Jack Mountain Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Hi, I have a Non-O visa and the last 6 years I had an extension based on retirement using 800K on the Thai bank. Today I have to go for another extension and have an Affidavit from the Dutch embassy. I kept the 800K for 3 months and let it checked (Jomtiem) and after that minimal 400K till now. My question is do I have to go for a bankletter or is that not needed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malawi Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Not needed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Denis Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 Hmmm... I do hope that you don't run into troubles. You wrote that you kept 800K for the first 3 months after your previous 1-year extension of stay was approved, and that your then kept it over 400K for the rest of the year till now. But if you did not top up again to 800K in the last 2 months before applying for the continuation of your 1-year extension of stay, you do NOT meet the financial requirements for such an application when using the funds-in-bank method. Hopefully Jomtien IO will be lenient, because you can show an Embassy certified income-statement, proving that your foreign monthly income meets the IO requirements. Please do keep us posted on whether you experienced any difficulties with your application because of not keeping 800K in your personal thai bank account during the last 2 months before your application. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ubonjoe Posted July 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 30, 2020 22 minutes ago, Peter Denis said: But if you did not top up again to 800K in the last 2 months before applying for the continuation of your 1-year extension of stay, you do NOT meet the financial requirements for such an application when using the funds-in-bank method. The 800k baht for 2 months is not needed since he is applying for one using proof of 65k baht income. If he had not the kept the 800k baht in the bank for 3 months after he applied and then 400k he would have a problem. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGSan Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 I am not sure that I can follow Peter’s reasoning. Maybe he could explain further why the 800K ma y nevertheless be needed when using the Avidavit (or having the necessary monthly transfers) . As he says: we shall see. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Denis Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 35 minutes ago, PGSan said: I am not sure that I can follow Peter’s reasoning. Maybe he could explain further why the 800K ma y nevertheless be needed when using the Avidavit (or having the necessary monthly transfers) . As he says: we shall see. I surely do hope that his application is approved without any problems! But there are no clear rules about the 'change of method for proving you meet the financial requirements' hence my recommendation to opt for the most conservative approach (i.e. meeting the requirements of both methods, so that there can not be any problem). But would be good if Jack Mountain could post his experience, how Jomtien handled that switch of financial method when applying for his 1-year extension of stay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGSan Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Peter Denis said: I surely do hope that his application is approved without any problems! But there are no clear rules about the 'change of method for proving you meet the financial requirements' hence my recommendation to opt for the most conservative approach (i.e. meeting the requirements of both methods, so that there can not be any problem). But would be good if Jack Mountain could post his experience, how Jomtien handled that switch of financial method when applying for his 1-year extension of stay. Agreed that ‘belt and braces’ is a Good Idea! I am going to take this approach when changing method later this year, again at Jomtien. My major concern is whether my ‘monthly transfers’ will be done and documented in an approved way. Thus I want the fall-back available. Then, if I get the thumbs-down, I simply return the next week (fingers crossed) with the ‘money-in-the-bank’ letter that has worked for the last decade or so. Edited July 30, 2020 by PGSan Typos. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Denis Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 1 minute ago, PGSan said: ... My major concern is whether my ‘monthly transfers’ will be done and documented in an approved way. ... I did PM you a document about how to use TransferWise and ensure that you can provide the required evidence that the transfers you made originated from abroad. Even if you don't use TransferWise but do a direct Bank transfer that document will be useful because any foreign transfer is always routed through Bank HQs and will therefore be coded as a 'domestic' transfer when it arrives on your personal thai bank-account. And the document explains how to get the required evidence that the transfer originated from abroad. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ubonjoe Posted July 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 30, 2020 1 minute ago, Peter Denis said: Even if you don't use TransferWise but do a direct Bank transfer that document will be useful because any foreign transfer is always routed through Bank HQs and will therefore be coded as a 'domestic' transfer when it arrives on your personal thai bank-account. Not if using Bangkok Bank. The are coded FTT. