'How To' - Requirements for visa extensions etc

[migrant]

I went to the bank and withdrew 10,000 baht then went over the desk to update the passbook and get the paperwork for immigration. I looked at the passbook and noticed the balance was off from the immigration letter by the 10,000 baht. I pointed it out and she went and printed the detailed activity for a year. I guess when you update your passbook they no longer print every transaction since the last one posted.

Did you go to immigration today - I know that in the past they have looked for the bank letter to be the same date as you apply for the extension - they might accept one day late, so definitely go tomorrow if you haven’t already been

A 'book bank' update at a branch does not update all transactions, it only gives you the new balance. That applies at the machine outside and also if you give the book to a teller.

I asked the teller to print out the full years transactions and she did.

[404cameljockey]

Did you go to immigration today - I know that in the past they have looked for the bank letter to be the same date as you apply for the extension - they might accept one day late, so definitely go tomorrow if you haven’t already been

A 'book bank' update at a branch does not update all transactions, it only gives you the new balance. That applies at the machine outside and also if you give the book to a teller.

I asked the teller to print out the full years transactions and she did.

Yes she will but it's unnecessary bumph if using the income method, because it doesn't show the overseas origin of the transfer.

My only question (because my memory is so awful for red tape) is whether I paid for a bank letter to back up my 'book bank' balance last February. As I only keep around 3-4000 Baht in it, it seems a ridiculous idea. My monthly income is transferred every month to an operating account under my wife's name, and it's not their business anyway because I don't use the 'money resting in the bank' method.

[Robert williams]

I requested 12 months bank statements from Bangkok Bank today. ( non o visa retirement visa renewal)Last year they printed them out for me. Now they say it can only be done through the main office in Bangkok and takes one week. My branch is the main branch in Prachuap kirikhan town.
Has anyone managed to get the statements printed by a branch of Bangkok Bank in the province without having to wait for one week?
The one week delay means that I shall have to take enough cash from my account to make sure that the one year statement marries with bank book and the bank letter showing my account details and the photocopies of my bank book which is somewhat ridiculous. Should there be an unexpected call on my funds it could be awkward.
What I am actually really asking is did the bank staff get it wrong?

[Dannie Boy]

If this is a generic change that all banks will follow, it will cause big problems. I can’t be the only one who leaves there visa renewal to close to the expiry date and go to the bank a few days before for the letter and bank statements - if it takes a week, I could have easily been caught out and exceeded my visa validity date. Hopefully this will be clarified one way or another within a few days (my visa does not expire until June), but if it is confirmed I, and others will need to ensure to renew in plenty of time.

[PET]

You are able to renew 45 days in advance without loosing days so it should be no problem, however I am not convinced the bank situation is correct. I presume this refers to making monthly payments from overseas of at least Bht65,000. If going this route I thought immigration wanted confirmation from the bank that each transfer was from overseas. As we know bank statements do not reveal this so it is not the statements that are required, which actually I could download from my bank anyway

[Big Boy]

I presume this refers to making monthly payments from overseas of at least Bht65,000. If going this route I thought immigration wanted confirmation from the bank that each transfer was from overseas. As we know bank statements do not reveal this so it is not the statements that are required, which actually I could download from my bank anyway

Last year I did not take my statement. Initially the officer was adamant I could not renew without it, but after a lot of consideration, they let me off, but said it would be essential every year in future. It is definitely a requirement, even for the monthly transfer route.

[Governor]

Last year I took my statement, with every deposit marked as coming from overseas, the bank book with every deposit marked likewise, a credit advice slip detailing every transfer and a letter confirming the same.
The woman IO, mentioned previously, went through all the supporting evidence line by line, she clearly didn’t like what she was reading, I met the requirements.
She then focused on the letter which was dated eight days previous, it had been stuck in the Bangkok Bank when BluPort was closed, I’d picked it up the day the bank reopened, hot footed to Immigration, waited for two hours downstairs and then was waved away by this woman because my letter was no longer valid.
I went to the bank, they asked if it was the old woman with glasses adding that she’s always difficult because she likes to be so.
They gave me an updated letter free of charge, my wife and I went home for a glass of wine.
I went back the next day having decided not to communicate with this woman, I waited downstairs for a couple of hours and then the young guy upstairs quickly approved my extension, without looking at the bank letter, meanwhile the woman IO was giving an elderly couple a hard time.
I have no problem with meeting the requirements, but I fail to understand this woman’s take on her job description.

