Non Imm O - One Yr Extension

[noname135]

maybe this had been discussed before, but being new, I couldn't find it

can anyone tell me if the amount to be kept for three month before the application has to be in bt, or could it be (a corresponding amount) in a thai foreign currency account, in pounds, euro or $ too?

tks for your help

[thaiphoon]

Immigration will usually accept currency accounts held at Thai banks.

Funds have to be deposited with bank for 2 months prior to first application for extension of stay; thereafter 3 months for retirement extension renewal or 2/3 months for marriage extension renewal (depends on immigration office).

[jfchandler]

The Immigration requirement is that deposited funds must be in a Thai bank... so normally...that deposit would be in Thai baht... And the amounts specified in the immigration regs are amounts in baht.... I don't recall the reg saying Thai baht or the equivalent in other currency.

Of course, you can have a foreign currency account in a Thai bank, but most people don't do that. And I don't recall ever hearing about anyone using a foreign currency account to satisfy the immigration funds requirement.

The other alternative, of course, is to get an Embassy income letter certifying that you earn at least 65,000 baht per month for all/any sources. In that area, it doesn't matter what currency the funds are in or where the income comes from.

[thaiphoon]

There is nothing in the regulations that say a currency account cannot be used, and there have been several reports on the forum of such being acceptable to immigration. But I would agree that most people choose to use THB denominated accounts.

[noname135]

The Immigration requirement is that deposited funds must be in a Thai bank... so normally...that deposit would be in Thai baht... And the amounts specified in the immigration regs are amounts in baht.... I don't recall the reg saying Thai baht or the equivalent in other currency.

Of course, you can have a foreign currency account in a Thai bank, but most people don't do that. And I don't recall ever hearing about anyone using a foreign currency account to satisfy the immigration funds requirement.

The other alternative, of course, is to get an Embassy income letter certifying that you earn at least 65,000 baht per month for all/any sources. In that area, it doesn't matter what currency the funds are in or where the income comes from.

I had the extension for years, but since my mother was dying last year, I had to fly out on a saturday, and couldn't get the re-entry permit in Suvarnabhum.

now my question is, because I don't mind bringing money in, but at the actual exchange rate, don't want to convert it now, as I still have enough to live on, but not the required amount to be blocked for three month.

maybe I will have to see the immi office and ask them if they accept it

[jfchandler]

That's a good reminder of the value of automatically purchasing a re-entry permit each year along with your extension...either single use or multiple use depending on your travel habits.

Now that there's no longer a place to purchase re-entry permits at the airport, having the permit in advance can really be a life-saver, especially when unexpected or emergency travel arises.

What nationality are you? Different embassies have different policies/protocols on issuing income certfication letters. And remember, all kinds of income can count, including pensions, rental income, bank or stock earnings, etc etc...

Based on your last post, it sounds like you don't even have the 800,000 baht to deposit, whether it be in baht or another currency. If you're short on that amount, I think it unlikely immigration will give you a pass on that. Based on reports here, they're typically sticklers about needing to at least meet the minimum amount.

[noname135]

buying re-entry permit is a good idea, but until last january you could get it in the airport, and nobody in Isaan new about the change.

having the pension confirmed by the (austrian) embassy wouldn't be a problem, but I want to keep the money in europe and get higher interests.

as to the amount, there is no problem to transfer euro 30.000 or more, just not to convert them right now.

[lopburi3]

Last January was 2010 - the Airport desk for re-entry permits closed for normal issue in January 2009 so it has been almost 16 months.

[jfchandler]

Sorry, sometimes the details in your posts aren't quite clear...

If you have pension combined with any other monthly income that totals at least 65,000 baht per month, then you can satisfy the immigration retirement extension requirement solely thru that means...by getting the letter from your Embassy.

If you go the income letter route, you have NO requirement to have any funds in any Thai bank. And for purposes of the monthly income, it can be income coming from any location, and deposited in any location or currency.

It's only when you try to satisfy the immigration extension requirement thru the other 800,000 baht lump sum method that those funds have to be on deposit in a Thai bank for two (first time) or three months (subsequent times) prior to your application filing.

You also can meet the requirement by using a combination of the two methods...bank deposit and monthly income. But any amount used for the bank deposits here must be seasoned, and any amount claimed as monthly income must be documented with an Embassy income letter.

having the pension confirmed by the (austrian) embassy wouldn't be a problem, but I want to keep the money in europe and get higher interests.

[noname135]

Last January was 2010 - the Airport desk for re-entry permits closed for normal issue in January 2009 so it has been almost 16 months.

sorry, my mistake, it should have been "last year january" instead of "last january"

[noname135]

Sorry, sometimes the details in your posts aren't quite clear...

