Agent claims Immigration want to see 800k in bank book plus letter to transfer retirement extension to new passport.

[mokwit]

Anybody heard of this before (I haven't). Seems because it is a retirement extension they are demanding bank book and letter to transfer the stamps. The wild card is that the bank may not recognise my new passport as valid unless the stamps is transferred and Immigration won't transfer without the bank book and letter. Anybody have experience of this?

 

Note the agent has been in business for years and is reliable and competent - but I have a feeling something may be up. Immigration maybe being very strict due to scrutiny re visas for Chinese.

 

Using an agent for transfer and 90 day because my understanding is both are OK for third party to do and I am not up to a day at CW right now.

 

[DrJack54]

Which immigration office.

 

Why not using online for 90 day report if travel is difficult.

 

Why would immigration want to see 800k in bank. Smells like Jomtien. 

 

[mokwit]

CW, and I didn't want to turn up in a couple of months with an online 90 day with my old passport number, so do it manually to ensure new passport number on report form.

 

I don't know why they would add this extra regulatory requirement of demanding to see funds. As I said, never heard of this before. Note I am outside the '2 months before' for 800k window.

 

Interestingly I asked one agent to do 90 day and the response was who did it for you before? Likewise the agent I used wanted to know who did 90 day before and who did the retirement extension (me legitimately). Never been asked like that before. Smells like something is up.

[SuperSilverHaze]

34 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Anybody have experience of this?

I swapped ppt numbers out at SCB without the stamps transferred. Less than one year ago, Chidlom branch

 

[Kopitiam]

46 minutes ago, mokwit said:

The wild card is that the bank may not recognise my new passport as valid unless the stamps is transferred and Immigration won't transfer without the bank book and letter. Anybody have experience of this?

Bank usually don't need to know your "visa" or "immigration extension" status when you update your passport information with the bank.  You would need to present your old passport and new passport.  Done this a couple of times with SCB.

[scubascuba3]

If you have the financials correct don't worry about it, provide the info. If it's using an agent with no financials then yes something to worry about

[mokwit]

1 minute ago, Kopitiam said:

Bank usually don't need to know your "visa" or "immigration extension" status when you update your passport information with the bank.  You would need to present your old passport and new passport.  Done this a couple of times with SCB.

I have also done this before with SCB but it seems nowadays they check for valid visa for everything. Have to have a  valid visa to register at a hospital for example.

[Kopitiam]

1 minute ago, mokwit said:

I have also done this before with SCB but it seems nowadays they check for valid visa for everything. Have to have a  valid visa to register at a hospital for example.

You can always show them your old passport with the current validity of extension of stay.  The bank cannot be so "thick" they they cannot see that you have a new passport and just want to update your passport information.  I must say this is also new to me.  I will be getting a new passport next year.

[mokwit]

Just now, Kopitiam said:

You can always show them your old passport with the current validity of extension of stay.  The bank cannot be so "thick" they they cannot see that you have a new passport and just want to update your passport information.  I must say this is also new to me.  I will be getting a new passport next year.

It could be that staff at one branch could be that thick and require you to try another branch, but you are right, the visa in the old passport is the valid visa, and the new passport is the passport.

[SuperSilverHaze]

17 minutes ago, mokwit said:

I have also done this before with SCB but it seems nowadays they check for valid visa for everything. Have to have a  valid visa to register at a hospital for example.

Lol. Only withdrawals. Thai banks are though overly cautious. Still lax about deposits, ID.

[mokwit]

38 minutes ago, SuperSilverHaze said:

Lol. Only withdrawals. Thai banks are though overly cautious. Still lax about deposits, ID.

I've twice had arguments with banks because they wouldn't let me pay in a cheque that didn't have my middle name on it.

 

Pro Tip: use the name as per your passport and stick with that format for everything.

[mokwit]

Ok just come from my agent: Imm are insisting on seeing "funds" [800k?] in the bank for two months before the transfer of stamps (no it wasn't likely in The Royal gazette). I reiterate that I am outside the two month before renewal window. Agent agreed there is no such regulation, which will catch many out if universally applied - I had the good fortune to have 800k left in that account all year - remember this is through an agent who "facilitates" things."

 

Basically inventing a rule that will catch out a lot of people if it is 800k not 400k they want to see. Will do a standalone thread in due course to warn others.

[scubascuba3]

11 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Ok just come from my agent: Imm are insisting on seeing "funds" [800k?] in the bank for two months before the transfer of stamps (no it wasn't likely in The Royal gazette). I reiterate that I am outside the two month before renewal window. Agent agreed there is no such regulation, which will catch many out if universally applied - I had the good fortune to have 800k left in that account all year - remember this is through an agent who "facilitates" things."

 

Basically inventing a rule that will catch out a lot of people if it is 800k not 400k they want to see. Will do a standalone thread in due course to warn others.

I doubt Jomtien will do such checks as they will lose a lot of money

[lamyai3]

4 hours ago, mokwit said:

Anybody heard of this before (I haven't). Seems because it is a retirement extension they are demanding bank book and letter to transfer the stamps. The wild card is that the bank may not recognise my new passport as valid unless the stamps is transferred and Immigration won't transfer without the bank book and letter. Anybody have experience of this?

I was told this as well by CW immigration last month when I did non O retirement extension. My passport will need renewing this year and the IO told me to bring updated bank book and letter when I come in and transfer the stamps. 

