BREAKING NEWS British Embassy statement on income letters: Officials knew about problems in May and say that US nationals will also be affected

[Issanjohn]

5 hours ago, poohy said:

Thanks oh Great British embassy for throwing us under the bus!

the fact you have known since May does in no way help you!

 

complete and utter wasters 

Disregard this information I called the United States Embassy earlier today before this article even came out this afternoon and I verified from you know like an actual State Department Official that this is total BS the United States Embassy IS NOT making any changes to this service at ANYTIME IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.......  See what I posted below and spread the word, this came from a reliable source at the United States Embassy so do not worry there’s nothing to be concerned about.  It’s just the Brits talking out their you know where.  

 

LMAO The British Embassy is wrong I called and spoke with an official at the United States Embassy today and I was assured by an actual State Department Official that the United States Embassy has no plans to stop providing the Proof of Income Affidavits at ANYTIME in the foreseeable future.  The British Embassy needs to keep quiet when they don’t know what they are talking about and mind their own business lol.  I literally called and confirmed that the United States Embassy is not taking this action earlier today.  

 

I swear there is so much misinformation and rumors on here it’s ridiculous.  I even actually know the person at the United States Embassy who I spoke with because I used to work with all the embassies in Asia before I retired in fact that’s why I retired here because I never wanted to leave after working in this part of the world for my last assignment and because my wife is a Thai citizen.  

 

So don’t worry United States Citizens I confirmed earlier today before this article even came out this afternoon that this information is total BS, it’s just the British Embassy doing their own thing and that is from a very reliable source at the United States Embassy who I spoke with today on the phone.  So what I’m saying is not just more internet rumors it’s a verified FACT!  Don’t listen to internet rumors get the facts from government officials as I did today.  Don’t worry no changes are coming for United States citizens the British Embassy is talking out of their you know where.  

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

4 minutes ago, Issanjohn said:

So don’t worry United States Citizens I confirmed earlier today before this article even came out this afternoon that this information is total BS, it’s just the British Embassy doing their own thing and that is from a very reliable source at the United States Embassy who I spoke with today on the phone.  So what I’m saying is not just more internet rumors it’s a verified FACT!  Don’t listen to internet rumors get the facts from government officials as I did today.  Don’t worry no changes are coming for United States citizens the British Embassy is talking out of their you know where.  

 

I hope what you're recounting is correct. I suspect we'll get some official comment from the U.S. Embassy or its minions, probably tomorrow.

 

But at the same time, I don't fault ThaiVisa for reporting/posting the emailed responses they received from the British Embassy. If that's what the British Embassy said in their statement, then it deserved to be reported as it was. That said, it still was a 2nd party report, but I'm sure set off a flurry of inquiries to the U.S. Embassy wanting to know <deleted> is going on. So we'll see what comes from that.

 

If the British Embassy was wrong and mis-reported what is or isn't going on with their American counterparts, then they'll have a lot of diplomatic egg on their faces, and deservedly so.

[khastan]

Having read 20 pages of this topic I am appalled at the smug "I am all right jack attitude" of some of the posts I have read. The people that post negative and unhelpful comments to a topic, which no doubt to some will be life changing would do well to remember the poem pasted below, especially the last line.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Edited October 10, 2018 by khastan
added text

[oldlakey]

10 minutes ago, Issanjohn said:

LMAO The British Embassy is wrong I called and spoke with an official at the United States Embassy today and I was assured by an actual State Department Official that the United States Embassy has no plans to stop providing the Proof of Income Affidavits at ANYTIME in the foreseeable future.  The British Embassy needs to keep quiet when they don’t know what they are talking about and mind their own business lol.  I literally called and confirmed that the United States Embassy is not taking this action earlier today.  

 

I swear there is so much misinformation and rumors on here it’s ridiculous.  I even actually know the person at the United States Embassy who I spoke with because I used to work with all the embassies in Asia before I retired in fact that’s why I retired here because I never wanted to leave after working in this part of the world for my last assignment and because my wife is a Thai citizen.  

