Clarification on Retirement Visa

[Slinky1958]

I’m a UK citizen married to a Thai National my wife as a Uk passport and we have house in both countries 

I’m looking to retire to Thailand I have a non O marriage visa and will be converting this to a Retirement Visa

i have Sufficient funds in a Thai bank account and we send over at least 100,000 per month form the UK

I been told that the easiest way is to just leave the 800,000 in the bank

Albeit the interest rate is not to good When I asked can I use the 100,000 per month route I was told that the UK doesn’t support this any more

can someone please clarify 

Cheers

 

 

 

[Upnotover]

If you already have a non-O for your first extension ("retirement") you will need to show 800k in the bank.  Later years you can switch to 65k/month if you want to.  Not sure what the UK has to do with any of this.  Or you could just extend based on marriage., 400k.

[DrJack54]

28 minutes ago, Slinky1958 said:

I’m looking to retire to Thailand I have a non O marriage visa and will be converting this to a Retirement Visa

What does that mean? 

Do you currently have a valid Non O based on marriage OR do you have an extension based on marriage? 

You don't convert to "Retirement Visa" 

Having UK pp means you cannot obtain income letter from embassy.

That means to use income method you need to show 12 months of transfers.

Your OP is not clear.

State exactly current situation and ongoing plan for best advice.

 

BTW:  the financial requirements for extensions based on marriage are very low bar compared to extension based on retirement. 

 

[johng]

If you are already on marriage  extension then easiest and cheapest is to just leave 400,000 + a tiny bit   in an account  and stay married. 

[Slinky1958]

Thanks guys I was told that the UK government does not issue proof of monthly income letters so to leave the 800k there spiff I show 100k per month for one year from UK to my Thai Bank account that should enable me to go down that road 

Any update advice would be greatly appreciated 

[Slinky1958]

Apologies about the spelling 

[BrandonJT]

24 minutes ago, Slinky1958 said:

Thanks guys I was told that the UK government does not issue proof of monthly income letters so to leave the 800k there spiff I show 100k per month for one year from UK to my Thai Bank account that should enable me to go down that road 

Any update advice would be greatly appreciated 

You can use monthly income to get the non-O visa from the Thai embassy. But then once you get to Thailand, you cannot use income for the first 1-year extension. You would need to deposit the 800k and have it in your Thai bank account for at least 2 full months before you can apply for your extension.  Once you get the extension, your bank account must remain at 800,000 for 3 months after, and then it can never drop below 400,000.

 

While you are doing this, you can start doing the monthly transfer.  The following year, after your first annual extension is ending, if you can show 12 full months of monthly transfers exceeding the required amount (you said retirement so that's 65,000 per month) you would then be able to show that for your 2nd year extension.  Once you receive that extension, you could then remove the 400,000 from your Thai bank account and continue doing monthly transfers for as long as you want to live in Thailand.

[Slinky1958]

Brilliant news thanks  guys great help 

[Slinky1958]

Must it go into my account only or our Joint account which would be better for us

[BrandonJT]

3 minutes ago, Slinky1958 said:

Must it go into my account only or our Joint account which would be better for us

You would need to check with your immigration office.  Some offices will not accept joint counts at all.  For those immigration offices that will accept a join account, you must double all amounts as only 50% of the money is considered yours.  I have never heard of anyone trying to do the monthly transfers to a joint account, only the banked money method.

[Rob Browder]

7 hours ago, Slinky1958 said:

I’m looking to retire to Thailand I have a non O marriage visa and will be converting this to a Retirement Visa

If you enter on a Non-O 90-Day visa based on marriage, your first 1-year extension would need to be based on "married to a Thai" - so need 400K Baht in the bank for 2 months prior to application, plus the other required documents, pictures, etc.

 

In subsequent years, if you wish to change to a retirement-based extension, you will need to show 12 months of bank-statements of minimum 65K Baht/mo (every month - no missed/late transfers) - OR - 800K Baht in the bank for 2 months prior to application, leave it there 3 months after, and no less than 400K Baht in the bank the rest of the year.

