Retirement Extension Pending Next Week 45 Days Early - Prep & Outcome

[tracy3eyes]

Had no trouble for the last 16 years with marriage and retirement extensions (9 years CM) apart from one occasion when I took a trip to HK and forgot to do REP so had to pop to Lao. But apart from that pretty smooth. The last 8 years or so used income method with letter from British Embassy. But NOW have to do the minimum 65000 a month international transfer. Feel for those who could make the threshold based on their gross income/pension with the income letter but can't now or because they have UK commitments so cant transfer 65000 particularly with IR's as they are.

 

Due to other plans and commitments at the beginning of the year I was not able to start the 65000 minimum transfers until June.

Did one in June but came with BNT code

Did another in July but came with BNT code

Discovered in July I needed FTT code

My main UK bank account uses intermediary bank hence the unfortunate BNT codes (although the Bangkok Bank provided me with credit advices with show that the funds originated from UK bank - showed to immigration but no good, told I still have time to sort it out and get FTT coded transfers)

BB said they would not give letter for BNT coded transfers

So I did some test transfers from other banks/means

Tried Transwise and got SMT

Tried my Spain account and got FTT but more expensive

Tried Halifax and got FTT with only a £9.50 charge

 

So decided to use Halifax to do my transfers in future and can do easily online in minutes

Sent 2 transfers over 65000 in August and they arrived with FTT

Don't know if this is going to be enough or what's going to happen...…..will update this thread as I go along, first BB tomorrow to get letter and statement

I am hope full that because I have the following in addition to full copy of passport and required pages, dept card etc etc

1. My annual Company Pension Increase letter with stamped translation from Star Visa

2. My 2019 P60 which clearly specifies my company pension, income and taxes paid etc with a stamped translation from Star Visa

3. UK bank statements which show more than sufficient pension income

4. BB print out of the BNT coded international transfers along with the UK bank transfer notifications for those transfers

5. BB Book updated showing the following transfers

BNT June 65000+

BNT July 65000+

FTT Aug 65000+

FTT Aug 65000+

6. A copy of last years income letter

7. TM30 in passport

8. Map of my condo location (owner)

9. TM7 with blue background photo

10. REP form with blue background photo

11. Letter explaining the problem I had with the initial transfers highlighting all 4 transfers and it is in Thai.

12. Letter explaining why I am having to do the extension early and copies of flight tickets for 31 Aug and for Uk 4 Sept.

 

I intend to go to immigration with my 13 year old Thai/UK son, he speaks Thai, English and Spanish.

 

I will provide an update tomorrow upon my return from the BB to confirm what I received from them.

 

I may also visit CM IMO to check that I have everything covered (although that doesn't mean surprises may appear on the day next week). 

I will also provide an update upon my return from CM IMO to see if I have all they require.

 

If by the end of next week I have not been able to renew my extension I will not bother trying again and will change future plans somewhat and say goodbye to CM IMO!

 

I was previously a Thai business owner and employed Thais for many years having a small but positive effect on the Thai economy and I like to think I still do albeit to a much smaller degree as do many expats. But if Thai immigration continue to treat expats the way they are then they do not deserve them.

 

We shall see what happens I guess.

 

Updates will follow.

 

I am not running a book but feel free to cast your % vote on what you think my chances are?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[The Man Who Sold the World]

Good luck Tracy, thanks for taking the time to report and the details.

 

Good Luck.

 

50/50 - everything is at the discretion of the IO

Edited August 21, 2019 by The Man Who Sold the World

[sqwakvfr]

Interesting Strategy.  I never thought about obtaining a Translated Pension Statement.  Is there something special about Star Visa that CNX IMM will consider this statement.  

[tracy3eyes]

18 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Interesting Strategy.  I never thought about obtaining a Translated Pension Statement.  Is there something special about Star Visa that CNX IMM will consider this statement.  

 

Not that I know of but I do know that CM IM know them well. 

 

I thought the translation would remove any ambiguity and provide clear understanding and evidence that I do have a genuine pension. And the P60 also.

 

I spoke with IMO at CM last month and mention pension documents and he said bring so I thought translation would help.

 

<SNIP>

 

Star Visa Shop is next to US Embassy CM near market

Edited August 22, 2019 by CharlieH
EMAIL DETAILS REMOVED.

[cnx355]

12 hours ago, tracy3eyes said:

 

Not that I know of but I do know that CM IM know them well. 

 

I thought the translation would remove any ambiguity and provide clear understanding and evidence that I do have a genuine pension. And the P60 also.

 

I spoke with IMO at CM last month and mention pension documents and he said bring so I thought translation would help.

