Liquorice

Provided you maintained a balance of 800K for 3 months after the extension was granted (a permit, not a visa), it isn't an issue. You can withdraw up to 400K after that 3-month period as long as the minium balance remains at 400K. From the dates you specify, you're OK. Suggest you deposit that 800K into a Fixed Term account, better interest rate, no debit card, can only be accessed in branch.

It's not just the TV that has inflated application fees. I just did a comparison with the Thai Embassy London fees against the listed NZ fees. London. TV £30 = 1383 BHT Non O SE £60 = 2767 BHT NZ. TV $300 = 6602 BHT Non O SE $800 = 17607 BHT. The NZ fees make no sense in comparison to other Thai Embassy fees. I'm sure they've been informed or questioned on the fees? For everything else there's Mastercard Visa exempt.

Your Non Imm O visa expired a long time ago. That granted you permission of stay for 90 days, and it is that permission of stay you have been extending. @DrJack54 gave you the correct advice. Your current permission of stay expires on June 6th. You will require a single re-entry permit (1,000 BHT) to protect your current permission of stay until June 6th. Provided you return to Thailand before that date, on arrival you'll be stamped in again until that same date. You then have from May 27th (your intended date of return) to June 6th to submit your application for a further 1 year extension of stay. If you're organised, you can prepare all document copies in advance before departing Thailand, leaving only the KR2 and bank letter/statement required on your return. If, for any reason, your return is delayed, your current permission of stay will expire on June 6th. You would then have to start the procedure again, as you previously did once before by either applying for a new Non Imm O visa from the Thai Embassy in London based on Thai spouse to re-enter and be granted a stay of 90 days, which you then apply to extend for a further 365 days, or return VE (visa exempt) and then immediately submit an application at your local Immigration office to change your status to Non Immigrant and receive a stamp granting a stay of 90 days, which you then apply to extend again for 365 days.

You've just made my point. To be clear, I'm talking about International flights into Thailand and if for chance refused entry, if that 'budget' outbound ticket wasn't departing from the same airport as where you landed, and by your own admission is 'lost' if not used, then you've wasted money and time because you'd now have to buy an alternative outbound ticket, or return to whence you first departed.

The result of an incompetent official, as I previously suggested. Nothing new, the advice is always to check the stamps before walking away. I've had to correct an official on a 90-day report date when doing it in person. A couple of years ago, my extension due July but I always submit June, the IO informed me I had overstayed 1 month. Not until he checked his phone calendar did he believe me that the month of July came after June and not before. 🙄

It would be helpful if you could state your age, nationality, your current location and if your Fiancée is Thai or other.

Unless he is prepared to post his stamps, I'd take his report with a pinch of salt. If he applied 5 days prior to his extension renewal date and was given an under consideration stamp dated 30 days after the renewal date = 35 days from the date of application, he may be counting those days on top of the 365 days granted. Once approved, new extension stamps are always backdated to the previous extension date. Then again, he may have encountered another 'incompetent' official that's simply screwed it up. By the way, your Reddit link opens multi general posts. After 10 minutes scrolling through, I still couldn't find the post you were referring to. A direct link would help.

It was the end of 2018, beginning of 2019, the UK, US and Australian Embassies ceased issuing Income letters. Immigration were forced to issue a new order allowing those using the Income method to now provide evidence by way of monthly overseas transfer to a Thai commercial bank as also acceptable. Amend 138-2557 (2018 ) clause 2.18-2.22 for Thai bank income ENG.pdf Certain nationalities may still provide proof of income via an Embassy Income letter, whilst others have to provide Thai bank statements as proof of the overseas transfer.

Plenty of reports on denied entry and how and where they were held waiting for a return flight. I don't disagree with that. Are throw away tickets free, if not, you'll have to book and pay for an alternative flight and from the same airport as arrival. So you'll have wasted time and money, as I stated.

All ticket dates are changeable, it depends on the class of ticket you purchase whether it's free, or a fee applies.

Because you're far more likely to be able to be squeezed onto a departing flight sooner rather than later, and yes you have to wait in holding (not IDC). If you have to purchase an alternative flight from that airport, you'll have wasted money, time, and probable be held longer. As I previously stated, the chances of being refused entry using VE is minimal, but it can and does happen to a few, more so than we see posted on this forum. It's logical and common sense to purchase an outbound ticket departing the same airport as you arrive to avoid disruption and inconvenience should you be refused entry. Unless you plan to visit other nearby Countries, or intend to stay 'long term', I would imagine most tourists arriving VE would have a 'return' ticket departing from the same airport. You obviously didn't read my previous post regarding the experience of a good friend last year regarding this matter. That was using Emirates airline.

