New Requirements for 'O' Visa & Married 'O' Visa

[Dillpickles98]

As many have heard the U.S. & U.K will no longer issue the "Income Statement" as proof of monthly income of the required 80,000, and 40,000 Baht respectively in lieu of the 800,00 and, 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank . From the U.S. Embassy I received this in an email notice.  Which included two links to Thai Immigration stating a bank statement or, a letter of sorts from the bank will be acceptable.

 

As many know printing a bank statement is a simple matter. I do it every month for my own records. Just wonder if this will suffice? I have downloaded the requirements in both English & Thai and intend to present them at my bank. If such a letter meets this requirement. I also download, and print my U.S. Bank statement as a matter of habit.

 

Since it is not 2019 yet, and no one has had to face this issue yet, just wondering if anyone has a new information unknown to me, or others. I don't renew my Married 'O' Visa until August 2019. In ten years of being retired, and getting a Married 'O' visa,  I have never been able to submit the paperwork required in just one trip. This year was the fastest, three trips to Immigration in two days, as they seem to always want something new. This year for the first time they wanted a photo (Besides the one's required) of the house owner holding her I.D. to include us in the photo.

 

I have also contacted my U.S. bank's I.T. agent to be sure my ACH transfers are in the IAT protocol, to take effect April 1, 2019, which it is. He said that notice from Bangkok Bank New York was to bring them into compliance with U.S. Home Security laws. It has nothing to do with Bangkok Banks change of policy. As most do I use ACH transfers of funds as I need them here. My U.S. bank charges me nothing up to $25,000 USD per day. I never transfer more than $10,000 or have more than that in total of our bank accounts. Because I don't want to be bothered with filing the FBAR ( Foreign Bank Account Reporting for U.S. citizens living abroad ) which is annoying, and can only be done online.

 

If anyone has any new information, I'd appreciate a reply.

 

Thank Guys/Ladies

 

DP.

 

 

 

  

[Kwasaki]

I didn't know there are different non 'O' visas I was on retirement extension and changed to marriage extension didn't need to get another visa.

 

I think it's made easier going the 400,000 in Thai bank route which I have always done because of my circumstances.

 

The only thing that was extra at our Sukhothai immigration office this June 2018 for a 1 year marriage extension was checking down through a listed form from 1 to 6 sections and 14 out of 45 items are checked through with the immigration official and ticked off as he when through all the papers and copies required presented to them for marriage  extension.

 

The only extra was the time it took 2 hours and they wanting a copy of my yellow book of proof of address and my Thai ID number, which they have never needed before.  

[HAKAPALITA]

29 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

I didn't know there are different non 'O' visas I was on retirement extension and changed to marriage extension didn't need to get another visa.

 

I think it's made easier going the 400,000 in Thai bank route which I have always done because of my circumstances.

 

The only thing that was extra at our Sukhothai immigration office this June 2018 for a 1 year marriage extension was checking down through a listed form from 1 to 6 sections and 14 out of 45 items are checked through with the immigration official and ticked off as he when through all the papers and copies required presented to them for marriage  extension.

 

The only extra was the time it took 2 hours and they wanting a copy of my yellow book of proof of address and my Thai ID number, which they have never needed before.  

 I can follow all your points. There is one thing ive never grasped. Thee Yellow Hose Book. The Blue one for Cars im quite good at. Why i never been asked for Banana one.?. I live in my Wifes Houses, is that why.?. I not vert popular with some ferangs when i say all U need is 800/ 400 Simsons and Wifes  Permission to live in Her House.. Her House seems to ofend Ferang Egos a bit.

[Kwasaki]

24 minutes ago, HAKAPALITA said:

Thee Yellow Hose Book

There old threads on yellow house books.

The book can be used for proof of address and issues you with a Thai ID number.

I believe they easier to get if you are married and also depends on the province.

The Thai ID number goes on your Thai driving licences instead of passport number well it does in our province dunno about other provinces. 

[Dillpickles98]

Hi Kwasaki, thanks for the reply. Though I do have it, I prefer, as many do, to keep it in my country's bank. However many expats don't, but do have the required income. I was just wondering if the links sent by the U.S. Embassy had added anything since.

