KK Combo method for extension of stay

[EXSUB64]

I was at IO Khon Kaen the other day getting a re-entry permit. Anyway, I thought I would ask the young lady IO about combo method for extension (mine is due Feb 20), she said yes but I would need a letter from UK embassy proving income. I said unfortuantely UK and US embassies no longer provide these letters. She then said easiest way would be the 800k in the bank. Anyone else done the combo method at KK recently?

[EXSUB64]

Sorry, I forgot to add she said "I know about US & UK embassy's not giving letters, but they are needed", my reply "BUT, they dont supply them!". She just shrugged her shoulders ????

[Jingthing]

11 minutes ago, EXSUB64 said:

Sorry, I forgot to add she said "I know about US & UK embassy's not giving letters, but they are needed", my reply "BUT, they dont supply them!". She just shrugged her shoulders ????

What she is telling you is that they will accept combo applications with embassy letters but will reject them without them. Your problem if your embassy doesn't issue them. Based on reports from other offices, I don't think that is the only office doing that. Is that fair? Of course not. But I would take that seriously and prepare for the bank method.

 

I don't hate to say I told you so but I was predicting big problems with the combo method without income letters from the very start when some embassies were cutting off letters. Those applications are very complicated. The officers do not like very complicated.

[dabhand]

Of course the concerned Embassies will spring into action and request that Immigration review this action  that places their fellow citizens at a disadvantage compared  with other nationalities.

 

Then I woke up. 

[Vacuum]

39 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

The officers do not like very complicated.

Same with the embassies....

[ubonjoe]

There are a few immigration offices that are allowing the combination when using proof of income transferred into a bank account for those that cannot get proof of income from their embassy.

The problem appears to be that the immigration bureau has failed to clarify the income part of the combination is allowed for both methods of income proof.

It is confusing since the income option was done in one police order that does not mention the combination option and only states a income of 65k baht is acceptable. 

[Jingthing]

53 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There are a few immigration offices that are allowing the combination when using proof of income transferred into a bank account for those that cannot get proof of income from their embassy.

The problem appears to be that the immigration bureau has failed to clarify the income part of the combination is allowed for both methods of income proof.

It is confusing since the income option was done in one police order that does not mention the combination option and only states a income of 65k baht is acceptable. 

Yes.

Some are.

Some aren't. 

It's hard to keep track of which are and which aren't but you're saying a few and that's worse news than I thought.

In any case during the earlier days of these changes from the embassies there were numerous members here saying -- don't worry, be happy, the combo method will surely be fully accommodated without embassy letters. Even more so when that mess of a police order came out about it (which was as clear in details as muddy mud). It was obvious to me that it wouldn't. I was warning people -- prepare now for the bank method. You definitely can't rely on the combo method anymore. Yes I'm saying this and I know it may sound obnoxious because sometimes with immigration matters the voices of pessimism are totally correct. Of course, as more changes go forward, you've really go to think for yourself and above all do all you can to protect your own interests regarding immigration, even when people call you paranoid, which of course they will. 

[KeeTua]

4 hours ago, EXSUB64 said:

Sorry, I forgot to add she said "I know about US & UK embassy's not giving letters, but they are needed", my reply "BUT, they dont supply them!". She just shrugged her shoulders ????

Did the IO go to the office in the back corner to confirm with the boss no combo method allowed without embassy letter?

If not it would definitely be worth another visit and attempt to get an IO to confirm with the boss.

[Russell17au]

21 hours ago, KeeTua said:

Did the IO go to the office in the back corner to confirm with the boss no combo method allowed without embassy letter?

If not it would definitely be worth another visit and attempt to get an IO to confirm with the boss.

I hope the IO did not go to the office in the back corner because there is no office in the back corner at Khon Kaen Immigration which is located at the bus station number 3. There used to be the bosses office in the back corner at the old Immigration office which was located at the police training depot. The only changes that came out were for the retirement extension and they were for the seasoned money in the Thai bank and the income method. The combination method was not changed and therefore to use the combination method you still need to supply an embassy letter for the income section of the combination. Whether this was an oversight or a deliberate thing is anyones guess. There never has been a combination system for the marriage extension so maybe they are trying to bring the retirement and the marriage extensions into the same system, seasoned money or income but no combined system. 

[Jingthing]

I hope the IO did not go to the office in the back corner because there is no office in the back corner at Khon Kaen Immigration which is located at the bus station number 3. There used to be the bosses office in the back corner at the old Immigration office which was located at the police training depot. The only changes that came out were for the retirement extension and they were for the seasoned money in the Thai bank and the income method. The combination method was not changed and therefore to use the combination method you still need to supply an embassy letter for the income section of the combination. Whether this was an oversight or a deliberate thing is anyones guess. There never has been a combination system for the marriage extension so maybe they are trying to bring the retirement and the marriage extensions into the same system, seasoned money or income but no combined system. 

