Questions Re "O" Visa Extention (Retirment)

[newbepat]

From reading many post on TV, going the money in the bank and pension route it seem I need a letter from the Irish consulate in BKK to verify my pension, How current should this letter be? I hope to apply for the extention to my visa in Mukdahan,

How long does it take to get this letter and will I have to make an appointment with consulate in BKK to get this letter.

Proof of address question re extending non "O" visa in Mukdahan.

Can I use g/f mothers address?

Do I have to rent and show proof?

I am sure hotel will not be accepted

Any comments would be appreciated

Pat :jap:

[Jingthing]

Your other recent thread made it very clear that you intended to use the 800K bank account method only! For that bank method, you need nothing from your embassy in Bangkok but the money must be seasoned for two months the first time. If you want to use the "combo" method of pension PLUS bank account to total over 800K then yes you would need an embassy letter. If using any embassy letter using the combo method, generally there is no money seasoning needed for the bank account portion of the combination. That is the national rule anyway, though sometimes provincial offices have their own odd ideas. Of course if your pension is over 65K monthly, you can qualify on that alone, no combo method needed.

[newbepat]

I was just looking at what money I had in bank in Thailand

I have 560k THB in bank + 400k pension = 960 THB

I could the go the combo route (not need to add more money to bank account)

The question was if i get the letter in bkk how long is it current

Pat :jap:

[newbepat]

Any comments on the proof of adders ?

[moe666]

I think the letter has to be 90 days. The address depends on the office. When I applied in Bangkok in Feb. no proof of address was requested. Since I used my girlfriends address I took one of my brokage accounts statements with her address but was not asked for the proof.

[wayned]

I extended mine in Korat and Nakhon Sawan and they both required that the letter be issued from the Embassy within the last 30 days. I used the bank method only years ago in Bangkok and they required that it be issed like"yesterday" and the balance on the copy of the bankbook had to be the same as on the letter. Unfortunately, the bottom line is how the regulation is interperted by the officer at the office where you apply and things change daily. I've actually seen two officers in Bangkok get in an argument over the requirements and leave the room to settle the issue

I think the letter has to be 90 days. The address depends on the office. When I applied in Bangkok in Feb. no proof of address was requested. Since I used my girlfriends address I took one of my brokage accounts statements with her address but was not asked for the proof.

[wayned]

When I extended in Korat I was living in a rental - too far from home - so I drew up a simple rental agreement had the landlord sign it and used it along with a signed copy the the landlord's house book for the property. I had spoken to the immigration officer beforehand and hold told me what to bring. Now I am living at home and am marrried, so I bring my wife, a copy of our marriage certificate, her ID and the house book. I know that it soulds like an "extension for marriage" but it works and they issue a retirement visa because I have enough income to support it and they definetly don't want spend the "extra" time and to do the "extra" paperwork that is requied for an extension for marriage.

I extended mine in Korat and Nakhon Sawan and they both required that the letter be issued from the Embassy within the last 30 days. I used the bank method only years ago in Bangkok and they required that it be issed like"yesterday" and the balance on the copy of the bankbook had to be the same as on the letter. Unfortunately, the bottom line is how the regulation is interperted by the officer at the office where you apply and things change daily. I've actually seen two officers in Bangkok get in an argument over the requirements and leave the room to settle the issue

I think the letter has to be 90 days. The address depends on the office. When I applied in Bangkok in Feb. no proof of address was requested. Since I used my girlfriends address I took one of my brokage accounts statements with her address but was not asked for the proof.

[NancyL]

The OP may not find anyone on this forum to answer the questions about dealing with the Irish embassy. Their website should say if an appointment is necessary for citizen services or at least have a phone number or email address to contact them with questions.

[TerryLH]

"I think the letter has to be 90 days."

I've been told that it's okay in the same calendar year. I regularly use one older than 90 days old, including just last month.

Korat used to accept that as well, but it's been a couple of years since I renewed there.

Long ago, you could use the same letter multiple years.

[wayned]

I just extended mine in Nakhon Sawan on the 25th of October. Even though the office in Nakhon Sawan was relocated due the flood and it was almost impossible to get to Bangkok due to highway closures and I had a copy of the one from last year with the same income amount, the officer was adament that I had to submit the original Income Affidavit, not a copy, and it had to be issued within one month of my application for renewal. So I swam to Bangkok and got a new one - normal rountrip driving time 6 hours, this time 14 hours due to traffic and detours due to flood., but its done.

"I think the letter has to be 90 days."

I've been told that it's okay in the same calendar year. I regularly use one older than 90 days old, including just last month.

Korat used to accept that as well, but it's been a couple of years since I renewed there.

Long ago, you could use the same letter multiple years.

[newbepat]

Thanks Guys,

Combination method :

It looks like the answer to my question regarding letter of income affidavit, It should be issued within 30/90 days to be safe

I also need a letter from the bank and bank book updated. on the same day as I make the application for the extention of the visa,

But if I go the bank only route (800kTHB) I only need a letter from the bank and it should be issued same day as application for extention of visa, also bank book updated.

