Retirement Visa Requirements / Criteria

[gariang40]

I've lived in Thailand 20+ years, non-O retirement visa, renewed annually at Chaeng Wattana. My 800k is held in a Bangkok Bank savings account kept solely for visa purpose; no withdrawals (other than accrued interest). Up to May 2024 I took my relevant BB passbook to the BB branch downstairs at CW plus passport plus photocopy of the whole BB account passbook & was able to obtain the bank letter on the spot before going up to the Immigration Department. Is that still possible? 

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, gariang40 said:

I've lived in Thailand 20+ years, non-O retirement visa, renewed annually at Chaeng Wattana. My 800k is held in a Bangkok Bank savings account kept solely for visa purpose; no withdrawals (other than accrued interest). Up to May 2024 I took my relevant BB passbook to the BB branch downstairs at CW plus passport plus photocopy of the whole BB account passbook & was able to obtain the bank letter on the spot before going up to the Immigration Department. Is that still possible? 

The issue is that you have a dedicated bank account for immigration purposes.

Immigration can find an issue such as a month or two showing zero transactions (only two)

I used a dedicated bank account for money in bank method for years at CW.

Some months no transactions.

Guess what....two years ago they said NO....Come back with 12 month bank statement.

Absolute nonsense. 

Since then (last 2 yrs) I obtain 12 month bank statement day or two prior to application at CW. 

200b on the spot 

Sadly BBL take a few days to provide 12 month bank statement 

[Hamus Yaigh]

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Sadly BBL take a few days to provide 12 month bank statement 

Maybe this is something related to BBL dedicated immigration account holders at CW? I use K Bank with dedicated 800k account, only transactions are the interest deposits twice a year. I have never needed a bank statement, just letter and bank book copy.

[DrJack54]

17 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

I use K Bank with dedicated 800k account, only transactions are the interest deposits twice a year

The guy I quoted has a savings account.

 

It would be unreasonable for immigration to require a 12 month bank statement for using an FD account.

 

At one point I used an FD account with 800k and never required a 12 month bank statement. (CW)

Bank Book was sufficient.

I did do a 1000b deposit on day of application to update. 

[rough diamond]

24 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The guy I quoted has a savings account.

 

It would be unreasonable for immigration to require a 12 month bank statement for using an FD account.

 

At one point I used an FD account with 800k and never required a 12 month bank statement. (CW)

Bank Book was sufficient.

I did do a 1000b deposit on day of application to update. 

As I have posted above CM insist on either 2x6 month or 1x1year PLUS a monthly statement plus letter plus bank book update even with a fixed deposit account.  

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

As I have posted above CM insist on either 2x6 month or 1x1year PLUS a monthly statement plus letter plus bank book update even with a fixed deposit account.  

What is the point. 

Every immigration office is different.

In fact even some immigration officers take their own spin. 

The guy I just quoted above asked advice regarding CW. 

 

 

[DogNo1]

what is the internet address of immigration to make an appointment to extend my stay for one more year?

[DrJack54]

8 hours ago, DogNo1 said:

what is the internet address of immigration to make an appointment to extend my stay for one more year?

https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/onlineservice-and-publicguide/ 

 

Hit the Queue online option 

[Upnotover]

7 hours ago, DogNo1 said:

what is the internet address of immigration to make an appointment to extend my stay for one more year?

 

Assuming Bangkok, go here, https://gov.immigration1.queueonline.net/appointment/login.html?v31

 

Be aware the calendar updates every day, only 1 month in advance.  Currently showing availability only on May 6.

[Toolong]

11 hours ago, rough diamond said:

It depends on which offfice and bank you use.

I suggest you repost and ask @DrJack54 wrt what office you use.

In my experience every bank and every IO in Thailand has their own rules on whichever day suits them.

As I live out of town/City i use an agent/lawyer to "hand hold" i,e, legally do all my Goverment etc transactions. She has Power of Attorney to get the bank statement etc so I only attend Goverment buildings for a few minutes with my hand holder to get photos taken or signatures done in person in front of the official.

10 minuets max in their dreadfull pig pens per visit,  worth every Baht as there is NEVER a return, or worse still numeruous return, visits to banks etc for the never changing whim of the IO's.

Thanks for that interesting account of your preferred way of navigating the bureaucratic highways & byways, Rough Diamond. 

All I can say is.....yes, it makes sense if circumstances somewhat demand it and you can do it (ie, can afford to) and I assume that you can, and I do actually envy you and would do the same if I could.

If, in the future, things necessitated me using that option, I might go for it, temporarily.

By the way, your 'hand holder' sounds very efficient & competent! 👍

[Ulyssesamui]

The requirements for a Non-Immigrant O extension (retirement visa) vary from one area to another. I have applied in three different places, and the basic requirements are the same (800k, bank letter, etc.), but a medical certificate is not always required by some areas. Health insurance certificates were demanded from one area and a 12-month bank statement from another, but not the other two, where a three-month statement was required. So, pot luck really.

[DrJack54]

18 minutes ago, Ulyssesamui said:

The requirements for a Non-Immigrant O extension (retirement visa) vary from one area to another. I have applied in three different places, and the basic requirements are the same (800k, bank letter, etc.), but a medical certificate is not always required by some areas. Health insurance certificates were demanded from one area and a 12-month bank statement from another, but not the other two, where a three-month statement was required. So, pot luck really.

You are just mixing various things into one pot.

For first extension (money in bank method) a three month bank statement would be sufficient.

For ongoing extensions a 12 month bank statement would be required. 

Note some offices would just accept bank book and photocopies of pages. 

Health insurance is only required for extensions from a Non O-A for retirement. Not required for extensions from a Non O-A for marriage.

Medical certificate: I'm only aware of one office that requires that. Is that Samui? 

In the main most offices are consistent with minor variations.

Such as one may require a eg TM30 and another office Not. etc