Will They/Won't They - Thai Immigration That Is?

[neverceasetobeamazed]

My permission to remain in Thailand expires on 31 January 2020.    I have always used the 65K route for extensions as I prefer to have my savings in UK.

My current extension was applied for and granted on 2 January 2019.

Unfortunately for me on 4 January 2019, an illness I had been suffering from for a few weeks and which doctors here were unable to deal with deteriorated, and I returned to the UK shortly thereafter on 10 January 2019.

I closed my Krungsri Account as I was told there was a possibility I might not return. 

I was admitted into hospital and found to have a serious liver function blood disorder .   I was discharged on 27 February 2019 but advised not to undertake any form of travel for a minimum of 14 days having told the doctor I intended to return to Thailand.

Whilst I was away the revised Immigration requirements came into force - I'm not sure when the order was dated, but I think it was effective 1 February 2019.   As you might understand, such matters were not my primary concern at that point of time, so I have missed the first monthly deposit payment (February 2019) for my next extension due in 2020.

On returning to Thailand on 22 March 2019 and learning of the financial requirement I opened an account with Bangkok Bank and have, to date, made monthly deposits to that account and on two separate occasions have made two deposits in excess of the minimum requirement each time.

The 64,000 dollar question is 'will they/won't they' accept my circumstances in February 2019 for missing a payment.

If they where to refuse on those grounds, I was thinking of the 400k marriage route having married in May this year, but am now re-thinking that in the light of sterlings depreciation/baht strength which I am sure will be with us all for some time have discounted that option.

Failing all that, maybe I should just let my current extension expire and then go to a Thai embassy and start all over again.

Appreciate positive comments from anyone who has experience in such matters please.

 

Note:  I understand an account with Krungsri would probably not assist me as they do not show monthly deposits as foreign transactions.

 

 

 

 

 

[ubonjoe]

It is hard to predict how immigration will handle extensions done in January of this year. The police order for the income requirements went into effect in December when it was issued.

I would think the would be a little flexible since you probably applied for your extension in December of last year.

All you can do is ask your local immigration office about what they will accept when you apply in December. I suggest you ask about it in November and prepare proof of the transfers you have done already.

If they will not accept them then going out for a new non-o visa would be an option since you would not need a full year to do the application.

[DrJack54]

Can someone having missed transfers switch to money in bank method for next extension? 

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Can someone having missed transfers switch to money in bank method for next extension? 

Of course they could. Many people have already done it since they do not want to deal with doing the transfers.

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Of course they could. Many people have already done it since they do not want to deal with doing the transfers.

Ta. Was really just bringing it to OP notice. Thinking there may be quite a few using income method being "caught out" for one reason or another. 

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, neverceasetobeamazed said:

Failing all that, maybe I should just let my current extension expire and then go to a Thai embassy and start all over again.

If you do that, and obtain a new Non-Imm-O, will you then be able to show 12 monthly transfers at the end of the 3 months from that Visa? Cos if so all bases covered!

[ubonjoe]

9 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

If you do that, and obtain a new Non-Imm-O, will you then be able to show 12 monthly transfers at the end of the 3 months from that Visa? Cos if so all bases covered!

The 12 months is not required when applying with a new non-o visa since it considered to be the first extension application. Only a couple of months are needed.

Immigration has suggested people do that when they cannot meet the 12 month requirement.

[neverceasetobeamazed]

2 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

If you do that, and obtain a new Non-Imm-O, will you then be able to show 12 monthly transfers at the end of the 3 months from that Visa? Cos if so all bases covered!

My apologies but I don't understand your comment.

My extension expires 31 January 2020.   I go home to UK just before.    I stay UK until end of February 2020.   Whilst in UK and I get a new passport cos this current one is full, then I obtain Non O and come back to Thailand, then I commence deposits from same month (February) and convert Non O to marriage at the appropriate time.   Will have Bangkok Bank passbook showing deposits from March 2019 to February 2020. so unless I am totally wrong and missing something, I would hope to be granted permission to stay based on my Thai marriage.

[jacko45k]

39 minutes ago, neverceasetobeamazed said:

My apologies but I don't understand your comment.

Well read Ubonjoe's post above. 

My comment was rather tongue in cheek.

[ubonjoe]

56 minutes ago, neverceasetobeamazed said:

My extension expires 31 January 2020.

You have another option as well. You could apply for a 60 day extension to visit your wife that would move your extension date until the end of March.

If wanted to go to the UK during the 60 days you could get a re-entry permit to keep it valid.

[elviajero]

Make sure you have at least 400K in you bank when you apply for your next extension. If they won’t accept your income deposits for a retirement or spouse extension you can use the 400K for a spouse extension under the bank deposit method.

[Puchaiyank]

Half the fun...is having no clue each year if you will be granted a stay...

 

Be sure and wear your best clothes...wai profusely...smile and await the judges decision...

 

What could possibly go wrong?