Norwegian Embassy in Bangkok: New income documentation requirements

[webfact]

The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bangkok and consulates in Pattaya and Phuket has been forced to change the document requirement for confirmation of annual income on a short notice.

 

“Norwegian citizens in Thailand may need confirmation of their income/pension from Norway in connection with the extension of a one-year visa. In this connection, they ask the embassy to confirm annual income/pension.

 

As it is the annual income that needs to be confirmed, we have required presentation of the latest annual statement from NAV or the latest tax return. The Embassy has changed its practice and will no longer calculate future income based on documentation of monthly payments,” they write in on their Facebook page.

 

by Sofie Rønnelund

Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bangkok

 

Full story: https://scandasia.com/norwegian-embassy-in-bangkok-new-income-documentation-requirements/

 

-- ScandAsia 2023-09-02

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[Hummin]

They just ask for additional documentation of one copy of your passport when you mail your documents. At embassy you have to give them verified id, be it passport or national Id card. They still going to give documents of income, so no worries.

 

Confusing post

[OJAS]

Well, at least the Norwegian Embassy are still providing an income confirmation service for their expats, in stark contrast to their American, Australian and British counterparts! Makes me seriously wonder why that particular trio of embassies were unable to come up with similar documentary requirements, instead of merely hoisting the white flag of surrender by throwing their arms up in the air and pulling the plug.

 

[scubascuba3]

Daft rule, some people are probably transferring money rather than "income"

[Hummin]

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

Daft rule, some people are probably transferring money rather than "income"

Just arrived Thailand, taxi  to embassy, handed over my tax report, id, 1000 baht, and got my documentation, taxi to hotel, lunch at the rooftop. In less than two hours from leaving airport.

[scubascuba3]

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

Just arrived Thailand, taxi  to embassy, handed over my tax report, id, 1000 baht, and got my documentation, taxi to hotel, lunch at the rooftop. In less than two hours from leaving airport.

Very nice but what has that got to do with my post?

[giddyup]

47 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Well, at least the Norwegian Embassy are still providing an income confirmation service for their expats, in stark contrast to their American, Australian and British counterparts! Makes me seriously wonder why that particular trio of embassies were unable to come up with similar documentary requirements, instead of merely hoisting the white flag of surrender by throwing their arms up in the air and pulling the plug.

 

The Aussies were just signing a stat dec re income, no proof needed. Obviously that was being exploited by some and saved  the expense of using an agent to circumvent the requirements.

Edited September 2, 2023 by giddyup

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Very nice but what has that got to do with my post?

What did your post have to do with the OP? 

 

Sometimes it is ok to nice and just answer and reply as you want someone to reply to you. 

 

Shine on

Edited September 2, 2023 by Hummin

[sqwakvfr]

So the Norwegian Embassy accepts Tax documents to prove income.   Last year a rep from the US Consulate in Chiang Mai was asked why the US Embassy will not provide income certificates the response was “there is no central database of incomes in the US like European countries”.  Even then I called “BS”.  The US Embassy/Consulate in Thailand is the most useless entity for Americans in Thailand.   The useless people at the US Embassy do not realize the $$ making of potential of verifying and certifying incomes for Americans who file tax returns.  Heck they could charge $100 for such a service.  The US State Department is.a Bureaucracy.  The only things that change in a bureaucracy are the names and faces.  When Clown Ambassador Gödel is gone a new talking head will be appointed.  As an American I can call any US government employee a Clown because I am exercising my 1st Amendment rights. 

[foreverlomsak]

2 hours ago, OJAS said:

Well, at least the Norwegian Embassy are still providing an income confirmation service for their expats, in stark contrast to their American, Australian and British counterparts! Makes me seriously wonder why that particular trio of embassies were unable to come up with similar documentary requirements, instead of merely hoisting the white flag of surrender by throwing their arms up in the air and pulling the plug.

 

The British Embassy used to ask the applicant for current documents to prove their income, then came the requirement for the Embassy to "guarantee the submitted documents", as the Embassy argued that they do not have the resources or data access to verify the submissions, this was what caused the withdrawal from issuing letters, and hence where we are today.

Looks like the Norwegians are prepared to go that extra step.

[foreverlomsak]

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Daft rule, some people are probably transferring money rather than "income"

What's savings in the UK becomes "income" when it arrives here on a regular basis.

