Denied (9th) retirement extension

[frankpelagic]

Yesterday I was denied what would have been my 9th retirement extension as I have not kept 800k in a Thai bank for the required time.  I accept that I will probably have to return to Australia and start the process again. In the meantime, would it work if I left the country to Cambodia, and returned on a regular tourist visa. Would they allow that?  Would I have to let the retirement extension expire first?

   Any other ideas?

Thanks

[impulse]

My recommendation would be to contact a visa agent and see if they can help, before you start down a path that may lead to naught.

 

Talk to some of the expats around you to see who they recommend.  I have no recommendation, except to say that I started down a path that led to naught (on my own), and a visa agent that I contacted let me know how I had made things harder on myself.  After the fact, unfortunately.  But good info costs nothing if they don't get you the visa.

 

[baansgr]

Plenty of agents in Pattaya that can help providing your existing extension hasn't expired. Even if you are not residing in Pattaya a few days trip there it can be done. Songranq is upon us and immigration are closed for a number of days soon so you may need to do quickly

[SEtonal]

If you have the 800k in your Thai account and only need more time for seasoning, do one of the following:

1.  Check to see if an agent can get the extension for you. (Immigration would conveniently overlook the seasoning issue.)

2. Do a simple in/out border run and come back to Thailand with a 30 day visa-exempt stamp.  (You can extend for 30 more days if needed.)  You would then need to get a new Non-O visa from your Immigration Office, which is not a problem at some offices but a problem at other offices.

3.  If you want to get a 60 day Tourist Visa, do not go to Cambodia -- they are very difficult to deal with.  An appointment is needed to enter the Thai Consulate in Vientiane and may require scheduling as much as three weeks in advance.  No appointment needed at Savannakhet, but printed proof of 20k baht in a bank account is required, so bring an updated bank statement and updated bank book.

4.  A Non-O visa can be obtained in Savannakhet with proof of retirement and proof of financials.  A few weeks before the Non-O expires, go to Immigration and request a 1 year extension based on retirement.

5.  Get a visa from Australia, which I assume is your home country.

 

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, frankpelagic said:

Yesterday I was denied what would have been my 9th retirement extension as I have not kept 800k in a Thai bank for the required time. 

How long did you have the 800k baht in the bank?. Only 2 months is required now.

You do not need to go back to Australia to get a new visa.

You could leave the country at any time and return with a tourist visa and then apply for change of visa status to get 90 day nonimmigrant visa entry. Or you could go to Penang or Savannakhet and get a new single entry non-o visa by showing the 800k baht in the bank on the date you apply and proof of retirement. The apply for the extension during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry from the visa.

[glegolo]

27 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Or you could go to Penang or Savannakhet and get a new single entry non-o visa by showing the 800k baht in the bank on the date you apply and proof of retirement.

Joe, in another thread I started regarding Vientiane and a friend of mine who was going for the non imm O single entry you said clearly that NO PROOF OF REIREMENT WAS NEEDED, but you state otherwise above here in this thread.

I am afraid that I now gave wrong information to my friend in this with proof of retirement.... Is it proof of retirement or is it NOT proof of retirement,,, or do I miss something here?????

 

 

glegolo

 

[ubonjoe]

29 minutes ago, glegolo said:

Joe, in another thread I started regarding Vientiane and a friend of mine who was going for the non imm O single entry you said clearly that NO PROOF OF REIREMENT WAS NEEDED, but you state otherwise above here in this thread.

That was for Vientiane where a police and medical certificate is required. Savannakhet and Penang have different requirements.

[frankpelagic]

The previous 8 extensions have been approved on the strength of my Australian bank statements and a meaningless stat dec from the Australian embassy. I took my tablet with me to the Jomtien office and offered to show them my banking in real time. I can prove an annual income of 3-4 million.   They werent interested in seeing definitive proof of income, stating that my income should be seen to go into  my bank account. The website does not state this, only saying proof of income required.

I contacted a visa agent who said he could cirvumvent the system for which he wanted 27,000 baht to include a multiple re-entry visa.  This is the last place in the world I want to be involved in any thing illegal, so forget that.

So again, thanks for all th e well meaning advice, picking through the bones I think going to Penang to get some sort of visa might be the go.

[glegolo]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

That was for Vientiane where a police and medical certificate is required. Savannakhet and Penang have different requirements.

Great Joe, many thanks for clarifying....

 

glegolo

[frankpelagic]

Anything I need to know about the Penang requirements?

[ubonjoe]

23 minutes ago, frankpelagic said:

The previous 8 extensions have been approved on the strength of my Australian bank statements and a meaningless stat dec from the Australian embassy. I took my tablet with me to the Jomtien office and offered to show them my banking in real time. I can prove an annual income of 3-4 million.   They werent interested in seeing definitive proof of income, stating that my income should be seen to go into  my bank account. The website does not state this, only saying proof of income required.

