New Immigration Laws

[kikoman]

kikoman: why did your local immigration officer want to see your bank book.

I thought you were using the 65,000 baht/month pension method with a certification letter from your embassy.

If that is the case, then there should be no need to look at your Thai bank account since, as Mario2008 has pointed out, there is no requirement to transfer funds into Thailand from your off-shore pension or retirement account.

[/quote}

My local Immigration Officer did not ask to see my bank book. I Submitted a letter from my local Bank verifying that I received at least 65,000 baht a month outside income and my bank balance in the Thai Bank.

I do not rely on what people tell me I need, I rely on what The Royal Thai Immigration Office states what Documentation I "must" present. That is what I present to the Immigration Office.

Retirement.doc

I have used these documents for 5 years and have had no problems with documentation with The Royal Thai Immigration office in extending my Retirement visa.

I always contact the Immigration office prior to my appointment to see if there has been any changes in the required documentation.

Cheers

[jackspratt]

My local Immigration Officer did not ask to see my bank book. I Submitted a letter from my local Bank verifying that I received at least 65,000 baht a month outside income and my bank balance in the Thai Bank.

I do not rely on what people tell me I need, I rely on what The Royal Thai Immigration Office states what Documentation I "must" present. That is what I present to the Immigration Office.

Retirement.doc

I have used these documents for 5 years and have had no problems with documentation with The Royal Thai Immigration office in extending my Retirement visa.

I always contact the Immigration office prior to my appointment to see if there has been any changes in the required documentation.

Cheers

The document you have attached seems to me to set out the requirements for applying for an O-A visa in your home country, rather than what is required for an extension of that visa.

But every Immigration office in Thailand seems to be a bit different

[Mario2008]

Kikoman,

As has been pointed out, that list seems to be for the application of a O-A visa, not for an extension of stay based on retirement.

Do you apply for a new O-A visa each year from an embassy or do you apply for an extension of stay from immigration in Thailand each year?

[kikoman]

Two Days ago, I went to the New Nakhon Sawan Immigration Office and extended My Retirement Visa for another year.

What Nakhon Sawan Immigration office wanted as documentation. Is as Follows:

Original TM-7 With picture attached ( only original was requested) I had 2 more copies on hand.

Original Income documentation letter from my Embassy.

Original copy of my bank letter documenting outside income of at least 65,000 baht per month and bank balance.

Pages from Passport required with signature.

Passport Picture page.

Original Non-Immigration Visa, stamped USED and entry stamp.

Last Retirement Extension stamp dated 1-Dec-08.

TM-6 Departure card, front and back.

1,900 baht Fee (exact amount)

Their service was professional , with an in depth review of my documentation.

They also assigned me a new Address Notification date.

As I stated in my last post "I always contact the Immigration office" prior to my appointment to see if there was any new paperwork requirements.

I posted the attachment, to document what the Royal Thai Immigration Office Requirement were for IE:Income verification documentation required.

I was addressing the OP statement of new changes in Immigration requirements.

I have only been using the Retirement Visa for the last 5 years of my 9 years in Thailand. In those 5 years

I have extended my Retirement Visa in 3 different offices, Pattaya, Bangkok and Nakhon Sawan. All the

requirements at all 3 offices were for the same documentation. Except for a few minor adjustments .

1. Pattaya required 2 copies of the TM-7 and all documentation.

2. Bangkok required a larger picture on the TM-7. Last year they inform me I no longer needed to attach a Medical Certificate.

3. Nakhon Sawan had the same Documentation requirements as Bangkok, with just the original TM-7 with attached documentation.

I know the process that is required in my interaction with the Immigration Office. I do not rely on information from any lay person, for the correct information I have received from the Thai Immigration Office.

I have my Extension for another 363 days!

Cheers:

[lopburi3]

Original copy of my bank letter documenting outside income of at least 65,000 baht per month and bank balance.

That should not be required by any office if you meet the 65k requirement by Embassy letter. Are you using combined method?

Are you saying they specifically required you to obtain a letter from bank saying you obtained 65k deposit into you account every month?

Or was it requested by an officer in the past and you have continued?

[sbk]

Why would you need a copy of your wife's passport if she is Thai? I would think an ID card would suffice.

[Atmos]

if this were not all deadly serious . . . the wedding photo category!

When will there be a requirement for an Immigration official, plus a ranked Police Officer, to actually appear in all your wedding photos?

As I may fall into this category in 2010, to be safe I'll add one each of the above, plus their partners if desired, to attend the full service and pose in pics with us. May save us time and inconvenience in the long run, and the uniforms will add some formality to the occasion.

