SEAsia Traveler

1 minute ago, Tanoshi said:

The last transaction on a statement is irrelevant, it's the date of issue on the top.

The branch produced the statement in just a few minutes. But it has...and can only have, according to the bank...the previous day’s date. Whereas letter and passbook have the current date. All have the same balance, but the statement is dated the previous day.

Smiley won’t let me apply for the visa unless the letter, statement and passbook are all dated the same day as the visa application. His rules...for me it seems.

So I went to immigration yesterday and got covid extension stamp, so I’m extended though June 13. 

Then I walked down to room 103 and sat down. Smiley guy came over and I told him I have some questions about the visa application and gestured towards the door and asked if I could inside. He moved between me and the door and began stating the requirements…age 50, bank account, 800k, then took my previous bank papers and again said today! today! today! (i.e., all pages must have today’s date). Some younger Thais standing nearby looked up from their phones when the smiley guy raised his voice. Then smiley said, come back next week but only with the right papers, because you are making me look bad! By the time it was over (only about 2 minutes) we were patting each other on the back to smooth things over. I did notice he was wearing a very expensive pair of designer eyeglasses.

So…I went to the bank again, but the manager was not there. I asked about depositing 100 baht and whether it would appear on the statement the same day, and the clerk said no, the statement has to refresh overnight. The clerk then took my phone number, so I expect a call from the bank manager next week.

Now, 103 smiley did give me his boss’s phone number during an earlier visit. And the bank manager did previously offer to call immigration. I could try that, but what if the boss contradicts smiley guy, but then I can’t get past smiley again? He may tell me to not come back. 

I may need to use an agent, but really!? How hard can it be to get a bank statement with today’s date on it? Ideal outcome is the banker makes it happen.

15 minutes ago, SEAsia Traveler said:

Something like "I tried before with these papers..." and show the earlier bank documents?

 

maybe I could do the non-O application that same afternoon

 

I realize that I need to return to the bank and get new papers. But I hope to get clarity inside room 103 about what was "wrong" with the earlier papers. Could be a challenge with the language barrier. I could see them misunderstanding that I'm trying to use the earlier papers again.

Maybe I should first ask them what is required, and then show the earlier bank papers. "This ok mai?"

On Friday I will return to immigration to get my covid extension stamp. Once I get the stamp, I will attempt to enter room 103 to ask about the bank documentation for the non-O visa application.

Any advice about how to navigate past the smiley guy outside? And how to frame the conversation once inside? Something like "I tried before with these papers..." and show the earlier bank documents?

I have the bank manger's phone number, and if they would call her, maybe I could do the non-O application that same afternoon. How early could I apply for non-O with a two month covid extension? Would I be 'under consideration' for weeks or would I get the non-O fairly quickly? (same day possible?)

Thanks for the advice everyone.

14 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

If your IO are insisting the balance on the statement must be same day, then before requesting any documents, deposit 100 baht into the account - wait 10 minutes, then request the letter, statement, Passbook update.

The statement will now show the 100 baht deposit and balance for that day.

 

My sense is that the statement (they way they're doing it) would have to be run the following day to show this transaction. But I will offer this idea to the bank. Thank you.

3 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

 

The statement will have the current date of issue at the top, but will only show the last transaction.

 

The letter and passbook were updated 24/03/2021, but the statement was dated 12/03/2021 - 23/03/2021. The manager said it could not be dated 24/03/2021 (the day produced) because that business day was still open. 

When I return to the bank I will ask the manager to call immigration, better yet before I return to the bank, and see what can be done.

Update

I decided to go for the non-O visa for retirement in Phuket using the funds in bank method. But I ran into a problem (described further below) and now I’m under consideration for a covid extension.

First, I applied for a 30-day extension and a certificate of residence at immigration and obtained both in about one hour. Next, to Bangkok Bank Central Floresta branch and opened a savings account about 1 hour 15 minutes. The bank asked for my certificate of residence and ASQ quarantine certificate and made copies of both. I signed several documents, set up mobile app and debit card passwords, got a passbook, debit card, and accident insurance certificate. Very productive half-day.

1,900 baht for 30-day extension

300 for certificate of residence (later I learned this document should be free?)

500 bank deposit

100 account opening fee

599 yearly fee

5,900 mandatory 1-year accident insurance policy

1,400 taxi fare

A few days later I transferred USD from Schwab to Transferwise, then from Transferwise to BKK Bank.

