Warning! New Retirement Visa Rules - Hope This Is Of Interest.

[Lite Beer]

A couple of things flowing from my Visa extension experience at Suan Phlu today.

First, if you haven't had the money in the bank for 3 months they will want to give you a 1-month visa. I changed banks last m onth (transferred money same day) and they still wanted to give me a 1-month after 2 successive and successful 12m extensions, even though I had all bank books with me for inspection.

Second, you are now required to prove that the 800k came from overseas. Fortunately I had an old certificate from the bank at home otherwise I would have needed to get the bank (which I no longer deal with) to certify a FX transaction from 3 years ago. I imagine that would have been a lot of fun. I was told this new regulation came in today. I was also told nobody had been told in advance. Making it up as they go along I think.

Rich

Richard.

On 17th July you wrote that your Wife is threatening to make your Visa renewal a big problem as she has contacts in high places. Mabe your prophecy came true.

It is possible. The contact whom she threatened to use told me he could/would not help but he is Chinese so I dont know. He approached me as it happens because he said he was offended by the request. Still, the immigration lady who gave problems knows him and has been the recipient of 'tea-money' to my certain knowledge (he accompanied me on previous extensions - I took a lawyer this time in case there were probs). Who knows, in any event, she was pretty much neutered if that was in her mind - I was glad I had the lawyer there...

Rich

Sorry Rich I was not having a dig at you, just thinking out loud.

[JetsetBkk]

there is regulation from 2006 that requires you to go to your designated branch and sign for any amount equivalent to US$20,000 or more. I know this because last March I was sitting around waiting for a transfer and it never appeared. When I finally called the Wire Center they said they were waiting for me to go to the bank and sign first. News to me! Anyway, that form does not seem to be of interest to Immigration.

I don't know what you mean by "Wire Center" or "wire transfer". I use S.W.I.F.T. transfers. More than $25,000 transferred this January in one transaction. No waiting or signing needed.

[RichardEllis]

A couple of things flowing from my Visa extension experience at Suan Phlu today.

First, if you haven't had the money in the bank for 3 months they will want to give you a 1-month visa. I changed banks last m onth (transferred money same day) and they still wanted to give me a 1-month after 2 successive and successful 12m extensions, even though I had all bank books with me for inspection.

Second, you are now required to prove that the 800k came from overseas. Fortunately I had an old certificate from the bank at home otherwise I would have needed to get the bank (which I no longer deal with) to certify a FX transaction from 3 years ago. I imagine that would have been a lot of fun. I was told this new regulation came in today. I was also told nobody had been told in advance. Making it up as they go along I think.

Rich

Richard.

On 17th July you wrote that your Wife is threatening to make your Visa renewal a big problem as she has contacts in high places. Mabe your prophecy came true.

It is possible. The contact whom she threatened to use told me he could/would not help but he is Chinese so I dont know. He approached me as it happens because he said he was offended by the request. Still, the immigration lady who gave problems knows him and has been the recipient of 'tea-money' to my certain knowledge (he accompanied me on previous extensions - I took a lawyer this time in case there were probs). Who knows, in any event, she was pretty much neutered if that was in her mind - I was glad I had the lawyer there...

Rich

Sorry Rich I was not having a dig at you, just thinking out loud.

Didn't think you were, the same thought had occurred to me. Trust me, it was in the forefront of my mind, I actually like living here, and that day I was *very* watchful.

Rich

[mahjongguy]

I don't know what you mean by "Wire Center" or "wire transfer". I use S.W.I.F.T. transfers. More than $25,000 transferred this January in one transaction. No waiting or signing needed.

- Every bank has a wire desk or wire center at its headquarters location. These are the people who receive the wire order, do the conversion, and deposit the baht in your account. If you request (several days after the transfer), your designated branch will call them and request a fax of the details report to be sent over to the branch for you.

- A SWIFT transfer is the international standard for wire transfers (as opposed to a domestic ACH transfer within the U.S.).

- All I can say is that my US$20,000 transfer in April required my appearance at the bank. Yours did not, so that must be the difference in the date (tightening) or in your bank's application of the policy.

[Matt the Cat]

...form...for transactions over 20K US DOLLARS...

Here is the link to that form.

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Maestro

Maybe the consulates are just as confused about all the "new" regulations, as we are, and that’s why they are giving contradictory information and refuse to take and responsibility whatsoever.

[lopburi3]

I don't know what you mean by "Wire Center" or "wire transfer". I use S.W.I.F.T. transfers. More than $25,000 transferred this January in one transaction. No waiting or signing needed.

- Every bank has a wire desk or wire center at its headquarters location. These are the people who receive the wire order, do the conversion, and deposit the baht in your account. If you request (several days after the transfer), your designated branch will call them and request a fax of the details report to be sent over to the branch for you.

- A SWIFT transfer is the international standard for wire transfers (as opposed to a domestic ACH transfer within the U.S.).

- All I can say is that my US$20,000 transfer in April required my appearance at the bank. Yours did not, so that must be the difference in the date (tightening) or in your bank's application of the policy.

I expect your bank was holding money because of the new investment 30% withholding to Central Bank rule (to help keep baht stable). Some banks don't bother if they know your usage (you are not using for stock market). Others will deduct money and you have to get back from Central Bank with extra paperwork later. It is much better to just keep transfers below 20k and avoid trigger of this rule.

[Maestro]

...form...for transactions over 20K US DOLLARS...

Here is the link to that form.

Maybe the consulates are just as confused about all the "new" regulations, as we are, and that’s why they are giving contradictory information and refuse to take and responsibility whatsoever.

Matt, this has nothing to with the consulates at all.

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Maestro