BREAKING NEWS Thai immigration reveals new requirements for retirement, marriage extensions (visas)

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thai immigration reveals new requirements for retirement, marriage extensions (visas)

 

 

Thai immigration have confirmed the new requirements for foreigners when applying for an extension of stay based on retirement, marriage or being a parent to a Thai child.

 

The updated requirements, seen by Thaivisa, are detailed in a national police order dated 26 December 2018 and signed by immigration chief Lt Gen Surachet Hakparn.

 

An unofficial translation of the updated requirements are as follows:

 

2.18 In the case of family member (mother, father, male or female spouse, child, adopted child or child of spouse) with Thai nationality. Can be authorized for not more than 1 year.

 

Process

 

Evidence of annual income that equates to no less than B40,000 per month of alien father, mother or spouse such as.

 

1.       Tax receipts of the supporting relative. (Presumably Thai tax receipts for a foreigner working in Thailand supporting foreign spouse, parent or child, e.g. you have a Thai wife and support your mother or non-Thai child from a previous marriage living in Thailand).

 

2.       Evidence of a pension. Letter of certification from a Thai bank supported by bank statements showing a pension being transferred to the pensioner’s bank account every month for at least 12 months. Exceptions are allowed for those who have been retired for less than one year – example given.

 

3.       Evidence of income from a foreign embassy or consulate.

 

2.22

 

For retirement extensions of no more than 1 year evidence of average monthly income of B65,000 is required.

 

1.       Evidence of pension. Same as 2 above,

2.       Evidence of income from a foreign embassy or consulate.

 

The changes are that applicants must be able to show income going into a Thai bank account and that income proof from an embassy (providing your embassy still issues income letters) will still be accepted.

 

The document is the first official confirmation from Thai immigration regarding the aforementioned extensions of stay (more commonly referred to as retirement and marriage visas) after it was announced in October that several embassies including those of the UK, Australia and United States, would no longer be issuing income letters or affidavits to expats in Thailand.

 

The income letters had been used by expats to confirm their income when applying for a retirement or marriage extension.

 

The embassies announced they would stop issuing the letters in January 2019 because Thai immigration wanted them to start officially verifying the income of everyone applying for the letter.

 

An unconfirmed report submitted by Thaivisa member bkk6060 stated that immigration are likely to offer some leeway to foreigners with regards to submitting 12 months worth of statements for the first applications under the new requirements.

 

However, from 2020 applicants will need to make sure they are able to show a full 12 months worth of income coming to a Thai bank account.

 

This infographic from the British Embassy Bangkok details how to open a bank account in Thailand. The requirements for opening a Bangkok in Thailand are likely to be the same for most foreign nationals, although individual branches may require additional documentation.

 

A certified version in English of the new requirements will be posted on Thaivisa shortly.

 

Many thanks to Tod Daniels, Arkady, Ubon Joe and BadBanker for the information.

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-01-06

 

 

 

CONFIRMED: Here is exactly what’s needed for retirement & marriage extensions (visas) [update]

[Eligius]

On the face of it, this looks EXTREMELY worrying for British retirees here. The irresponsible action of the British embassy in not confirming a retiree's income flow could be the death knell for many Brits here. Also, as far as I understand it, the British Government will not send pensions into a Thai bank account (only into a British one), and not every British bank will automatically forward a pension to a bank account in Thailand every month. Maybe I am wrong. 

 

Perhaps it is not as bad as I fear. What do other members think?

 

 

 

 

Edited January 6, 2019 by Eligius

[Dmaxdan]

Presumably the money deposited in a bank Thai account method (400,000 and 800,000) hasn't changed?   

[taichiplanet]

so the yearly amount based on monthly income:

for marriage is 480k;

for retirement is 780k.

 

Whereas the amount held in an account was (still is?) 400k for marriage and 800k for retirement.

Edited January 6, 2019 by taichiplanet

[Swiss1960]

Same question here

Presumably the money deposited in a bank Thai account method (400,000 and 800,000) hasn't changed?   

Sent from my SM-A730F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, Dmaxdan said:

Presumably the money deposited in a bank Thai account method (400,000 and 800,000) hasn't changed?   