I contacted a visa agent who said he could cirvumvent the system for which he wanted 27,000 baht to include a multiple re-entry visa.  This is the last place in the world I want to be involved in any thing illegal, so forget that.

So again, thanks for all th e well meaning advice, picking through the bones I think going to Penang to get some sort of visa might be the go.

It seems you missed the topics about proving your income. You could of gotten a stat declaration up to the 7th of January at the Australian embassy that would of been valid for 6 months.

The new requirement are in this amendment to the police order. Amendment to police order 138/2557 Revising clauses 2.18 and 2.22 to include options for proof of income.

Have you transferred the 800k baht into a Thai bank yet?

If you get a non-o visa to start you extensions again and could show a couple of months of 65k baht going into a Thai bank account from abroad you could use that to apply for the extension.

 

15 minutes ago, frankpelagic said:

Anything I need to know about the Penang requirements?

You will need to show money in a bank to get it. You will need to show some kind of proof you are retired.

[JackThompson]

38 minutes ago, frankpelagic said:

The previous 8 extensions have been approved on the strength of my Australian bank statements and a meaningless stat dec from the Australian embassy. I took my tablet with me to the Jomtien office and offered to show them my banking in real time. I can prove an annual income of 3-4 million.   They werent interested in seeing definitive proof of income, stating that my income should be seen to go into  my bank account. The website does not state this, only saying proof of income required.    

Of course they don't care if you "really" have the money (or "really" go to school for ED-extensions, etc).  What they are interested in, is denying as many in-person honest applications as possible, in order to receive more applications with agent-money.

 

38 minutes ago, frankpelagic said:

I contacted a visa agent who said he could cirvumvent the system for which he wanted 27,000 baht to include a multiple re-entry visa.  This is the last place in the world I want to be involved in any thing illegal, so forget that.

That price is too high - about 10K too high.  But I don't blame you for not wanting to wallow in that sewer with them.

 

38 minutes ago, frankpelagic said:

So again, thanks for all th e well meaning advice, picking through the bones I think going to Penang to get some sort of visa might be the go.

I came to the same conclusion with my failed attempts at a marriage-based extension - went with the 100% legal "Visa from a Consulate" route.

 

Money transferred-to / in overseas accounts is accepted to meet the financials at Consulates - though you will need to print it out (cannot show a tablet).  You will also need to show something indicating you are retired.

[Genericnic]

Interesting. I am in CM and my 9th extension will come up in December.

 

I just got a BKK bank account opened in March and started the process of depositing 65k baht per month in the account (showing FTT as the deposit code). I normally do my extension about 45 days ahead of the expiration date so early November for me. Doing that, I will only have 10 months of deposits to show if I do it in November. I want to do it in November just in case the "leniency" provisions do not apply. If they don't I will just do a visit back to the US and get a new retirement visa and start over. From some of the crazy agent fees I have seen quoted, it would almost be cheaper to fly back to the US. The bonus is that with a new visa it is essentially good for almost 2 years.

 

Always have a Plan B.

 

David

[smedly]

5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That was for Vientiane where a police and medical certificate is required. Savannakhet and Penang have different requirements.

what is proof of retirement ?

[alanrchase]

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

How long did you have the 800k baht in the bank?. Only 2 months is required now.

You do not need to go back to Australia to get a new visa.

You could leave the country at any time and return with a tourist visa and then apply for change of visa status to get 90 day nonimmigrant visa entry. Or you could go to Penang or Savannakhet and get a new single entry non-o visa by showing the 800k baht in the bank on the date you apply and proof of retirement. The apply for the extension during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry from the visa.

Quick question, how do you give proof of retirement? I am retired but can't provide any proof that I am.

[ThaiBunny]

1 minute ago, alanrchase said:

Quick question, how do you give proof of retirement? I am retired but can't provide any proof that I am.

Why do you need to give proof of retirement? To whom?

[alanrchase]

Why do you need to give proof of retirement? To whom?

In the post I quoted it said 800k in the bank and proof of retirement were required.

Sent from my SM-A500F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Sydneyboy1]

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

 You will need to show some kind of proof you are retired.

What type of proof can be shown. I am retired and no money is coming in from overseas.  I live off my savings and my thai gf. ????????

[Mike Teavee]

23 minutes ago, smedly said:

what is proof of retirement ?

Would also be interested to know what is considered Proof of Income.

 

When I got my Non-O ME (Over 50) from Penang last July, they wanted to see an income certificate from UK Embassy in Bangkok but obviously would need to go to a UK Embassy in another country to get one of these nowadays.

