Reader question: Is it mandatory to transfer your full pension to Thailand for a visa extension?
Dear readers,
On 16/11/2016 I went to immigration for my annual renewal, but that was very disappointing. I am 66 and retired and have been living in Thailand for about 11 years for about 8 months. Previously on early retirement from my 55 years. We have been married for 15 years, a Thai lady that is.
I had all the necessary papers along with my avit avit of my monthly annual income well over 800.000 baht. Together with a legal paper from the bank with only 50.000 baht on it, but also with two savings books from another bank, also together 1.000.000 baht.
And we annually bring between 10 - 15.000 Euros, depending on what is left, we also have hospital insurance costs in Belgium and our apartment that is rented out but also entails costs. We withdraw 2 baht with visas twice a month because we have enough with the two of us. Now that we have been transferred to Buriram, there are new laws again.
The first one checked all the papers and it was Ok the next one was already stamping my papers and I had signed everything. When we had to move on, the muzerie started, he did not want to approve or we had to pay 5000 baht that my wife did not want. We had to stay put he left and was replaced. When he came back he asked it back: do you want to pay 5000 baht but my wife didn't want that.
He had put my papers aside and did the following: After 2 hours he started back at my extension. He didn't want to know anything about the savings accounts together with the visa extracts, the full pension income had to be deposited monthly into the book with 50.000 baht on it.
So the question is: is it mandatory to transfer the entire pension income here or is it enough with our bank books and legal income that he does not want to accept and extracts from the visa account?
That used to be the case in Surin.
Regards,
Jeans
Clearly an attempt by someone who wants to put money in his own pocket.
you live in a corrupt country, live with it….
Absolutely disagree. There are a lot of corrupt things going on in Thailand, but it's crazy if you put it down to that. Jean, as his wife already did, could have questioned the civil servant's actions and called in the supervisor.
Open your eyes. Was still at the emigration this week for a year extension. I already heard that if you pay 15000 extra there will be no problems with the application. I got an extension for 30 days. Other person sitting next to me gave papers with pile of money. Money went under the table and was counted without batting an eyelid and stamped for a year.
Not corrupt but “higher handling fee”
Dear, everything was also fine with me, income and savings book more than 800.000 thb, but they did not want to give a visa extension if I paid 10.000 thb, but in the same office as you, we think that there is a smell, don't you? never made it
Having 1000000 in a savings account doesn't always count. You must ask the bank in advance if you open a savings account, whether this also applies to visa. Some do count, some don't count for visa at all.
Thai Immigration wants 800K baht in a current account. A savings account is (usually) not accepted. If you want to be sure, ask for this, for example, on the day you are at IMM for your 90-day address notification. That way you avoid problems. Please note that the amount of 800K will remain untouched for at least 3 months on the relevant bank book, and provide a covering letter from the relevant bank (director). All banks know about this.
No it is not necessary.
It's pure corruption.
Just make a fuss and call their boss.
I live near Buriram and have already obtained my visa here several times. Previously in Kap Choeg, now in Buriram. I only have one income statement from the embassy. Furthermore, a copy of my bank book where money is deposited every month to live on. They look at whether you are indeed spending your money in Thailand. The cost for one year's visa is simply THB 1900. A multipe entry costs THB 5000. I have never had to pay more in all these years.
It is true that if you have 800000 THB in Belgium, get an Afidafit stamp at the embassy and hand it in. It is sufficient for a year's visa. 1900 THB, make sure you are registered in the embassy, that will make it easier, then they will know your success.
Hi Jean,
What do you think now. If you pay 5000 baht, it is good as you deliver it. So ……….
Seems like a clear case of corrupt behavior to me. Simply indicate that you want to file a complaint in Bangkok and see if it is not possible after all.
Succes
You write that you also have 800.000 in the bank, I thought because you are married to your wife, you only need to have 400.000 thousand income, so that gentleman is also wrong about that, which I would recommend you go to the anti-corruption or at least report it to a relevant authority or ask for his boss against him, but beware because a Thai does not make a Thai look like a dick, so be careful with that.
I would file a complaint if nothing helps the government anti-corruption.
Good luck.
Depends on what account the amounts are on, how money comes in in Thailand.
The question cannot be answered without further information.
Dear Jean, you have lived in Thailand long enough to know that a one-year extension costs 1900 baht. You also know that you must meet Thai legal income standards, which means that you have an income of 65K baht per month, or 800K baht in the bank.
You absolutely do not have to lug around all your other incomes and / or assets. Uncalled for.
You write that you can amply show that you have 800K in income. So why still waving 50K and 1MB passbooks? No wonder they try to screw you another ear for an amount of 5K baht.
Your wife is right. She rightly protests. You should have assisted her immediately, and called the boss of the office.
The question you ask at the end of your account is therefore completely unnecessary, as you know yourself.
MAFIA,
Makes no sense, bank book with 800.000 thb covers everything.
Income statement from the embassy if sufficient € is also sufficient.
If you are married it can be half, but then apply for a marriage visa, more paper and more hassle, so I would not recommend.
