Jimi007

15 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

Actually the requirement is income of 65k per month and such a letter from your Consulate is the normal proof.  New alternative (as several of largest nations no longer issue letter) is proof of 65k per month transferred into a Thai bank account.

The income has to be from a pension. I do believe a Government pension. My income is mainly from my several rental properties. I have been doing retirement visas since 2006 and it was easy to do. Get a letter from my consulate. When the USA, Canada, UK and Australia said they don’t certify anything pretty much, Thailand said we are not going to allow you to use the affidavit from your Embassy/consulate any longer. Okay, I’m married to a Thai woman. We got married in the USA. They took our US marriage certificate without issue until last year the Phuket volunteers said something about it. But we were still approved but not this year. Now my Government needs to certify the marriage certificate! Well that is going to take a month or more, what now? My immigration officer said I have to clear the O marriage visa I have by re-entering the country. Fly to KL put a million Baht in your account and get the bank letter and balance in the morning then come in and apply for retirement two weeks before my 30 day stamp expires. The deposit method will not be allowed until next year and it has to be direct deposited monthly from a Government pension. I plan on doing all the paperwork for the marriage certificate to get certified by the US Department of State, I have my certified copy of my passport ID page now but that is not enough either now. After I get the certification from the US I need to have my wife send it to the Thai consulate in Los Angeles along with her and her parents Thai IDs and house books etc so that they will approve it and certify it. Then go to the local Amphur with the paperwork and register our US marriage with them. Once we get that done I can have my Social Security direct deposited into my Bangkok Bank account since they have a branch in New York that will handle that. I’m good at paperwork and do it all myself, including my wife’s US residency permits but the hoops Thai Immigration is currently using is a pain in my ass! 

On 4/20/2023 at 11:55 PM, RB7829 said:

Is not extension ... is first time application

It is considered by Thailand Immigration as an extension of your stay in Thailand. You can not apply for nor get a visa in Thailand, you must apply for and get a visa in your home country for an O or O-A (retirement visa). You can get some visas in neighboring countries as well, but none in Thailand! I have known a Thai Immigration Officer for 17 years. When I used to ask him for a new visa, he would reply go back to your home country if you want a visa, I can only give you a visa extension. I got an extension of my O visa a couple of months ago. One requirement is a long term lease and my landlord reporting to Immigration that I am living there with my wife. I used to do O-A Visas and extensions based on retirement. It's easier now that I am married to a Thai and that I know the second in command at the Phuket Immigration Office. Every Immigration Office and even officer is different and they have discretion.

Why did they even bother publishing this "story"?

4 minutes ago, madmitch said:

I get a multi. What I was alluding to was the whole re-entry permit process and the necessity for such a permit to exist. If they made gave multiple entries with all extensions of stay and did away with the permit apart from for those on single entry visas then it would make life easier for so many people, including Immigration Officers (though it would have to cost more, of course, for those that rarely leave the country). But, drive-in facilities apart, Immigration don't seem interested in simplifying anything. If anything there are more and more hoops to jump through.

 

 

 

 

Good for your way of life, probably not for the majority. But now with this whole debacle with the US, UK and Australian embassies not issuing income affidavits, it looks like the Phuket Immigration office won't be getting any money from me anymore! It's $200 US for a multi-entry O-A visa. I have to come back every year any way to California for my wife's US permanent residence card until she get's her citizenship. Yes there is the extra fee of a criminal report. From what I read it's $30, $20 less than the affidavit fee! I used to get one free at the County Courthouse records. Times have changed! Oh and that same stupid medical certificate they've been using for at least the past 13 years I know of. No problem, my doctor asked me a few years ago, what happened that you don't need that form now? He'll love he get's to fill out one again! I pay heath insurance, so I already paid for the office visit and I'll get a check up and blood work while I'm there.

5 minutes ago, Kopitiam said:

Its 3,800 Baht for the multi re-entry.

Has it gone up? No wonder I always got the single entry for 1,000 Baht!

1 hour ago, madmitch said:

Re-entry permit today 30 minutes. Next number in the re-entry permit queue this afternoon, a smile from the lady IO who was doing them today, then a wait for the processing. I do wonder why re-entry permits need to go through the process they do. Has anyone ever been declined? It's the easiest money they make. Personally I'd rather they made the extensions multi-entry but that wold suit me but not those who rarely leave Thailand. But I learnt of their importance the hard way after forgetting to obtain one a couple of years back!

