Thailand Visa Question No. 351/21: Austrian Consul Pattaya
Questioner: John
I just read your answer to a questioner regarding a Visa Support Letter. In your answer you suggest that he could possibly go to the Austrian consulate in Pattaya. I have been coming there for the past few years to have the Proof of Life stamped, which are accepted by the Pension Fund and SVB.
Do I understand from this that I can use the regular Visa Support Letter for that with the other common documents, stamped by the Austrian Consulate and handed in at Immigration office here with me in Jomtien?
Reaction RonnyLatYa
A Visa Support Letter is issued by the embassy and it confirms someone's income. You can submit this to immigration. Does the Austrian Consul have nothing to do with it?
The Austrian Consul itself does provide a "Proof of income" which is actually just the same. Also normally accepted in Pattaya through immigration.
Just like when applying for a visa support letter, you also need to submit documents that prove your income for that “Proof of income” from the Consul.
Both, the visa support letter or the "Proof of income", can be used to meet the financial requirements of an annual extension, possibly supplemented with a bank amount.
I have to say I'm surprised someone who says he's been coming there for years isn't thrilled that that Consul is delivering such evidence.
The last question that concerned the Austrian Consul dates from September and it appears that he still normally delivers that evidence.
Thailand Visa Question No. 199/21: Is the Austrian Consulate in Pattaya open? | Thailand blog
Readers may be able to confirm or add to this.
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For many years I have used the services of the honorary consul of Austria (he is now also honorary consul of Germany). There I receive the annual income statement for the extension of my retirement visa. The annual Proof of Life for the pension funds is also stamped there.
For years, that income statement went without any problems. I receive benefits from several pension funds, but my overview, for which I use the annual statements of the last year, was barely checked. The income statement is sufficient for the extension of the visa.
Since 2 years there has been a small change. Apparently this simple method has been abused in some way. In addition to the income statement drawn up by the consulate, I must also submit the separate annual statements of the Dutch pension funds to Immigration when applying for an extension.
I have also said several times that immigration always has the right to request the original documents proving the income. Can and may also be done with a visa support letter from the embassy.
However, it does not happen at most immigration offices, but in Pattaya they seem to have started doing so in the last 2 years. It must have its reasons….
I fully endorse what Gringo has said. I too have been using the Austrian Consul's services for years, both for my income statement and for stamping my Proof of Life for the SVB and other pension funds. Although in recent years I have simply sent all those pension funds a copy of my Proof of Life from the SVB and that is accepted by all.
The services of the Austrian Consul for this cancellation are also free. How Dutch do you want it? The income statement costs an average of 1600 Baht.
Income statement via the consul of Austria is normally accepted, unless you have the misfortune that you get that great female law in Pattaya for treatment, she does not know the difference between Austria and Australia, Austria is not in Europe, she says, and I got no extension.
I have been doing the income statement for seven years at the consul of Austria in Pattaya. Never had any problems so this rejection really surprises me. In recent years, the document, which is partly provided with two languages, namely German and English, has been drawn up by the Vice Hon. consul Mrs. Sriwanna Jitprasert. A compatriot of the Thai immigration members. In addition, everyone who handles this at immigration is aware of this service. But yes it happened to you so we will have to assume that, but it is strange.
As a simple-minded person, Janneman doesn't understand it at all anymore,
What does an Austrian consul have to do with a Dutch income statement that, to my knowledge, must go through the one and only Dutch embassy location somewhere in Bangkok, if you are of course a purebred Dutchman.
Fortunately, I have been going for my old trusted 16K option for more than 8 years.
My monthly income, now after finally receiving my pensions after many promised years, I almost only meet the 65k requirement, so combi 65k and shared 8k is present, but why make it difficult when it can be done easily.
Jan Beute.
The statement from the Austrian Consulate is accepted because this is a consulate from within the EU!
I've been doing that for 13 years, and it works perfectly!
That Austria is part of the EU is not really a reason. Not for confirming an income, though.
That Consul cannot confirm the originality and correctness of your documents either, because he has no possibility to check them. He does not have that power of attorney and access, which the Dutch embassy, among others, does have.
Is more something that is tolerated by immigration (for whatever reason) and as long as something is accepted by immigration it is always good.
The fact that the Austrian Consulate also stamps the life certificate for SVB is new to me!
Do any readers have experience with this?
FYI for Belgians, the Austrian consulate no longer issues income statements.