Must Read Holding the balance: Phuket Immigration clarifies new rules on retirement visas to start March 1

[parafareno]

is this for every year, or every 5 years? I am getting close to 50 yo........

 

800K two months before and 3 months after = 5 months

 

Do you need to do this every year? Or just once per 5 or 10 years?

 

[asiamaster]

20 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The way I read the rules it is 2 before and 3 after. But apparently some offices are reading it a different way.

Thanks Ubonjoe. I just realised that I may qualify for (6a) as my passport shows a first entry on 13 Jan 1998 and the first non immigrant one year visa granted on 09 April 1998.

But it was initially a Non-B for 4 years, after that a Thai wife marriage visa for 2 years and since I turned 50 in 2004 a retirement visa.

It says: "and has been consecutively permitted to stay in the Kingdom for RETIREMENT etc." 

Then it goes on differentiating between being over 60 or between 55-60. Now how could anybody being just over 60 or between 55-60 have had a retirement visa already 20 years ago?

So may I conclude that I do qualify?

[gene1234]

PHUKET: Phuket Immigration this week clarified the new rules regarding applications for retirement visas, confirming only one major change: that for those applying using funds in a Thai bank account to support their application, a minimum of B400,000 must be kept in the account throughout the year.

 

How many people here caught the "one major change" which is on the last line - "minimum of B400,000 must be kept in the account..."?

 

It seems everyone here is still quoting the old, B800,000 minimum balance.  Is Tanyaluk Sakoot in error?

[Mango Bob]

Why can't Thaivisa interview  Pol Maj Gen Surachet Hakpal and have him explain why this policy on extension of stay for Retirement and Marriage have different interpretations by IO officers under his control?   Why isn't there only one policy and all are following it.  There are many other questions that should be asked.  Have Thaivsa member list them and present them to Big Joke.

[superal]

21 hours ago, keith101 said:

Or just take a trip to Savanakhet where financials are not a requirement .

Do they issue retirement visas ? I was told only marriage visas .

[rexall]

3 hours ago, Such a Hairy Guy said:

I dont quite read it that way

 

"As many embassies no longer issue affidavits confirming income, this is no longer required, he said, noting that letters from governments and pension fund providers will be accepted along with other forms of evidence to prove the income pending.

 

“Of course any financial statements from banks and copies of bankbook records proving this income already being received should be provided,” he said.

So it sounds to me they will accept the embassy letter but in addition they want proof the monies are actually transferred???

What is the purpose of the embassy letter then?

There is no "purpose." It is just double-talk. My reading is that if you could get an embassy letter, it could still be used in place of bank deposits.  But since you can't get an embassy letter anymore, you have to provide bank deposits.

[ubonjoe]

10 minutes ago, asiamaster said:

So may I conclude that I do qualify?

You do not qualify.

You would of had to of been 55 or 60 years old in October of 1998 and on continuous extensions of stay based upon retirement since then.

[Chongalulu]

6 minutes ago, Mango Bob said:

Why can't Thaivisa interview  Pol Maj Gen Surachet Hakpal and have him explain why this policy on extension of stay for Retirement and Marriage have different interpretations by IO officers under his control?   Why isn't there only one policy and all are following it.  There are many other questions that should be asked.  Have Thaivsa member list them and present them to Big Joke.

You are 'joking' aren’t you? This isn’t about clarifying and unifying the procedure- that would require thinking things through and drafting rules clearly and unambiguously . As ever it’s about grandstanding and image.

[xylophone]

38 minutes ago, indepth said:

"if I were to fall ill and be taken to hospital, or be incapacitated in some other way, ".  Thats  only a couple of things that could go wrong, I can think of dozens more, If you want to know  more, please feel tree to PM me.

Thanks all the same, but my two examples are enough as that's really all I worry about.........anyway automatic transfers take the '"remembering" out of the equation!

