If you want to use a fixed deposit instead of a normal savings account to meet the 800K financial requirement at CW immigration then what are you expected to show when you do the retirement extension? A bank letter and the original fixed deposit passbook with a photocopy? Or is some kind of 12 month historical statement required as well? And does the passbook need to have the balance updated somehow on the day too?

11 minutes ago, JimMorris said:

If you want to use a fixed deposit instead of a normal savings account to meet the 800K financial requirement at CW immigration then what are you expected to show when you do the retirement extension? A bank letter and the original fixed deposit passbook with a photocopy? Or is some kind of 12 month historical statement required as well? And does the passbook need to have the balance updated somehow on the day too?

I believe the fixed account works the same way as a savings account. I used fixed and changed to interest bearing savings. 

 

I do not remember if there is a minimum you have to transfer in or out to update the fixed book. 

 

With the savings, I transfer the interest out online in the morning to round it down, and just update the book and get the letter at CW. 

YMMW, but for me it is like this:

 

I use Jomtien Immigration office (retirement extension) and a BBL fixed deposit account that rolls over every year automatically.

 

I can therefore withdraw the money anytime, but I will lose current interest if I do so.

 

This account is for Immigration only, so no other transactions during the year. I let the interest compound in the account.

 

However, an account that is locked by the bank as for instance a guarantee for a credit card or a promotion will NOT be approved by immigration.

 

For my annual retirement extension I provide photocopies of the FD bank book covering the full year, but no special statements required.

 

I am never asked for my savings account statements, but I always bring a 6-month statement just in case (for a 1-year statement BBL must have a weeks notice).

 

This system has served me well for more than 10 years.

32 minutes ago, MeaMaximaCulpa said:

However, an account that is locked by the bank as for instance a guarantee for a credit card or a promotion will NOT be approved by immigration.

 

I wasn't aware of that , I thought you could use any account as long as it is in your name only and you didn't go below the required 800,000 / 400,000 .

5 hours ago, JimMorris said:

then what are you expected to show when you do the retirement extension? A bank letter and the original fixed deposit passbook with a photocopy? Or is some kind of 12 month historical statement required as well? And does the passbook need to have the balance updated somehow on the day too. 

I previously used an FD account at CW. 

I obtained the bank letter (100b)  on day of application. 

Note you can do this few days prior. 

I also made a deposit to update and show activity. 

Thing is the minimum deposit is 1000b 

Note I have read reports of folks with FD not doing an update and having no problem. 

Also photocopied all pages of the Bank Book for previous 12 months. 

 

Obviously I never used the account and just left balance 800k+ baht all year round. 

 

There are print stalls L1 and they know exactly what you need re photocopies from bank book and pp

2 hours ago, MeaMaximaCulpa said:

However, an account that is locked by the bank as for instance a guarantee for a credit card or a promotion will NOT be approved by immigration.

 

 

I used the 800k in the bank method. with a fixed deposit account,  first with a Type-OA (1 year permission to stay extensions) and later with a Type-O visa, with no issues, when going for my 1 year extensions at Phuket immigration from 2020 to 2022 time frames. 

 

I also brought along records of my other bank accounts, so to be able to show where I had the money that i was using to pay for my living expenses, but Phuket immigration never asked for that.  I'm now on an LTR visa since 2023, I no longer have to do this, so maybe the requirements have changed.

 

I note on the Phuket immigration volunteers page:  https://piv-phuket.com/retirement/  a recommendation:

"Copy of last 12 months of transactions in bank book (make a small transaction prior to updating your bank book to show the transaction on the application date). "

 

so possibly things have changed since year 2022.  I never did that (small transaction prior to updating) myself.  Rather I simply had the bank update my bank book best they could in accordance with the policy reported by the Phuket immigration volunteers:

• Signed and stamped bank letter showing the required funds (same day for Non-O; maximum 7 days old for 1 year extension)
• Signed and stamped bank statement showing the required funds (must show 12 months of transactions for the 1 year extension) Note 3 (same day for Non-O; maximum 7 days old for 1 year extension)
• Both bank papers for the 1 year extension ( bank Statement, Bank certificate) needs to have the same balance mentioned.

