Everyone seems to forget...

[pub2022]

that, for some countries, it is still possible to get a letter from your embassy certifying that you have 800,000 baht or equivalent deposited in a bank in your country.

Therefore it is not necessary to transfer the money to Thailand to get the  NON O visa and the retirement extension.

Why does no one ever mention this option?

I think this is very important for people to know.

 

[Upnotover]

3 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

Why does no one ever mention this option?

Because I'm pretty sure it isn't one.

[KhunBENQ]

9 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

you have 800,000 baht or equivalent deposited in a bank in your country.

Clearly against the written rules for extension of stay.

 

Valid only for Non O-A visa issue from what I know.

Other Non O have much lower requirements.

And indeed no transfer needed.

Completely different story for extension of stay.

And for the visa application at your home country you need bank statements or the like to proof equivalent of 800k.

Nothing to do with your consulate or the like.

 

Source?

Edited September 22 by KhunBENQ

[KhunBENQ]

8 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

for some countries, it is still possible to get a letter from your embassy certifying

All I know are certificates of INCOME provided.

And that is/was indeed sufficient for extension of stay.

[Hummin]

I use it, and so do many others who have an embassy who do income letters. 

[NoDisplayName]

19 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

Therefore it is not necessary to transfer the money to Thailand to get the  NON O visa and the retirement extension.

 

Yes and no.

 

O visa in country needs money in a Thai bank, same with extension.

 

O-A visa in home country (you don't have a Thai bank account yet) needs equivalent money in a foreign bank.  Upon extension, you need money in a Thai bank, same as with O visa extension.

[DrJack54]

37 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

Why does no one ever mention this option?

I think this is very important for people to know.

Hard to tell but guessing you are referring to a non O-A.

That visa is valid for one year and granted you can obtain a 2 year stay in Thailand.

After that you would need to obtain a new non O-A or obtain 12 month extension.

The requirement to obtain extension are exactly the same as extension from a non O with the added burden of health insurance.

Also a non O-A can only be obtained in home country or  country where you have permanent residence.

 

Are you perhaps referring to Multi Entry non O retirement which is not widely available.

Not even sure if Savannakhet issuing them .

Previously they did.

Non O with extensions is best option for ongoing living in Thailand and even moreso if your embassy provides income letter.

UK, USA, AU do not and that makes up significant number of expats in Thailand 

 

Edit: cut/paste from @Tod Daniels from recent thread..

"Neither Savannakhet nor Vientiane offer year-long, multi-entry Non-O visas based on being over 50 (retirement) nor do they offer a year long, multi-entry Non-O based on having thai children."

[Upnotover]

22 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I use it, and so do many others who have an embassy who do income letters. 

He's talking about a letter certifying a balance of 800k,  Not income.

[pub2022]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not talking about NON OA nor NON O multiple entry visa.

I'm just saying that some countries other than USA, UK, AU etc can still get the letter from their embassy and use it to get an extension of stay based on retirement, without the need of transferring 800k baht to a Thai bank (you keep the money in your country).

And this option is never mentioned when people are asking for advice about getting a "retirement visa".

I can understand the majority of ex-pats comes from those three countries but that's not a good reason to ignore the possibility for someone else.

 

[DrJack54]

56 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

I'm just saying that some countries other than USA, UK, AU etc can still get the letter from their embassy and use it to get an extension of stay based on retirement, without the need of transferring 800k baht to a Thai bank (you keep the money in your country).

There are two methods to satisfy financial requirements for extensions from a non O based on retirement and marriage.

 

One is "funds in bank method" 

The other is "income method"

 

Income method can be used both with embassy letter and without..

The only issue for folk without embassy letter you need to show 12 months of transfers already in bank account to do extension based on retirement (or marriage) 

UK, USA, AU citizens use income method.

This is discussed often.

 

In fact I'm currently changing from funds in bank to income..

In November I will show immigration that I  BOTH satisfied money in bank method and ALSO 12 monthly transfers.

Ongoing will be using income method.

Meaning to maintain funds in Thai bank account.

My reason (off topic) is to have zero funds tied up in Thailand to avoid providing WILL to make things easy for long term partner. 

