Immigration vows strictness on retirement visa requirements

[george]

Immigration vows strictness on retirement visa requirements

Lt Col Napat has confirmed that retired foreign couples must each show

evidence of 800,000 baht in their bank accounts. Photo: Phuket Gazette

This topic was continued from here

PHUKET: -- Phuket Immigration has vowed to become stricter in its enforcement of retirement visas for married couples by upholding a law that came into effect in November 2008.

The law states that foreign retired couples must each show evidence of 800,000 baht in their bank accounts in order to apply for or renew retirement visas, Phuket Immigration Inspector Napat Nusen confirmed for the Phuket Gazette yesterday.

“This regulation has actually been in effect since November 2008, but has sometimes been misinterpreted by applicants and by our staff,” Lt Col Napat said. “We will start to enforce the requirements more strictly from now on.”

The misunderstandings may stem from the way the regulation is worded, Lt Col Napat said.

“The rule uses the phrase ‘50 per cent per person’ to refer to the amount in the bank account, and this may have led people to believe that each person needed only 400,000 baht,” Lt Col Napat said.

“In fact, they must each show evidence of 800,000 baht in the bank. That means that if they have a joint account, it must show a balance of at least 1.6 million baht,” he explained.

An alternative is to show a regular pension or investment income of at least 65,000 baht a month, he said. Applicants must show proof of this income for the three months prior to submitting the application.

Lt Col Napat noted that foreign retirees who are married to Thais may opt to apply for a marriage visa instead of a retirement visa. For this visa, the applicant must show evidence of 400,000 baht in a Thai bank account.

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-12-05

Source

[ekkamai]

What's new? This is the way it has been for years. We have been coughing up with 800K each for 5-6 years by now. I wonder when they will raise it...

Edited December 5, 2013 by ekkamai

[ubonjoe]

Off topic posts removed.

[aguy30]

_{Why is a "married to a Thai" visa only requiring 400,000? Makes no sense that it should be 400,000 when two people are being supported. Why not 1,600,000 baht for a married farang?}

[crazykopite]

Why should a falang married to a thai be treated any different from what i have seen thai woman seem to cost more to keep than a falang wife think it is time to move onto the next door neighbours Malaysia, Cambodia or even the Philippines.

[ThaidDown]

_{Why is a "married to a Thai" visa only requiring 400,000? Makes no sense that it should be 400,000 when two people are being supported. Why not 1,600,000 baht for a married farang?}

If the wife is Thai she does can work and contribute the balance.

Edit..repeated word removed

Edited December 5, 2013 by ThaidDown

[Tiffer]

_{Why is a "married to a Thai" visa only requiring 400,000? Makes no sense that it should be 400,000 when two people are being supported. Why not 1,600,000 baht for a married farang?}

Because this is how it is.

Try not to think too much .

[connda]

_{Why is a "married to a Thai" visa only requiring 400,000? Makes no sense that it should be 400,000 when two people are being supported. Why not 1,600,000 baht for a married farang?}

I assume that it's 400K because they know that you dump you finances into your Thai family and Thai extended family.

By the way, it's 400K for foreign men married to Thai women. A foreign woman married to a Thai guy gets a free ride. Now, how fair's that?

Edited December 5, 2013 by connda

[hgma]

Some regular used words by foreigners are very hard to find in Thai dictionaries

Like why?

Now perhaps this is one of the main structural problems in Thai society, not to question anything except when it is useful (prayood)

opposite world were we question in order to gain knowledge They question when its to late.

Oh well

A nice day anyway.

[chasntong]

_{Why is a "married to a Thai" visa only requiring 400,000? Makes no sense that it should be 400,000 when two people are being supported. Why not 1,600,000 baht for a married farang?}

This a retirement visa, farang have to show 800,000 Baht or equivelent even having a Thai wife, not a married visa.

[NoshowJones]

_{Why is a "married to a Thai" visa only requiring 400,000? Makes no sense that it should be 400,000 when two people are being supported. Why not 1,600,000 baht for a married farang?}

Absolute rubbish, It should be made easier for a Farang married to a Thai, it is not just the 400.000 Baht in a Thai bank, it is also all the unneccessary hassle you have to go through, and we are supposed to be "guests" in this country. Also, who says two people are being supported, what about the Thai wives who are working and supporting themselves? I try to respect other posters opinion, but I find it very hard to respect this.

