Retirement Extension Chiang Wattana

[lopburi3]

Visit US Embassy for pension letter - total time 15 minutes and $30.

Trip to Chiang Wattana 30 minutes by taxi using expressway.

10 in queue ahead - total time one hour.

Very nice treatment and facilities with all queues clearly marked.

Changed passport last year so only provided copies of current passport/transfer of extension and departure card along with the Embassy letter and 1,900 baht fee. Nothing else asked. Normal two extra forms to sign (change of status means loss of extension and normal bio form processor usually fills out and you sign). They now take photo and index finger prints (only takes seconds). They do not have to find your hard file anymore it seems as have info on computer. Did a 90 day report taking 20 minutes after the extension of stay. Then used three of the banks who are much more friendly than most (not many customers).

Only delay was waiting for a train moving 19 APC's North at entrance to Chiang Wattana Road.

[opalhort]

Thanks for that info lopburi3.

I just hope it will be this easy when I visit them tomorrow, extension based on Thai wife using bank deposit in fixed deposit account.

Got my bank letter this afternoon and hope it will be accepted.

opalhort

[Colabamumbai]

Canadian Embassy told me yesterday that I cannot just make a sworn statement regarding income for Marriage or Retirement visa that I must show copies of bank statements to them to verify before the will issue letter. Americans tell me all they have to do is make a sworn statement at their embassy. Did you have to show printed bank statements showing the required amount coming into your Thai account?

[lopburi3]

It is never required by US Embassy as they know there is no way they can verify them. What they can verify is your signature on the legal paperwork stating your income. Other Embassies have different policy. I always have paperwork proof if anyone asks but there is no requirement that income be into a Thai account and have never been asked to show bank statements since change to income/retirement six years ago.

[pauleddy]

I am due to have my first extension of Ret. visa in 4 weeks.I will also buy a new exit permit.

(I will go to my embassy in 3 weeks for bank proofs etc.)

Can I get it done at Jamjuri Square (where I get my 90 days) or must I go out to the new Immig office?

Thanks

Eddy

PS to OP--I am a Brit. We have to show bank statements to get the embassy letter. Americans just swear what they have, without proof.

[Mario2008]

You will have to go to the new immigration office, and i expect that your 90 day reports must now also be made there. The one-stop service at Jumri square is getting stricter as to who can use them.

[lopburi3]

PS to OP--I am a Brit. We have to show bank statements to get the embassy letter. Americans just swear what they have, without proof.

Unverified proof? Or do UK laws not provide for privacy and the Embassy actually checks each paper for authenticity? US privacy of information laws, as weak as they may be, would not allow effective check of submitted paperwork without court action.

[Colabamumbai]

PS to OP--I am a Brit. We have to show bank statements to get the embassy letter. Americans just swear what they have, without proof.

Unverified proof? Or do UK laws not provide for privacy and the Embassy actually checks each paper for authenticity? US privacy of information laws, as weak as they may be, would not allow effective check of submitted paperwork without court action.

Yes and being a Canadian and ruled by the Queen our rules are the same as you Brits. Is it appropriate to say "God Save the Queen"

[tropo]

PS to OP--I am a Brit. We have to show bank statements to get the embassy letter. Americans just swear what they have, without proof.

Unverified proof? Or do UK laws not provide for privacy and the Embassy actually checks each paper for authenticity? US privacy of information laws, as weak as they may be, would not allow effective check of submitted paperwork without court action.

Yes and being a Canadian and ruled by the Queen our rules are the same as you Brits. Is it appropriate to say "God Save the Queen"

I don't think that's it. Australia doesn't follow British rules on this but New Zealand does (both British Commonwealth nations). Obviously the Queen doesn't have much say in this.

[pauleddy]

Yes, I was just pointing out the differences.

I would love to simply testify or state the amount of income I have, but instead, I have to get bank stuff, take it to the embassy, and then pay 2000b for a dumb letter which I have to collect later.

I am not saying that either system has other implications.

Eddy

[lopburi3]

But as a Brit you seem to be able to do by mail which we Americans do not enjoy. Kind of a six of one, half dozen of another situation.

[Somrak]

The US has spezial relations with Thailand.

Other countris, other rules.

Most EU embassys like to see original "pension papers", not older than 60 days, that they give you a "pension statement".

[tropo]

The US has spezial relations with Thailand.

Other countris, other rules.

Most EU embassys like to see original "pension papers", not older than 60 days, that they give you a "pension statement".

I don't think it has anything to do with special relations. Each Embassy decides on its own what procedure they will follow and what if any evidence they will require. For example, Australia is a 5 minute, 500 baht stamp on a statutory declaration form and you done but they make it quite clear that some immigration offices may require evidence to be produced. This is exactly what they had to say about it:

"Some Thai Immigration offices also want you to present a letter from Centrelink or your pension provider, confirming the amount of your regular payment. Please check with your local immigration office on whether they require this. Some offices want you to get the Embassy to make a Certified True Copy (March 2010 cost is THB 880 - we need to see the original of the letter, not a copy). However not every Immigration office requires this, so please check beforehand."

The New Zealand Embassy requires to see proof which they attach to the letter. This is what they had to say about the matter

"For this, you need to come to the embassy with evidence of your income and your passport, and make a statutory declaration, stating your income. We attach supporting evidence - with the Embassy seal."

[mojaco]

To the OP (Lopburi3),

Did the USA Embassy letter you used this year still have the old Suan Plu address as the

Commissioner's address, or did you put in the new CW address? The USA Embassy website still has the old address on the download form.

Morris

[lopburi3]

I used the download with Suan Plu address and it was not questioned.

[mojaco]

Thanks Lop!!

Morris

[JimGant]

Yes and being a Canadian and ruled by the Queen our rules are the same as you Brits. Is it appropriate to say "God Save the Queen"

I thought Charles de Gaulle freed you folks?

Oh, maybe that was just Quebec....

Vive le Québec libre! from Mr. Gall's visit to Canada in 1967.