65K Method Question Non O Visa

[Weeman Farang]

I plan on retiring to Thailand around Sept/Oct 2021.  I am aware through reading these forums for over a year now on what I need to do and arrange however what is not clear to me is the financial requirements.  I understand the options are to have at least 800k seasoned in a Thai bank account or have 65K Thai Baht coming into a Thai bank account each month. Is the 65k method an option when you apply to have your non O changed to an extension of stay for the first time, if yes what are the requirements and what do I need to do.  My preference would be the 65K monthly method however if the 800k is the only option open to me that's the way I will go.

 

I am looking at this as arriving on a Non O, getting a bank account set up then applying for the extension of stay.  I would not mind if I had to leave the country on a visa run if time did not permit, I just need to understand if the 65k method is an option or not for the first extension of stay application

 

Thanks in advance

[ubonjoe]

You can use the 65k baht income option to apply for a one year extension of stay based upon retirement.

The written rules state you only need 2 or 3 months of the income going into a Thai bank from abroad for the first extension of stay application. But soime office may want to see 12 months of transfers to do the apply

Where will you apply for the non-o visa at. It is not available for retirement in several countries. The embassies and official consulates will only issue Non-OA visa.

[JAS21]

6 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You can use the 65k baht income option to apply for a one year extension of stay based upon retirement.

The written rules state you only need 2 or 3 months of the income going into a Thai bank from abroad for the first extension of stay application. But soime office may want to see 12 months of transfers to do the apply

Where will you apply for the non-o visa at. It is not available for retirement in several countries. The embassies and official consulates will only issue Non-OA visa.

 Can I add to what UJ  just said, I do the 65,000 income method at Nonthaburi. They want proof that it is actually a pension.

[Kalasin Jo]

3 hours ago, JAS21 said:

 Can I add to what UJ  just said, I do the 65,000 income method at Nonthaburi. They want proof that it is actually a pension.

Yes, and that can be the problem if it is not a completely regular payment by amount and date and from a pension. Depends on the IO.

 

Back in July I was asking for a marriage extension to a non O multi from Savanakhet  at Kalasin IO so 40k required monthly. I'd already taken the 60 day extension and the visa had expired. I was certainly bringing over that amount and more but it was not a pension payment nor regular in amounts. In addition they seemed to want to see 12 months of such payments. After the last attempt the IO I saw then said, with a shrug and of course a smile, either put 400k in the bank or leave and start again. I left with my wife although I could perhaps have used an agent to temporarily fund the 400k as I understand others have done..but I'm told that costs around 25k and of course is actually illegal.

 

My wife now has residency and state healthcare applications in the pipeline here in France ( much easier and gratuit) as although we'd much rather be in Thailand both from the Covid freedom there and the weather here it looks like we won't be back for some time. I have a feeling now we may only ever return for holidays. 

 

All this because of Covid and missing the opportunity ( I got nervous about getting stuck there) to do a run to Savanakhet before the borders closed!

[JAS21]

3 minutes ago, Kalasin Jo said:

Yes, and that can be the problem if it is not a completely regular payment by amount and date and from a pension. Depends on the IO.

 

Back in July I was asking for a marriage extension to a non O multi from Savanakhet  at Kalasin IO so 40k required monthly. I'd already taken the 60 day extension and the visa had expired. I was certainly bringing over that amount and more but it was not a pension payment nor regular in amounts. In addition they seemed to want to see 12 months of such payments. After the last attempt the IO I saw then said, with a shrug and of course a smile, either put 400k in the bank or leave and start again. I left with my wife although I could perhaps have used an agent to temporarily fund the 400k as I understand others have done..but I'm told that costs around 25k and of course is actually illegal.

 

My wife now has residency and state healthcare applications in the pipeline here in France ( much easier and gratuit) as although we'd much rather be in Thailand both from the Covid freedom there and the weather here it looks like we won't be back for some time. I have a feeling now we may only ever return for holidays. 

 

All this because of Covid and missing the opportunity ( I got nervous about getting stuck there) to do a run to Savanakhet before the borders closed!

I use Transferwise to bring into Thaialnd 65,100thb during the first few days of every month ... I show the IO thirteen payments at extension time along with information from my pension provider. When I want more money I do extra transactions. 

