Update on Chiang Mai US Consulate meeting with the Handouts included

[tstcman]

Here are all 3 handouts from the American Consulate meeting in Chiang Mai. They simply restate the current official Thai Immigration income requirements for maintaining a long term stay Visa. At the meeting we were informed of meetings with national Thai Immigration in Bangkok and provincial meetings with Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya Immigration. Phuket Thai Immigration has publically stated that Income Affidavit Letters from the Embassies will no longer be required in 2019.

[ubonjoe]

Nothing new in the handouts. They are just printouts of what was posted on the ACS webpage here. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/

Quote

NOTICE: Beginning January 1, 2019, U.S. Embassy Bangkok and U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai will no longer provide the income affidavit. We will not notarize previous versions of the income affidavit. For more information, please refer to our Fact Sheet (PDF 266KB) and Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 419KB). We will continue to notarize income affidavit forms through the end of 2018. Thai Immigration Bureau officials confirmed that they will support early visa renewals for U.S. citizens during the transition period.

 

[BertM]

1 hour ago, tstcman said:

Phuket Thai Immigration has publically stated that Income Affidavit Letters from the Embassies will no longer be required in 2019.

A misleading statement... Phuket Thai Immigration stated that the 800k bank account method would be accepted. They DID NOT state that the monthly income method would be accepted without the income Affidavit Letters. Read the news article...

[Thailand2020]

Hello, I have an appointment to get the income affidavit letter on December 20th in Chiang Mai. My retirement extension expires on February 18th. I'm trying to understand this correctly. A couple of questions... 

 

"The income affidavits are currently valid for six months"

- So Thai Immigration will accept the affidavit letter for 6 months into 2019?

 

"Thai Immigration Bureau officials confirmed that they will support early visa renewals for U.S. citizens during the transition period"

- does this mean I can apply for my retirement extension at the end of December, in Chiang Mai (earlier than 45 days)?

 

I have a pension from the US and money in a Thai bank that covers almost all of the 800,000 baht. But I am worried because I spent $9,000 last year having a product manufactured in Thailand. Paid for a business license, work visa etc. Then closed the business. My product is selling on Amazon in the US. I just want to avoid any complications getting my retirement extension.

 

[jackdd]

On 11/23/2018 at 9:10 AM, tstcman said:

Phuket Thai Immigration has publically stated that Income Affidavit Letters from the Embassies will no longer be required in 2019.

Because they will no longer be offering extensions based on monthly income... you should not spread missleading statements

[sqwakvfr]

“Thai Immigration Bureau officials confirmed that they will support early visa renewals for U.S. citizens during the transition period"

- does this mean I can apply for my retirement extension at the end of December, in Chiang Mai (earlier than 45 days)?”

 

I asked Visa Agents in CM about this “Early Renewal”.  All said 45 days.  I also emailed the US Consulate about this “Early Renewal”.  I am still waiting for a reply.  My guess is 45 days is the old and new early renewal.  Anyway I am going in early December with my Affidavit with documentation for my extension.  My guess is I will be granted the extension.  But who knows?  People in Hua Hin apparently now have to get their Income Affidavits stamped by the Ministry of Foreing Affairs.  Of course the MFA is in Bangkok.  Good luck on your extension journey.  

[Thailand2020]

Thanks. Please post to this topic if you find out any more info, or if/when they let you get it done earlier.

 

Do you know if the affidavit I get in December can be used for 6 months into 2019?

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, Thailand2020 said:

Do you know if the affidavit I get in December can be used for 6 months into 2019?

At this time it valid for 6 months from the date it is done.

[Thailand2020]

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

At this time it valid for 6 months from the date it is done.

Great. I was hoping ubonjoe would reply. Always a reliable answer. 

That is such a relief. I know it was kinda a dumb question, but an important one. 

[PFV]

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

“Thai Immigration Bureau officials confirmed that they will support early visa renewals for U.S. citizens during the transition period"

- does this mean I can apply for my retirement extension at the end of December, in Chiang Mai (earlier than 45 days)?”

 

I asked Visa Agents in CM about this “Early Renewal”.  All said 45 days.  I also emailed the US Consulate about this “Early Renewal”.  I am still waiting for a reply.  My guess is 45 days is the old and new early renewal.  Anyway I am going in early December with my Affidavit with documentation for my extension.  My guess is I will be granted the extension.  But who knows?  People in Hua Hin apparently now have to get their Income Affidavits stamped by the Ministry of Foreing Affairs.  Of course the MFA is in Bangkok.  Good luck on your extension journey.  