 

I guess I'll have to wait and see what the outcome is once someone renews their visa in the new year.

 

We have been seeing the same Immigration Officer in Pattaya, Jomtiem Beach Office for the past nine years. I have never spoken to her, she doesn't know I speak Thai. The only reason I elect to do the Married 'O' visa, is because my wife will receive my survivor benefits for the rest of her life. We have been married 16 years, so that's not likely to change. To insure that, we are married in both the U.S. and Thailand. Registered with Bureau of Foreign Affairs, and her home Amphoe, as required. Out of the some 45 pages only four change from year to year. However this officer seems to never be satisfied with something. The paperwork in already completed for our August 2019 to August 2020 visa, except what is expected as far as what they may want in the way of proof of income.

 

I could set up scheduled deposits every month from my U.S. bank if need be. But that would add expenses to the charges of Bangkok Bank, which is not cost effective.

 

Thanks for your info.

 

DP.

 

       

[HAKAPALITA]

18 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

There old threads on yellow house books.

The book can be used for proof of address and issues you with a Thai ID number.

I believe they easier to get if you are married and also depends on the province.

The Thai ID number goes on your Thai driving licences instead of passport number well it does in our province dunno about other provinces. 

Just asked, She dont like Questions.  Yellow is for ferangs, we have Blue, Yellow they perfectly good , why you ask.. Can we go back to 1.8 Isuzus , its safer. Can advise 98, the 2 Americans i see are Retired USAF, old n and vague as Me.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

3 hours ago, Dillpickles98 said:

As many have heard the U.S. & U.K will no longer issue the "Income Statement" as proof of monthly income of the required 80,000, and 40,000 Baht respectively in lieu of the 800,00 and, 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank . From the U.S. Embassy I received this in an email notice.  Which included two links to Thai Immigration stating a bank statement or, a letter of sorts from the bank will be acceptable.

 

OP, your post is off in several details:

 

--the required monthly income amounts are 65K for retirement extensions, and 40K for marriage extensions, not 40K and 80K as you mention.

 

--Based on your post, you're not applying for visas at Thai Immigration, but rather, extensions of stay based on marriage to a Thai citizen (or retirement, as the case may be). Those are not O or O-A visas, which are an entirely different thing.

 

--Given the changes you mentioned with the U.S. Embassy planning to cease issuing income letters, right now, it's very unclear just what kind of documentation Thai Immigration is going to accept, if any, in the future for support monthly income applicants.

 

Right now, the Embassy seems to be saying rightly or wrongly that Thai Immigration will accept proof that is monthly deposits into Thai bank accounts. There's been no mention looking to the future of them accepting foreign country bank or income documents, at least thus far. And thus far, Thai Immigration themselves have said NOTHING!

 

The good news here is, since your next application isn't due until next fall, hopefully, the entire current mess will have sorted itself out before that time. And everyone here will know what kind of rules/documents Thai Immigration is going to insist on moving forward, particularly on the monthly income documentation issue.

 

Also be aware, Embassy income letters are general accepted by Immigration up to 6 months after their issue. And the U.S. Embassy is saying, the accuracy of this remains to be seen, that Thai Immigration for the coming months will accept early applications from U.S. applicants with income letters. But they haven't said just how early, AFAIK. So it's POSSIBLE you might be able to sneak in one more renewal under the old rules, if you get a U.S. Embassy affidavit before Dec. 31, and your local Immigration office is willing to accept your renewal application before you affidavit would expire toward the end of June.

[JohnOFphon]

Thanks for that well written reply Tall guy John.

From Average guy John.

 

[Dillpickles98]

Hi TallGuyJohinBK, Thanks for pointing out my error, at the time of that writing I was thinking of the old income figures. I stand corrected, it is 65,000 & 40,000 Baht income for an Extension of Stay. As that is what we will apply for again next August. 

 

I had heard of the Income Statement being accepted up to six before applying. The U.S. Embassy Outreach Program had been  held in Pattaya either June, or July for the past nine years, So there has never been an issue with it for me. However I will have to go with whatever is new. My extension of stay expires in August 2019.

 

Whatever the new changes are, they may well be cheaper than the $50.00 the U.S. Embassy charges for a notary, that can be had anywhere in the U.S. for $10.00

 

That's for the correction, as it may have had some effect on the accuracy of my post on others.