[Weeman Farang]

10 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You can use the 65k baht income option to apply for a one year extension of stay based upon retirement.

The written rules state you only need 2 or 3 months of the income going into a Thai bank from abroad for the first extension of stay application. But soime office may want to see 12 months of transfers to do the apply

Where will you apply for the non-o visa at. It is not available for retirement in several countries. The embassies and official consulates will only issue Non-OA visa.

Thank you Ubonjoe, this information helps me better understand  I will be applying from within the UK.  Non-OA is also an option as I will need health insurance anyway and if I am correct I just need to show the funds in my UK bank account for the visa when applying for the Non A.  I am prepared to be flexible to meet the requirements.  Thanks once again 

[Weeman Farang]

4 hours ago, JAS21 said:

 Can I add to what UJ  just said, I do the 65,000 income method at Nonthaburi. They want proof that it is actually a pension.

Thank you, now that may be a problem for me as not all of my 65K will be from my pension for the first few years.  I can put the 800k in a Thai account if need be.  I really appreciate this information and I have time to make the right decisions. 

[KannikaP]

4 minutes ago, Weeman Farang said:

Thank you, now that may be a problem for me as not all of my 65K will be from my pension for the first few years.  I can put the 800k in a Thai account if need be.  I really appreciate this information and I have time to make the right decisions. 

For quite a few years I have done the 65k thing through Transferwise and never have the Immigration questioned where the UK money comes from...pension, rental income, sister's night-time activities ! All they wanted was to see a regular monthly transfer shown in my Bankbook and statements as International, FTT.

This year I have been assured by the Head of my Immgration that they will accept the Çombination Method'as long as the twelve transfers plus bank deposit add up to over 800k. I do 50k a month plus 200k in the bank.

[Weeman Farang]

Thinking aloud, should I consider having half the money (400k) seasoned in a Thai bank account and then also show a monthly income of 35k coming from my pension, I read about this option before but I believe most IO's do not allow it or ignore it by insisting on the 800k method.

[Weeman Farang]

1 minute ago, KannikaP said:

For quite a few years I have done the 65k thing through Transferwise and never have the Immigration questioned where the UK money comes from...pension, rental income, sister's night-time activities ! All they wanted was to see a regular monthly transfer shown in my Bankbook and statements as International, FTT.

This year I have been assured by the Head of my Immgration that they will accept the Çombination Method'as long as the twelve transfers plus bank deposit add up to over 800k. I do 50k a month plus 200k in the bank.

Combination method, I knew there was a term for it...thanks again for this info

[KannikaP]

13 hours ago, Weeman Farang said:

Thinking aloud, should I consider having half the money (400k) seasoned in a Thai bank account and then also show a monthly income of 35k coming from my pension, I read about this option before but I believe most IO's do not allow it or ignore it by insisting on the 800k method.

And I wonder whether the money in the bank can follow the same rules as if you had 800k, ie full amount for three months, then 50% for seven months and back to 100% for the last two.

[mtls2005]

14 hours ago, Weeman Farang said:

now that may be a problem for me as not all of my 65K will be from my pension for the first few years

 

Translated rules say "Income, such as pension, interest...", and very few people can draw a pension (yes, I know some can) at age 50. In two ext stay/ret/inc since losing the Embassy Letter (U.S.), I've never been asked for the source of my 65k QFTs (Bangkok/CW). I do have that info in hand, always, but never requested.

 

Who knows what the landscape might look like in 10/11 months? Think you're going to have to be flexible, and sort the visa first. Visa exemption to 90-day Non O to Ext Stay was an option before, which allows you to get a bank account (no small feat these days) and establish QFTs or season 800k. 

 

 

[Peter Denis]

15 hours ago, Weeman Farang said:

Combination method, I knew there was a term for it...

I did PM you a comprehensive Guideline document for long-stay in Thailand when over +50 years of age.

The document outlines all the possible options, including - in detail - the four methods that can be used to meet the financial requirements.

> To access your PM-messages just click the letter icon next to your profile when logged in to the Forum

[KannikaP]

1 hour ago, Peter Denis said:

I did PM you a comprehensive Guideline document for long-stay in Thailand when over +50 years of age.

The document outlines all the possible options, including - in detail - the four methods that can be used to meet the financial requirements.

