D3030

On 3/8/2019 at 9:04 PM, stud858 said:

I intend to keep reapplying for non oa visas every two years at my home country, oz. Is there anyone who has been forced on the extension method route?

I currently plan on doing the same as you.  I had every intention on going the 65k a mth route, and would have attempted to get a one year extension this month, but had a private matter come up back home. So I applied for another OA visa from the Royal Thai Consulate in Los Angeles.

I enjoyed my time back home, got a 3 week break from my family here, that I just plan on returning back to the States every 2 years.

9 hours ago, Pattaya46 said:

9 hours ago, JLCrab said:

A letter from the US Embassy will say that you are who you say you are and nothing else so that would mean US citizens are not eligible for extension based on monthly income. OK.

 

I'm not even sure anything from the U.S. Embassy is valid anymore...

If an income affidavit will not be accepted because it apparently cannot be trusted to be proof of actual income. Then why would any other document the Embassies issue that pertains to any type of affidavit be accepted?

Makes no sense!

Wouldn't it make more sense just to return to your home country and apply for a new OA visa, vice keeping 800K baht stuck in a Thai bank for any amount of time?

Sure, 1900 baht for a one year extension is better than purchasing a plane ticket and paying for the things required to get a visa, plus the cost of the visa itself, but it seems like a better option at the moment.

18 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

If you deposited that 400K in a 1 year fixed term account @ 1.5%, the interest would be 6,000BHT less 15% tax of 900BHT(reclaimable), total now 406,100BHT. Rollover, repeat, soon compounds and mounts up.

If it's going to sit in an account make it work for you.

That makes sense that a deposit goes up with interest.  But it sounded like the OP or this other post I read or misread implied the amount of 400K would drop based on exchange rates.

I've heard about similar types of this problem and it still makes no sense to me.

If you deposit 400K baht into your Thai bank account (after it's converted into 400K baht) from whatever country you come from.

Then you never withdraw any baht from that 400K, how/why would the change in exchange rates matter?  The amount wouldn't go down or up based on exchange rates once it's deposited into your bank account.

Or am I just totally not understanding this question/scenario?

23 hours ago, wgdanson said:

I got them to write it all down for me.

 Your remark "as long as it adds up to 800K"..

65K baht X 12 = 780K baht

Which brings me to this scenario:

If someone is going to try to deposit the bare minimum or deposit as close to 65K a month to satisfy the 65K a month deposited into a Thai bank method, "May" get a surprise when the IO tells you, you don't make enough for a one year extension.

Before this change, last year as I was applying for a one year extension, using an Income affidavit that reflected more than 65K a month income/pension. The IO grabbed a calculator and told me I don't make enough.

My first response was I make more than 65K, then she replied it needs to add up to 800K. Then showed me the amount on the calculator with a ridiculously low amount.

She times my income by 10 months not 12, then apologized and received the one year extension.

On 1/22/2019 at 3:53 PM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Don't think so... The above letter update still says must present bank statements from Thai bank(s) showing the transfers....  The above memo isn't changing the prior order, just clarifying about 1st year enforcement.

"Where this is the case, the Pol Lt. Gen Hakpal has instructed immigration officers that from 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2019 they have discretion to accept evidence of less than 12 monthly transfers from "overseas." <<<<<< So who knows.. Did Pol Lt. Gen Hakpal verbally inform IOs the transfers must come from overseas?

Then the word "descretion" - The IOs have the discretion to accept evidence of less than 12 monthly transfers.......  I hate the word "discretion".

So, anyone that has not opened a Thai bank account yet, they should and start those monthly deposits.. 

I was looking into back up plans for not getting that last chance income affidavit from the U.S. Embassy - And had no doubt in my mind I was screwed when it was time to get a one year extension.

So, this is what I can make if it.. They advertise a retirement visa, but it's basically a one year extension of stay?  

In fact, a visa agent actually said "It's almost like an OA visa" but it's a retirement extension.

He also said, he was using his money to cover the $$ requirement to get the extension.  I also read in this forum that it's not illegal or not in writing saying a business cannot cover the financial requirement to get this extension.

What I think "could" happen, is getting an extension from a visa service that is not located where you live.  At that time, a few weeks ago, all I could think of, was paying around 25K baht, get the extension, then when it was time to do the 90 day report, the IO in my area will tell me some crap this is no good, why, why, why.  She gave me a very hard time about getting a one year extension last year.

