Yesterday I went to Wattana to do a 1 year extension on my non-immigrant-o visa based on retirement. It will be my 3rd extension. The orginal application and first two extensions, I used an agent. This time I'm trying to do it myself. I've seasoned 800k in the bank using the 3-2 rule, got the bank statement, bank letter, up to date passbook, TM30, completed TM7, and signed copies of my passport pages, bank passbook pages, and last 90 day reporting receipt. I thought I had everything I needed. How wrong I was. I was told that I need 2 years bank statements and a Tabien Baan. My understanding was that a Tabien Baan was only required for extension based on marriage. I never needed this when using an agent, and I've never heard anyone say that it required, nor the 2 years of bank statements.

Is this a new requirement, or am I being screwed in order to force me to use an agent so they get paid?

Sounds like it was because you used an agent before and they  justifiably suspect you didn't meet the requirements then.

Sounds like you're trapped using agents except if you're willing to start over with a new O visa.

32 minutes ago, Thailand Tiger said:

Is this a new requirement, or am I being screwed in order to force me to use an agent so they get paid?

It seems you were previously using an agent and having them sidestep the financial requirements. 

 

You cannot just flick switch to doing extension yourself. 

The financial compliance is checked back to last extension (retrospectively) 

 

Guessing you did not have bank statement showing compliance for previous 12 months. 

 

The Tabien Baan was a lost in translation thing. 

Most likely looking for TM30. 

A lease would also assist. 

Two year bank statement is strange. 

Where did agent obtain current stamps. 

Suggest you either use agent one more time or start over. 

 

Bounce at land border without reentry permit or when stamp is about to expire and obtain visa exempt 60 day stamp. 

In last 15/21 days obtain Non O

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1346097-changing-from-agent-to-doing-annual-extensions-myself/ 

 

Also 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1332079-from-using-an-agent-to-self-renewal-of-visa/

 

10 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

It seems you were previously using an agent and having them sidestep the financial requirements. 

 

You cannot just flick switch to doing extension yourself. 

The financial compliance is checked back to last extension (retrospectively) 

 

Guessing you did not have bank statement showing compliance for previous 12 months. 

 

The Tabien Baan was a lost in translation thing. 

Most likely looking for TM30. 

A lease would also assist. 

Two year bank statement is strange. 

Where did agent obtain current stamps. 

Suggest you either use agent one more time or start over. 

 

Bounce at land border without reentry permit or when stamp is about to expire and obtain visa exempt 60 day stamp. 

In last 15/21 days obtain Non O

I had a printout of the TM30 with my documentation, and I pointed this out, so I don't believe there could have been confusion.

I was legit my last extension, but used an agent because it was easier. my original visa and last 2 extensions were at Husa Hin. Now I live in Bangkok. I'd prefer to do it myself. I follow all the rules and do the right thing. I feel like I'm being pushed into not taking that route, and that honesty doesn't pay.

Migth be the beginning of stricter rules.When people paid for THAI ELITE VISA and they also have problems says alot to me.Not strange they on number 34 on the list for expats.

11 minutes ago, Thailand Tiger said:

I was legit my last extension, but used an agent because it was easier

Ok so now the plot thickens. 

 

You were able to show CW a 12 month + bank statement that showed for previous extension 800k maintained in Thai bank account for 2 months prior to last application and maintained for 3 months after application and not below 400k in other months? 

You seem confident please confirm. 

 

The other thing is agent may have ignored the fact you were compliant and just bypassed the financials 

What proof of bank funds did you provide? 

3 minutes ago, norsurin said:

Migth be the beginning of stricter rules.When people paid for THAI ELITE VISA and they also have problems says alot to me.Not strange they on number 34 on the list for expats.

Completely different issue. I'm aware of the PE thread issue you refer to. 

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Completely different issue. I'm aware of the PE thread issue you refer to. 

That's why i said MIGTH because they change the rules like people change underwear.

43 minutes ago, Thailand Tiger said:

I've seasoned 800k in the bank using the 3-2 rule, got the bank statement, bank letter, up to date passbook

 

You have a statement showing 800/400 in the bank over the entire year?

