4 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

WOW Thanks to everyone that has posted here it really helps and I am sure it will really help others.  @DrJack54 maybe it would be a good thing to pin this 

 

Again for those that wonder why people come here with all the other stuff that happens ASEANNOW  it is being able to get info like this that makes it all worth while

 

@billd766  how do the deposits appear on your account and do you have them changes or just left as they are showing the deposits

I always used Bangkok Bank - yeah I did yearly report a week in advance but it usually appeared earlier and I was notified that it was at my branch in CM.  I wasn't concerned with exchange rate as I always was way about 100K in my self transfer though My bank in the US would have done a regulary monthly transfer if desired or through Wise and my BB noted a foreign transfer of funds.

Several questions:

 

1. Does the monthly deposit have to be on the same day every month, or can the dates vary from month to month?

2. Is there any requirement to have a certain amount of funds on total deposit in the passbook on the day that you renew your visa? Can the funds be used after they are deposited each month?

 

I have had no problems meeting the 800,000 baht requirement, but I have 2 accounts that I use for that. If this monthly method can be done well, I would liquidate one of those accounts.

 

Thanks for any additional information.

 

22 minutes ago, Ricohoc said:

Does the monthly deposit have to be on the same day every month, or can the dates vary from month to month?

No. 

However it's good practice to transfer on set date and similar amount. 

The transfer does not need to be from a pension, so just do transfers yourself. 

I do Oz bank to WISE to Thai bank. 

 

22 minutes ago, Ricohoc said:

Is there any requirement to have a certain amount of funds on total deposit in the passbook on the day that you renew your visa? Can the funds be used after they are deposited each month?

No need for certain level of balance on day of extension using income method. 

Re funds used.. When my transfer hits my Thai bank #14 each month. 

Thai partner goes to from of our condo and transfees into her account. 

 

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

No. 

However it's good practice to transfer on set date and similar amount. 

The transfer does not need to be from a pension, so just do transfers yourself. 

I do Oz bank to WISE to Thai bank. 

 

No need for certain level of balance on day of extension using income method. 

Re funds used.. When my transfer hits my Thai bank #14 each month. 

Thai partner goes to from of our condo and transfees into her account. 

 

 

Thanks for that information.

 

Yes, I would plan on doing it around the same day every month.

 

So as long as the transfer shows as being from outside of Thailand, that's all that is necessary. It could be from any bank, from any account, or with any transfer service like Wise or a bank wire or ACH.

 

One last question:

The last regulation I saw from Immigration was a minimum amount of 65,000 baht each month. What role does the exchange rate play in the monthly transfer?  I would plan on transferring 70,000 just to be on the safe side.

 

Thanks again for your help.

 

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, Ricohoc said:

What role does the exchange rate play in the monthly transfer?

 

None. If you transfer foreign currency, you need to ensure that the Thai baht amount that arrives is always at least the required minimum amount (65,000 baht).

2 hours ago, Ricohoc said:

The last regulation I saw from Immigration was a minimum amount of 65,000 baht each month. What role does the exchange rate play in the monthly transfer?

As pointed out above.... When you do a transfer when using for example WISE, the amount to be transferred is shown with all the costs. 

In other words you see exactly the amount that will hit your Thai bank. 

If using a Foreign currency account or bank to bank transfer etc you would need to be aware of any charges by banks and the exchange rate used. 

6 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

As pointed out above.... When you do a transfer when using for example WISE, the amount to be transferred is shown with all the costs. 

In other words you see exactly the amount that will hit your Thai bank. 

If using a Foreign currency account or bank to bank transfer etc you would need to be aware of any charges by banks and the exchange rate used. 

 

Of course.  I was only interested in the effect of the exchange rate.

 

Thanks.

9 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

None. If you transfer foreign currency, you need to ensure that the Thai baht amount that arrives is always at least the required minimum amount (65,000 baht).

 

Much appreciated.

Has anyone encountered a refusal by Bangkok Bank to provide the "letter" to immigration that lists the monthly transfer amounts?  (This is required in addition to the 12 monthly statements.)

 

I ask because in a thread in the banking forum, another AN member claims BBL now refuses to provide the letter:

 

 

59 minutes ago, TheAppletons said:

Has anyone encountered a refusal by Bangkok Bank to provide the "letter" to immigration that lists the monthly transfer amounts?

