Clarification Request – Retirement (& Dependent Spouse) Visa Extension Rule Changes in Chiang Mai

[tomdfc]

My wife and I (both Brits) are on our fifth annual extensions.  Our permitted to stay date is 23^rd December.  We have always extended our stay by using the “funds in a Thai bank option” and propose to do so again.  I understand the new Police Order has effect from 1^st March.  For sake of certainty, please confirm the following –

·         Under 2.22 (Retirement) the new need to maintain a balance in excess of 400k will not kick in until three months after the next annual extension application and approval – in other words, not from the effective date of the new Police Order, 1^st March, 2019.

·         Under 2.22 (Retirement) there is no explicit statement in the Police Order regarding the type of bank account where the funds should be deposited and maintained to the requisite levels - and so in our situation we can continue to use our Kasikorn Savings Account, which is in my sole name, where the balance of 800k or 400k will be sufficient to meet the new financial criteria for both our permit to stay applications

·         Under 2.20 (Dependent) there is no change to the current situation, and so the “dependent” spouse continues to piggy-back on the “retirement” spouse’s financial criteria, albeit on the basis of the new changes regarding the need to hold 800k until three months after the date of the extension approval and thereafter never to dip below 400k

Many thanks in anticipation.

[ubonjoe]

The new rules will affect you until you apply for your next extension.

No changes type of bank or account it can be in.

No changes at all to 2.20.

[elviajero]

1 hour ago, tomdfc said:

Under 2.22 (Retirement) the new need to maintain a balance in excess of 400k will not kick in until three months after the next annual extension application and approval – in other words, not from the effective date of the new Police Order, 1^st March, 2019.         

When you make your next application you will need to have 800K minimum in your account for at least 2 months before you apply and 3 months after. You will also have to keep a minimum balance of 400K thereafter.

 

1 hour ago, tomdfc said:

Under 2.22 (Retirement) there is no explicit statement in the Police Order regarding the type of bank account where the funds should be deposited and maintained to the requisite levels - and so in our situation we can continue to use our Kasikorn Savings Account, which is in my sole name, where the balance of 800k or 400k will be sufficient to meet the new financial criteria for both our permit to stay applications

Correct. You can keep using the KBank savings account.

 

1 hour ago, tomdfc said:

·         Under 2.20 (Dependent) there is no change to the current situation, and so the “dependent” spouse continues to piggy-back on the “retirement” spouse’s financial criteria, albeit on the basis of the new changes regarding the need to hold 800k until three months after the date of the extension approval and thereafter never to dip below 400k

Correct. Although the spouse is issued a 'piggyback' extension based on relationship, not dependancy.

 

Yes, you will need to maintain the minimum balances to be able to extend again the following year.