 

So don’t worry United States Citizens I confirmed earlier today before this article even came out this afternoon that this information is total BS, it’s just the British Embassy doing their own thing and that is from a very reliable source at the United States Embassy who I spoke with today on the phone.  So what I’m saying is not just more internet rumors it’s a verified FACT!  Don’t listen to internet rumors get the facts from government officials as I did today.  Don’t worry no changes are coming for United States citizens the British Embassy is talking out of their you know where.  

OK thanks you have convinced me

[KhonkaenExpat]

 

Tell me what does the British Embassy do for their countryman?? They don’t issue passports anymore except in an emergency, they don’t represent anyone in court even if that person is being wrongly accused, where other countries will provide help and assistance, not the Brit Government.  

What do the taxpayers get for all the taxes they have paid, to keep these civil servants’ bureaucrats in a job?? No not a job a Holliday with free accommodation, because they do <deleted>,all ells.  

 

 

[Moonlover]

1 hour ago, NCC1701A said:

I send USD and Bangkok Bank does the exchange. It has always been a good rate. Someone just said that Transferwise is more expensive for Americans and the more you send the more it costs. not the case with my US banks. one flat fee. I transfer $5000-$10000 at a time.  Maybe Transfer wise is good for sending small amounts.      

There is bound to be a point when using the flat fee per transaction of a bank will have the advantage over percentage based charging. But the break even point will be quite high compared to the kind of sums that most of us are talking about.

 

Here we're talking about our monthly pension payments. And at these relatively low figures, TransferWise offers a clear advantage. I reckon I'm about 1,000 THB better per month off by using TW. Much of that gain is due to the favourable exchange rate and with the pound at its current low level, every Bhat counts!

Edited October 10, 2018 by Moonlover

[garyk]

15 minutes ago, flexomike said:

I have two Thai friends living in Thailand for years and collecting Social Security no problem for them

I have a friend that gets SS from the US that is a Thai citizen. He said when he moved back here it was not stopped but cut by several hundred dollars? I am not going to research it but, he has no reason to lie to me.

 

Edited October 10, 2018 by garyk

[hobobo]

5 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...Earlier this week the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok confirmed no change to its current process..."

 

Great to be Canadian, eh?

 

My sympathies to the Brits and the Yanks...

 

 

I don't need sympathy. I have more than sufficient funds. But thank you for the sympathetic thoughts...

[smedly]

22 minutes ago, Lampang2 said:

http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services/7742/84508-Non-Immigrant-visas.html#7

Scroll down to O-A


Skickat från min SM-N950F via Tapatalk
 

As I have already stated - this is external to Thailand and has nothing to do with this discussion and has nothing remotely to do with Thai Immigration in Thailand

[White Tiger]

5 hours ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

You can barely open a bank account now without a work permit. 

 

Took my mate to the Bangkok Bank in the Emporium, explained that he needs a bank account for his retirement visa to pay the 800k into (he's minted so no issues) and was told no, need to have work permit. I argued that he was retired and is not working LOL. Was told cannot open bank account without work permit. 

 

He did it in Pattaya instead. 

The truth.

 

I have a friend who's been over here for a few years on back to back one year marriage visas. Up here in the countryside they won't let him open a bank account without a work permit - that seems to be a constant. Although different banks and different branches of banks all seem to have their own policies/rules. They all seem to be set up as little franchises where the branch manager of each branch/franchise makes his own rules up. 

[Jimbo53]

Typical Embassy staff,anything to make their easy job easier,just wash their hands of it.A total waste of oxygen,send them back to their countries of origin to do a real days work,and save their taxpayers a fortune.I have known people that have approached Embassies for help,they may as well have asked a Thai Cab driver...TIT.

[zydeco]

24 minutes ago, Issanjohn said:

LMAO The British Embassy is wrong I called and spoke with an official at the United States Embassy today and I was assured by an actual State Department Official that the United States Embassy has no plans to stop providing the Proof of Income Affidavits at ANYTIME in the foreseeable future.  The British Embassy needs to keep quiet when they don’t know what they are talking about and mind their own business lol.  I literally called and confirmed that the United States Embassy is not taking this action earlier today.  

