Uk Embassy Pension Details Letter For Retirement Visa Application In Thailand

[gdhm]

Hi,

I sent my pension company's pensions details letter, payment slip and P60 to the UK Embassy and requested their standard confirmation letter for my Retirement Visa Application (and hopefully suitable for future renewals.

This they kindly and speedily produced and sent to me by post. However, the amount they state my pension to be (even allowing for declaring Gross of UK Tax) is several 1000 UK pounds higher than reality. My private pension is 10900.32 GPB GROSS of UK Tax (UK RPI inflation proofed to max 5%pa). My Embassy quoted 13,073 GPB

Can anybody tell me if the Thailand Immigration Bureau acts purely on the UK Embassy's letter or do they also need to see the original Pension Company letter, proof of payment slips etc. I ask because whilst I am happy that my Pension is declared higher than reality (means less money needed in a Thai Bank to make up the 800,000 baht) it is NO good to me if the Thai authorities need to see payment slips and the original Pension Company letter because they will SEE that the UK Embassy has overstated the pension figures.

Maybe the UK Embassy uses a different logic for calculating and quoting figures that I do not understand. I certainly cannot work out where they got 13,073 from.

Either way, I would appreciate other members knowledge on this matter. I do not fear the true figures as I have enough in my Thai Bank to reach the 800,000 baht threshold without problem.

[lopburi3]

I would go with what the Embassy says as long as you did not sign anything under oath otherwise. Perhaps you have government deductions prior to your gross pay that they take into account? At any rate it is the Embassy paper that is considered by Immigration.

[gdhm]

I would go with what the Embassy says as long as you did not sign anything under oath otherwise. Perhaps you have government deductions prior to your gross pay that they take into account? At any rate it is the Embassy paper that is considered by Immigration.

AS usual Lopburi3 you come to my aid. No there are no government deductions.

Am I correct in assuming by what you say, that Thai Immigration Bureau will NOT need and will not request to see ANY original documents regarding or supporting my Private Pension figures EXCEPT the Embassy Letter.

I ask because would hate to have to try and explain any inconsistency, AND I would also NOT want to bring the reliability of the UK Embassy letters into question (which would assist anybody -not only me)

Regards

Dave

[marshbags]

Hi,

I sent my pension company's pensions details letter, payment slip and P60 to the UK Embassy and requested their standard confirmation letter for my Retirement Visa Application (and hopefully suitable for future renewals.

This they kindly and speedily produced and sent to me by post. However, the amount they state my pension to be (even allowing for declaring Gross of UK Tax) is several 1000 UK pounds higher than reality. My private pension is 10900.32 GPB GROSS of UK Tax (UK RPI inflation proofed to max 5%pa). My Embassy quoted 13,073 GPB

Can anybody tell me if the Thailand Immigration Bureau acts purely on the UK Embassy's letter or do they also need to see the original Pension Company letter, proof of payment slips etc. I ask because whilst I am happy that my Pension is declared higher than reality (means less money needed in a Thai Bank to make up the 800,000 baht) it is NO good to me if the Thai authorities need to see payment slips and the original Pension Company letter because they will SEE that the UK Embassy has overstated the pension figures.

Maybe the UK Embassy uses a different logic for calculating and quoting figures that I do not understand. I certainly cannot work out where they got 13,073 from.

Either way, I would appreciate other members knowledge on this matter. I do not fear the true figures as I have enough in my Thai Bank to reach the 800,000 baht threshold without problem.

Hiya gdhm,

Hope you don,t mind, but can you let me know what the charges are, how you pay and which U.K. Embassy did you use.

Thanks in advance

marshbags

[gdhm]

Hiya gdhm,

Hope you don,t mind, but can you let me know what the charges are, how you pay and which U.K. Embassy did you use.

Thanks in advance

marshbags

Hi marshbags,

Yes I am very happy to do so, and to actually "Give" something back to this Forum for which I have received so much helpful advice.

First I need to say:

I have a 90 day Non immigrant "o" Visa and am currently in Thailand. Therefore I am applying for my Retirement Visa IN THAILAND by the extension and change to a Retirement Visa option. The requirements are a little different and EASIER form within Thailand. If you are applying to a Thai Consulate outside Thailand or from within your country of residence and you do not hold a Visa of any sort already then there are further and different requirements (see a previous thread originated by me about a month to 2 months ago and various others for details).

