Extension of stay option query

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Brian Davis
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Extension of stay option query

Post by Brian Davis » January 16, 2025, 2:19 pm

Perhaps it’s me, again, looking at information from the wrong direction, but I’d welcome clarification.
The below is extracted from the Thai Immigration HQ website. Not that I need to use option 5 at present( although think I used it in my early days here, when Immigration was at the airport), but I’ve always viewed it as a sort of combination of options 3 and 4. My questions are:-
Does option 5 mean the applicant must have an 800,000 baht bank BALANCE at the time of application?
Should option 5 really read ‘EVIDENCE OF” annual income ……….?
An example might be of an applicant who always maintains a 500,000 baht bank balance. He would then have to prove he had an additional 300,000 baht annual income.
That leads to another question. Could the annual income be a ‘one-off’ credit to the bank OR like the criteria for option 3, would Immigration insist upon monthly credits? And don’t dare be a day late with a credit transfer, if it was a bank holiday!!!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
In the case of living in the later years
Criteria for consideration
1. Aliens must obtain a temporary resident visa.
2. Be 50 years of age or older
3. There is evidence of income of not less than 65,000 baht per month or
4. Before submitting the application for at least 2 months and after receiving permission for at least 3 months, there must be a deposit of
not less than 800,000 baht in a commercial bank account located in Thailand. After receiving permission for 3 months, the deposit may be withdrawn
, with a remaining balance in the account of not less than 400,000 baht or
5. Have annual income and deposits in commercial banks located in Thailand totaling no less than 800,000 baht
as of the application submission date. The bank deposits must remain in the account before the application submission and after permission is granted, and the deposits can be withdrawn in the same way as in Section (4).



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Brian Davis
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Extension of stay option query

Post by Brian Davis » January 16, 2025, 2:19 pm

Perhaps it’s me, again, looking at information from the wrong direction, but I’d welcome clarification.
The below is extracted from the Thai Immigration HQ website. Not that I need to use option 5 at present( although think I used it in my early days here, when Immigration was at the airport), but I’ve always viewed it as a sort of combination of options 3 and 4. My questions are:-
Does option 5 mean the applicant must have an 800,000 baht bank BALANCE at the time of application?
Should option 5 really read ‘EVIDENCE OF” annual income ……….?
An example might be of an applicant who always maintains a 500,000 baht bank balance. He would then have to prove he had an additional 300,000 baht annual income.
That leads to another question. Could the annual income be a ‘one-off’ credit to the bank OR like the criteria for option 3, would Immigration insist upon monthly credits? And don’t dare be a day late with a credit transfer, if it was a bank holiday!!!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
In the case of living in the later years
Criteria for consideration
1. Aliens must obtain a temporary resident visa.
2. Be 50 years of age or older
3. There is evidence of income of not less than 65,000 baht per month or
4. Before submitting the application for at least 2 months and after receiving permission for at least 3 months, there must be a deposit of
not less than 800,000 baht in a commercial bank account located in Thailand. After receiving permission for 3 months, the deposit may be withdrawn
, with a remaining balance in the account of not less than 400,000 baht or
5. Have annual income and deposits in commercial banks located in Thailand totaling no less than 800,000 baht
as of the application submission date. The bank deposits must remain in the account before the application submission and after permission is granted, and the deposits can be withdrawn in the same way as in Section (4).

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sometimewoodworker
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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by sometimewoodworker » January 20, 2025, 1:48 pm

Your question is slightly confusing.
Assuming that you want an extension of stay for retirement there are 3 options

1) income; 12 monthly payments from overseas of 65k or more the dates of deposit are flexible but MUST be each month.
This is only for citizens of the U.K. USA and Australia. For all other nationalities you need a document from your embassy proving the income you get

2 banked funds; for 2 months before and 3 months after application you must maintain NO LESS than 800k for the remaining 7 months your balance must not drop lower than 400k. You may use more than 1 account but that means you need statements and letters from each bank

3) combination of 1&2; rather more complex as immigration may not allow this one and the minimum balance is rather less easily defined. Immigration has discretionary power and anything less than 200k balance is unlikely to be acceptable but there are few reports of exactly how much is required. I would suggest that if you want to try this you ask immigration directly in person.

No you cannot make a one time payment of an amount of 780,000 (12 x 65,000) or more to satisfy the income requirement.

Using your example of a balance of 500,000 you would need to show monthly transfers of a minimum of 25,000, immigration can advise.