 

I swear there is so much misinformation and rumors on here it’s ridiculous.  I even actually know the person at the United States Embassy who I spoke with because I used to work with all the embassies in Asia before I retired in fact that’s why I retired here because I never wanted to leave after working in this part of the world for my last assignment and because my wife is a Thai citizen.  

 

So don’t worry United States Citizens I confirmed earlier today before this article even came out this afternoon that this information is total BS, it’s just the British Embassy doing their own thing and that is from a very reliable source at the United States Embassy who I spoke with today on the phone.  So what I’m saying is not just more internet rumors it’s a verified FACT!  Don’t listen to internet rumors get the facts from government officials as I did today.  Don’t worry no changes are coming for United States citizens the British Embassy is talking out of their you know where.  

The really irritating thing is that it is ThaiVisa that is spreading this rumor. They should never have just taken the word of some unidentified person at the UK embassy for what is American policy. They simply shouldn't have published it.  It is shoddy journalism.  As I said in the other thread, I think some people plant these stories just to terrorize people.  That's why I'm betting it will work out okay for the UK people, too.  Their embassy will need to adjust or back down.

[Issanjohn]

2 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I hope what you're recounting is correct. I suspect we'll get some official comment from the U.S. Embassy or its minions, probably tomorrow.

 

But at the same time, I don't fault ThaiVisa for reporting/posting the emailed responses they received from the British Embassy. If that's what the British Embassy said in their statement, then it deserved to be reported as it was. That said, it still was a 2nd party report, but I'm sure set off a flurry of inquiries to the U.S. Embassy wanting to know <deleted> is going on. So we'll see what comes from that.

 

If the British Embassy was wrong and mis-reported what is or isn't going on with their American counterparts, then they'll have a lot of diplomatic egg on their faces, and deservedly so.

I fault anyone who spreads misinformation.  I can assure you I spoke with you know an actual State Department Official and I confirmed that this WILL NOT happen at least not in the foreseeable future anyway but years from now who knows what could happen.  

 

Even if they did do this later on down the road so what I just have to open a Thai Bank account and deposit a minimum of 40,000 Baht in it okay I can do that because I’m on a marriage visa and I really do receive a monthly pension payment of almost $4,000 US dollars a month but I currently only use my bank in the United States.  In the future if I have to deposit 40,000 Baht a month in a Thai bank it’ll be a bit of a hassle but no problem.  I would prefer not to put any money in a Thai bank and if I end up at some point having to I’ll just make my 40,000 Baht deposit which is the minimum monthly income requirement for those of us on marriage visas, then print out my bank statement at the bank within 3 months of applying for my next visa extension, and then just withdraw my money back out of the Thai bank and just do the same thing once a year big deal.  That would be an inconvenience but doable for me anyway.  I really don’t want to use a local bank is my only issue.  

 

The other thing that pissed me off about the misinformation is how people were saying that they were going to stop providing the Proof of Income Affidavit that’s not even true for the British Embassy.  They are merely saying that they are going to start making people prove that they actually have the money before issuing it.  And to be honest I’ve always wondered why they never did that before because anyone can just say they make the minimum income requirement.  Still regardless the British Embassy should darn well have given their citizens A LOT MORE advanced notice instead of putting out this information literally at the last minute that’s unacceptable and if I were a British Citizen I’d be absolutely livid with the British Embassy.  

[Issanjohn]

I fault anyone who spreads misinformation.  See my first post, I can assure you I spoke with you know an actual State Department Official and I confirmed that this WILL NOT happen at least not in the foreseeable future anyway but years from now who knows what could happen.  

 

Even if they did do this later on down the road so what I just have to open a Thai Bank account and deposit a minimum of 40,000 Baht in it okay I can do that because I’m on a marriage visa and I really do receive a monthly pension payment of almost $4,000 US dollars a month but I currently only use my bank in the United States.  In the future if I have to deposit 40,000 Baht a month in a Thai bank it’ll be a bit of a hassle but no problem.  I would prefer not to put any money in a Thai bank and if I end up at some point having to I’ll just make my 40,000 Baht deposit which is the minimum monthly income requirement for those of us on marriage visas, then print out my bank statement at the bank within 3 months of applying for my next visa extension, and then just withdraw my money back out of the Thai bank and just do the same thing once a year big deal.  That would be an inconvenience but doable for me anyway.  I really don’t want to use a local bank is my only issue.  