$0 USD for Schwab wire transfer (3 free domestic wires per year)

$5.34 for Transferwise to receive Schwab dollars

$160 for Transferwise to send 800k baht to BKK Bank

I *SAVED* about $1,140 USD with the better exchange rate from Transferwise. Thank you Peter Denis and Tanoshi for the information about how to use Transferwise.

A few days later the bank manager called to verify the transfer and offered to produce the paperwork for the visa application. The following week I went to the bank and obtained a letter, statement and updated passbook. 

When I applied for the visa (that same day), the man outside room 103 at immigration had a problem with the bank statement. He said the bank statement (all the documents in fact) must be dated the current day and show the balance as of the current day. I returned to the bank and the manager told me the bank statement can only be dated the previous day (because the current day is still open) and can only show the account balance as of the last transaction date. She offered to speak to immigration and gave me her phone number. I went back to immigration and the man outside room 103 would only give me a phone number for the bank to call. It was getting late, so I decided to apply for a covid extension at that point. This was two days ago, 24 March.

100 baht for bank letter

100 baht for bank statement

1,900 for covid extension

1,000 baht for driver

When I opened the bank account, the manager encouraged me to return after obtaining the non-O visa to set up additional banking privileges (and she wants to pitch me on their health insurance offering). Apparently, I would need those additional banking privileges to transfer funds out of the country. Is that correct? Otherwise my only option is to pull the baht out of ATM? And are those additional banking privileges permanent, or only as long as the non-O visa and/or extension are valid? I expect I would get fleeced on the exchange rate whatever way I chose to move baht back into USD.

I will give the non-O visa another try, but that Thai fellow outside room 103 left a bad taste in my mouth. (Can I apply for a non-O visa on a covid extension?)

--US passport holder

--Arrived 30 January, got a 45 day stamp and did the quarantine

--Currently on 30 day extension that expires on April 14

--Applied for covid extension today at Phuket immigration March 24

--Checked box on the affidavit that I cannot get an embassy letter; paid 1,900 baht

--Under consideration stamp to report back April 14

--Noticed that April 14 is during Songkran (and April 6 is Chakri Day)

--Lady at the counter told me to report back April 2

Which extension can I expect?

--60 days from March 24 (application date)

--60 days from April 2 (report back date)

--60 days from April 14 (current end of stay)

--No later than the end of May (amnesty period)

20 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

Are you considering at a later stage to apply for the 90-day Non Imm O Visa and subsequent 1-year extension?

Considering but would like to use covid extensions as long as possible before deciding where I want to stay long-term. 

On 2/7/2021 at 7:43 AM, ubonjoe said:

Your best option may be to apply for a 60 day covid 19 extension in Phuket.

I am in Phuket now and want to utilize the covid 19 extension available through 30 March (extending 60 days through the end of May). My visa exempt expires on 15 March and I can extend that for 30 days. But I've read about 'under consideration' periods of up to two weeks for covid 19 extensions. Should I apply for the 30 day extension, then immediately apply for the covid 19 extension?

Best to go to Phuket immigration and ask for guidance? Does it matter that I am a U.S. citizen and can return home and not really stuck here?

Is it possible to live a walkable lifestyle on Phuket besides in Kamala and Patong?

Where are some good places to live within walking distance of everything you need, but not feel like a mark for touts?

4 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

Is there a particular reason you want a Bangkok Bank account?

I figured that bank would be the most seamless for dealing with foreigners and transfer of funds. Would I run into problems if I opened the bank account in Bangkok and applied for the O visa in Phuket?

Phuket is an unknown quantity to me from a lifestyle perspective. I've been there a few times but not sure where to find the convenience and walkability that Bangkok offers. I might just need to endure this bad air period until I get the bank account sorted. ASQ is pinging me on LINE asking for an onward address so I guess it's Bangkok for now.

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Bangkok bank would accept a certificate of residence from immigration. You might be able to get one at Phuket immigration.

 

Would Bangkok immigration issue a certificate of residence, if I decided to stay here? What documents are required? Thank you Joe.

I am halfway through ASQ trying to figure out how best to move forward with my goal of getting an O visa for retirement using the 800k deposit method, and subsequently a 1-year extension. 