[ubonjoe]

49 minutes ago, smedly said:

what is proof of retirement ?

 

7 minutes ago, alanrchase said:

Quick question, how do you give proof of retirement? I am retired but can't provide any proof that I am.

Proof of a pension.

If you can get one people have used income proof from their embassy showing a small amount of  income (proof of retirement is not needed if using proof of 65k baht income).

Some people used a statement they are retired notarized by their embassy.

[smedly]

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

 

Proof of a pension.

If you can get one people have used income proof from their embassy showing a small amount of  income (proof of retirement is not needed if using proof of 65k baht income).

Some people used a statement they are retired notarized by their embassy.

so this is a requirement to get a SE Type O visa from some consulates - never heard of that until now, I thought all that was required was a Thai bank balance 

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, smedly said:

so this is a requirement to get a SE Type O visa from some consulates - never heard of that until now, I thought all that was required was a Thai bank balance 

It is required at the consulates in Savannakhet and Penang.

In Vientiane is not needed but you need a police clearance and a medical certificate.

[Fairynuff]

30 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

 

Proof of a pension.

If you can get one people have used income proof from their embassy showing a small amount of  income (proof of retirement is not needed if using proof of 65k baht income).

Some people used a statement they are retired notarized by their embassy.

So what happens if you’re not of pensionable age but retired? How else can you prove you’re retired?

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

So what happens if you’re not of pensionable age but retired? How else can you prove you’re retired?

This would be accepted. 

 

3 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

Some people used a statement they are retired notarized by their embassy.

Or

 

37 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

If you can get one people have used income proof from their embassy showing a small amount of  income (proof of retirement is not needed if using proof of 65k baht income).

 

[Jim7777]

If you receive any monthly pensions or income of at least 65K Baht a month you’re good but if not it’s probably best to leave and apply for a new retirement visa and start over if the 800K is your only option based on your personal situation.  

[bkk6060]

3 hours ago, Genericnic said:

Interesting. I am in CM and my 9th extension will come up in December.

 

I just got a BKK bank account opened in March and started the process of depositing 65k baht per month in the account (showing FTT as the deposit code). I normally do my extension about 45 days ahead of the expiration date so early November for me. Doing that, I will only have 10 months of deposits to show if I do it in November. I want to do it in November just in case the "leniency" provisions do not apply. If they don't I will just do a visit back to the US and get a new retirement visa and start over. From some of the crazy agent fees I have seen quoted, it would almost be cheaper to fly back to the US. The bonus is that with a new visa it is essentially good for almost 2 years.

 

Always have a Plan B.

 

David

?

 

A plan A would be to go in there and explain your situation and get an answer.  Having to fly 8,000 miles to solve the problem is not much of an attractive plan B.

 

PS:  A best plan A would be to do the 800k this year.  Then, next year do the 65,000 method if tying up the funds is a problem for you.

Also, the agent cost would pretty much be your airfare so.....

[Genericnic]

6 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

?

 

A plan A would be to go in there and explain your situation and get an answer.  Having to fly 8,000 miles to solve the problem is not much of an attractive plan B.

 

PS:  A best plan A would be to do the 800k this year.  Then, next year do the 65,000 method if tying up the funds is a problem for you.

Also, the agent cost would pretty much be your airfare so.....

Plan A is to go there and see what transpires. That is why I would be doing it at the earliest time available. That gives me about 45 days to implement Plan B in case Plan A is a bust. Plan B is doing the trip to the US. An added benefit of Plan B would be seeing old friends.

 

While I could do the 800k deposit, having the money sit in a Thai bank rather than being used in my investment account makes no sense since I can generally make more in a week than Thai banks pay in interest per year.

 

David

 

[rascalman]

I too worry as I d no not have that amount of money. I have lived here 11 years. 

Will do what I must, now can not hardly walk. Sick and old. 

[claynlr]

1 hour ago, ThaiBunny said:

Why do you need to give proof of retirement? To whom?

I am wondering the same for an O-A I will soon apply for at the Chicago Consulate. Proof Of Retirement is asked for. I am retired but do not have a company pension nor am I receiving social security yet. Any one that has applied at Chicago know what they accept? Sent an e-mail but they never answered.

[Suzy]

10 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

How long did you have the 800k baht in the bank?. Only 2 months is required now.

You do not need to go back to Australia to get a new visa.

You could leave the country at any time and return with a tourist visa and then apply for change of visa status to get 90 day nonimmigrant visa entry. Or you could go to Penang or Savannakhet and get a new single entry non-o visa by showing the 800k baht in the bank on the date you apply and proof of retirement. The apply for the extension during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry from the visa.

I was told three months had been increased to four months. When did it change to 2???