30 minutes ago, QuantumQuandry said:

 

I did earlier in my first post but it's Jomtien immigration.

Thanks, would be interesting to hear whether your 1-year 'retirement' extension application is accepted using the +65K Monthly Income Transfer method, at the Jomtien Imm Office with NO pension statement. Keep us informed... 

If applying for the Non-Immigrant O Visa at Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration [Jomtien], be aware that they require the 800,000 be on deposit for 2 months prior to the application date -- this is not in the Immigration rule which has no requirement for how long it must be on deposit, but it is required by Jomtien Immigration Office in Pattaya.

On 4/15/2024 at 4:21 PM, khunPer said:

Your non-O visa needs to be obtained abroad to use the income method first time. If you enters visa exempt – or by tourists visa – and apply for a non-O visa domestically, you'll need a bank deposit of 800k baht transferred from abroad.

 

Very helpful indeed, thanks very much.

QUICK CHECK

 

So to double check my understanding, going the 65k pm route there is some likelihood of needing a pension statement to show source of funds.

 

But going the 800k in the bank route, there is no equivalent documentary evidence required to show the source is actually a pension.  (Either for the non-O or subsequent retirement extension.)

 

Do I get this right?

 

Cheers all,

SR

2 minutes ago, SportRider said:

Do I get this right?

Yes

48 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes

😀🙏

56 minutes ago, SportRider said:

QUICK CHECK

 

So to double check my understanding, going the 65k pm route there is some likelihood of needing a pension statement to show source of funds.

 

But going the 800k in the bank route, there is no equivalent documentary evidence required to show the source is actually a pension.  (Either for the non-O or subsequent retirement extension.)

 

Do I get this right?

 

Cheers all,

SR

 

Yes, that's correct. When applying first time for the Non Imm O Visa/extension for reason of retirement, using the +800K Funds in Bank Method, you only need to provide evidence that the funds on your personal Thai bank-account originated from abroad (and where seasoned the required time).  And that foreign-origin evidence only needs to be provided the first time you apply, and is not required anymore when applying for later 1-year extensions, where it would be just a matter of providing evidence that the funds continually stayed on a personal Thai bank-account and did meet the +800k/+400K requirement as applicable.

On 4/17/2024 at 11:23 AM, Red Phoenix said:

Thanks, would be interesting to hear whether your 1-year 'retirement' extension application is accepted using the +65K Monthly Income Transfer method, at the Jomtien Imm Office with NO pension statement. Keep us informed... 

 

Just got back from Jomtien immigration.  Got the extension, no problem, using the 65k monthly method.

 

In addition to the normal paperwork, I gave them the bank statements from my Thai account and bank alerts I printed out of email, showing withdrawals from my foreign account.  No other proof of pension was provided.

 

Can't guarantee that for anyone else, of course.  Just relating my experience, as of today.

15 minutes ago, QuantumQuandry said:

No other proof of pension was provided.

Good work.

Bit surprised but shouldn't be.

Another 12 months locked in 

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Good work.

Bit surprised but shouldn't be.

Another 12 months locked in 

 

Maybe they had "The Spirit of SongKran"?  I don't know lol

 

But yes, big sigh of relief.  Always get anxious, dealing with immigration...

48 minutes ago, QuantumQuandry said:

Always get anxious, dealing with immigration...

You are not alone. 

On 4/15/2024 at 10:30 AM, xylophone said:

That was the same as me in my situation.......until the IO got stroppy with me and "demanded" that I use the 800k in the bank method, which I promptly did, so as not to cause any problems with them. 

Quite understandable. I have always used an agency for this reason. while I am perfectly inline with qualifying for the year long extensions ... well, the agencies know of the most recent "interpretation" of the law/regulation, which personalities to avoid, if there is a new boss wanting to make changes, etc. Just worth the agency fee for my peace of mind. As to the 800K baht deposit in a Thai bank? Non-starter for me. My funds are invested in the USA and are earning me about $5,000 use a year. I am not willing to park a portion of those funds.

OK, just read the entire thread and it really did NOT answer the OP's question despite 3 pages of responses.

OP asked:

Quote

"Q1: BUT I read somewhere that the *first* extension requires 800,000 in the bank, and only subsequent extensions could be 65k monthly.  Is that correct?"

I believe his question is - if he gets a Non-O visa and flies to Thailand, he gets the usual 90 days.
Then he has to get a legitimate address and open a bank account.

Then he can start doing "65k/month" transfers. But that would mean when he goes to do his first extension, he would only be able to show two "monthly" transfers.

The OP wants to know if he will be able to get his first Extension even though he can only show 2 months of transfers or if he has to have 800k in the bank (for 2 months before applying) for his first Extension.

Most of the responses so far have been about getting the second Extension as they keep referencing needing to show 12 months of transfers or about proving the source of that income.

(I bring this up as I am in a convo with someone from "back home" who is asking about the requirements for a "yearly visa" and I'm trying to explain the difference between using the "money in bank" and "monthly transfer" methods for his first Visa and subsequent Extension.)

26 minutes ago, Kerryd said:

I am in a convo with someone from "back home" who is asking about the requirements for a "yearly visa" and I'm trying to explain the difference between using the "money in bank" and "monthly transfer" methods for his first Visa and subsequent Extension.)

"Yearly visa" suggests non O-A or multi entry non O retirement.

Don't think you mean that as you refer to extensions.

 

Yes your friend can obtain a non O retirement visa and enter Thailand.

In many countries eg UK, AU etc this can be eVisa.

That provides a 90 day stamp upon entry to Thailand.

 

If from country that does not provide "income letter " then to apply for 12 months extension he would need to show 800k in Thai bank account in his name only for min 2 months prior to application for extension.

Assuming he cannot show 12 months of transfers of 65k (min) 

22 hours ago, Kerryd said:

OK, just read the entire thread and it really did NOT answer the OP's question despite 3 pages of responses.

OP asked:

I believe his question is - if he gets a Non-O visa and flies to Thailand, he gets the usual 90 days.
Then he has to get a legitimate address and open a bank account.

Then he can start doing "65k/month" transfers. But that would mean when he goes to do his first extension, he would only be able to show two "monthly" transfers.

The OP wants to know if he will be able to get his first Extension even though he can only show 2 months of transfers or if he has to have 800k in the bank (for 2 months before applying) for his first Extension.

Most of the responses so far have been about getting the second Extension as they keep referencing needing to show 12 months of transfers or about proving the source of that income.

(I bring this up as I am in a convo with someone from "back home" who is asking about the requirements for a "yearly visa" and I'm trying to explain the difference between using the "money in bank" and "monthly transfer" methods for his first Visa and subsequent Extension.)

 

The reason people keep mentioning the 2nd yearly extension is because you CANNOT use monthly transfers for the first yearly extension. Even if you can show 10 years of monthly transfers, it will be refused.  The ONLY option for the first 1-year extension is 800k in the bank, or an embassy affidavit of income.