Thye amendment only mentions changes to income option. No changes for the money in the bank or the combination option.

[RupertIII]

8 minutes ago, Eligius said:

On the face of it, this looks EXTREMELY worrying for British retirees here. The irresponsible action of the British embassy in not confirming a retiree's income flow could be the death knell for many Brits here. Also, as far as I understand it, the British Government will not send pensions into a Thai bank account (only into a British one), and not every British bank will automatically forward a pension to a bank account in Thailand every month. Maybe I am wrong. 

 

Perhaps it is not as bad as I fear. What do other members think?

 

 

 

 

UK state pension can be transferred to a Thai a/c but only in Thai Baht. Mine is sent here every 4 weeks.

 

I noticed on another thread that the monies had to be transferred from the home country, no mention of that here. Many people, myself included, hold their funds offshore with no bank a/c in their home country. 

[janclaes47]

The way I read the OP it mentions only proof of monthly deposits in an account, but nowhere does it mention an account balance of 400 or 800K, so I assume that option is not considered anymore.

[dick dasterdly]

For those using the income route for retirement 'visas', this sounds like good news?

 

i.e. "For retirement extensions of no more than 1 year evidence of average monthly income of B65,000 is required."

 

So a miscalculation due to exchange rates can be compensated another month.

 

Presumably all Thai banks will set up a way to provide a letter and statements confirming the international transfers - although there's no way they'll be able to confirm it's pension income.

 

i.e. "Letter of certification from a Thai bank supported by bank statements showing a pension being transferred to the pensioner’s bank account every month for at least 12 months."

 

The main problem that I can see, is if they are saying the pension income must be paid directly into a Thai bank account?

[Darrren]

16 minutes ago, Eligius said:

On the face of it, this looks EXTREMELY worrying for British retirees here. The irresponsible action of the British embassy in not confirming a retiree's income flow could be the death knell for many Brits here. Also, as far as I understand it, the British Government will not send pensions into a Thai bank account (only into a British one), and not every British bank will automatically forward a pension to a bank account in Thailand every month. Maybe I am wrong. 

 

Perhaps it is not as bad as I fear. What do other members think?

 

 

 

 

It,s highly possible that they will accept evidence of a 65,000k Baht arriving in a Thai bank account, so a bank account in your home country and one here may suffice with allowances for the 12 month time frame - they may accept less than 12 months due to it be a new rule. If that’s the case then start transferring now. As for the source of the funds.. if they just accept evidence of 65k fine, if they want to see an actual confirmation that your pension actually pays 65k + then a serious problem for those who receive less than that. There no mention of accepting any other supplementary income from other sources?

[Pattaya46]

1 minute ago, janclaes47 said:

The way I read the OP it mentions only proof of monthly deposits in an account, but nowhere does it mention an account balance of 400 or 800K, so I assume that option is not considered anymore.

Please read what is already said before posting 

 

11 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The amendment only mentions changes to income option.

No changes for the money in the bank or the combination option.

[Darrren]

15 minutes ago, Swiss1960 said:

Same question here

 

Sent from my SM-A730F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

 

Yes, no mention of this. Worrying.

[sometimewoodworker]

3 minutes ago, janclaes47 said:

The way I read the OP it mentions only proof of monthly deposits in an account, but nowhere does it mention an account balance of 400 or 800K, so I assume that option is not considered anymore.

No change to the money in the bank

[JLCrab]

At this point I would presume the word "transfer" indicates an international transaction and not from domestic KrungThai Bank to domestic Kasikorn bank

[johnjohn2]

Evidence of a pension. Letter of certification from a Thai bank supported by bank statements showing a pension being transferred to the pensioner’s bank account every month for at least 12 months.

 

I wonder if this means that you have to have your pension being direct deposit to the Thai Bank? Or you can just show deposits of which you transferred yourself from your bank to the Thai bank at minimum required amounts. 

[MJCM]

4 minutes ago, janclaes47 said:

The way I read the OP it mentions only proof of monthly deposits in an account, but nowhere does it mention an account balance of 400 or 800K, so I assume that option is not considered anymore.

