Retirement Visa .... Prove of 65k TB income

[tukmoon]

1. Does someone know how the 65kTB+ income has to be proved?

2. Which documents?

Thank you so much for putting your views.

Roberto

[Tafia]

Your Embassy will supply you a letter for Immigration for proof of income, so basically it depends on what they require.

It would help posters if you said what country you are from as each countries Embassy have different requirements.

[glegolo]

If you come from a european country you have to bring in original proof of your income from your country, show it to your embassy

and they will issue an proof of income on their letterhead,

If you come from the USA than it is enought if you swear to the holy spirit, write something down, and you will have a confirmation from the embassy. But in that case be prepared to have at least something from USA that proofs your income because the Immigration-officies more and more have started to dare to doubt the american "proofs"...

Glegolo

[jpinx]

Usually by a letter from your embassy

[wayned]

If you come from a european country you have to bring in original proof of your income from your country, show it to your embassy

and they will issue an proof of income on their letterhead,

If you come from the USA than it is enought if you swear to the holy spirit, write something down, and you will have a confirmation from the embassy. But in that case be prepared to have at least something from USA that proofs your income because the Immigration-officies more and more have started to dare to doubt the american "proofs"...

Glegolo

Where is your "proofs" that they only doubt the American "proofs"? It seems that reports have indicated that "some" immigration offices require additional "proofs" of income in addition to the letter generated by your Embassy and it is not only restricted to those generated by the US Embassy. My office still only requires the letter without additional backup data as verified by someone that extended their permission to stay on Monday, but it is always advisable to have the backup info with you just in case!

[glegolo]

If you come from a european country you have to bring in original proof of your income from your country, show it to your embassy

and they will issue an proof of income on their letterhead,

If you come from the USA than it is enought if you swear to the holy spirit, write something down, and you will have a confirmation from the embassy. But in that case be prepared to have at least something from USA that proofs your income because the Immigration-officies more and more have started to dare to doubt the american "proofs"...

Glegolo

Where is your "proofs" that they only doubt the American "proofs"? It seems that reports have indicated that "some" immigration offices require additional "proofs" of income in addition to the letter generated by your Embassy and it is not only restricted to those generated by the US Embassy. My office still only requires the letter without additional backup data as verified by someone that extended their permission to stay on Monday, but it is always advisable to have the backup info with you just in case!

Yes good continue to bring backup proof.....

I do not need to....

Glegolo

[Robby nz]

After a few years of arranging proof of income (trips to embassy in BKK) plus money in a Thai bank I decided it was easier to keep 800KB in a term deposit account in a Thai bank.

I lose a bit of interest by doing it that way but cut out a lot of hassle.

[JLCrab]

Well seems we go through this often enough, however:

18 U.S.C. § 1001:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully—

(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device, a material fact;

(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or

(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry

shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, …

So if you are an American citizen and have no problem looking straight into the face of a US Government Consular Official and making a false statement when asked, prior to signing your document by that official, that the information on your document is true, I guess that is up to you.

[Jingthing]

Any immigration officer at any time has the right to request additional documentation (beyond the embassy letter) of anyone of any nationality.

The technical requirement is only the letter, again for all nationalities.

But immigration officers are POLICE and if they suspect something is fishy, perhaps they don't like how you look, then they are allowed to create additional hassles.

[Pattaya46]

If you come from a european country you have to bring in original proof of your income from your country,

show it to your embassy and they will issue an proof of income on their letterhead

No true. Depends of the country. For France by example you don't need any original.

You only have to send a copy of some official proof(s) of income(s)

and they will send you back the "Embassy Attestation of Revenues" to give to Immigration.

Easy.

[glegolo]

Yes big deal, original or copy... But at least you have to show some offical proof.

contrary to USA.

But one thing! We from Sweden MUST go in person to the embassy and show our papers and

to get the letter of income. They will NEVER mail it to me... WHY?? No clue..

So for France you do not have to go in person and get your income-letter??

Glegolo

[jpinx]

 

After a few years of arranging proof of income (trips to embassy in BKK) plus money in a Thai bank I decided it was easier to keep 800KB in a term deposit account in a Thai bank.

I lose a bit of interest by doing it that way but cut out a lot of hassle.