Actually under the national rules offices are supposed to accommodate the combo method even for those nationals that can't get embassy income letters. But sadly the mechanics of exactly how to enforce that were not written into that and some/many offices are saying no can do.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[KeeTua]

3 hours ago, Russell17au said:

I hope the IO did not go to the office in the back corner because there is no office in the back corner at Khon Kaen Immigration which is located at the bus station number 3.

I was there last week.

And you were last there when?

Rear left corner. Office with 5' or so walls where the higher authority resides.

[EXSUB64]

Thanks for all the replies.

I will have to stick to 800k for now until IO services are singing from the same hymn sheet. However for me to wait that long I would have to be reincarnate.

[merijn]

On 9/7/2019 at 8:43 AM, ubonjoe said:

There are a few immigration offices that are allowing the combination when using proof of income transferred into a bank account for those that cannot get proof of income from their embassy.

The problem appears to be that the immigration bureau has failed to clarify the income part of the combination is allowed for both methods of income proof.

It is confusing since the income option was done in one police order that does not mention the combination option and only states a income of 65k baht is acceptable. 

Phuket immigration does not allow the combination method the countries who don't supply the income certificate anymore. (extension based on retirement)

Only the 800 K in the bank or the international transfer into your Thai bank account of at least 65 K.

For the other countries (who issue the certificates) it can be done, same as in the past.

[HappyToBeHere99]

8 hours ago, merijn said:

Phuket immigration does not allow the combination method the countries who don't supply the income certificate anymore. (extension based on retirement)

Only the 800 K in the bank or the international transfer into your Thai bank account of at least 65 K.

For the other countries (who issue the certificates) it can be done, same as in the past.

When did this change?  In March the IO gave me a  paper with the new rules and then told me he looked at my income paperwork and said I was ok for next year.   Combo method okay in March 2019 for next year.   Did this change recently?  And retroactive?

[HappyToBeHere99]

The IO at Phuket immigration, Room 103--to clarify my first post-- gave me the new rules that state combo method okay

 

[WeekendRaider]

no one is being clear on pension income accrued abroad but not necessarily at all ever transferred, in whole or in part, into a Thai retail bank account versus... pension income accrued abroad and is transferred at least once a month into a Thai retail bank account with no such transfer below 65k THB.

 

the first of those requires an affidavit obviously.  the 2nd one I assumed until now only needs the bank or deposit book to show as FTT or US Social Security direct deposit to Bangkok Bank.

 

these are not two different things???  

 

BOTH of these categories requires an affidavit ??? 

 

 

[merijn]

6 hours ago, HappyToBeHere99 said:

When did this change?  In March the IO gave me a  paper with the new rules and then told me he looked at my income paperwork and said I was ok for next year.   Combo method okay in March 2019 for next year.   Did this change recently?  And retroactive?

Are you from the USA, UK or Australia ?

As we heard a few rumours like in your case we asked the captain of room 103 for a clarification last week.

It was reconfirmed that people from the USA, UK and Australia can't use the combination option.

This doesn't mean that this will not change in the future.

[Neeranam]

22 hours ago, Russell17au said:

I hope the IO did not go to the office in the back corner because there is no office in the back corner at Khon Kaen Immigration which is located at the bus station number 3. There used to be the bosses office in the back corner at the old Immigration office which was located at the police training depot. The only changes that came out were for the retirement extension and they were for the seasoned money in the Thai bank and the income method. The combination method was not changed and therefore to use the combination method you still need to supply an embassy letter for the income section of the combination. Whether this was an oversight or a deliberate thing is anyones guess. There never has been a combination system for the marriage extension so maybe they are trying to bring the retirement and the marriage extensions into the same system, seasoned money or income but no combined system. 

How long have you lived in Khon Kaen?

[Neeranam]

On 9/7/2019 at 2:43 PM, ubonjoe said:

There are a few immigration offices that are allowing the combination when using proof of income transferred into a bank account for those that cannot get proof of income from their embassy.

The problem appears to be that the immigration bureau has failed to clarify the income part of the combination is allowed for both methods of income proof.

It is confusing since the income option was done in one police order that does not mention the combination option and only states a income of 65k baht is acceptable. 

So the income method for the marriage extension is still  a valid method? 

I asked one officer there and she told me I needed the money in the bank.

[HappyToBeHere99]

x

1 hour ago, merijn said:

Are you from the USA, UK or Australia ?

As we heard a few rumours like in your case we asked the captain of room 103 for a clarification last week.

