Had To Sign An "Acknowledgement" In Sakon Nakhon

[Isaanben]

Yesterday I went to Sakon Nakhon and applied for the one year extension. I could show a letter from my Swedish Embassy that I have a monthly income of over 100,000 baht. But they still asked me to show proof that I had some money in a Thai bank. This was just like last year and two years ago so I was prepared. This was the third time I got the extension. But one thing was new this year; I had to sign an acknowledgement that I was permitted to stay because I could show these sums and if, in the future, I could not, I could be thrown out. Well, that was how I understood it anyway.

I have been reading about these subjects on this great forum for years but never heard of this. Anyone else has experienced this?

ps BTW I was asked to fill in a paper (anonymously) where I could describe what I thought about the office and the officer. I marked that I thought their knowledge of the law was "poor" and I wrote that they should not make things harder for foreigners by making their own rules. But maybe now it will be even harder for me

[Guest]

I've filled in forms like that at Nonthaburi. The requirement to show the money in a bank has been asked for a while I believe. As for your comment that the IOs had a poor knowledge of the law, I think thats rather unfair. I think their knowledge would be better than yours and you also have to understand that they have to answer the their boss who might do things slightly differently to, say, Bangkok, or Chiangmai. There nothing unusual about that. I've always found IOs to be very helpful and polite, if you treat them with respect.

[Mario2008]

Signing an acknowledgement that you can not stay if you no longer qualify is very commen, as is asking for a bankbook with some money in it.

Their understanding of the law was not poor.

[phaethon]

... as is asking for a bankbook with some money in it.

Is that literally a bankbook with money in it? Like folding a couple of hundred baht around your driving licence?

[beano2274]

you have to show a letter from your bank or Embassy plus bank books.

Also the form you fill out is part of the documents required.

Always been given it in Nonthaburi.

[IMA_FARANG]

... as is asking for a bankbook with some money in it.

Is that literally a bankbook with money in it? Like folding a couple of hundred baht around your driving licence?

----------------------------

No, at least in my experience in Chaeng Wattana they will look at and verify the amount in your bank account and even ask you to make a 100 baht deposit or withdrawal that day so there will be a current date and amount stamp entry in your bankbook proving you have the required funds.

When I went downstairs and withdrew 100 baht to show the immigration officer I had the required funds she checked my bankbook balance, said "Thank you", and signed the paperwork.

Something like that seems to be the standard practice.

[Isaanben]

The Police Order says 65,000 baht monthly income OR 800,000 in a thai bank account, (or a combination showing 800,000) so I thought that was "the law"...

[Semper]

The Police Order says 65,000 baht monthly income OR 800,000 in a thai bank account, (or a combination showing 800,000) so I thought that was "the law"...

Correct. But the Immigration Officer is "the law" at his office.

[NancyL]

What the OP was required to do isn't unusual.

Also, Hubby has been asked to sign a statement that he understands he can't work because of the retirement extension of his O-A visa. I've never been asked to sign something similar, but I have a retirement extension to an O visa; slight difference. However, I have been asked "where do you get money to live" when I've showed 800,000 baht Thai bank account with the funds untouched for three years. I pulled out the blue Bangkok Bank passbook with Hubby's and my joint account and said Hubby's pension is large enough to support both of us -- would you like to see the bank book? and the IO waved it away without opening it.

Maybe it helped that I just smiled kindly and didn't spout off the English-language translation of the Police Order about how the 800,000 baht Thai bank account should be all I have to show. Plus, I'd never diss them in a survey. They have long memories.

[tutsiwarrior]

since when do we have to show a bank book if we apply for a retirement extension using an embassy income verification letter???...how much do we need to have in our bank account if that is the case???

no bank documentation of any kind was required last year when I did my retirement extension with the embassy letter and if presently required then this is a distressing development...how much money do they want to see???

with regard to signing 'declarations' for various purposes you are simply being asked to confirm that you will not violate the law with regard to income requirements for retirement visas...a meaningless exercise...

sometimes I can't believe the apologist bullshit on this forum; if we have no warning for 'new requirements' for extensions then indeed the rules are being 'made up' and the OP was entirely correct with his comment regarding the IO's quality of service...

[beano2274]

bank books are just to show money going in and out of the account.

I used the letter from the Embassy and had my bank books, not much money in there, but showed movement of money. There is no fixed amount needed if using the Embassy letter but like I said they like to see movement, and see how you pay for things whilst you are here.

The acknowledgement is not on the list of requirements, it is given to you whilst you are there, to certify you understand why you are applying for a visa and that any change in circumstances could affect your future visa applications.