The reason for the uncertainty is that virtually all reports and clarification of the deposit + income come from the days before the 800k -> 400k ->800k requirement came in. That is prior to 1/1/2019 when police order 138 - 2557 was amended

I do not recall if Udon accepts option 3. I do know that some offices do not allow it.
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Brian Davis
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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by Brian Davis » January 20, 2025, 5:33 pm

Thanks for the reply.
I do use retirement, option 1, now, essentially because I got tired of all the annual repetitive paperwork/rigmarole required for the extension based on marriage. I've probably saved a tree.
I am due to apply again fairly soon and have carefully checked that at least 65,000 baht has been credited to my bank within each calendar month for the last year. I don't want another fight with Immigration, if a UK credit to the Thai bank is delayed by just a day or two, because the bank is closed for a holiday.
I had forgotten option 3, because I might have tested Immigration with that last year, as an alternative to option 1. As per the example, I do maintain a bank balance of at least 500,000 baht and even if one of my three pension transfers was late, the total amount of the other 2 will always exceed 25,000 baht.
I have to smile to think that Udon may not allow option 3. When it's shown on the HQ website and on the leaflets available at Udon (still?), how can the 'discretion' at a local Immigration Office mean no? Crazy.
Bit like going to a Post Office and finding it doesn't dispatch letters!

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Stantheman
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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by Stantheman » January 20, 2025, 9:21 pm

Just a quick question, what would be required by a bank to set up an account in Thailand to take advantage of option one?

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Brian Davis
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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by Brian Davis » January 21, 2025, 5:51 am

Stan I'm not sure if your question relates to just what's necessary to open a Thai bank account. I'm sure there's lots of info elsewhere on the forum on paperwork required and which banks are best/easiest. I do know of a fairly recent arrival here who was 'going round in circles' trying to open an account with my own SCB bank. Finally got sorted when his partner knew a bank employee friend, different bank. A thank you payment involved.
If you're asking about transferring money here. Personally, I had no problem asking my UK pension providers to send money payments to my Thai bank account. It seemed just a case of providing my Thai bank's account details including the swift code.

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sometimewoodworker
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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by sometimewoodworker » January 21, 2025, 7:32 am

Brian Davis wrote:
January 20, 2025, 5:33 pm
I have to smile to think that Udon may not allow option 3. When it's shown on the HQ website and on the leaflets available at Udon (still?), how can the 'discretion' at a local Immigration Office mean no? Crazy.
Bit like going to a Post Office and finding it doesn't dispatch letters!
Well TIT and what is on the websites may not happen.

Though if you look carefully I did not say that Udon Immigration was one of the offices that do not allow the mixed deposit and monthly transfers. I very carefully said that there are some offices that that may not allow it and I have not heard reports one way or the other recently from udon. An immigration official can ask for documents not listed, they have the ability to make the documents required virtually impossible to get and so while they do not directly refuse mixed money it becomes virtually impossible to get

Udon Immigration Generally follows the rules and is quite easy.

With the bank deposits you also need to ensure they are all marked as foreign transactions.
Stantheman wrote:
January 20, 2025, 9:21 pm
Just a quick question, what would be required by a bank to set up an account in Thailand to take advantage of option one?
Any bank branch can refuse to open an account.
So going into many different branches/banks or the same branch on different days and you will be able to open one.
In general you will do best with a work permit but a non immigrant visa or extension is usually accepted. Visa exempt is now not usually accepted. If you have a friend who has a substantial account with your choice of bank and branch it’s easy also a Thai friend accompanying you helps.
There are too many other things that can help to list them all but you may be asked to buy a bank product like insurance, that will also help.
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Brian Davis
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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by Brian Davis » January 21, 2025, 10:40 am

I think I looked carefully enough STWW, because I also said MAY not allow option 3. :lol: Perhaps, if my forthcoming visit goes smoothly using option 1, I'll pose the option 3 enquiry on my way out - just for information, of course. Oh yes, TIT - perhaps an abbreviation for 'tits up' (English meaning)?

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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by sometimewoodworker » January 21, 2025, 10:14 pm

Brian Davis wrote:
January 21, 2025, 10:40 am
Oh yes, TIT - perhaps an abbreviation for 'tits up' (English meaning)?
Would it be an abbreviation? If so then a rather redundant one? ;) ;)

But of course TIT YMMV DAMHIKT.
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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by Brian Davis » January 22, 2025, 4:45 am

Ok, acronym rather than abbreviation, it appears.

