New retiree visa rules bewilder Thai immigration: Source

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

A file photo of foreigners in Pattaya.

 

BANGKOK — Days after new rules changed how visas are processed for foreign retirees, immigration officials are already pushing back against them, according to sources inside the bureau.

 

Starting March 1, foreign retirees must either show a monthly income of at least 65,000 baht or hold a minimum of 800,000 baht in Thai banks. They must maintain that amount for three months after a visa or extension is granted, after which they can only take out half.

 

Full Story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2019/02/01/new-retiree-visa-rules-bewilder-thai-immigration-source/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2019-02-01

Will this lot end up in the file cabinet marked ''It's all been a terrible misunderstanding '' ?

Lol

rules changes that stop IO"S from getting extra payments so IO's had to come up with a new way to be able to make it difficult for those applying, what else can we expect from these people, what will the big boy do now

 

I'm just glad I can show a monthly income into a Thai bank for well above the required 65K a month.  With recently printed out deposits from my bank for the past year.  

15 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

They must maintain that amount for three months after a visa or extension is granted, after which they can only take out half.

Is that accurate? That the money needs to stay 3 months after the extension is granted? Because it used to be that the money needed to be in the account for 3 months before the extension is granted. This is going to catch many people off guard! 

4 minutes ago, Fex Bluse said:

Is that accurate? That the money needs to stay 3 months after the extension is granted? Because it used to be that the money needed to be in the account for 3 months before the extension is granted. This is going to catch many people off guard! 

The money must now be in the bank 2 months before AND 3 months after.

Obviously these new regulations will create a bigger workload for the Thai Immigration staff who process all the paperwork, it seems at times that they are worn out.  The staff processing the 90 day reports look especially tired which makes sense since they have to process all the long term expats 4 times a year. 

Gee I wonder why IOs would be pushing back. Nothing to do with kickbacks from agents .. nothing at all.

6 minutes ago, Fex Bluse said:

Is that accurate? That the money needs to stay 3 months after the extension is granted? Because it used to be that the money needed to be in the account for 3 months before the extension is granted. This is going to catch many people off guard! 

yes, for now

If BJ keeps going down this road he won't have too many foreigners left in LOS.  Just keep squeezing BJ and at the end of it all it will be just another case of som nom naaaa!!  you make ya bed... now sleep in it!!

3 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

Is that accurate? That the money needs to stay 3 months after the extension is granted? Because it used to be that the money needed to be in the account for 3 months before the extension is granted. This is going to catch many people off guard! 

This is the thing that changed. the money now not only needs to be seasoned in advance (seemingly 2 rather than 3 months) but also cannot be touched for 3 months after, and even then only half of it can ever be spent.

 

it is basically a 400K bond that has to be posted and maintained. But badly worded/designed.

Reactions on Thaivisa, a webforum frequented by expats in Thailand, was overwhelmingly negative, with many commentators saying the regulations undercut claims from Thai officials that the deposit is to ensure they have sufficient resources to get by.

 

“Then why keep up the charade that this money is to cover living expenses if it can only be used six months out of the year,” user Connda wrote. “So…what’s next? What’s the next hammer to drop?”

“And I thought the 800,000 baht was for living expenses, not as an interest earner for the Thai banks!” user Madmitch vented.

 

there is room in my attic if anyone wants to hide.

It isn't worth getting excited until after a new govt gets sworn in.

If you don't like the new rules, consider the Philippines Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV).  Search here on Thaivisa for "SRRV" to learn more.

 

30 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

The money must now be in the bank 2 months before AND 3 months after.

I would not trust any IO to have kept up with this change from 3-2 months. Have it in for 3 months as always in case there is a 'misunderstanding;'. The less you give them to fault you on the better.

5 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

This is the thing that changed. the money now not only needs to be seasoned in advance (seemingly 2 rather than 3 months) but also cannot be touched for 3 months after, and even then only half of it can ever be spent.

 

it is basically a 400K bond that has top be posted and maintained. But badly worded/designed.

 

Another way of looking at it, I think, is you cannot touch the (topped up) 800,000 baht for months 11 and 12 of the previous extension, and months 01, 02 and 03 of the next extension. This means importing even more offshore funds to the tune of, at base, 5 x 65,000 = 325,000 baht while your 800,000 sits frozen. That's 1.125 million baht until your 800k is unfrozen. And then you're free to use only 400,000. I think the banks wrote the new regs. 

 

 

It bewilders everyone, Thai and foreign. 2 changes in January alone. How many since last July? Anyone who thinks they understand them (especially foreigners), doesn't. Based on the last 6 months, expect at least 4 changes in the next 6 months. Wait for it........is that the insurance requirement coming next month or March?  More television coverage...

 

The orders are in Thai, and Thai is a very inexact language, especially written. Push back from the embassies. Push back from the banks. Push back on insurance requirements.

