Popular Post Issanjohn Posted November 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2018 13 hours ago, tropo said: Those 2 statements are contradictory. Staff at your Immigration office state they won't accept income affidavits after January 1, but proceed to tell you that it's an Embassy problem. What of all the other embassies that could still be doing income letters after January 1? What of the 6 months validity of income letters? If they (other embassies) aren't going to issue them, now would be a good time to let their citizens know. The Australian Embassy has already said it will issue income letters (income stat decs) until January 7. Yeah they’re still accepting the income affidavits for six months after completion I confirmed it with my immigration office at least a few days ago. From reading the OPs post it sounds like he spoke to a lot of immigration officers and probably had a miscommunication or something but they do need to put out official guidance for after the income affidavits do eventually go away. He was saying something about an IO’s personal opinion and other things and it was a bit confusing but I just kind of skimmed through it because I already know what my local immigration office is doing. I can do my extension up to 45 days early so I’ll probably just do it in late December instead of January just to be safe, but they assured me that they would accept them past January 1st and for up to six months after the date of completion. Apparently there’s still a lot of very nervous people out there that’s why I started collecting facts about it immediately when all the talk started instead of waiting till the last minute. It’s always best to plan ahead as much as possible. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimn Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 41 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said: Those of us with renewals coming up in Jan or Feb next year have every reason to get stressed as to whether or not our income letters will be accepted (even with back-up documentary evidence) by our particular Immigration office! In your case I agree. I was responding to the elderly gentleman who had just got his extension and is good for a year. Your situation is entirely different. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jesimps Posted November 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2018 14 hours ago, evadgib said: This is Thai Immigrations problem & is for them to sort out instead of blaiming the big bad wolf that could not comply with their outrageous demands. I personally think that the embassies should carry on issuing letters saying (as they have done on my twelve extensions) that they have viewed the evidence of income as sent to them by the applicant and that it amounts to x pounds, in the case of the Brit Emb. The embassy could insert a rider in a covering letter stating that the embassy is in no way responsible for Thai immigration rejecting the letter and that the cost of the letter will not be refunded. I think most immigration offices would be happy to carry on receiving letters in their present form, with the applicants taking along their income docs as proof if asked to show them. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimn Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 3 minutes ago, Issanjohn said: Yeah they’re still accepting the income affidavits for six months after completion I confirmed it with my immigration office at least a few days ago. From reading the OPs post it sounds like he spoke to a lot of immigration officers and probably had a miscommunication or something but they do need to put out official guidance for after the income affidavits do eventually go away. He was saying something about an IO’s personal opinion and other things and it was a bit confusing but I just kind of skimmed through it because I already know what my local immigration office is doing. I can do my extension up to 45 days early so I’ll probably just do it in late December instead of January just to be safe, but they assured me that they would accept them past January 1st and for up to six months after the date of completion. Apparently there’s still a lot of very nervous people out there that’s why I started collecting facts about it immediately when all the talk started instead of waiting till the last minute. It’s always best to plan ahead as much as possible. Absolutely no point as I have said many times speaking to individual officers. They can only give an opinion because they dont know. Its a waste of time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Issanjohn Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 7 minutes ago, Number 6 said: With the issue being that most embassies (soon to be all) are no longer producing such documents. Therefore, the standard cannot be met Therefore, put 800k bank (400k) and get on with it. I suspect those caught out, first year money seasoning will be lenient yet they still might require full amount. Can we all just put the small money in tbe bank and move on? Guidance: 1 Put 800k in the bank 2 Get a letter from the bank Well I’ll be doing my extension in late December to early January and I know that I’ll be allowed to use my income affidavit this one last time. I go by my monthly income which is allowed so starting next payday or in January I am going to open a Thai bank account and start transferring maybe half of my monthly pension payments into a Thai bank account every month from my bank in the states all year long every year from now on or at least the minimum monthly income requirement that way when I renew my extension again in January 2020 at least I have a plan. Because even the US Embassy told me that next time they’ll probably want to see my income going into a Thai bank account. So yeah that’s basically what I’m going to do for next time except I go by monthly income so I’ll just start doing monthly transfers into a Thai bank account. Also where did you say that guidance came from? That’s not what my immigration office is saying or what the embassy is saying. It doesn’t actually have to be a lump sum amount as long as you have monthly income at least the minimum monthly income requirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Issanjohn Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 6 minutes ago, jimn said: Absolutely no point as I have said many times speaking to individual officers. They can only give an opinion because they dont know. Its a waste of time. Yeah I know what do immigration office supervisors know lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jesimps Posted November 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2018 14 hours ago, steve187 said: change to married yearly extension, only 400,000baht required, you have a year to prepare I'm sure most people are prepared to change to the 400,000 or the 800,000 in the bank if it means they can stay in the country with their family. The point of this whole thing is that the income method is still legal providing you have an embassy letter. As you know, that's proving impossible now from at least four embassies. I think most people would prefer to carry on with the income method and are attempting to continue with this perfectly legal method of extending their visa. The posts suggesting that people change to the money on deposit method aren't helpful and are just stating the obvious. I guarantee there isn't one person on here who doesn't know about this so what's the point in mentioning it? