Liquorice

Just to elaborate on Jacks information. For extensions of stay based on retirement, the financial requirements are; 1, 800K deposited in a Thai bank account in your sole name for 2 months prior to submitting the application, then for 3 months thereafter after which you can withdraw up to 400K, but must maintain a balance of at least 400K. 2. 12 x 65K monthly overseas transfers to a Thai bank account in your sole name. 3. An Embassy income letter. 4. A combination of funds (1) and income (2) totalling 800K for the year. Example 400K funds + 12 x 35K overseas transfers. Sent a PM re docs.

If you followed the story from the beginning, British Embassy statements + the video they made and requested reports and minutes of the meetings between Thai Immigration and British Embassy officials from the Home Office by freedom of information requests, then you'd know more. It started with CM becoming suspicious of some of the incomes claimed on US affidavits. When challenged, they couldn't produce evidence to support their affidavits, the rest is now history. Did you read the post above mine? That was typical chit chat between US nationals that thought it was a joke to make false claims in order to meet the financial requirements. It may be a felony, and you could be prosecuted in the US, but US laws don't rule in Thailand, the same as the 27 amendments to the US Constitution don't apply here either. The financial requirements for applying for the Non O from a VE or TV entry have never changed, nor allowed evidence of overseas transfers to be supplied as proof of income. Perhaps you're getting confused with when they issued a new order allowing proof of income to be evidence through overseas monthly transfers to a Thai bank and for the year after cessation of the Embassy Income letters they allowed leniency allowing just a few monthly overseas transfers as evidence. Nonsense. The proof of pension letter from the DWP clearly states the pension is paid every 4 weeks, not monthly. Immigration adjusted for that, even when transferring direct using the Bahtnet system. Most use Wise anyway for transfers, so can transfer just once a month. Never known anyone pushed towards an agent for that reason.

When changing the reason from Marriage to retirement, or vice versa, the new extension will be dated from the date you submit the application, not from when your current permission of stay ends, so advised to do it in the last 7 days.

I totally agree with your synopsis. In the video interview of the MFA spokesperson, he stated for new 180 day entries the original reason for the issuing the DTV would be honoured, although you may well be required to provide evidence that reason still exists. Certainly, for the 180 day extensions, he stated Immigration would request proof of an ongoing reason for the extension. For remote workers, that could simply be a case of providing their initial documentation. For those whose reason was for one of the softer options, Muay Thai, cooking classes etc, they are certainly going to have to book other courses in activities, which could be immensely expensive in the long run. Immigration as always will have the final say and decision on the matter.

At the end of 2018, beginning of 2019, if you recall, Big Joke was in the thrones of amending Immigration Orders, one promise was to make it easier for those married to Thai to obtain annual extensions. He was then unceremoniously removed from office and another IO took over his half finished work. Due to the fact 3 Embassies stopped issuing Income letters, Immigration were forced into issuing an amendment to the current orders, with regard to the income method, allowing acceptance of monthly overseas transfers to a Thai bank. It became a shambles of oversight by Immigration and Big Jokes ideas never came to fruition or were completed, rather hastily put together by another IO acting as the deputy commissioner. For example, if entering VE or TV, then applying for the Non Imm O, then only proof of 800/400K deposited in a Thai bank, OR, an Embassy Income letter are permitted. It was never updated in line with amended orders to include evidence of monthly overseas transfers to a Thai bank account. The amendment to order138/2557 concerning proof of income in a Thai bank account for both extensions based on retirement and Thai spouse, which can be viewed, item 18 https://aseannow.com/topic/981135-laws-regulations-police-orders-etc/#comment-17706004 Section 2.18 (Thai spouse) is ridiculous and appears to be almost a copy and paste of the requirements for extensions based on 2.22 (retirement). You can marry a Thai from age 20 and live in Thailand, but who underage 55-60 would be able to produce evidence of being in receipt of a pension. I think @Rob Browder found himself in this ridiculous position. The mindset seems to be if under the age of receiving a pension, then you are either working in Thailand, or have sufficient funds to transfer 400K.

Yeah, off topic, but it was US nationals making false affidavit claims as to their incomes that started the whole Immigration investigation, subsequently leading to the US, UK and Australian Embassies ceasing the service. If you're using the 800/400K funds in the bank method, then Immigration theoretically shouldn't be enquiring about your income, as that is irrelevant to your extension application. However, as in my case, I simply provided statements from a FTD account, where other than any interest added or tax deducted, the balance stayed almost dormant, which raised the question of how I supported myself and covered living expenses in Thailand, unless I was working illegally. Once proving I had an alternative Savings account, they weren't interested in the amount of income or transfers I made, just that I had a source of income to cover living expenses and wasn't working illegally.

