Liquorice

Not to be confused with Resident's certificate for those with PR (permanent residency).

OP wasn't looking for a long term stay, just up to 6 months per year. One entry via air and another by border bounce within the same year doesn't need checking, it's well within the regulations.

No, you don't need the SETV. Just enter VE (visa exempt) for 60 days + 30 day extension, then border run for a further 60 days + 30 day extension = 180 days. Should they revert to only a 30 day entry without a visa, then apply for the METV, which will give you the same 60 + 30, border hop, 60 + 30 = 180 days.

Have you considered changing your username to 'Captain Chaos'? 😉 You know it's why you love Thailand, what else could you have done in those wasted hours.

Concur with @DrJack54 For the very first extension of stay application following entry from a Non Imm O-A visa, Immigration will insist the extension is based on retirement as the O-A was specifically based on that reason. Thereafter, if married to a Thai, you can change the reason for the extension from retirement to marriage with no Health Insurance requirement. It only sticks with you unless you change the type of visa, or the reason for an extension of stay. Prior to Covid, many folk that entered on the Non Imm O-A and later obtained extensions of stay, departed Thailand without a re-entry permit to kill of any remaining permission of stay, then either re-entered on a Non Imm O visa, or VE > Non O > extension, to avail themselves of the mandatory Health Insurance requirements.

As the 60 day VE entries only commenced from 15th July + 30 day extension, it will be sometime next year (3rd or 4th back to back entries) before we get a clearer picture. Legally married to a Thai you can get an additional 60-day extension. Once Immigration conclude, you're attempting to stay in Thailand throughout the year using VE entries, then they'll start refusing entries. I'm in total agreement with the opinion of @DrJack54 that 'unlimited' does not mean 'back to back' entries and not a good long term plan. The Non Imm O ME is still available from Savannahket, but requires 400K in a Thai bank account for 2 months. The single entry Non Imm O is available without any proof of finances. Entry grants a stay of 90 days + 60 day extension = 150 days. The MFA announced that they hope to have all Thai Embassies using the e-visa application system from Dec 2024. When/if that happens, then proof of financials will be required even for the single entry Non O from Savannahket. If you don't have 400K to deposit in a Thai bank, or proof of 40K per month overseas transfers, then obtaining a 1-year extension of stay based on retirement (subject to being 50 years old) through an agent may be your only long term option. Whilst you still have permission of stay from a Non Imm O visa, you should consider that as a further option.

The ME Non O visa is still available from Savannahket, but you now require 400K in a Thai bank account. The single entry Non Imm O is still available with no financial requirement and the 90 day entry can be extended for a further 60 days = 150 days - repeat. Again, you can extend that 60 day entry for a further 30 days + a further 60 days based on Thai spouse. At some point, I fear you will be questioned and/or even refused entry using 60 day VE entries and told to get the correct visa type for staying long term in Thailand.

If he does another border hop in December just prior to the visa expiry date, he can get a further 60 days + 30 day extension, taking him through to March.

Glad you got it sorted, Tim. The blue writing is just a notation your previous Yellow book was lost and their report number.

US laws apply to Americans who break USA laws, in the US. In Thailand, it's Thai laws that apply. So what action did the US Embassy take regards these perpetrators of US law ....... zilch, nada! What! When the US, UK and Australian Embassies ceased the income letters, affidavits, and stat decs those already in a position of obtaining one were good to apply for annual extensions of stay for 6 months thereafter, (Jan - June 2019) that being the validity period of the letters. Many started overseas transfers of 40 - 65K and had extension renewals due in the later part of that year (July - Dec 2019) and couldn't therefore provide evidence of 12 x monthly overseas transfers. Immigration were instructed to show leniency in these cases and complied with that request. I've been reading longer than you, and have practical experience. Yes, I've witnessed rejections due to missed monthly payments, which can be set up automatically by the way. I've never witnessed 4 weekly (13 payments) UK pension payments rejected as no months were missed, and two transfers once in one month. The only folk that were pushed into using agents were those that could never meet the financial requirements in the first instance, hence false claims of income. They neither had the 800/400K, or 65/40K incomes to begin with. Perhaps rather than constantly rant how Immigrations rules constantly force folk into the hands of agents, you should ask why when there is a financial requirement to stay in Thailand, why do so many folk choose to ignore them, then circumvent the system by using agents. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse, they have choices, but choose to use an agent of their own free will.

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.