The 400k rule to stay in Thailand with your loved ones.

[BillyBobzTeeth]

Hello chaps,

 

I’ve been thinking a lot about the current visa requirement of 400,000 baht in a Thai bank account to qualify for staying with your family.

 

While I understand the need for rules and regulations, I feel this particular requirement can be a significant challenge for families like mine.

 

As someone who has been living here for many years, raising children and contributing to the local community, I wonder if this policy could be reviewed to better reflect the realities of modern families, don't get me wrong It feels, in some ways, that this requirement might unintentionally exclude people who are committed to Thailand but don’t meet the financial threshold.

 

I believe there could be alternative ways to ensure fairness and inclusivity while maintaining the integrity of the Thai system—perhaps assessing individual cases based on overall contributions and circumstances, i.e proof of payments for things like rent etc rather than just financial benchmarks.

 

I’d love to hear others’ thoughts on this, especially if you’ve experienced or overcome with similar challenges.

 

Let’s discuss how these policies impact real families and whether there might be room for positive change, it's open air and just putting it out there...I'm no poet lol

 

Thank you for your time and for considering my thoughts.

[ukrules]

1 hour ago, BillyBobzTeeth said:

don't get me wrong It feels, in some ways, that this requirement might unintentionally exclude people who are committed to Thailand but don’t meet the financial threshold

 

It's not unintentional - it's quite deliberate. Not enough money then you're not welcome.

 

It's clear as day and always has been.
 

If we bring some money with us then they tolerate us, at best.

[NoDisplayName]

$11,667.09

[Celsius]

1 hour ago, BillyBobzTeeth said:

Let’s discuss how these policies impact real families and whether there might be room for positive change,

 

The only room for improvement will be the immigration raising the deposit requirement to 800k baht and I believe it will happen soon

[Spamhead]

2 hours ago, BillyBobzTeeth said:

i.e proof of payments for things like rent etc rather than just financial benchmarks.

If the rent you pay is not a financial benchmark, what is it ?

[proton]

6 hours ago, BillyBobzTeeth said:

this requirement might unintentionally exclude people who are committed to Thailand but don’t meet the financial threshold.

 

 

If you don't even have 400k to leave in the bank and forget about you are not committed to being here, and probably should not be. Thailand does not want, need or like foreign paupers, they have enough of their own. 

[DrJack54]

OP, for extensions based on marriage the 400k only needs to be in bank for 2 months and can then be used. 

By far sweet deal to those on extensions retirement.

If the 400k for 2 months is a strain then poor life choice to live in Thailand even more so with kids.

[BritManToo]

DTV is the way to go, 500kbht required in any bank in the world on the day of application, then you're good for 5 years.

[PJ71]

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

DTV is the way to go, 500kbht required in any bank in the world on the day of application, then you're good for 5 years.

Agent is the way to go, no money needed anywhere - job done.

 

What's not to like?

[chiang mai]

7 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

DTV is the way to go, 500kbht required in any bank in the world on the day of application, then you're good for 5 years.

"Though the Thai government has pointed out that “not just anyone” can obtain a Thailand DTV Visa as a digital nomad, they did not, as of this writing, specify the minimum income, employer, or social media follower requirements. Still, it is unlikely that you will qualify for the DTV Visa Thailand if the Thai authorities do not consider your foreign employer to be “legitimate.”

 

https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/dtv-visa-thailand

 

 

[Upnotover]

7 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

DTV is the way to go, 500kbht required in any bank in the world on the day of application, then you're good for 5 years.

I'm waiting to see what the nice people at immigration decide is needed for extensions, (yes I know you can bounce every 180 days to avoid them).

[BritManToo]

7 minutes ago, chiang mai said:

"Though the Thai government has pointed out that “not just anyone” can obtain a Thailand DTV Visa as a digital nomad, they did not, as of this writing, specify the minimum income, employer, or social media follower requirements. Still, it is unlikely that you will qualify for the DTV Visa Thailand if the Thai authorities do not consider your foreign employer to be “legitimate.”

 

https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/dtv-visa-thailand

 

 

Cultural or medical not nomad.

I'd suggest getting your teeth straightened, fitting braces and adjusting every month takes 2+ years, and not expensive.

Edited 4 hours ago by BritManToo

[Ben Zioner]

9 hours ago, BillyBobzTeeth said:

I wonder if this policy could be reviewed to better reflect the realities of modern families, don't get me wrong It feels, in some ways, that this requirement might unintentionally exclude people who are committed to Thailand but don’t meet the financial threshold.

 

I don't see how someone who can't keep 10 Grand in a bank account could "contribute" to Thailand. There is no "other way" here, they are only interested in cash.. 

[Ben Zioner]

7 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

Agent is the way to go, no money needed anywhere - job done.

 

What's not to like?

