Dear editors,
In August I have to apply for my retirement visa again. The past two years I had no problems with that, but now due to the low value of the Euro I cannot meet the 800.000 baht condition. I have also already surrendered 800 euros to my pension in the past two years. Will this get me in trouble this year?
What about the new two-month minimum scheme where you must be able to prove that 65.000 Bath has been transferred to your Thai bank account?
Regards,
Joop
Dear Joop,
You have three options to meet the financial conditions (extension based on “retirement”):
1. A total balance at a Thai bank of at least 800.000 Baht.
2. A monthly income of at least 65.000 Baht.
3. A combination of bank balance and 12 x monthly income, together at least 800.000 Baht.
If you cannot meet any of these options, you will not be able to obtain an extension on a “retirement” basis.
Regarding your question "And is that new regulation of at least two months that you must be able to prove that 65.000 Baht has been transferred to your Thai bank account." As far as I know, proving that an income of 65 Baht is actually transferred is not a requirement for obtaining an extension. What you must show, if you want to use an income as proof, is an “income statement”.
If you use a bank amount, it must be on the account for at least 3 months (2 months for a first application, but not applicable to you in this case).
I received an email a few months ago about actually transferring an income to a Thai bank account. However, I forgot which immigration office this was about (Udon I thought but I could be wrong). Applicants for an extension were handed a note that they had to sign for acknowledgment. It came down to the fact that she had to enclose a bank receipt with a subsequent application for an extension. This proof must show that the income was actually transferred monthly.
Whether that was actually introduced I do not know because I have not heard anything more about it. There are no reports about this from other immigration offices either. If so, you can always report it, of course. Nothing surprises me anymore.
More information can be found at www.thailandblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/TB-2014-12-27-Dossier-Visa-Thailand-full-version.pdf
Success.
Regards,
RonnyLatPhrao
Disclaimer: The advice is based on existing regulations. The editors accept no responsibility if this is deviated from in practice.