Despite it being obvious that 800,000 has been in the bank for over 3 months- bank letter and bankbook/ photocopy, I was rejected because I hadn't had a recent bankbook update done. I didn't read anywhere that that was necessary, either in the information given by the immigration department or in any of the TV threads I read.

That was the only reason for the rejection.

Is this a normal requirement, or just something they make up to annoy us on the day?

I fail to understand why it would be necessary. Are people able to take money out of their account without it being printed in the bankbook? My mind is boggled.

Some offices want to see that, yes.

Some offices actually require a same day entry as the application.

What I have been doing, successfully at Jomtien, is to make a withdraw just before I go in for the bank letter and of course update the book then. Then I got in the next day for the application, or on a Monday after a Friday.

Yes this is always required and in Bangkok must be the same day. You do not need entry in bank book to withdraw money with the normal ATM card.

When I went for my extension at Chengwattana ( sp ) they demanded a bank letter of the same day the 2 day old one was no good.

they do like us to jump through hoops.

When I went for my extension at Chengwattana ( sp ) they demanded a bank letter of the same day the 2 day old one was no good.

they do like us to jump through hoops.

They seem to have trust issues. We wouldn't lie ... really we wouldn't.

Yes this is always required and in Bangkok must be the same day. You do not need entry in bank book to withdraw money with the normal ATM card.

I hadn't thought about the ATM card ( don't have one ) but the rule only says have to have money in bank 3 months and the bank letter proves that. So update yesterday and use ATM today, what's the difference?

How the heck can you get a bank letter same day and queue up at 6 am to get an appointment? Mission Impossible!

thaibeachlover, bank book update has been discussed in numerous treads as recently as last Sunday. I did a simple seach and found many references to needing a bank book update on the date of application.

Yes this is always required and in Bangkok must be the same day. You do not need entry in bank book to withdraw money with the normal ATM card.

I hadn't thought about the ATM card ( don't have one ) but the rule only says have to have money in bank 3 months and the bank letter proves that. So update yesterday and use ATM today, what's the difference?

How the heck can you get a bank letter same day and queue up at 6 am to get an appointment? Mission Impossible!

If they really require same day bank letter I would agree that is very unreasonable.

It depends on where - in Bangkok there are branch banks available one floor down so not really an issue for most people and this same day requirement is since the move to the new location. Most locations make allowance for the local conditions.

Had the same problem, i asked if it was ok if the bank letter and bank book had a difference in amount.

They said i could get the letter before and then just take 1000 from the bank and update. As ling as the amount was not undrr the set limit.

This surprised me as i would have thought they wanted them identical.

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Good info. I had also always thought the bank letter and account book needed to match exactly.

Good info. I had also always thought the bank letter and account book needed to match exactly.

JT i asked about it specifically, because i went twice to immigration first time i was to early and they just checked the documents told me if i came again next week i needed a new bank letter.

Told me too i needed to update the bankbook too and i told them the amounts would not match. They told me it was ok.

But you never know what one of them wants. Last year they wanted to see movement on the account ( atm use)

This year they did not.

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One thing we can always be sure of at immigration: their house, their rules.

I thought everyone updated bank books for extensions as a matter of course. I've just extended my retirement - my bank opens at 11am. The letter and statements were ready (pre-ordered) when I arrived, I spend 30 seconds updating the book, then hopped into my car to get to Immigration . I was seen at 1pm on the dot having arrived during lunch break. My passbook was inspected to ensure the dates/balances were the same as the statement and letter. Its been my experience over several years to expect this, even if sometimes they don't do it.

I thought everyone updated bank books for extensions as a matter of course. I've just extended my retirement - my bank opens at 11am. The letter and statements were ready (pre-ordered) when I arrived, I spend 30 seconds updating the book, then hopped into my car to get to Immigration . I was seen at 1pm on the dot having arrived during lunch break. My passbook was inspected to ensure the dates/balances were the same as the statement and letter. Its been my experience over several years to expect this, even if sometimes they don't do it.

Matter of course. Yes. Same day required everywhere? NO!

When I went for my extension at Chengwattana ( sp ) they demanded a bank letter of the same day the 2 day old one was no good.

they do like us to jump through hoops.

When I went for my extension at Chengwattana ( sp ) they demanded a bank letter of the same day the 2 day old one was no good.

they do like us to jump through hoops.

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On my initial application for a retirement extension they told me at Chaengwattana to go downstairs on the 1st floor to my bank branch and do a token 100 Baht deposit or withdrawal with my passbook.

This gives a printed entry in your passbook with date and time for their records at immigration.

They copy that entry and it goes into your application package with your passbook copy and your bank letter.

They only did this on my initial (first) retirement visa application.

I have done two more yearly extensions since then and they haven't asked me to make that entry again.

Some immigration officers will do this, some don't.

I thought everyone updated bank books for extensions as a matter of course. I've just extended my retirement - my bank opens at 11am. The letter and statements were ready (pre-ordered) when I arrived, I spend 30 seconds updating the book, then hopped into my car to get to Immigration . I was seen at 1pm on the dot having arrived during lunch break. My passbook was inspected to ensure the dates/balances were the same as the statement and letter. Its been my experience over several years to expect this, even if sometimes they don't do it.

That works for you, but consider those living in a village a long bus ride from immigration. Life isn't so simple for many.

thaibeachlover, bank book update has been discussed in numerous treads as recently as last Sunday. I did a simple seach and found many references to needing a bank book update on the date of application.

I did a search and didn't find any reference to needing a bank book update, but I wasn't looking specifically for that, which is the whole point of my thread. I was letting others that also didn't know that it is required.