 

The other thing that pissed me off about the misinformation is how people were saying that they were going to stop providing the Proof of Income Affidavit that’s not even true for the British Embassy.  They are merely saying that they are going to start making people prove that they actually have the money before issuing it.  And to be honest I’ve always wondered why they never did that before because anyone can just say they make the minimum income requirement.  Still regardless the British Embassy should darn well have given their citizens A LOT MORE advanced notice instead of putting out this information literally at the last minute that’s unacceptable and if I were a British Citizen I’d be absolutely livid with the British Embassy.  

[Phuket Man]

3 hours ago, fforest1 said:

The British government does not have time for expats...They are to busy laying out the red carpet and giving loads of benefits to all the new immigrants arriving in England...  

They are?????

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 minute ago, Issanjohn said:

I fault anyone who spreads misinformation.

 

ThaiVisa wasn't knowingly spreading misinformation. They were, as best as I can tell, accurately reporting the answers they received in an official email from the British Embassy BKK. There's nothing wrong with that.

 

If you're correct and the U.S. Embassy will be continuing to issue income affidavits, then it will have been the British Embassy that was spreading misinformation as regards the U.S. plans.  And they're the ones who deserve the blame for it.

 

[Russell17au]

9 minutes ago, White Tiger said:

The truth.

 

I have a friend who's been over here for a few years on back to back one year marriage visas. Up here in the countryside they won't let him open a bank account without a work permit - that seems to be a constant. Although different banks and different branches of banks all seem to have their own policies/rules. They all seem to be set up as little franchises where the branch manager of each branch/franchise makes his own rules up. 

The Truth:

I opened a savings account with the Bangkok Bank on the 28/5/2018 without a work permit and I have also opened a savings account with the Kasikorn Bank on the 22/8/2018 without a work permit. I am 73 years old and the only reason I opened the Kasikorn Bank account is because of the Union Pay Debit card. My Australian Government pension goes direct into the Bangkok Bank account.

[Scott]

39 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

You wrote, "Read if your getting US Social Security and living aboard not naturalized citizen but legally worked in US paid into Social Security if six months out of country payments are stopped. "  That's a pretty big piece of fake news and should be deleted. 

This is a quote on the issue:

 

Rules are different if you're not a U.S. citizen. American citizens are always eligible to receive their Social Security benefits while living abroad. ... Noncitizens will receive their benefits for six months while living abroad, after which point the Social Security Administration will stop payments.Jan 24, 2018

 

https://www.wisebread.com/how-to-claim-social-security-benefits-while-living-abroad

[zydeco]

1 minute ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

ThaiVisa wasn't knowingly spreading misinformation. They were, as best as I can tell, accurately reporting the answers they received in an official email from the British Embassy BKK. There's nothing wrong with that.

 

If you're correct and the U.S. Embassy will be continuing to issue income affidavits, then it will have been the British Embassy that was spreading misinformation as regards the U.S. plans.  And they're the ones who deserve the blame for it.

 

Wrong. ThaiVisa should have gone to the US embassy for confirmation FIRST.  Just as they did with the other embassies.  

[Issanjohn]

20 minutes ago, oldlakey said:

OK thanks you have convinced me

Seriously I called the United States Embassy today because I was afraid they were going to follow suit with the Brits but they assured me that they are not going to be doing this “at anytime in the foreseeable future” was her exact quote when I called her today.  I wanted to tell everyone else because people shouldn’t have to worry if they don’t have to.  

