Jennifer Read. I did exactly the same as you, 800k upfront, and then started the monthly transfers. You can draw down 400k three months after your extension application, but of course the other 400k sits there for another nine months earning a princely 0.5% but once it's done and you've got the monthly system going, you'll be laughing.

Be also aware of people pushing agents, so that you don't have to transfer the money each month. The agent merely pays a "gratuity" to an immigration officer, which is fine until you're caught out, then it's curtains!

Jennifer Read. Just also be aware that transfers must show as a foreign transfer in your bank book, and the 12 payments are by calendar month. For example, if you make two in January, you must still make one for February. Immigration are very anal about this. I always make my transfers around the beginning of the month, so if there is a problem you still have plenty of time to rectify it for the specific month.

Old Age 🤣🤣

John Stanners. The 800k for your OA extension does not have to come from overseas.

Thailand is about to join COVAX. The days of unvaccinated visitors being admitted may be drawing to a close. Be careful.

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Lamboley Serge. You cannot change from O to OA

David Broadfoot. Correct. It's a bit of a misnomer. Officially there's no "retirement" visa, although many immigration offices refer to it as such.

David Broadfoot. They seem to be. There's been a lot more reports lately of people finding it hard to open accounts. I don't know why, you'd think banks would be happy to take care of foreigner's money.

Paul Durkan. It's an extension of stay based on a retirement visa