[huahin4ever]

I have no problem with meeting the requirements, but I fail to understand this woman’s take on her job description.

I 100% agree. She just likes to cause problem or show how powerful she is.


YNWA

[HHTel]

In response to all these 'gloom and doom' stories, I have to say that in the 20 years I've lived in Hua Hin, I have never had a problem with immigration. Back to the days when you had to travel to Singkon before opening a 'satelite' in the police station, I have always found the staff not only courteous but helpful on the few occasions that I've not understood a change in procedure.

Much of that is achieved by not showing annoyance, which I often see from foreigners. If you are going to be difficult, then you probably deserve being treated somewhat differently.

[Big Boy]

Of course HHTel, my last 2 renewals have not been perfect. If Immigration Officers were the ogres some make them out to be, I would have been rejected, On both occasions they pointed out my errors, told me to get it right the following year, and my extensions were granted.

My extensions have been based on retirement.

However, I am aware of many not applying for extension based on retirement who have met with the ogres. For extension based on retirement they have always been fair to me.

[HHTel]

Yes. My first 2 years was on a work permit but since then it's been for reason of retirement. I did at one stage start the ball rolling for extension based on marriage. The time it would take and the paperwork involved (it can't be approved locally and the decision comes from BKK) I scrapped that idea after a couple of weeks and switched to retirement. Much much easier.

[buksida]

I scrapped that idea after a couple of weeks and switched to retirement. Much much easier.

The reasons for this have been bashed out a hundred times on the forum - retirements are an easy job and completed on the day in Hua Hin = better officer attitude (usually).

Other extensions such as marriage or child support are not, hence the difference in attitude and the world of pain as Hua Hin office effectively doesn't want to deal with them.

However, those using the 'agent route' (regardless of having all the legal requirements) will alleviate a lot of the hassle and unnecessary obstacles, though you are essentially just paying them more to do their jobs properly.

[benmo]

I did my first renewal of my marriage visa yesterday. A bit long winded but painless and the officer was fine

[buksida]

Lucky you.

Edit: you've gotta hope with so few farangs here these days they'll start lightening up and things will go back to how easy they were 20 years ago. My last visit to immigration was late last year and it was empty, the officers are twiddling their thumbs so there is no reason to be awkward aside from a power trip.

[Governor]

In response to all these 'gloom and doom' stories, I have to say that in the 20 years I've lived in Hua Hin, I have never had a problem with immigration. Back to the days when you had to travel to Singkon before opening a 'satelite' in the police station, I have always found the staff not only courteous but helpful on the few occasions that I've not understood a change in procedure.

Much of that is achieved by not showing annoyance, which I often see from foreigners. If you are going to be difficult, then you probably deserve being treated somewhat differently.

Whilst I've also found the vast majority of IO's over the years act in professional and courteous manner, that woman doesn't fall into that category, as other also seem to have found out.

I certainly wasn't being difficult, and whilst I attempted to hide my frustration at her rudeness and cearly looking for a reason to make my life difficult, I'm fully aware that shouting the odds at an IO, especially here, is going to get me nowhere, and neither should it.

An Immigration Officers job can be tedious, in my working life I've dealt with many of them on a daily basis, the vast majority act professionally and apply the rules consistently, this woman, in my view, doesn't fall into that category.

I'm due to return there next month and extend my leave to remain yet again, I have all my ducks lined up but I'm already begining to worry that I'll encounter her again, is that really what retirement is all about?