[rexall]

1 hour ago, mrmicbkktxl said:

I would be ok if they say show xxx or yyy,if they accept foreign bank statements why I should get an embassy letter?Embassy letter for me is 1500bt and a 80km drive to Bkk.I really hate that wishy washy "up to the immigration officer"

"Wishy-washy" is a cultural phenomenon. It is  deliberate, whether it is done consciously or unconsciously.  Vague, wish-washy, ambiguous, circular are all means of exercising power and maintaining "face."  That way, nothing is really a "mistake." No one can be held accountable. Pesky falang are kept feeling perpetually insecure and off-balance. 

[high plane drifter]

I am so glad and happy .I found another country to move without visa problem, when you have your visa you  don't have to do visa run , so I enjoy my life...

[Somtamnication]

What a circus.

[ravip]

22 hours ago, Hellsten said:

I probably need to move out from this madhouse soon  If the bath go more stronger I'm out, don't have the money to stay and I'm married and have lived her for soon 15 years, this IS my Home! I have no place to go! ????

The paper from the embassy show the income Before Tax

the Bank after Tax there is a big difference.

You live here very long time you married a Thai and take care the family

But you have NO RIGHT what so ever and they still make it even more difficult

for us to stay here I probably spend 8-900000 a year here the most time but now when I get older the money is not to great now, and the Bath is too damn strong

I lose about 30000thb/month compare from the first time I come her

Not to nice of you Thailand!

 

That's how the world is today. The developed nations are worse. 

Edit

Is USD25,600/- a back breaking amount for the aliens clamouring to settle down in Thailand?  But the high nosed rantings herein does not show that pathetic situation. 

Edited February 17, 2019 by ravip

[Mavideol]

something just hit me.... elections are suppose to take place March 24 or around there, let's assume (for one moment) the current (junta) ruler is not the chosen one, will all this new rules still apply or do we have a (slim) chance of getting them changed

[ravip]

15 minutes ago, high plane drifter said:

I am so glad and happy .I found another country to move without visa problem, when you have your visa you  don't have to do visa run , so I enjoy my life...

That's the right and decent way to go!  Good luck to you! 

[wobalt]

We, old “scumbags “without relationship to Thailand are no longer welcome here!


Gesendet von iPad mit Thaivisa Connect

[rexall]

46 minutes ago, high plane drifter said:

I am so glad and happy .I found another country to move without visa problem, when you have your visa you  don't have to do visa run , so I enjoy my life...

 

What country, drifter?  Off topic, but Panama looks really sweet.  Quite developed.  Beautiful. Tropical. Not Third World prices, but affordable. The Spanish Language is more accessible than Thai. Only requires $1,000 in pension income for retirement visa.  Even less if you buy (yes, "buy") a house. 

 

Edited February 17, 2019 by rexall
correct $750 to $1,000

[rexall]

51 minutes ago, Mango Bob said:

Why can't Thaivisa interview  Pol Maj Gen Surachet Hakpal and have him explain why this policy on extension of stay for Retirement and Marriage have different interpretations by IO officers under his control?   Why isn't there only one policy and all are following it.  There are many other questions that should be asked.  Have Thaivsa member list them and present them to Big Joke.

There is no "why."  There doesn't have to be a "why."  Things like consistence are only important if you are applying Western logic.

[The Theory]

23 hours ago, smedly said:

well that's cleared that up - not

 

I am under 60yo and have been using the 800k balance for the last 5 years so do the new rules apply to me or not

 

more confusion

No problem as long as you keep at least 400,000 in your Thai bank account all year long/ 800,000 2 months before renewal. 

Edited February 17, 2019 by The Theory

[Billthekiwi]

23 hours ago, xylophone said:

“Under the income requirement, applicants must receive at least B65,000 per month,” Col Acheep explained.

As many embassies no longer issue affidavits confirming income, this is no longer required, he said, noting that letters from governments and pension fund providers will be accepted along with other forms of evidence to prove the income pending.

 

“Of course any financial statements from banks and copies of bankbook records proving this income already being received should be provided,” he said.

Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/holding-the-balance- phuket-immigration-clarifies-new-rules-on-retirement-visas-to-start-march-1-70401.php#qFDrdIdC5SewFzHi.99

 

So from my perspective in trying to qualify for the 65k per month method I can provide the required evidence, which was a worry because they have been ''fickle" in that area.

 

Not decided yet as to follow that route or the 800k route. For me it depends upon whether or not I can get an automatic transfer of funds from my NZ bank, so trying Transferwise under an automatic payment schedule if poss.

 

Hi,

I use World First to transfer money.

It is based in Australia and has been very reliable.

 

I pay no fees and the rate is okay. In addition Bangkok Bank does not charge me anything either.

 

Never felt the need to look elsewhere.

[ImJustHangin]

I am Canadian. Luckily my embassy is still issuing affidavits. 

So Im still on the 65K/mo plan. 

So to be clear I still dont have to keep any  funds in the bank?

[taipan1949]

After living for 30+ years in Thailand and obeying all the Visa rules my Filipino wife convinced me to move to her home town where we already had a nice very large house where only her Mom and Dad stayed to keep the place clean. After two years of dealing with the Philippine Immigration I now have my Probationary Resident card which I have to keep for a year and then I can apply for Permanent Residence. I now also have PhilHealth for a minimal yearly payment of $730.00 Canadian Funds. My point is that in all my dealings with Immigration has the question of how much income I have every month in pensions. Actually they have never asked me about money, ever. The fact of the matter I do have over what the Thais ask for.

[chrisinth]

2 hours ago, Huckenfell said:

Ubonjoe is never wrong, so pay attention to what he says.

No pressure there Joe..........

..

[mike787]

22 minutes ago, rexall said:

There is no "why."  There doesn't have to be a "why."  Things like consistence are only important if you are applying Western logic.

Simply....WELL stated.  After discovering the same, I have decided 30 days is the maximum I will stay.  Sure I could do the retirement or find a Thai honey to secure a marriage visa but its the principle now; NOT going to play this stupid game with IO.  I love Thailand, but I'm done with the nonsense....choosing a path of "less" resistance. Possibly South America but for now it's Vietnam.

[tandor]

23 hours ago, smedly said:

The only issue I have is keeping the balance at 800k for 6 months instead of 3, the rest I was doing anyway

 

I fail to see any practical advantage of the 6month balance of 800k - what is the point of it

..prop up the banking system so they can use your money for investment thus denying you the opportunity.

[tandor]

17 hours ago, cleopatra2 said:

The wording is clear. 2 months before application , and maintained for 3 months after extension granted. 

The interpretation that it only applies for first time application would make the clause requiring the need to keep 400k throughout the year irrational as it is written.

 

..i agree..you must look at any law/regulation in the spirit in which it was made/draughted..i doubt whether these people could understand such complexity and would rather keep it simple.

[trd]

According to the new rules if I go for the 800k lump-sum option I have to maintain a balance of 400k throughout the year. but if I can show that I get a monthly pension that adds up to 400k in one year does that mean I can maintain a balance in my account of 0 baht?

[JingjoDave]

11 minutes ago, tandor said:

..i agree..you must look at any law/regulation in the spirit in which it was made/draughted..i doubt whether these people could understand such complexity and would rather keep it simple.

The "spirit" was to get honesty in the system and force out visa scammers , border runners and other illegals

[Sandoks]

23 hours ago, smedly said:

The only issue I have is keeping the balance at 800k for 6 months instead of 3, the rest I was doing anyway

 

I fail to see any practical advantage of the 6month balance of 800k - what is the point of it

Think of it as a deposit.  The fact that the money has to be sitting there for an extended period of time will prevent the pay deposit and withdraw schemes

[ginjag]

2 minutes ago, JingjoDave said:

The "spirit" was to get honesty in the system and force out visa scammers , border runners and other illegals

To my mind there is nothing wrong with the "BORDER runner" scammers and illegals ,yes.  Why would a border runner be stopped from doing this, if he re enters and is spending money here ??  same arriving on a flight and getting 30 days free visa,  why not  ??  why limit this person to how many visits.