Were you required to provide evidence that you met the conditions for the then current extension, as in maintaining 800K for 3 months after that extension was granted, then 400K for the remainder of the term?

I usually agree with your opinions, but beg to differ in this case. Exactly which part of 5.3 in the above attached procedure for converting to Non Imm do you fail to understand. What do you think "Evidence of foreign currency fund transferred to Thailand" refers to. The 800K funds requirement is listed at 5.2 and Embassy Income letters are also listed. I submit extension applications on behalf of some disabled expats, and have done so for a number of years. Since certain Embassies stopped issuing Income letters, some using the income method were forced to change to monthly 65K overseas transfers as a result. Two of the above expats are of Australian nationality and returned to Aus for free medical surgery, missing their extension renewal dates, but maintained their 65K monthly overseas transfers. The Thai Embassy in Aus never offered the Non O based on retirement, only the Non Imm O-A being available. They both returned VE and I submitted their application to convert to Non Imm using evidence of 12 x 65K monthly overseas transfers, with a pension statement as proof the transfer came from a pension. Non Imm stamps were issued without question in both cases, and I subsequently then applied for their 1-year extension using the same evidence, and that's fact, not an opinion. I read it and dismissed it having a different experience. It's rather vague and doesn't state the reason for refusal. Perhaps his overseas monthly transfers were irregular, perhaps he didn't provide evidence the transfers came from overseas, or could provide a pension statement/letter as to the source of the transferred funds being from a pension, or his documents weren't in order. Or perhaps CW interpret 5.3 differently to other Immigration offices. The jury is out on that one.

If using the funds in the bank method, for annual extensions based on retirement it's 800K THB deposited in a Thai bank for 2 months prior to the date of submitting the application, maintained for 3 months after the extension is granted. You may then withdraw up to 400K THB, but must maintain a minimum balance of 400K in the account. Repeat for the following extension application. 35-2561 (2019 (changed clause 2.22 of 327-2557 ENG.pdf In the case of your friend (assuming he married in Thailand) for annual extensions based on Thai spouse, the fund's requirement are different. He would need to deposit 400K THB in a Thai bank account in his sole name for 2 months prior to the date of application and whilst awaiting approval, at which point he can withdraw the full amount if he so desires. Repeat for the following year's extension. 327-2557 (2014) - Criteria for extension ENG.pdf Scroll down to section 2.18

The only visa that allows you to stay in Thailand for 12 months is the Non Immigrant 0-A visa. Requirements listed here; https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/retirement-visa Your plan to use the income method for a 1-year extension of stay, is thwarted by the fact Immigration require 12 x 65,000K THB overseas transfers into a Thai bank account and request proof of the source of income, such as a pension statement. Correct, your friend could first apply for the Non Imm O visa based on Thai spouse, which grants a stay of 90 days, then apply to extend that 90 day stay for a further year based on Thai spouse (you don't and cannot extend a visa.) The financial requirements are different based on Thai spouse, but again if he wanted to use the income method, he would require 12 x 40K THB overseas transfers into a Thai bank account in his sole name. Have a look at this Immigration order for 1 year extension requirements based on using the Income method. It lists the financial options and requirements both based on Thai spouse/family, section 2.18, then scroll down for the options and requirements based on retirement, section 2.22 Amend 138-2557 (2018 ) clause 2.18-2.22 for Thai bank income ENG.pdf Note that the option of the Income certification certified by the embassy is not available for UK, USA and Australian nationals.

Where's the red herring, it's perfectly applicable to the topic at hand. For example, you arrive VE, via Emirates at BKK, with an outbound flight ticket from DMK to KL and you're refused entry. You can't use the outbound flight ticket because you can't enter Thailand, you're stuck at BKK. Emirates are now responsible for your wellbeing. Your option is to book a flight to Vietnam instead, rather than return to your previous point of departure. Vietnam airlines are happy to take your booking. Emirates are happy to offload you to someone else. It makes no difference to the IO, as long as you depart to somewhere else. It's a perfectly logical solution to the problem. You're not a pawn, as an airline passenger you also have rights if refused entry. You also have the right to appeal the refusal of entry.