@ubonjoe said it's an amendment. So the 400 or 800k in a Bank account should be still valid. (let's hope so)

Edited January 6, 2019 by MJCM

[janclaes47]

Just now, Pattaya46 said:

Please read what is already said before posting 

 

I did read was was already said, but don't see any proof of it anywhere.

 

 

[Groodman]

The 40000/65000 Baht has to be from a pension so rental income or over income from the UK cannot be counted. I hope I am wrong in my understanding.

[sometimewoodworker]

1 minute ago, JLCrab said:

At this point I would presume the word "transfer" indicates an international transaction and not from domestic KrungThai Bank to domestic Kasikorn bank

It does should read international transfer 

[sfokevin]

38 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

2.       Evidence of a pension. Letter of certification from a Thai bank supported by bank statements showing a pension being transferred to the pensioner’s bank account every month for at least 12 months. 

Why is the word “Pension” used in the translation so much?... Would not any source of income from a foreign source being shown transferred to a Thai bank be accepted? Also is a monthly transfer requires or would quarterly transfers be accepted?

Edited January 6, 2019 by sfokevin

[NCC1701A]

OK so those affected by this change need to investigate a monthly transfer service like Transferwise.

 

And or setting up repeating monthly transfers from their bank outside of Thailand where ever it may be.  

 

The exchange rate is something you will have to monitor month to month.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 6, 2019 by NCC1701A

[Pattaya46]

1 minute ago, sfokevin said:

Why is the word “Pension” used in the translation so much?... Would not any source of income from a foreign source being shown transferred to a Thai bank be accepted?

Maybe because Pension is the only (?) revenue that is 100% guaranteed for the coming year ?

[holy cow cm]

Need to see as it unfolds more, but is too vague to know the details of how you are supposed to deposit the 40k and 80k into account every month.. This is another action pertaining to the embassy evidence of income problems just recently scaring everyone. As long as the 400k and 800k doesn't change then ok for me. The big problem coming next is the insurance. Hopefully they sort this out a bit better to where it is easier and backed by a government program. If they don't make things more easy, they are going to make a lot of expats destitute.

[cleopatra2]

4 minutes ago, Groodman said:

The 40000/65000 Baht has to be from a pension so rental income or over income from the UK cannot be counted. I hope I am wrong in my understanding.

That is how I read the clause. Foreign income requires evidence from embassy consulate.

[sometimewoodworker]

38 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Evidence of a pension. Letter of certification from a Thai bank supported by bank statements showing a pension being transferred to the pensioner’s bank account every month for at least 12 months. Exceptions are allowed for those who have been retired for less than one year – example giv

Are you sure that the wording is specifically pension as that would be a rather large change, if it is income (general) that is quite different, from only pension.

[thequietman]

Just open an off shore account and then transfer the money in each month. Withdraw the money and deposit it back into the off shore account. Rinse and repeat.

 

It will incur banking charges but is very doable. I think everyone was worrying about nothing. I hope this alleviates many concerns of expats in Thailand.

[JLCrab]

19 minutes ago, Pattaya46 said:

21 minutes ago, sfokevin said:

Why is the word “Pension” used in the translation so much?... Would not any source of income from a foreign source being shown transferred to a Thai bank be accepted?

Maybe because Pension is the only (?) revenue that is 100% guaranteed for the coming year ?

It may also be IMM's antidote to merry-go-round-itis

[colinneil]

34 minutes ago, Eligius said:

Also, as far as I understand it, the British Government will not send pensions into a Thai bank account (only into a British one), and not every British bank will automatically forward a pension to a bank account in Thailand every month. Maybe I am wrong. 

 

Perhaps it is not as bad as I fear. What do other members think?

 

 

 

 

 

I get my UK pension paid directly into my Krung Thai account every 13 weeks, have done now for nearly 5 years, never had any problems.

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

Are you sure that the wording is specifically pension as that would be a rather large change, if it is income (general) that is quite different, from only pension.

We are waiting for an official translation by a translation service to be finished which should be ready tomorrow.

What has been posted is just a basic translation for info only.

[sometimewoodworker]

43 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

A certified version in English of the new requirements will be posted on Thaivisa shortly.

Certified by?

 

I ask as immigration may not translate in the same way as an independent translator, however skilled they are. 

 

It is only a translation from immigration (if they provide one) that will be correct.