My Thai immigration office does not accept two bank books

[sweatalot]

Last week I submitted my 4th or 5th application for a marriage visa to Thai Immigration.
I proved more than 400,000 Baht, available for more than 2 months, through a certificate from SCB Bank (always more than 360,000 Baht) and a certificate from Bangkok Bank that more than 190,000 Bart are available in a fixed deposit account. The total account balance there is 240,000 Baht, 50,000 Baht is blocked as security for my credit card. So it adds to 550 000 Baht always available.

 

Apparently immigration don't know ho to add numbers. They are now demanding that the money should be in one  account only

I want to keep my Bangkok Bank time deposit account because it is linked to my credit card.

 

Apart from last year, when the SCB account was sufficient, in previous years I always presented the evidence of both accounts and there have never been any problems.

Now suddenly they don't want to give me a visa, even though the amount is sufficient. They want to see the money on one account

Anyone have any idea what I can do? 

[Airalee]

“In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income
of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in
Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year.”

 

https://www.immigration.go.th/en/?p=14714
 

Account is singular.

 

It appears that they went by the “letter of the law” this time.  Just because they let things slide in the past doesn’t mean they will in the future.  Yeah....it definitely sucks, but it is what it is.

[Jingthing]

Which immigration office?

[colinneil]

Sweatalot i do not understand why immigration will not accept 2 accounts.

For 9 years i have used 2 accounts, 1 fixed term  with almost 700.000 baht, the other my every day usage account, never been a problem.

That is Khonkaen immigration.

[glegolo]

You ask what to do.. Yes one thing though forget if you aiming to win over Thailand and win over an immigration-officer. I can tell you that it is much easier to do what you are being told and to follow the law in the country you are a guest in.

 

You have a scb account with 360.000 baht in it,,, plus you have a BKK bank account with availible 190.000 baht in it. You do not want to "lose" that BKK bank account, so you do not want to withdraw the money, you say...

 

But why just not withdraw that missing 40.000 freaking baht and deposit them into the SCB one, and all good??? Doesn´t seem to be too hard to solve your problem..

 

glegolo

 

 

Edited May 28, 2021 by glegolo

[sirineou]

7 hours ago, Airalee said:

“In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income
of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in
Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year.”

 

https://www.immigration.go.th/en/?p=14714
 

Account is singular.

 

It appears that they went by the “letter of the law” this time.  Just because they let things slide in the past doesn’t mean they will in the future.  Yeah....it definitely sucks, but it is what it is.

I don't think the phrase "In a bank account" is meant as singular, if that was the case, it would had said ,"On one bank account" I think it is supposed to indicate in what place the money must be kept. "In a bank account. as opposed to "in your mattress" LOL,  but I can see how in might be misinterpreted by an over zealous , irritated , or just didn't like your face Immigration officer.

  After all the spirit of the law is that you have enough funds to take care of yourself, what does it matter if these funds are in two banks?
 

[fishtank]

Must be just the office you deal with.

Put the extra amount in your SCB acc and leave it there.

Apply for a 60 day extension.

This will allow the SCB acc to season for the required 2 months.

[jackdd]

7 hours ago, sweatalot said:

Apparently immigration don't know ho to add numbers. They are now demanding that the money should be in one  account only

They could do it if they wanted. But they hope that you give up, use an agent, and they get paid.

[Tanoshi]

1 hour ago, sirineou said:

I don't think the phrase "In a bank account" is meant as singular, if that was the case, it would had said ,"On one bank account" I think it is supposed to indicate in what place the money must be kept. "In a bank account. as opposed to "in your mattress"

I agree with your opinion.

The actual Police Order states;

(6) In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year.

 

Is his SCB bank account in Thailand - yes.

Is his Bangkok Bank account in Thailand - yes.

 

@sweatalotcan either go back and argue the semantics, or transfer funds between one of the accounts into the other so one account has the required 400K.

Apply for a 60 day extension to allow the 400K to mature in the one bank account to appease Immigration, then reapply for the 1 year extension.