 

44 minutes ago, Thailand Tiger said:

I was told that I need 2 years bank statements and a Tabien Baan.

 

Tabien Ban is probably your landlord's to verify your lease.

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Ok so now the plot thickens. 

 

You were able to show CW a 12 month + bank statement that showed for previous extension 800k maintained in Thai bank account for 2 months prior to last application and maintained for 3 months after application and not below 400k in other months? 

You seem confident please confirm. 

 

The other thing is agent may have ignored the fact you were compliant and just bypassed the financials 

What proof of bank funds did you provide? 

Sometimes people use an agent just so that they don't need to navigate the process themselves. My last extension was getting close to due because i wasn't aware of the waiting time for getting bank statements and I didn't want the risk of being refused then having to leave the country at short notice.

Please don't imply that I'm trying to do something shonky just because I've chosen to use agents whilst I gain familiarity and confidence with the system before doing it myself.

10 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

You have a statement showing 800/400 in the bank over the entire year?

 

 

Tabien Ban is probably your landlord's to verify your lease.

Yes. 800k from before last extension, maintained for at least 3 months after extension and topped up over two months before renewal due with balance never dropping to 400k. All this proven with bank statements and bank passbook.

I rent my condo through a letting agent, and they seem very hesitant to provide the Tabien Baan, and said they don't do it for anyone else. This is what leads me to believe that it's either a new requirement, or I'm being pushed to use an agent.

24 minutes ago, Thailand Tiger said:

Sometimes people use an agent just so that they don't need to navigate the process themselves. My last extension was getting close to due because i wasn't aware of the waiting time for getting bank statements and I didn't want the risk of being refused then having to leave the country at short notice.

Please don't imply that I'm trying to do something shonky just because I've chosen to use agents whilst I gain familiarity and confidence with the system before doing it myself.

Clearly you don't read AseanNow a lot. 

I have never posted negatively re use of agents. 

In fact I will most likely change DIY to agent in future due to mobility. 

 

So back to your situation. It's exactly as I mentioned earlier. 

Your agent bypassed financial requirements. 

My previous posts stand. And I stated.., 

 

"The other thing is agent may have ignored the fact you were compliant and just bypassed the financials "

 

So in fact I was correct. The agent bypassed the financials as you handed it over. 

You stated... 

"wasn't aware of the waiting time for getting bank statements"

 

At a guess you bank with BBL. 

 

You have 2 options

1. Use same agent for extension or. 

2. Start over 

40 minutes ago, Thailand Tiger said:

I rent my condo through a letting agent, and they seem very hesitant to provide the Tabien Baan, and said they don't do it for anyone else. This is what leads me to believe that it's either a new requirement, or I'm being pushed to use an agent

No. It's an agent issue not immigration. 

38 minutes ago, Thailand Tiger said:

This is what leads me to believe that it's either a new requirement, or I'm being pushed to use an agent.

 

You're at CW, much less likely for officers there to go rouge.  I never had any trouble with that office, but they did ask for my GF's tabien ban and rental contract for her apartment where I was registered.

 

The 2-year statement must have something to do with not meeting financials on the prior extension.  Nothing has changed in the requirements, Korat approved extension last week with 6-month statement provided by BBL.

14 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Nothing has changed in the requirements, Korat approved extension last week with 6-month statement provided by BBL

Confusing. 

Most immigration offices (all) would require proof of compliance for 12 months. 

Some will accept bank book and photocopies of all pages back till last extension. 

Some want 12 month bank statement. 

None would accept 6 month statement alone unless it was first extension. 

 

 

 

 

 

I would go in with the 2-year bank statements and the lease agreement and try again. Perhaps bring the phone number of the leasing agent so that the immigration officer can talk to them--- worth a try?

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Confusing. 

Most immigration offices (all) would require proof of compliance for 12 months. 

Some will accept bank book and photocopies of all pages back till last extension. 

Some want 12 month bank statement. 

None would accept 6 month statement alone unless it was first extension. 