[sqwakvfr]

8 minutes ago, foreverlomsak said:

The British Embassy used to ask the applicant for current documents to prove their income, then came the requirement for the Embassy to "guarantee the submitted documents", as the Embassy argued that they do not have the resources or data access to verify the submissions, this was what caused the withdrawal from issuing letters, and hence where we are today.

Looks like the Norwegians are prepared to go that extra step.

As an American even my accountant can pull copies of my past income tax returns.because I gave him written authorization to do so because he has been submitting my US Federal Income Tax returns for years.  He has an Internal Revenue Service account and can access the needed returns in minutes.  If an old accountant can access this information then it’s a sad day when a large US Governmental agency cannot or will not do the same.  I tend believe it is more “will not “ than “cannot”.  Also, i am retired government employee and my pension board has a unit that verifies incomes from external inquiries.  Oh well, “American Citizens Services” at the US Embassy.  Just strike the word “services” to be accurate. 

[scubascuba3]

4 hours ago, Hummin said:

What did your post have to do with the OP? 

 

Sometimes it is ok to nice and just answer and reply as you want someone to reply to you. 

 

Shine on

You're another sensitive sole. My post is relevant because lots of people won't have proof of income, so it's a problem for them, they transfer money monthly instead

[scubascuba3]

3 hours ago, foreverlomsak said:

What's savings in the UK becomes "income" when it arrives here on a regular basis.

if it's just money it's not income, hence why you can't prove it's income by a return or the like. Could have been income years ago

[Geir Rasch]

6 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Daft rule, some people are probably transferring money rather than "income"

This is for expat that have income (pension) from Norway. Those who have not, use the other alternaive with freeze money in the bank (400k or 800k).

[Hummin]

34 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

You're another sensitive sole. My post is relevant because lots of people won't have proof of income, so it's a problem for them, they transfer money monthly instead

Norwegian Embassy have an update for Norwegian citizens or those who have income or pentions in Norway who use the Norwegian embassy for documentation. 

 

How can your post be relevant if Im going to be as picky as you are are. 

 

Have a splended day Sir ????

[scubascuba3]

17 minutes ago, Geir Rasch said:

This is for expat that have income (pension) from Norway. Those who have not, use the other alternaive with freeze money in the bank (400k or 800k).

Correct, can't use transfer 65k method like some other countries

[BritScot]

7 hours ago, OJAS said:

Well, at least the Norwegian Embassy are still providing an income confirmation service for their expats, in stark contrast to their American, Australian and British counterparts! Makes me seriously wonder why that particular trio of embassies were unable to come up with similar documentary requirements, instead of merely hoisting the white flag of surrender by throwing their arms up in the air and pulling the plug.

 

More fool the Norwegian embassy or maybe the numbers are small so easy to verify the documents provided or they are not bothering. It was not the embassies that caused this but the Thai government by wanting each embassy to check and verify each financial claim this would cost in time money and slow to a crawl every application for verification. 

[BusyB]

7 hours ago, OJAS said:

Well, at least the Norwegian Embassy are still providing an income confirmation service for their expats, in stark contrast to their American, Australian and British counterparts! Makes me seriously wonder why that particular trio of embassies were unable to come up with similar documentary requirements, instead of merely hoisting the white flag of surrender by throwing their arms up in the air and pulling the plug.

 

They don't do decent public service any more for the oiks. Neither in Thailand nor back home.

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Correct, can't use transfer 65k method like some other countries

We can do, but for me who travel for work, do not transfer consistent 65k a month. Some months 20k some months 300k.

 

We have the option which I find the easiest way for me. 

[scubascuba3]

10 minutes ago, Hummin said:

We can do, but for me who travel for work, do not transfer consistent 65k a month. Some months 20k some months 300k.

 

We have the option which I find the easiest way for me. 

Isn't that the point of the original story, can no longer get a retirement extension using transfers of 65k+ a month? instead have to get income document 

Edited September 2, 2023 by scubascuba3

[Hummin]

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

Isn't that the point of the original story, can no longer get a retirement extension using transfers of 65k+ a month? instead have to get in ome document 

I can transfer 800k tomorow if I want, transfer 65k or more a month, but I prefer to transfer what I need because I can! See the difference? 

 

I can also travel on tourist visa, extension, visa exemption and extension, fly out and back, but I choose retirement.