 

 

4 hours ago, MeaMaximaCulpa said:

However, an account that is locked by the bank as for instance a guarantee for a credit card or a promotion will NOT be approved by immigration.

 

Might accounts which are temporarily locked by Bangkok Bank as discussed in this thread also be deemed unacceptable by IMM?

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1368850-alert-bangkok-bank-new-rule-money-seasoning/

 

We presumably await reports on what, if anything, is actually happening in individual offices on this specific point.

 

8 hours ago, OJAS said:

Might accounts which are temporarily locked  by Bangkok Bank as discussed in this thread also be deemed unacceptable by IMM?

I thought the account holder (BBL) would be required to sign the bogus letter and immigration would not be party to this nonsense. 

Surely this clandestine form would not show up in bankbook or bank statements. 

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I obtained the bank letter (100b)  on day of application. 

Note you can do this few days prior. 

I also made a deposit to update and show activity. 

Thing is the minimum deposit is 1000b 

Note I have read reports of folks with FD not doing an update and having no problem. 

Jomtien accepts (did in February this year at least) bank letter from the day before.

 

BBL will always print updated balance whenever you update the bank book (which they do to issue the letter), so no need to deposit or withdraw anything on the day. Other banks may differ.

15 minutes ago, MeaMaximaCulpa said:

so no need to deposit or withdraw anything on the day. Other banks may differ.

The OP deals with CW. 

More often than not, immigration will want to see updated bankbook on day of application. 

This is best done with a small deposit. 

 

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The OP deals with CW. 

More often than not, immigration will want to see updated bankbook on day of application. 

This is best done with a small deposit. 

 

I know and pointed out where my experience is from and that it may differ. To reach a wider group of people that may benefit, not jut the OP.

The issue of the one-year statement:

 

I use SCB and it costs 200 baht to produce the statement.

 

While it may not be required, each year the Immo/CW officer scrutinizes the annual statement, and uses a yellow highlighter pen for certain lines.   She only glances at the passbook to verify beginning and end totals.

 

If the bank account is simple (i.e., only used for retirement extension, with only a couple of withdrawals and deposits to update the balance) then it is easier for the Immo officer to scan the balances over the year to ensure that they didn't go under 800K.

 

Since I have to go to the bank anyway for the account verification letter and bankbook update, the annual statement only adds a few minutes to the process and reduces any performance anxiety.  

16 hours ago, mogandave said:

I believe the fixed account works the same way as a savings account. I used fixed and changed to interest bearing savings. 

 

I do not remember if there is a minimum you have to transfer in or out to update the fixed book. 

 

With the savings, I transfer the interest out online in the morning to round it down, and just update the book and get the letter at CW. 

 

With my bank, the minimum deposit amount for adding to a fixed deposit is 5,000 Baht. But that is not the main problem. The bank explained that when I add to a fixed deposit, it is recorded as a separate entry and appears on a different page from the original deposit in the passbook. This means that even if I add money to the account, it will not trigger an updated passbook entry showing a change to the original fixed deposit balance. The bank can give me the 12 months of statements and the official letter, but there is no way to have the passbook balance of 800K updated on the same day when extending the visa. I am not sure if this will be acceptable by CW immigration or not.

12 hours ago, NE1 said:

 

I wasn't aware of that , I thought you could use any account as long as it is in your name only and you didn't go below the required 800,000 / 400,000 .

 

I think the reason they do not accept locked accounts, such as those where the money has been set aside for something like a secured credit card, is because you no longer have access to that money if you need it. The assumption is that the 800K can be partly used for expenses during the year if necessary. With a locked account, you cannot do that. However, with a fixed deposit you can withdraw the money at any time if needed. You would only lose the interest, but the funds are never truly locked. This means the money can be used for living expenses if required. That is why I believe a fixed deposit account is accepted by immigration.