 

Most appreciated.

 

DP.  

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

As far as extensions of stay are concerned, the one thing that IS clear right now is that the current Thai bank deposits method (400K for marriage extensions or 800K for retirement extensions) is going to continue to work as it always has, AFAWK.

 

But the issue of what's going to become of the monthly income method, at least for U.S. and U.K. citizens who won't have Embassy income letters starting next year, is pretty much entirely up in the air at present. We know what the UK and US Embassies are saying, but whether that matches up with what Thai Immigration ends up doing remains to be seen.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

4 minutes ago, Dillpickles98 said:

I had heard of the Income Statement being accepted up to six before applying. The U.S. Embassy Outreach Program had been  held in Pattaya either June, or July for the past nine years, So there has never been an issue with it for me. However I will have to go with whatever is new. My extension of stay expires in August 2019.

 

The U.S. Embassy is slated to stop issuing income affidavits as of 12/31/2018. So at least in theory, anyone who gets a U.S. income affidavit from them should be able to use it with Thai Immigration anytime up to 6 months thereafter, which would run thru late June.

 

Now, whether Thai Immigration is going to continue to honor that 6 month period AFTER the U.S. and UK Embassies stop issuing income letters at year end remains to be seen. And as I mentioned above, it's also unclear just to what extent Immigration is going to allow U.S. and U.K. citizens to apply early (before their normal extension renewal time) because of all the pending changes.

 

Stay tuned and monitor the news in the weeks and months ahead.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

4 hours ago, Dillpickles98 said:

I have also contacted my U.S. bank's I.T. agent to be sure my ACH transfers are in the IAT protocol, to take effect April 1, 2019, which it is. He said that notice from Bangkok Bank New York was to bring them into compliance with U.S. Home Security laws. It has nothing to do with Bangkok Banks change of policy. As most do I use ACH transfers of funds as I need them here. My U.S. bank charges me nothing up to $25,000 USD per day. I never transfer more than $10,000 or have more than that in total of our bank accounts. Because I don't want to be bothered with filing the FBAR ( Foreign Bank Account Reporting for U.S. citizens living abroad ) which is annoying, and can only be done online. 

 

Not sure about the details you're posting here...

 

1. I don't know of any U.S. bank whose ACH transfers are set up in the IAT protocol, because it requires a lot of personal information and details that normally are not part of regular U.S. bank ACH domestic transactions, including details about your Thailand location and Thai bank branch location (not NY but the ultimate deposit location in Thailand). What U.S. bank are you talking about?

 

2. You realize, assuming you're sending money thru BKKB New York, that they're charging you a fee in NY for every ACH transfer, and then BKKB in Thailand is charging you another fee here. And that as of April 2019, BKKB has said they're going to stop accepting U.S. domestic ACH transfers for forwarding onward to Thailand.

 

 

[Thailand]

52 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

The U.S. Embassy is slated to stop issuing income affidavits as of 12/31/2018. So at least in theory, anyone who gets a U.S. income affidavit from them should be able to use it with Thai Immigration anytime up to 6 months thereafter, which would run thru late June.

 

Now, whether Thai Immigration is going to continue to honor that 6 month period AFTER the U.S. and UK Embassies stop issuing income letters at year end remains to be seen. And as I mentioned above, it's also unclear just to what extent Immigration is going to allow U.S. and U.K. citizens to apply early (before their normal extension renewal time) because of all the pending changes.

 

Stay tuned and monitor the news in the weeks and months ahead.

 

Apparently they have confirmed the 6 months, just need to know what comes next.

 

 

[Dillpickles98]

Hi TallGuyJohninBK, Regardless if they will accept an early application, that would mean coming into compliance the following year. Could be useful to those whose Extension of Stay expires early in 2019. Or it could mean an aggravation if one has the income statement paid for, then not accepted by Immigration with in the defined dates. 

 

DP.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

7 minutes ago, Thailand said:

Apparently they have confirmed the 6 months, just need to know what comes next.

 

file:///C:/Users/ACER/Downloads/1576683861_Immigrationdirectiveforincomeletters%20(1).pdf

 

The link you posted is non-working. It points to a file on your PC.

