Hi,

I have a non-immigrant 'O' 90 days single entry visa, have a UK passport and am over 50. I have a bank balance in Thailand of more than 800k.

I asked the Nan immigration office what would be needed to apply to extend my visa on the basis of retirement and was told :

2 froms to fill-in

2 Passport copies (main page, visa page, entry stamp page, re-entry page)

2 ID fotos

1 original + 1 copy of bank letter stating balance + funds coming from abroad

2 copies of main and last page of bank book

1 original and 1 copy of medical certificate

1 original and 1 copy of a letter from the Embassy stating my name, nationality, passport number, adress in Thailand and the fact that there was nothing on record at the Embassy 'to my detriment')

I was also told that the visa could be applied from up to one mont before the end of the validity of the entry stamp and that it would be issued on the spot.

My question :

Has anyone had any experience in getting such a leter from the UK Embassy and how do I go about getting one ? As I am more than 500km from Bangkok is it possible to do it by post ?

Thanks for your help

Did they say this letter requirement was new? It was not required 3 months ago and have never heard of it being asked for. The fact you have a valid passport should prove you are not on the most wanted list.

Bank book copy should be all pages that have information I suspect rather than just first and last page (last page is a code chart).

The only Embassy letter that is normally a part of retirement extension is that of pension income and believe that would have to be obtained in person because, at least at US Embassy, it is notarized.

Did they say this letter requirement was new?  It was not required 3 months ago and have never heard of it being asked for.  The fact you have a valid passport should prove you are not on the most wanted list.

Bank book copy should be all pages that have information I suspect rather than just first and last page (last page is a code chart).

The only Embassy letter that is normally a part of retirement extension is that of pension income and believe that would have to be obtained in person because, at least at US Embassy, it is notarized.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi,

They said (when i questioned the need for the Embassy letter) that it was standard requirement in Nan and that maybe Chiang Mai or Phuket might not require it.....

They showed me a couple of originals from files in their cabinets to 'prove' their point !

It was issued by the UK Embassy in Bangkok and read very simply that the aplicant war Mr X passport number Y stated that he resides at Z adn that he has nothing to his detriment in his consular file.

As I do not have much time until I'd like to apply for the extension, I might just go and apply in Phuket when I am there begining of December.

Any problems with applying for extension far from my residence ?

Thanks

Believe you should make it where you live or Bangkok as this will come up each year and the two copies are one for that office and one for Bangkok. It sounds like that letter for Nan is a one time thing (first application).