[beano2274]

since when do we have to show a bank book if we apply for a retirement extension using an embassy income verification letter???...how much do we need to have in our bank account if that is the case???

no bank documentation of any kind was required last year when I did my retirement extension with the embassy letter and if presently required then this is a distressing development...how much money do they want to see???

with regard to signing 'declarations' for various purposes you are simply being asked to confirm that you will not violate the law with regard to income requirements for retirement visas...a meaningless exercise...

sometimes I can't believe the apologist bullshit on this forum; if we have no warning for 'new requirements' for extensions then indeed the rules are being 'made up' and the OP was entirely correct with his comment regarding the IO's quality of service...

What new requirements are you talking about in your last sentence?

[terryq]

The Immigration Officer can ask for any other information and/or documentation which he deems necessary to support your application. If you don't agree with him I'm sure you can appeal to a higher authority.  

This is not just Thailand, a lot of countries have this tacked onto the basic immigration laws somewhere. From personal knowledge US, UK Japan and ROK do for a start.

Don't know the exact law/regulation number but its there somewhere.  

So nothing new.

[tutsiwarrior]

since when do we have to show a bank book if we apply for a retirement extension using an embassy income verification letter???...how much do we need to have in our bank account if that is the case???

no bank documentation of any kind was required last year when I did my retirement extension with the embassy letter and if presently required then this is a distressing development...how much money do they want to see???

with regard to signing 'declarations' for various purposes you are simply being asked to confirm that you will not violate the law with regard to income requirements for retirement visas...a meaningless exercise...

sometimes I can't believe the apologist bullshit on this forum; if we have no warning for 'new requirements' for extensions then indeed the rules are being 'made up' and the OP was entirely correct with his comment regarding the IO's quality of service...

What new requirements are you talking about in your last sentence?

presently, the declaration document signing that the OP was referring to but one can point to proof of marriage registration at the amphur for marriage extensions, proof of residence for retirement extensions, a bank transaction on the day of application for all bank account based extensions and the list goes on..if these items were required by all immigration offices then OK, but they are not and generally acknowledged to be at the whim of Somchai the IO...

I have no problems with my local immigration office as they know us and the wife handles all the required discussion but I can't believe some of the stories on here...an' there ain't nothing wrong with bein' pissed off at the injustice that others have to suffer...

[Sateev]

since when do we have to show a bank book if we apply for a retirement extension using an embassy income verification letter???...how much do we need to have in our bank account if that is the case???

no bank documentation of any kind was required last year when I did my retirement extension with the embassy letter and if presently required then this is a distressing development...how much money do they want to see???

with regard to signing 'declarations' for various purposes you are simply being asked to confirm that you will not violate the law with regard to income requirements for retirement visas...a meaningless exercise...

sometimes I can't believe the apologist bullshit on this forum; if we have no warning for 'new requirements' for extensions then indeed the rules are being 'made up' and the OP was entirely correct with his comment regarding the IO's quality of service...

Hear, hear. No point in having laws, if caprice or ignorance overrides them. If the law says 65,000/month qualifies you for a retirement extension, what business is it of ANY IO to ask for your bank book?

I think it's time to start a thread on the appeal process, with a step-by-step process to have such actions reviewed. I know (basically) that you have seven days to resubmit the package, with a request that the IO's decision be supported or overturned, in writing, but I don't know if there is a form for the process, or to whom you would submit it.

Anyone?

[Guest]

A fuss about nothing. What does it matter. Rocking the boat get you nowhere.

[beano2274]

since when do we have to show a bank book if we apply for a retirement extension using an embassy income verification letter???...how much do we need to have in our bank account if that is the case???

no bank documentation of any kind was required last year when I did my retirement extension with the embassy letter and if presently required then this is a distressing development...how much money do they want to see???

with regard to signing 'declarations' for various purposes you are simply being asked to confirm that you will not violate the law with regard to income requirements for retirement visas...a meaningless exercise...

sometimes I can't believe the apologist bullshit on this forum; if we have no warning for 'new requirements' for extensions then indeed the rules are being 'made up' and the OP was entirely correct with his comment regarding the IO's quality of service...

What new requirements are you talking about in your last sentence?

presently, the declaration document signing that the OP was referring to but one can point to proof of marriage registration at the amphur for marriage extensions, proof of residence for retirement extensions, a bank transaction on the day of application for all bank account based extensions and the list goes on..if these items were required by all immigration offices then OK, but they are not and generally acknowledged to be at the whim of Somchai the IO...

I have no problems with my local immigration office as they know us and the wife handles all the required discussion but I can't believe some of the stories on here...an' there ain't nothing wrong with bein' pissed off at the injustice that others have to suffer...

