Retirement Visa extension renewal

[Basil H J Hughes]

Subject Combination of Pension and bank balance

Previously for the last 12 years at Pattaya and Jontiem I have used the combination of income and Bank balance with the bank balance being made up to the required amount a few days before.

According to one of the Pattaya forums --This is no longer allowed but I cannot find an official notice.

What is correct? (The "expert" who told me said that his firm could fix it)

[Jingthing]

I have heard no news that the combo method is not allowed.

There have been some offices requiring the bank portion to be SEASONED under the same rules as if a bank account only application.

Because of that, to be safe, I would suggest seasoning the bank portion for combo method applications as well.

The rule is two months for first extension, and three months subsequent.

I think it would be major news if combo method applications weren't allowed at Jomtien, so I am very skeptical about this actually being true.

[ubonjoe]

You can still use the combination method.

No sure about Pattaya but some offices are wanting to be in the bank for 3 months.

At some it can depend upon the ratio of income to money in the bank. If the money in the bank is a small amount compared to the total income they don't ask for the 3 months.

I suggest you contact immigration to find out what their latest policy is.

[Jingthing]

I concur.

If it actually happens that Jomtien disallows ALL combo retirement applications, that news from a CREDIBLE source will be widely broadcast.

The OP is basically voicing a RUMOR or misinterpreted information. Extremely not credible.

Thanks to Ubonjoe for more definitely clearing this up.

[elviajero]

The combination is still allowed but many offices now require the money in the bank to have been there for 3 months. As already suggested you should contact Jomtien office and ask what they need from you.

[Jingthing]

Probably a misinterpretation about the money seasoning aspect of it ONLY.

[Basil H J Hughes]

Thank you all for your advise --

1) I am 80years of age and it is not easy for me to contact immigration - 90 days reporting is done by a motor taxi driver who knows me.

2) i have a bank account but because an account of mine was "Scammed" in 2002 here in Pattaya I with no recompense from the Thai bank I follow the advise given me by my UK bank and do not keep money in a Thai Bank only use it to receive my pensions which I withdraw immediately.

3) The information I was given came from a Pattayc City Expats Advise notice which states

"Prior to January 2016 Chonburi(Pattaya) did not require the funds in the bank to be "seasoned" - But that has changed and they now have the 2 or three month requirement for funds to be on deposit when using the "combination" of funds on deposit and monthly income to Qualify. Other than from this source I have seen no official information from Immigration.

On the 30th August 2006 my wife and I applied for our usual marriage visa at the new offices at Jontiem. A senior immigration Officer was shown our application and came and suggested that instead of having a marriage visa would we consider a retirement visa for me as it would entitle less work for Immigation in that the application did not have to be sent to The Office in Bangkok. We had not enough money in the Bank and it was suggested we borrow some for the day. We were both assured that this was all in order by the official regulations and requirements for the Retirement would be "grandfathered". My wife assured me after talking in Thai to the lady that this would be good and we would not have to make the extra visits to Immigration as per the married visa.

We have carried with this arrangement since and instead of having money in the bank I have spent it on my wife's children education (and grandchildren). --As they say There are no pockets in a shroud and why should I let the Thai banks make interest on money I have earned. - I always remember standing and hearing that Siam had declared war on Britain.(1942).

At my age problems like this put my blood pressure up ( I have problems with that asbestosis) and I just thought that there would be no more problems for the rest of my life