When can I access the 800,000 THB for my retirement visa after renewal?

Retirement Visa Visa Renewal Thai Immigration 800,000 THB Requirement Thailand Visa Rules

Feb 28, 2023

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I renewed my retirement visa on 28 Nov 2022. Today is 28 Feb 2023, three months later. Does that mean from tomorrow I can dip into the 800,000thb in my Thai bank account (please say 'yes')?

I fell foul of this stipulation when renewing, thinking it was counted as 90 days and want to avoid the same fate next time around.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The timing of when you can access the 800,000 THB for your retirement visa in Thailand after renewal can be confusing. A user mentioned they renewed their visa on November 28, 2022, and was unsure if they could dip into their funds after three months. However, responses indicate that the count starts from the day the new extension begins, which was January 5, 2023. You need to maintain the minimum balance for a full three months after this date, which means you might need to keep the funds until April 5, 2023. Different opinions on the start date of the 90 days were shared, emphasizing the importance of confirming the rules directly with immigration officers during the application process.

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Tod *********

As you can see there seems to be disparate views on exactly when the 3 months after seasoning starts/ends when using banked money method on a retirement extension.

The only 100% sure answer is; When you're sitting in FRONT of the immigration officer applying for and getting your year extension inked in ASK them when you can drop the balance to 400K baht.

They could say once you hit 3 months after the date you applied for the extension

OR

They could say once you hit 3 months after the date the extension starts (the day the previous year expires)

Worst case those dates are 45 days apart, because the earliest you can apply for a new extension any ANY immigration office is when you have 45 days or less left on your current stamp. 😉

2 years ago

Jae *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yesterday, before posting here, I went to immigration at CM airport, queued up outside to see a volunteer adviser. Eventually, I was told I would need to speak to an officer about this issue. (Confusion seems to reign supreme!) The queue inside immigration was such that I couldn't face it. Could be I have to try again and hope to get a straight answer on this point from inside the building. When I was in the process of renewing/extending my visa last year, I asked the very same question and understood from the answer I was given that funds had/have to remain in the account for 'three months' (rather than 90 days) after the extension. I just want to DOUBLE check that point.

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Jae ****

then keep them in the account for 3 months (y) with over 80 offices in the country and each one doing "their own thing" I'd say follow what your office says

2 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Jae *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks very much for your replies, gents. However, I fear I'm none the wiser : /

2 years ago

David *****************

In the process of renewing myself. Apparently not only do you have to maintain the 800,000, but it has to be in the same original account.

I have two accounts, one for my daily transactions, one for my visa obligations.

They don’t like the one with no movement for some reason, despite dropping 1000 day of, and having bank certificates. No, they act confused and mystified until I show my other bank book. Happy then, they forbad me to allow THAT account to drop below 800,000. *sigh*

I tried again to let them use the visa account, but they said that was not the account on record.

2 years ago

Tod *********

@David ****************

you can use ANY account or a combination of accounts that total the 800K baht, they have no ability to dictate that part of the seasoning of the funds for banked money method. AND there is no requirement that the account have any movement on it and a LOT of people just part 800K baht in an account and leave it year round without any movement, only putting in 100 baht or so to get the bank book to update before they go for the extension

2 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

This is the date you need to count 3 months from because Jan 5th 2023 was when your previous extension ran out and this one started

2 years ago

Tod *********

Nope that is NOT how the rule is written. 😮

you APPLIED for a new yearly extension on Nov 28th 2022

BUT

as you can see by the red stamp of how long your extension is good until Jan 5th

I'd say you can't use the funds until 90 days AFTER the 5th of Jan or on Fri Apr 5th

it's not when you apply for the extension it's really from when the new extension STARTS that you count the 3 months from

2 years ago

James ******

@Tod ********

From my experience this is not the case - the rule states "at least 3 months after being granted permission" which means the date you go in and apply and receive your extension. I have always clarified the date you can go below 800k with immigration officer and it is 3 months after the applied date in your passport. Another way to look at it is you need to be at 800k for 5 consecutive months - 2 before and 3 after.

2 years ago

James ******

Yeah well your friend probably dealt with an officer who did not follow the rule. I stand by what I experienced ..for example - in 2021 I applied for my extension on Sept 11.

I withdrew below 800k on December 14. No problem when I extended last year. My extension expires on Oct 1 each year. The apply date in passport is what they go by. If I get any problem this year, I can always point this out from last year.

2 years ago

Tod *********

@James *****

I'm gonna err on the side of caution and just keep advising people that it's 3 months seasoning from when the extension expires and you are totally free to do as you see fit.

Pointing out that they did something last year (in my experience) is not a shoe in for them to do it this year

AND

if the officer that denied my friend was right, it'd mean your previous extension would be invalid as well putting you on over a year overstay 😛

BUT again,

you do it how ever you want to (y) 🙂

2 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

@James *****

alas we will agree to disagree

I had someone who applied THREE days before his extension ran out for a new yearly extension.

He pulled the funds out 3 months after the date he applied for the extension (like you say can be done)

BUT

the following year when he went back the officer said he had pulled the funds out too soon 😮 That the 3 months starts counting from the date your new extension takes effect <-(the expiration date of the extension) NOT the day you apply 😕

AND

to top it off they said he was technically on overstay from the date he no longer met the financial requirements <- NINE months before.. 😮

You are free to understand it how ever you want to. I will stand by my comments.

I was sitting there watching that train wreck unfold to my friend when he was trying to get his next yearly extension. 🙁 😕

2 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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How long before and after a retirement visa renewal must the funds remain at 800,000 baht in Thailand?

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