Ask politely according to which rules you have to pay that 5000 thb and where it is stated.
Ask for his name and registration number and request an interview with his boss.
If unsuccessful, you can always file an official complaint with Mr. Prayut's anti-corruption department.
Personally I would definitely file a complaint, even if he withdraws his shit.
They have a special e-mail address for this kind of complaints, but I do not remember the e-mail address.
But it ends up at the government complex in Lak-Si Bangkok, where they process 100 applications a day. But then you must of course know the exact name of the official.
Maybe someone knows this email address?
Greetings Nico
Complaints can be submitted to the ombudsman:
Thailand Ombudsman: http://complain.ocpb.go.th/
http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=comment
Above the link to (file complaints) complaints form online, is handled directly and confidentially, in case of emergency you can call, 1111 hotline, the exchange is open 24/7, they speak English.
So; http://www.immigration.go.th
In the website click on: Contact us , then on: Post comment, then you are in the contact form online.
You have a bank receipt for 50.000 Baht.
Why not from 800.000 Baht?
For the sake of convenience, I will assume that the 800.000 did not meet the condition of the extension, otherwise you would have received that bank letter.
The immigration service wants to get a letter from the bank for this amount, not a savings book.
Those savings bank books are easy to forge.
They are also not interested in what you have or will receive in the Netherlands.
They want to see that money come into Thailand.
That's something they can check.
So you did not comply with the rules.
I think you take that 5.000 Baht as a payment for additional services.
The head of the immigration service has the authority to deviate from rules.
Only he probably won't do that just like that, because this is so pleasant for you.
He also wants something to do with it.
http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/intro1.html
Here above the link to Immigration Chaeng Wattana , Bangkok
Tel: 02141-9889 open Monday to Friday 8.3016.30am - XNUMXpm.
You can report your complaints here.
These kinds of questions are frequently asked on this blog. Everyone has experienced something, or has an opinion about it. But if this happens to you, that the savings account is not accepted or for some other reason you do not want to extend your annual visa, what then? I never hear what the consequences are. Will you be deported from the country with immediate effect? Or do you get an extension for a shorter period of time? Does anyone have experience with this?
Someone who cannot meet the requirements for a month or year extension will still receive 7 days if refused.
That gives you time to leave Thailand legally.
This is provided that no other issues such as crime or illegality are involved. In that case you can either be locked up or immediately deported from the country.
You should not show more than what is requested at the immigration office. All the rest is superfluous.
1. In order to obtain an extension, according to the official regulations, the following is provided:
In case of Thai marriage :
” In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month
(the applicant must attach documents proving that the alien husband earns an average monthly income of no less than Baht 40,000 throughout the year, such as any particular individual income tax return together with payment receipt, evidence of receiving retirement pension, evidence of receiving interest from funds deposit, or evidence of having other funds issued by the relevant agency.
OR
must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year. ”
(the applicant must attach a funds deposit certificate issued by a bank in Thailand and a copy of a bankbook)
In case of “Retired”
“Must have evidence of having income of no less than Baht 65,000 per month
(Evidence of income such as a retirement pension, interest or dividends)
OR
On the filing date, the applicant must have funds deposited in a bank in Thailand of no less than Baht 800,000 for the past three months. For the first year only, the applicant must have proof of a deposit account in which said amount of funds has been maintained for no less than 60 days prior to the filing date,
(Funds deposit certificate issued by a bank in Thailand and a copy of a bankbook )
OR
Must have an annual earnings and fluids deposited with a bank totaling no less than Baht 800,0000 as of the filing date
Ref:
Order of immigration bureau No. 327/2557 Subject: Criteria and Conditions for Consideration of an Alien's Application for a Temporary Stay in the Kingdom of Thailand
Order of the Immigration Bureau No. 138/2557 Subject: Supporting documents for Consideration of an Alien's Application for a Temporary Stay in the Kingdom of Thailand
2. Bank account.
It is not stated which bank account this should be. So that could be any account.
However, most immigration offices will want to see a current account used, but others will be happy with a savings account as well.
That depends on the immigration office.
3. Proof of Income.
For this “evidence of having income”, the immigration offices usually require a “Declaration of income” with (signature) legalization from the embassy. Some also require that it be legalized by BZ in Thailand, but this also depends on the immigration office. That is not the case everywhere.
That monthly amount is actually deposited into your account in Thailand is also not included in the requirements and should not be required. Providing proof of that income (“evidence of having income”) should suffice, but well…
4. Price of an extension.
Each extension, whether 1 week, 1 month or a year, always costs 1900 Baht.
A “Single Re-entry” costs 1000 Baht and a “Multiple Re-entry” costs 3800 Baht.
Other amounts requested by immigration for this fall under corruption.
5. Complaints
Normally you could report abuse on a hotline 1570, but does this actually work?
You can always try this for complaints.
Hotline 1111 or 1155. Has existed since March last year.
http://www.tatnews.org/thai-government-launches-1111-hotline-receive-complaints-from-foreigners/