 

Anyway, all done for another year.

You can get a multi re-entry permit with your extension, but I only need a single and sometimes I don't use it, better to have for 1,000 Baht than not having one! I think the multi re-entry is 3,400 Baht, so that's why I just get the single.

6 hours ago, madmitch said:

Arrived at 10:55 yesterday, out at 11:30. Not bad. I needed to take one photocopy, though the Frenchman in front of me in the copy queue needed his photo taken. They are obviously not into multitasking as the person manning the office just waited while the Frenchman got himself prepared for his photograph. 20 photocopies could have been taken during this time but no; hanging around doing nothing but waiting with camera in hand was order of the day.

 

Today it's pick up the passport and re-entry permit day. I bet that takes longer.

 

 

Yep! My extension only took maybe 20 minutes from when I arrived until I was handed my receipt and told to come back the next day after 1 PM. It took well over an hour to get my re-entry permit. Now I am not sure if I will even use that re-entry permit as I won't be able to get an income affidavit from the US Embassy when I return in a couple of months. Plane B; a new O-A visa here in the USA. The Thai Embassy accepts my bank account as good, but not Thai Immigration. It would be nice if all the Thai Consulates and Embassies as well as the different Thai Immigration offices could come up with common rules. But like Thai banks, it seems up to the local "manager."

1 hour ago, LivinginKata said:

 

I would like to think that a forum friend would have reported any demise. 

One would think. But I doubt anyone would report my demise on this forum.

On 11/27/2018 at 5:25 AM, LivinginKata said:

Good going dump of rain here in Kata, flash bangs as well.

It must be "high season" now! LOL! 

On 11/8/2018 at 9:01 PM, moontang said:

You said it was free earlier...the health certificate requires a signature that you are in good mental and physical condition, but since I have met way too many people here, mostly from California, on SSDI, it must not have mattered..thankfully, the loophole will be closed on the high percentage with a liar letter and no savings.

It's free as I have full coverage medical insurance here in the US. Well I guess it's not exactly free. I have to pay for the insurance, but not for an office visit. My disability is due to a total hip replacement and at my age I could not do my customary and normal work duties, so my union disability insurance kicked in. They applied for my SSDI as they could deduct that from what they had to pay me. My basic health is fine, but I can't walk for miles on end anymore around stadiums, arenas, convention centers and theatres with this piece of metal for my femur.

I still have more than the required income and savings in my US accounts. We'll see what happens after the first of the year. I have read the US Embassy is talking to the Thai Foreign Ministry about the situation. I would rather just do another extension in Thailand, but if I have to I will qualify for an O-A here in the USA from the Thai Embassy. And I still haven't figured out why the Los Angeles Thai Consulate requires 4 copies of everything, an original notarized and three copies of that. The Thai Embassy in Washington DC, only 2 copies, not notarized. I guess it's like every Immigration office in Thailand, they make up their own rules.

23 hours ago, moontang said:

The Embassy cant expect funds to be here before you are..and you have 20 months+ to bring the funds over.  Are TI suppose to understand tax forms from every country?  Would you like to pay to have it translated?  and each page notarized and stamped?  Didi it also occur to you that you are using your disability to get free health services and then using them to provide proof that you are in good physical health?

Do you realize you don't know anything about the law? Or the health certificate as I guess you never got one. My healthcare isn't free, I pay about $500 a month. Why don't you refrain from commenting, as you appear to be clueless on the subject. 

On 11/6/2018 at 2:38 AM, moontang said:

Anyone can fill out a tax form...anyone can print out w2...there would be no guarantee that you actually filed that version, either.

Tax returns have all of one's income sources. 1099, 1099 int, properties, gains and losses. If it is accepted by the US IRS and my CA State Government, why not the Thai Government. It's better than me swearing this is true and correct, right? Or why is my US bank statement good at the Thai Embassy and consulate, but not at Thai Immigration? It's not like I can falsify my bank records.

1 hour ago, LivinginKata said:

 

I'm going in today. I have a new passport with only one extension stamped in. Guess I need to take my old passport just in case.

 

I only have bank letter and my copies of the bank book pages, That has worked Ok in the past.

 

Thoughts gentlemen. Thank you. 