[TaoNow]

@ Hummin  -- to get us back on track (and not your individual situation):

 

The reason that Immo is pressuring certain embassies to verify claims of pension income is that they are trying to weed out those ex-pats who are trying to get around the financial requirements of a retirement extension (i.e., 65K baht per month from overseas; in-country bank account with liquid 800K baht pre/post extension date).

 

You, Hummin, may have the financial means to satisfy the Immo regs, but your embassy will need to provide proof of that to Thai Immo going forward. 

 

And the only way they can do that is by a sworn statement that you have a verifiable pension income of at least 65K baht per month.

 

As others have pointed out, an ex-pat in Thailand may have a 65K baht monthly income from assets other than pensions which no embassy is willing or able to verify.

 

That is where the injustice lies.  But, we ex-pats have to live within the rules. 

 

[scubascuba3]

54 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I can transfer 800k tomorow if I want, transfer 65k or more a month, but I prefer to transfer what I need because I can! See the difference? 

 

I can also travel on tourist visa, extension, visa exemption and extension, fly out and back, but I choose retirement.

You've missed the point again, it's not about what you prefer, the 65k+ transfers are no longer valid, that's it, so only relevant to those who make the 65k+ transfers to get the retirement extension 

[khunjeff]

11 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

The useless people at the US Embassy do not realize the $$ making of potential of verifying and certifying incomes for Americans who file tax returns.  Heck they could charge $100 for such a service.  

1) By regulation, the embassy can only provide notarial services that are equivalent to what a US notary public is authorized to provide. That does not include verifying or guaranteeing financial claims of private citizens. 

 

2) The embassy has no ability to implement a fee for any service. All fees are set by the Office of Management and Budget after being published in the Federal Register, and are the same worldwide.

 

3) Fees for notarial services are not retained by the consular section, the embassy, the Bureau of Consular Services, or even the State Department - they are turned over to the Treasury Department as part of general government funds. 

[sqwakvfr]

5 hours ago, khunjeff said:

1) By regulation, the embassy can only provide notarial services that are equivalent to what a US notary public is authorized to provide. That does not include verifying or guaranteeing financial claims of private citizens. 

 

2) The embassy has no ability to implement a fee for any service. All fees are set by the Office of Management and Budget after being published in the Federal Register, and are the same worldwide.

 

3) Fees for notarial services are not retained by the consular section, the embassy, the Bureau of Consular Services, or even the State Department - they are turned over to the Treasury Department as part of general government funds. 

Regulation or Federal Law?  If it is Federal Law under what statue?  So Embassy Notarizations are equivalent to a US State Commissioned Notarizations?   Under what Regulation or Federal does this come under? I was at one time a California Commissioned Notary so I know a little something about Notarizing documents.  A state commissioned notaries are required to be bonded. What would be the equivalent Federal Notary Commission? 

 

A notarized document and a sworn affidavit are two different things.  The US Embassy in the past issued income Affidavits.  In many cases Affidavits are as valuable as the paper it is written on.  

 

 

Edited September 2, 2023 by sqwakvfr

[foreverlomsak]

20 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Isn't that the point of the original story, can no longer get a retirement extension using transfers of 65k+ a month? instead have to get income document 

Just so that I can understand, you're saying that Norwegians are being treated the exact opposite to UK, US and Aus citizens, who can't get an income document and thus 65k transfers are OK for them, the Norwegians are no longer allowed to use 65k transfers but must have income statements.

Confusing, no wonder my local office will only accept (or so I'm told, I've not asked them personally) money in the bank for both retirement and marriage.

[scubascuba3]

3 minutes ago, foreverlomsak said:

Just so that I can understand, you're saying that Norwegians are being treated the exact opposite to UK, US and Aus citizens, who can't get an income document and thus 65k transfers are OK for them, the Norwegians are no longer allowed to use 65k transfers but must have income statements.

Confusing, no wonder my local office will only accept (or so I'm told, I've not asked them personally) money in the bank for both retirement and marriage.

Yes that appears to be it

[foreverlomsak]

5 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yes that appears to be it

Don't expect a reply but I just wonder what effect that will have on Norwegians who use the combination method.

[scubascuba3]

7 minutes ago, foreverlomsak said:

Don't expect a reply but I just wonder what effect that will have on Norwegians who use the combination method.

in theory that's a problem unless they have an income report for the transfer element, depends on office of course