800,000 Baht 3 months before renewal "retirement visa"

[mtraveler 119]

As I understand, you need 800,000 baht in the bank for 3 months before your visa renewal date.  What happens if you put the money in late, and therefore didn't have the 800,000 for the full 3-month period?  What remedies are available, if any?  

[DrJack54 7,408]

It's 2 months prior.

[ubonjoe 48,619]

The 800k baht only needs to be in the bank for 2 months since March 1st of 2019 on the day you apply for a extension of stay based upon retirement (visas are not extended or renewed.

You do though have to keep the 800k baht in the bank for 3 months after the day you apply and then 400k baht after that.

[mtraveler 119]

6 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The 800k baht only needs to be in the bank for 2 months since March 1st of 2019 on the day you apply for a extension of stay based upon retirement (visas are not extended or renewed.

You do though have to keep the 800k baht in the bank for 3 months after the day you apply and then 400k baht after that.

So do I understand correctly that the rule was changed?  That it was originally 3 months, but as of March 1, 2019, it is now only 2 months?  I just want to be sure I understand.  I thought the first time you got the extension of stay based on retirement it was 2 months, and all subsequent times it's 3 months (and when you say "extension of stay", that represents every year you do it).  So I am incorrect, and it's 2 months ALL the time now?  Sorry to ask again, but I just want to be 100% sure I understand it correctly.  Thanks for the time explaining.  

[OJAS 3,093]

13 minutes ago, mtraveler said:

So do I understand correctly that the rule was changed?  That it was originally 3 months, but as of March 1, 2019, it is now only 2 months?  I just want to be sure I understand.  I thought the first time you got the extension of stay based on retirement it was 2 months, and all subsequent times it's 3 months (and when you say "extension of stay", that represents every year you do it).  So I am incorrect, and it's 2 months ALL the time now?  Sorry to ask again, but I just want to be 100% sure I understand it correctly.  Thanks for the time explaining.  

 

Yes, the rules for those using the bank balance method of proving finances for retirement extensions have, indeed, changed. Basically your  bank account is now under the Immigration spotlight year round and not just for the 3 months prior to applying for an extension - to the tune of 800k minimum for 2 months before + 3 months after the application date, and then 400k minimum for the remaining 7 months. 

Edited January 21 by OJAS

[allane 1,238]

In Surin, where I live, the "old" rules still apply: 3 months before the renewal date, with no requirement to keep the money in the bank after extension.

[ubonjoe 48,619]

18 minutes ago, mtraveler said:

So do I understand correctly that the rule was changed? 

It is 2 months for every extension application now.

From the order that changed the requirements.

[ubonjoe 48,619]

7 minutes ago, allane said:

In Surin, where I live, the "old" rules still apply: 3 months before the renewal date, with no requirement to keep the money in the bank after extension.

Are you sure about that. Maybe they still want it in the bank for 3 months but the other part I would say is enforced.

[allane 1,238]

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Are you sure about that. Maybe they still want it in the bank for 3 months but the other part I would say is enforced.

Yes, I'm sure I have renewed in March 2019 and March 2020. In March 2019, I went in at the 2 1/2 month point, as we are allowed to renew up to 30 days prior to the expiry date. The boss told me to come back two weeks later. I did, and everything was fine.  In March 2020 I had the money in the bank for three months before I went in,  In neither year was I asked to report back after my renewal date to present my bank book.

[ubonjoe 48,619]

6 minutes ago, allane said:

In neither year was I asked to report back after my renewal date to present my bank book.

That is not required in the rules.

Most offices only check that you were within the requirements when you apply for a new extension.

 

[mtraveler 119]

40 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It is 2 months for every extension application now.

From the order that changed the requirements.

Thank you so much for your help.  

[allane 1,238]

In 2020, I had complied, out of an abundance of caution, with the 3 month "post approval date" requirement for 2019.  I can't recall now if the officer examined my bankbook to check for that.

I am in a somewhat unique position.  My partner is employed in a professional career. For that reason, I have made a decision to comply with this rule in the event that we ever want to move to another province. I don't want to move to another province only to be told that I needed to comply with the "post renewal 3 month requirement" in Surin in the prior year.

For whatever it may be  worth, Surin gave me no notice (either verbal or written)of any "post renewal 3 month requirement" in 2019 or 2020.

[ubonjoe 48,619]

11 minutes ago, allane said:

For whatever it may be  worth, Surin gave me no notice (either verbal or written)of any "post renewal 3 month requirement" in 2019 or 2020.

Many offices failed to provide the info about the 3 months after and then 400k baht until you top your account to 800k baht for the next extension.

I highly suggest you follow the rules or you might be in for a unpleasant experience when you apply for your extension. There have been people denied extensions for not following them.

[Encore 40]

5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Many offices failed to provide the info about the 3 months after and then 400k baht until you top your account to 800k baht for the next extension.

I highly suggest you follow the rules or you might be in for a unpleasant experience when you apply for your extension. There have been people denied extensions for not following them.

I always maintained a separate bank account to keep 800k baht for my extension.  However, a few years ago, after staying in Thailand for 4 years, I was denied an extension for my O-A long stay retirement visa when my 800k baht bank balance dipped for a few days because I needed to pay a hospital bill for 50k baht.  The overseas transfer to top it up to 800k baht was delayed by a few days so my balance was below the 800k threshold for 3 days.  Despite having a hospitalisation certificate, immigration were adamant that I had to to leave Thailand and reapply for a further O-A visa.  I only managed to obtain an extension by using an agent to appeal to the Senior Immigration Officer, at a cost of 20k baht!   

[jacko45k 17,647]

21 hours ago, mtraveler said:

As I understand, you need 800,000 baht in the bank for 3 months before your visa renewal date.  What happens if you put the money in late, and therefore didn't have the 800,000 for the full 3-month period?  What remedies are available, if any?  

No problem as it is 2 months actually.