THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2019
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Since 2011 / Volume IX / No. 7
INFANT GIRL STRUCK DEAD BY TOUR BUS > PAGE 4
HOLDING THE BALANCE PHUKET IMMIGRATION CLARIFIES NEW RULES ON RETIREMENT VISAS TO START MARCH 1
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NEWS
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Gov assures we have ‘absolutely enough’ water
LIFE
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Photography that’s out of this world
A foreigner hands in his application at Phuket Immigration. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot
Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th
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huket Immigration this week clarified the new rules regarding applications for retirement visas, confirming only one major change: that for those applying using funds in a Thai bank account to support their application, a minimum of B400,000 must be kept in the account throughout the year. The rest of the “new” provisions have already long been in use, explained Phuket Immigration Deputy Chief Lt Col Archeep Jaroensuntisuk. “Phuket Immigration has received the order to introduce the new rules.
The order was issued on Jan 18, and the new rules will come into force on March 1,” he said. Under the new provisions, applicants for an extension to stay in the country temporarily on a NonImmigration O-A visa – technically just another “permit-to-stay”, but specifically for retirees – must be at least 50 years old, Col Acheep noted. “They must have entered the country on a valid Non-Immigrant visa and are currently allowed to stay in Thailand on a valid permit to stay,” he said. Of primary concern is the confusion over the financial requirements, which Col Acheep stressed that
applicants have to satisfy only one category. Overall, the three main financial categories that applicants can apply under, mandate that the applicant must prove that all monies in hand – either received as income throughout the year or already in the bank, or a combination of both – total at least B800,000. “Under the income requirement, applicants must receive at least B65,000 per month,” Col Acheep explained. As many embassies no longer issue affidavits confirming income, this is no longer required, he said, noting that letters from governments
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and pension fund providers will be accepted along with other forms of evidence to prove the income pending. “Of course any financial statements from banks and copies of bankbook records proving this income already being received should be provided,” he said. Alternatively, applicants can show that they have B800,000 in a Thai bank account. “ Under t he new r u les, t he B800,000 must be in the account at least two months before applying for the visa (permit to stay) and must remain in the account for at least three months after the visa has been issued,” Col Acheep said…
SPORT
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Phuket’s ‘Honey Badger’ takes the world stage