I want to escape the pollution in Bangkok. But I need a U.S. Embassy reference letter/affidavit to open a Bangkok Bank savings account, as well as a Thailand address that is not a hotel. To apply for an O visa in Bangkok, I also need to show receipts/prepay three months of rent (new requirement of Bangkok Immigration).

Thus to get the Embassy affidavit and open bank account, it seems I would need to rent a serviced apartment in Bangkok for at least one month to have a proper Thailand address with a lease. Further, to apply for the O visa in Bangkok, I would need to pay rent through the third month. And further, I would need to apply for the 1-year extension at the same IO (Bangkok).

Is it possible to do all this in Phuket instead of Bangkok? Or am I better off getting the O visa here in Bangkok first, then taking a holiday to Phuket? Bangkok is compact and walkable, has the Embassy and bank headquarters, which makes things easy, but the air quality right now is a big downside.

Timeline:

-ASQ ends Sunday February 14

-Visa exempt entry expires Monday March 15

-Serviced apartment, Embassy affidavit, open bank account

-Apply for O by Thursday February 25 (Friday 26 is a Buddha day)

-So nine business days to get it done (February 15-19 and 22-25)

-Or else extend visa exempt for 30 more days (more time stuck in Bangkok…ugh)

I am open to using an agent if I can see the value, but from what I have read, this is an easy do-it-yourself visa. If I cannot get a timely appointment at the Embassy, I may need a lawyer to draft a bank reference letter.

What would you do in my situation? Thank you. 

I received an updated COE from DC embassy, but the transit date was still incorrect.

So I emailed back and got this reply. Anyone else with an incorrect transit date?

I received my COE!

But...the date of departure from the originating point, and the date of transit, are...reversed! NO!!

This could have been my error on the COE application. I quickly emailed the DC embassy and asked for revised COE.

Check the dates on your COE!

I emailed the DC embassy this morning and quickly received same reply as Issanman.

I feel pretty good about getting the COE..but it is nerve racking.

17 minutes ago, Suphawk said:

 

SEAsia Traveler, how long ago did you submit yours?

January 6 submitted application and received email "Your registration/application for COE has been confirmed."

January 7 received another email "Your registration/application for COE has been approved."

Checked result and prompted to uploaded air ticket and ASQ (which I had uploaded already TiT).

January 11 re-uploaded documents and received email "Your travel confirmation has been received".

Nothing further. Departing on January 29.

Based on the URL (https://coethailand.mfa.go.th) I'm guessing the COEs are being processed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs inside of Thailand for all applicants worldwide. There is no way I know of to contact them for help, other than to "Check the result" online. 

Has anyone gotten a COE by applying to that URL after January 1st?

If so...

What embassy or consulate did you select when applying?

How long did it take?

Was the COE emailed or did you have to "Check the result" to retrieve the it?

Was that "Declaration form" document included with your COE?

2 minutes ago, Suphawk said:

Sorry to hear about that ????

Thank you for sharing the new process. If I do indeed get my Visa then I will probably need to use the new COE page, maybe?

Thank you. I should have contacted the embassy after getting their "step 2/3" email instead of just sending in my passport. I sense that is an automated email and one reason they now direct visa exempt applications to that COE site.

You applied through the DC embassy, correct? Then you will likely need to apply for COE via that other site and upload your visa there.

I am back to square one as the DC embassy returned my passport without a tourist visa. I did not allow enough time (15 working days), or, they finally figured out my original COE application was for visa exempt entry(!). So I have pushed my arrival date out to end of January.

The former DC COE page is now purely a visa application page and directs visa exempt applicants to another site to apply for the COE. Likewise, it directs those with a visa to that other site for the COE. Looks like they bifurcated the process.

I wonder if this step is required to get the COE --> https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/regis/step?language=en

As I posted on another thread, I submitted a COE application online for *visa exempt* entry first thing yesterday morning, for 02 January travel, and RTE DC was on it right away. After supplying an onward ticket, they next asked me to send a visa application package. I got the EXACT same email above as George36, but from RTE DC.

My package for Tourist Visa arrived at noon today to the RTE DC. No feedback yet.

You can always try. If you want or need a visa, I think you can get conditional approval for COE prior to paying for a flight or ASQ. 

A downside of trying now would be that requirements are loosened and you will expend effort not required after the changes, whatever those are.

If you want to try visa exempt entry, I would wait. There is a lack of clarity at the moment. I tried and was told I need a visa.