 

 

I'm pretty sure that Korat only asks for a 2-month statement, but the nearby BBL just defaults to 6 months.  "2-months statement" was printed on the little post-it sized paper they handed me when I first went there.

 

Bank book and photocopies needed of course, but I was only referring to the bank statement.  Fixed account holds the 800K all year, only have the annual interest/tax entries added.  Clerk does a forced update, no extra small deposit required.

If you used and agent to bypass the financial requirements you cannot just switch to do it yourself.

You must start all over again.

3 hours ago, Thailand Tiger said:

I rent my condo through a letting agent, and they seem very hesitant to provide the Tabien Baan, and said they don't do it for anyone else. This is what leads me to believe that it's either a new requirement, or I'm being pushed to use an agent.

It's a common requirement to supply a signed copy of Tabien Baan + ID card for the residence + rental contract.

3 hours ago, Liquorice said:

It's a common requirement to supply a signed copy of Tabien Baan + ID card for the residence + rental contract.

Agreed. I've always had to provide copies of Mrs MD's ID card and Tabien baan as proof of my address when applying for an extension. 

@Thailand Tiger

 

It is totally not uncommon to be asked for 2 years worth of Bank statements, the house book of the landlord and the landlord's ID in addition to your lease and a TM 30 

The officer has no idea that you got your extension last year down in Hua Hin with an agent or not. 

All they know is that you have an extension from out of province, now you show you live in this area, and you want to get a yearly extension from this office. 

So to rule out the fact that you didn't use an agent to bank the money for your out of province extension they request two years worth of detailed Bank transaction reports. 

That would show if you met the seasoning requirements for the extension you're currently on (the one you got last year in Hua Hin).. 

You're not being unfairly targeted, you are not being singled out, you are not being punished because you used an agent last year, you're being asked to prove that you meet the financial requirements.. 

I would dial back the persecution complex just a notch and realize that what you are being asked for is not an unusual document request. 

1 hour ago, Mutt Daeng said:

Agreed. I've always had to provide copies of Mrs MD's ID card and Tabien baan as proof of my address when applying for an extension. 

But this is for extension based on marriage; correct? I'm extending based on retirement. I don't need to prove I'm living with a Thai spouse.

13 minutes ago, Thailand Tiger said:

But this is for extension based on marriage; correct? I'm extending based on retirement. I don't need to prove I'm living with a Thai spouse.

My Thai partner has rentals. 

Currently has two of them rented to farang. 

I just asked what she supplies for tm30. 

Her: "my blue book and signed Thai ID " 

 

Realize you deal with CW however pattaya expats club provide clear guides. 

This is what they state for proof of address. 

"Copy of Proof of Residence documents (Rental Agreement, House Book, Company documents if Company owned, etc.)  In the case of a rental agreement, they may also want to see copy of Thai owner ID (or non-Thai’s passport identity page) and a copy of owner’s house book for the property. If you own a condo, they may want to see a copy of the Yellow House Book and/or the Chanote.   

 

"https://pcec.club/CHECKLISTS-Extensions-of-Stay"

Another thing that can play a role in them asking for additional documentation is how long ago you moved to bangkok and if you've been doing 90-day reporting here in this province or not. 

If you got your extension last year down in Hua Hin then move to Bangkok and have been doing a year's worth of 90-day reporting here, I think they would look at you with a far less critical eye then if you just moved here, never had done a 90-day report in Bangkok and now you're trying to get a new extension with a current out of province one. 😕 

I have seen the immigration officers ask people for their previous lease or at least address in the other province that their current extension is on to look in the system and see if indeed it matches or if an agent got it for you with the bogus address. 😮 

I still believe they are not singling you out in any way shape or form, they are trying to ascertain if you met the proof of funds requirements for the extensions you have and are on. 

 

And as I previously stated it is not unusual to be requested to present the house book of the property you're renting, or a copy of the landlord's ID, along with the lease and the TM30.

1 hour ago, Thailand Tiger said:

But this is for extension based on marriage; correct? I'm extending based on retirement. I don't need to prove I'm living with a Thai spouse.