I have not read a report same as the one you posted. 

As we know the Bank Letter is to show you as owner of the account and balance on day of issue. 

Of course the balance for income method is irrelevant. 

If indeed BBL are not providing the required letter (required by immigration) that would be huge issue. 

BBL seems to be on witches hunt. 

 

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I have not read a report same as the one you posted. 

As we know the Bank Letter is to show you as owner of the account and balance on day of issue. 

Of course the balance for income method is irrelevant. 

If indeed BBL are not providing the required letter (required by immigration) that would be huge issue. 

BBL seems to be on witches hunt. 

 

 

  That's good to hear and, yes, it would be a huge issue if BBL refuses to provide the letter.

 

  I'll be going in about 10 days to renew and will update if any new obstacles are created by BBL.

27 minutes ago, TheAppletons said:

I'll be going in about 10 days to renew and will update if any new obstacles are created by BBL.

That would be so helpful. 

On 8/21/2025 at 11:12 PM, OJAS said:

Whoever told you that was, unfortunately, talking out of their derriere. What KBANK can give you is a letter in the Thai language which, in essence, confirms that you hold an account with them. What you'll also need from them for IMM purposes is a 12-month statement which they should be able to issue on the spot.

 

It is the case that a number of embassies do issue letters or affidavits confirming monthly income, which IMM will accept instead of bank letters & statements. However the American, Australian, British, Canadian and Norwegian embassies no longer issue the necessary letters or affidavits, leaving their nationals with no option other than to go down the bank account confirmation letter and 12-month statement route, based on monthly transfers of at least 65k each for an annual retirement extension.

Yes all true.  when the embassy ceased to do that letter, my BBL branch told me exactly what I needed for immigration.  They had sample copies of each form and yes, needed to wait 5 days for BKK main office to issue the report of 12 monthly foreign income of at least 65K for each month, plus the other confirming it was a sole account only in my name when previously I used a joint acct.  But my branch was helpful in knowing exactly what I would need at immigration (CM for bank and immigration).

4 hours ago, TheAppletons said:

I ask because in a thread in the banking forum, another AN member claims BBL now refuses to provide the letter:

 

I think that OP was talking about this type of letter detailing the 12 monthly deposits.

The standard letter only confirms name, account number and balance ........... not the transfers, which the OP mentioned.

When my IO first requested such a letter detailing the monthly transfers, the bank phoned Immigration and stated it was their job to identify the monthly transfers from the 12 month statement and the staff were far too busy to do their job for them. They never requested that type of letter again.

27 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

 

I think that OP was talking about this type of letter detailing the 12 monthly deposits.

The standard letter only confirms name, account number and balance ........... not the transfers, which the OP mentioned.

When my IO first requested such a letter detailing the monthly transfers, the bank phoned Immigration and stated it was their job to identify the monthly transfers from the 12 month statement and the staff were far too busy to do their job for them. They never requested that type of letter again.

 

  Correct.  This letter is required - along with the 12 monthly statements - by Immigration in Chiang Mai.  Until now, I've not had a problem obtaining it.  We'll see if that has changed in two weeks or so.

On 8/28/2025 at 12:53 PM, TheAppletons said:

Has anyone encountered a refusal by Bangkok Bank to provide the "letter" to immigration that lists the monthly transfer amounts?  (This is required in addition to the 12 monthly statements.)

 

I was able to have the annual Credit Advice Summary letter, showing all twelve Qualifying Foreign Transfers, issued today at my BBL branch (Foreign Remittance Department), as I have for the past ~ seven years. Before I used the USEMBBKK 'affidavit'.

 

 

Surprisingly, the branch refused to issue the Account Ownership Letter (name, account number, date opened, current balance) addressed to Immigration. I've obtained this same letter ~ seven years, and a few more times to support visa applications to other countries. He just laughed at me telling me I needed 800,000 baht as a balance. Oy vey. I went to the next closest BBL branch where I obtained this letter in a few minutes.

 

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

 

I was able to have the annual Credit Advice Summary letter, showing all twelve Qualifying Foreign Transfers, issued today at my BBL branch (Foreign Remittance Department), as I have for the past ~ seven years. Before I used the USEMBBKK 'affidavit'.

