Prevented from using Thai bank account after renewing Non-O visa. Is this normal?

[Grayo46]

Hi all.

 

I recently went through the process of renewing my Non-O visa at my local immigration (Nakhon Nayok) two weeks ago. When renewing I was told by the immigration officer not to take any money out of my account until my visa has been approved. I had a house visit a couple of days after and all seemed well. I have to have a minimum of 400,000 baht in my bank for 2 months, this was no issue. 

 

At the time of renewing I had 430,000 in my bank and recently had another 15,000 deposited into my bank. I called the immigration officer and asked whether I could take out this 15k and was told no.

 

I am lucky that I have cash 'for a rainy day' to live on but this does not seem correct. I have been renewing for several years now and have never had an issue like this.

 

- Is this normal?

- Are they fishing for a bribe? (they won't get it). 

- Why can't I use my money? Surely, if I stay above 400k I am following the rules.

 

Would love to know if anyone has experienced the same.

 

Many thanks

[Red Phoenix]

Probably a misunderstanding of the Imm Officer. 

I presume he was under the impression that you had 400K on your bank-account, and that you asked whether it was Ok to take out 15K. Of course taking out money as long as you do not fall below the 400K tresshold is always OK, and so your call might have put him on the wrong foot. 

In case you made it clear that you had 430.000 THB on the account, the Imm Officers answer doesn't make sense.

[Crossy]

Yeah ^^^, this would be my first thought.

 

This is exactly why many of us keep separate accounts for the visa/extension $$$

[Grayo46]

Thanks for your replies. I guess you could be right, good point. I will make it clear that I will not dip below the 400k. 

 

Keeping spare cash definately saved my ass. I think they are hoping I take money out and use it as an excuse to get a bribe out of me.

 

Nakhon Nayok immigration is fairly new and are notoriously corrupt. 

[DrJack54]

Just now, Grayo46 said:

I will make it clear that I will not dip below the 400k

The only requirement is to maintain minimum 400k during under consideration period.

Nothing stopping you from using the account provided min 400k maintained. 

[dick turpin]

You have been renewing for "several years" yet

you still felt you had to call your IMO to check if

you can take cash out above the 400,00 baht limit.

 

Words fail me....   

Edited November 6, 2023 by dick turpin

[BritTim]

As stated, for safety, keep at least 400,000 baht in your account during the under consideration period for the extension of your permission to stay based on marriage (note: your permission to stay is not a visa, renewed or otherwise). There is absolutely no restriction on withdrawals as long as the balance remains above 400,000.

[Grayo46]

4 minutes ago, dick turpin said:

You have been renewing for "several years" yet

you still felt you had to call your IMO to check if

you can take cash out above the 400,00 baht limit.

 

Words fail me....   

Yes, because the IO said I was not to take any money out of my account during the consideration period. 

 

In previous years I have taken money out during this period. This year they specificly said I couldn't.

[Grayo46]

Just now, BritTim said:

As stated, for safety, keep at least 400,000 baht in your account during the under consideration period for the extension of your permission to stay based on marriage (note: your permission to stay is not a visa, renewed or otherwise). There is absolutely no restriction on withdrawals as long as the balance remains above 400,000.

I have been told not to take any money out at all. As you correctly state,  as long as I stay above 400k I should be okay. They told me otherwise.

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, Grayo46 said:

I have been told not to take any money out at all. As you correctly state,  as long as I stay above 400k I should be okay. They told me otherwise.

 

As someone else mentioned, this is almost certainly a misunderstanding based on their limited English comprehension.

[Lite Beer]

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

The only requirement is to maintain minimum 400k during under consideration period.

Nothing stopping you from using the account provided min 400k maintained. 

There is no requirement to keep the 400k during the under consideration period although on or two offices think there is.

I often dip into it following application.

[jimn]

19 hours ago, Grayo46 said:

I have been told not to take any money out at all. As you correctly state,  as long as I stay above 400k I should be okay. They told me otherwise.

As said a missunderstanding on their part. I also think your a bit paronoid about them wanting a bribe.

[khunPer]

It's a benefit to use two bank account, one for the deposit for immigration purpose, and another for daily transactions. With online banking it's easy to move funds between the two account – i.e. you don't need a physical bank visit – so there is a clean deposit when applying for extension of stay and the period a deposit shall be in place.