 

Did you actually do a comparison of the interest lost -vs- the costs saved by doing it that way ?

[Pib]

After a few years of arranging proof of income (trips to embassy in BKK) plus money in a Thai bank I decided it was easier to keep 800KB in a term deposit account in a Thai bank.

I lose a bit of interest by doing it that way but cut out a lot of hassle.

What does you home country bank pay for interest? Here in Thailand you can easily get around 3% interest by putting the money in a fixed savings account...and you still have access to the funds immediately if needed although pulling the funds before the fixed account period matures would cause some loss in interest. And the 15% withholding tax on fixed saving accounts is easily refunded by filing some simple paperwork at your local revenue office (I don't mean filing tax return...just filing a specific form requesting the interest refund).

I too use to do the embassy letter thing but switched to the 800K in the bank approach a couple of years ago. No more trek to the embassy plus paying some ridiculous fee for the income letter. Instead, I go to my bank, pay Bt100 for the letter stating I have at least Bt800K in the bank, attach copies of my passbook showing the amount to confirm it meets the seasoning minimum, and I get my retirement extension of stay approved. Yeap, like you say, a lot less hassle. Plus I earn a higher interest rate that what I can get from a U.S. savings or checking account nowdays and if an emergency pops up where I need BIG money fast I can just tap my fixed saving account.

[Suradit69]

If you come from a european country you have to bring in original proof of your income from your country, show it to your embassy

and they will issue an proof of income on their letterhead,

If you come from the USA than it is enought if you swear to the holy spirit, write something down, and you will have a confirmation from the embassy. But in that case be prepared to have at least something from USA that proofs your income because the Immigration-officies more and more have started to dare to doubt the american "proofs"...

Glegolo

Where is your "proofs" that they only doubt the American "proofs"? It seems that reports have indicated that "some" immigration offices require additional "proofs" of income in addition to the letter generated by your Embassy and it is not only restricted to those generated by the US Embassy. My office still only requires the letter without additional backup data as verified by someone that extended their permission to stay on Monday, but it is always advisable to have the backup info with you just in case!

Yes, I always bring along "proofs" for the amount I state on my US embassy notarized letter, but Immigrations has always accepted the embassy letter and my local bank manager's letter regarding account balance without any problem.

And, it's not only the American embassy that issues the letter without making applicants jump through hoops and without assuming all its nationals are liars. I guess the embassies that demand "proofs" must know best the sort of people they're dealing with.

But in that case be prepared to have at least something from USA that proofs your income because the Immigration-officies more and more have started to dare to doubt the american "proofs"...

Once again some Thai Visa posters imagine things and then those dreams turn from fantasy into fact the longer they rattle around between the ears.

[pmarlin]

If you come from a european country you have to bring in original proof of your income from your country, show it to your embassy

and they will issue an proof of income on their letterhead,

If you come from the USA than it is enought if you swear to the holy spirit, write something down, and you will have a confirmation from the embassy. But in that case be prepared to have at least something from USA that proofs your income because the Immigration-officies more and more have started to dare to doubt the american "proofs"...

Glegolo

I use the embassy letter from the American Embassy and never had to provide any additional proof, and I have done several extensions. I know of no other American who was asked, Also, other countries have the same policy with income letters and never heard of them being asked.

[JLCrab]

It is the position of the US Department of State at Embassies/Consulates worldwide that any original document or copy thereof is only considered the real thing if verified by the issuer of that document in the USA and that is a protracted procedure at best.

The staff at US Embassies/Consulates have not the expertise, time or resources financial or otherwise to determine or verify the authenticity of any given document as presented to them. This seems to be acknowledged by Thai Immigration officialdom in dealing with extensions and other issues.

[luckyluke]

Following nationalities can obtain the necessary letter, at the Austrian Consulate in Pattaya, if you reside there :

Austrian, Belgian, German, French, Netherlander ( there may be more)

So no need to go to the embassy in Bangkok.

[wayned]

Yes big deal, original or copy... But at least you have to show some offical proof.

contrary to USA.

But one thing! We from Sweden MUST go in person to the embassy and show our papers and

to get the letter of income. They will NEVER mail it to me... WHY?? No clue..

So for France you do not have to go in person and get your income-letter??

