Thai immigration considers forcing some retirees to show 800k in bank EVERY THREE MONTHS: report
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- Start date
gotlost
Kap Chong R Us Member
An O-A is NOT a multi entry visa. An O-A has a built in reentry permit for the first year if you do not go out you have to do a 90 day report. At the 364 day mark you do a border hope and get another permission to stay for another 365 day BUT you need to go to immigration and buy a single or multi reentry permit for that second year. The O-A can only be obtain from your home country and in most cases if you're working and living in a foreign country the Thai Embassy of that country will issue you one.
Yorky
Fullritis Member
I noticed the O-"A" after I posted which is why I deleted the post.
gotlost
Kap Chong R Us Member
NEW RETIREE VISA RULES BEWILDER THAI IMMIGRATION: SOURCE
By
Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter
-
February 1, 2019 4:20 pm
A file photo of foreigners in Pattaya.
BANGKOK — Days after new rules changed how visas are processed for foreign retirees, immigration officials are already pushing back against them, according to sources inside the bureau.
Starting March 1, foreign retirees must either show a monthly income of at least 65,000 baht or hold a minimum of 800,000 baht in Thai banks. They must maintain that amount for three months after a visa or extension is granted, after which they can only take out half. The new rules also make unclear how long applicants must wait to learn whether their visas or extensions have been approved.
“We are discussing with the legal department what these new policies mean,” an immigration official involved in approving such applications said in an interview. “Right now we are all scrambling to find out what the procedures are.”
The source also said some operatives who oversee visa affairs will file memos to their commanders declaring that they are no longer sure how to process requests under the new regulations published Monday.
“We will ask them to reconsider,” said the official, who declined to give his name because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Another official at the Immigration Bureau said the changes were ordered from the top after four embassies in Thailand – Britain, the United States, Denmark and Australia – stopped issuing affidavits certifying the monthly incomes of applicants from their respective countries.
“Therefore, the Immigration Bureau has to come up with its own methods of verifying the applicants’ financial status,” the source said on the same condition of anonymity.
Col. Nitipan Kanokvejyan, the officer who signed the new regulations, could not be reached for comment as of publication time.
Under the new rules, applicants for retirement visas must be 50 and up. They must either show evidence of monthly salaries of at least 65,000 baht transferred to a Thai bank account or balances of at least 800,000 baht in their Thai bank accounts.
The accounts have to bear the same names as the applicants. Spouses’ bank accounts are not eligible.
And the minimum amount of 800,000 baht must have been deposited two months before any visa application is filed, making that the mandatory balance for at least five months, plus application processing time.
The applicants (“aliens”) must continue to maintain at least 400,000 baht at all times, and the visa must be renewed yearly.
The change departed from previous rules which only required either an affidavits declaring a 65,000 baht salary or a one-time deposit of 800,000 baht at the time of application.
Reactions on Thaivisa, a webforum frequented by expats in Thailand, was overwhelmingly negative, with many commentators saying the regulations undercut claims from Thai officials that the deposit is to ensure they have sufficient resources to get by.
“Then why keep up the charade that this money is to cover living expenses if it can only be used six months out of the year,” user Connda wrote. “So…what’s next? What’s the next hammer to drop?”
“And I thought the 800,000 baht was for living expenses, not as an interest earner for the Thai banks!” user Madmitch vented.
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081842-new-retiree-visa-rules-bewilder-thai-immigration-source/
By
Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter
-
February 1, 2019 4:20 pm
A file photo of foreigners in Pattaya.
BANGKOK — Days after new rules changed how visas are processed for foreign retirees, immigration officials are already pushing back against them, according to sources inside the bureau.
Starting March 1, foreign retirees must either show a monthly income of at least 65,000 baht or hold a minimum of 800,000 baht in Thai banks. They must maintain that amount for three months after a visa or extension is granted, after which they can only take out half. The new rules also make unclear how long applicants must wait to learn whether their visas or extensions have been approved.
“We are discussing with the legal department what these new policies mean,” an immigration official involved in approving such applications said in an interview. “Right now we are all scrambling to find out what the procedures are.”
The source also said some operatives who oversee visa affairs will file memos to their commanders declaring that they are no longer sure how to process requests under the new regulations published Monday.
“We will ask them to reconsider,” said the official, who declined to give his name because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Another official at the Immigration Bureau said the changes were ordered from the top after four embassies in Thailand – Britain, the United States, Denmark and Australia – stopped issuing affidavits certifying the monthly incomes of applicants from their respective countries.
“Therefore, the Immigration Bureau has to come up with its own methods of verifying the applicants’ financial status,” the source said on the same condition of anonymity.
Col. Nitipan Kanokvejyan, the officer who signed the new regulations, could not be reached for comment as of publication time.
Under the new rules, applicants for retirement visas must be 50 and up. They must either show evidence of monthly salaries of at least 65,000 baht transferred to a Thai bank account or balances of at least 800,000 baht in their Thai bank accounts.
The accounts have to bear the same names as the applicants. Spouses’ bank accounts are not eligible.
And the minimum amount of 800,000 baht must have been deposited two months before any visa application is filed, making that the mandatory balance for at least five months, plus application processing time.
The applicants (“aliens”) must continue to maintain at least 400,000 baht at all times, and the visa must be renewed yearly.
The change departed from previous rules which only required either an affidavits declaring a 65,000 baht salary or a one-time deposit of 800,000 baht at the time of application.
Reactions on Thaivisa, a webforum frequented by expats in Thailand, was overwhelmingly negative, with many commentators saying the regulations undercut claims from Thai officials that the deposit is to ensure they have sufficient resources to get by.
