chang50

Hi guys

I'm currently putting together my application to renew a British passport and I have 2 small questions..firstly do I have to remove all the paperwork stapled in my passport by immigration before colour photocopying it and on the bank instruction do I need to check with a UK bank to see if my debit card is valid for an international transaction?I think in that case it would be a UK transaction but not sure.

Thanks in advance.

On 8/29/2020 at 6:49 AM, 2ndhomepattaya said:

There is a much simpler way not sure why you have not done this already. Just log-on to the Government Portal and under pensions you find all your detailed pension infos covering your whole working life in the UK. Employment and periods of no contributions made. If you have a NI number you will find all you need to know.

It may also be worth your while to top-up your pension contributions to the full 35 years

Will that list dates when you started and finished particular jobs and when you claimed benefits or just list when you made NI contributions.The latter doesn't help when it comes to trying to remember where and for how long you worked at a particular job maybe over 40 years ago which the form requires.

1 minute ago, 007 RED said:

I think that using either address will end up in the same place, namely VSF Help Desk, as the only difference being the capital letters for HMPO in the middle of the address.  I suspect that the address is not case sensitive.

 

FYI.... the address which I supplied in the earlier post was copied and pasted from the reply email which they sent to me.

Cheers for your help..

5 hours ago, 007 RED said:

No problem, the email address is:  [email protected]    As l mentioned, they responded much quicker than l was expecting.  Hope they are able to assist you.

Thanks very much pal.I've also found another link giving [email protected] which is a bit different maybe both will work?

7 hours ago, 007 RED said:

Once again, many thanks to those who have taken the time/trouble to respond to my questions.

 

As mentioned in my post (#13) above, I emailed VFS enquiry and asked if they would accept 4 pages of my passport colour printed onto one side of A4 paper.  I attached an example copy as shown above in post #10 in order to avoid any confusion.  I was surprised to get a very quick response stating "The colour copy like your picture attached is acceptable."

Could you please give a link to vfs enquiry or their email address?

1 minute ago, essox essox said:

why not use a utilty bill/receipt....no need to pay a bank....they have enough money as it is !!!!!

I intend to use my AIS bill which is in English it was just another possibilty for the OP.

I am also preparing to renew my UK passport although I'm not cutting it as fine as you..

1. I wouldn't do that personally but it could be ok not sure.I am also unsure whether to first remove everything stapled in my passport by immigration..

2. I believe Thai banks will for a small fee provide a statement with your name and address printed at the top.

22 hours ago, Tonyt00 said:

If its not too far, just go to immigration and do it, I didnt mine last week. Then you know for sure, dont have to worry. 

That's exactly my plan.The one thing I have is lots of time.

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

Yes

They are open now.

Thank you.

32 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

He can fly into the UK with any amount of time left on his passport.

The passport office is open now. Been open for several weeks now.

Just to clarify Joe do you mean the UK passport office in Bangkok at the Trendy building?

The reason I believe for the distinction is the requirement to have money in Thailand on a non-o retirement which can be utilised to pay hospital bills if necessary.If you really want to decimate the expat population just introduce mandatory health insurance and require money in the bank.

1 hour ago, Max69xl said:

You must have forgotten to mention one document/copies. Either you had a 12 months bank statement, copies of your bank book 1 year back or you have a Fixed Deposit Account. I did my extension yesterday at Jomtien Immigration and I copied my bank book pages 1 year back instead of paying 200 baht for a 12 months bank statement at Bangkok Bank. 

That's good to know if they are happy with that..

4 hours ago, Kerryd said:

As noted, I provided a letter from the bank as well as photocopies of my bankbook.

I noticed when he looked at the bankbook page, he highlighted the current balance as well as the balance from 3 lines up (which I think was the update I did just before I did my extension last year). Probably did that to highlight that I'd kept the "minimum balance" in the account all year I suppose.

Thank you..

No need for a one year bank statement showing you kept the minimum amounts in your account I presume from your list?

51 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

RE JOMTIEN.

I am attaching a copy of the form they gave me.

They said a little bit flexible on the 90 days (ie: few days/before after no problem).

When I asked about the consequences of not reporting, her answer was very civil.

" we check the docs reqd, take the paper I have attached and we record on the computor, so HO can see that the person has reported, and next time can be easy for you sir". (she really said sir, I liked that).

So with only a few copies to make and a few minutes at Counter 8 (no need to get a number) it is a no brainer. Do it and next year will be a 10 minute renewal breeze.

 

Glad I went now if it might make my next extension smoother..was very quick and painless and one thing less to fret about..

Literally nobody seems to know..I went to be on the safe side even though they never gave me a form to return or oral instructions.If you are a fretter go they will take your photocopies as they did with me if not wait till your extension next year and see.

3 hours ago, mikebell said:

I would never have associated my ping-pong partner with this pseudonym!  Rule Relaxation on a week by week basis.

OK and glad your visa is sorted!

Well I did the ultra cautious thing and went down to Soi 5 with my photocopies.This was 12.42 and they were closed for lunch.Went in at 1 and was directed to the extension desk no queue number.Handed over my copies never got a chance to explain I wasn't given an appointment form.Not even asked to sign anything.

'That's all' the lady says and off I go.

What would have happened if I'd left it until next year is anyone's guess..

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

Yet Jomtien asked for it! (Despite having it!)  I am a UK citizen so got one of the last letters they ever issued -there will be no more.

I did compile a list from this very forum & ticked everything on it.  I accept that 800K needs to be in my bank for 3 months & not the 50 weeks it had remained there.

My puzzlement stems from the fact that my Embassy letter covered me from May 12th 2019 up to May of this year.  I thought my 800 K would likewise cover me from May 2020.

I am sure you are correct Mike...when are we playing ping pong again?

17 hours ago, MeaMaximaCulpa said:

It may not be totally random. I was there early February and got nothing, neither oral nor printed. I have many (7-8) years of leaving the 800K in a FD account with BBL.

 

So it may have to do with your history as well. Or not...

16 hours ago, Oldie said:

I have the same book for years with around a million and apart from the 100 Baht deposits for the immigration and interest and tax postings no entries in this book. They can see that I did not touch the money for very many years. Perhaps they forget to give the paper with the date stamp to the people sometimes? Or they started it again after you have been there in February?

Thanks for the replies if only there was some way of finding out accurate information...without a possibly wasted journey.

20 minutes ago, Oldie said:

Two friends of mine have been there on a different date than me but in March too. They both got this paper with the date on it. 

I believe you... and all the people that weren't given one also.

Just now, Oldie said:

I got a piece of paper with the date on it when I have to show the book balance. I asked them if they are serious and they said yes. This was in Jomtien in March. 

It seems to be totally random whether you get one or not..

On Feb. 12th I was granted another one year retirement extension to my visa at Soi 5 Jomtien with no problems...However no form was given to me to come back in 90 days with an updated bankbook etc. but I figured to be on the safe side I would return with the required paperwork minus the form on May 12th anyway.My question is with the current situation with covid-19 and the amnesty on 90 day address reporting will Jomtien still expect me to do this?I suspect I am worrying too much but would appreciate any advice offered.Thanks.

So I did my annual retirement extension February..not given any form to return in 90 days.90 days up on May 11th.Do I go to Jomtien with updated bank book and passport or just let it go till 2021?

Just made 2 withdrawls in Pattaya kasikorn and krungthai totalling 30k no problems..