[Slinky1958]

I was told that the UK Embassy must confirm the fact you have the ability to pay in the 65,000 baht but now no longer do this. So the Thai immigration don’t allow this route for UK nationals 

would  this be correct 

[BritManToo]

16 minutes ago, Slinky1958 said:

I was told that the UK Embassy must confirm the fact you have the ability to pay in the 65,000 baht but now no longer do this. So the Thai immigration don’t allow this route for UK nationals 

would  this be correct 

Nope, you need to show a Thai bank statement showing deposits of 65kbht+ for the past year,

Your bank account, nobody else!

[Upnotover]

11 minutes ago, Slinky1958 said:

I was told that the UK Embassy must confirm the fact you have the ability to pay in the 65,000 baht but now no longer do this. So the Thai immigration don’t allow this route for UK nationals 

would  this be correct 

No.  It is not correct.  Immigration only want to see the transfer into your account from a foreign source.  Your bank statement will show this.

[KannikaP]

8 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

You would need to check with your immigration office.  Some offices will not accept joint counts at all.  For those immigration offices that will accept a join account, you must double all amounts as only 50% of the money is considered yours.  I have never heard of anyone trying to do the monthly transfers to a joint account, only the banked money method.

Are you saying that the banked money can be in a joint account? If so, links please.

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, Slinky1958 said:

I was told that the UK Embassy must confirm the fact you have the ability to pay in the 65,000 baht but now no longer do this. So the Thai immigration don’t allow this route for UK nationals 

would  this be correct 

OP, I don't understand your thread at all.

While in the UK you can apply for a Non O retirement OR Non O marriage.

Since you are married to a Thai national why not obtain that. 

You would need to show 400k in a bank account.

When you enter Thailand you will receive a 90 day stamp.

After two months with funds having been in the Thai bank account in your name only you apply for a 12 month extension. 

After that is granted you can use the funds.

12 months later for next extension you need show 400k in the bank seasoned for 2 months prior to application for extension.

 

Of course you can obtain a Non O retirement (e-Visa) instead of the Non O marriage.

Has much more onerous financials in sense funds are maintained in the bank.

I assume that you have a Thai bank account in your name only.

If not you can open one after you enter Thailand given you will have a Non O .

 

The income method is another discussion.

You will need to use money in bank method for your first extension.

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Are you saying that the banked money can be in a joint account? If so, links please.

Generally no. 

Some immigration offices allow it however the financial requirements are doubled. 

Best to have Thai bank account in applicants name only. 

 

BTW: If married then wife name can be "silent signatory" on the account. The account owner shows as husband only however she can use the account. 

[KannikaP]

8 hours ago, Slinky1958 said:

Must it go into my account only or our Joint account which would be better for us

From Chat GPT:

 

Great question. For a Thailand Retirement Extension (Non-Immigrant O or O-A Visa), the Thai immigration rules typically require the banked money (e.g., 800,000 THB for a retirement extension) to be in a Thai bank account in the applicant’s name only, not a joint account.

That said:

• Some immigration offices may allow a joint account if the applicant is the primary account holder and provides proof of full access/control.

• However, in most cases, strict interpretation means the money should be solely in the retiree’s name to avoid delays or rejection.

[DrJack54]

@KannikaP here is thread. 

Note post from ubonjoe stating joint account not possible for marriage.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1192029-extension-of-visa-using-a-joint-bank-account/ 

 

Off Topic: ubonjoe passing think was May 3 2023 ?

R.I.P top bloke 

[Presnock]

35 minutes ago, Slinky1958 said:

I was told that the UK Embassy must confirm the fact you have the ability to pay in the 65,000 baht but now no longer do this. So the Thai immigration don’t allow this route for UK nationals 

would  this be correct 

for the monthly at least 65K baht, you must have 12 consecutive months of that amount or more and then you  can change from marriage or 800K whatever you are doing - I am American and did the 65K for years as the embassy dropped that income letter also.  No problems .