You'll need the copies of the last three extension, copy of the stamp transferring your visa to a new passport and the original visa. At least that's what I needed when I got a new passport, but as you know, they make it up as they go along. Along with copies of your ID page, departure card, copy of your residence cert, photo of you with house number, map. I don't know about bank statements as I had always used an income affidavit, which isn't going to be accepted after the 13 years I had used it all of a sudden!

Good luck and let us know what new hoops they have come up with. I might get an O-A while I an here in the US just so I don't have to go to Immigration in Phuket again. Although it isn't cheap! $200 to apply, plus about $50 for a criminal check and a doctor's visit for him to sign the old ridiculous health certificate.

And of course the Los Angeles Consulate has many more stupid requirements than the Thai Embassy in Washington DC! Seems like they are a bit more reasonable, thought rather vague as to their exact requirements, like the criminal record.

Non-Immigrant Category “O-A”

Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O-A” (long stay)

Purpose of Visit: This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 1 year without the intention of working. Holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year. Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Eligibility:

1. Applicant must be aged 50 years and over (on the day of submitting application)
2. Applicant not prohibited from entering the Kingdom as provided by the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979)
3. Having no criminal record in Thailand and the country of the applicant’s nationality or residence
4. Having the nationality of or residence in the country where applicant’s application is submitted
5. Not having prohibitive diseases ( Leprosy, Tuberculosis, drug addiction, Elephantiasis, third phase of Syphilis) as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 B.E. 2535

Validity of a visa: multiple entries

***A visa becomes effective from the date of issuance***

Required Documents: (Required 2 sets; 1 original and 1 copy)

1. Your actual Passport or Travel Document. (Passport or Travel Document must be valid for at least 18 months    and contain at least ONE completely empty visa page).
2. Visa application form completely filled out (black and blue ink only) (Download)
3. Addition Application form (Download)
4. Medical certificate showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No.14(B.E. 2535) certificate shall be valid for not more than three months (Download)
5. Two photo’s passport-size photographs (2″x2″) (photocopy or photo taken from Photostat will not be accepted). Photographs must have a light color background with a full- face view of the person without wearing a hat or dark glasses. Photos must be taken within 6 months.
6. Bank statement or evidence of adequate finance showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totaling not less than 800,000 Baht In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is required
7.  Letter of verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification have to valid for not more than three months and must be issued from a state or Federal Bureau of Investigation only. Online criminal record without authorizer’s signature is unacceptable )

In the case where the accompanying spouse is not eligible to apply for the Category ‘O-A’ (Long Stay) visa, he or she will be considered for temporary stay under Category ‘O’ visa. A marriage certificate must be provided as evidence

Processing time : (with completed documents)
In person   5 business days
By mail      minimum 15 business days

***We do not offer expedited service***

Visa Processing Fees: $200 USD per application.

Payable in money order (only) made payable to “Royal Thai Embassy”.
NO CASH, PERSONAL and BUSINESS CHECKS ACCEPTED

*** The fee is not refundable in any cases***

Submitting application:

1.In person

between 9am.-12pm. , no appointment needed
Consular Office
Royal Thai Embassy
2300 Kalorama Rd., N.W.
Washington,D.C 20008-1623

2.by mail

application must include self-addressed return envelope only by these following mail service

“USPS (US Postal Service) Express Mail” use only flat rate mailing envelope with $24.70 postage stamp (Metered stamps will not be accepted)

Mailing address:
Consular Office
Royal Thai Embassy
2300 Kalorama Rd., N.W.

***The Royal Thai Embassy do not accept any responsibility for any damage or loss***

Recommendations for foreigners with Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay) while staying in the Kingdom:
Upon arrival, holder of this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for 1 year from the date of first entry. During the one-year period, if he or she wishes to leave and re-enter the country, he or she is required to apply at the Immigration office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure. In the case of leaving the country without a re-entry permit, the permit to stay for 1 year shall be considered void.

At the end of the 90-day stay , the foreigner must report to the immigration officer in his or her residence area and report again every 90 days during his or her stay in Thailand . The foreigner may report to the police station if there is no immigration office in his or her residence area.