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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by Brian Davis » February 3, 2025, 2:08 pm

Surprisingly quite a pleasant experience at Immigration today, in spite of a full house, long queue and rather warm. Was it just me, securing happily what I needed without a fuss or nit-picking, or the flashing warning lights on the computer when the officer inserted my name? Blimey, even the usual auto demand for 2,000 baht didn’t happen. A new broom?
A ‘heads up’ to anyone using the yellow book as a proof of residence. Although a retirement extension, not marriage, the officer wanted the blue house book(which I had) and my wife’s ID card(which I didn’t). It seems I was let off the latter. Her explanation was that the three ‘go together’.
As previously referred to, I asked the Information/90 day officer about the option of combining deposit and income when applying for an extension based on retirement. She suggested it was possible, but had heard of a recent rule change and that I should check with an officer actually dealing with the extension applications – which I did. If I grasped it correctly, this officer said one had to show proof of income certified by the Embassy, which she added in my case, the UK Embassy doesn’t do any longer! (Looking it up, that process stopped some 6 years ago). So, I guess that’s a no.
I am not averse to a ‘thank you’ for good work, but sure Immigration Officers and the like should not take, expect money or, indeed, add it automatically. Here, I actually thought a bowl of fruit, a tin of biscuits or two might be appropriate for the office, but then I remembered the “No Gift Policy” notice, a copy of which is now pasted at the Information Desk. It would be preferable if one of the Immigration Service’s own rules can’t be broken or bent.

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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by AlexO » February 3, 2025, 2:28 pm

Yellow book is just confirmation that when it was issued, thats where you stayed.
Its not proof of where you stay when you apply for an extension.
Wifes /landladies signature or up to date marriage certificate (depending on what extension)is the only acceptable paper. Thats if your not paying for the IMO to turn a blind eye.

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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by sometimewoodworker » February 3, 2025, 4:18 pm

Brian Davis wrote:
February 3, 2025, 2:08 pm
Surprisingly quite a pleasant experience at Immigration today, in spite of a full house, long queue and rather warm. Was it just me, securing happily what I needed without a fuss or nit-picking, or the flashing warning lights on the computer when the officer inserted my name? Blimey, even the usual auto demand for 2,000 baht didn’t happen. A new broom?
A ‘heads up’ to anyone using the yellow book as a proof of residence. Although a retirement extension, not marriage, the officer wanted the blue house book(which I had) and my wife’s ID card(which I didn’t). It seems I was let off the latter. Her explanation was that the three ‘go together’.
As previously referred to, I asked the Information/90 day officer about the option of combining deposit and income when applying for an extension based on retirement. She suggested it was possible, but had heard of a recent rule change and that I should check with an officer actually dealing with the extension applications – which I did. If I grasped it correctly, this officer said one had to show proof of income certified by the Embassy, which she added in my case, the UK Embassy doesn’t do any longer! (Looking it up, that process stopped some 6 years ago). So, I guess that’s a no.
I am not averse to a ‘thank you’ for good work, but sure Immigration Officers and the like should not take, expect money or, indeed, add it automatically. Here, I actually thought a bowl of fruit, a tin of biscuits or two might be appropriate for the office, but then I remembered the “No Gift Policy” notice, a copy of which is now pasted at the Information Desk. It would be preferable if one of the Immigration Service’s own rules can’t be broken or bent.
The officer was going on old information that was modified in 2018/2019
IMG_2120.jpeg
If you want to use the combination (for retirement only) you should probably bring copies of the relevant Thai text orders that the translations are based on.

For myself I hold a term deposit and don’t use the retirement extension so have no incentive to discuss the situation with the immigration officials. I do however have all the documents in Thai and English for anyone who wants to take the time to go through them to highlight the actual orders.

Of course it is also quite possible that udon immigration has decided that they are not going to allow a mixed fund application and the officer who you spoke to was telling you no in the easiest way for them.

I doubt that the no gifts bans SWMBO’s annual presentation of mangos from our garden
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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by Brian Davis » February 3, 2025, 7:36 pm

Thanks for that, STWW.
Just to repeat that the front desk 'Information Officer' referred straight away to a very recent change and I presumed the semi-senior processing officer was giving me the latest. Any evidence of this in RECENT orders? If I understand you correctly, difficult to believe that even Immigration could be quoting information more than six years old and updated at the end of 2018 anyway.
I don't actually have a need to use this option, unless Immigration start being unreasonable over the possible slightly late arrival of any of my pensions outside a calendar month. I could revert to an extension based on marriage, but wanted to avoid all the paper, photos, visit to Amphoe, dragging a witness along etc. I think everyone recognizes retirement is easier.
I'm certain the mangos will be accepted( are there any Thai who actually turn down food? :lol: ) and guess that you never have any Immigration 'problems'. ;)

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Re: Extension of stay option query

Post by sometimewoodworker » February 3, 2025, 9:08 pm

I have heard of no recent changes, though of course there could be something.

I haven’t experienced any problems with immigration but attributed that to careful preparation rather than mango induced pleasantness. You never know.
Jerome and Nui's new househttp://bit.ly/NJnewHouse
In my posts all fees and requirements are the standard R&R but TIT and a brown envelope can make incredible changes YMMV.

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