Report Norway Halts Income Letters at Thai Embassy; Retirees Affected

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bangkok

 

Norwegian retirees in Thailand will soon lose access to income confirmation letters from the Norwegian Embassy in Bangkok. This change means retirees must adapt to Thai visa rules, which require direct financial proof. The move aligns with Thai immigration reforms and Norway's focus on core consular services.

 

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the phase-out plan in response to a parliamentary inquiry. Minister Espen Barth Eide confirmed the service cut, explaining that it is not a legally mandated duty. The embassy will discontinue the letters in a year, providing time for adaptation.

 

Thai immigration practices have shifted, previously accepting foreign embassy letters, now requiring verification through Thai bank accounts. Thai authorities favour either a balance of 800,000 THB or monthly deposits of at least 65,000 THB. Many countries, including the UK, USA, and Australia, have already stopped offering similar services.

 

The Norwegian Ministry advises citizens to consult the Thai Immigration Bureau and Thai Embassy websites for accurate guidance.

 

The decision aligns with a broader international trend. Norwegian retirees in Thailand must prepare for direct compliance with Thai financial requirements going forward.

 

The recent government white paper further clarifies these consular changes. It confirms Norway's alignment with other Western countries' consular practices in Thailand. This shift signifies a new norm for the verification of income for Thai visas.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from ScandAsia 2025-05-26

 

 

[DrJack54]

First Canada now this. 

Folk need to be prepared to change to money in bank method if they have not actually been doing the monthly transfers. 

[Madgee]

At least the Norwegian Embassy has given a reasonable transition period unlike the Canadian Embassy. 

A Canadian friend had no idea they had stopped the Embassy letter for proof of finances until I informed him the other week!

I hope his IO gives him some leeway when he next does his retirement extension. He has now switched to the 65k p.m. option but will be 3 months short of the required 12 months.

 

 

[Hummin]

It was good as long it lasted! 
 

As with everything else, Used to be better before. 

[JoePai]

They want to see it in a Thai bank in order to Tax it after transferring it into Thailand 

[EVENKEEL]

4 minutes ago, JoePai said:

They want to see it in a Thai bank in order to Tax it after transferring it into Thailand 

Please stop the nonsense.

[quake]

As if this is going to seriously effect the Norwegians.

They are all loaded as soon as they step out side of Norway. 

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

This change means retirees must adapt to Thai visa rules, which require direct financial proof.

In a way it does, but this will only affect the ones who declared false level of income. So, in reality no change at all. Only a good thing to weed out the ones who does not have financial means to stay in Thailand. Another option is of course to continue the false way in life and use an agent.

[JoePai]

1 hour ago, EVENKEEL said:

Please stop the nonsense.

Explain .....

[DrJack54]

9 hours ago, JoePai said:

Explain .....

From the OP.. 

"Minister Espen Barth Eide confirmed the service cut, explaining that it is not a legally mandated duty." 

 

The '"income letter" was not stopped by Thai immigration. 

Your earlier post.... 

"They want to see it in a Thai bank in order to Tax it after transferring it into Thailand" ...

This is way off the mark. Has nothing to do with any change from Thai side of the fence. 

 

[JoePai]

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

From the OP.. 

"Minister Espen Barth Eide confirmed the service cut, explaining that it is not a legally mandated duty." 

 

The '"income letter" was not stopped by Thai immigration. 

Your earlier post.... 

"They want to see it in a Thai bank in order to Tax it after transferring it into Thailand" ... is way off the mark. Has nothing to do with any change from Thai side of the fence. 

 

The '"income letter" was not stopped by Thai immigration.  - Nothing to do with them, It's the Revenue Dept here in Thailand

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, JoePai said:

Nothing to do with them, It's the Revenue Dept here in Thailand

You could do with some catch up research. 

Some time back Thai immigration wanted the embassies to verify the monthly incomes. 

Straight away UK, USA, and AU embassies basically NO. 

The embassies were only verifying the validity of what Oz call a "statutory declaration" and USA refer to as "affidavit" 

In recent times Canadian embassy has also stopped that service. 

And  now Norway. 

Suggest more added to that list in the future. 

Revenue dept in Thailand has nothing to do with this change. 

Nor does taxation. 

[EVENKEEL]

36 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Explain .....

Dr did a fine job explaining. 

[JoePai]

19 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You could do with some catch up research. 

Some time back Thai immigration wanted the embassies to verify the monthly incomes. 

Straight away UK, USA, and AU embassies basically NO. 

The embassies were only verifying the validity of what Oz call a "statutory declaration" and USA refer to as "affidavit" 

In recent times Canadian embassy has also stopped that service. 

And  now Norway. 

Suggest more added to that list in the future. 

Revenue dept in Thailand has nothing to do with this change. 

Nor does taxation. 

Never said it did - what I did say was the reason behind the change may have been to extract more tax out of foreigners  by forcing them to declare the amounts sent to Thailand

They want to see it in a Thai bank in order to Tax it after transferring it into Thailand

[DrJack54]

18 minutes ago, JoePai said:

what I did say was the reason behind the change may have been to extract more tax out of foreigners  by forcing them to declare the amounts sent to Thailand

And as someone correctly posted earlier... 

That is nonsense. 

[JoePai]

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

And as someone correctly posted earlier... 

That is nonsense. 

Fair enough but when you complete your Tax return................... ?

[Hummin]

2 hours ago, quake said:

As if this is going to seriously effect the Norwegians.

They are all loaded as soon as they step out side of Norway. 

Being her less than 6 months the last 3 years, it convenient to have retirement visa, but now it is not worth it anymore.

 

I'm thinking of transfer 800k, but I will loose 36k in interest of my savings. If the interest was  3% in Thai bank, I would consider it. 