Glegolo

Sounds like your Embassy doesn't believe that you will tell the truth under oath unlike the American Embassy! I'm not bashing any nationality as I am half Swedish and Sweden is in fact a beautiful county especiaaly where I spent a lot of time in Tibro near the lake , Vatern, I think!

[JLCrab]

Technically there is no component of a US affidavit sworn statement as to whether the US Consular Official believes you or not. All it says is this person appeared before me and "affirms" the information in the document "as subscribed and sworn before me" (The Consular Official) on this date

The following appears on the 'General Purpose' US Embassy Bangkok Affidavit Form and while not contained on the Income Affidavit form you can assume that it generally applies:

4. The U. S. Embassy does not guarantee the contents of my own sworn statement.

Under penalty of perjury, I assume full and complete responsibility for the veracity of the claims

herein.

[IMA_FARANG]

1. Does someone know how the 65kTB+ income has to be proved?

2. Which documents?

Thank you so much for putting your views.

Roberto

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

As a U.S. citizen I have used the embassy letter before .... and it was accepted.

However, if your income is from the U.S. Social Security (pension) source it is possible to get a statement from the Social Security that will show your annual Social Security and your monthly income according to their files.

You will need a correct mailing address that they will send this statement to.

So, if your in Thailand, request that Social Security statement at least a month in advance of renewal ... to cover the mailing time from the U.S. to your Thai address.

I had that statement the last time I did a retirement renewal, but I was never asked for it.

Still I had it as a backup if required.

You can request such a statement from the Social Security on-line by going to the Social Security website

www.ssa.gov

Be aware however, it is often hard to get into that site from Thailand as the SSA is hard to reach from an international URL.

I had to do it by going through one of the proxy servers in the U.S. (pay sites ... a three month subscription... but not expensive).

[Issangeorge]

The Canadian Embassy allows you to swear infront of a Notary Public and then send the statement with a copy of the notary's ID card etc. and proof of income (I use copies of my income tax T4a slips) to the embassy along with ฿1,500 and they send you a letter for immigration. It saves having to go to the embassy in Bangkok. I also take the T4a copies to immigration.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Robby nz]

Robby nz, on 02 Aug 2013 - 13:23, said:

After a few years of arranging proof of income (trips to embassy in BKK) plus money in a Thai bank I decided it was easier to keep 800KB in a term deposit account in a Thai bank.

I lose a bit of interest by doing it that way but cut out a lot of hassle.

jpinx

Did you actually do a comparison of the interest lost -vs- the costs saved by doing it that way ?

A few years ago in NZ interest rates were high, I was getting 10% on some term deposits but now they have gone down and the max is about 5% for a 5 year term with an investment CO and less from a bank, a 1 year term varies but is around 4%.or less.

With the Thai interest rates around 3% for a short term and as someone says I can get at the money quickly in Thailand if I really needed it.

Plus the trip to the embassy and their fee cost in excess of 2000 b plus my hassle of getting everything together compared to the 100 b for the bank letter I reconed bringing the money, which was on term deposit anyway, to Thailand was the better option for me.

There is also an option of bringing money (800kb+) to Thailand 3 months before visa renewal date then after you renew the visa using it for normal expenses till 3 months before the next renewal date then topping up again.

As long as the money has been in a Thai bank for 3 months before renewal date what happens to it after that does not matter.

[Pattaya46]

So for France you do not have to go in person and get your income-letter??

No. Proof & form can be send by mail.

One raison may be that we have nothing to pay for this document.

[moe666]

O yes the good old USA always someone jealous of our ways of doing things. My letter from the Embassy has never been questioned by immigration and if it is, as they can ask for more, I am prepared. I only care about what I need not some other countries requirements. ((edit))

[xylophone]

Robby nz, on 02 Aug 2013 - 13:23, said:

After a few years of arranging proof of income (trips to embassy in BKK) plus money in a Thai bank I decided it was easier to keep 800KB in a term deposit account in a Thai bank.

I lose a bit of interest by doing it that way but cut out a lot of hassle.

jpinx

Did you actually do a comparison of the interest lost -vs- the costs saved by doing it that way ?

A few years ago in NZ interest rates were high, I was getting 10% on some term deposits but now they have gone down and the max is about 5% for a 5 year term with an investment CO and less from a bank, a 1 year term varies but is around 4%.or less.