If you have a copy of the old YB and a 'lost' police report, I don't think you'll encounter a problem. They can easily trace your registration provided you have your Thai ID number. I had the original YB which they kept (to be destroyed) anyway. Failing that you'd have to start from scratch again and the process is now even more complex than when I obtained my first YB and ID card.

When I changed address, I was required to go back to the Amphoe that issued the original YB who cancelled that and gave me a form to take to the new Amphoe that immediately issued me a new YB and ID card, without having to go through the shenanigans of obtaining the first YB.

What tax? Mind you, some people are so gullible, remember the April fools topic that 90 day reports could now be submitted at a 7/11. 🤪

No, but I'm on an extension based on Thai spouse where any income does not have to come from a pension (although it does). Immigration are a division of the Thai police and can ask questions if they have any suspicions. Years ago, I was on an extension based on retirement, 800K in an FTD account when they queried how I maintained and covered living costs when the 800K was literally fixed throughout the year. I was obviously transferring funds to my Savings account for living expenses and once proven they've never enquired since. I assume you're using the 400K in the bank method. Tell them your living expenses are covered by your wife's income, no law against that.

Nothing to do with taxation. I've always used the 800/400K funds in the bank method using a Fixed Term Deposit account. Years ago, they enquired about my income. Their mindset was by providing funds in an FTD account, how did I manage to maintain my stay in Thailand and the suspicion of working illegally. Since then, I've always had the bank put details of both the Savings and FCD accounts on the letter. FTD for Immigration purposes, Savings account for expenditures.

WorldBridge only provided services for applicants for a UK visa from the USA until 2014. From Thailand and elsewhere it was the VFS. https://immigrationandvisasolicitors.co.uk/uk-immigration-vfs-global-providing-visa-processing-services/

The financial requirement is 500,000 THB, or it's equivalent in any bank account. Depending on your nationality, you need to convert your currency to BHT to ensure you qualify.

You'll also only qualify for the 2 year driving licence when renewing.

The guide is misinformative. The DTV which is classed as a Tourist type visa can be applied for at any Thai Embassy offering it.

The fact you had a re-entry permit informs me you have a 1 year extension of stay, a permit, not a visa. Your Non Imm O visa expired either when used to enter Thailand, or on the 'enter before' date, but your Immigration status remains Non Immigrant, as opposed to Tourist. Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels any remaining permission of stay. You do not hold a valid visa and may apply for any other type of visa. Note the DTV is classed as a Tourist visa, so if at a later date you wish to apply for 1 year extensions again, you'll have to start from scratch obtaining a new Non Imm O visa first.

You have an extension of stay, a permit, not a visa. Your Non Imm O visa became invalid either on entry or by the 'enter before' date, but your Immigration status remains Non Immigrant. The Non Imm O granted you a stay of 90 days, and it is this permission of stay you extend each year. Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permits cancels any permission of stay you may have held. No problem applying for a new different visa type, but note the DTV is classed as a Tourist visa so you'll lose your Non Immigrant status and have to start the process with a Non Imm O visa again should you return to applying for 1 year extensions.

The day you return is day 1 of the 90 day count. You'll have to submit the first 90 day report in person.

Address page of the Tabien Baan and Chanote.

His wife could stay for up to 180 days in the US. What date is the baby due? What date is his wife intending to leave Thailand? No need to leave the Country if he may be able to apply early given the circumstances, or a 60 day extension may be sufficient. More details required from the OP concerning dates.

Not withstanding, he'd need to find an extra 400K, or 800K if he uses the income method. Then the question of meeting the requirements of the extension based on retirement throughout the following year to change back to the reason of Thai spouse

The difference being the OP has an extension based on Thai spouse and for his next extension she must attend with him at Immigration, but at the time of his extension renewal his wife may be travelling. His options and suggestions have been posted. Unlike yourself, he has an option to apply for a 60-day extension based on Thai spouse. It basically all boils down to the dates of his wife's exit and return to Thailand, what course of action he would be best to take.

No. You stated you entered as a Tourist then applied for a 1 year extension. I challenged you and stated you required a Non Imm O visa to apply for a 1 year extension, which you rebutted. Then you posted pictures clearly showing a Non Imm O visa. The topic is also about an issue applying for the 1 year extension based on Thai spouse. Yours was based on retirement. Extensions based on Thai spouse are not issued the day of application, they can only be approved by the regional office. You are given a 30 day 'under consideration' stamp date, on which you must return. The wife must attend with the applicant when submitting the application for either a 60 day or 1 year extension. With that in mind, now read the OP's issue again.

I've witnessed numerous UKVI refusal letters, but all stated reasons for the refusal as to why they didn't believe they would return to Thailand.

I asked JamesPhuket10 because he stated his wife applied at the Embassy. The Embassy haven't handled UK visa applications since they started outsourcing to VFS, which was somewhere between 2001 - 2003.