[jacko45k]

_{Why is a "married to a Thai" visa only requiring 400,000? Makes no sense that it should be 400,000 when two people are being supported. Why not 1,600,000 baht for a married farang?}

I had that same thought, the reason that popped into my head was that a Thai can work.

Although 400,000 for a falang/Thai couple and 1,600,000 for a farang couple sure is some difference.

[wileycoyote]

A Headache !

[evadgib]

Until verified via the appropriate channels it's fair to assume anyone living outside his catchment area remain clueless as to how they'll fare next time around.

Edited December 5, 2013 by evadgib

[ubonjoe]

Off topic post removed.

[harleyclarkey]

Yet more senseless idiotic ideas designed to disrupot and cause as much comfusion and uposet to foreign retirees. Think about it....retirees bring in foreign money to spend in Thailand and Thailand sees this as an issue?

If the couple are married and are living together then what the heck does it matter who has the money and in what account? If they are a genuine couple then the money would be theirs....not his or hers.

[RedQualia]

_{Why is a "married to a Thai" visa only requiring 400,000? Makes no sense that it should be 400,000 when two people are being supported. Why not 1,600,000 baht for a married farang?}

Reminds me of when I worked for a company back in the world that was in a six story building. They had microwave ovens on the ground floor, and also one on the third floor. Seeing this, people on the fourth floor asked for a microwave. The answer came back that microwaves were only permitted on the ground floor. People on the fourth floor complained -- "well, they have a microwave on the third floor!" After which, the microwave on the third floor was removed, and everyone had to go to the ground floor.

If some people are "getting a break" and "only have to have" 400,000 Baht for their visa, be happy for them. No need to jump up and down and complain that they should have to show 1,600,000 Baht as well.

[Kripe]

Why do they have age restriction of 50 year to get a retirement visa? Wky is 800K in the bank and 40 years old not ok?

[mca]

It wasn't that long ago that foreigners could extend on the basis of their Thai wife's salary until they knocked it on the head for no reason and no grandfather clause

[RedBullHorn]

Why are people so unhappy, it's just ฿800'000.-

I'm happy, i can afford it.

It's their rules, if can't afford then just don't apply...Simple~

[kkup]

You only need 400k if married to a Thai because she is free to work and support herself, 800k for farang couples is an insurance policy that both have enough to support without working. The logic is to curb people trying to work illegally, if you both have 400k each then the chances of you needing to work are minimal.

[willyumiii]

_{Why is a "married to a Thai" visa only requiring 400,000? Makes no sense that it should be 400,000 when two people are being supported. Why not 1,600,000 baht for a married farang?}

Let's think about this one...

A marriage visa is 400,000.

If married to a Thai, only one visa is required.

Thais do not need a visa to stay in Thailand.

400,00 X 1 = 4000,000 total

A retirement visa is 800,000.

Two retired farangs need two visas.

800,000 X 2 = 1600,000 total

Could it be that a marriage visa is not a retirement visa?

Retirement is retirement and relaxation.

Marriage to a Thai is a lot of work!

[Arkady]

“The rule uses the phrase ‘50 per cent per person’ to refer to the amount in the bank account, and this may have led people to believe that each person needed only 400,000 baht,” Lt Col Napat said.

The published regulations don't explicitly refer to "50% per person". The relevant regulations in National Police order 777/2551 of 2008 actually say this:

2.22 In the case of a retiree: Permission will be granted for a period of not more

than 1 year at a time.

(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

and for family members of the above:

2.20 In the case of a family

member of an alien who has been permitted temporary

stay under clauses 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6,2.7, 2.10, 2.12, 2.13,2.4, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17,

2.21, 2.22,2.26,6.29 of this Order (applicable only to parents, spouse, child, adopted child or child of

his/her spouse):

Permission will be

granted for a period of

not more than 1 year at a time.

