New HH Immigration ruling about visa guarantee money?

[Farang]

Fresh from HH immigration:

A friend was a while ago at HH Immigration to obtain a one year visa.
The HHI now claims there is a new ruling about the 800 K THB visa
guarantee money. The Immigration has before accepted that the
whole of the sum is on fixed deposit account, but it now appears
this is no longer valid.

The HHI officer claimed the 800 K can no longer be on fixed deposit
account, but must be on savings (or checking, that was not clear) account.

Does anybody have any more info on this? Is this real or just a local
scheme to squeeze out some extra tea money from the visa applicant?

Personally I have not dealt with HHI for some while. Everything goes much
more smoothly at Dan Singkon Immigration in Prachuap Khirikhan with
efficient, friendly service and no invented difficulties applied to justify the squeeze.

[lomuamart]

Only thing I'm not sure about is these "fixed deposit accounts" in as much as do they allow you access to the funds at any time? Or is the money tied up in any way to get a better interest rate?
The idea is that the 800K should always be accessible so there have always been certain bank accounts that Imm won't allow.
Need to know more about the specific account.

[Takiap]

I can't answer your question, but I'm curious as to whether you live in Hua-Hin or in Prachuap? Personally, I would much rather make the trip to Prachuap immigration that deal with the HH crowd, but not sure if it's an option since I stay in Hua-Hin.

[Homer]

Heard about but not observed by someone who doesn't use the office in question?

On another forum which can not be named there are many users who seemingly hang out all day ready to pounce on the slightest misstatement of facts about visas. That forum has a history of jokers winding up everyone with a seemingly innocent post about alleged policy changes at the local immigration office.

[richard]

New rules afoot about passport expiry rules too I hear

[Nereus]

Only thing I'm not sure about is these "fixed deposit accounts" in as much as do they allow you access to the funds at any time? Or is the money tied up in any way to get a better interest rate?
The idea is that the 800K should always be accessible so there have always been certain bank accounts that Imm won't allow.
Need to know more about the specific account.

For the first time, this year Bangkok Bank offered me a "fixed deposit" account, as at the time they were offering higher interest rates. I asked the Bank Manager about the implication concerning immigration and she assured me that as the money could be withdrawn at any time, albeit with a loss of interest, it would be no problem. "Just tell them to call me", she told me. Yeah, right!

My renewal extension is not due until November, but it would not surprise me if what the OP has posted is correct. Whether or not it is a new ruling will only be proven on the day that I go there and which particular officer I happen to see. I have the inward transfer notice and I have the savings account book where it is clear to see where the funds came from.

I hope that somebody else can post about it, with their experince at Hua Hin.

[Farang]

I can't answer your question, but I'm curious as to whether you live in Hua-Hin or in Prachuap? Personally, I would much rather make the trip to Prachuap immigration that deal with the HH crowd, but not sure if it's an option since I stay in Hua-Hin.

I live and have lived in HH ~14 years and have had a fixed deposit account for the visa funds most of the time. Despite this I rather take care of my visa matter in PKk than in HH.

[Nereus]

From this website: http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=faq

22. Question : What is the required age of the alien wisthing to stay in Thailand with the reason of Retirement?

Answer : For reasons to stay of Retirement, the alien must be 50 year of age or older and must have been granted a Non-Immigrant visa, firstly. More over, the said alien must have evidences to verify his/her financial status of not less than 65,000 Baht per month or 800,000 Baht per year. Evidences showing financial support are as follows;
1. In case of having money in the bank account (Saving/Fix deposit) of any bank located in Thailand.

It clearly states "Fix" (sic) deposit!

[Farang]

Heard about but not observed by someone who doesn't use the office in question?

I have used the HHI extensively, that is the very reason I no longer use their services. I offered this piece of,,, well,,, let's call it "Hua Hin Immigration lore" for the benefit of the forum crowd never stating this as a fact. Please feel free to ignore this altogether. Further, should you be so inclined, you are welcome to check my message history for the rest of the wind-ups.

On another forum which can not be named there are many users who seemingly hang out all day ready to pounce on the slightest misstatement of facts about visas. That forum has a history of jokers winding up everyone with a seemingly innocent post about alleged policy changes at the local immigration office.

On this forum there are those, who won't be named, who seemingly hang out all day ready to pounce on any matter about visas meant to help and inform. This forum has jokers winding up anyone with deliberate insinuation and trying to connect the dots that are not there.

[Takiap]

A visit to HHI:


Me: What all do I need?
Them: You need A;B; C and D
Me: Okay, thank you very much for your help.


The next day.......

Me:Hello, here is A;B;C and D
Them: We need R
Me: Yesterday you said only A;B;C and D
Them: We need E
Me: Okay, thank you.


Me: Hello, is A;B;C;D and E
Them: We need F too



Do I even need to carry on? In my books, based on nearly 15 years experience, the worse immigration office in the county. Even my wife agrees, and that says a lot.

[joelle]

takiab you are so right, every year is a real nightmare for me
I would like to know if you have to use the huahin office if you live in the area or can anybody go to any immigration office ie pratchuap kiri khan ???????????

[lomuamart]

Strictly, you're meant to use the office local to where you live.

[Big Boy]

OK, I know I'm probably the exception, but I can't remember ever having a single problem at Hua Hin Immigration. In fact I have always found them extremely helpful.

I always take Mrs BB with me, and if I'm there for something a bit different, she will first discuss with the very helpful ladies outside. They've never failed to get me sorted. I go in, grab a ticket and have always been dealt with within 10 minutes. Because of the preliminary work outside, the task inside is quite routine and fast.

Yes, it's a pain having to visit Immigration so often, but those are the rules - absolutely nothing to do with the people working there.

[joelle]

thats ok if you have a thai companion, but if you are both foreign its another cup of tea all together!!!!!!

[Big Boy]

I agree, it does help a lot.

Have you ever used the services of the ladies outside? They are very helpful/knowledgeable. I often see them helping lone Farangs, to the extent they will accompany them inside for more difficult problems. This service is free, although they are grateful for a small tip. Mrs BB always heads for the lady who operates the photo copy machine.