Wish us well!

Thanks to the posters who've provided this information, will save this thread for reference.

Cheers!

[richieudon]

Below is a comprehensive list I have drawn up whilst scaveging for info myself over the months. A lot of people say that many things in this list are unnecessary. Maybe, but bring them all along with you anyway and produce only what is asked for. Don't give 'em too much!!! Hope this helps

TM7 application form & photo

B1,900 fee

Passport & Arrival Card (TM6)

Signed copy of passport & TM6

90 days report slips

Marriage certificate

Signed copy of marriage cert

Tabien Baan

Signed copy of Tabien Baan

ID card

Signed copy of ID card

Wife's passport

Signed copy of wife's passport

Bank letter

Updated Savings book

Signed copy of savings book

ATM receipt

Signed map of address

Photos of house/wedding

I have just applied for my Non "O" 365 day visa based on supporting my Thai wife at the new Udonthani immigration office.

I had to go to the British Embassy in Bangkok and get a confirmation of income letter from them.

Having this letter to prove my income is above 40,000 baht I didn't need a letter from the bank (although I got one anyway) and didn't even need to show my bank book!

I did need photo's of my family and me inside and outside of our house.

You need TWO copies of everything. House (blue) book, wife's ID, copies of the relevant pages of your passport, 2 passport size photo's, TM7 application forms and 1900 baht.

Also I was aquired, along with my wife, to bring somebody from my village to verify I live there. I took the "Pu yai baan" (villge headman) along and this was rather helpful.

Wilst there I was asked to draw a map of the area and where my house is along with the nearest school, hosptal, police station, 7-11 etc...

I must say it was a nicer experience than in Nong Khai where I was always fearful of not having the right paperwork.

Once submitting all this you then return in a month's time to pic up your 1 year extension (or not, it has to be processed).

I advise anyone who's going for a similar visa to check whether you need to bring someone from your town/village.

I only found this information out on returning from Bangkok. Luckily the new immigration office in Udon is at the airport so I popped in to find out EXACTLY what I needed.

[marshbags]

In simple terms based on my experiences.

If you are applying for a 1 year retirement visa ( 800k ) it is usually " one copy " of everything.

If it,s based on marriage ( 400k ) then it is " 2 copies " of everything.

I always take extra photo copies along for my retirement visa, just in case they ask for them.

I also take as much info that I have just in case it may come in handy, officially that is.

If you have the qualifiying 800k / 400k funds then usually you should not need a letter from the embassy.

Just the one from your bank.

The word usually is inserted to allow for the differing interpretation of the rules at your respective local offices, at the time of applying / renewal.

Always best to do a personal check prior to applying with them either by checking on this forum via recent experiences at your local office or physically going there, just before hand

IMHO

Good luck and stay coooooooool....always

marshbags

[tracer]

Just to add, you need everything in duplicate.

Two copies of everything.

Doesnt always to be true either, likely depends on office...

[tracer]

if this were not all deadly serious . . . the wedding photo category!

When will there be a requirement for an Immigration official, plus a ranked Police Officer, to actually appear in all your wedding photos?

As I may fall into this category in 2010, to be safe I'll add one each of the above, plus their partners if desired, to attend the full service and pose in pics with us. May save us time and inconvenience in the long run, and the uniforms will add some formality to the occasion.

Wish us well!

Thanks to the posters who've provided this information, will save this thread for reference.

Cheers!

Invite one as guest at the wedding in uniform!

[Dillpickles98]

I'm not new to Pattaya, been coming since 1980, learned to speak in 1982. My Thai wife has been legal in the U.S. with all doc's 6 yrs, retaining her Thai passport & I.D. Although we married in Thailand it was not registered, it was merely to give ceremony to the occasion for family. So now on the eve of my retirement we must register in Thailand?

Just got my passport back, I was given a 3 mo. multiple entry which they say here in Los Angeles will allow me to stay a yr.? She was required to write a statement in Thai that we intend to live as man & wife, with my name in her hand in english, along with all other required doc.'s. Which would make it a 4 entry visa ?

Set up INTERNET banking for my wife's BKK Bank account, I didn't get one myself on our last trip last year. My old one was lost to inactivity. From my bank the only way to do it was to set up her own account act. separate from our joint act. create email act for her then do ACH. I sent $40.00 to try it, only $34.50 was deposited although both banks said it was free.

I'm looking for the cheapest most reliable means to transfer funds. So I set up a PayPal act for her & now waiting for it to be verified by PayPal even though the charge has been made to BKk Bank. Can anyone tell me if this would be cheaper for sizable amounts?