 

 

Surprisingly, the branch refused to issue the Account Ownership Letter (name, account number, date opened, current balance) addressed to Immigration. I've obtained this same letter ~ seven years, and a few more times to support visa applications to other countries. He just laughed at me telling me I needed 800,000 baht as a balance. Oy vey. I went to the next closest BBL branch where I obtained this letter in a few minutes.

 

S

surprised with negative comments about the Bangkok Bank and immigration requirements - every year that I did the monthly deposit for my Reirement O, I would just go to my branch in CM and they would tell me exactly what immigration wanted, would even show me sample copies and the would call me within 5 days after getting the 12-months deposits report from Bangkok main branch and I would pickup the other documents needed.  Never any problems with them or the immigration folks.

I just wrote about my experience with the latest transfer with WISE to Bangkok Bank.

Seems you have an answer about the "12 month report": taking 5 days.

Cost?

 

57 minutes ago, Presnock said:

surprised with negative comments about the Bangkok Bank and immigration requirements

How do you transfer the money? SWIFT transfer from your home country bank?

Just now, KhunBENQ said:

How do you transfer the money? SWIFT transfer from your home country bank?

Yeah I just have my retirement check sent to my US bank and then they fwd whateveer amount I want, in the 6 years of doing it, they send it the same day they get the request which means it arrives in Thailand the next day our time.  They also advertise sending via WISE is availale and possibly cheaper but after I figured out the amount I fwd compared to WISE wasn't a whole lot different and I like dealing with my bank rather than adding a 3rd character.  what was your question about the 12-monthly reports from the main bank office - the branches know exactly what is needed, a separate listing of each and every month with amount sent, identified as foreign transfer to Thailand.  Have to pay for it but really cheap and never had a problem with the extension of stay in CM but now, For 18 months have had an LTR so don't have to worry about any of that again for many years hopefully.

On 8/26/2025 at 8:29 PM, DrJack54 said:

No. 

However it's good practice to transfer on set date and similar amount. 

The transfer does not need to be from a pension, so just do transfers yourself. 

I do Oz bank to WISE to Thai bank. 

 

 

 

I was told at the Ubon office near the big lake a few months ago it had to be  pension and monthly international transfers weren't accepted if it they didn't originate from a pension.  He showed me the form below and refused to accept that it didn't need to be a pension. In his defense the form does state it has to be a pension.  Anyhow, I had 800k in the bank and let it go.  

1 hour ago, atpeace said:

I was told at the Ubon office near the big lake a few months ago it had to be  pension and monthly international transfers weren't accepted if it they didn't originate from a pension.

This is a typical "lost in translation" thing.

The term "Pension" became a catch all term.

Some offices run with that. They are wrong.

I realize that doesn't help.

 

By way of example...the only pension we have in Oz is for poor folk.

Referred to as old age pension.

I'm not super rich however no way I can receive government pension.

Fortunately most offices are only interested in that it's an international transfer. 

The word Pension was always a misnomer.

It should be "income" 

That can come from multitude of sources. 

Common would be dividends or rental income etc 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

By way of example...the only pension we have in Oz is for poor folk.

Australia has both private and voluntary personal pension options, primarily through its mandatory "superannuation" system for retirement savings, which includes employer and employee contributions, and by allowing individuals to make voluntary personal contributions.

 

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

This is a typical "lost in translation" thing.

The term "Pension" became a catch all term.

The term 'pension' is not lost in translation and proof of receipt of a pension is requested by many IO's as it is by certain Embassies to issue Income letters, and even Thai Embassies where proof of income for the Non O can be from proof of receipt of a state pension.
If using the monthly income method, my IO insist on proof that income is from a pension.

On 8/26/2025 at 9:11 AM, Ricohoc said:

Several questions:

 

1. Does the monthly deposit have to be on the same day every month, or can the dates vary from month to month?

2. Is there any requiIrement to have a certain amount of funds on total deposit in the passbook on the day that you renew your visa? Can the funds be used after they are deposited each month?

 

I have had no problems meeting the 800,000 baht requirement, but I have 2 accounts that I use for that. If this monthly method can be done well, I would liquidate one of those accounts.

 

Thanks for any additional information.

 

I recommend you try to transfer maybe the middle of the month.  The reason is you then have many days to check that the transfer went through and was encoded properly, i.e. as a foreign transfer in, etc.

