Will Immigration be lenient regarding the 40,000 baht monthly deposit requirement for marriage and retirement visas during the first year?

Marriage Visa Retirement Visa Income Affidavit Bank Statements Immigration Policy Visa Requirements

Mar 28, 2019

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have a question regarding the monthly amount of 40,000 baht statement for a marriage visa. I know that Immigration will want a bank statement showing the full 12 months of deposits but considering that many people who used to use the income affidavit and now can't they might not have more than a few months they can show before renewing their visas. Does anyone know how Immigration will handle this situation, will they be lenient for this first year considering that many foreigners will be switching over from using the affidavit to actually showing monthly deposits and might not have a full 12 months of past deposits? Has anyone had experience with this situation yet? I imagine that it will be the same for the retirement visa.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Many expats are concerned about the new requirement for showing 12 months of bank statements with monthly deposits of 40,000 baht for marriage and retirement visas, especially after some embassies stopped issuing income affidavits. The current situation seems to allow for some leniency by immigration officers, but this can vary. It's advised that people contact their local immigration office to inquire about their specific financial situation and any alternatives that may be accepted.

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Robert *******

4 Embassies stopped with short notice handing out the Income Affidavit. Yes, Immigration Office quickly came with an alternative for those effected. Unfortunately the alternative is 12 months of foreign deposits, but as mentioned, officers are asked to be lenient with this. How lenient the officer in front of you will be, we can not tell. As this is discussed on this page several times, even several discussions about what is a foreign deposit into a Thai bank account I close this topic. It brings nothing new to discuss over and over again. Visit your Immigration Office and ask if your financial statements are enough, is all we can advice at the moment.

6 years ago

Vladimir ********

I do some safe work right after that story with affidavits happened. I have income from abroad, and instead of withdrawal from foreign ATM card, I start to do transfers to bank account, ensure they shown as FFT. And also keep watching affidavits situation. Even if my Embassy still issue them, the changes can be at any moment. Not happy with idea to keep 400k on account.

Also, if you working legally and done at least one yearly tax 91 form, you can do extension based on working. But more paperwork needed :(

6 years ago

Marty *********

It may only be four embassies that have stopped giving the affidavits but the US and Great Britain represent a sizable portion of the western expats. I guess we are just waiting to hear about people’s experiences.

6 years ago

Joe **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yeah, I think considering that it's a new switch a lot of people are going to be asking the same questions. I would hope that Thailand would take this into consideration and be flexible but after living here for a long time I know that's not always the case.

6 years ago

Reply to

Joe **********

Robert *******

Not sure about many foreigners as only 4 foreign Embassies decided to stop this. There is a memo from Immigration that leniency is asked. But it all depend on the Immigration Officer where you apply for this Extension of Stay. Use some time early enough and ask if your financial statements are enough to meet the requirement.

6 years ago

Joe **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

The Banked Money Method, is that where you show the 400,000 baht in a Thai bank account that's been there for 2 months before you renew your visa?

6 years ago

Marty *********

@Joe *********

Last year I started transferring money every other month to halve my fees. I wouldn’t meet the monthly income requirements even though I’m transferring more than enough money. Fortunately I’m using the banked money method.

6 years ago

Joe **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Robert. I'm a US citizen and my wonderful Embassy is one of the ones that has decided to make my life a whole lot more difficult by discontinuing income affidavits. Even though I can meet the requirments for the monthly amounts I hadn't been making deposits into my account that can show that until I heard about this new switch back in Jan. I'm sure a lot of other people are in the same situation. 😞

6 years ago

Reply to

Joe **********

Tim ************

no bankstatement = no exception.

6 years ago

Reply to

Tim ************

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