Answered7 years ago
What to do if my extension application is refused due to financial shortfall at Thai immigration?
For your information. I’m not looking for advice just relaying what happened at Chon Buri immigration when I applied today. I prepared everything as usual and it was accepted other than my financials. I got the extension refused due to lack of funds. I get part of my salary paid into my Thai bank from my European employers. This figure in Baht has diminished due to the falling GBP, so in recent months has been less than 40k Baht. I recognised this situation months ago so topped up my Thai account to around 50k in every case. There has always been in excess of 40 k in my account over the last 12 month period. The bank statements showed this but immigration refused to add the 2 figures together and said there was a shortfall in the past 3 months. No matter how myself and my Thai wife explained the situation immigration refused to recognise the 2nd top up transfer from the UK. No extension granted.
The next part is interesting albeit dubious. The immigration officer to me I did not need an extension anyway because I leave Thailand for 6 months of the year. I leave and enter Thailand usually twice a month. He said there was no problem using visa exemption for as many times as required during the year. His instructions were to carry my marriage Certificate and Tabian Baan and to produce them at immigration in the airport. Tell them I am visiting my Thai wife and there will be no problem In entering. This only applies to arriving by air and not land crossings.
Sorry it’s so long winded, but made it as short as I could.
Amazing Thailand
The next part is interesting albeit dubious. The immigration officer to me I did not need an extension anyway because I leave Thailand for 6 months of the year. I leave and enter Thailand usually twice a month. He said there was no problem using visa exemption for as many times as required during the year. His instructions were to carry my marriage Certificate and Tabian Baan and to produce them at immigration in the airport. Tell them I am visiting my Thai wife and there will be no problem In entering. This only applies to arriving by air and not land crossings.
Sorry it’s so long winded, but made it as short as I could.
Amazing Thailand
Answer summary
An expat in Thailand recounts their experience at the Chon Buri immigration office where their visa extension was refused due to insufficient funds in their Thai bank account, despite having topped it up and meeting the required minimum over the year. The immigration officer suggested they could continue entering Thailand using a visa exemption while carrying proof of marriage. The discussion reveals inconsistencies in immigration policies and financial proof requirements, along with alternative options such as applying for a NON-O visa at a consulate.
55 repliesnewest first
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James ********
We wish
Thanks to all for your suggestions for Richard.
I close commenting.
@Richard *******
success in obtaining whatever visa suits him best.... Thanks to all for your suggestions for Richard.
I close commenting.
Tod *********
I'd say take other people's advice and just go to the thai consulate in Savannakhet Lao or Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam to get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O based on marriage with no proof of funds at either of those consulates.
That visa gives you unlimited entries during the year it's valid for with each entry getting you stamped in for 90 days.
It seems tailor made to your requirements...
That visa gives you unlimited entries during the year it's valid for with each entry getting you stamped in for 90 days.
It seems tailor made to your requirements...
Tod *********
Hang about, For a yearly extension based on marriage you either use ALL banked money 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only OR you use 40K baht a month in income from abroad BUT you CANNOT use a combination of the two (like you can with a retirement extension) It's all one or all the other.
Charlie ********
So the IO reckons there's no issue flying into Thailand with visa exemption many times a year, what does he think this is 2014...
Dan ******
So you were short 40K BHT in some months, but made it up later? I was advised by several "experts" a few months ago that for a marriage visa the deposits could be variable throughout the year as long as they averaged 40K or more total for the year. Such a situation is apparently not allowed for a retirement visa.
Dan ******
Well, as usual there are variable answers to numerous issues, depending on what office you are dealing with. One of my information sources was a moderation of the Thai Visa website. I presume he knew what he was talking about. Obviously, things may have changed. I will be soon testing the waters re the future of my extension - to continues as retirement or change to marriage.
Ron *******
Dan Hunt that average 'rule' is for people working here and using tax receipts as proof of income. It isn't to be used for foreign income into a Thai bank account. That has to be a minimum of 40k a month, every month for 12 months.
Dan ******
That seems to be another "variable" as to which of the numerous offices you are dealing with. Consistency is not their strong suit.
Paul *********
They don’t take averages into consideration.
Minimum 40k per month for a visa based on marriage.
Minimum 40k per month for a visa based on marriage.
Ron *******
Jomtien already did say that they expect the funds to arrive in your account more or less on the same date each month.
Dribs and drabs and topping up, just isn't going to cut it there.
Can i ask, was the OP attempting a marriage extension after being on a retirement extension the previous year?
Dribs and drabs and topping up, just isn't going to cut it there.
Can i ask, was the OP attempting a marriage extension after being on a retirement extension the previous year?
Ron *******
@Richard *******
I guess you met the woman on that desk? She's known to be hardcore
Richard ********
OP@Ron ******
Yes I believe you are correct on that oneRon *******
@Richard *******
ok. I asked because they will make it as difficult as possible to move from retirement too marriage there.Richard ********
OPYes it would appear that way, but i made only 2 transfers per month. I was trying to extend my current 'marriage' visa of which I have had for 15 years.
James ********
Its sad to hear of this...
Richard... Sounds like a trip to Savannakhet is coming very soon to get one year Non O based on marriage to Thai.
Robert Lagas posted about his recent experience as have others.
Good luck ..
Richard... Sounds like a trip to Savannakhet is coming very soon to get one year Non O based on marriage to Thai.
Robert Lagas posted about his recent experience as have others.
Good luck ..