Can anyone tell me if I bring a certified check it can be used to open an BKK Bank act? Or should I just bring what we will intially need, open the act. then transfer by ACH. Don't want to bring a load of travelers checks or cash, or take funds via ATM to deposit.

I've got about 4 wks until I put the U.S. behind me for good, I hope.

[lopburi3]

If you are married somewhere you are most likely married under Thai law but if you want to use extensions of stay you will have to register the marriage with a District Office here and obtain there paperwork that it has been entered in there books.

It seems you obtained a one year multi entry non immigrant O visa (from Los Angeles). This is highly unusual as they normally seem to only issue single entry which allows a 90 day stay and expect you to extend at Immigration. If indeed valid for one year you can come/go any number of times and each entry gets a new 90 day stamp. Check that it says multi and is valid for a year from date of issue.

Money transfer could be asked in a new post (best not to add to another post as you did here) in the banking section.

[RickBlaine]

I'm going for a retirement visa in the new year, I put up an OP with some questions recently.

I would recommend going to your local office for any visa questions - I went to mine in Sakon Nakhon, just to make sure. No problems but they were adamant the time period is 3 months, not 2, even for the first app'. When I pointed out that the check list they were reading from said 'extension' to visa - they didn't budge. They did let me have a copy of the check list - I'm going the 800k route so they just want bank book and bank letter.

As said - each office is different, always check.

[dublindog]

I've added a few guidelines in red.

TM7 application form & photo printed on both sides of A4 sheet

B1,900 fee exact cash as sometimes "no change!!" scam is used

Passport & Arrival Card (TM6)

Signed copy of passport & TM6 all pages with reference to Thai stamps and visas

90 days report slips

Marriage certificate and Registrar's certificate (คร2)

Signed copy of marriage cert and Registrar's cert (คร2)

Tabien Baan

Signed copy of Tabien Baan

ID card

Signed copy of ID card

Wife's passport

Signed copy of wife's passport data page only is enough

Bank letter dated day before application is OK

Updated Savings book updated the day of application

Signed copy of savings book all pages

ATM receipt dated day of application (shows extra proof of balance)

Signed map of address

Photos of house/wedding you and wife in all rooms of your house and some taken outside the front door showing the house/flat number

Thanks very much jamesjdaly. That's a very detailed and useful list.

I got a Marriage Visa last year and am going for the first renewal in March, so am starting the horrible paper trail trawl again! Just a few quick queries if I may ...

1. Seems that regardless of whether it's the initial application for a Marriage Visa or a renewal thereof, the requirements are the same, right? Talk about Groundhog Day!

2. Does the interview process at least get easier / quicker? ( .... "yeah, Mr Condescending Copper, we're still f*ing married and still live in the same apartment ... and we still first met in the same place !! ")

3. We've got a newborn baby now - does that help the process any? (Guess I will have to inflict hours of this BS process on a screaming little baby!)

4. What's a "Registrar's cert." and how do you get it? We received two Marriage certificates from the Reg Office, one for the missus and one for me. Is that not enough?

5. The Bank Balance remains THB 400,000 for 3 months, right?

6. All this, for BKK based folks, needs to be done in the new Chaeng Wattana Offices, right? Has the turn-around time for these cases improved over there?

7. Can one get a downloadable copy of the TM7 application form in advance? (well, aside from the piece of crap version on the Thai Immigration site which, predictably, is all over the place and unalterable!)

Thanks in advance!

[powderpuff]

I have just applied for my Non "O" 365 day visa based on supporting my Thai wife at the new Udonthani immigration office.

I advise anyone who's going for a similar visa to check whether you need to bring someone from your town/village.

It's not a visa - it's a permit to stay &/or an extension.

The title of this thread is incorrect too. Most of us are not immigrants.

[lopburi3]

dublindog

1. The time of money should be 2 months first time and it will count as a 90 day report. Others may be 2 or 3 months depending on office and will not be a 90 day report. Basically same paperwork each time.

2. Yes but both must always attend.

3. It helps prove a real relationship.

4. You have to ask for it at District Office as it is an extra paper (normally provided now) which lists details of the marriage. It is not the two copies of marriage certificate provided.

5. Rule says 2 months but safer to have 3 months for anything but first time.

6. Yes and it should less wait in queue but will still be the normal 30 days for final stamp.

7. It can be downloaded from useful information in pinned section at top of visa section. If you use Microsoft Word it should fill out and print fine.

[dublindog]

Many thanks lopburi3 !