With the Thai interest rates around 3% for a short term and as someone says I can get at the money quickly in Thailand if I really needed it.

Plus the trip to the embassy and their fee cost in excess of 2000 b plus my hassle of getting everything together compared to the 100 b for the bank letter I reconed bringing the money, which was on term deposit anyway, to Thailand was the better option for me.

There is also an option of bringing money (800kb+) to Thailand 3 months before visa renewal date then after you renew the visa using it for normal expenses till 3 months before the next renewal date then topping up again.

As long as the money has been in a Thai bank for 3 months before renewal date what happens to it after that does not matter.

I too use the 800k method Robby NZ, but was thinking of going the Embassy letter route. So would you be so kind as to tell me what is required?

By that I mean do I have to visit the embassy in Bangkok; what proof of income do they need; will they accept term deposits in a bank etc.

Much appreciated.

[Mario2008]

You don't state your nationality. The process and evidence required depends on the embassy I question. Some allow for mail applications, some want to see actual proof etc.

[jpinx]

Robby nz, on 02 Aug 2013 - 13:23, said:

After a few years of arranging proof of income (trips to embassy in BKK) plus money in a Thai bank I decided it was easier to keep 800KB in a term deposit account in a Thai bank.

I lose a bit of interest by doing it that way but cut out a lot of hassle.

jpinx

Did you actually do a comparison of the interest lost -vs- the costs saved by doing it that way ?

A few years ago in NZ interest rates were high, I was getting 10% on some term deposits but now they have gone down and the max is about 5% for a 5 year term with an investment CO and less from a bank, a 1 year term varies but is around 4%.or less.

With the Thai interest rates around 3% for a short term and as someone says I can get at the money quickly in Thailand if I really needed it.

Plus the trip to the embassy and their fee cost in excess of 2000 b plus my hassle of getting everything together compared to the 100 b for the bank letter I reconed bringing the money, which was on term deposit anyway, to Thailand was the better option for me.

There is also an option of bringing money (800kb+) to Thailand 3 months before visa renewal date then after you renew the visa using it for normal expenses till 3 months before the next renewal date then topping up again.

As long as the money has been in a Thai bank for 3 months before renewal date what happens to it after that does not matter.

https://www.bnz.co.nz/personal-banking/investments/term-deposits#td-rates-fees

Looks like 5% tax paid so the difference is about 2%. On 800K Baht that's 16,000 Baht per year in real money. That's a lot of letters from the embassy

[Pattaya46]

Looks like 5% tax paid so the difference is about 2%.

On 800K Baht that's 16,000 Baht per year in real money. That's a lot of letters from the embassy

Hum... Seems to me 5% in NZ is a rate for a 5-years deposit, while 3% is a rate in TH for a 1-year deposit

Your comparison is very biased...

I read 4% for a 1-year deposit in NZ, and don't know where you saw tax paid ?

[jpinx]

Looks like 5% tax paid so the difference is about 2%.

On 800K Baht that's 16,000 Baht per year in real money. That's a lot of letters from the embassy

Hum... Seems to me 5% in NZ is a rate for a 5-years deposit, while 3% is a rate in TH for a 1-year deposit

Your comparison is very biased...

I read 4% for a 1-year deposit in NZ, and don't know where you saw tax paid ?

One assumes that retirement will hopefully be for 5 years or more You can withdraw early and take a hit on the rate as stated on the rates page -- see note(2) at the bottom -- and the interest can be paid quarterly to a nominated account. The tax-paid reference is in the T's & C's for non-NZ residents. You pay a nominal 2% on the interest earned - making the 5.1% actually 4.998%.

Even 4% in NZ shows a 1% difference - worth 8,000 per year. Still a lot of embassy letters

[xylophone]

You don't state your nationality. The process and evidence required depends on the embassy I question. Some allow for mail applications, some want to see actual proof etc.

Sorry Mario, as with Robbie NZ, I'm a Kiwi.

My post:

"I too use the 800k method Robby NZ, but was thinking of going the Embassy letter route. So would you be so kind as to tell me what is required?

By that I mean do I have to visit the embassy in Bangkok; what proof of income do they need; will they accept term deposits in a bank etc".