OK the details you have requested marshbags

I asked several question by email to the UK Embassy, Bangkok. I have ALWAYS found this particular Embassy to be very helpful, always willing to be reasonable (where possible) to problems AND they always seem to answer my emails (occasionally I have chased a week later when they are no doubt busy and a reply to my chaser has been made within a day). Most times a chaser has not been necessary and I have even had the Vice Consul email answers to me.

From a personal point of view I have GREAT respect and appreciation to THIS Embassy and its helpful Staff.

Address:

British Embassy

14 Wireless Road

Bangkok 10330

Tel ++66 (0)2305 8333 ext 2318

Fax ++66 (0)2255 6051

FTN 8419 2318

www.britishembassy.gov.uk/thailand

Public opening hours:

Mon-Thurs mornings 0800-1100, afternoons 1300-1530 hrs

Fridays 0800-1200 only

My questions by email to the Embassy:

Q: Can I send my Company Pension details letter to you (UK Embassy Bangkok) by post and get you letter returned to me by post.

A: You can either request the letter in person or by post as long as you have registered with the Embassy. Our on-line registration is available on our website www.britishembassy.gov.uk/thailand . Please fill out a form and print screen a hard-copy for enclosing with your request to confirm your registration. A representative from you is also acceptable.

Please NOTE marshbags that when I tried on-line registration it was not working at the time. I advised this to my Embassy contact by email and was advised:

A: Many apologies for the error of the on-line registration. Please simply provide me the following details, therefore we can register you.

Surname :

Forenames :

Date & Place of Birth :

Gender :

Add & telephone in Thailand :

Nationality & Passport details :

Work address & tel :

Next of Kin & contact details (parents are next of kin for children but it's a good idea that parents state other family members / relatives).

Q: What are the costs?

A:Consular fee for a standard letter is currently Bt 1,763 (plus Bt40 EMS postage if applicable).

Q: How do I pay. Can I pay in cash?

A:It is advisable for you to purchase a postal order, available at post offices, or a bankers' draft from a local bank and make it payable to the British Embassy.

Please NOTE marshbags that as I sent my documents by TNT (very secure) so I decided to be "lazy" and sent cash NO PROBLEM

Q How long will the process take

A:The letter will be ready for collection on the next working day after the receipt.

marshbags. I sent the letter by TNT and the documents were returned by post to me within 6 days (a weekend was in the middle). Excellent turnaround I think.

I pointed out in my first email to the Embassy that they held copies and had sighted my original passport in April when they saw my "Freedom to Marry" document. I asked if they needed to see my passport

A: A plain copy of your British passport (photo page only) and local address

Note marshbags: I decided to also sign and date the photocopy as a courtesy. I cannot tell you if a photocopy would have been acceptable IF they had not previously sighted my original passport. You may need to ask them on this one OR send your original passport to them

It would not be fair of me to give out the individual contact's email address marshbags but one general one I have used is: [email protected] and you will find up to date ones on their website (see earlier in this message)

I hope I have answered all the questions you wish information on, but IF NOT please just ask and I will respond as soon as I see your query.

Kindest regards

Dave

[marshbags]

Hiya gdhm,

Hope you don,t mind, but can you let me know what the charges are, how you pay and which U.K. Embassy did you use.

Thanks in advance

marshbags

Hi marshbags,

Yes I am very happy to do so, and to actually "Give" something back to this Forum for which I have received so much helpful advice.

First I need to say:

I have a 90 day Non immigrant "o" Visa and am currently in Thailand. Therefore I am applying for my Retirement Visa IN THAILAND by the extension and change to a Retirement Visa option. The requirements are a little different and EASIER form within Thailand. If you are applying to a Thai Consulate outside Thailand or from within your country of residence and you do not hold a Visa of any sort already then there are further and different requirements (see a previous thread originated by me about a month to 2 months ago and various others for details).

OK the details you have requested marshbags

I asked several question by email to the UK Embassy, Bangkok. I have ALWAYS found this particular Embassy to be very helpful, always willing to be reasonable (where possible) to problems AND they always seem to answer my emails (occasionally I have chased a week later when they are no doubt busy and a reply to my chaser has been made within a day). Most times a chaser has not been necessary and I have even had the Vice Consul email answers to me.

From a personal point of view I have GREAT respect and appreciation to THIS Embassy and its helpful Staff.

