Liquorice

Certainly is, until there's an investigation, IO's heads roll, illegally issued extensions are revoked, the applicant now finds himself on overstay, arrested, deported. <deleted> sometimes happens.

All agents can process both legitimate and 'dodgy' applications. The only difference is in the price they charge.

It would help immensely if you could state which order number you're quoting clauses 1 - 5 from, which I suspect is original order 327-2557 dated 2014. The alien: (1) Must have been granted a non-immigrant visa (NON-IM). ( 2) Must be 50 years of age or over. (3) Must have evidence of having income of no less than Baht 65,000 per month: or (4) On the filing date, the applicant must have funds deposited in a bank in Thailand of no less than Baht 800,000 for the past three months. For the first year only, the applicant must have proof of a deposit account in which said amount of funds has been maintained for no less than 60 days prior to the filing date: or (5) Must have an annual earning and fluids deposited with a bank totalling no less than Baht 800,0000 as of the filing date The criteria requirements using the income method were updated Dec 2018 following the US, UK and Australian Embassies ceasing income letters, which until that point were used by all nationalities to provide evidence of pension incomes. The amendment allowed Immigration to accept monthly overseas transfer to an individual's bank account as an alternative method for those now unable to obtain an Embassy Income letter. In relation to clause (3) using the 65K monthly income transfers to a Thai bank, the updated requirements (2.18 and 2.22) dated Dec 2018 are in order Amend 138-2557 (2018 ) clause 2.18-2.22 for Thai bank income ENG.pdf In relation to clause (4) using the 800K funds deposited in a Thai bank account, the updated requirements from Jan 2019 (2.22) are in order 35-2561 (2019 (changed clause 2.22 of 327-2557 ENG.pdf Prior to 2019 using the 800K funds method, said funds only had to be in a Thai bank account for 3 months prior to the date of application, or 2 months for the very first extension application. 35/2561 changed those requirements, which are now 800K deposited in a Thai bank at least 2 months prior to the date of application, and for 3 months after being granted the extension. You can then withdraw funds 3 months after the extension is issued, but the remaining balance must not fall below 400K. (Clause 4 of 35/2561.) If it's your intention to use the monthly income method of 65K per month for your next extension application, provided you have met the requirements you agreed to at the point of obtaining your previous extension, using the 800K funds method (that is maintained a balance of 800K for 3 months thereafter, and a minimum balance of 400K for the remainder), and you can meet the monthly income requirements, which in your case should be an Embassy Income letter, then after your next extension is issued based on income, you can withdraw any remaining funds.

Corruption - illegal. Yeah, because you can change the name of the account holder online, which is fraudulent - illegal.

No, and I think someone is confusing that with an extension based on Thai spouse, which is only 400K funds, which can be wholly withdrawn immediately after the extension is granted. For retirement using the 800K funds method, the latest requirement is order 35-2561 (Jan 2019). Section 2.22, item (4). 35-2561 (2019 (changed clause 2.22 of 327-2557 ENG.pdf

Not sure which order you're referencing and quoting from re item 5, but if your intention is to switch to the income method from the funds method, then the latest order concerning the requirements for using income is in the updated amendment (Dec 2018) to order 138/2557 (July 2014). Amend 138-2557 (2018 ) clause 2.18-2.22 for Thai bank income ENG.pdf Scroll down to section 2.22 retirement - income method. Evidence showing income not less than 65,000 baht monthly includes: 1) Evidence showing pension - a letter of certification on deposit in the bank in Thailand and bank statement showing money transfer from overseas every month for the past 12 months. Except in a case where the applicant's retirement is less than I year, the evidence must be from the month of retirement. For example, the retirement is started in October 2018, the applicant must show pension payment evidence from November 2018 and pension payment evidence of the whole 12 months is required for the next year or; 2) Income certification certified by the embassy or consular As a Canadian, you should be obtaining an Income certification letter from your Embassy. I'm guessing you're not of pensionable age and in receipt of a pension, and therefore cannot obtain said letter.

Section 38 of the Immigration Act. That's because you've probably already got a TM30 on file. What papers, what reporting? Am I missing something, I just present my passport on entry.

You'll have to excuse me for being sceptical, having heard that a thousand times, only later to find they had a TM30 already on file. Just last week we were out with a group of friends, one of whom had just returned from the UK and the topic arose of whether he needed to file a TM30 as he'd never previously filed one and his extension renewal is due next month. Another in the group also claimed he'd never filed a TM30, but on producing his passport, there was the TM30 receipt stapled in the back! He has absolutely no recollection of it. The other concerned friend decided to bite the bullet and file a TM30 the following day to avoid any issues with his forthcoming extension. He came back tail between legs and apologising, when Immigration told him he already had a TM30, filed 6 years ago (when they moved into a new home), signed by ........ his wife!