 

[wgdanson]

28 minutes ago, Dillpickles98 said:

Whatever the new changes are, they may well be cheaper than the $50.00 the U.S. Embassy charges for a notary, that can be had anywhere in the U.S. for $10.00

I hope your life doesn't revolve around 40 bucks.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

31 minutes ago, Dillpickles98 said:

Whatever the new changes are, they may well be cheaper than the $50.00 the U.S. Embassy charges for a notary, that can be had anywhere in the U.S. for $10.00

 

One issue re the current cost of the U.S. income letters, which are soon to die.

 

While $50 for a signature is undeniably steep, a lot of U.S. folks who may want to do periodic/monthly international transfers of funds from U.S. accounts into Thai accounts for monthly income extension purposes -- if Thai Immigration ends up allowing that --  may well find those international bank xfer fees quickly exceeding the once a year income affidavit fee.

 

For the typical U.S. person, the cost of international transfers via their home country banks tends to be pretty steep, with international wire transfer fees of $30 to $60 per transfer not uncommon.

 

[Thailand]

22 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

The link you posted is non-working. It points to a file on your PC.

 

 

 

 

 

[ubonjoe]

31 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

The link you posted is non-working. It points to a file on your PC.

 

Here is a download that will work.

Immigration directive for income letters.pdf

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

27 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Here is a download that will work.

Immigration directive for income letters.pdf

 

Right!  But that's a years old directive at this point.

 

The point I was making, after explaining that 6 month validity policy, was that it remains to be seen whether Immigration will continue to honor that for U.S. and U.K. income affidavits issued in late 2018 once we get into mid-2019, those embassies are no longer issuing new letters, and whatever new monthly income scheme, if any, is in place.

 

I agree, Immigration SHOULD continue to honor the 6 month validity period.  But whether they will....

 

And reports like the following do create some uncertainty, even though Phuket Immigration always has tended to be a bit of its own thing.

 

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1065942-income-affidavit-denied-in-phuket/

 

Quote

She looked at the income affidavit for a minute and then told me to make a copy of every page of my bank book. When I returned she told me she cannot accept the income affidavit because it proves nothing. Even if I showed that 480,000 THB+ came into my bank from overseas (12 months x 40,000) in the past 12 months, it seems this would NOT be accepted. The only proof she could accept, she said, would be 400,000 THB in the bank for 2-3 months.

 

[Dillpickles98]

Hi TallGuyJohninBK my bank is Los Angles Federal Credit Union, for city, state, federal employee's, and retirees, I use my Thai address as my alternate mailing address, my ATM & credit cards are sent here, though I don't use them. Twice a yr. I have to call to update my Travel Advisory in the event my cards are used outside Thailand, or I go outside the Kingdom.

 

I have used international ACH transfers from both my account and my wife's, for more than 15 yrs.  My bank charges nothing up $25,000 a day, immediate one day transfers of up to $4,000, more than that, I wait four days. To transfer I get 3 emails, Transfer Request received, transfer scheduled, transfer request competed. Bangkok Bank New York, is the clearing house for all Thai banks, their fee is $10.00 up to a limit, then Bangkok Bank in Thailand charges 200 Baht or 5%. The upper limit of Bangkok Bank New York, I don't know, 1 have never needed that much here, it cost the same if I transfer $5,000 or $9,000, about $24.00.

 

As I said, I talked to my Banks IT guy, he said not an  issues. I checked transfer data sheets, from Bangkok Bank they look the same as my direct deposit Soc.Sec. To set up I did for myself & wife only once. Gave them Bangkok Bank's routing number, my account numbers, they sent two trial deposits, which appear in Bangkok Banks accounts, I had to identity those amounts within 3 days with 3 attempts. So the easiest way was to check the exchange rate for the day the trial deposit were made, round up to the nearest cent, and done.

 

Normally I do three to four transfers a yr. Never an issue.

 

DP.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

17 minutes ago, Dillpickles98 said:

As I said I talked to my Banks IT guy, he said not an  issues. I checked transfer data sheets, they look the same as my direct deposit Soc.Sec. To set up I did for myself & wife only once. Gave them Bangkok Bank's routing number, my account number, they sent two trial deposits, which appear in Bangkok Banks accounts, I had to identity those amounts within 3 days with 3 attempts. So the easiest way was to check the exchange rate for the day the trial deposit were made, round up to the nearest cent, and done.