The reason for the extension is immaterial, they still request signed copies of the owner/landlords Tabien Baan and ID card for your place of residence.

 

11 hours ago, Thailand Tiger said:

I rent my condo through a letting agent, and they seem very hesitant to provide the Tabien Baan, and said they don't do it for anyone else. This is what leads me to believe that it's either a new requirement, or I'm being pushed to use an agent.

That's BS! I assume it was the letting agency that filed the TM30, so they will be aware copies of the Condo owner's Tabien Baan and ID card are required, and they would have uploaded them to obtain the TM30. Depending on whom, or even if a Thai or foreigner owns the Condo and if they are named in the Blue Tabien Baan for the property, then a copy of Chanote may also be requested as proof of ownership.

 

There are older topics reporting reluctant landlords refusing to supply signed copies of the Tabien Baan and ID card for a rental property. The advice is always before renting ensure the owner/landlord will issue these documents and if not find somewhere else to rent.

CW are known to look very closely at any application for extension of stay  for what ever the reason, if the previous stamp was outside Bangkok. 

1 hour ago, Tod Daniels said:

I still believe they are not singling you out in any way shape or form, they are trying to ascertain if you met the proof of funds requirements for the extensions you have and are on. 

So if one moves province to a new IO one needs to prove the current extension you have is valid with 2 years of bank statements? How long has this been the case? When I moved province from south to Bangkok about 6 years ago each extension application was treated on its own merits, one year bank statement and past extensions not scrutinized with a 2 year bank statement asked for.

12 hours ago, Thailand Tiger said:

I had a printout of the TM30 with my documentation, and I pointed this out, so I don't believe there could have been confusion.

I was legit my last extension, but used an agent because it was easier. my original visa and last 2 extensions were at Husa Hin. Now I live in Bangkok. I'd prefer to do it myself. I follow all the rules and do the right thing. I feel like I'm being pushed into not taking that route, and that honesty doesn't pay.

just take a quick trip to Laos, come back on a 60 day visa extension, after a month or 6 weeks apply for ur Non O visa, ( with ur 800,000 in the bank ) after 2 months apply for ur 1 year extension.

Easy this way and avoid any hassles

59 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

So if one moves province to a new IO one needs to prove the current extension you have is valid with 2 years of bank statements?

nope that's not what I said at all. I said it is not uncommon for them to ask for 2 years of detail transaction reports when you meet the financial requirements with banked money method and show up here in Bangkok with current extension issued out of province..

 

1 hour ago, Digitalbanana said:

When I moved province from south to Bangkok about 6 years ago each extension application was treated on its own merits,

 6 years is a long, LONG time in the past to compare how it was when you first moved up here, to how it is now when people show up with out of province extensions at Chaengwattana 😕 

I'm relating what I have personally seen with my own eyes while sitting at Chaengwattana watching when people are trying to get their first yearly extension with out of province extensions.

It is what it is, the last clause of the requirements says "or other documentation as requested by the officer" <- meaning they can ask for almost anything they want to. They have wide latitude in deciding what they want to see.     

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

My Thai partner has rentals. 

Currently has two of them rented to farang. 

I just asked what she supplies for tm30. 

Her: "my blue book and signed Thai ID " 

 

Realize you deal with CW however pattaya expats club provide clear guides. 

This is what they state for proof of address. 

"Copy of Proof of Residence documents (Rental Agreement, House Book, Company documents if Company owned, etc.)  In the case of a rental agreement, they may also want to see copy of Thai owner ID (or non-Thai’s passport identity page) and a copy of owner’s house book for the property. If you own a condo, they may want to see a copy of the Yellow House Book and/or the Chanote.   

 

"https://pcec.club/CHECKLISTS-Extensions-of-Stay"

Just as a quick FYI (as stated by my rental agent); apparently when filing a TM30, the property owner needs to file the Tabien Baan and title deed with it. However it's typically only the TM30 that is provided to the tenant. So immigration do have access to the Tabien Baan without the visa applicant supplying it.