Richard ********
OP@James *******
60 plus lol Thanks mateJames ********
@Richard *******
Best decision at this point...IF YOU ARE 50+ ...😂😂. But....Its sad to see this kind of mayhem happening to so many fine expats who do live in and love Thailand. Take good care!
Richard ********
OP@James *******
Thanks Jim going to go for retirement I think.
Marty *********
Did you have the opportunity to explain where the topping up money came from? Savings or other income?
Richard ********
OP@Marty ********
Yes both my wife and I did but they would not except our explanation. I do have funds abroad so have other options. Thanks
Terry **********
@Richard *******
yes mate it just goes to show when you are trying to do things correctly as you do..their is always sombody wants to put another obstacle in your way in the name of officialdom...but as you said you have got other options and you have been here long enough to understand Thai way of thoughtRichard ********
OP@Terry *********
Thanks Terry and yes I do under the Thai way if thought but don’t understand why they refused to accept my bank account top up. TIT as they say 😊
Andrew *******
Technically immigration are encouraging you to flaunt their very strict rules. But I guess traveling in by air as often as you do, you are visiting your good lady. Now that’s chivalry...in a sense.
Crazy! Regards.
Crazy! Regards.
Andrew *******
@Richard *******
amazing T’land, as you suggested.Richard ********
OP@Andrew ******
Agree mate I could not believe the advice of the fact that I got knocked back. Cheers 🍻
Robert *******
months ago the brilliant tip was take money out your Thai bank account and transfer back into your account, with multiple transfers you can always meet the Immigration requirements even if you have a very small income. It looks like Immigration Officers do understand some tricks.
Joe ***********
It is not easy for most people of moderate income to send money back to the home country just to send it back as a top up. Not easy in the sense that (as was pointed out) it could be detected with just a bit of examination of funds transfer records to another bank or direct to overseas. Wealthy people could do this with ease but wealthy prople don't need to do it. It is more than obvious that the I/O just wanted to create a barrier that could not be gone around. I have read about other instances where a top up was allowed without question as long as it was proven to be an International Transfer. So again this shows a total lack of standards - no consistency of rule application from office to office.
Robert *******
@Richard *******
Not saying that you did, but it seems immigration is getting more strict and checking things.Marty *********
Jonathan Pressburger They are probably not looking at the details at all. I wonder if two deposits would be ok if you could back them up with proof such as a pension statement and Social Security statement.
Richard ********
OP@Robert ******
That I have never done as I like to keep within the law. I will get a retirement visa going forward.Jonathan *************
@Marty ********
"not like to see"? They can always look for transfers out again?Marty *********
@Robert ******
Ahhh. I’ve heard that advice. Now I see why they might like to see topping up. 🤔
Massimo *********
My idea is that mostly time officers tell a story just to make the problem solved (for them).. however if you find the wrong officer in airport or in a bad mood I believe will act as same as the one who denied you the extension for honestly, no reasons.. my opinion
Richard ********
OP@Massimo ********
Totally AgreeMassimo *********
@Jonathan ************
I fortunately never had problem and I don’t know.. but is a good question..Jonathan *************
is there no appeal in the immigration office (ie not at a port of entry--ie a supervisor, the boss?)
Paul *********
Go to Savanaket and get a year long multiple entry non O
Joe ***********
@Robert *********
- the health insurance requirement for the Non imm O-A has not been published yet
Robert **********
@Paul ********
but that one’s about to require health insurance. I prefer non O gotten in Thailand which, so far, does not.
Adam ******
Adam Ware-Lane what u need to show for dependency visa for kids? Just birth certs and u get 1 year at savannakhet?
David **********
HCMC multi entry marriage visa is super easy.
Tony *********
@Richard *******
if your not short of funds put 400kIn the bank for 2 months
For marriage.
Why put 800k
In the bank for retirement.
Up to you.
Richard ********
OPAdam Ware-Lane Thanks 🙏
Paul *********
@Richard *******
Or get the O-A visa from your home country and that gets you stamped in for a year on each entry. Exit and enter just before it’s used by date and get almost 2 years out of one visa. (2nd year will need a multiple re entry permit)
Richard ********
OP@Paul ********
Thanks mate. I’m not short of funds so will probably go down the retirement visa route.
Lloyd ********
Marriage cert could be invalid due to divorce and you are not on a house book, you may have a yellow book, but that means nothing.
John ******
@Richard *******
Very very strange indeed and you have to go back next week. CRIKEY WHAT A CARRY ON AND WORRYING FOR YOU OFCOURSE.Richard ********
OP@Jonathan ************
It appears not and it also appears its who you see on the day and at which office. I was speechless when the refused my extension without real explanation. I will sort things out soon so not worried, but it is a pain.Jonathan *************
@Richard *******
Tod Daniels?Jonathan *************
Richard Barton don't they have to quote chapter and verse of the regulation or law? Can we? I sympathise strongly. I hope you can sort it out. Thanks for answering
Richard ********
OP@Jonathan ************
They did today mate and I was refused the extension. It might be different in Hua Hin.Jonathan *************
@Richard *******
this worries me--i will go to Hua Hin immigration with some credit advice notes from BKK bank from abroad, as i also have to top up. They can't expect it to be in one payment surely?Richard ********
OP@Lloyd *******
Agree but just quoting what the immigration officer said. The main point of the post is that they would only accept 1 monthly transfer. They would not consider the 2nd transfer for reasons that I don’t understand.Robert *******
As nice as it sound i would not take the gamble to use Visa Exempt Entries for long period with a marriage certificate to show.
Richard ********
OP@Robert ******
Thats why I said dubious in the post.Activity
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