Been here 10 years now and never needed to worry much about the financial side as always made sure got over the 400,000 in the bank for a few months before applying but this year certain things have made it a bit more critical. One - the cost of living has escalated dramatically over the last year or so concomitant with massive home bills to replace expensive and essential white goods and vehicle repairs. Add to that the Thai government's antics have caused the exchange rate to work in their favour not mine for reasons I simply cannot fathom. By all rights the rate should go up in my favour given the extreme political shenanigans - quite why what has happened has resulted in a rate in their favour leads one to believe in the hidden power behind the scenes that Anutin speaks of.

 

Be that as it may, my question is that I believe the 400.000  needs to be in the bank for 2 months before I apply for the renewal of my annual extension and 3 months by the time the current one expires? Ok, now the worrying bit - is that 2 and 3 calendar months, i.e 1st of a month to it's end or for example 15th of one month to 15th of next month - 15th of next etc? That given my pension payment dates would suit me better as I would not be able to manage the first option but could easily manage the 2nd option given the pension payment dates. The fact is that I need to top up the 400,000 and I worked out that by renewal the money would have been topped up 71 days before applying for the renewal and another 40 days by expiry date using the 2nd option.

 

Using the first option my essential next pension payment being 2nd October, the next one 30th October, then 27th November, the last before expiry would be 24th December, then I need to apply on 10th or 17th December (less crowded midweek) with renewal 16th January. So looks like I must using calendar month 1st to month end option fail to satisfy but using 2nd option would satisfy the requirements.

 

Can someone, eg Dr Jack who seems to be the fount of all wisdom on these things - please advise me?

Using money in bank method for 12 month extension (marriage) .. 

The 400k needs in be in bank for 2 months prior to application. 

When you make your application (and it's accepted)  you will be given a date to return to immigration for final stamp. 

That period is referred to as under consideration period. 

I (and others) recommend the 400k be maintained during this under consideration period. 

This often works out to be 3 months all up. 

Having stated that I have never send an extension (final stamp) refused due to using the 400k after application date. 

Immigration may warn you to maintain the funds during the under consideration would most likely be the extent of it. 

Do you use BBL (hope not) 

 

Edit: on second read I see you are not sure of how to work out the two months seasoning. 

Let's say application made 15 Dec then you would season the 400k from 15 Oct. 

Obviously add week or so it's a clear 2 months of seasoning. 

14 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Using money in bank method for 12 month extension (marriage) .. 

The 400k needs in be in bank for 2 months prior to application. 

When you make your application (and it's accepted)  you will be given a date to return to immigration for final stamp. 

That period is referred to as under consideration period. 

I (and others) recommend the 400k be maintained during this under consideration period. 

This often works out to be 3 months all up. 

Having stated that I have never send an extension (final stamp) refused due to using the 400k after application date. 

Immigration may warn you to maintain the funds during the under consideration would most likely be the extent of it. 

Do you use BBL (hope not) 

 

hey Dr Jack,  thanks for the reply, I use Bangkok Bank but no problems so far. I think  you misunderstood my concerns, if you read again noting the dates if 2 months according to Immigration is 1st of the month to end of month each month then I'm stuffed because I don't get the necessary funds until the 2nd of October not the 1st and the much needed 400,000 won't be in my bank in time (by 24 hours).

 

However, if it is, for example, ok to count from the 2nd of October (my next pension day) until say 2nd December then I'm ok as that is 2 months in my mind if you understand what I'm worrying about? It's how Immigration define a 'month", 30 or31 days or the calendar date of 1st until 30th or 31st.

13 minutes ago, cliveshep said:

However, if it is, for example, ok to count from the 2nd of October (my next pension day) until say 2nd December then I'm ok as that is 2 months in my mind if you understand what I'm worrying about? It's how Immigration define a 'month", 30 or31 days or the calendar date of 1st until 30th or 31st.

Read my edit above. 

So forget pension days.  

Put income aside. 

You require 400k seasoned for 2 months prior to day of application. 

Don't concern with details re 31 day v 30 day etc. 

Read my edit example again above. 

 

 

You're using banked money method so anything to do with pension has no relevance 

The seasoning rule is the 400K has to be in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months (that's date to date) before you APPLY for the extension (nothing to do with when this current stamp ends) 
 
Example you want to apply for your extension on Sept 25 you would have had to bank the 400k since July 25th 🙂 

 

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Using money in bank method for 12 month extension (marriage) .. 