You have the right to book an alternative flight to a different destination and sign a waiver with the arriving airline which dissolves them of any responsibility of the passenger. Some expats will choose to fly to Lao for example and try to enter via a border, or a different airport. This is outlined by Trat Immigration. https://www.tratimmigration.com/denial-of-entry-into-thailand/#:~:text=What to do After Being,a Thai consulate or Embassy. What Happens When You are Denied Entry? If this happens to you, firstly realise that you are not being deported from Thailand. You are being denied entry. ( In order to be deported you first have to be allowed to enter.) When you’re denied entry the Immigration officer has the choice to do one of three things. They can: 1 – Send you back to where you just flew in from 2 – Send you back to any country you can buy a ticket for 3 – Send you back to the country of passport origin. 1 and 2 are by far the most common. Denied at an Airport If you are denied entry then it is your responsibility to pay for your ticket to another country. You will be taken to a holding cell at the airport where you will stay until you have arranged your flight out. There’s wifi and the staff can order food for you (at your expense) What to do After Being Refused Entry? Almost everyone denied entry just tries to enter again, either at another border, another airport, some get tourist visas from Thai consulates and enter by land, and most people will find a way to legally get in. If in doubt get a Tourist Visa from a Thai consulate or Embassy.

On the same subject, sorry but again a good friend. He's regularly visited Thailand for years, entering VE then extending, typical staying for around 6 weeks each trip. He always booked a return ticket within 30 days, then changed the return date after entering Thailand. In 2022, he married his long term Thai girlfriend, meaning he could now apply for the 60-day extension. He questioned the airline policy on the 30-day outbound ticket requirement, as they were fully aware he could apply for a 30-day extension, and now 60 day extensions. He was informed the policy was for 'outbound' tickets and not 'return' tickets returning to the original departure point. (Which makes sense). He has since provided return tickets for stays of between 6 weeks to 12 weeks, entering VE (3 times a year) and never been questioned, or refused boarding. It appears there is a clear distinction between a 'return' ticket, where if refused entry, the return flight has already been pre-paid and from the same airport, and the same airline, just requiring the airline to change the return date, and an 'outbound' ticket, usually with a different airline and airport, where the airline from the point of departure is then responsible for your return at their expense. The point being, many entering VE may intend staying for short periods of 4 - 8 weeks and with a 'return' ticket returning to their point of departure. In such cases it may be worthwhile question the airline '30 day' policy in such situations.

If you have a valid outbound ticket from the same airport, that absolves the airline you used to arrive with of any responsibility to return you at their expense. The airline informed him they'd been informed to be very diligent checking the departing airport of outbound tickets due to 3 passengers already refused entry in the month of November, and they found themselves responsible to return them to their point of departure, although the customer will always have the option to book and pay for an alternative flight elsewhere, but only from the airport they arrived at.

Entering VE, then applying for Non Immigrant status (Non O) they accept 800K funds, overseas transfers and Embassy Income letters. The only method they don't accept is the combination method. If @Red Phoenix friend has proof of 12 x 65K monthly overseas transfers, as he states, then that would be accepted for the conversion to Non O. VE-TV to Non O Retirement.pdf

The answer has already been given. As your friend did not comply with the conditions of being issued his current extension, that is, he did not maintain 800K in his Thai bank account for the required 3 months, then a further extension application is likely to be denied, although the final decision will be at the IO's discretion.

You both completely miss the point. I'm fully aware it's a requirement of the airline and not Immigration to have an outbound flight within 30 days when entering VE. The reason for this is simple. If, for any reason, you were denied entry, the airline, at their own expense and inconvenience, are responsible for returning you to your point of departure. As I understand, they are also subject to a separate fine. Most simply recommend purchasing a cheap throw away ticket from any Thai airport, without any forethought. My question (thinking outside the box) was simply if your outbound ticket was from any Thai airport other than the one at which you arrived, if refused entry, it would be impossible to travel to any other airport. At the very least, to avoid a refusal or complication to board at the original point of departure, make sure your outbound ticket is from the same airport you'll be arriving at. Yes, I'm aware that the chances of being denied entry is minimal, but it's the airline that's responsible for you if you were to be refused, hence their policy. Last year, a good friend had to return to the UK due to a family bereavement and was unable to renew his retirement extension. Returning VE in November with the intention of applying Non O > 1 year extension at local Immigration and aware of airline policy, booked a cheap outbound ticket from Don Mueang to Kuala Lumpur. His International flight was from London to Suvarnabhumi. Checking in at London, the check in assistant noticed his outbound ticket was DMK to KL. "Sir, if refused entry, how will you travel to DMK". Answer - he couldn't! He then scurried around to book an outbound ticket from BKK to KL, before being allowed to board.

Ah, but they never notified what time the system would come online today. 4 meal breaks and an afternoon nap first is the priority.

Where is he confused. He knows he can travel on both passports, but as a frequent flyer would prefer to use a single passport, However, he has no plans to depart at DMK, where the re-entry desk that issued his permit, is beyond Immigration and seeking a solution.

@DrJack54 Personally, I'd just present both passports for your upcoming journey, but when returning to DMK enquire at Immigration arrivals. They can escort you through to departures and the desk issuing re-entry permits. They may just advise you use both passports, which is a PITA, but TIT.