Retirement Visa Denied - But Money Talks

[prepress]

Today, I went to immigration to renew my retirement visa. The officer refused it, because my balance of 800.000 Baht dropped in October for 2 weeks to 776.000 Baht. I had to see her supervisor, who told me - no exception - but to make a border run - get a visa for 3 month and then repeat my retirement visa.

I ask for an exception, because I'm already 5 years in the country. Suddenly she pointed to an elegantly dressed lady, standing next to her, busy handling immigration forms.

She said: "Maybe she can help you!"

Ok, as it turned out, she asked for 15.000 Baht. A part of the money is to bribe the officers. She guaranteed to get the visa in no time.

I accepted her service, because she was introduced from an immigration officer. Border runs with all the hassle are expensive too.

First, she went with me to get the Bank letter of my present balance, fixed some missing documents, signature and copies and promised before lunch I will have everything. I watched her to talk to many officers. It seemed to me she know them all and handles it very professionally. Then she came back and told me - the big boss is not in today. I should leave my documents with her, and tomorrow she will get the visa and send everything to my appartment.

I agreed, because have only 2 days left before my visa expired. I got her phone number and name only.

I hope I am not linked? Did anybody have similar experiences at the immigration office?

H.A.

[Jingthing]

It's a real interesting story and I wish you the best of luck. However, I do wonder if broadcasting this kind of thing is in the greater good. I don't mean that in a Polyanna sense, but in a we all might need some special services some day and maybe it's best if it's kept hush hush.

[Colabamumbai]

Keep us posted if it does not work out for you, or if you never see or hear from this woman again.

[Jingthing]

She sounds like a fixer. I have certainly heard tell of such facilitators.

[Pomthai]

So you gave a connected lady at immigration, (remember you only have 2 days left) 15K baht, your home address, your bank details with the current balance obviously around 800K baht and your supporting documents.

I hope it goes well for you. However I fear you have put yourself in an extremely dangerous and vulnerable position.

[Jingthing]

Yeah I would be nervous, but I am guessing she is one of those visa agents with connections, and that she can do what she says.

[InterestedObserver]

Five years in Thailand, not your first retirement extension of stay, and you still don't know the immigration rules. The 800k baht has to remain intact in a Thai bank for 3 months prior to extension renewal. Next year do try to play by the rules, makes it easier for everybody not to mention the tea money saved.

[Mario2008]

Remember that the combined method, yearly income plus money in the bank totaling 800,000 THB, doesn't require any seasoning.

[jombom]

She sounds like a fixer. I have certainly heard tell of such facilitators.

Yes --- seems to make sense for some people. The ''smoking mirrors'' service was available at the airport until a few short years ago.

The 65,000 baht per month income letter is easy for Americans. Some other embassies require a lot of paperwork.

[CharlieH]

Am I missing something here ?

If the 800k doesnt requre seasoning, then the basis for the refusal was incorrect, and it would seem the payment of 15k will be simply to get what he should have had to start with ?

So in reality he's paying 15k for nothing acccept what he is entitled to under normal conditions and procedures ?

or like I said, have I missed something here ?

[Jingthing]

She sounds like a fixer. I have certainly heard tell of such facilitators.

Yes --- seems to make sense for some people. The ''smoking mirrors'' service was available at the airport until a few short years ago.

The 65,000 baht per month income letter is easy for Americans. Some other embassies require a lot of paperwork.

To those who want to commit major crimes by lying to their government, that is. Count me out. I am so clean. Time to do the Church Lady Dance.

at 3:00

[Jingthing]

Am I missing something here ?

If the 800k doesnt requre seasoning, then the basis for the refusal was incorrect, and it would seem the payment of 15k will be simply to get what he should have had to start with ?

So in reality he's paying 15k for nothing acccept what he is entitled to under normal conditions and procedures ?

or like I said, have I missed something here ?

It is required for those using the 800K in the bank method only.

[Jingthing]

Five years in Thailand, not your first retirement extension of stay, and you still don't know the immigration rules. The 800k baht has to remain intact in a Thai bank for 3 months prior to extension renewal. Next year do try to play by the rules, makes it easier for everybody not to mention the tea money saved.

Nothing bad ever happened to you? What happened to the OP can happen. People plan for the seasoning and for some reason either make a mistake or have a sudden need to spend a lot of cash, and there you are, embarrassed at immigration. I have been lucky enough that it hasn't happen to me, and I take care to avoid it, but that doesn't mean it is 100 percent it won't happen to me, or anyone else.

[jazzbo]

As long as at the end of the day most of the 776K is still there in the account I guess it is worth a try.

[RKASA]

Did she ask you about income? - If so then she will only get you what you didn't know to submit. 10 - 15,000 is like a standard fee for immigration service. In many cases a lawyer does things you could do yourself if you really had to or did the homework., but some people still use them as a time saver i.e. there time is worth more then the 15k. Does not apply to me for sure. I use the income method only and never worry about bank balances. Wecome to the KU (knocks University) many that post here have attended a class on some subject or another at one time.

IMO Most likely don't have to worry about the visa it should come in at the last minute and you are hopefully a return costumer in the future - grateful for the connection that saved your butt. If so and you feel ripped off I would say doing anything other then getting your own visa next time is not worth the trouble.