The 400k needs in be in bank for 2 months prior to application. 

When you make your application (and it's accepted)  you will be given a date to return to immigration for final stamp. 

That period is referred to as under consideration period. 

I (and others) recommend the 400k be maintained during this under consideration period. 

This often works out to be 3 months all up. 

Having stated that I have never send an extension (final stamp) refused due to using the 400k after application date. 

Immigration may warn you to maintain the funds during the under consideration would most likely be the extent of it. 

Do you use BBL (hope not) 

 

Edit: on second read I see you are not sure of how to work out the two months seasoning. 

Let's say application made 15 Dec then you would season the 400k from 15 Oct. 

Obviously add week or so it's a clear 2 months of seasoning. 

Dr Jack - many thanks. That answers my question and sets my mind at rest. That is exactly the answer I needed to here. 

 

57 minutes ago, Tod Daniels said:

You're using banked money method so anything to do with pension has no relevance 

The seasoning rule is the 400K has to be in a Thai bank account in your name only for 2 months (that's date to date) before you APPLY for the extension (nothing to do with when this current stamp ends) 
 
Example you want to apply for your extension on Sept 25 you would have had to bank the 400k since July 25th 🙂 

 

Sorry but Pension day is relevant because unless pension is paid and transferred from UK there is no money in the Thai bank, well, apart from the 400,000 or however much is left of it we haven't borrowed. Some of us on UK pensions are essentially poor, the UK pays the lowest pension by far of every country in Europe plus they then tax it as well. 

 

But your important factor for me is the date to date bit because under that rule I can clear my "debt" to the 400,000 required fund. So many thanks to you too my friend, one less thing to stress over. And you've probably seen how proof of posting tracked and signed for and proof of delivery saved me the 2000 baht fine for the 90 day report I went to get. As the old lady said when she pee'd in the ocean - every little helps!

 

And the 2nd October pension day is the one that coupled with small savings in my UK bank will finally top up the 400,000 after months of struggling to clear it. Just in time!

On 9/18/2025 at 5:35 PM, DrJack54 said:

Read my edit above. 

So forget pension days.  

Put income aside. 

You require 400k seasoned for 2 months prior to day of application. 

Don't concern with details re 31 day v 30 day etc. 

Read my edit example again above. 

 

 

Good explanation Dr Jack

On 9/18/2025 at 5:03 PM, DrJack54 said:

 

 

Edit: on second read I see you are not sure of how to work out the two months seasoning. 

Let's say application made 15 Dec then you would season the 400k from 15 Oct. 

Obviously add week or so it's a clear 2 months of seasoning. 

I know its only a few days and I may be nit picking but my IMO (trat) states 90days. having said that I always make sure it's there for 3 months.

As DrJack has correctly explained, it's (seasoning) 2 months before date of Application only.

 

There is no "3 month rule".

 

Yes, it appears that some offices seem to want to see the money (400K) still there in your bank at return/final stamping date.

 

Mine doesn't.

After the application is lodged I just front up around that "return" date. after checking their personal "LINE Visa update" message or calling the office, to pick up the passport with 12month extension stamp. 

(Sitting outdoors waiting and never see an IO)

 

I also understand that this final pick up can be done by anyone you approve. You don't have to do it in person.

 

So in that case, how would this work regarding the checking that the 400 K is still in the your bank?

(Your "courier " has to bring along your bank book???)

 

BTW, I'm with BBL and never had any problems whatsoever!

6 minutes ago, orchidfan said:

After the application is lodged I just front up around that "return" date. after checking their personal "LINE Visa update" message or calling the office, to pick up the passport with 12month extension stamp. 

Don't quite follow. 

During the under consideration period the pp is held by the owner not the immigration office. 

8 minutes ago, orchidfan said:

I also understand that this final pick up can be done by anyone you approve. You don't have to do it in person.

Its final stamp into pp and yes can be done by agent (eg relative, friend etc) 

Perhaps a good idea to sratch out note to authorize agent. Include cell #. In reality won't be asked for. 

 

Regarding maintaining the 400k during the under consideration period while it's recommended to do so, I have never read a report of not receiving stamp due to funds below 400k 

A warning would be possible. 