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post racyrick Posted November 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2018 18 minutes ago, Number 6 said: With the issue being that most embassies (soon to be all) are no longer producing such documents. Therefore, the standard cannot be met Therefore, put 800k bank (400k) and get on with it. I suspect those caught out, first year money seasoning will be lenient yet they still might require full amount. Can we all just put the small money in tbe bank and move on? Guidance: 1 Put 800k in the bank 2 Get a letter from the bank I guess you didn't read my post earlier. Not small money to some of us. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dick dasterdly Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 (edited) 10 minutes ago, jesimps said: I personally think that the embassies should carry on issuing letters saying (as they have done on my twelve extensions) that they have viewed the evidence of income as sent to them by the applicant and that it amounts to x pounds, in the case of the Brit Emb. The embassy could insert a rider in a covering letter stating that the embassy is in no way responsible for Thai immigration rejecting the letter and that the cost of the letter will not be refunded. I think most immigration offices would be happy to carry on receiving letters in their present form, with the applicants taking along their income docs as proof if asked to show them. "in the case of the Brit Emb. The embassy could insert a rider in a covering letter stating that the embassy is in no way responsible for Thai immigration rejecting the letter and that the cost of the letter will not be refunded." Disagree entirely. If the BE's letter is not accepted by TI (even with back-up proof) despite the BE saying it will be accepted - then the BE obviously needs to refund the money paid for the letter. Edit - Living in the 'real world', I realise this will never happen! Edited November 18, 2018 by dick dasterdly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Issanjohn Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 8 minutes ago, jimn said: Absolutely no point as I have said many times speaking to individual officers. They can only give an opinion because they dont know. Its a waste of time. When you actually get information from the Officials in charge it’s no longer an opinion it’s fact. Because now the official word has finally been put out to the immigration offices. Although maybe some IO’s at other immigration offices maybe haven’t read the official government guidance yet so there’s still probably at least some miscommunications about it. And I’m sure there will be for a while during the transition period because this issue isn’t immigration’s only focus at work you know. I’m just glad that my local immigration office is on the ball. And they really are and it’s a small town so they’re not that busy like a lot of these bigger cities. There’s way too much mass hysteria out there about this issue and miscommunications. I can understand why some are worried if you fall outside of the six month grace period but I’m sure by then they’ll be even more official guidance than there is now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimn Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 1 minute ago, dick dasterdly said: "in the case of the Brit Emb. The embassy could insert a rider in a covering letter stating that the embassy is in no way responsible for Thai immigration rejecting the letter and that the cost of the letter will not be refunded." Disagree entirely. If the BE's letter is not accepted by TI (even with back-up proof) despite the BE saying it will be accepted - then the BE obviously needs to refund the money paid for the letter. I agree with that last statement entirely. I am waiting for my letter from the BE for use at the end of April if my letter is rejected I fully intend to seek a refund from the embassy for giving out false information. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Issanjohn Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 8 minutes ago, racyrick said: I guess you didn't read my post earlier. Not small money to some of us. It’s good that people are talking about this online but a lot of these posts don’t mean much. I’m just focusing on actual facts. And my immigration office told me exactly the same thing the US Embassy told me so that sounds pretty solid to me. Although I have no clue what other immigration offices are doing but it sounds a lot to me like miscommunications plus everyone’s situation is different. Anyway at least I know I’m covered and I hope it works out for everyone else who falls within Thai law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc925 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 14 hours ago, samsensam said: agree. 400k or (ample) proof of income.. but not both .. the latter will suffice (bank deposits, sosec statements, etc). I gather they are seeking to deal with freeloaders . Also the Embassy will still issue statements and Thai immigrstionaccept until end of the year.. just did mine in BKK and then migrated to Phuket. Agreed on marriage Visa .. much smarter... 