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, Presnock said:

for the monthly at least 65K baht, you must have 12 consecutive months of that amount or more and then you  can change from marriage or 800K whatever you are doing

Exactly.

This is an option "down the track" for the OP as he will not be able to show the 12 monthly transfers.

 

Unrelated however OP, I'm currently changing from money in bank (retirement) to income method.

That means for this year I run the two options in tandem.

 

That's separate to initial Non O + extension for the OP. 

He will use money in bank method. 

[StayinThailand2much]

13 hours ago, Upnotover said:

If you already have a non-O for your first extension ("retirement") you will need to show 800k in the bank.  Later years you can switch to 65k/month if you want to.  Not sure what the UK has to do with any of this.  Or you could just extend based on marriage., 400k.

 

Not to hijack the post (for some reason couldn't make a new post here), what are the latest requirements and timelines to change from a 60-day VFE to a retirement visa/extension in-country?

 

More info:

- Want to apply in either, Chaengwattana, or Jomtien

- Staying in hotels (just came back after 1 year abroad)

- Age over 50 ✅ 

- Thailand bank account ✅ 

- 800,000 baht in bank account ✅ 

[DrJack54]

18 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

what are the latest requirements and timelines to change from a 60-day VFE to a retirement visa/extension in-country

You could apply for Non Of retirement with minimum 15 days remaining on permission of stay. 

Can apply up to 45 days early at CW and up to 30 early at Jomtien. 

 

Note: Jomtien may/will want to see the 800k seasoned for 2 months. 

That's a fake requirement. 

CW will go by the actual rule, that being 800k in bank on day of application. 

You will need a TM30. 

If lease is requested explain you are still looking for digs. 

 

Be aware that your first extension will need to be at same immigration office as where you obtain the Non Of. 

You require form TM87

 

EDIT: @StayinThailand2much I added extra info

[StayinThailand2much]

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You could apply for Non Of retirement with minimum 15 days remaining on permission of stay. 

Can apply up to 45 days early at CW and up to 30 early at Jomtien. 

 

Thanks. 

[Slinky1958]

Hi guys question I need advice on 

The Thai bank savings account is equivalent to a UK current account and the Thai fixed account is the UK Deposit Account 

I’m holding my 800k plus in my Thai savings account account  reason for this was I didn’t have a Thai fixed account at the time

i I should get my RV in June when is the best time time to transfer it from the savings to the fixed 

[DrJack54]

28 minutes ago, Slinky1958 said:

i I should get my RV in June when is the best time time to transfer it from the savings to the fixed 

What's that mean? 

Are you applying for a  Non O retirement e-Visa in June? 

If so you require 800k in a bank. 

Once in Thailand you will receive a 90 day stamp. 

Change from savings account to FD account if you wish. 

You don't have to. 

After funds have  been in the account for 2 months you can apply for 12 month extension. 

You will not have a retirement visa. 

You will have a "permission of stay" Which you can extend ongoing, provided financial requirements are met. 

[Nickcage49]

All due respect to the legal experts on this forum, but have you thought about asking for some legal advice?

 

You could also go to Thai immigration and talk to someone there.

[Upnotover]

1 hour ago, Slinky1958 said:

Hi guys question I need advice on 

The Thai bank savings account is equivalent to a UK current account and the Thai fixed account is the UK Deposit Account 

I’m holding my 800k plus in my Thai savings account account  reason for this was I didn’t have a Thai fixed account at the time

i I should get my RV in June when is the best time time to transfer it from the savings to the fixed 

You already have a non O.

You already have 800k in your savings account. 

When you go for your extension in June ask the IO at the time about changing the account over to a fixed deposit. It really shouldn't be any issue as long as not for 1 moment does your 800k vanish from sight.

[Thingamabob]

15 hours ago, Slinky1958 said:

Must it go into my account only or our Joint account which would be better for us

Your account only.

[Rumpelstilskin]

7 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Nope, you need to show a Thai bank statement showing deposits of 65kbht+ for the past year,

Your bank account, nobody else!

100% correct