Liquorice

It was a truthful answer. Thailand has financial requirements to stay, just as other Countries have. They have those financial requirements for a reason. If you can't meet them, what will you do in a medical emergency, let me guess; 1. Employ an agent. (Sarcasm) 2. Do a runner and leave the bill unpaid.

Important question, but did you marry in Thailand or overseas?

Clarity posted on the MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)website: https://www.mfa.go.th/en/page/general-information?menu=5e1ff6d057b01e00a6391dc5 7. Please note that the period of visa validity is different from the period of stay. Visa validity is the period during which a visa can be used to enter Thailand. In general, the validity of a visa is 3 months, but in some cases, visas may be issued to be valid for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years. The validity of a visa is granted with discretion by the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General and is displayed on the visa sticker. 8. On the other hand, the period of stay is granted by an immigration officer upon arrival at the port of entry and in accordance with the type of visa. For example, the period of stay for a transit visa is not exceeding 30 days, for a tourist visa is not exceeding 60 days and for a non-immigrant visa is not exceeding 90 days from the arrival date. The period of stay granted by the immigration officer is displayed on the arrival stamp. Travellers who wish to stay longer than such period may apply for extension of stay at offices of the Immigration Bureau

Absolutely incoherent and a mumbo jumbo of nonsense.

The validity of the visa is the period during which you can enter Thailand. The period of stay is granted by an Immigration official on entry and subject to the type of visa. Entering on a Non Imm O visa, you will be granted a period of stay of 90 days. To apply to extend that 90-day period of stay for a further 1 year based on Thai spouse, you must provide evidence of 400K THB in a Thai bank account in your sole name for 2 months prior to the date of submitting the 1-year extension application. Ideally, you need to open a bank account and transfer said funds within the first couple of weeks of arriving.

90 days, but you can extend for a further 60 days to visit Thai spouse/family, so almost 5 months stay. That as yet is unknown, but my own personal guess is they will restrict it to 2 applications per annum, and possibly not back to back, before making a notation in your passport.

You can only extend your stay by 30 days at Immigration, unless you have a Thai spouse. For 120 day stay, you'll have to make a border run for a further 30 day visa exempt entry, otherwise.

Your friend will find the requirements for the Non Imm O ME visa for Thai spouse has now changed at Savannahket, requiring 400K THB in a Thai bank account for 2 months (same requirements as for a 1-year extension) prior to submitting the application. The single entry Non Imm O is still available without proof of funds for the moment.

2.22 In the case of retirement: 3. Evidence of income such as a retirement pension, interest or dividends; 138-2557 (2014) Docs for extensions - ENG.pdf I can only quote Immigration orders and not what any specific Immigration office may or may not check. Needless to add, at my IO, one particular officer may not request proof, whilst another will regularly request evidence the income is pension based. Whether you agree or not, it's better to be informed and aware, then the decision is yours to make.

I made no guarantees, I quoted Immigration orders. If they don't follow the procedure as laid down, then it's for you to question it at a higher level, but very few do. Your advice being what exactly what to the OP in this thread?

How long ago was that. There have been recent changes to the financial requirements. Too many runners with not enough funds to cover emergency medical bills?

The E-visa is a universal site, so whether applying in the USA or the UK, the requirements are the same. The Thai Embassy, London also gives the same information. https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/spouse-and-family-visa To stay with non-Thai family residing in Thailand 4. Financial evidence: amount of no less than 30,000 THB (£700), e.g. bank statements, sponsorship letter - Applicant’s recent official UK/Ireland bank statement shows your name, address (Screenshots are not accepted) To stay with Thai family residing in Thailand 4. Financial evidence showing monthly income of no less than 40,000 THB (£1,000) or having the current balance of 400,000 THB (£10,000), e.g. bank statements, proof of earnings

Visa (Non O), or 1 year extension of stay permit? For 1 year extensions, read clause 2.11 of Immigration order 327/2557 for the criteria and financial requirements to apply as the parent of a child permitted a stay to study in Thailand. 327-2557 (2014) - Criteria for extension ENG.pdf

US amendments are only applicable if in the US, not in foreign Countries.

You're very good at criticising those trying to give advice, yet you offer no alternative advice yourself.

Can you guarantee that for the OP? I'm stating facts from Immigration orders, not hypothetical assertions. Amend 138-2557 (2018 ) clause 2.18-2.22 for Thai bank income ENG.pdf 2.22 Retirement. 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.

I'm afraid 800K THB deposited in a Thai bank account is the only way forward for a 1 year extension based on retirement. The 800K must be deposited for 2 months prior to the date of submission and for 3 months after the extension is granted. You can then withdraw up to 400K, then topping back up to 800K again 2 months prior to submitting the following year's application. If you don't want to go down that route, then a further option, assuming you can obtain the Non Imm O from Vientiane, is to employ an 'agent' to obtain the 1 year extension on your behalf for circa 25K THB.

That presents two problems in relation to applying for a 1-year extension of stay at Thai Immigration. 1. 'X1/FRCI' wouldn't mean diddly squat to Immigration, you may need to request 'Credit Advice' receipts from SCB as evidence the income came from overseas. 2. For extensions based on retirement, Thai Immigration only accept income from pensions, investments, or dividends .......................... not from employment.

I think you'd have to inform the Thai Embassy that you are a US citizen and your Embassy no longer issues the Income letter, but you can provide 12 Thai bank statements detailing over 65K THB monthly transfers and see if that would be acceptable. For the 1 year extension of stay permits from Thai Immigration, they will accept evidence of overseas monthly transfers 12 x 65K THB. The transfers must be coded as 'International' transfers, and they may request proof of the source of income.

Do you have a monthly income of 40K THB?

Your terminology is confusing. Long term visa holders would be those with a Non Imm O ME, or the Non Imm O-A. This is obviously about those with an extended permit of stay and a re-entry permit.

There is no retirement 'visa'. What you're enquiring about is the 1-year permit of stay issued by Thai Immigration for the purpose of retirement and subject to meeting the financial requirements. For a US citizen using the 65K monthly income method, you must provide evidence of 12 x monthly overseas transfer to a Thai bank account.

Yes.

Or, seeing as the OP is from an EU Country, he could just obtain an Embassy Income letter.

I do it myself every year, 1,900 BHT and sleep like a log knowing it was legitimately applied for and issued without the shenanigans. Then again, I don't condone or support corruption.