 

Email:   [email protected]

Contact: Yanisa

 

Star Visa Shop is next to US Embassy CM near market

I hope for everybody in CM that this translation does not start a new trend at Immigration so they can make <extra> sharing with translation services for an <compulsory>translation.

But if your documents is in Spanish and not in english, that is a good idea.

[AjarnMartin]

Tracy, thank you for the detailed and rational thought process of your anticipated journey through TI today. Isn’t it such a shame that we are having to crawl through hoops like this after years of enjoyment in and commitment to the inappropriately-named ‘Land of Smiles’.

 

With a similar back story, I am going to experience your self-same journey on 2nd September (in another province) and will review your comprehensive list of supporting documentation before doing so. Today, I visit Bangkok Bank for a letter to support FTT deposits of 80,000 ThB per month since February and have already been informed that TI require ‘A YEAR’ of such activity even though the directive has only been in force for EIGHT MONTHS! You can’t beat Thai logic (a true oxymoron).

 

Thank you so much and good luck.

 

 

Edited August 22, 2019 by AjarnMartin
Literal

[rawhod]

Did my retirement extension end of May this year at CM immigration (44 days early) using a British Embassy letter from the end of December last year, so not the same method as the OP.

However, they did ask for proof of my pensions. Luckily I had taken copies of the documents I submitted to the Embassy for my income letter.

 

My UK Pension Service letter and my Employment pension letter were both in English and were accepted.

So, I wouldn't offer the translations unless they are specifically requested.

[tracy3eyes]

1 hour ago, rawhod said:

Did my retirement extension end of May this year at CM immigration (44 days early) using a British Embassy letter from the end of December last year, so not the same method as the OP.

However, they did ask for proof of my pensions. Luckily I had taken copies of the documents I submitted to the Embassy for my income letter.

 

My UK Pension Service letter and my Employment pension letter were both in English and were accepted.

So, I wouldn't offer the translations unless they are specifically requested.

 

2 hours ago, cnx355 said:

I hope for everybody in CM that this translation does not start a new trend at Immigration so they can make <extra> sharing with translation services for an <compulsory>translation.

But if your documents is in Spanish and not in english, that is a good idea.

They are not in Spanish and if it makes the difference between extension or no extension then I will show the translations if requested! 

[chilly07]

At Jomtien/Chonburi they accepted non translated pension P60s and Pension Service statement plus 6mths of FTTs in BB letter which were all TransferWise. Don't understand why anybody has a problem with setting up a specific recipient with Transferwise via  BB which always shows as FTT. Just talk/e mail them!

[mtls2005]

With one (1) qualifying foreign transfer (August) I'm not certain you'll be able to dazzle them with your paperwork?

 

In theory you should probably have seven or eight monthly qualifying foreign transfers.

 

All the other documentation you list seems superfluous, unneccessary and will lead to confusion.

 

Unless there is some detail missing in your screed I'd put the odds at 0%.

 

I'd be working on a plan B, and maybe a plan C.

 

Plan B would be to maintain monthly qualifying foreing transfers for Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, etc. Then maybe leave, re-enter on a TVE, apply for a 90, then extend that in Nov or Dec. when they may allow it with four or five QFTs?

 

 

 

 

[tracy3eyes]

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

With one (1) qualifying foreign transfer (August) I'm not certain you'll be able to dazzle them with your paperwork?

 

In theory you should probably have seven or eight monthly qualifying foreign transfers.

 

All the other documentation you list seems superfluous, unneccessary and will lead to confusion.

 

Unless there is some detail missing in your screed I'd put the odds at 0%.

 

I'd be working on a plan B, and maybe a plan C.

 

Plan B would be to maintain monthly qualifying foreing transfers for Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, etc. Then maybe leave, re-enter on a TVE, apply for a 90, then extend that in Nov or Dec. when they may allow it with four or five QFTs?

 

 

 

 

Have 2 qualifying transfers I am told and a letter in Thai explaining that I had actually sent 4 transfers and have the UK transfer receipts and credit notices for the two that arrived BNT. If I don't get a renewal then I wont be bothering any further. Ensuring 12 transfers next year wont be a problem but if more agro this time then F it! See my update after visiting the BB and IMO this morning to check I had all that was required.

[tracy3eyes]

According to one of the posts I have zero chance of getting my renewal on Tuesday next week. If that is the case then so be it!

UPDATE:

This morning I went to the BB to get my Bank Letter which stipulates that I have receive 2 FTT transfers and lists them. They also provide me with 2 credit notices as they did for my 2 BNT coded international transfers (but they wont put them in the letter).

 

I then went to CM IMO to check that IO have all that is required and was told that CM are lenient until 31 Dec 2019 which what I was told a few weeks ago when I visited them to talk about the BNT coded transfers. I was told then that I still had time to plan and sort it out so that I can show some FTT transfers which is what I have gone and done.

