Some Bangkok Embassies to stop Certification of Income Letters

[Big Boy]

I was aware, just not expecting illegal potential solutions to the problem.

I'd have thought your post was more appropriate to this thread viewtopic.php?f=9&t=36845

[PET]

Sorry, what do we know is OK please? Are the Germans affected by the cessation of income letters?

That if you take a bank letter to immigration stating you have 800K for at least 3 months that is OK and will get approval .

[Midsman]

My retiremenrt visa is due February. Last week I received my proof of income letter from the British Embassy. So today I went along to Immigration to find out if it was valid. The guy who is usually at the infirmation desk giving the correct paper work out was not there so I went into the office to the left. Listening to my enquiry one of the girls took me into the office where you get visas done etc. She took me to one of the officers who was busy with a customer. He was very polite and told me that the letter of income proof wil be valid for 6 months and I will be able to use it when renewing in February.

I am only reporting my experiences today.

[laphanphon]

Wish they would have confirmed that publicly last month, I wouldn't have bothered putting money in the bank.

[Big Boy]

I've been monitoring several social media pages since this debacle started. Somebody today asked Immigration what would happen next year........ In his words:

No change: Retirement non-immigrant needs 800k in bank 3 months prior to application- OR 65k per month demonstrated by bank statement.

Married visa is 400k in bank two months prior - OR 40k per month into your account. Note- NOT BOTH!

The only change is that the British Embassy are not providing the proof of income letters after January.

This indicates that transfer each month would suffice. If this is correct, I am quite happy to transfer 1600 Pounds (or whatever amount is dictated by the Brexit exchange rate ) each month.

Of course, this isn't the first time I've heard this solution, but thinking about it several weeks on, it is starting to sound a feasible solution i.e.:

• I was expecting ALL embassies to follow suit, but there are only 4.

• The rules HAVE NOT changed.

• There has to be an alternative, and this sounds reasonable.

I'm not prepared to accept a post on social media as gospel. I was planning to visit Immigration early next year to ask the way forward face to face, but if Immigration are starting to say bank statements will suffice, I think it's important to start the monthly transfer process asap. I am now hoping to visit the office tomorrow to ask for myself, and will report back with what is said.

If I remember, I'll also ask about half and half i.e. 400,000 in the bank and 32,500 income each month.

My biggest fear is my visa renews in July, and it is now December. If it is correct, will I need 12 months of monthly deposits before applying? Not a problem - a couple of border runs until I qualify .

Yes, I know this is Thailand, and what I'm told tomorrow may be denied by the time visa renewal comes around, but it will focus my mind on what needs to be done. If it is denied in July, I will re-think when the time comes.

Are there any more questions I should ask while I'm there?

[Midsman]

The lady just took me to an officer about my enquirery. Dont know his ranking. He was very polite and helpful even though he was processing other people at the time.

Maybe his info was not 100%

Just thought I woud report my experiences today to board members.

[Midsman]

From what the officer said the letter will be valid for six months from when it is dated.So the Embassys last acceptance was early Dec meaning the 65000 monthly if they are going to accept that way will start May.

So up till then you can do the income the old way. But hey nothing official !!!!

If anybody changes rules that effect people every month over a year there has to be some leeway if you get my drift.

Like I said, just thought I would post todays immigration experience.

[Big Boy]

And I am very grateful (as are others, I'm sure) for any information in these uncertain times.

[T.O.M.]

I've been monitoring several social media pages since this debacle started. Somebody today asked Immigration what would happen next year........ In his words:

No change: Retirement non-immigrant needs 800k in bank 3 months prior to application- OR 65k per month demonstrated by bank statement.

Married visa is 400k in bank two months prior - OR 40k per month into your account. Note- NOT BOTH!

The only change is that the British Embassy are not providing the proof of income letters after January.

This indicates that transfer each month would suffice. If this is correct, I am quite happy to transfer 1600 Pounds (or whatever amount is dictated by the Brexit exchange rate ) each month.