Only for those who don't mind to break the law.

[DrJack54]

In addition to money in bank method (400k for two months only) ...there is income method 40k per month.

How could anyone support a family on less income than that. 

[DrJack54]

Off topic post re use of agents removed

[Lite Beer]

53 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

In addition to money in bank method (400k for two months only) ...there is income method 40k per month.

How could anyone support a family on less income than that. 

Easy. 40k a month is more than enough.

[DrJack54]

21 minutes ago, Lite Beer said:

Easy. 40k a month is more than enough.

Subjective. I spend 120k per month with no kids and I'm somewhat frugal.

The OP surely can show 12 monthly transfers of 40k

[DrJack54]

Off topic posts debating agents removed. 

[zmisha]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

In addition to money in bank method (400k for two months only) ...there is income method 40k per month.

How could anyone support a family on less income than that. 

Will they accept a bank statement showing 150k/month without any other papers like work permit, any proof that the money came from abroad, letters from the embassy of my country or other nonsense papers?

[brewsterbudgen]

At least it's not like the UK where (currently) you need to be earning a minimum of £29,000 a year to get your foreign wife a settlement visa and she needs to complete at least 2 English tests and a Life in the UK culture test.  Thailand makes it easy!

[Moonlover]

7 minutes ago, zmisha said:

Will they accept a bank statement showing 150k/month without any other papers like work permit, any proof that the money came from abroad, letters from the embassy of my country or other nonsense papers?

If you are neither American, Australian or British, then a letter from your embassy will suffice. Otherwise bank statements, proof of foreign deposits and a bank letter are required.

 

P.S. It's 40K Baht a month, not 150k.

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Moonlover

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, zmisha said:

Will they accept a bank statement showing 150k/month without any other papers like work permit, any proof that the money came from abroad, letters from the embassy of my country or other nonsense papers?

Using income method requires monthly transfers of minimum 65k per month for extensions based on retirement.

Funds must be international transfers. 

Most immigration offices do not require proof funds from "pension" 

[recom273]

4 hours ago, proton said:

 

If you don't even have 400k to leave in the bank and forget about you are not committed to being here, and probably should not be. Thailand does not want, need or like foreign paupers, they have enough of their own. 

 

That's a bit harsh, although I agree with you. I used to have 400K just siting there in an account but then I bought land for the wife for 1M and built her a house which has left me a little cash short, I have way more invested in than someone who says "renting is the way to go in Thailand" and just keeps 400K which is small money, in a bank account.

 

I think the OP is saying he has kids and he choses to spend his money on a better life for his kids. not that he's a pauper. 

 

i kept more than 400K in a bank for a long time and repeated the process for several years. I have been married for nearly 20 years now, that may be an indication that i'm actually married, which the extension is for, its not called a "I have 400K in the bank extension". 

[Celsius]

1 minute ago, recom273 said:

 

That's a bit harsh, although I agree with you. I used to have 400K just siting there in an account but then I bought land for the wife for 1M and built her a house which has left me a little cash short, I have way more invested in than someone who says "renting is the way to go in Thailand" and just keeps 400K which is small money, in a bank account.

 

 

 

 

As per your case renting is definitely and infinitely the way to go in Thailand.

 

At least you had 400k. Now you have nothing.

[Moonlover]

5 hours ago, proton said:

 

If you don't even have 400k to leave in the bank and forget about you are not committed to being here, and probably should not be. Thailand does not want, need or like foreign paupers, they have enough of their own. 

Have wife here, have my home here. All my income is deposited and spent here and I have no where else to go.

 

If that's not commitment was is?

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, recom273 said:

I have been married for nearly 20 years now, that may be an indication that i'm actually married, which the extension is for, its not called a "I have 400K in the bank extension". 

You do not need to have 400k locked in a bank account.

For extensions based on marriage using money in bank method the 400k needs to be seasoned for 2 months and after under consideration period can be used.

Very low bar requirement vs extension based on retirement. 

[proton]

3 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Have wife here, have my home here. All my income is deposited and spent here and I have no where else to go.

 

If that's not commitment was is?

 

400k baht?

[Moonlover]

5 minutes ago, proton said:

6 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Have wife here, have my home here. All my income is deposited and spent here and I have no where else to go.

 

If that's not commitment was is?

 

5 minutes ago, proton said:

 

400k baht?

Not necessary if one has the income and is prepared to do a modicum of paperwork.

 

Commitment doesn't just mean money.

[seajae]

about to renew my extension in the next couple of weeks, 400,000 baht needs to be in your bank account at least 2 months prior to the application and needs to remain there for around another month during the consideration period, it can be removed as soon as you get your approval and new stamp. I have been doing this way for several years, I just remove the money for 9 months once my extension is approved and place it in a seperate account with the chance of excellent interest.