[NoDisplayName]

3 hours ago, mokwit said:

Ok just come from my agent: Imm are insisting on seeing "funds" [800k?] in the bank for two months before the transfer of stamps (no it wasn't likely in The Royal gazette). I reiterate that I am outside the two month before renewal window. Agent agreed there is no such regulation, which will catch many out if universally applied - I had the good fortune to have 800k left in that account all year - remember this is through an agent who "facilitates" things."

 

Basically inventing a rule that will catch out a lot of people if it is 800k not 400k they want to see. Will do a standalone thread in due course to warn others.

Edited 3 hours ago by mokwit

You added [800K?] after "funds."  Did your agent specify that immigration asked to see 800K in the bank, or just "bankbook showing funds?"

 

Seems reasonable that they might want to check the account balance to see if there's actually the required amount sitting in the bank, in which case it would be 400K. 

[DrJack54]

28 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

IO told me to bring updated bank book and letter when I come in and transfer the stamps

Thanks for heads up.

Must say really surprised by this request from CW. 

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Seems reasonable that they might want to check the account balance to see if there's actually the required amount sitting in the bank, in which case it would be 400K

Hasn't been required in the past.

Already looked back at threads regarding transfer of stamps at CW and can't find any with this requirement.

Note another post just above backing up this request from io at CW.

Strange! 

[JimmyJ]

mokwit - "Interestingly I asked one agent to do 90 day and the response was who did it for you before? Likewise the agent I used wanted to know who did 90 day before and who did the retirement extension (me legitimately)."

 

What reason did the 1st agent you mention give for turnng down the job?

[JimmyJ]

4 hours ago, mokwit said:

Ok just come from my agent: Imm are insisting on seeing "funds" [800k?] in the bank for two months before the transfer of stamps (no it wasn't likely in The Royal gazette). I reiterate that I am outside the two month before renewal window. Agent agreed there is no such regulation, which will catch many out if universally applied - I had the good fortune to have 800k left in that account all year - remember this is through an agent who "facilitates" things."

 

 

"...remember this is through an agent who 'facilitates' things."

 

Why can't this facilitator facilitate ignoring this requirement and getting you the stamps?

[JimmyJ]

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I doubt Jomtien will do such checks as they will lose a lot of money

Jomtiem has been asking people to return after getting the Retirement extension and show proof of funds still in the bank - or something similar.

Although ignoring that request has had no consequences.

[mokwit]

2 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

You added [800K?] after "funds."  Did your agent specify that immigration asked to see 800K in the bank, or just "bankbook showing funds?"

 

Seems reasonable that they might want to check the account balance to see if there's actually the required amount sitting in the bank, in which case it would be 400K. 

Agree. I don't know if it is the full 800k they want to see. Poor choice of title by me.

[mokwit]

1 hour ago, JimmyJ said:

mokwit - "Interestingly I asked one agent to do 90 day and the response was who did it for you before? Likewise the agent I used wanted to know who did 90 day before and who did the retirement extension (me legitimately)."

 

What reason did the 1st agent you mention give for turnng down the job?

I turned them down as they wanted me to be physically present for passport stamp transfer. Hand holding, not doing it for me.

[mokwit]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Hasn't been required in the past.

Already looked back at threads regarding transfer of stamps at CW and can't find any with this requirement.

Note another post just above backing up this request from io at CW.

Strange! 

It is completely unreasonable. I paid Bt1,900 for a 1 year extension, showed I had sufficient funds, and the extension in my old passport is valid for a year. It is not a renewal it is a transfer of an existing extension.

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, JimmyJ said:

Jomtiem has been asking people to return after getting the Retirement extension and show proof of funds still in the bank - or something similar.

Although ignoring that request has had no consequences.

Those using agents don't need to do that

[Andycoops]

12 hours ago, Kopitiam said:

You can always show them your old passport with the current validity of extension of stay.  The bank cannot be so "thick" they they cannot see that you have a new passport and just want to update your passport information.  I must say this is also new to me.  I will be getting a new passport next year.

I am collecting my new passport in 2 weeks and I shall be updating my banking information with all 3 banks I have accounts with.

 

My 90 day is not due until late February and I shall ask for the visa extension to be transferred to the new passport then.

 

I'll update if there are any difficulties encountered.

 

[rwill]

I had my stamps transfered about 3 months ago.  I did it in person.  All I needed were the old and new passports and the letter from the embassy.

[Expat68]

13 hours ago, Kopitiam said:

You can always show them your old passport with the current validity of extension of stay.  The bank cannot be so "thick" they they cannot see that you have a new passport and just want to update your passport information.  I must say this is also new to me.  I will be getting a new passport next year.

What is the required months left in the old passport for applying for a new visa?

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, Expat68 said:

What is the required months left in the old passport for applying for a new visa?

If you don't have 12 months of passport validity when you apply for a one year extension of stay it will only be issued to day your passport expires.

[brianthainess]

8 hours ago, mokwit said:

I had sufficient funds, and the extension in my old passport is valid for a year.

No your extension is only valid until the end of old passport. 

[sandyf]

14 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

No your extension is only valid until the end of old passport. 

Not entirely true. Your passport can "end" before an extension if it becomes full up.

My last passport ended with 7 years validity remaining.