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Denis Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 (edited) 4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said: Not if using Bangkok Bank. The are coded FTT. That's correct, but ONLY when banking with Bangkok Bank. Bangkok Bank HQ, where the foreign transfer arrives is the only thai bank that transmits the code of foreign origin (FTT) to their local branches so that it shows up on your local Bangkok bank branche bank-book. Edited July 30, 2020 by Peter Denis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 17 minutes ago, Peter Denis said: Bangkok Bank HQ, where the foreign transfer arrives is the only thai bank that transmits the code of foreign origin (FTT) to their local branches so that it shows up on your local Bangkok bank branche bank-book. It is not even shown as a inter bank transfer at Bangkok Bank. It is shown as being credited to the account at the head office, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max69xl Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 4 hours ago, PGSan said: I am not sure that I can follow Peter’s reasoning. Maybe he could explain further why the 800K ma y nevertheless be needed when using the Avidavit (or having the necessary monthly transfers) . As he says: we shall see. Peter Denis is not correct. If the 800k was in the bank for 90 days after the application and never below 400k until next application when applying for an extension using the >65k/month method, then everything is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max69xl Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 2 hours ago, ubonjoe said: Not if using Bangkok Bank. The are coded FTT. They are only coded FTT when using TW and the receiving account is properly tagged by TW and choosing the correct reason for transfer: "Funds for long term stay in Thailand". Choose wrong reason and the transfer will show up as an Interbank Transfer. Believe me, I have been using TW since 2017. Many people have used wrong reason,because the correct one is the last one in the list and easy to miss on a phone if not scrolling all the way down. The reason "Funds for................" was created just for the purpose of the transfer to show up as International = FTT in the bank book. When sending money using the old school method swift, it always shows up as an international transfer when using Bangkok Bank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunG Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 2 hours ago, Peter Denis said: That's correct, but ONLY when banking with Bangkok Bank. Bangkok Bank HQ, where the foreign transfer arrives is the only thai bank that transmits the code of foreign origin (FTT) to their local branches so that it shows up on your local Bangkok bank branche bank-book. Kasikornbank codes foreign transfers as TFN in my local bank book, and internal transfers as KCB. Immigration at the three offices I have used for extensions over the years accept that TFN is a foreign transfer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damual Travesty Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 I am not certain of what embassies if any still are allowed to give a letter. The American Embassy letter was no longer accepted because the US Embassy refused to actually verify anyone's income. Is the Dutch Embassy verifying yours or just giving you a statement that they verify you wrote a statement of such in front of them? Having said all that, if I were you, because it's very easy to get, I would go to the bank and get your cover statement that shows deposits, and bank statement. Better safe then to be told you need one after you get there. Just my two cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Denis Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 10 hours ago, Max69xl said: Peter Denis is not correct. If the 800k was in the bank for 90 days after the application and never below 400k until next application when applying for an extension using the >65k/month method, then everything is fine. I wrote (see post #6) that there are no clear rules about the 'change of method for proving you meet the financial requirements' hence my recommendation to opt for the most conservative approach (i.e. meeting the requirements of both methods, so that there can not be any problem). And I do hope that UJ and yourself are right, and that OP does not experience any difficulty when applying for his 1-year extension of stay with a switched method to prove his financials. OP @Jack Mountain > Please do keep us posted on your experience yesterday or @Max69xl can you confirm that people did exactly that without any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mountain Posted July 31, 2020 Author Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) 15 hours ago, Peter Denis said: Hmmm... I do hope that you don't run into troubles. You wrote that you kept 800K for the first 3 months after your previous 1-year extension of stay was approved, and that your then kept it over 400K for the rest of the year till now. But if you did not top up again to 800K in the last 2 months before applying for the continuation of your 1-year extension of stay, you do NOT meet the financial requirements for such an application when using the funds-in-bank method. Hopefully Jomtien IO will be lenient, because you can show an Embassy certified income-statement, proving that your foreign monthly income meets the IO requirements. Please do keep us posted on whether you experienced any difficulties with your application because of not keeping 800K in your personal thai bank account during the last 2 months before your application. I also wrote that I was planning to do it this time with an embassy letter, a so called Affidivat (proof of income). And for that there is no need for topping up. Btw. Actually I topped it to 800K 2 months ago, just in case. ???? Been there (Jomtiem Imm) 30/7 => Everything ok. Edited July 31, 2020 by Jack Mountain 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiWai Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) I was worried about my international transfers being coded correctly (a few were not) so deposited 