Address:

British Embassy

14 Wireless Road

Bangkok 10330

Tel ++66 (0)2305 8333 ext 2318

Fax ++66 (0)2255 6051

FTN 8419 2318

www.britishembassy.gov.uk/thailand

Public opening hours:

Mon-Thurs mornings 0800-1100, afternoons 1300-1530 hrs

Fridays 0800-1200 only

My questions by email to the Embassy:

Q: Can I send my Company Pension details letter to you (UK Embassy Bangkok) by post and get you letter returned to me by post.

A: You can either request the letter in person or by post as long as you have registered with the Embassy. Our on-line registration is available on our website www.britishembassy.gov.uk/thailand . Please fill out a form and print screen a hard-copy for enclosing with your request to confirm your registration. A representative from you is also acceptable.

Please NOTE marshbags that when I tried on-line registration it was not working at the time. I advised this to my Embassy contact by email and was advised:

A: Many apologies for the error of the on-line registration. Please simply provide me the following details, therefore we can register you.

Surname :

Forenames :

Date & Place of Birth :

Gender :

Add & telephone in Thailand :

Nationality & Passport details :

Work address & tel :

Next of Kin & contact details (parents are next of kin for children but it's a good idea that parents state other family members / relatives).

Q: What are the costs?

A:Consular fee for a standard letter is currently Bt 1,763 (plus Bt40 EMS postage if applicable).

Q: How do I pay. Can I pay in cash?

A:It is advisable for you to purchase a postal order, available at post offices, or a bankers' draft from a local bank and make it payable to the British Embassy.

Please NOTE marshbags that as I sent my documents by TNT (very secure) so I decided to be "lazy" and sent cash NO PROBLEM

Q How long will the process take

A:The letter will be ready for collection on the next working day after the receipt.

marshbags. I sent the letter by TNT and the documents were returned by post to me within 6 days (a weekend was in the middle). Excellent turnaround I think.

I pointed out in my first email to the Embassy that they held copies and had sighted my original passport in April when they saw my "Freedom to Marry" document. I asked if they needed to see my passport

A: A plain copy of your British passport (photo page only) and local address

Note marshbags: I decided to also sign and date the photocopy as a courtesy. I cannot tell you if a photocopy would have been acceptable IF they had not previously sighted my original passport. You may need to ask them on this one OR send your original passport to them

It would not be fair of me to give out the individual contact's email address marshbags but one general one I have used is: [email protected] and you will find up to date ones on their website (see earlier in this message)

I hope I have answered all the questions you wish information on, but IF NOT please just ask and I will respond as soon as I see your query.

Kindest regards

Dave

Hiya Dave

Many thanks for a very informative and detailed reply to my questions and for spending a lot of time and effort

to make things easy to follow.

I hope your post will also be of use to other T.Visa members who are able to qualify for retirement visas.

It should save a lot of time and worry about what to do and gives detailed information based on your personal experience and is a very positive post.

Most of my visits have been o.k. when dealing with the embassy i might add and i have no complaints personally, especially with the U.K. officers.

The visa forum in particular is so helpful to everyone and the mods really are dedicated to assisting us even the most difficult situatiions.

This does not under value all the other sections but we all have visa issues and without resolving them we couldn,t stay here.

kind regards and thanks are reciprocated

marshbags ( a big thumbs up to you )

Edited September 15, 2006 by marshbags

[lopburi3]

There should not be any other documents required. But why not quote the letter and info you have in an email to the Embassy and ask them. Perhaps they have included entitlements of your being a UK citizen in there calculation or if not will issue you a new letter. I would also feel queasy if I could not believe my paperwork.

[cockneyrebel]

Hiya gdhm,

Hope you don,t mind, but can you let me know what the charges are, how you pay and which U.K. Embassy did you use.

Thanks in advance

marshbags

Hi marshbags,

Yes I am very happy to do so, and to actually "Give" something back to this Forum for which I have received so much helpful advice.

First I need to say:

I have a 90 day Non immigrant "o" Visa and am currently in Thailand. Therefore I am applying for my Retirement Visa IN THAILAND by the extension and change to a Retirement Visa option. The requirements are a little different and EASIER form within Thailand. If you are applying to a Thai Consulate outside Thailand or from within your country of residence and you do not hold a Visa of any sort already then there are further and different requirements (see a previous thread originated by me about a month to 2 months ago and various others for details).

OK the details you have requested marshbags

I asked several question by email to the UK Embassy, Bangkok. I have ALWAYS found this particular Embassy to be very helpful, always willing to be reasonable (where possible) to problems AND they always seem to answer my emails (occasionally I have chased a week later when they are no doubt busy and a reply to my chaser has been made within a day). Most times a chaser has not been necessary and I have even had the Vice Consul email answers to me.