[Pattaya57]

We know US, UK and Aus embassies don't give the income letter so which countries do?

 

OP you want people to state embassy income letter is an option but you haven't even stated your own country to help your fellow citizens to know about it

[Liquorice]

1 hour ago, pub2022 said:

And this option is never mentioned when people are asking for advice about getting a "retirement visa".

That's perhaps because they don't state their nationality, or if they do, it's usually UK, US or Australian.

 

Likewise, some Countries do not have an Embassy in Thailand to issue such Income letters.
There are 195 recognised Countries in the world, but only 78 foreign Embassies in Thailand.

[Hummin]

2 hours ago, Upnotover said:

He's talking about a letter certifying a balance of 800k,  Not income.

My mistake, dyslexia make me read something that's not there sometimes 😁

[Upnotover]

1 hour ago, pub2022 said:

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not talking about NON OA nor NON O multiple entry visa.

I'm just saying that some countries other than USA, UK, AU etc can still get the letter from their embassy and use it to get an extension of stay based on retirement, without the need of transferring 800k baht to a Thai bank (you keep the money in your country).

And this option is never mentioned when people are asking for advice about getting a "retirement visa".

I can understand the majority of ex-pats comes from those three countries but that's not a good reason to ignore the possibility for someone else.

As should be clear reading this thread, the embassy letter will confirm your INCOME in case you want to go that route, 65k per month for retirement.  The embassy will NOT issue a letter stating you maintain a balance of 800k in a foreign country.

[KhunLA]

That's why for the best, accurate & up to date info, you should go the the Imm office you are going to use, and ask them.   Not rely on 'important' info to come from strangers on a forum, who may or may not know what "that Imm office" requires or allows.

 

If any Yanks that use the Hua Hin are wondering, if they will accept your Soc Sec statement of COLA & monthly income ... that would be NO.

 

As asked the other day while there.   I got my 15 pieces of paper stack from my bank, & my govt issued SS statement, all of 1 page ... hmm, can't hurt to ask.   Oh well.

 

Why make the process simple and 300 baht cheaper, as that's asking way too much 

Edited September 22 by KhunLA

[flexomike]

2 hours ago, pub2022 said:

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not talking about NON OA nor NON O multiple entry visa.

I'm just saying that some countries other than USA, UK, AU etc can still get the letter from their embassy and use it to get an extension of stay based on retirement, without the need of transferring 800k baht to a Thai bank (you keep the money in your country).

And this option is never mentioned when people are asking for advice about getting a "retirement visa".

I can understand the majority of ex-pats comes from those three countries but that's not a good reason to ignore the possibility for someone else.

 

Been mentioned countless times, but it is not for 800,000 in the bank, only for a monthly income of 65,000 baht or more

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

If any Yanks that use the Hua Hin are wondering, if they will accept you Soc Sec statement of COLA & monthly income ... that would be NO.

Surely they would accept 12 monthly 65k+ transfers shown by 12 month bank statement.

[KhunLA]

11 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Surely they would accept 12 monthly 65k+ transfers shown by 12 month bank statement.

That was part of my stack, and of course they accept.  Didn't imply that they wouldn't.

 

I was just thinking 1 govt issued statement proving the income, would be a whole lot easier, all the way around for all.   Understand them not accepting the 'income statement' from US Embassy, since embassy staff to lazy to push a couple keystrokes to verify your info.  But happy to take your $50 bucks for doing nothing.

 

So glad TH Imm no longer accepts them, as I save $50.

[Rob Browder]

8 hours ago, KhunLA said:

embassy staff to lazy to push a couple keystrokes to verify your info.

The USA Dept of State is forbidden by law to investigate US Citizens in the manner required to "verify" their income.

 

[KhunLA]

3 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

The USA Dept of State is forbidden by law to investigate US Citizens in the manner required to "verify" their income.

Don't know about that, as obvious they ignore it ... IMHO

 

We could simply give them permission to verify the info.  Or they could simply issue an affidavit, that the yearly SS  statement is authentic, true & accurate.

 

We're not talking rocket science here, but as stated, happy that they are useless as save $50 a year.