1 year.. AND cheaper to get a work permit if you ever decided to work a bit for fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jimn Posted November 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2018 2 minutes ago, Issanjohn said: When you actually get information from the Officials in charge it’s no longer an opinion it’s fact. Because now the official word has finally been put out to the immigration offices. Although maybe some IO’s at other immigration offices maybe haven’t read the official government guidance yet so there’s still probably at least some miscommunications about it. And I’m sure there will be for a while during the transition period because this issue isn’t immigration’s only focus at work you know. I’m just glad that my local immigration office is on the ball. And they really are and it’s a small town so they’re not that busy like a lot of these bigger cities. There’s way too much mass hysteria out there about this issue and miscommunications. I can understand why some are worried if you fall outside of the six month grace period but I’m sure by then they’ll be even more official guidance than there is now. Where do you get that nonsence from that official word has gone out to offices? What do you base that statement on? There has been no official word from which they will base their 'opinion'. Please stop posting this false information as their are some people on here who will actually believe you. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesimps Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 (edited) 4 hours ago, Tanoshi said: Why do you consider Steve187's post misinformation? The OP is married to a Thai national, just renewed his retirement extension, using the income method. Next year provided he can stick 400K in a Thai bank for 2 months before his next extension renewal date, he can apply for an extension based on marriage. He at least has 10 months to sort out his financials. Where is the disinformation. I think what he meant was that we are talking about the perfectly legal within the immigration rules, monthly income method here and Steve187 was banging on about the money on deposit method. I'll stake everything I own that there isn't one member of TVF who doesn't know that as a married man he can season 400,000 for two months to qualify for an extension. I wouldn't have reported Steve for misinformation, but I would've done for trying to be a smart alec. Edited November 18, 2018 by jesimps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post connda Posted November 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2018 It is going to be lively in the Visa forums come January 2019. Rock <--> Hard Place; Catch-22, SNAFU, all come to mind. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billd766 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 56 minutes ago, ubonjoe said: Yes they can if married to a Thai and have 400k baht in the bank for 2 months. Just change from a retirement extension to one based upon marriage. That is my current plan at the moment but it all depends on what Immigration comes up with in the future. I am not due to renew my retirement extension until the end of August 2019 which gives me and Immigration about 9 months to come up with a plan and get the bugs worked out of it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thingamabob Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 Just go the 400/800k route. So simple. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Media1 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 15 hours ago, sotsira said: This seems to be a catch 22 scenario where by the Thai Immigration have initiated with the request to the relevant embassies to verify the source of income. Where up until know the protocol was that each embassy had their own methods to provide income letters. So in summary, Thai immigration haven't changed their policy regarding income letters, it's just that the additional proof of source requirement laid out to the embassies has caused the current problem by them rejecting to issue them. My immigration office is co operating with my certified documents next year. So it seems it actually is the Embassy in the end. But with some push from Thai officials. Due to scammers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Media1 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 15 hours ago, sotsira said: This seems to be a catch 22 scenario where by the Thai Immigration have initiated with the request to the relevant embassies to verify the source of income. Where up until know the protocol was that each embassy had their own methods to provide income letters. So in summary, Thai immigration haven't changed their policy regarding income letters, it's just that the additional proof of source requirement laid out to the embassies has caused the current problem by them rejecting to issue them. Correct they would need to really work checking which is terrible lol. Every person has different circumstances Some twits some smart. Embassy took high ground. But it's a case by case basis. For me anyway. Keep punching Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Changoverandout Posted November 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2018 3 minutes ago, Thingamabob said: Just go the 400/800k route. So simple. No it I NOT ‘simple’ for everyone! 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connda Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 27 minutes ago, Issanjohn said: When you actually get information from the Officials in charge it’s no longer an opinion it’s fact. Because now the official word has finally been put out to the immigration offices. Although maybe some IO’s at other immigration offices maybe haven’t read the official government guidance yet so there’s still probably at least some miscommunications about it. There has always been significant inconsistency between Immigration districts, individual Immigration offices within the same district, and oft times between individual immigration officers within the same Immigration office. Consistency has never been a hallmark of Thai Immigration. If you've been here a decade you have no doubt experienced it first hand - (if not, can I have your passport number as I'd like to buy some lottery tickets). So based on past experiences, I would not expect to see an 'official policy' on immigration letters uniformly applied across all offices. That's just an unfortunate fact of life of living here. You learn to roll with the punches. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Media1 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 5 hours ago, Moonlover said: Tgarrett, I understand your concerns, but please I urge you not get all stressed about this. Thai Immigration is just like any other bureaucracy, throughout the world (and I've dealt with a lot of them!) that operates a 'top down' information system. It should be no surprise to anyone that those officers working at the 'coal face' are not yet aware of the ramifications of the changes that are taking place right now. As of last night, there is one reasonably reliable report of a successful extension using income without having an income letter (in Mukdahan) and no reports of anyone being denied an extension. You're one of the lucky ones. You have whole year yet before your next extension is due. I am quite sure that by then everything will have been sorted out. Relax and enjoy your retirement. ML Yes l just did one and will again next year to 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Weird Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 1 hour ago, ubonjoe said: Yes they can if married to a Thai and have 400k baht in the bank for 2 months. Just change from a retirement extension to one based upon marriage. "Yes they can if married..." Yes, I know, thanks, Joe. I was being facetious in response to a poster who suggested that the easy way out was for those on retirement extensions to just change to a marriage extension, or words to that effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlover Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 3 hours ago, Spidey said: Maybe it's because I'm a cautious "glass half empty" person, but I'm already making plans to transfer the 800k baht to a Thai bank account next year. I'm sincerely hoping that you're right and I'm wrong and I don't need to transfer the money. However, having to leave Thailand would be devastating for me. Better safe than sorry. I don't have the option of 'money in the bank', (unless Madam M gets lucky on the lotto!). But I have made a careful study of the Savannakhet option. Just in case. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Media1 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 3 minutes ago, connda said: There has always been significant inconsistency between Immigration districts, individual Immigration offices within the same district, and oft times between individual immigration officers within the same Immigration office. Consistency has never been a hallmark of Thai Immigration. If you've been here a decade you have no doubt experienced it first hand - (if not, can I have your passport number as I'd like to buy some lottery tickets). So based on past experiences, I would not expect to see an 'official policy' on immigration letters uniformly applied across all offices. That's just an unfortunate fact of life of living here. You learn to roll with the punches. They all knos little and all operate as individual private offices. It's a hit and miss operation 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jesimps Posted November 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2018 1 hour ago, racyrick said: Some people are not able to put the 400,000 or 800,000 baht in the bank even with time. That is the point why the monthly income is so needed for many people. Remember, even if somebody has a monthly income that would equal the above, they are probably needing a lot of that for their living expenses, if not all of it. Have compassion and empathy for those that are not cheaters and not as fortunate as others to have money to put in the bank. Be grateful you are not in that position! Also I'm sure many people have savings locked up in investments, but use their income to legally obtain their visa. It's grossly unfair on them if they're producing the genuine documentation for their embassy letter and now through no fault of theirs they can't obtain said letter. Nor (at the moment) will Thai immigration accept any other form of proof. They possibly stand to lose a lot of money by cashing in said investments to provide the cash required for the lump sum in Thai bank method. Has there been anything further on what I read on here a few days ago that the Danish embassy has stopped letters forthewith leaving people unable to season the lump sum. These poor beggars'll have to start again from scratch I assume if that's the case. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon43 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 change to married yearly extension, only 400,000baht required, you have a year to prepare You mean I have to get married..... again!? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh2121 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 6 hours ago, jackdd said: This was written in another topic, so could very well be: I have this week spoken to the British Embassy in Bangkok. They assured me that according to Immigration head office in Bangkok, the income letters can be used next year provided they are dated before 1 January and they will be accepted for 6 months after their date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post connda Posted November 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2018 7 minutes ago, Thingamabob said: Just go the 400/800k route. So simple. For those with the cash on hand. Not everyone does. But there seems to be a subset of members who can't seem to help themselves by rubbing the obvious into the faces of those who don't have the funds readily available, and the worst of them end up spouting paternalistic drivel that those who can't come up with the money obviously 'can't afford to live here' and should 'go home.' If the can't afford to live in Thailand, then how are they going to live in places like London, LA, or New York? They can't live there either due to an obnoxious cost of living. Many pensioners are here to stretch their limited income and to live the best standard of living they can afford. And most have the funds need by Thai Immigration law, but simply have no way to 'prove' it. It's not that most of these people don't have the income - it's Thai Immigration that is not accepting the forms of proof that they can supply: pension receipts, social security receipts, income verification from corporations, filed tax forms. So it's a Catch-22 situation that is not the fault of those who use this method. If the expat community had been given a year to 18 months notice, this would have been less of a problem. For those of you looking down your noses at those who use the income verification method - try developing some humility and give these folk some respect. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes right now nor experiencing the anxiety over what the future may bring that many are experiencing. Don't add to their burden by being condescending. 13 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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