The acknowledgement is not listed as a requirement, it is an extra form given at the time, it is like the list says something about an interview paper, but this is done at the time of applying.

The proof of marriage from the Amphur has been requested for a long time (I must admit I do not get a new one, I use the original). Bank books are always been required, to prove you have money coming into Thailand, anyone can go to the US embassy and on oath say I get so much money, but is it proved by the embassy? no it isn't!!!! the IO wants to check it by seeing the bank book.

[Sateev]

The acknowledgement is not listed as a requirement, it is an extra form given at the time, it is like the list says something about an interview paper, but this is done at the time of applying.

The proof of marriage from the Amphur has been requested for a long time (I must admit I do not get a new one, I use the original). Bank books are always been required, to prove you have money coming into Thailand, anyone can go to the US embassy and on oath say I get so much money, but is it proved by the embassy? no it isn't!!!! the IO wants to check it by seeing the bank book.

There is no requirement to bring your pension into Thailand; only proof that you receive 65K is needed. The method of proof has always been the Embassy letter. If they want other, more direct proof, they need to specify what is needed.

And what's the point? Bringing 65000 baht to the bank doesn't prove you have income. It could come from savings. It's arbitrary and picayune, and serves no real purpose.

Easy for those who are served by an office staffed by the more professional IOs to discount the problems some of us have with the lunatic fringe IOs as found, for instance, in Nong Khai.

Fair and equal treatment is only important when it affects YOU.

Feh.

[gudtymchuk]

Did my retirement extension in Sakon Nakhon Immigration last April. Had my embassy letter with proof of income but was told I needed to also have a Thai bank account. went to the nearest Krungthai bank and opened an account and deposited 500baht. Took the new bankbook back to immigration and all was okay. No other questionnaire was required. I will be doing my next extension in Udon so probably a whole new set of rules and requirement hoops to jump through....

[tutsiwarrior]

since when do we have to show a bank book if we apply for a retirement extension using an embassy income verification letter???...how much do we need to have in our bank account if that is the case???

no bank documentation of any kind was required last year when I did my retirement extension with the embassy letter and if presently required then this is a distressing development...how much money do they want to see???

with regard to signing 'declarations' for various purposes you are simply being asked to confirm that you will not violate the law with regard to income requirements for retirement visas...a meaningless exercise...

sometimes I can't believe the apologist bullshit on this forum; if we have no warning for 'new requirements' for extensions then indeed the rules are being 'made up' and the OP was entirely correct with his comment regarding the IO's quality of service...

What new requirements are you talking about in your last sentence?

presently, the declaration document signing that the OP was referring to but one can point to proof of marriage registration at the amphur for marriage extensions, proof of residence for retirement extensions, a bank transaction on the day of application for all bank account based extensions and the list goes on..if these items were required by all immigration offices then OK, but they are not and generally acknowledged to be at the whim of Somchai the IO...

I have no problems with my local immigration office as they know us and the wife handles all the required discussion but I can't believe some of the stories on here...an' there ain't nothing wrong with bein' pissed off at the injustice that others have to suffer...

The acknowledgement is not listed as a requirement, it is an extra form given at the time, it is like the list says something about an interview paper, but this is done at the time of applying.

The proof of marriage from the Amphur has been requested for a long time (I must admit I do not get a new one, I use the original). Bank books are always been required, to prove you have money coming into Thailand, anyone can go to the US embassy and on oath say I get so much money, but is it proved by the embassy? no it isn't!!!! the IO wants to check it by seeing the bank book.

well...the acknowledgement was obviously a 'requirement' when the OP went in to do his extension and thanks to the IO but no matter, just a dumb exercise; we all go in for our extensions in good faith and then some <deleted> questions our intentions...

and the amphur registration of marriage requirement is recent as of 2 years ago, never had to prove it before...

bank books are always required when the 800k bank balance option is used for retirement extensions and no problem with that but with the letter from the embassy, never... yes indeed, immigration in most places accepts the embassy letter without requiring further documentation...only ever heard of the occasional somchai wanting supporting documents...but the point is, if bank account details are now required which bank??? thai bank??? and how much money do you want to see???????...

like most folks I keep around thb50k in a thai bank for local expenses but keep my savings offshore and when I'm not at home and away working there is no activity in the thai account...is that gonna disqualify me????...try explaining that to somchai the IO...

I will bring in the updated bank book along with the embassy letter for my new retirement extension but I don't expect it to be an issue...I just hate not having confidence in the usual knowledge and thanks to members on this thread for the alert...

oh...I have diabetes and high blood pressure and I just want to go to bed...perhaps never to awake