 

Anyway, I will get one more income letter, since they will not stop  before may 2026. They gave us one year notice

 

 

[Presnock]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bangkok

 

Norwegian retirees in Thailand will soon lose access to income confirmation letters from the Norwegian Embassy in Bangkok. This change means retirees must adapt to Thai visa rules, which require direct financial proof. The move aligns with Thai immigration reforms and Norway's focus on core consular services.

 

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the phase-out plan in response to a parliamentary inquiry. Minister Espen Barth Eide confirmed the service cut, explaining that it is not a legally mandated duty. The embassy will discontinue the letters in a year, providing time for adaptation.

 

Thai immigration practices have shifted, previously accepting foreign embassy letters, now requiring verification through Thai bank accounts. Thai authorities favour either a balance of 800,000 THB or monthly deposits of at least 65,000 THB. Many countries, including the UK, USA, and Australia, have already stopped offering similar services.

 

The Norwegian Ministry advises citizens to consult the Thai Immigration Bureau and Thai Embassy websites for accurate guidance.

 

The decision aligns with a broader international trend. Norwegian retirees in Thailand must prepare for direct compliance with Thai financial requirements going forward.

 

The recent government white paper further clarifies these consular changes. It confirms Norway's alignment with other Western countries' consular practices in Thailand. This shift signifies a new norm for the verification of income for Thai visas.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from ScandAsia 2025-05-26

 

 

since they give their citizens a year, if one does have a retirement visa then a monthly deposit here from a pension of 65K for the next 12 months, one could change from the 800/400K retirements since letters from the embassy validating pension will cease in a year.  Just saying.

[EVENKEEL]

21 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Being her less than 6 months the last 3 years, it convenient to have retirement visa, but now it is not worth it anymore.

 

I'm thinking of transfer 800k, but I will loose 36k in interest of my savings. If the interest was  3% in Thai bank, I would consider it. 

 

Anyway, I will get one more income letter, since they will not stop  before may 2026. They gave us one year notice

 

 

An agent would be easy route.  

[Hummin]

14 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

An agent would be easy route.  

Really do not need to use agent, just limit my visits to 90 days pr time as it is for now. I have feeling of one day, the agent route will not be "legal" anymore because of abuse and corrupt officers. 

 

When wife get her visa, se can only leave Norway 60 days a year I think until she gets her citizen ship. Then I might use Marriage visa instead. 

[Madgee]

Side-tracking a touch out of curiosity:
I've seen a Canadian Embassy 'proof of income letter' and that doesn't have an expiry date, so how long is it valid for, as far as Thai immigration is concerned ... 3 months?
Also, where is this time documented in the Immigration Act? I don't recall ever coming across it before.  

[KhunBENQ]

I have changed to income method since last year.

Frees the 800k+ to be used on my discretion.

Could even still get an income letter with proof of pensions.

But will also waive.

Makes me independent from the mood swings of consular services and potential trips to Bangkok or Pattaya.

I have a feeling that there is more to come...

 

[KhunBENQ]

5 minutes ago, Madgee said:

so how long is it valid for, as far as Thai immigration is concerned ... 3 months?

Remember 6 months being mentioned in some posts here. But can not provide evidence 

[DrJack54]

47 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

I have changed to income method since last year.

Frees the 800k+ to be used on my discretion.

Could even still get an income letter with proof of pensions

Think you are making very good point.

My joint Oz does not provide income letter and has not for some time.

I'm currently in process of changing to income method from funds in bank.

65k transfers in my mind minimal amount  to live in Thailand.

In any event folk currently with option of income letter could consider actually doing the monthly transfers.

If your embassy change the ground rules it's of no concern.

Many folk without embassy income letter using income method. 

 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

2 hours ago, JoePai said:

Never said it did - what I did say was the reason behind the change may have been to extract more tax out of foreigners  by forcing them to declare the amounts sent to Thailand

They want to see it in a Thai bank in order to Tax it after transferring it into Thailand

Blocked - life is too short

[KannikaP]

19 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I'm currently in process of changing to income method to funds in bank.

65k transfers in my mind minimal amount  to live in Thailand.

Do you mean that you will put 800k in the bank, AND transfer over 65k per month, or enough for you to live on?

[DrJack54]

14 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Do you mean that you will put 800k in the bank, AND transfer over 65k per month, or enough for you to live on?

No. To do the change I'm currently satisfying both money in bank and monthly transfers.

When I present for next extension (Oct) immigration will check past 12 months of money in bank compliance and I will also point out the 12+ monthly transfers to satisfy income method.

After that the 800k no longer needs to be in bank. 

Giving long explanation in case anyone has plans to do same. 

 

Added bonus (for me) is basically zero funds in bank. Upon passing nothing tied up in bank 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, JoePai said:

Never said it did - what I did say was the reason behind the change may have been to extract more tax out of foreigners  by forcing them to declare the amounts sent to Thailand

They want to see it in a Thai bank in order to Tax it after transferring it into Thailand

The embassy is stopping the verification letter... that's all.

Any funds sent to Thailand would be taxed anyway, maybe now they will have to send the minimum required instead of living on the cheap?

[JustinCredible]

5 hours ago, JoePai said:

They want to see it in a Thai bank in order to Tax it after transferring it into Thailand 

 

 

Goes to show how much you know.  Norwegians who pay Tax in Norway are exempt from being Taxed in Thailand.

[paahlman]

So. Will there be another way to prove income by pension. Maybe they will accept the government letter saying so in english. This is the document we have used before which embassy basicly just stamp. They do not alter the letter. Just add it in baht and stamp it. In essence you could use a translation company to do the same. However. The law in Thailand has not changed so if one can still prove the salary one have from pension it should be enough. question is only if embassy or consulate is the ONLY option in the future. They are talking about this the consul say.