As luck or bad luck goes.... I'm going back to the States for family reasons, so I'm just applying for a new OA visa in the U.S.

38 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

Name one!

Into a Thai bank?  One would be retired U.S. military pay..  For some reason Thailand is not on the list for international direct deposit..

8 hours ago, SpokaneAl said:

 

I have obtained six non imm o-a multi entry visas over the past six years through the LA Thai Consulate via the mail. I follow their requirements as spelled out in their website and have never had a problem. They are good people.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

I only went through the Thai Consulate LA once, and I don't recall any extra or a more difficult process as the OP said.

Walked in one day, returned the following morning and received my passport with OA visa.  I think they can do it one day now if you hand carry, not sure how long it takes if you mail it.

I don't know.. ????  When my son was born in Thai hospital, I was 46, they out my age down as 47..

On 1/4/2019 at 9:44 PM, DrJack54 said:

OP I have read your post few times. Not sure your exact situation. You O-A has life span of about 2 yrs. Sounds like your moving to non o based on retirement. If that's the case, I would stick 800k in Thai bank and skip income or combo method. Just makes it very simple until the details of future proof of income is settled. Keep in mind as soon as you extend for 12 months you can live in Los using the 800k and then top up prior to next extension. Just a suggestion.

I'm on a one year extension off an OA visa.  I missed the opportunity of getting an income affividavit from the U.S. Embassy.

So, I actually opened a Thai bank account this month, and transferred the required 65K into it, then will do the same thing monthly from now on.

My one year extension expires in March, so instead of showing up at the immigration office with no income affidavit and with a Thai bank statement with only 2 deposits, and get denied a one year extension...

I decided to be on the safe side and see what a visa service can do, to guarantee either an extension or some type of visa.

So, when that one visa service said they can get me a one year extension, with just one deposit of 65K in a Thai Bank, "I thought" if they can get me a one year extension, I should be able to get my own.

I brought up the 800K question based off reading the issues or problems some people have talked about being required to have that amount tied up in a Thai bank. But, that seems like the best option if someone does not have a monthly income to cover the required amount.

Anyway, my 90 day report is in February, I will ask, the always friendly IO, what she will accept as proof of income.

** Note:  Although, from what I know, there is nothing in writing about depositing 65K or what ever amount, into a Thai bank, it's just a rumor.  Is like the rumor of no more income affidavits being issued or accepted.

I just read a few recent post of the 400K or 800K for one year extensions.  What it sounds like, with the Embassies no longer issuing income affidavits, and  those using income of at least 65K a month method, will eventually have to deposit those funds in a Thai bank as well. 

So, that pretty much removes the requirement of having 800K in a Thai bank, but of course you need to deposite at least 65K in a Thai bank every month.

I've been inquiring with visa companies on their current procedures for one year extensions for individuals that need a one year extension this month.  After explaining to them I missed getting an income affidavit and don't have a Thai bank account.  The only proof I have of making at least 65K a month, is with U.S. bank statements.

Some visa companies quoted one year extensions for around 25K to extend my OA visa, which apparently they have some way to cover proof of income using their money (what they said). Then one company literally said, deposit 65K in a Thai bank and they can get a one year extension for fee of around 8K.

So, all I can conclude is, once the rumor of depositing 65K in a Thai bank for one year extensions comes official, common sense dictates 65K will be mandatory, 800K optional.  "This is a person not married to a Thai scenario."

Of I could be totally wrong..  LOL.. ????

If you had the required amount in a Thai bank, what does the exchange rate have to do with it?

Assuming the 800K or the 400K is supposed to be in a Thai bank?

1 hour ago, Spidey said:

No you won't. However, you need to obtain your income affidavit before your embassy stops producing them - like now!

Maybe I won't, but I swear, some guy already made a post that he was told to open a Thai bank account - informed by an IO,

 (unknown Immigration Office) they will not accept an income affidavits and will only accept a Thai bank statement as proof of income.

Either way, I don't care.  Going to U.S. Embassy is an inconvenience, but enjoyable for the other stuff.. 

If I have to open a Thai bank account, which is a minor inconvenience, so be it.