 

Although I do think that all embassies ought to at least make us show some sort of official income verification before issuing the Proof of Income Affidavit because anyone can just say they meet the minimum income requirement and I’ve always wondered why they don’t ask for it, my only issue is that I just don’t want to use a local bank I’m happy with my bank in the United States and I honestly do receive my monthly pension payments I’m retired military and a disabled veteran so I make pretty decent money every month.  I go by the monthly income requirement and I’m on a marriage visa even though I actually am retired.  

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

5 minutes ago, Issanjohn said:

The other thing that pissed me off about the misinformation is how people were saying that they were going to stop providing the Proof of Income Affidavit that’s not even true for the British Embassy.  They are merely saying that they are going to start making people prove that they actually have the money before issuing it.

 

I think you're wrong about your comment above re the British Embassy. I hope you're more right about your conversation with your U.S. Embassy contact.

 

 

That above pretty clearly looks like STOPPING to me.

 

[Samyan]

4 minutes ago, Russell17au said:

The Truth:

I opened a savings account with the Bangkok Bank on the 28/5/2018 without a work permit and I have also opened a savings account with the Kasikorn Bank on the 22/8/2018 without a work permit. I am 73 years old and the only reason I opened the Kasikorn Bank account is because of the Union Pay Debit card. My Australian Government pension goes direct into the Bangkok Bank account.

I too have an account at the Bangkok Bank and never had a problem with them. However I would like to open an account with Kasikorn as I don't want the Union Pay Debit Card. At which branch of Kasikorn did you open your account?

[Sydebolle]

If Western countries would insist the same of Thai Embassies and consulates in those countries I wonder, how the latter would react. Rubber-stamping as with everything else? 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

3 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Wrong. ThaiVisa should have gone to the US embassy for confirmation FIRST.  Just as they did with the other embassies.  

 

I asked for a response/comment today from the U.S. Embassy BKK, and have yet to receive any reply.

 

If I was ThaiVisa, should I have ignored what the British Embassy said re the U.S. and sat around waiting before accurately reporting what the British Embassy actually said, rightly or wrongly?

 

I don't think so, and journalism is my profession.

[Acharn]

6 hours ago, SkyNets said:

So just get a print out from your Thai bank showing your pension payments. Whats the problem, unless you have been lying.....

Well, the Bangkok Bank is the only Thai Bank to have a branch in America, specifically in New York. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service will only transfer my pension to banks located in the U.S. I decided several years ago that BKK Bank's procedure was too risky. I would have to go in person to the branch bank every month to withdraw the money -- I could not use an ATM. What if I became disabled? I could not even give a power of attorney to an agent. I would be required to go in person. It might take months to get my money. I can understand why BKK Bank has the policy, and it may be required to comply with some American law. I know there is concern that if the pension recipient died the bank and/or the Defense Department might not be notified, so others might continue to receive the pension, but it's still a formidable barrier for me.

If it turns out that the U.S. Embassy does stop issuing the affidavits (not letters guaranteeing my income), or Immigration requires more guarantee that I'm actually receiving that much I'll have to explore other means of transferring my funds. It's been convenient for over thirty years to use my VISA account. Maybe my credit union can transfer the funds electronically -- I've never asked them. Do you remember when they were requiring a letter from your bank every time you renewed your extension? My letter always showed zero transfers from overseas, because I used the ATM, but they accepted the affidavit from the Embassy. They finally gave up on that because apparently a lot of people did. I last renewed my extension in July, so there's time. I'll have to wait and see what the American Embassy announces. 

Edited October 10, 2018 by Acharn

[oldlakey]

7 minutes ago, Issanjohn said:

Seriously I called the United States Embassy today because I was afraid they were going to follow suit with the Brits but they assured me that they are not going to be doing this “at anytime in the foreseeable future” was her exact quote when I called her today.  I wanted to tell everyone else because people shouldn’t have to worry if they don’t have to.  

 

Although I do think that all embassies ought to at least make us show some sort of official income verification before issuing the Proof of Income Affidavit because anyone can just say they meet the minimum income requirement and I’ve always wondered why they don’t ask for it, my only issue is that I just don’t want to use a local bank I’m happy with my bank in the United States and I honestly do receive my monthly pension payments I’m retired military and a disabled veteran so I make pretty decent money every month.  I go by the monthly income requirement and I’m on a marriage visa even though I actually am retired.  

