hargri

2 hours ago, jesimps said:

My December TW transfer was sent via TMB, the last four have been sent direct to BBL so maybe TW have sorted it out. It pays to keep a close eye on statements.

I read in December that TransferWise credits would show as foreign transactions if sent to a Bangkok Bank account so I switched transfers to that bank from SCB. Subsequently 2 out of 6 showed as SWIFT, the other 4 were fine. The last one was done the morning after I sent the attached email and that showed as foreign.

 

It would appear from this lady's mail that the important factor is the account they send it from rather than the bank they send it to. I didn't ask whether it would show as foreign if sent to any Thai bank. I can only suggest that people contact the company to ensure transfers arrive as required by Thai immigration. 

21 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

If he does not ban 90 day reporting I hope he can get the website report online to work, just tried again and goes no further than the first page, then tells me to contact the local office. I probably should be using explorer with win98

My experience of online 90 day reports was somewhat hit and miss until I found out that there is an internet explorer extension for Google Chrome, my preferred browser. I have successfully completed 3 online reports since starting using it. All you have to do is open the immigration site in Chrome then click on the extension icon. Make sure you process it during the prescribed window which I believe is from 15 days to 7 days before it's due. You may not of course use Chrome but anyone that does may find it helps. Other browsers may have a similar facility.

33 minutes ago, chilly07 said:

Just to let everyone know Transferwise will route all transfers through Bangkok Bank showing up as an International Transfer in your BB bank book and will print you out a Credit Advice at your own branch showing the routing. You just have to ask them.

I sincerely hope this is working for everyone else, it isn't for me. All four transfers shown were sent via TransferWise with the exact same procedure. Two international and two via SMART. This is the online statement but my passbook shows the same of course. Haven't spoken to the bank to see if they can confirm they are all international. Will be going soon as it's due middle next month.

On 3/12/2019 at 4:01 PM, ubonjoe said:

Are your transfers shown as coming from abroad?

You can use a proof for you annual pension to prove the source of you income.

Do you have an affidavit from the the Dutch embassy to prove your income?

Hi Joe 

I changed my pension transfer destination from SCB to Bangkok bank on hearing that they would be listed as foreign transactions (FTT). I have made four transfers to Bangkok bank since December. Unfortunately only two show as foreign transfers. The others show as 'Interbank transfer via SMART'. I don't have an affidavit from the embassy. Are you saying that showing immigration my UK pension documents will suffice to prove the source of funds?

18 hours ago, SiamAndy said:

I recently opened an account with BK Bank and also used Transferwise. I just updated my Bankbook and indeed the Transferwise transaction shows as FTT.

Thanks for that, Andy. I'll probably switch banks for the transfer to make life easier. 

17 minutes ago, dabhand said:

I had the same Transferwise/SCB issue over transfers from the UK. So I opened a Bangkok Bank account a couple of days back (very easy process) and then arranged for a TW transfer. As others have noted, this shows up on the App as an International Transfer and I would expect the bank book, when updated, to have the FTT code.

 

Obviously no certainty on whether income proof for extension renewal purposes will remain as an option for extension purposes, but it does seem that a transfer to BB from TW would be less of a problem for IO checks.

If the disbursement to your Bangkok Bank account is made from TW's Bangkok Bank account you may find the same situation as me. Perhaps you could let us know as I also have a BB account. Cheers!

7 minutes ago, JLCrab said:

The bottom line for me is that -- if the extension by  monthly income method is to be preserved at all -- the IMM folks will want to have a procedure that is about as easy as was the embassy affidavits and, if they have to go through some complicated convoluted mechanism, it won't happen at all.

I trust you're not forgetting that some immigration offices are already requesting back up evidence for the income claimed in the embassy letters. That would require additional work and there doesn't seem to be a problem there.

10 minutes ago, JLCrab said:

So maybe you might have to decide, if the FTT is actually required, whether the difference between Transferwise and SWIFT is worth it each month if it saves you from having to go the 800K baht in the bank route. Maybe the IMM folks will say that they only want to look at a passbook and are not interested in print out statements from Transferwise or anyone else.

I don't think that comparing bank name, account number and transaction value on two documents is an onerous task. Unlike some on here I have always found immigration at Jomtien to be pretty efficient at sorting paperwork. I have witnessed problems but that has tended to be when said paperwork is missing or poorly presented. I also don't think there is much point in trying to second guess what may be required in future. I know that I can provide them with far more convincing evidence than the embassy letter in an easy to understand format. Just need them to confirm their requirements and I will tweak it as necessary or, if required, consider the alternatives you mention.

I also use TransferWise and the deposits to my SCB account do not show FTT. That's because TransferWise send the funds from a Bangkok Bank a/c making it a 'local bank transfer'. Easy enough to print off the TransferWise invoice which confirms the amount transferred to whichever bank plus account number and will tie up with the pass book.

2 hours ago, robertson468 said:

Sadly the Consuls have failed to clarify this issue and unfortunately everyone is left guessing.  It is time the Consuls got their fingers out and held a meeting with Immigration HQ, if nothing else to emphsis that many Regional Immigration Offices seem to make up the rules as they go along!  Example"

 

I renewed my Retirement Visa last month at Koh Samui and asked what proof I need to produce for 65K monthly income.  Answer, 65K no good, you must have 800/400K deposit for at least 3 months before application.

 

A couple of weeks later the Assistance British Consul stated on Phuket radio that in fact Retireees may use the 40/65K monthly route and even published it on Thai Visa.

 

So c'mon British Consul, get your finger out and please advise the citizens you are allegedly representing what the current rules are and publish it on Thai Visa so that we all know.