*** Warning of overstay *** (please click)

Foreigner may report to the competent authority by post and should provide the following:
– A report form (Tor Mor 47)
– A copy of passport pages showing the foreigner’s photo, personal details, and the latest arrival visa stamp
– A copy of the previous receipt of acknowledgement.
– A self-addressed envelope with postage affixed. Such documents must be sent to the Office of the Immigration Bureau, SoiSuanPlu, South SathornRoad ,Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120, and must be submitted 7 days before the end of every 90-day period. A receipt of acknowledgement will be given and should be used for future correspondence.

Foreigner who wishes to extend his or her stay shall submit a request for extension of stay at the Office of the Immigration Bureau with documented evidence of money transfer or a deposit account in Thailand or an income certificate showing an amount of not less than 800,000.- Baht or an income certificate plus a deposit account showing a total amount of not less than 800,000.- Baht. A one-year extension of stay shall be granted at the discretion of the immigration officer to the foreigner as long as he or she meets the above requirements.

Please note Consular officers reserve the right to request additional documents as deemed necessary and also reserve the right to reject any application without having to provide reason.

Consular
Royal Thai Embassy
2300 Kalorama Rd., NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel. (202) 640-5658 / (202) 640-1439
Fax. (202) 459-9536
Email: [email protected]

This is the latest from the Los Angeles Consulate: http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=48

21 minutes ago, moontang said:

i am speaking on behalf of the people with 3500 Dollar deductibles....who don't get free stuff..My local Occupational Health Clinic told me they would only sign it after a complete physical..450 USD..CVS Caremark told me they do not sign any forms but their own.  My local county clinic said the same thing.  I got out google, and found a guy near Kalorama...one visit, and a few laughs about the stupid form...55 USD...my local police report was free, but rules in DC may have changed...and they were smart enough to know the notary thing is a damn joke, and makes no sense.  Notarizations are free if you have some $$$ in the bank.

Now that I was automatically signed up for Medicare as I am on disability, I get to pay for Medicare part B and D if I use them or not! I chose to sign up for part F as I had a hip replacement and skin cancer thought I better get coverage before I was denied coverage. I see I will pay double until I turn 65 in a year and a half. I haven't done the O-A in about 10 years here in the US as I had extensions from my old O-As. I got married 5 years ago and when I had to stay in the US more than a year to get my wife's Green Card sorted, I got an O marriage visa then extended it on a retirement basis for a year with an income affidavit from the US Embassy outreach program. It was always pretty easy to do. Now I feel like selling everything in Thailand and just staying here in Santa Cruz, CA. Life's a beach and I've jumped through enough hoops to get my wife a Green Card, my dog's export and import permits every year along with my visas every year. I guess they don't need my money. Good luck with the Indians, Russians and Chinese!

13 minutes ago, moontang said:

There are travel medical clinics that will do that form for 50-60 USD..otherwise it can be kind of daunting.

What are you talking about? The medical certificate is really stupid. Do you have TB

, elephantiasis, 3rd stage syphilis, alcohol or drug addiction? I have medical insurance in the US, no charge for an office visit. In Thailand I think my doctor charged me about 100 Baht. It's the notary and criminal report that jack up the price along with the fee from the consulate or embassy that keeps going up in price. So now the Foreign Ministry and Embassy gets the money instead of the local Immigration Office. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot!

3 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Perhaps there is some difference between the Thai Embassy and the three other Thai consulates in the U.S.

 

But at least the Los Angeles Consulate, I know, also accepts state-level criminal background checks, not only the ones from the FBI.

 

The advantages of the O-A, of course, are that each one can be good for up to 2 years of stay in Thailand, and, all one's bank funds can remain in the U.S., with absolutely no requirement of showing monthly income or holding deposits in a Thai bank.

 

Yes that's what I said. When I looked last about getting an O-A, I had to go to the local Sheriff's office and get finger printed to get a DOJ issued criminal record here in California. I used to be able to get a free print out at my County courthouse, no more! It's getting really stupid at this point! <deleted>, I have lived in the same house in Thailand for going on 13 years! Never any issues, why are they dreaming up new issues. I really don't need to live there, my Thai wife and dog are happy here in Santa Cruz California. But I like my house there too. But totally not a necessity! And it would save me money. Meanwhile the Thai Government is trying to attract Chinese and Indian tourists with free visas. Brilliant! 

30 minutes ago, Pattaya46 said:

BE found that false declarations/income on a letter signed by the embassy could put the embassy in legal trouble. So they chose the easy way to stop providing this letter, rather that just modifying it to comply with the old unchanged TI requirement on letter having to show your income.