If you have pension combined with any other monthly income that totals at least 65,000 baht per month, then you can satisfy the immigration retirement extension requirement solely thru that means...by getting the letter from your Embassy.

If you go the income letter route, you have NO requirement to have any funds in any Thai bank. And for purposes of the monthly income, it can be income coming from any location, and deposited in any location or currency.

It's only when you try to satisfy the immigration extension requirement thru the other 800,000 baht lump sum method that those funds have to be on deposit in a Thai bank for two (first time) or three months (subsequent times) prior to your application filing.

You also can meet the requirement by using a combination of the two methods...bank deposit and monthly income. But any amount used for the bank deposits here must be seasoned, and any amount claimed as monthly income must be documented with an Embassy income letter.

having the pension confirmed by the (austrian) embassy wouldn't be a problem, but I want to keep the money in europe and get higher interests.

income letter route would mean to have the pension sent every month, - at least that's how I understand it, and that's what I want to avoid.

sorry, if I'm not clear in my english

my question was only, if I will be able to use a foreign currency account, with 20.000 or right now rather more euros, to apply for the one year extension.

and I guess, as I have had extensions before loosing them last year, it will have to be 3 month.

[jfchandler]

The easy solution is staring you in the face... I'll say this one more time... please listen and understand...

If you go the Embassy income letter method, you ONLY have to show the income...equal to at least 65,000 baht per month, in a way that satisfies your Embassy.

As far as Thai Immigration is concerned, it does NOT matter where (what country) the monthly income comes from. It does NOT matter where (what country) you deposit that income. It does NOT matter what currency that income is earned in/held in...

You don't have to do any currency exchange to go this route.

You only have to go to your Embassy, follow their procedure and get them to issue you the letter. With that letter, you go to Thai immigation and that's all they will want to see, in terms of income documentation.

If the above is not clear, please use Google to translate it into your own language...

income letter route would mean to have the pension sent every month, - at least that's how I understand it, and that's what I want to avoid.

YOU UNDERSTAND WRONG!!!!

[lopburi3]

The letter method is not having the money sent - it is your income as you have stated or shown your Embassy. There is no requirement that this money be remitted into Thailand.

[noname135]

The letter method is not having the money sent - it is your income as you have stated or shown your Embassy. There is no requirement that this money be remitted into Thailand.

thank you very much !

that's an easy, clear and understandable answer.

it just puzzles me that immi does not care if you really bring and spent the money here too

[Tafia]

You also can meet the requirement by using a combination of the two methods...bank deposit and monthly income. But any amount used for the bank deposits here must be seasoned, and any amount claimed as monthly income must be documented with an Embassy income letter.

I understood if using the combination method the money in the bank did not need to be seasoned...any advice please??

[lopburi3]

That is the normal procedure - up to what point is open to question however.

[jfchandler]

Ahh... good point... thanks for raising that issue about seasoning when using the so-called combination method (income letter and partial Thai bank deposits) for qualifying for retirement extensions...

The answer may be seasoning is NOT required when using the combination method...at least... not always required.

Here is the answer to that question from a prior post on the subject...

As lopburi3 has posted in other threads, there is no three month requirement for bank funds when used in combination with a monthly "pension" letter. In fact, the immigration department website specifically isolates the time requirement to be "on the day of making the application" or words to that effect.

Thanks for correcting me on that... Trying to keep track of all this stuff is enough to make anyone a bit crazy...

And interestingly, as this prior post points out, there is NO combination method permitted when one is applying for an extension based on marriage to a Thai national. In that case, it's the bank deposits or income letter (400,000 in the bank or 40,000 per month--different amounts than the retirement extension). No mixing and matching for marriage-based extensions.

[peterjay]

I have read that the bank balance combined with an income does not need to soak but have been unable to find confirmation.

I believe the post originated in Samut Prakhan.

Please help as Nan immigration has a problem with this.

[lopburi3]

It will be up to the office but normally it is allowed immediately as the rule only says it must be in account for a specific time period using the money only option. It does not mention this for income or income plus account methods which are separate items in the regulation. The regulations is Police Order 777/2551

[hbert]

Some more questions in regards to the Non Immigrant O (marriage based) monthly income requirement.

- How old can the letter regarding monthly income from the embassy be?

- Does the letter from the embassy need to be from my contry's embassy in Thailand or can it be from my country's embassy in the land where I apply for the visa (e.g. if I apply in Singapore or in KL).

[lopburi3]

There is no set time limit but I would advise within 3 months and always do same day or day before myself.

It must be from Embassy in Thailand.