 

I talk to the IMO I know and he knows me. He checked all I had and said that you have everything you need for next week when I will be doing my extension renewal 42 days early. I was told to also bring the supporting documents Company Pension Letter & P60 (they know the company extremely well) and to show them if asked for proof of my pension. Which is why I have them and Thai translations if asked for.

 

No indication was given that I would have a problem, however, I guess it will be down to the actual IM officer I get. 

 

We will just have to see. If they refuse then I am done as far as long stays in Thailand and will probably look at other country options.

 

I will update again when I have returned from CM IMO next Tuesday pm.

 

Good luck to all that have pending renewals.

[mtls2005]

1 hour ago, tracy3eyes said:

Have 2 qualifying transfers

 

But both are in the same month, August. That doesn't really count as "two".

 

1 hour ago, tracy3eyes said:

I talk to the IMO I know and he knows me.

This would seem to be the key factor, perhaps.

 

 

All this other paperwork, translated or not, is really not applicable. Sure, it's nice to have, maybe, if asked, but you really only need two documents* (financial: income method):

 

1.) Certified bank letter documenting the qualifying foreign transfers, perhaps with the CARs.

2.) Same day account ownership/balance certified letter.

 

* maybe copies of the passbok showing the QFTs

 

Everything else could be photoshopped, forged, fudged. Extra paperwork, spreadsheets, translations may make you feel good, but who knows. In Bangkok at CW, that sort of stuff would probably get you escorted to the airport, or short-term detention pending deportation.

 

Do I think you'll get an extension? No.  But that's based on my understanding of the current state of affairs, based on reading maybe a hundred first-hand reports.

 

That said, given that there is no consistency you'll probably get the extension, be given a cake and presented with an award as best farang ever.

 

 

[Captain 776]

They dont care about your extra paperwork............you are not meeting current requirements.

[tracy3eyes]

2 hours ago, Captain 776 said:

They dont care about your extra paperwork............you are not meeting current requirements.

That is true! Never mind.

Maybe I will just skip the embarrassment of renewal rejection.

Looks like its goodbye Thailand as far as long stays are concerned for me.

Best of luck to all with your renewals.

 

Edited August 22, 2019 by tracy3eyes

[tracy3eyes]

UPDATE AFTER MY SUCCESFUL RENEWAL TODAY.

 

I had actually planned to do it tomorrow but thought I would just pop to CM IMO and get all my photocopies done and ready for an early start in the morning. Well, it didn't go quite as I had planned today.

 

Upon my arrival at approx. 11.15am this morning I popped across the road to get my photocopies and asked at the assist with visa desk (not IMO desk) if they could provide me with some photocopies. Upon presentation of my International Transfers letter from the Bangkok Bank which only has 2 transfers, both of which where in August I was told by this lady that I could get a copy because I needed 6 transfers on the letter. I said I think you are wrong and should you be telling me what CM IMM should be telling me. I did not argue and went back across the road to the IMO and explained what had happened to a young girl in what looked like school or uni clothes. She said that the independent visa agents had not business telling me what they did and she went to talk to an immigration officer and showed by document set which included a letter in Thai from me explaining the problems I had with the transfer codes and she also showed them my company pension letter and P60 and UK bank statements showing my monthly pension deposits which well exceed the required funds.

 

She came back and told me to go to the other copy desk and get what needed copying so I did and when I get back she will give me a ticket, which is what happened.

 

When my number came up I presented all my documentation and the IMO was keen to have a copy of my P60 and company pension letter, copy of bank book, bank letter and credit advices including my UK transfer notifications which matched with the BNT transfers which BB would not put on my international transfer letter.

 

The IMO told me that next year I must show 12 transfers and I proceeded to pay my 1900 euros and my renewal was granted.

 

So supporting documentation this year if you have some FTT transfers is being looked at and copies taken. It appears that they are lenient this year and particularly if your documentation verifies your income as genuine.

 

I thanked the IMO for his discretion and help!

 

Hope this was useful and good luck to all who still have to do their renewals to do!

 

I was told by a few on TV that I had no chance of getting my renewal. Well I did and thank you to those who said good luck!

 

Beer tonight with the family.

 

Best

 

[tracy3eyes]

On ‎8‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 11:59 AM, Captain 776 said:

They dont care about your extra paperwork............you are not meeting current requirements.

They do if it is necessary and proven today during my successful renewal.

[tracy3eyes]

On ‎8‎/‎21‎/‎2019 at 9:51 AM, The Man Who Sold the World said:

Good luck Tracy, thanks for taking the time to report and the details.

 

Good Luck.

 

50/50 - everything is at the discretion of the IO

You were absolutely correct.