800k as a backup and seasoned it. I went for my extension in May and, as expected, the I/O really wanted me to go with the 800k but I resisted and proved all the 65k transfers were international. She seemed to relent and when I picked up the passport a week later they sent me to a second I/O. I asked her was the 800k or 65k option used for my extension. She said 800k. I asked why and she sent me back to the original I/O. I said I thought we agreed to use the 65k method. She took my passport and talked to a third officer then made a few entries in her computer and said "65 ok". Now, because I have zero faith in them, I have kept the 800k in the bank for almost 3 months just in case they raise the issue at my 90 day as I have nothing in writing saying the 65k method was used. I have also made monthly transfers of 65k since May. QUESTION: If they don't mention the deposit can I withdraw all 800k and just continue with the 65k deposits and go that route next May? I already lost a literal fortune in stocks from keeping the 800k here this long and want it back earning for me. Edited August 1, 2020 by ThaiWai 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Denis Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 22 minutes ago, ThaiWai said: I was worried about my international transfers being coded correctly (a few were not) so deposited 800k as a backup and seasoned it. I went for my extension in May and, as expected, the I/O really wanted me to go with the 800k but I resisted and proved all the 65k transfers were international. She seemed to relent and when I picked up the passport a week later they sent me to a second I/O. I asked her was the 800k or 65k option used for my extension. She said 800k. I asked why and she sent me back to the original I/O. I said I thought we agreed to use the 65k method. She took my passport and talked to a third officer then made a few entries in her computer and said "65 ok". Now, because I have zero faith in them, I have kept the 800k in the bank for almost 3 months just in case they raise the issue at my 90 day as I have nothing in writing saying the 65k method was used. I have also made monthly transfers of 65k since May. QUESTION: If they don't mention the deposit can I withdraw all 800k and just continue with the 65k deposits and go that route next May? I already lost a literal fortune in stocks from keeping the 800k here this long and want it back earning for me. When IO did not provide you with a 'Bank-book balance check' form with the appointment date, it is reasonable to presume that they indeed used the 65K income-transfer method for your 1-year extension of stay application. And in that case there is no need to keep the 800K on your personal thai bank-account. Also when using the on-line 90-day reporting website, there would also be no reason to visit your IO after 3 months. Please note that when using the +65K income-transfer method you would need to continue doing those +65K transfers each and every month during the 1-year permission to stay period granted. >> I did PM you a document on how to ensure you get hold of the necessary evidence that the +65K transfers originated from abroad. The document specifically addresses how to do this when using TransferWise, but the info is applicable for any money-transfer of which you need to prove the foreign origins. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanoshi Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 (edited) 14 hours ago, ThaiWai said: QUESTION: If they don't mention the deposit can I withdraw all 800k and just continue with the 65k deposits and go that route next May? Yes. Edited August 2, 2020 by Tanoshi 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanoshi Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 14 hours ago, ThaiWai said: I already lost a literal fortune in stocks from keeping the 800k here this long and want it back earning for me. I don't know what kind of stocks you invest in or the returns, but I would advise you do the maths. You can deposit the 800K in a Fixed Term account giving 1.5% interest. You will also save the costs of 12 x transfers and fluctuating exchange rates. Consider the interest and Savings by using the 800K method against possible gains (or losses) by investing the same amount in stocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 On 7/30/2020 at 9:43 PM, Damual Travesty said: I am not certain of what embassies if any still are allowed to give a letter. All embassies that previously provided such letters will still do so, except the US, UK and Australia. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 43 minutes ago, BritTim said: All embassies that previously provided such letters will still do so, except the US, UK and Australia. Australia is already said the will do them The US and the UK will do them when told they are needed by immigration. Same as before when thet first said no back in March. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 23 minutes ago, ubonjoe said: Australia is already said the will do them The US and the UK will do them when told they are needed by immigration. Same as before when thet first said no back in March. I was responding to a post about income letters for a retirement extension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 18 minutes ago, BritTim said: I was responding to a post about income letters for a retirement extension. Confusion from there being so many posts about the extension stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 16 minutes ago, ubonjoe said: Confusion from there being so many posts about the extension stuff. Indeed! As if there was not already enough confusion around visas, extensions, expiry dates etc., without now having to be careful about which embassy letter someone wants. ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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