Why Is an International Transfer Required for Retirement Visa Extensions in Thailand?

Dec 21, 2019
5 years ago
Mark **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Why does the seasoned money have to be an international transfer for extension based on retirement, can it not be from one Thai bank to another?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The requirement for seasoned money to come from an international transfer for certain visa extensions in Thailand, especially the Non-O visa based on retirement, stems from immigration regulations aimed at ensuring that funds are legitimate and traceable. While extensions based on marriage do not have strict requirements regarding the origin of the funds, proving the international source is essential for specific types of applications. The discussion clarifies that if you're seeking a 90-day Non-O visa or a yearly extension, different rules apply depending on whether you're using banked funds or monthly income methods.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Tod *********
Okay, let's sort this out.

IF you are applying for an in country 90 day Non-O visa using banked money you must prove the funds came into your thai bank account in your name only from abroad.

IF you are applying for a yearly extension of stay using banked money there is no requirement to show where the money came from and you only need to follow the seasoning requirements according to the extension you're getting

IF you are applying for a yearly extension of stay using monthly income method AND you are from a country where your consulate no longer issues affidavit of income from abroad notary letter but you still want to use monthly income you MUST transfer the minimum amount in from abroad to your thai bank account in your name only each month EVERY month for the preceding 12 months before you apply for the extension.
Jonathan *************
many thanks for elaboration. I always wondered about all the other consulates. I'm not blaming the locals.
Mark **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
thanks most helpful
Tod *********
I will share an anecdote with you. Right when the consulates stopped issuing income affidavits and the immigration offices started the "show monthly income by international transfers" method an immigration section head told me

Mr Tod, we have accepted the income affidavits from embassies without ANY proof for years and years that stated you received the minimum monthly income from your country to get your extension.

Now that your consulate discontinued the letters, we will still offer this method for you to get an extension.

IF you have been signing the letter all these years and using it, what is the difference now that you have to actually bring the money in to the country?

I think the only difference is many people were lying on the letter and now cannot meet the requirements :O
Mark **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I already have a non o and have had 2 extensions based on marriage and I have swapped bank accounts originally the money had been transferred from UK
Robert *******
Correct
@Jona****
, for Extension of Stay it does not matter.

It must be from abroad if you apply for conversion to the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years inside Thailand.
Jonathan *************
it would be almost impossible to write a flow chart or even software for the complexities of the immigration rules--throw in personal vagaries....:)
Jonathan *************
i was always under the impression it didn't matter where the seasoning cash came from?
Robert *******
because most people come from abroad, open a bank account and then transfer their savings into the country.

But if you worked inside Thailand and saved up to the 800.000 Thb I do not think that it is a problem if you apply for an Extension of Stay,
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