The Non - Imm 'o' Extension 40k Baht Question

[tutsiwarrior]

We know that to apply for an extension to a non - imm 'O' visa proof of income is required to demonstrate that the applicant receives at least 40k baht income every month. In some cases this requirement is met by simply making a declaration at an embassy for them to issue the associated document to be presented with the extension application. However some posters have advised that thai immigration has been known to demand additional documentation from a thai bank to verify that the required amount is indeed deposited every month. One poster has advised that in the case of combined husband/wife income business licenses and employment contracts were required for the scrutiny of the attending immigration officials.

My salary is paid monthly into an offshore account. I presume that I can open an account with a local bank in Thailand into which I can transfer the necessary 40k baht every month and for which the bank can issue the necessary documentation/verification for visa extension application purposes. Fluidity can be demonstrated by shifting amounts to other accounts in Thailand.

Has anyone tried this arrangement or presently have it in place for which bank documentation has been accepted by thai immigration?

[Maestro]

For the extension of stay to live with Thai wife, evidence of foreign income must be in the form of the embassy letter. The immigration office reserves the right to ask the applicant for supporting documents regarding the income stated in the embassy letter (eg pension statement, employer’s confirmation letter, etc)

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Maestro

[geoffphuket]

My advice would be to obtain a letter from your embassy confirming you have 40k+ income paid every month offshore. Submitting a bank statement showing the transfer of funds to Thailand is unlikely to be accepted by immigration as proof of income.

[tutsiwarrior]

What I intended was to have the thai bank docs available to back up the embassy letter if requested/demanded by immigration. Has anyone offered an offshore bank statement to verify income in support of the embassy declaration?

A number of posters have advised that bank verification docs have been demanded by immigration to support the embassy declaration and I get the feeling that when bank docs are demanded by immigration to support the embassy document the bank must be a thai bank with a balance in baht.

Edited October 24, 2007 by tutsiwarrior

[lopburi3]

If, and it very seldom happens, immigration wants supporting documents they would most likely accept any reasonable such paperwork, be it US tax returns or overseas bank accounts, pay statements or whatever. Offshore accounts are currently used as the only proof of funds for one year non immigrant visa issue at Singapore. I do not recall any member of this forum being asked.