Yes john no problem, but your Post came over as a little frantic, no worries

[Issanjohn]

6 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

ThaiVisa wasn't knowingly spreading misinformation. They were, as best as I can tell, accurately reporting the answers they received in an official email from the British Embassy BKK. There's nothing wrong with that.

 

If you're correct and the U.S. Embassy will be continuing to issue income affidavits, then it will have been the British Embassy that was spreading misinformation as regards the U.S. plans.  And they're the ones who deserve the blame for it.

 

I hear you but I just get sick of all the false rumors being spread online it’s frustrating and concerning when it’s something that could potentially affect your life.  But even if they did do it the worst thing that could really happen is that I’d have to open a Thai bank account which I don’t want to do I’m happy with my bank in the United States.  And maybe deposit the minimum monthly income requirement for a marriage visa which is 40,000 Baht a month.  If I have to drop 40,000 Baht in a Thai bank account once a year I could live with that it would just be an inconvenience.  

 

But people were originally saying that they were going to stop issuing the Proof of Income Affidavit all together which is not even accurate information for the British Embassy that’s what I meant about the false rumors.  They’re just gonna make people prove they actually do have the money before issuing the document, so okay not as big of a deal as they were making it seem like just an inconvenience is all it really might be.  Although if I were a British citizen and I had to get my extension soon I’d be pretty angry that they waited so long to inform their citizens of the changes because not everyone uses a Thai bank account.  

[Postmaster]

I agree with darksidedog

I think the British Embassy have come out of the Meeting with Immigration Officials and realised that this is an opportunity for them to get out of doing this work for British nationals.  Why has it come to a head anyway?

Has some falsification come to light for example ?  My view is that those of us who are organised sufficiently once a year to be able to produce P60's from various pensions and the annual letter which comes notifying the increase in State Pension is verification enough so long as these are original documents. To my mind this is yet another example of lazy civil servants. When I was a civil servant I used to look for extra work not try to defray it.  I wanted to make myself indispensable. There were many around me just sitting counting time towards their pensionable age. Not for me that.

[ukrules]

55 minutes ago, Issanjohn said:

LMAO The British Embassy is wrong I called and spoke with an official at the United States Embassy today and I was assured by an actual State Department Official that the United States Embassy has no plans to stop providing the Proof of Income Affidavits at ANYTIME in the foreseeable future.  The British Embassy needs to keep quiet when they don’t know what they are talking about and mind their own business lol.  I literally called and confirmed that the United States Embassy is not taking this action earlier today.  

 

I swear there is so much misinformation and rumors on here it’s ridiculous.  I even actually know the person at the United States Embassy who I spoke with because I used to work with all the embassies in Asia before I retired in fact that’s why I retired here because I never wanted to leave after working in this part of the world for my last assignment and because my wife is a Thai citizen.  

 

So don’t worry United States Citizens I confirmed earlier today before this article even came out this afternoon that this information is total BS, it’s just the British Embassy doing their own thing and that is from a very reliable source at the United States Embassy who I spoke with today on the phone.  So what I’m saying is not just more internet rumors it’s a verified FACT!  Don’t listen to internet rumors get the facts from government officials as I did today.  Don’t worry no changes are coming for United States citizens the British Embassy is talking out of their you know where.  

I'm sure they will continue to issue the affidavits, the issue is whether the immigration department will accept them or not.

[Shouldhaveknownbetter]

Just now, dontoearth said:

  In the US the embassy would not be allowed to check government pensions either.  All of the various income statements would have to be supplied by the individual applying or a sign-off letter giving the embassy power of attorney to exam govt. pensions, bank accounts, etc.   It is just way to complicated.  Our major pension Social Security top range is close to 2K or 65K baht but very few qualify for that much monthly payment, perhaps 5% of the pensioners would get that much.  Then the embassy or thai govt. is left trying to verify private pension letters.  Something even banks are not too skilled at doing from the amount of worldwide fraud that takes place.

I believe Social Security tops out at around 3400 dollars.