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Note I have read reports of folks with FD not doing an update and having no problem. 

Also photocopied all pages of the Bank Book for previous 12 months. 

 

Thanks, I am hoping that is the case because there is no way for me to really update the 800K balance on the day of the extension. I would like to find that out before possibly having a problem with my visa extension when not being able to update the passbook balance on the day of the extension.

35 minutes ago, JimMorris said:

I would like to find that out before possibly having a problem with my visa extension when not being able to update the passbook balance on the day of the extension.

As I wrote. I think you will be fine. 

Surprised you mention update on day difficult. 

When I used FD I deposited 1000b (min allowed) and asked teller to photocopy last page of bank book to show this deposit. 

Of course it updates the account. 

 

Edit: I just read your explanation re deposit min 5k etc. 

Which bank is this. 

Is that SCB? 

49 minutes ago, JimMorris said:

 

With my bank, the minimum deposit amount for adding to a fixed deposit is 5,000 Baht. But that is not the main problem. The bank explained that when I add to a fixed deposit, it is recorded as a separate entry and appears on a different page from the original deposit in the passbook. This means that even if I add money to the account, it will not trigger an updated passbook entry showing a change to the original fixed deposit balance. The bank can give me the 12 months of statements and the official letter, but there is no way to have the passbook balance of 800K updated on the same day when extending the visa. I am not sure if this will be acceptable by CW immigration or not.

I believe my minimum was 1000 (Like Jack) and I and sure it was not more than that. 

 

The deposit was a separate fixed account, but as I remember, it printed on the same page. 

 

It was Krungsri, and I know that I had no difficulty using it at CW. I changed to the Krungsri Mee Tai Dai account because ie was easier and earned better interest. 

 

You can transfer one satong in or out and update the book. 

 

I think my Bangkok Bank book prints an update every time, without even a transaction, but the seem to be a PITA. 

 

 

28 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Edit: I just read your explanation re deposit min 5k etc. 

Which bank is this. 

Is that SCB? 

 

It is UOB. The issue with them is that if I deposit another 5K or more into the account on the day of the extension, it does get added to the passbook, but on a separate page as I mentioned earlier, and it does not get included in the original 800K balance. As the bank explained, it is like having two different balances in one account, both running for different fixed time periods, and at different interest rates, I believe. They can presumably list both amounts in the account in the official bank balance letter, but there is no way to update the passbook so that it shows the 800K balance portion updated with the date of the visa extension.

 

In any case, I still plan to use my savings account for the next renewal next year, and then in 2027 I hope to switch to using the fixed deposit passbook, if I can confirm that CW Immigration will accept this account with only the bank letter and the 12 months of statements.

9 minutes ago, JimMorris said:

 

It is UOB. The issue with them is that if I deposit another 5K or more into the account on the day of the extension, it does get added to the passbook, but on a separate page as I mentioned earlier, and it does not get included in the original 800K balance. As the bank explained, it is like having two different balances in one account, both running for different fixed time periods, and at different interest rates, I believe. They can presumably list both amounts in the account in the official bank balance letter, but there is no way to update the passbook so that it shows the 800K balance portion updated with the date of the visa extension.

 

In any case, I still plan to use my savings account for the next renewal next year, and then in 2027 I hope to switch to using the fixed deposit passbook, if I can confirm that CW Immigration will accept this account with only the bank letter and the 12 months of statements.

Does UOB have a branch at CW? 

20 minutes ago, JimMorris said:

They can presumably list both amounts in the account in the official bank balance letter, but there is no way to update the passbook so that it shows the 800K balance portion updated with the date of the visa extension.

Only what I would do... 

Try obtain extension without update, meaning without deposit of 5k.

If they don't accept that then surely bank gives receipt of deposit. 

Don't think immigration will ask you to do that. 

Do you plan to make appointment at CW? 

 

3 hours ago, mogandave said:

Does UOB have a branch at CW? 

 

Not in the CW government complex. Closest one is about a mile away on CW road close to the Laksi intersection.