> To access your PM-messages just click the letter icon next to your profile when logged in to the Forum

Four? methods. 800k, 65k per month, combo and please what's the fourth? Agent?

[mtls2005]

7 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

what's the fourth?

Some embassies still offer afidavits? I think.

[Peter Denis]

41 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Four? methods. 800k, 65k per month, combo and please what's the fourth? Agent?

Excerpt from the Guideline document I compiled which a.o. addresses the four methods in detail.

 

To meet the financial requirements when applying for the 90-day Non Imm O – Visa (see attachment, but they are same for the 1-year extension of the Non Imm O or Non Imm O-A Visa) there are 4 methods that can be used:

a) Funds in bank method < clause #5 from the requirements >

b) Monthly income transfer method < not addressed in the requirements, since IO has not updated the website since the rules went into effect in December of 2018 >

c) Embassy issued income letter method < clause #6 from the requirements >

d) Combination method < clause #7 from the requirements >

Please note that c) the income letter method is not possible anymore for citizens of USA, UK and Australia, as the respective embassies of those countries don't issue these letters anymore. 

And that in order to use d) the combination method, that you would need to enquire at your local IO, whether they accept that method (some don’t).

 

Just PM me if you like to receive a copy of that document, which goes in much more depth on that issue.

Non Imm O retirement Visa application requirements.pdf

[KannikaP]

2 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

Excerpt from the Guideline document I compiled which a.o. addresses the four methods in detail.

 

To meet the financial requirements when applying for the 90-day Non Imm O – Visa (see attachment, but they are same for the 1-year extension of the Non Imm O or Non Imm O-A Visa) there are 4 methods that can be used:

a) Funds in bank method < clause #5 from the requirements >

b) Monthly income transfer method < not addressed in the requirements, since IO has not updated the website since the rules went into effect in December of 2018 >

c) Embassy issued income letter method < clause #6 from the requirements >

d) Combination method < clause #7 from the requirements >

Please note that c) the income letter method is not possible anymore for citizens of USA, UK and Australia, as the respective embassies of those countries don't issue these letters anymore. 

And that in order to use d) the combination method, that you would need to enquire at your local IO, whether they accept that method (some don’t).

 

Just PM me if you like to receive a copy of that document, which goes in much more depth on that issue.

Non Imm O retirement Visa application requirements.pdf 136.82 kB · 0 downloads

Thanks Peter, and obviously my friendly Immigration Office in Phitsanulok DOES accept the combo method.

[Presnock]

for those interested in the 65,000 per month from overseas method - I have done this since it was allowed. and for me it is absolutely the easiest method.  I am married to a Thai and we have a daughter.  I receive a notice every month from the office sending my funds to my US Bank (which had to be changed last year since I have

no US residence and the Treasury/Justice changed the laws) and in December each year, that monthly notice advises me of any increase due to inflation/change in insurance cost.  That suffices to advise immigration

that I have a regular retirement amount and from what organization.  In addition, I get a notice from my US bank advising of the deposit into my US account, then I transfer funds via a wire transfer fm that stateside acct to my bangkok bank account.  Bangkok band will provide monthly advisory note of amount deposited from that US bank or one can obtain 12 such advisories (which I do and have done for 2 years) and get these advisories at the same time I get the two bank letters (1 of the 12 separate, 1 each month of at least 65000 baht and the other indicating that the account is mine. Than copy the pages of my bank book and go to immigration with all that

paperwork - literally a book.  The IO this year just laughed and said "much banking".  Last year I spent 40 minutes or less waiting in immigration to be finished.  This past May, I spent a total of 20 minutes actually waiting at

immigration before the passport was stamped and I was finished for another year.  The previous year was longer in that I had to wait for my wife to return from an ATM update bankbook to open at  Big C maehia.  I didn't realize how fast they would take before I sat down but when I didn't have the bankbook the IO just checked everything and then said when your wife gets here bring me the bankbook, no waiting so I was out of there within another 10 minutes.  No questions asked about anything as getting and printing at home is just too easy and cheap!

 

[Weeman Farang]

8 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

I did PM you a comprehensive Guideline document for long-stay in Thailand when over +50 years of age.

The document outlines all the possible options, including - in detail - the four methods that can be used to meet the financial requirements.

> To access your PM-messages just click the letter icon next to your profile when logged in to the Forum

Thank you Peter, I will take a look at these