k transfers will receive extension
Christopher ****
OPJim Patterson, I am in BKK. Probably need to pay the fines. Thanks
John ********
Get a visa company
John ********
It will depend on the officer that you have to face they may fine you, my advice is be very polite and apologie to the officer
Bob **********
After your extension you need the 800k for three months then it can drop to 400k then top up to 800k two months before renewal
Ken ********
If you didn't follow the guidelines exact, they will probably make you start all over again. After I first got mine here, I moved my money to a different bank. That one day gap voided my visa.
John ******
I had same issue. Fine: 10.000 Baht.
Graham ******
@John *****
tea money ;)John ******
@Graham *****
Yes it was renewed after I paid. What options I had? Only this. Or leave the kingdom...
Jo **********
@John *****
you did the right thingChristopher ****
OPDid you pay directly to the officer and got renewed? Thanks
John ******
@Christopher ***
Yes, after I paid they gave me another year extension.
Phil ******
@Christopher ***
฿10,000 is cheaper than an agent doing the extensionChristopher ****
OPJohn John, was thinking whether to get an agent to do it or pay the fines myself. Thanks for sharing
John **********
It will be up to the immigration office but I would say most offices won't allow her to obtain another extension if she did not follow the requirements of her current extension. Some offices may consider her on overstay since the point she dropped below 800k. She will likely have to leave Thailand and start over again with a new 90 day Non-O visa. If you are also on a Non-O extension based on being over 50 she won't be able to join with you on your extension
Mark ***********
Call PDC Visa agents there very good and will explain everything to you
Brandon ************
Technically, it is considered overstay as the extension would be invalid from the moment she failed to meet the requirements. But it's almost unheard of for an immigration office to actually enforce that. The most likely thing to happen is that they will deny the extension, and she will have to leave Thailand and return, then start over by applying for a 90 day non-O visa based on retirement, and then a couple months later apply for a new 1-year extension.
Radost **************************
@Brandon ***********
why you are publish lies? If your amount droppes under the required amount it has nothing to do with the extension. You can do with your money whatever you want. The only problem is the next extension. And she can of course go as a dependent on her husband's non O extension. Easy to do just get a new non O visa and then apply for extension.
Sean **********
@Radost *************************
sorry but Brandon’s statement is not incorrectSean **********
@Radost *************************
As you state the required balances of 800,000 / 400,000 are conditions of the retirement extension. You can whatever you want with your bank accounts but dropping below the required levels void the conditions of the extension.
Can you get away with it until it is time to renew again? Probably
What would an immigration officer say if they somwhow became aware that that required balances where not maintained mid-term? i don’t know but I am betting it could be a problem.
Radost **************************
@Sean *********
what you want to bet it's incorrect, it when the amount drops under the 400.000 or 800.000 you are not loosing your extension or you not become on overstay.Brandon ************
@Radost *************************
when you stop meeting the requirements for an extension, that extension is no longer valid as of that moment.If you have a work extension and you stop working, your extension is invalid as of the moment you stop working.
If you have a marriage extension and get divorced, that extension is invalid as of the moment the divorce is final.
If you have a retirement extension and you stop maintaining the required funds, that extension is invalid as of the moment you stop meeting the requirements you agreed to.
Jo **********
@Brandon ***********
your rightActivity
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