5 hours ago, Liquorice said:

If using the monthly income method, my IO insist on proof that income is from a pension.

And many do not 

9 hours ago, atpeace said:

I was told at the Ubon office near the big lake a few months ago it had to be  pension and monthly international transfers weren't accepted if it they didn't originate from a pension.  He showed me the form below and refused to accept that it didn't need to be a pension. In his defense the form does state it has to be a pension.  Anyhow, I had 800k in the bank and let it go.  

 

That Police Order mentions "income", and not "pension".

 

And the "document" lists "3. Evidence showing income such as pension or interest received or dividend received"

 

And the "procedure" says "Evidence showing income not less than 65,000 baht monthly..."

 

I did my ext stay/ret/income yesterday at CW. No ask for "pension" document (Yes, I had one in hand if required).

 

passbook, copies, account ownership letter, same day B/F, twelve Credit Advice Receipts and Credit Advice Summary Report, the last of those were scrutinized by the Doc Check (L27) lady three times.

 

FWIW, most interpretations say that Social Security is NOT a "pension".

 

I'll stipulate that other immigration offices have their own interpretations.

 

 

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

 

That Police Order mentions "income", and not "pension".

 

And the "document" lists "3. Evidence showing income such as pension or interest received or dividend received"

 

And the "procedure" says "Evidence showing income not less than 65,000 baht monthly..."

 

I did my ext stay/ret/income yesterday at CW. No ask for "pension" document (Yes, I had one in hand if required).

 

passbook, copies, account ownership letter, same day B/F, twelve Credit Advice Receipts and Credit Advice Summary Report, the last of those were scrutinized by the Doc Check (L27) lady three times.

 

FWIW, most interpretations say that Social Security is NOT a "pension".

 

I'll stipulate that other immigration offices have their own interpretations.

 

 

I agree BUT it does state pension under procedures and that is where any argument became pointless IMO.  He just kept pointing to "procedures" Item 1. When I showed him item 3 under "Documents", it just confirmed his interpretation.  It states pension again and doesn't state  where the income from dividends or interest can derive.  I might try again but this office saved me a trip to an embassy outside of Thailand a few months back and I paid for dinner for the whole office. I don't want to cause any issues at this office.

 

I've had good experiences with immigration for the most part the last 20 years.  The ???? (fear the office may read this forum) office next to the university was stellar for years but rule of law in Thailand is not enforced and one rogue boss or employee can dictate the visa process regardless of law/regs.  I was asked for a 30k bribe months ago when applying for a routine visa and all documents were legit.  A bribe asked for  at the actual  immigration office (not an Agency)!  I would never believe someone if they told me this happened.   

 

The reason given was bizarre to say the least. The IO sent a young assistant to explain to me that Thailand has too many older tourists and with all the younger tourist it is basically frustrating.  I told her fine but  I was applying for the visa as I have done many times before the last 20 years (I'm 60).  She actually told me many things are not free anymore.  30K!!!!  Everything in my application was legit and hence the ability to get my visa at another office (wife has properties in different parts of Thailand with immigration offices ) with no issues. To this day I have no idea what happened - maybe the IO was having a bad day or I'm flagged in the  for some unknown reason in the system.

 

The OP should have no major issues but if he does, don't panic. Your application is legit and in the end I've never met someone that had all the required documents that was not able to get a visa.  Even I was able to with some extra travel 🙂

 

 

On 8/24/2025 at 11:47 AM, Liquorice said:

Immigration, perhaps realising their error, then issued a further memo amendment to the previously issued 0029.173/Wor 4950, dated 26th December 2018, advising leniency for all expats in 2019 affected by the cessation of Embassy income letters.

On 8/25/2025 at 10:02 AM, sandyf said:

Long term expats wouldn't be entitled to the exception.

 

And your evidence for this sweeping assertion is .......?????

 

On 8/24/2025 at 11:47 AM, Liquorice said:

I know of a few who were granted extensions in 2019 on the basis of leniency, not having evidence of 12 months 40/65K transfers.

 

Are you aware of any cases of Canadians or Norwegians, whose embassies have only recently ceased their income confirmation services, being shown any leniency by IMM on account of not being able to show evidence of 12 months' transfers during the first year?