But different offices have different rules. Would that be a fair assessment

[Jingthing]

Many offices will accept day before bank letters but no guarantees.

[newbepat]

Many offices will accept day before bank letters but no guarantees.

Ok day or two then for the bank letter

[Jingthing]

Many offices will accept day before bank letters but no guarantees.

Ok day or two then for the bank letter

I didn't say two! Best to ask your office.

[newbepat]

Many offices will accept day before bank letters but no guarantees.

Ok day or two then for the bank letter

I didn't say two! Best to ask your office.

Sorry Jingthing I read your answer wrong :jap:

[wayned]

The bottom line is go to the office that you are going to use, explain what you want to do, show them the documentation that you have and ask them what else and how many copies are required and how current the letters from the bank and embassy have to be. You just have to hope that what they tell you is "office policy" and not just their interpretation and doesn't change before you go back.. Believe me it can happen and did to me and almost cost me a fine for an overstay of 60 days.

[newbepat]

The bottom line is go to the office that you are going to use, explain what you want to do, show them the documentation that you have and ask them what else and how many copies are required and how current the letters from the bank and embassy have to be. You just have to hope that what they tell you is "office policy" and not just their interpretation and doesn't change before you go back.. Believe me it can happen and did to me and almost cost me a fine for an overstay of 60 days.

The problem is the immigration office I will apply for extention is in mukdahan and the consulate for my country is in Bangkok not that easy to go back and forth

[tomallison]

The bottom line is go to the office that you are going to use, explain what you want to do, show them the documentation that you have and ask them what else and how many copies are required and how current the letters from the bank and embassy have to be. You just have to hope that what they tell you is "office policy" and not just their interpretation and doesn't change before you go back.. Believe me it can happen and did to me and almost cost me a fine for an overstay of 60 days.

Alway expect the unexpected.

[Jingthing]

The bottom line is go to the office that you are going to use, explain what you want to do, show them the documentation that you have and ask them what else and how many copies are required and how current the letters from the bank and embassy have to be. You just have to hope that what they tell you is "office policy" and not just their interpretation and doesn't change before you go back.. Believe me it can happen and did to me and almost cost me a fine for an overstay of 60 days.

The problem is the immigration office I will apply for extention is in mukdahan and the consulate for my country is in Bangkok not that easy to go back and forth

No guarantees, but it would be very surprising if a provincial office like that so far from Bangkok enforces super fresh embassy letters. Of course, the question is how fresh exactly, and again, you'll have to ask. They understand the logistics. Of course it's logical why bank statements need to be very fresh as they can change constantly, but income statements are typically claims of recurring, predictable income.

Of course there is sometimes the x factor in dealing with immigration around specific enforcement policies. For example, if they don't like your face, or are feeling grumpy, you really never know what they may come up with on any given day.

[newbepat]

The bottom line is go to the office that you are going to use, explain what you want to do, show them the documentation that you have and ask them what else and how many copies are required and how current the letters from the bank and embassy have to be. You just have to hope that what they tell you is "office policy" and not just their interpretation and doesn't change before you go back.. Believe me it can happen and did to me and almost cost me a fine for an overstay of 60 days.

The problem is the immigration office I will apply for extention is in mukdahan and the consulate for my country is in Bangkok not that easy to go back and forth

No guarantees, but it would be very surprising if a provincial office like that so far from Bangkok enforces super fresh embassy letters. Of course, the question is how fresh exactly, and again, you'll have to ask. They understand the logistics. Of course it's logical why bank statements need to be very fresh as they can change constantly, but income statements are typically claims of recurring, predictable income.

Of course there is sometimes the x factor in dealing with immigration around specific enforcement policies. For example, if they don't like your face, or are feeling grumpy, you really never know what they may come up with on any given day.

But for the fact that I need to show proof of address, I could do all easy in Bkk

[Jingthing]

But for the fact that I need to show proof of address, I could do all easy in Bkk

I don't understand what you just said. Do all what easy in Bangkok? Anyway, you must use your LOCAL immigration office for retirement extensions. No exceptions.

[newbepat]

But for the fact that I need to show proof of address, I could do all easy in Bkk

I don't understand what you just said. Do all what easy in Bangkok? Anyway, you must use your LOCAL immigration office for retirement extensions. No exceptions.

Just that I hear some guys say, some offices do not look for proof of address

[wayned]

If you live in a province that falls under the juristiction of mukdahan, then you have to use mukdahan to process your extension. As I said above, before you go to Bangkok to get the letter fromyour Embassy go to the mukdahan immigration office (or at least try to call them)to see what they is required. Even if they tell you 30 days, that should be enough time for you to go to Bangkok, get the letter from your embassy and return. The required proof of address documentation shoyuld be available where you live.

But for the fact that I need to show proof of address, I could do all easy in Bkk

I don't understand what you just said. Do all what easy in Bangkok? Anyway, you must use your LOCAL immigration office for retirement extensions. No exceptions.

Just that I hear some guys say, some offices do not look for proof of address