Edited May 29, 2021 by Tanoshi

[Hamus Yaigh]

9 hours ago, sweatalot said:

I proved more than 400,000 Baht, available for more than 2 months, through a certificate from SCB Bank (always more than 360,000 Baht) and a certificate from Bangkok Bank that more than 190,000 Bart are available in a fixed deposit account.

 

Has the fixed deposit account been there more than one year before going to immigration? I always thought immigration only accepted fixed deposit accounts after one year because before that date the money is not available to access at any time like a savings account?

 

I could be wrong. Never tried it as I always use savings account myself.

[Andre0720]

9 hours ago, Airalee said:

“In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income
of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in
Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year.”

 

https://www.immigration.go.th/en/?p=14714
 

Account is singular.

 

It appears that they went by the “letter of the law” this time.  Just because they let things slide in the past doesn’t mean they will in the future.  Yeah....it definitely sucks, but it is what it is.

It appears that they went by the “letter of the law” this time.

What about the 'intent' of the law.

 

[DrJack54]

Only posting this for folk wishing to have 2 accounts. 

Personally I have FD ~ 600K+and savings a/c ~ 200k+. 

These accounts sole purpose is for extensions (retirement).  I never use them.

I was advised to have the 2 accounts with ONE bank (yes it doesn't make sense).

OP, I suggest that you obtain 60 day extension (to visit wife) after you have your SCB a/c at 400k+. 

Forget the rights and wrongs. Obtain your 12 month extension and move on.

[CharlieH]

Might be of assistance to others if the OP stated which office this was ?

 

As requirements can vary by office, the title has been ammended to reflect that.

[Tanoshi]

30 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Has the fixed deposit account been there more than one year before going to immigration? I always thought immigration only accepted fixed deposit accounts after one year because before that date the money is not available to access at any time like a savings account?

Funds in a Foreign currency account or a Fixed Term account or are immediately available for withdrawals the same as a Savings account. You just lose some of the interest with a FTD account if it's not left in for the agreed fixed term.

 

Also for extensions based on marriage any funds deposited are only required to be in a Thai bank account for 2 months prior to the date of application.

Edited May 29, 2021 by Tanoshi

[jackdd]

49 minutes ago, Andre0720 said:

It appears that they went by the “letter of the law” this time.

What about the 'intent' of the law.

 

The "letter of the law" doesn't require it to be in one bank account, that's just some weird interpretation by the other poster.

"sirineou" already explained this in his post above.

Edited May 29, 2021 by jackdd

[Hamus Yaigh]

31 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

Funds in a Foreign currency account or a Fixed Term account or are immediately available for withdrawals the same as a Savings account. You just lose some of the interest with a FTD account if it's not left in for the agreed fixed term.

Ok thanks. And by that you imply Immigration accepts the fixed dep accounts just like savings accounts. I will have to swap my savings account to a fixed dep then.

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Ok thanks. And by that you imply Immigration accepts the fixed dep accounts just like savings accounts. I will have to swap my savings account to a fixed dep then.

Imm accepts FD a/c exactly the same as a savings a/c.

 

Why do you need to swap to a FD a/c.

The interest rate is so low it's hardly worth it. 

[Tanoshi]

42 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Ok thanks. And by that you imply Immigration accepts the fixed dep accounts just like savings accounts. I will have to swap my savings account to a fixed dep then.

Yes.

I and many others who keep funds in the bank all year round, use the Fixed Term Deposit accounts as proof of funds for Immigration.  They provide a better interest rate, typically 1.2% at the current time, against the 0.25% received in a standard Savings account.

It's also much easier for Immigration to assess you meet the financial requirements, with just a single page update to the Passbook each year, than trawling through pages of a Savings account Passbook each year.

 

Sent a PM.

Edited May 29, 2021 by Tanoshi

[Tanoshi]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Imm accepts FD a/c exactly the same as a savings a/c.

 

Why do you need to swap to a FD a/c.

The interest rate is so low it's hardly worth it. 