There is an MFA office in Chiang Mai where they legalize documents the same way as they do in Bangkok. It is one of the buildings in the government complex area. The office is next door to where you apply for Thai passports

[Moonlover]

2 hours ago, jackdd said:

Because they will no longer be offering extensions based on monthly income... you should not spread missleading statements 

Correct. You should NOT spread misleading information.

 

You do not KNOW that they will not be offering monthly income options.

[jackdd]

38 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Correct. You should NOT spread misleading information. 

 

You do not KNOW that they will not be offering monthly income options.

In the original news the guy at the immigration office said that you have to prove your finances, for example by having 800k THB in a bank account, he didn't mention any alternatives of "prove".

 

[Moonlover]

54 minutes ago, jackdd said:

In the original news the guy at the immigration office said that you have to prove your finances, for example by having 800k THB in a bank account, he didn't mention any alternatives of "prove".

 

That IS NOT proof that the income option has been withdrawn.

 

That is merely an attempt on your part, to provide 'proof by omission'. 

 

And just who is 'the guy' anyway?

[jackdd]

2 hours ago, Moonlover said:

And just who is 'the guy' anyway?

Phuket Immigration Deputy Chief Lt Col Archeep Jaroensuntisuk

https://www.thephuketnews.com/income-statement-letters-from-embassies-no-longer-required-confirms-phuket-immigration-69438.php#HiDQt5UiyMjo9EfB.97

[Moonlover]

3 hours ago, Moonlover said:

4 hours ago, jackdd said:

In the original news the guy at the immigration office said that you have to prove your finances, for example by having 800k THB in a bank account, he didn't mention any alternatives of "prove".

 

1 hour ago, jackdd said:

Phuket Immigration Deputy Chief Lt Col Archeep Jaroensuntisuk

https://www.thephuketnews.com/income-statement-letters-from-embassies-no-longer-required-confirms-phuket-immigration-69438.php#HiDQt5UiyMjo9EfB.97

Oh that one! Yes, I read that. And I ask again, how does the fact that he did not mention income based applications, prove that they are no longer available? And I mention again. Proof by omission is no proof at all.

 

The only thing that will convince me that the income method has been withdrawn is when it is clearly stated, by a senior immigration officer that it has been so.

 

So far, all the evidence that is available indicates that proof of monthly income into a Thai bank account will suffice for such an application.

 

ML

 

 

 

 

[JackThompson]

On 11/30/2018 at 9:41 PM, Moonlover said:

The only thing that will convince me that the income method has been withdrawn is when it is clearly stated, by a senior immigration officer that it has been so.

 

So far, all the evidence that is available indicates that proof of monthly income into a Thai bank account will suffice for such an application.

I'm preparing for that method, and crossing my fingers.  But my thinking is, there is no evidence (so far) that extensions based upon income without embassy-letters will be accepted - except in rare cases by some IOs - unless and until a senior immigration officer declares it to be so.

 

It is not a matter of the income-method being officially withdrawn - just that it could be potentially "un-provable" for many applicants, who have lost access to income-letters.

[Moonlover]

12 hours ago, JackThompson said:

On ‎11‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 9:41 PM, Moonlover said:

The only thing that will convince me that the income method has been withdrawn is when it is clearly stated, by a senior immigration officer that it has been so.

 

So far, all the evidence that is available indicates that proof of monthly income into a Thai bank account will suffice for such an application.

 

12 hours ago, JackThompson said:

I'm preparing for that method, and crossing my fingers.  But my thinking is, there is no evidence (so far) that extensions based upon income without embassy-letters will be accepted - except in rare cases by some IOs - unless and until a senior immigration officer declares it to be so.

 

It is not a matter of the income-method being officially withdrawn - just that it could be potentially "un-provable" for many applicants, who have lost access to income-letters.

I've also been preparing, in fact almost from day 1.

 

I am not expecting to hear a 'big announcement' from immigration. That could be interpreted as a 'climb down' and therefore a 'loss of face' and, as we know, Thais don't do that! They are far more likely to simply instruct their offices around country as to what is acceptable as proof of income, and leave us to find out by ourselves.

 

I am encouraged by the fact that both the British and the US embassies have made it clear that they will be working with immigration during the transitory period. I'm sure we have not been 'thrown under a bus' as many have suggested.

 

I rather liked a comment that I heard recently, by the Permanent Under Secretary at the FCO, Sir Simon MacDonald. It was not related to this particular issue, but it was poignant none the less.

 

'Diplomacy is the art of letting other people have your way'. I'm sure that, behind the scenery, that is what will be happening, without drama or fanfare.

 

Good luck with your next extension.

 

ML