 

Dill, I understand what you're describing, which is the normal setup process for DOMESTIC ACH transfers from a U.S. bank to BKKB New York and onward to Thailand BKK Bank.

 

However, BKKB is ending those as of April 2019, and only IAT (International ACH Transfers) transfers will be allowed thereafter (in addition to international wires).  IATs are an entirely different matter from regular U.S. ACH transfers, in part, because the sending details have to include your location in Thailand AND the location details for your Thailand recipient branch.  And neither of those are part of a normal U.S. bank ACH sent to BKKB New York.

 

It's possible, of course, that LAFCU is capable of sending IATs for its customers, But if they are, they'd be the only U.S. bank that anyone here on ThaiVisa has yet found that's capable of doing so for its U.S. customers. I'm afraid, the more likely case is, the IT guy you talked to doesn't really understand what IATs are all about.

 

PS - The ACH transfers you've been doing for years through your LAFCU to Thailand via BKKB Bank are NOT international or IAT transfers.  They're domestic ACH transfers from your U.S. CU to another U.S. banking entity, being BKKB NY. It's the latter that's been gaming the system a bit thru the years by then sending those funds onward to Thailand, without all the normal data required for international transfers. But that's now coming to an end.

 

 

 

[Dillpickles98]

One issue re the current cost of the U.S. income letters, which are soon to die.

 

While $50 for a signature is undeniably steep, a lot of U.S. folks who may want to do periodic/monthly international transfers of funds from U.S. accounts into Thai accounts for monthly income extension purposes -- if Thai Immigration ends up allowing that --  may well find those international bank xfer fees quickly exceeding the once a year income affidavit fee.

 

For the typical U.S. person, the cost of international transfers via their home country banks tends to be pretty steep, with international wire transfer fees of $30 to $60 per transfer not uncommon.

[Dillpickles98]

Hi TallGuyJohninBKK, I have spoken with our IT guy many times over the yrs., unfortunately I have to call 11:00 PM our time to reach him during his office hrs.  Enfact have been dealing with him, and his team for years. He does know what IAT protocols are, and assured me they have retired members in all countries friendly to the U.S. But just to be sure, whether, or not I need to, and at some point in time after April 1, 2019 I will have to do a transfer. 

 

I have the email he sent me explaining just what IAT protocols are, the name in itself is "International ACH Transfer", once I find that email I'd be happy to send it to you, or Post it on this thread. At the risk of being annoying I may even email him again as there has been so much speculation as to whether, or not my bank meets these standards.

 

I hope updates to this thread are posted as they become available. 

 

DP. 

 

   

[cyberfarang]

4 hours ago, Dillpickles98 said:

Hi Kwasaki, thanks for the reply. Though I do have it, I prefer, as many do, to keep it in my country's bank. However many expats don't, but do have the required income. I was just wondering if the links sent by the U.S. Embassy had added anything since.

 

I guess I'll have to wait and see what the outcome is once someone renews their visa in the new year.

 

We have been seeing the same Immigration Officer in Pattaya, Jomtiem Beach Office for the past nine years. I have never spoken to her, she doesn't know I speak Thai. The only reason I elect to do the Married 'O' visa, is because my wife will receive my survivor benefits for the rest of her life. We have been married 16 years, so that's not likely to change. To insure that, we are married in both the U.S. and Thailand. Registered with Bureau of Foreign Affairs, and her home Amphoe, as required. Out of the some 45 pages only four change from year to year. However this officer seems to never be satisfied with something. The paperwork in already completed for our August 2019 to August 2020 visa, except what is expected as far as what they may want in the way of proof of income.

 

I could set up scheduled deposits every month from my U.S. bank if need be. But that would add expenses to the charges of Bangkok Bank, which is not cost effective.

 

Thanks for your info.

 

DP.

 

       

You have no choice. The US embassy is no longer issuing income confirmation letters that Thai immigration require. So it`s money in a Thai bank, 2 or 3 months prior to your annual extension application. This is now the situation, there are no loopholes around it. 