I would prefer just to provide either my U.S. bank statements: letter to prove that I receive a pension; or tax form.

7 minutes ago, jimn said:

Wrong. Until Thai Immigration say otherwise. Embassy letters are valid for 6 months from the issue date.

I'm just repeating what others have stated, which is info they received from a Thai immigration officer.

The stuff being put out are just rumors, but it was just a few months ago that it was not true (rumor) that the U.S. Embassy would stop issuing income affidavits.

I just read the requirements for a one year extension and it has not changed, but does that mean in 3 months when I apply for another one year extension, I won't be told an income affidavit from the U.S. Embassy is no longer acceptable?

I plan on visiting the Immigration office where I live next week and will ask them what they will accept since there are conflicting posts not in just this forum, but others well.

Does it matter?

I  thought the immigration officer will no longer accept income affidavits from any  country starting 1 Jan 2019?

In fact I read some folks have already been informed by the IO in the area(s) they live in, that if they are using the 65000 BT a month "proof of income" method and were providing income affidavits from their embassy(s), that they needed to transfer those funds into a Thai bank every month and provide bank statements instead.

Also, some dude supposedly challenged the U.S. Embassy concerning them not doing the income affidavits anymore, and it sure sounded like they stopped that service because it would be a moot point, since they were apparently told by the Thai government that they would no longer accept them as proof of income - effective 1 Jan 2019.

I apologize in advanced to those tired of people with silly questions..

Might be the wrong forum to ask as well?

I've done some research on obtaining a Thai Drivers license, but since I live in KampangePhet, it seems to be an easier, but confusing process as well.

My son's mother applied for her drivers license last year, here at KamphangePhet and had asked what I needed to do to get one as well.

Well, same as a question I asked the local immigration about a different subject, the person working points out at the window and says I need to go to Bangkok.

The U.S. Embassy website, from how I read it, there is no need to get any form from them, based on where I live at.

So other than a O-A visa, a valid state drivers license and a medical exam, it seems everything else is done at the drivers license place? (I forgot the actual name of it).

Is there something I'm missing?

1 minute ago, glegolo said:

So how did you word it, I may ask??? If you left out the keywords like "retirement" or "marriage" maybe you were just too vague to be understood...

 

Sometimes you know it is not the receiver of the questions that have a hard time, sometimes it is also the man who phrase the question..

 

glegolo

I don't recall exactly how I worded, but the cop was looking at my passport at the time, so I just blurted out, something like "can I renew my visa here."

So, I agree that he miss understood my question, based on me not saying do I get an extension of stay here at the KamphangePhet office.

But, you would think that a cop in uniform, asking me numerous personal questions, looking at my passport and visa at the time I asked my question, would say, you just need an extension of stay, not renew your visa.

But, it's all good..

21 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That is where you will apply for your extension.

Info on its location is in this topic.

 

The photo does not look like the KamphangePhet Office I have been going during my last two 90 day reporting periods.

Unless there are two offices?

Thank you all for replying.  My last 90 day report, a cop in uniform at the immigration office was asking me a bunch of questions and the subject of what type of Visa I had.

Long story short, he must have miss understood my question or maybe I worded it wrong, but he told me I needed to go to Bangkok.

Sorry for this question, but need to be sure..

I live in KamphangePhet, do I submit my extension of stay paperwork at the KamphangPhet Immigration office?

Respectfully

D.

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

If you have a valid OA visa issued by a embassy or consulate and enter on or before the enter before date your visa you will get new one year entry.

All you need is your passport to use the visa for entry.

Thanks Joe, you explain things very clearly.. I need to exit the country via air, before my enter before date expires on my OA visa.  

You're the visa expert, but do you have any recommendations on a quick one day/night to go?  The immigration officer recommended Laos, but I'dlike to have a Pattaya night while I'm doing this solo.. :)

Will fly out of a Bangkok or Sukhotthai Airport if possible.

Thank you for all you do here..  

Man got visa from agents in Thailand, and after 2 weeks got arrested outside his condo, locked in police cell and then did 56 days in Bangkok Hilton, now on bail waiting court case.

Just out of the blue, he was arrested in front of his condo?

or

Was acting suspicious because he knew he had a fake stamp?

Or

The police were specifically looking for this guy with a fake visa?