I have just been informed by a Visa Agency that an application for a Retirement visa renewal using Annual income (Pensions) plus a bank account deposite totaling not less than 800,000bt as of the FILING date of the application is no longer acceptable by Immigration. Is this correct -- if so I have left it too late for the 3 months that they say bank account deposite has to have the relevent sum credited.

The savings account must be funded a minimum of 90 days before the filing date. This is not a new requirement.

Not sure what you are asking, your wording is very strange.

Anyway, here are the rules unless they have changed:

1. Using bank account method ONLY (over 800K)

Money must be seasoned 2 months for first extension, and 3 months for subsequent extensions (no money seasoning for subsequent extensions in Pattaya though)

2. Using COMBO method: NO MONEY SEASONING REQUIRED

(Based on your post, it sounds like you are using the combo method) Combo method is embassy pension letter plus bank account

3. Using pension only: NO MONEY SEASONING REQUIRED

Your visa agency is correct that the seasoning WHEN REQUIRED is based on the APPLICATION DATE, not the current stay expiry date.

I suggest you try another visa agency or do it yourself!

I think your agency is totally wrong about any seasoning required at all for the combo method. The only exception I can imagine is that if your local office has quirky rules, which as we know, does happen.

Edited July 25, 200916 yr by Jingthing

The savings account must be funded a minimum of 90 days before the filing date. This is not a new requirement.

True, but it is TWO MONTHS for the first extension, not three.

I have just been informed by a Visa Agency that an application for a Retirement visa renewal using Annual income (Pensions) plus a bank account deposite totaling not less than 800,000bt as of the FILING date of the application is no longer acceptable by Immigration. Is this correct -- if so I have left it too late for the 3 months that they say bank account deposite has to have the relevent sum credited.

You use the combination option of money in the bank and income. For that there is no need to season the money.

What immigration office will you be applying?

The OP has either been given wrong information or misunderstood.

Here are the requirements.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) The applicant is 50 years of age or over;

(3) Proof of income of not less than Baht 65,000 per month; or

(4) Account deposit with a bank in Thailand of not less than

800,000 Baht as shown in the bank account for the past 3 months at the filing date of the application. For the first year, the applicant should have that amount in his bank account for not less than 60 days or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less

than Baht 800,000 as of the filing date of application

Thank you for your help -- Mario I shall be applying at Jomtiem -- I am using Pension and cash in the Bank but at the moment the money is in my wife's bank and so I wanted to transfer it to mine just a few days before I applied. I could go the married visa route but was told the retirement is easier by Jomtiem Immigration two years ago.

Thank you for your help -- Mario I shall be applying at Jomtiem -- I am using Pension and cash in the Bank but at the moment the money is in my wife's bank and so I wanted to transfer it to mine just a few days before I applied. I could go the married visa route but was told the retirement is easier by Jomtiem Immigration two years ago.

I was told by the officer at the Laurel and Hardy branch (Suan Plu) that, although my income is significantly higher than minimums (I came armed with the official doc from the US Embassy) I would still have to put up TBT 800,000 in a Thai bank account 3 months prior to renewing. They made me sign a paper to that effect. I figured I should have to sign or face going through the whole thing again. My friend (an American expat of 5 years) advised me strongly to feign stupidity on the renewal date and claim ignorance. Not difficult for me:). Another friend lives on American SS alone and therefore falls below the required minimums. He got his without having to make any such promise of a bank deposit prior to his renewal! We're surrounded by idiots.

Thank you for your help -- Mario I shall be applying at Jomtiem -- I am using Pension and cash in the Bank but at the moment the money is in my wife's bank and so I wanted to transfer it to mine just a few days before I applied. I could go the married visa route but was told the retirement is easier by Jomtiem Immigration two years ago.

They will try to push you along that route as it is easier for them.

True it is also easier for you but means more money/income being needed.

Believe you misunderstood. The paper you signed was only to advise of the three month rule of having the money in your account if you used the 800k in bank method. There has not be any change when using the Embassy letter and you do not need to have both.