0.25% V 1.2%. If your not going to use the funds, makes sense to let your money work in your favour.

5 x the standard interest rates makes a significant difference.

[nahkit]

7 hours ago, glegolo said:

You ask what to do.. Yes one thing though forget if you aiming to win over Thailand and win over an immigration-officer. I can tell you that it is much easier to do what you are being told and to follow the law in the country you are a guest in.

 

You have a scb account with 360.000 baht in it,,, plus you have a BKK bank account with availible 190.000 baht in it. You do not want to "lose" that BKK bank account, so you do not want to withdraw the money, you say...

 

But why just not withdraw that missing 40.000 freaking baht and deposit them into the SCB one, and all good??? Doesn´t seem to be too hard to solve your problem..

 

glegolo

 

 

Except that wouldn't solve his immediate problem as the money needs to be in the account 2 months prior to the application.

[mvdf]

12 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

This is autistic nonsense though. You could have 399,999 in one account and 80 million in another and they won't grant your visa if those are the rules.

 

I had a tourist visa application denied for similar reasons once. Are they stupid, autistic or sadistic?

 

D) all three

 

[Hamus Yaigh]

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Why do you need to swap to a FD a/c.

The interest rate is so low it's hardly worth it. 

Yes low rates as you say but if they are .25 vs 1.2 like posted above its still an extra 7,600THB a year on 800k.

[DjSilver]

you should start by asking them if there is a new rule or law that states only one bank book. After that you should say that you have used two bank books in the past and if that doesn't work demand to speak to their supervisor. And if that doesn't work tell them that you will contact division one and get the rules in writting. And if that doesn't work, just get the denied decision and appeal. 

[flossie35]

6 hours ago, jackdd said:

The "letter of the law" doesn't require it to be in one bank account, that's just some weird interpretation by the other poster.

"sirineou" already explained this in his post above.

What does the order say in Thai? If it just says "บัญชีธนาคาร" that could mean account or accounts. If it wanted to say "a single account" it would have to spell that out.

[RocketDog]

5 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

Yes.

I and many others who keep funds in the bank all year round, use the Fixed Term Deposit accounts as proof of funds for Immigration.  They provide a better interest rate, typically 1.2% at the current time, against the 0.25% received in a standard Savings account.

It's also much easier for Immigration to assess you meet the financial requirements, with just a single page update to the Passbook each year, than trawling through pages of a Savings account Passbook each year.

 

Sent a PM.

The immigration officer in Huahin recommended the FDA as an alternative to my savings account last year for the reasons you named. In fact she actually met me and another farang couple at the bank, in uniform, to help us open such accounts.

(A note for the typical Thai bashers. I offered her a gratuity for her help. She just smiled, laughed and walked away.)

 

This year I got a bank letter on that account, saw the same officer for my retirement extension. No problems.

 

I have no problems keeping several bank accounts here, as I do in other countries as well. I consider them at least as safe as my USA accounts.

[wwest5829]

Sorry to hear of your running into this issue. As to the IM officers not using critical thinking skills ... well they are certainly not alone in the world. I recognize that many officers would not want to put themselves at risk of getting into trouble with a higher pedantic officer. Guess I take this approach from seeing what is happening in the USA ... critical thinking? ha! Just following orders ...

[mlmcleod]

Just use a Visa service.   Not cheap but far easier.

[timkeen08]

1 hour ago, flossie35 said:

What does the order say in Thai? If it just says "บัญชีธนาคาร" that could mean account or accounts. If it wanted to say "a single account" it would have to spell that out.

And according to my wife, if it meant plural or more than one was permissible then it would have been spelled out differently as well.

[peixotorms]

I think you should just stop complaining or stop trying to understand. Thai bureaucracy is like that, it's like using google translate, just doesn't make sense.

 

You don't need to understand, only to obey. I agree it's nonsense, but they decide, so if you want the visa, just do as you are told. There is nothing you can do.

[Thingamabob]

You will achieve nothing by arguing. Just do what you are being told to do.