8 hours ago, brian69 said:

but my IMO (trat) states 90days. having said that I always make sure it's there for 3 months.

As usual we all need to be aware of what our particular immigration office requires. 

It's actually 2 months seasoning. 

Have read of another (up country office) also requiring 3 months. However that's just individual office quirk. 

On 9/18/2025 at 5:35 PM, DrJack54 said:

Read my edit above. 

So forget pension days.  

Put income aside. 

You require 400k seasoned for 2 months prior to day of application. 

Don't concern with details re 31 day v 30 day etc. 

Read my edit example again above. 

 

 

Just a Dumb question, instead of the Thb400,000 for 3 month....If you have pension income, you need minimum Thb45,000.00 deposited every month for 6 consecutive month before applying. 

 

Make sure if your pension #1 is less than the required amount and you get 2 pensions a month as I read, make sure both pensions deposit into the same account.   

 

Bangkok Bank gave me the one - two that I could not bring in 2 different account proofs.  I get 1 Canadian deposit and 1 US deposit and a private Canadian deposit each month and each in 3 different Bangkok Bank accounts.  When I went to apply for the visa, I not only showed one statement, but 2 more Bangkok Bank statement all total over Thb152,000!  

 

Lucky for me one did show Thb75,500 while each of the other 2 showed less than the Thb45,000.00 required.

 

Just a heads-Up!

 

3 minutes ago, Snowbird 7 said:

Just a Dumb question, instead of the Thb400,000 for 3 month....If you have pension income, you need minimum Thb45,000.00 deposited every month for 6 consecutive month before applying. 

 

Make sure if your pension #1 is less than the required amount and you get 2 pensions a month as I read, make sure both pensions deposit into the same account.   

 

Bangkok Bank gave me the one - two that I could not bring in 2 different account proofs.  I get 1 Canadian deposit and 1 US deposit and a private Canadian deposit each month and each in 3 different Bangkok Bank accounts.  When I went to apply for the visa, I not only showed one statement, but 2 more Bangkok Bank statement all total over Thb152,000!  

 

Lucky for me one did show Thb75,500 while each of the other 2 showed less than the Thb45,000.00 required.

 

Just a heads-Up!

 

Don't follow much of that post. 

Income method is about monthly transfers (BTW 40K/month) 

Immigration want to see 12 transfers of min 40k from abroad. 

Personally I suggest if folk have various sources of income in home country is to consolidate those funds in a bank account and do one transfer per month to Thai bank. 

 

I have my transfer funds via WISE 14th of every month. 

Both Canada and US do not now provide income letter. 

I guess one interpretation of this run-around is this: 

 

If you cannot afford to keep 400,000 baht in a Thai bank account for 12 consecutive months then you probably cannot afford to live in Thailand on a year-to-year basis.

 

The same is true of retirees (age 50+ years) who struggle to meet the IMMO financial requirements.

 

It's not that hard folks: If you really want to live here indefinitely -- plan ahead.

6 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't quite follow. 

During the under consideration period the pp is held by the owner not the immigration office. 

Its final stamp into pp and yes can be done by agent (eg relative, friend etc) 

Perhaps a good idea to sratch out note to authorize agent. Include cell #. In reality won't be asked for. 

 

Regarding maintaining the 400k during the under consideration period while it's recommended to do so, I have never read a report of not receiving stamp due to funds below 400k 

A warning would be possible. 

Dr J, yes, I meant "pick up" passport , being of course after I or nominee, have handed it in upon arrival that day , and after it gets the extension stamp put in.

 

At Pathum Thani everyone waits outside in a (fairly new) large, roofed enclosure ...now airconditioned  until one of the staff....not an IO...comes out with it and calls your name 

Quite civilised. 

 

I do like their LINE "Visa Status Check" which one activates by putting in the hand written number above the "under consideration " stamp in as a message and sending. 

Reply comes back with something like 'already approved" or " not yet approved."

 

Not sure if all offices provide this service, or in fact whether it eminates from a central computer???

33 minutes ago, orchidfan said:

Not sure if all offices provide this service, or in fact whether it eminates from a central computer??

I'm not sure either, however ability to check if ready for final stamp after under consideration would be big plus.