From a personal point of view I have GREAT respect and appreciation to THIS Embassy and its helpful Staff.

Address:

British Embassy

14 Wireless Road

Bangkok 10330

Tel ++66 (0)2305 8333 ext 2318

Fax ++66 (0)2255 6051

FTN 8419 2318

www.britishembassy.gov.uk/thailand

Public opening hours:

Mon-Thurs mornings 0800-1100, afternoons 1300-1530 hrs

Fridays 0800-1200 only

My questions by email to the Embassy:

Q: Can I send my Company Pension details letter to you (UK Embassy Bangkok) by post and get you letter returned to me by post.

A: You can either request the letter in person or by post as long as you have registered with the Embassy. Our on-line registration is available on our website www.britishembassy.gov.uk/thailand . Please fill out a form and print screen a hard-copy for enclosing with your request to confirm your registration. A representative from you is also acceptable.

Please NOTE marshbags that when I tried on-line registration it was not working at the time. I advised this to my Embassy contact by email and was advised:

A: Many apologies for the error of the on-line registration. Please simply provide me the following details, therefore we can register you.

Surname :

Forenames :

Date & Place of Birth :

Gender :

Add & telephone in Thailand :

Nationality & Passport details :

Work address & tel :

Next of Kin & contact details (parents are next of kin for children but it's a good idea that parents state other family members / relatives).

Q: What are the costs?

A:Consular fee for a standard letter is currently Bt 1,763 (plus Bt40 EMS postage if applicable).

Q: How do I pay. Can I pay in cash?

A:It is advisable for you to purchase a postal order, available at post offices, or a bankers' draft from a local bank and make it payable to the British Embassy.

Please NOTE marshbags that as I sent my documents by TNT (very secure) so I decided to be "lazy" and sent cash NO PROBLEM

Q How long will the process take

A:The letter will be ready for collection on the next working day after the receipt.

marshbags. I sent the letter by TNT and the documents were returned by post to me within 6 days (a weekend was in the middle). Excellent turnaround I think.

I pointed out in my first email to the Embassy that they held copies and had sighted my original passport in April when they saw my "Freedom to Marry" document. I asked if they needed to see my passport

A: A plain copy of your British passport (photo page only) and local address

Note marshbags: I decided to also sign and date the photocopy as a courtesy. I cannot tell you if a photocopy would have been acceptable IF they had not previously sighted my original passport. You may need to ask them on this one OR send your original passport to them

It would not be fair of me to give out the individual contact's email address marshbags but one general one I have used is: [email protected] and you will find up to date ones on their website (see earlier in this message)

I hope I have answered all the questions you wish information on, but IF NOT please just ask and I will respond as soon as I see your query.

Kindest regards

Dave

Hiya Dave

Many thanks for a very informative and detailed reply to my questions and for spending a lot of time and effort

to make things easy to follow.

I hope your post will also be of use to other T.Visa members who are able to qualify for retirement visas.

It should save a lot of time and worry about what to do and gives detailed information based on your personal experience and is a very positive post.

Most of my visits have been o.k. when dealing with the embassy i might add and i have no complaints personally, especially with the U.K. officers.

The visa forum in particular is so helpful to everyone and the mods really are dedicated to assisting us even the most difficult situatiions.

This does not under value all the other sections but we all have visa issues and without resolving them we couldn,t stay here.

kind regards and thanks are reciprocated

marshbags ( a big thumbs up to you )

Why send to England I sent my original pension certificate to Bangkok and got the formal letter back which you can use over and over again just make sure you get the formal one back when you apply for your visa.

[gdhm]

There should not be any other documents required. But why not quote the letter and info you have in an email to the Embassy and ask them. Perhaps they have included entitlements of your being a UK citizen in there calculation or if not will issue you a new letter. I would also feel queasy if I could not believe my paperwork.

Hello Lopburi3,

I am like you, I like accuracy as this avoids problems. I emailed my contact in the UK Embassy yesterday evening and got a reply this morning.

"My apologies for the error on the letter. We were wrong about your pension amount. The amendment has been issued and is now on its way to you by EMS this morning (15/9). It is possible the Immigration will need to see the letter from your pension company along with the Embassy letter.

Yours truly"

You can see I have been given a fast reply. As I said in my last message in this thread, I have great respect for this UK Embassy. They have openly admitted their error AND have immediately taken action to correct it and cause me minimal delay or problem.

As they say "To err is human".

Regards

Dave