[Ratt Thai]

4 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

it's very unclear just what kind of documentation Thai Immigration is going to accept, if any, in the future for support monthly income applicants.

The words Thai immigration uses is: "Evidence of income such as a retirement pension, interest or dividends; and/or"
source: https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_22

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

17 minutes ago, Ratt Thai said:

The words Thai immigration uses is: "Evidence of income such as a retirement pension, interest or dividends; and/or"
source: https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_22

 

I know what their rules and documents say. The question is, what forms of income documentation are they going to accept for the future in a world where the traditional documentation means of Embassy income letters, at least for Brits and Americans, soon will be halted/disallowed.

 

Thus far, there's zero indication from either of those Embassies that Thai Immigration is going to accept home country financial documents like those you quote above as proof. And at the moment, every indication they're potentially only going to accept Thai bank books showing the transfer of funds into Thailand.

 

So the language you're quoting probably is going to end up being irrelevant, at least for Americans and Brits, if not other nationalities. It just depends on whether the killing off of income letters spreads widely to other Embassies/nationalities.

 

 

[Dillpickles98]

Hi cyberfarang, Not doubting you, if this the case there will a lot of my American Vet buddies, and U.K. buddies are already talking about leaving the Kingdom, though they meet the income requirements. As for me, I'll just transfer the 400,000 THB here 4 months ahead of my visa extension date, then transfer what I don't need here, back to the U.S. and take the loss, which I will probably make in interest anyway. 

 

Back in the early 80's when the banks closed on a Friday, they changed the exchange rate by opening on Monday morning. People took a bit of a hit on that Monday. I trust the U.S. Dollar, and will do whatever necessary to keep mine there.

 

Below is the link, a copy of the email received by me from the U.S. Embassy this past Friday. Special attention to Item #5

What it doesn't state is, if you are applying for an Extension of Stay. 

 

 

Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O”

Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O”

Purpose of Visit: Applicants who wish to stay with family in Thailand (Thai Family)
Applicants who wish for volunteering work with the state enterprises or social welfare organizations in Thailand  (Volunteering)

Documents Required for Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O” (Thai Family):
1. Your actual Passport or Travel Document. (Passport or Travel Document must not expire within 6 months and contain at least ONE completely empty visa page).
2. One original visa application form completely filled out (black and blue ink only) (Download)
3. Two 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 and covering up shoulders. Photos must be taken within 6 months.
4. A copy of flight confirmation/reservation , showing going from US to Thailand  (The name of the applicant must indicated clearly)
5. A copy of recent bank statement  ($700 per person and $1,500 per family) (The name of the applicant must indicated clearly) , In case of submitting family bank statement a proof of relationship (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate) must be provided.

6.For non-US citizen, a copy of permanent resident alien card or a copy of valid US visa with a letter proof of employment ( **we don’t accept pay stubs**)
7. If you are a former Thai citizen, proof of Thai citizen such as Thai passport or Thai identification card
8. If you want to visit as a spouse or family member (spouse, son or daughter), proof of relationship such as a photocopy of marriage license or birth certificate with a proof that your spouse or family member is a Thai citizen such as as a photocopy of Thai passport or Thai identification card

9. For minor under 20 years old, please provide following documents
– Notarized copy of a birth certificate
– Notarized copy of marriage certificate , In case of sole custody notarized copy of court order must be provided.
– Notarized copy or original passports or ID of mother and father/ legal guardian
– Original letter of notarized consent for the minor to travel abroad from mother and father/ legal guardian

***All supporting materials that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations and certified by an embassy only ***

10.For Nigerian nationalities and passport holders, Certificate of Clearance from NDLEA and authenticated by The Ministry of Foreign Affair of Nigeria and Royal Thai Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria

 

Processing time :

In person   5 business days
By mail       minimum 15 business days

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

Processing Fees:
Single entry              80 USD
Multiple entries       200 USD
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***

 

Period of stay: not exceeding 90 days.