Of course, this isn't the first time I've heard this solution, but thinking about it several weeks on, it is starting to sound a feasible solution i.e.:

• I was expecting ALL embassies to follow suit, but there are only 4.

• The rules HAVE NOT changed.

• There has to be an alternative, and this sounds reasonable.

I'm not prepared to accept a post on social media as gospel. I was planning to visit Immigration early next year to ask the way forward face to face, but if Immigration are starting to say bank statements will suffice, I think it's important to start the monthly transfer process asap. I am now hoping to visit the office tomorrow to ask for myself, and will report back with what is said.

If I remember, I'll also ask about half and half i.e. 400,000 in the bank and 32,500 income each month.

My biggest fear is my visa renews in July, and it is now December. If it is correct, will I need 12 months of monthly deposits before applying? Not a problem - a couple of border runs until I qualify .

Yes, I know this is Thailand, and what I'm told tomorrow may be denied by the time visa renewal comes around, but it will focus my mind on what needs to be done. If it is denied in July, I will re-think when the time comes.

Are there any more questions I should ask while I'm there?

A lot of speculation based on a bar stool rumor ( social media)....

A for your conclusions based on the rumors....Nothing has changed....
Wrong. If you can actually use a income statement from the bank here, the money has to be in a Thai bank account, unlike before with the income letters, which only confirmed that you had the required income in your home country and it was not required to prove, that the money was transferred to Thailand....So, again if the rumors are correct, from a Thai point of view the new system with an income confirming letter from a local bank makes sense.

[caller]

To be honest, the BE said right from the outset that you will have to pay 40/65k into your account monthly instead of their letter being good enough. I assumed that came from the Thais during their discussion. I've just been waiting for the Thais to confirm that!

[Big Boy]

They did caller, but not coming from the Thais, I didn't believe them. If I hear the same from Immigration tomorrow, then I will be 90% certain. For the 4 counties affected, we'll all be better off financially, not having to pay for the Embassy letter, so a good result

[handdrummer]

I've never heard about the 40,000BHT figure. I was always told, at immigration, it had to be 65,000BHT. Whatever it is can it be transferred all at once or twice a yr. or does it have to be monthly? Doing it twice a yr. saves me $350. 11,480BHT @ today's rate.

[PeteC]

I wouldn't trust what any local immigration office may say at this stage. It has to come out officially from Immigration HQ at Chaengwattana. If anyone is visiting there they are the people to talk to IMO. Pete

[Big Boy]

I don't think there is too much to trust. Thai Immigration's silence says a lot - nothing has changed. The income method remains on the table. 4 embassies are simply saying they can not provide the necessary guarantees that claimed income is genuine (I would expect little else from the UK Embassy). The easiest method of proving that income is transfer of funds into a Thai bank - I have no problem with that.

I originally thought similarly to handdrummer above regarding cost of monthly transfers, but when I investigated Steve G's post on page 6 (I think) of this thread, I believe it would save me money.

I'm actually feeling quite positive about a monthly transfer of funds - I no longer have to pay for the letter each year, and cost of transfer will actually reduce. I think our embassies are actually doing genuine people a favour by stopping the letters.

Just a shame they can't do anything about the exchange rate at the moment

[laphanphon]

I've never heard about the 40,000BHT figure. I was always told, at immigration, it had to be 65,000BHT. Whatever it is can it be transferred all at once or twice a yr. or does it have to be monthly? Doing it twice a yr. saves me $350. 11,480BHT @ today's rate.

40k for marriage extension. Again, depends on Imm office. In the past I've used that, 'monthly' deposit, and not have to be consistent, just average 40k a month for the year. Other offices, 1 baht under, and they have a hissy fit.

65k for retirement extensions. Again, used that for 'monthly' deposits. Have done extensions in BKK, Udon Thani and Nong Khai. Most the last 10 years have been 'income affidavit', 8 Udon Thani, and 2 at HH.