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

We could simply give them permission to verify the info.  Or they could simply issue an affidavit, that the yearly SS  statement is authentic, true & accurate.

You should look into more.

It was the Thai side that wanted the embassies to "verify" the incomes.

That's impossible.

I think USA uses the word affidavit, Oz refer to it as "statutory declaration " ....turns out that can only be used in Australia.

For example sale of real estate and embassy here can "verify " signature etc on legal docs. 

[Smokin Joe]

43 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You should look into more.

It was the Thai side that wanted the embassies to "verify" the incomes.

That's impossible.

I think USA uses the word affidavit, Oz refer to it as "statutory declaration " ....turns out that can only be used in Australia.

For example sale of real estate and embassy here can "verify " signature etc on legal docs. 

 

Correct. The US Embassy stopped notarizing "Income Affidavits" because Immigration said they would no longer be accepted.

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

You should look into more.

It was the Thai side that wanted the embassies to "verify" the incomes.

That's impossible.

I think USA uses the word affidavit, Oz refer to it as "statutory declaration " ....turns out that can only be used in Australia.

For example sale of real estate and embassy here can "verify " signature etc on legal docs. 

Well aware why Thai Imm stopped accepting them.   Actually surprised that they ever did, since not substantiating info.   Still believe it would be simple enough to make them, or the SS statement itself acceptable as authentic.

[pub2022]

I thought (after reading this, wrongly) that the embassy letter could suffice to show you have the 800k baht back at home. Instead, it appears to be valid only as a proof for the monthly income method. Anyway, better to ask the local Immigration office, you never know!

Thanks for your replies.

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, pub2022 said:

. Instead, it appears to be valid only as a proof for the monthly income method. Anyway, better to ask the local Immigration office, you never know!

No need to ask immigration office.

The only "income letter" from you embassy would assist with income method. 

Nothing provided to assist with "money in bank method" 

As mentioned UK, USA, AU do not provide income letter along with possibly some other embassies. 

[Liquorice]

5 hours ago, KhunLA said:

or the SS statement itself acceptable as authentic.

Well, why didn't you say that before.

 

To authenticate a US document.

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/authentication-procedure/

1. First, have the document certified by the entity that issued it.

2. Then by the state in which that entity is located

3. Then by the Federal Government of the US state department.

4. Have the document translated into Thai

5. Then have the document and translation legalised by the Consular section of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Immigration will then accept that authenticated foreign legalised document as genuine.

 

There, fixed it for you!     🙂
Let us know how you get on next year.

 

 

[KhunLA]

7 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Well, why didn't you say that before.

 

To authenticate a US document.

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/authentication-procedure/

1. First, have the document certified by the entity that issued it.

2. Then by the state in which that entity is located

3. Then by the Federal Government of the US state department.

4. Have the document translated into Thai

5. Then have the document and translation legalised by the Consular section of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Immigration will then accept that authenticated foreign legalised document as genuine.

 

There, fixed it for you!     🙂
Let us know how you get on next year.

And yet, thought I pointed that out clearly.

 

I asked, and said would not accept ... although I didn't ask about your silly suggestion, of authenticated then translated 

 

Would defeat the whole purpose of easier & inexpensive 

[Liquorice]

46 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

And yet, thought I pointed that out clearly.

 

I asked, and said would not accept ... although I didn't ask about your silly suggestion, of authenticated then translated 

 

Would defeat the whole purpose of easier & inexpensive 

You asked why your Embassy couldn't substantiate your proof of income.
I just answered the procedure to authenticate your proof of income.

 

 

 

[Rob Browder]

On 9/23/2024 at 4:32 AM, KhunLA said:

Or they could simply issue an affidavit, that the yearly SS  statement is authentic, true & accurate.

This is done for retirees in Columbia - though may need to mail it to the office in Washington DC to get the stamp (not sure if the USA consulate in Columbia does it):
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/replace-certify-docs/authenticate-your-document/authentication-certificate-requirements.html

 

And under the "other" category on that site, see "income verification" - for which an IRS receipt of taxes paid and 1040 should suffice.  As long as it is a federal document, there is no need to local / state steps of the process.