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

Validity of a visa:
Single entry          3 months
Multiple entries    1 year

***A visa becomes effective from the date of issuance. Do not apply for the visa too early. If you apply too early the visa may expire before your trip and you will have to re-apply. The fee is not refundable***

 

Documents Required of Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O” (Volunteering)
1. Your actual Passport or Travel Document. (Passport or Travel Document must not expire within 6 months and contain at least ONE completely empty visa page).
2. One visa application form completely filled out (black and blue ink only) (Download)
Two 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 and covering up shoulders. Photos must be taken within 6 months.
3. A copy of flight confirmation/reservation , showing going from US to Thailand and leaving from Thailand (The name of the applicant must indicated clearly)
4. A copy of recent bank statement ($700 per person and $1,500 per family) (The name of the applicant must indicated clearly) , In case of submitting family bank statement a proof of relationship (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate) must be provided.
5. For non-US citizen, a copy of permanent resident alien card with employment verification or a copy of valid US visa with employment verification letter
6. For non-US citizen, a copy of permanent resident alien card or a copy of valid US visa witha letter proof of employment ( **we don’t accept pay stubs**)/ letter proof of full-time student status
7. Original letter of invitation or acceptance from the non profit  foundations AND foundations registration with Thai government

8. For minor under 20 years old, please provide following documents
– Notarized copy of a birth certificate
– Notarized copy of marriage certificate , In case of sole custody notarized copy of court order must be provided.
– Notarized copy or original passports or ID of mother and father/ legal guardian
– Original letter of notarized consent for the minor to travel abroad from mother and father/ legal guardian

***All supporting materials that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations and certified by an embassy only ***

9.For Nigerian nationalities and passport holders, Certificate of Clearance from NDLEA and authenticated by The Ministry of Foreign Affair of Nigeria and Royal Thai Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria

Processing time :
In person    2-5 business days
By mail       minimum 15 business days

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

Processing Fees:
Single entry  (only)      80 USD
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***

 

Period of stay: not exceeding 90 days.

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

Validity of a visa: The Validity of a visa is 3 months.

***A visa becomes effective from the date of issuance. Do not apply for the visa too early. If you apply too early the visa may expire before your trip and you will have to re-apply. The fee is not refundable***

 

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

(except nationalities and passport holders of the following 13 countries: Nigeria, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Sudan. Applicants from the listed countries must apply in person only, and present original resident alien card or US visa)

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.
Washington,D.C 20008-1623

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

Extension of stay: Those who wish to stay longer or may wish to change their type of visa must file an application for permission at the Office of Immigration Bureau located on Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120, Tel (662) 287-3101 to 10 or at http://www.immigration.go.th The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer.

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]

 

     

[Pib]

2 hours ago, Dillpickles98 said:

I have used international ACH transfers from both my account and my wife's, for more than 15 yrs. 

The ACH IAT format has only been around since approx 2009...not even ten years ago when banks/CU started to implement it...or at least be able to "receive" IAT format, but not necessary offer ACH IAT "sending" capability to retail customers.  Instead, they just offer ACH Domestic format and International Wire (SWIFT).  

 

And if you been been sending your money to Bangkok Bank and think that was an international ACH you are probably wrong.  I fully expect your CU was sending a Domestic ACH since the Bangkok Bank New York branch is a licensed US bank....so, as far as your CU was concerned they are sending a Domestic ACH to anther US bank in New York....and then Bangkok Bank NY relays those funds to your Bangkok Bank branch in Thailand.    

 

I'm sure you CU can receive ACH IAT and they implemented that capaability years ago.  But "sending" ACH IAT is a different story.  Make sure your CU rep understands and make him confirm the CU sends in IAT format---I'm highly, highly doubtful.  And your receiving Thai bank could tell you if it was received in IAT format by doing a printout that shows such details....or at least Bangkok Bank can.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 hour ago, cyberfarang said:

The US embassy is no longer issuing income confirmation letters that Thai immigration require. So it`s money in a Thai bank, 2 or 3 months prior to your annual extension application. This is now the situation, there are no loopholes around it. 

 

I don't think that's entirely certain as yet, that the Thai bank deposit method (800 or 400K) will be the only financial method that ends up being allowed for extensions of stay.

 

There's still the possibility that Thai Immigration will end up accepting monthly or periodic deposits to a Thai bank account meeting the 40K or 65K baht monthly amounts, and the Thai bank book as documentary proof of that.

 

At this point, I don't think anyone knows for sure if any kind of monthly income method is or isn't going to survive.