[rodcourt49]

..why not keep it to yourself..I think you just made it difficult for us all..these forums DO get monitored you know!

[fred007]

It's a real interesting story and I wish you the best of luck. However, I do wonder if broadcasting this kind of thing is in the greater good. I don't mean that in a Polyanna sense, but in a we all might need some special services some day and maybe it's best if it's kept hush hush.

Yes I agree with you about going public .And yes we all know it goes on It would nice if some Frarang set these Governmemt departments up one time and show them taking a big fall and show it on the TV news .Make and make example of those caught doing the wrong thing .And may be just maybe other Government Departments would think twice about doing the wrong thing. .But this is problem with Thai Government Departments in general .So many inconsistencies and bribes and Corruption makes me sick and i feel sorry for Farangs who get caught up in this web of Deception and Bribes and corruption ...........Is there anyone not out there on the Take..........

[Richard4849]

To be fair, the OP did not bribe anyone. He paid a consulting fee to a civilian for helping to sort out his problem. How the consultant does that is another matter -- but I definitely would be concerned that she did it in a legal manner.

[fred007]

To be fair, the OP did not bribe anyone. He paid a consulting fee to a civilian for helping to sort out his problem. How the consultant does that is another matter -- but I definitely would be concerned that she did it in a legal manner.

Consulting Fee ........Please....

[thaitero]

There are "fixers" who can get you retirement extensions and other extensions without proper paperwork..

Illegal activity and common knowledge. I wonder why this thread is not locked

[Jingthing]

There are "fixers" who can get you retirement extensions and other extensions without proper paperwork..

Illegal activity and common knowledge. I wonder why this thread is not locked

In Pattaya there is at least one such visa company with big signs saying as much! Cannot qualify for the financial requirements for retirement? No problem! We can do it.

[prepress]

I got my visa, and are very happy and relieved today.

The lady came personally with her car and handed me my passport with visa and all receipts neatly attached.

Yesterday, I was very worried about the whole situation. But I am grateful to all members of this thread for their encouraging feedback.

One question: I'm not a native English speaker. What you mean with 'seasoning' in relation with the bank balance ?

H.A.

[Lite Beer]

One question: I'm not a native English speaker. What you mean with 'seasoning' in relation with the bank balance ?

H.A.

It means having the money in the bank for the required 2 or 3 months before application.

[Jingthing]

Congrats on the success! It's two months for the first extension, and three months for all later ones (using the 800K in the bank method).

[thaitero]

(using the 800K in the bank method).

And of course there is also always option using this teamoney method and then it does not matter if you have 776.000 Baht or 40 baht on your bank account...

[Colabamumbai]

I got my visa, and are very happy and relieved today.

The lady came personally with her car and handed me my passport with visa and all receipts neatly attached.

Yesterday, I was very worried about the whole situation. But I am grateful to all members of this thread for their encouraging feedback.

One question: I'm not a native English speaker. What you mean with 'seasoning' in relation with the bank balance ?

H.A.

Thanks for letting us know it worked. Seasoning means in the bank ie 2months or three months before you apply.

[tgeezer]

Remember that the combined method, yearly income plus money in the bank totaling 800,000 THB, doesn't require any seasoning.

This is what I have deduced from my experience.

I came here in October expecting to get an extension from December a cool month to go to immigration and giving me flexibility on returning to Thailand to renew the extension, unfortunately the extension was backdated to my landing date.

It didn't make any sense that we didn't receive the the terms of our visa but it made sense that the 8000000 baht must have been there when the extension started, in fact it is probably the law. This modification created the problem of some applicants not having their banking in place on landing (something which the law-makers probably considered, hence the three month visa) so another modification of two months was made, probably breaking the law. Now the anomolous situation exists for new applicants where your extension is backdated three months but the bank deposit only two months.

Now the further complication exists for renewals that this backdating still exists for the bank balance but not, thank God, for the extention, I suppose we should be grateful for that.

I suspect that this situation came about because when the law was introduced Immigration did not agree with it, and made things awkward for applicants or didn't understand it and tried their best. I think the law does not go into detail on implementation but I think that it probably should.

Why should a combination of income and funds on deposit be any different from only funds on deposit?

Why should you need a minimum balance of 800000 baht for three months before extending?

That question is rhetorical( in the sense of assuming a preferred answer) .

No one needs to break the law at immigration, if they can make rules, rules are not the law. This is how things are done in many countries, it is something we often think is good, it only appears bad when you are adversely affected.

[jazzbo]

Based on the OP's description it sounds to me more like the 'fixing' was done in getting an 800K Bank letter from an officer at the bank than anything that went on at CW.

[Richard4849]

To be fair, the OP did not bribe anyone. He paid a consulting fee to a civilian for helping to sort out his problem. How the consultant does that is another matter -- but I definitely would be concerned that she did it in a legal manner.

Consulting Fee ........Please....

What would you call it? It would be a bribe if he paid an official to overlook the rules. He paid an agent to help him fix his problem.

If any "bribe" was paid, it was done so by the agent. But we have zero evidence that that is what indeed happened.