 

You wonder why Brits are so critical of you when all we have is a stunning silence!

The British Embassy's involvement in this process appears to be coming to an end. Thai immigration asked them to verify the information they were using to produce the letter and the embassy refused. I understand Thai immigration wanting greater confidence in the document, but I also understand the embassy not doing it. They would be writing to all sorts of income/pension providers many of whom would probably refuse to cooperate on data protection grounds. If they did agree to do it I'm confident that the increased workload would result in a commensurate increase in the £52 charge to the applicant and in some cases it could be a lengthy process. Far better and easier to demonstrate the money arriving in a Thai account although I appreciate that we need confirmation of what exactly they they require us to do. If the embassy can resolve that one matter for us that would be good.

 

Some people have asked whether they would require 65k every month. It has always been my understanding that there is a relationship between the 800k deposit and the 12 x 65k (780k) income. I wonder whether they could introduce some flexibility for those only staying for part of the year? Those that get paid differently, eg. quarterly, should be fine as long as it averages 65k per month. The embassy of course uses (certainly in my case) gross figures of income to produce the letter whereas transfers to a Thai bank will be made from net funds. Its possible some may have a problem there too.

 

I feel the ball is firmly in Thai immigration's court and hopefully we'll hear something soon. A bit of polite chivvying from the embassy might help. My renewal (retirement) is middle of May. I could get the letter next month as I believe applications are accepted up to 12th December. As long as the 6 months validity is maintained, job done. However, I could provide them with better proof with less work and at no financial cost to me. Here's hoping!

This topic brought back a lot of memories. I got married to my Thai partner just this year. We met in December 2006. Towards the end of 2007 we applied for a visa for her to visit UK and were refused. One reason was the lack of evidence that we had a relationship and the other was that "on the balance of probabilities" she would not leave the UK before her visa expired. That's a quote and it incensed me. I had made clear that I was sponsoring her visit and paying for everything. As far as I was concerned they were impugning my good character as well as her's. I entered into email correspondence with the Embassy, making clear my displeasure, but they just replied each time that they would not respond and all I could do is reapply. We did just a couple of months later, early 2008, and the visa was granted. In retrospect I got the idea that maybe one of their safeguards on an application that is maybe not totally convincing is to say no and see whether you accept it or put up a fight. She visited UK six times in all before I decided to move here full time. I hope with perseverence you have a similar outcome. Immigration is a hot topic in UK these days so things may have changed. Good luck.

Jomtien only want the signature on the income letter certified to do change to a non immigrant visa.  Not to apply for an extension. Bangkok does not require the certification.
Normally they do not want a new income letter when you apply for the extension. They get the original from the visa application so you can use it.

Ex

I was surprised, based on what I'd read on the expat site, when they told me that I would have to get another original for the extension. When I tried to politely question that statement I was swiftly put in my place and told it was most definitely required. I had already taken a colour copy of the verified letter used for visa change. If I do indeed have to get another original it would not surprise me in the least to learn that it requires verifying. Their consistency in administrative procedures is woeful. That said it would also not surprise me to hear that this change is not being enforced and a copy suffices. Hence my asking for other people's experience. It is possible that I upset them when one tried to scam me for new I/d photos to replace the 'old' ones taken in December just before flying out! Again my response was polite and reasonable.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Thaivisa Connect mobile app

I got my non-immigration 'O' yesterday using the income letter option. You have to have the letter stamped and validated at the office of consular affairs in Bangkok. I had read that they do a same day service for 800 baht. When I asked for it I was told that you had to request it before 09:30. Ended up having it posted to me. Immigration at Jomtien also made it clear that a copy of that income letter wouldn't suffice when applying for the extension in 60 or so days time. They insisted on another original. My understanding is that one won't need verifying but they seem to change procedures as they see fit. Interested to hear what experience others have had.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Thaivisa Connect mobile app

I got an SETV from Liverpool in December. They didn't ask any questions re: return flights or funds. I put 60 days for the duration, the nominal period of the visa. I only had a one way ticket as I'm staying here full time and in the process of changing visa and obtaining retirement extension. 

My flight was already booked on this occasion so I could give precise details. Previously I have either given approximate date or stated 'to be confirmed'. Have never had a problem.

Hi Suradit 69

 

 Expecting delivery of the once letter today or tomorrow. I've tracked it and it's in Banglamung.

 

Your understanding of the situation was mine too. However it was made clear to me at Jomtien that I would have to get a second original. I tried to politely question it and the woman immediately became highly officious and insisted. I will try to talk to someone else when I go back.

Just one more point. My application has been guided by the 'ExtendingStay.pdf' document. In there it states that at the Ministry of Consular Affairs in Bangkok there is a same day service for 800 baht. When I arrived early afternoon I was informed this was only available if you request it before 09:30. I paid 250 baht and they are posting the stamped income letter back to me.

Hi Rob. I recently requested one and towards end of the 10 working days I emailed them to chase up. It had been sent but not delivered to my condo which is a fairly new development. It had been returned to them. They called very quickly to explain this. They re-sent it with my phone number on it and I got it within a couple of days. They had given me the tracker number which for some reason I couldn't get to work. I called them and they very quickly emailed me a copy of the information. Happy with their service. 

 

I had to take mine to Bangkok for verification as I'm currently on a tourist visa. I was forewarned that it might be necessary, so no surprise. However, at Jomtien I was advised that once non-immigration 'o' visa obtained I would have to get a second original income letter for the extension documents. That seems an unnecessary nonsense to me. It apparently wouldn't need verifying for the extension but I'm assuming I will have to pay the Embassy again. Has anyone else experienced this?