46 minutes ago, barefootbangkok said:

Obviously these new regulations will create a bigger workload for the Thai Immigration staff who process all the paperwork, it seems at times that they are worn out.  The staff processing the 90 day reports look especially tired which makes sense since they have to process all the long term expats 4 times a year. 

I did my latest 90 days online just over a week ago … worked perfectly … got confirmation within 4 hours .… Kudos to Immigration.

Will this lot end up in the file cabinet marked ''It's all been a terrible misunderstanding '' ?

Please!

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

10 minutes ago, Rama said:

It bewilders everyone, Thai and foreign. 2 changes in January alone. How many since last July? Anyone who thinks they understand them (especially foreigners), doesn't. Based on the last 6 months, expect at least 4 changes in the next 6 months. Wait for it........is that the insurance requirement coming next month or March?  More television coverage...

 

The orders are in Thai, and Thai is a very inexact language, especially written. Push back from the embassies. Push back from the banks. Push back on insurance requirements.

I think the great majority of the posters understand the changes.  There is no insurance requirement.

Still waiting for the royalty cheque ????

 

 

53 minutes ago, barefootbangkok said:

Obviously these new regulations will create a bigger workload for the Thai Immigration staff who process all the paperwork, it seems at times that they are worn out.  The staff processing the 90 day reports look especially tired which makes sense since they have to process all the long term expats 4 times a year. 

It doesn't start until March 1st. But the IOs still look knackered.

Still very reasonable requirements for retirement. Much more important would be a mandatory health insurance for anybody on long-term visa or retirement-extensions.

The misery I have witnessed with many foreigners  in my 24 years in TH, due to not having health coverage at all is unreal and not needed. Fully acceptable, that a government does not want low-end and irresponsible foreigners burdening their system. Or it would end up a welfare state like so many European places. There will still be plenty of retirees left, after sorting it all out.  MS>

29 minutes ago, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

 

Another way of looking at it, I think, is you cannot touch the (topped up) 800,000 baht for months 11 and 12 of the previous extension, and months 01, 02 and 03 of the next extension. This means importing even more offshore funds to the tune of, at base, 5 x 65,000 = 325,000 baht while your 800,000 sits frozen. That's 1.125 million baht until your 800k is unfrozen. And then you're free to use only 400,000. I think the banks wrote the new regs. 

 

 

I've maintained that I think the banks have something to do with this. They'd prefer to sit on an earn on the money as long as possible. Of course, they will say the regs are to combat people taking advantage of the system, but that's doubtful. 

30 minutes ago, madmitch said:

Still waiting for the royalty cheque ????

And then the exportation due to no work permit for writing opinions in internet ... ah damn I'm roast too.

if they want to check if someone cheated the seasoning rules using and agent and bribing an IO - all they have to do is check the used bank account and it will clearly show the 800k baht was deposited and withdrawn on the same day as the extension application, no need at all for this stupid nonsense

 

People need to use this money to live on - it was bad enough not touching it for 3 month never mind the proposed 5 months, and then not being able to use half of it ever - what !!!!

 

There was nothing wrong with the existing rules, it was the bent IO's willing to turn a blind eye to the seasoning for a hefty bribe fascilitated by agents that are the problem, all these new rules do is increase the opportunity for bribes not stop them

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

This is the thing that changed. the money now not only needs to be seasoned in advance (seemingly 2 rather than 3 months) but also cannot be touched for 3 months after, and even then only half of it can ever be spent.

 

it is basically a 400K bond that has top be posted and maintained. But badly worded/designed.

I was at CW today, and officer with whom I spoke indicated that three months’ worth of seasoning - not two - were required of me for a retirement extension.

Still very reasonable requirements for retirement. Much more important would be a mandatory health insurance for anybody on long-term visa or retirement-extensions.
The misery I have witnessed with many foreigners  in my 24 years in TH, due to not having health coverage at all is unreal and not needed. Fully acceptable, that a government does not want low-end and irresponsible foreigners burdening their system. Or it would end up a welfare state like so many European places. There will still be plenty of retirees left, after sorting it all out.  MS>

You haven't compared to other programs if you think these rules are reasonable.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

The new  requirement may be a problem  for some but I have just thought of a  complication not yet mentioned.

I am guessing that the confirmation of the  permanent deposit of 400,000 maybe would be asked for at the date of a new 90 day report date following  an extension. Or a special visit to do same. There must be  some process to provide the  confirmation but as yet  no explanation that I have heard of.

However if any person  exits Thailand  for any time prior to that 3 months in possession of a re entry permit and is away until a date after the 3 month time  period the current 90 day report date has expired and starts fresh at  date of re  entry and irrelevant to any previous.

I am up for applying for another extension in  2 weeks time. I also plan to get a re entry permit on same  day for an exit shortly  after. 

The money on deposit is not an issue because I am fortunate enough to have 800,000 which  never leaves the  bank  year on year.

My question is  what is/will be the process to confirm that if I was  not here 3 months after an extension?