It was reconfirmed that people from the USA, UK and Australia can't use the combination option.

This doesn't mean that this will not change in the future.

USA using Combo for 5 years.   I know this sounds ridiculous and don't laugh too hard, but it sounds discriminating to let everyone in the whole world use the combo method except USA, UK and Australia. ????  Now pick yourself up from the floor.

 

In March I got a statement from BKK Bank showing 12 months of FT Social Security deposits and that was accepted.   Now they have changed their minds for next year?  And what about the paper they gave me saying it was okay?  They have a new paper with new instructions?

 

I have to go sometime this month to pickup a single entry and I'll chat them up.   Did you talk to the guy that sits in the back  of room 103 or someone else in another area?

 

Thanks for your input.  Greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

[merijn]

12 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

So the income method for the marriage extension is still  a valid method? 

I asked one officer there and she told me I needed the money in the bank.

For Phuket Immigration,

The income method for the extension based on marriage can only be done with the embassy/consul income certificate.

(So people from the USA, UK and Australia can't use this option )

 

6 minutes ago, HappyToBeHere99 said:

x

USA using Combo for 5 years.   I know this sounds ridiculous and don't laugh too hard, but it sounds discriminating to let everyone in the whole world use the combo method except USA, UK and Australia. ????  Now pick yourself up from the floor.

 

In March I got a statement from BKK Bank showing 12 months of FT Social Security deposits and that was accepted.   Now they have changed their minds for next year?  And what about the paper they gave me saying it was okay?  They have a new paper with new instructions?

 

I have to go sometime this month to pickup a single entry and I'll chat them up.   Did you talk to the guy that sits in the back  of room 103 or someone else in another area?

 

Thanks for your input.  Greatly appreciated.

If your transfer is more then 65 K a month then your fine off course.

Yes the information is from the boss who sits in the back of 103.

If possible can you send me that paper via PM. 

[HappyToBeHere99]

17 minutes ago, merijn said:

If your transfer is more then 65 K a month then your fine off course.

Yes the information is from the boss who sits in the back of 103.

If possible can you send me that paper via PM. 

Less than 65K   I just don't want to tie up 800,000 if I don't have to. 

 

Can do, if I can figure out how to do it.  haha.   Let me see if I can figure it out.   Thanks. for the info.

[ubonjoe]

21 minutes ago, merijn said:

For Phuket Immigration,

The income method for the extension based on marriage can only be done with the embassy/consul income certificate.

(So people from the USA, UK and Australia can't use this option )

They are way off base with that nonsense. It is certainly allowed in the police order.

I applied for my one year extension based upon marriage last month using proof of more than 40k baht income going into a Thai bank.

Somebody needs to make a complaint to the immigration bureau about that way over the top nonsense.

[merijn]

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

They are way off base with that nonsense. It is certainly allowed in the police order.

I applied for my one year extension based upon marriage last month using proof of more than 40k baht income going into a Thai bank.

Somebody needs to make a complaint to the immigration bureau about that way over the top nonsense.

Don't you think that many people tried that ????

I wish many people complained so hopefully it would change.

[HappyToBeHere99]

OK.  I have to say one more thing and then I'll go quietly.   I just looked up the Thai Immigration Website

 

Criteria for Consideration for Retirement visa

 

#5.  Have income during the year And have bank deposits Total amount not less than 100,000 baht up to the date of the application submission.

 

Combo method.

 

Does not say anything about USA, UK or Australians being excluded.

 

Bark, Bark, Bark.    Just like listening to a Barking Dog, I see.

 

 

[merijn]

6 minutes ago, HappyToBeHere99 said:

OK.  I have to say one more thing and then I'll go quietly.   I just looked up the Thai Immigration Website

 

Criteria for Consideration for Retirement visa

 

#5.  Have income during the year And have bank deposits Total amount not less than 100,000 baht up to the date of the application submission.

 

Combo method.

 

Does not say anything about USA, UK or Australians being excluded.

 

Bark, Bark, Bark.    Just like listening to a Barking Dog, I see.

 

 

Your right but unfortunately the many immigration offices interpreted the ruling in their own way.

[Neeranam]

2 hours ago, merijn said:

2 hours ago, merijn said:

For Phuket Immigration,

The income method for the extension based on marriage can only be done with the embassy/consul income certificate.

(So people from the USA, UK and Australia can't use this option )

 

Did you ask to see the boss?

[merijn]

18 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Did you ask to see the boss?

Yes directly from the boss.

[Neeranam]

6 hours ago, merijn said:

Yes directly from the boss.

You should report  them to the the helpline.

[HappyToBeHere99]

7 hours ago, Neeranam said:

You should report  them to the the helpline.

what help line?