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

(2) Proof of family relationship;

(3) In the case of a spouse, the marital relationship shall be de

jure (legitimate) and de facto;

This regulation 2.20 is identical to the regulation for family members of permanent residents who clearly don't need to present proof of savings or income. Family members can't be lumped into 2.22 because they may not be over 50.

There is a logic to saying that, if one person needs B800k, two people should need B1.6m, although they can presumably share accommodations, but that is clearly not what it says in the 2008 regulations. Why not amend the regulations, if that is what they want to do, rather indulging in this deceptive double talk?

I don't see any point in arguing against the B400k allowed for males married to Thai women. For better or for worse 50% discounts for those married to Thais are standard in many immigration related regulations, e.g. fee for permanent residence, salary required to apply for citizenship. They have the concept that those with Thai family living in Thailand deserve easier treatment on humanitarian grounds to make it easier for them to live with their families, while retirees have more choices of where to live. Also the Thai spouses are able to work to earn money for the family without restriction. Any move to increase the number for those with Thai wives or to try to eliminate their privileges completely could result in a backlash from the Thai citizens they are married to, while retired foreign couples have no citizen rights in Thailand. Anyway making life harder for those with foreign wives is not going to make things any better for foreign retiree couples, who have my sympathy.

[Suradit69]

Why should a falang married to a thai be treated any different from what i have seen thai woman seem to cost more to keep than a falang wife think it is time to move onto the next door neighbours Malaysia, Cambodia or even the Philippines.

It has nothing to do with the "cost" of maintenance (to put it crudely) it's because someone married to and supporting a Thai wife. and maybe children. is allowed compassionate consideration. If you are staying here and not supporting a Thai wife, they want you to have (and to spend) an amount that is considered a benefit to the economy. Thailand is not operating a UN refugee camp for farang who can't afford life back in farang ville. If you are looking for the cheapest place to live they would prefer you give another country the privilege of having you. It has nothing to do with whether Thai people love you or not, they want foreigners here whose presence contributes to the economy.

in order to apply for or renew retirement visas

I assume this wording is the reporter's interpretation of what was said because people don't apply for or renew "retirement visas" at Immigrations in any case.

Edited December 5, 2013 by Suradit69

[NoshowJones]

Marriage to a Thai is a lot of work!

Marriage to a Thai is a lot of work???? I'm married to a Thai, and I don't do any work.

[Arkady]

_{Why is a "married to a Thai" visa only requiring 400,000? Makes no sense that it should be 400,000 when two people are being supported. Why not 1,600,000 baht for a married farang?}

Let's think about this one...

A marriage visa is 400,000.

If married to a Thai, only one visa is required.

Thais do not need a visa to stay in Thailand.

400,00 X 1 = 4000,000 total

A retirement visa is 800,000.

Two retired farangs need two visas.

800,000 X 2 = 1600,000 total

Could it be that a marriage visa is not a retirement visa?

Retirement is retirement and relaxation.

Marriage to a Thai is a lot of work!

It is not specifically a marriage visa. It is an extension based on having a Thai family member. You don't need to be 50 or more and are not prohibited from working, if you can get a job and a work permit. So no, it is not a retirement visa.

[upena]

So many "whys" and none have a good answer.

Why do I have to check in every 90 days when I have a one-year visa.

Why do I need 800,000 baht in the bank when the minimum wage in Thailand is 300 baht per day for a Thai?

Why, oh why. '

It doesn't matter. They are Thai laws and we have to abide by them or leave.

[Frank James]

Whatever the rules are now, expect them to get even harsher if an ultra nationalist like Suthep comes to power.

[Lee4Life]

ohhhh....I am so cornfused!

so let me get this straight...50% per person really means 100% per person?

[Ianatlarge]

I mean, a simple way of paying your way in the Kingdom would be to pay, say 5,000 baht pp, each month, at the Post Office or 711. No paperwork, just a stamp in the passport, and you are away. Think of all the needless jobs eliminated. All these good folk could go on to lead more productive and useful lives. These people could release their creative talents, and become artists, poets, and authors. A Thai renaissance would occur. What a great idea.