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Only what I would do... 

Try obtain extension without update, meaning without deposit of 5k.

If they don't accept that then surely bank gives receipt of deposit. 

Don't think immigration will ask you to do that. 

Do you plan to make appointment at CW? 

 

 

Thanks. Yes, I would make an online appointment in advance, as I usually do.

I was thinking the same about the 5K. Since it would not be added to the 800K balance or allow me to update the balance on the 800K fixed deposit portion, there seems like no good reason to even bother with it.

By receipt of deposit, do you mean the original deposit slip for the 800K that I used to open the fixed deposit with? If so, yes I still have that deposit slip copy from the bank, but it will not be recent in 2027 when I plan to use this account for my visa extension. I am not sure how it could be useful?

The bank also once told me that when the fixed deposit matures, the funds automatically move back to my savings account. I could move them back into a new fixed deposit term at that time, but even a one-day transfer out of the fixed deposit account would require me to show multiple account statements to prove I kept 800K in the bank, which is something I would also want to avoid. At the time, when they told me this, I wasn't even thinking this might cause me problems too, but in hindsight it could be an issue.

Overall, this fixed deposit seems like it could be more trouble than it is worth. Since I cannot update the passbook balance for the fixed deposit on the visa extension day, immigration might reject it as we discussed. I could also run into problems if the maturity of the funds in the fixed deposit automatically transfers the funds back to savings and cannot be rolled over directly. In the end, the savings account method may still be the better and safest option. Less hassle and more of a sure thing. Of course I would have to sacrifice earning some higher interest, but maybe worth it for the peace of mind.

 

You could probably transfer out a bit of the interest earned and getvit to update 

7 hours ago, JimMorris said:

The bank also once told me that when the fixed deposit matures, the funds automatically move back to my savings account. I could move them back into a new fixed deposit term at that time, but even a one-day transfer out of the fixed deposit account would require me to show multiple account statements to prove I kept 800K in the bank, which is something I would also want to avoid. At the time, when they told me this, I wasn't even thinking this might cause me problems too, but in hindsight it could be an issue.

I think there was a misunderstanding, lost in translation, in this matter.

• Upon the due date, customer may opt to transfer the total deposit amount and interest to savings or current account. If the customer does not contact the Bank, the system will continue the deposit with the compounded interest.

https://www.uob.co.th/personal-en/deposits/fixed-deposit/uob-fixed-deposit-account.page

 

If the bank cannot update the passbook as you state, then additionally request a 12 month bank statement.

As standard, I always supply updated passbook, bank statement and letter.

 

21 hours ago, OJAS said:

Might accounts which are temporarily locked by Bangkok Bank as discussed in this thread also be deemed unacceptable by IMM?

FTD accounts are not locked by BKK.

20 hours ago, MeaMaximaCulpa said:

BBL will always print updated balance whenever you update the bank book (which they do to issue the letter), so no need to deposit or withdraw anything on the day. Other banks may differ.

20 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

The OP deals with CW. 

More often than not, immigration will want to see updated bankbook on day of application. 

This is best done with a small deposit.

 

Unlike Kasikorn and some other banks, Bangkok bank can update the passbook to the current date without any deposits or withdrawals.

2 hours ago, Liquorice said:

FTD accounts are not locked by BKK.

If by BKK you mean BBL (Bangkok Bank) you are wrong, unless they recently have stopped locking FD accounts. Not all of course, but the ones used for people without work permits that still want a Thai credit card. Perhaps not so relevant any longer since debit cards are available everywhere and these will do for most of us most of the time (I never use the credit part of the card anyway). But when I had my credit card guarantee account with BBL a few years ago and wanted to end it, they locked it 100% for 3-4 months, to see if any charges came through. You don't have to use such an account also for your immigration 800K of course, but for many of us that "seemed like a good idea at the time". It was not, and I am now glad I kept my separate 800K FD account at the time, so no big deal.