USA and AUS followed the move to not take any risk and because it's a good excuse to stop this annoying service.

 

Nota: All this, of course, is my own interpretation from the very few information we have . Nothing official but...

As I said the Thai Embassy and US Consulate in the US accepts my US bank statements for proof of income in the US for either an O or an O-A. although now the O-A is a pain as the Thai government wants a US Dept of Justice verification of my criminal record. That alone is over $50 USD, plus the notary fees for the bank statements and medical cert, along doctor's fee for the medical certificate which is a joke. The other thing is, I'm not supposed to have foreign bank accounts with more than $20K USD without reporting it to the US Government on my income tax return. From what I hear the US Embassy is in negotiations with the Thai Government about this whole debacle. Hopefully they figure something out that isn't as stupid as the new interpretations of the rules. But I may go back to doing an O-A. At left I could get two years out of a multi-entry that way! I would get one year from my last entry date and wouldn't have to go to Phuket Immigration ever again. No need for a re-entry, I can report my residence online as well as my 90 day reports.

4 hours ago, stevenl said:

Thai immigration rules have not changed.

Very helpful comment. The US, UK and Australian Embassies will no longer issue income affidavits as they have always done, so something has changed, hasn't it? 

41 minutes ago, CARLO BALDASSARRE said:

Hi,

     So where's the problem , i don't understand , if they require more do it /if they want you to jump a hoop do it .

     I like the new focus on pre requirements ,might get rid of some of these people living in thailand on the wrong visas and with the  incorrect prerequisites to obtain visas...( looks like the retirement visa in most cases are up setting alot of "Farangs").

I really feel sorry for the "Farangs" in thailand saying "I don't have the money for the retirement/marriage visa in a bank account ,

Why are you even in thailand ,Visa renewal every year /everybody wants to see money in the bank as requested!!!....I don't understand .....

                                          

I have most of my money in a bank account in the US, not in my Thai bank account. I transfer at least $2K USD a month, so that alone is about 800K Baht. I only live in Thailand about half the year, my US income was always accepted in the past, so why change it all after 13 years of doing it the same way? Why not accept my US bank statement? They do when I apply for an O visa in the US at the Thai Consulate.

Immigration should accept a copy of my 50 page US tax return then, right? It proves my income and my marriage! Naw, that would be too easy! Oh and it's for the previous year... Funny the US Government accepts it though. Or how about my US bank statements? It's supposed to be income I receive in the USA right? Not what I get into my Thai account? But my Thai online bank statement shows at least $2K deposited from the US every month. Still not acceptable, although my income affidavit from the US Embassy was good for the past 13 years? Ridiculous! Hopefully they figure this out in the the next 6 months when I need a new extension. I guess I can always do a visa in the US and use my bank statements from here. The US Government seems to frown on overseas bank accounts and transfers of more than $20K at a time. I have been trying to not break US or Thai laws, but now what?

Just now, LivinginKata said:

 

I would very much doubt it.

 

The UK embassy flat out just says need 800,000 baht seasoned inn a Thai bank account.

But Thai Immigration rules say that you need to show income and or a combination of income and saving in a Thai bank or savings of 800K Baht. So they would have to change the law as well as the rules.

I got the official word that now the US Embassy won't be issuing any income certificates after the first of the year. This should get interesting. I have proof of my income in the USA and I can show deposits to my Thai bank account. But I do believe my retirement income is based upon my income I receive in the USA. Whenever my Visa extension based on retirement expires and I am in the US, I apply for an O Visa based on marriage as it cheaper and easier than doing an O-A visa, which is

 now a pain in the ass! So I am wondering if Thai Immigration is now going to accept a US Bank statement as verifiable proof of income. I would save me time and money if they did. They seemed to have shot themselves in the foot again! 

U.S. Mission in Thailand to Cease Providing Income Affidavit

October 26, 2018

Bangkok, THAILAND

As of January 1, 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and the U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai will cease to provide the income affidavit for the purpose of applying for Thai retirement and family visas and will not notarize previous versions of the income affidavit.  The Royal Thai Government requires actual verification of income to certify visa applicants meet financial requirements for long-stay visas.  The U.S. government cannot provide this verification and will no longer issue the affidavits.