“Then why keep up the charade that this money is to cover living expenses if it can only be used six months out of the year,” user Connda wrote. “So…what’s next? What’s the next hammer to drop?”
“And I thought the 800,000 baht was for living expenses, not as an interest earner for the Thai banks!” user Madmitch vented.
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081842-new-retiree-visa-rules-bewilder-thai-immigration-source/
merlin
You chose a custom title
The impression gained was perfectly correct, and I had an extension through marriage to a Thai up until Jan 2018 when SIKC recommended a retirement extension instead (ease of documentation, less hassle with home visits etc., and no waiting.) I recognise the option of reverting to a marriage extension next year, but the same potential problem would exist. I prefer to die with a more-or-less empty wallet rather than try to take it with me...
Thanks for the consideration Nomad - it's appreciated.
nomad97
Resident Geek
I have been on an extension based on retirement for the past 15 years. However, at the end of last year following the announced demise of the embassy letter, and the uncertainty about what would happen next, I considered other options. One of these was an extension based on marriage with the lower financial obligations. If I hadn't managed to save 400,000 baht by the end of this year, 2019, a quick trip to Savannakhet for a 12-month multi based on marriage would have been my preferred option. Fortunately, the new rules for verifying income simplify the process for me. Previously, I have always produced a 12-month Thai bank statement and Thai bank book to back up/support my yearly income letter from the embassy. For me, I will continue to renew my retirement extension with the same paperwork I produced previously but without the embassy letter. A direct cost saving of 2,500 baht that the embassy letter used to cost. The new requirements are much easier and only 1,900 baht for the year. Thank you Immigration.The impression gained was perfectly correct, and I had an extension through marriage to a Thai up until Jan 2018 when SIKC recommended a retirement extension instead (ease of documentation, less hassle with home visits etc., and no waiting.) I recognise the option of reverting to a marriage extension next year, but the same potential problem would exist. I prefer to die with a more-or-less empty wallet rather than try to take it with me...
Thanks for the consideration Nomad - it's appreciated.
Deerculler
Surin Dinosaur
As the New Zealand Embassy still uses the letter, I will continue as I have done in the past for my O-A extension.
gotlost
Kap Chong R Us Member
I do not think your on an O-A. it ran out along time back. You're on an an extension to stay based on retirement that is only good for 12 months.
Saying that yes your good to go as NZ Embassy do not lie on your income letter.
Rice
Resident Smart Arse
I do not think your on an O-A. it ran out along time back. You're on an an extension to stay based on retirement that is only good for 12 months.
What is it with that ? It is a real bogus concept. As if, some embassy's check if your telling the truth. The onus is on you to tell the truth and signing an oath under your countries Jurisdiction makes you legally liable. What the Thai Immigration has done is call out the whole system as being floored. Which it is.So how are countries that are still providing evidential documents any different to the ones when questioned ceased doing so. ??? Are they indeed the ones that don't lie. ???
gotlost
Kap Chong R Us Member
What is it with that ? It is a real bogus concept. As if, some embassy's check if your telling the truth. The onus is on you to tell the truth and signing an oath under your countries Jurisdiction makes you legally liable. What the Thai Immigration has done is call out the whole system as being floored. Which it is.So how are countries that are still providing evidential documents any different to the ones when questioned ceased doing so. ??? Are they indeed the ones that don't lie. ???
The US Government can not and well not release any private information by law that is why the US Embassy can not meet Thai Immigration requirements. It's that simple.
W
Wombat
Guest
Yorky, what type of account can you put 800,000 in and earn a bit of interest AND will be accepted by SI?
melvin
Surin Legend
a so called fixed account
Yorky
Fullritis Member
Fixed deposit account.
Kasikorn rates are currently:
3 months - 1.15%
6 months - 1 .40%
12 months - 1.55%
I have used fixed deposit accounts for Immigration in the past together with my "working" current/savings account.
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gotlost
Kap Chong R Us Member
Something like this are accepted by immigration. As long as you can remove the funds at anytime even if you loss the interest. https://thailand.deposits.org/accounts/bangkok-bank-fixed-deposit.html
W
Wombat
Guest
Thanks, in my humble opinion, hardly worth the effort. About 12,000 per year.
Yorky
Fullritis Member
Bht 12,000 will buy a lorra beer.
Yorky
Fullritis Member
You probably haven't met Mrs Dhow (Immigration officer colloquially known as big tits). She believed that you still needed an extension of stay even after you were dead!
Prakhonchai Nick
You chose a custom title
I spent round 3 hours with Mrs Dhow, unfortunately in Korat immigration, Dan Kwian, some years ago.I believe she "socialised" with some of the Surin farang in the past. I sadly missed out
Yorky
Fullritis Member
She "socialised" with Dtim and Per in Green Garden Resort (by Huay Saneng Reservoir). You maybe do not remember that she lived in Surin and was prepared to accommodate folks' 90 day reports at the Green Garden once per week for a gratuity of Bht 100.00 each. Unfortunately greedy Dtim wanted half of it (in addition to the profit from Farang purchases in the restaurant) so in the end Dhow kicked it in the head.
[Edit: Note for Nick - I would definitely have given it one given the chance].
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Deerculler
Surin Dinosaur
G/L, You know what I was talking about. I know as well as you do that I am on an extension that started from O-A. I cannot lie to the Embassy even if I wanted too. We have show concrete proof to the embassy. Not sign for something we do not have. Both my pensions come from Govt. sources.I do not think your on an O-A. it ran out along time back. You're on an an extension to stay based on retirement that is only good for 12 months.