 

To reiterate a point I made earlier, and also repeated by yourself above, be careful about the fact that some banks will terminate your contract on expiry and park your funds in a savings account, and you need to restart the process. This is common if you for instance take a promotional FD account with extra high interest rate, and it may well also be for only 11 months. So before going the FD route make absolutely certain that the bank automatically rolls over your account seamlessly, or else it is going to mean a full restart with immigration. If you can manage to get an FD account with BBL (difficult now, but probably still possible with some good connections), you can get a balance update on the day of the letter and a seamless roll-over. That is by far the best system and the IOs love it, makes their lives simpler.

1 hour ago, MeaMaximaCulpa said:

If by BKK you mean BBL (Bangkok Bank) you are wrong, unless they recently have stopped locking FD accounts.

Yes, Bangkok bank and I am not wrong.

You can withdraw funds at any point during the fixed term period, but lose some of interest.

Of course if they issued a credit card against the balance of that account it's a different matter, but credit cards were not the topic of discussion.

 

1 hour ago, MeaMaximaCulpa said:

To reiterate a point I made earlier, and also repeated by yourself above, be careful about the fact that some banks will terminate your contract on expiry and park your funds in a savings account, and you need to restart the process. This is common if you for instance take a promotional FD account with extra high interest rate, and it may well also be for only 11 months. So before going the FD route make absolutely certain that the bank automatically rolls over your account seamlessly, or else it is going to mean a full restart with immigration. If you can manage to get an FD account with BBL (difficult now, but probably still possible with some good connections), you can get a balance update on the day of the letter and a seamless roll-over. That is by far the best system and the IOs love it, makes their lives simpler.

With Bangkok bank, if a FTD account reaches the term of the agreed period, the funds remain in that account but reverts to the same interest rate as that of a Savings account, so important when due to 'roll' it over into another fixed term to obtain the better interest rate.

1 hour ago, Liquorice said:

Yes, Bangkok bank and I am not wrong.

You can withdraw funds at any point during the fixed term period, but lose some of interest.

Of course if they issued a credit card against the balance of that account it's a different matter, but credit cards were not the topic of discussion.

 

With Bangkok bank, if a FTD account reaches the term of the agreed period, the funds remain in that account but reverts to the same interest rate as that of a Savings account, so important when due to 'roll' it over into another fixed term to obtain the better interest rate.

Haha, of course nobody is ever wrong. I did point all that out twice, and it is important to know, because it is not only you who reads a thread like this. If you feel I have overstepped and insulted you I shall of course not come back after this post, I don't want to waste our time bickering.

 

But finally, my FD account does roll over automatically but it does not change interest rate to same as a savings account after a year. It just stays in the same account (FD) with the same number. The rate is however adjusted from time to time according to the market conditions (usually down of course... 😕). I don't know if you can seamlessly change to another FD account and keep Immigration happy at the same time, I would be very careful about doing this myself.

 

Anyhoo, I hope you'll find a good solution that suits your situation, because immigration and banking is going to get progressively more difficult going forward it seems.

 

Good luck!

49 minutes ago, MeaMaximaCulpa said:

Haha, of course nobody is ever wrong. I did point all that out twice, and it is important to know, because it is not only you who reads a thread like this. If you feel I have overstepped and insulted you I shall of course not come back after this post, I don't want to waste our time bickering.

 

But finally, my FD account does roll over automatically but it does not change interest rate to same as a savings account after a year. It just stays in the same account (FD) with the same number. The rate is however adjusted from time to time according to the market conditions (usually down of course... 😕). I don't know if you can seamlessly change to another FD account and keep Immigration happy at the same time, I would be very careful about doing this myself.

 

Anyhoo, I hope you'll find a good solution that suits your situation, because immigration and banking is going to get progressively more difficult going forward it seems.

 

Good luck!

I'm not insulted at all, but we are talking at crossed purposes.

My original reply to OJAS was in relation to his question regarding the below topic and BKK locking funds.

Locking funds because you have been issued a credit card against the funds is a totally different topic.