He can enter VE or obtain the Non O visa which he qualifies for before entry. The problem then being unless he can provide evidence of 12 x monthly overseas transfers, Immigration will not issue a 1 year extension. The exception being unless you can prove you've just retired. Compare the fairness of that requirement against a person who can obtain an Embassy income letter, where no actual proof that the person is actually transferring such amounts, just a letter stating his pension income meets the amount. The OP requires an agent for his first extension, but thereafter could provide 12 x monthly overseas transfers. Some people prefer to use agents to cut out the bureaucratic procedures they can't be bothered with, not because they can't meet the financial requirements. How unjust is that for those who just entered Thailand and intending to stay long term, having 800K THB for just 2 months in a Thai you qualify for a 1-year extension of stay, but if using the income method transferred into a Thai bank, they require 12 x monthly transfers, unless you can prove you just retired. The OP is 81, he's hardly just retired. Amend 138-2557 (2018 ) clause 2.18-2.22 for Thai bank income ENG.pdf Section 2.22 retirement - income. Evidence showing income not less than 65,000 baht monthly includes: 1) Evidence showing pension - a letter of certification on deposit in the bank in Thailand and bank statement showing money transfer from overseas every month for the past 12 months. Except in a case where the applicant's retirement is less than I year, the evidence must be from the month of retirement. For example, the retirement is started in October 2018, the applicant must show pension payment evidence from November 2018 and pension payment evidence of the whole 12 months is required for the next year or; 2) Income certification certified by the embassy or consular

But he does qualify based on monthly income, but for Immigrations unfair order of requiring 12 x monthly transfers, (unless it's from the date of retirement) while those who can obtain an income letter from their Embassy would be acceptable and qualify.

The OP doesn't meet the financial requirements to apply for a 1-year extension, hence he cannot do it himself. Apart from still being in the US and as yet no Thai bank account, he doesn't have 800K THB for the funds method, nor the 12 x 65K overseas transfers for the income method. The US Embassy no longer issues letters of income.

OP, is from the USA. No requirement for mandatory Health Insurance for the Non O application. https://washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/non-o-retirement

Immigration would require evidence of 12 x 65K THB monthly overseas transfers, so he would need 800K THB doing it himself. He could and does however meet the income requirement to obtain the Non Imm O visa from a Thai Embassy/Consulate in the US to enter Thailand. Then use an agent for the first annual extension.

As a Brit you'll enter VE (visa exempt), not a visa on arrival (VOA) There is no written limit on how often or how many times you can fly into Thailand. It's at the entry clearance officer's discretion when to call time, pull you aside, and have a word. There is a written order of only 2 land border VE entries per calendar year.

Tell that to Immigration, you may be surprised.

If you've previously filed a TM30 and have a receipt stapled in the back of your passport, you're OK. If you haven't already filed a TM30, then you need to.

Immigration will require an update KR2 or KR22. If you married in Thailand, it will be a KR2. If you married overseas but registered your marriage in Thailand, then a KR22. It's 20 BHT for a copy.

The key question here is contained in your question "When we visit Thailand" How many times and for what durations of stay would you visit Thailand each year. A Visa exempt entry would permit a stay of 30 days, which can be extended for a further 60 days. A Tourist visa entry would permit a stay of 60 days, which can be extended for a further 60 days. The Non Imm O-A visa is applied for purely on the reason of retirement (not marriage). The O-A visa is valid for entry for 1 year and each entry permits a stay of 1 year (intended for long stays, not 'visits'). The O-A visa must be applied for at a Thai Embassy/Consulate, in your case, from the USA. You must meet the financial requirements for retirement, that being the equivalent of 800,000 BHT in a US bank account, as well as a compulsory Health Insurance policy of 3M BHT is also required, and a Criminal record check.

Where do suppose they stay once arrested and waiting to appear in court, the Ritz hotel?

That was your experience, every case is different, dependent on the reason and length of overstay. According to the law, section 81 of the Immigration Act. Section 81 : Any alien who stay in the Kingdom without permission or with permission expired or revoked shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding 20,000 Baht or both.

Bangkok Bank (Head Office) 333 Silom Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok. Most banks now require a confirmation of your address in Thailand, as well as a referral from an existing customer, member of staff, or government official.

He could be fined and imprisoned.

Very few are brave enough to challenge them, though! 3 times I've challenged an IO and gone above his head. 3 times it turned out the IO had misinterpreted, misunderstood, plainly not familiar, or been ill-informed with Immigration orders.

No it's not. Section 38 of the Immigration Act states it's the responsibility of the housemaster, owner or possessor. Section 4 defines the "housemaster" as meaning, any persons who is the chief possessor of a house, whether in the capacity of owner, tenant, or in any other capacity whatsoever, in accordance with the law on people act.

In my experience in these situations, it's because the IO you deal with is either trained, informed and competent, or untrained, ill-informed and incompetent.