Went by Chiangmai immigration Friday for my first retirement visa renewal. Left the house a little after 9 am and got back a little after 10 am - and I stopped on the way home for some take out... Used the US Consulate retirement income notarized form as proof of income (special thanks to other forum members who cleared up my earlier confusion about the need for a bank statement). The immigration personnel were very polite and efficent.

BTW: The only hitch was with the snack bar/copier people. Last year I used a thousand baht bill to buy a soft drink so I'd have exact change for the application, and got ripped off for 500 baht by their short change artist routine. This time I had two copies made for 4 baht, gave them a 10 baht piece, and you know it - got 1 baht back as change. Unless you don't have a choice, always give them exact change. If you have to use something larger, hold it up in their face and ask them to state what it is you are holding, then tell them how much change is required, and have them get it first before you hand over your money. They are simple worthless crooks, and that's all you can say about them; unlike the local Thai business people I deal with on a regular daily basis who I've always found to be scrupulously honest.

Cheers!

Glad to hear you go your annual renewal so quickly. I had not noticed the copy folks short-changing, but I try to give exact change. Last time, I was charged hok baht and gave him sip baht, and got small coins as change.

Moved from Visas to other countries to Thai Visas.

mO2,

Did you have a Thai bank account to show as well or only the Consulate letter?

Did they even ask for one? ( bank account )

I'm glad your's went smooth except for the "sugar shack" out back.

mO2,

Did you have a Thai bank account to show as well or only the Consulate letter?

Did they even ask for one? ( bank account )

I'm glad your's went smooth except for the "sugar shack" out back.

No bank account info required, they were perfectly happy with the notarized income form. I had been told last year by the gal who runs that section, when my switch from a marriage Non-O to retirement was granted, that I would have to show bank account data this time, but several members of the forum stated that isn't the case and they were correct. I mainly posted this here to thank them for their advice.

Glad to hear you go your annual renewal so quickly. I had not noticed the copy folks short-changing, but I try to give exact change. Last time, I was charged hok baht and gave him sip baht, and got small coins as change.

Yeah, whether or not they short-change you is probably just a knee-jerk reaction based on being able to make a case of giving change for a smaller payment than you really gave - they couldn't do it when you gave them 10 and you owed 6, but they could when I gave them 1,000 and owed less than 500. They are simply a bunch of pathetic pathological cheats; or of course they could figure I look exceedly stupid and therefore am an easy mark...

btw: The guy just ahead of me got his visa extention based on teaching english at Rajaput (sp?) University - he's taught there 10 years. Apparently that is one place where all the official paperwork, and I imagine a valid work permit, are obtainable for english teaching - but don't think he was a volunteer so it probably doesn't count...

Moved from Visas to other countries to Thai Visas.

Thanks for fixing that mix up, I was half asleep and clicked on the wrong heading.

Cheers!

So if I understand it right this was your second extension ?

Cause my mom have to go for hers in January , and if so

would make it more easy indeed .

She's got well over 8OOK income , but does not spent all

or transfer all to Thailand every month , just what she needs ,

just wonder .

With an application for retirement extension it is only the amount of income certified with the embassy letter that counts. It does not matter how much or how little of it is brought into Thailand.

--

Maestro

thanks for the reply maestro , I just wasn't sure about this ,

how they [ imm ] would interpretate the requirement , until now !

Sure makes those retirement extensions not hard at all in this way .

So long you can show the dosh of course .

thanks for the reply maestro , I just wasn't sure about this ,

how they [ imm ] would interpretate the requirement , until now !

Sure makes those retirement extensions not hard at all in this way .

So long you can show the dosh of course .

Tijnebijn:

(Tried replying earlier but couldn't get the reply page to load... ) Yes, this would be the second renewal, under the retirement option, for the original Non-O, so I am starting on year three. If your mom is in Chiangmai, the notarized income form is available for US citizens at the US Consulate on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Grab your number ticket from the machine to the right inside the lobby door, take a couple more steps forward to the form rack and look for the form. Fill it out - but don't sign it, wait to be called, hand in the form and the fee (I paid 1,020 baht), wait to be called by the notary. Sign the form, reply 'yes' when asked if the information is true (you don't present documentation), wait while he signs and stamps it, say thank you and you are done. All told this year I probably spent about an hour to and from the Consulate and the same to and from Immigration, can't get much simpler than that - and I even rode the bike and didn't get wet...

Was any proof of residence required?

Was any proof of residence required?

I just went there a little over a week ago for my visa extension based on work and shortly after for my 90 day report. Neither times did they ask for proof of residence.

One odd thing though and that is they were not interested in my Tax receipts/statements this year and handed them back to me. First time in 15 years they didn't require them so don't know what has changed regarding that.

Was any proof of residence required?

I just went there a little over a week ago for my visa extension based on work and shortly after for my 90 day report. Neither times did they ask for proof of residence.

One odd thing though and that is they were not interested in my Tax receipts/statements this year and handed them back to me. First time in 15 years they didn't require them so don't know what has changed regarding that.

Tywais, after 15 years, they know you are coming before they see you. Maybe you are looking so distinguished nowadays that they just wai you and ask no questions.

For those whose pension letter does not mulftiply out to 800K a year, you will need a bank account to make up the balance, unless things have changed, which I doubt.

Yes, but oddly enough, 65K only multiplies out to 780K, which I was told is sufficient. Heaven help you if you cut it that short.