Pattaya immigration want copies of your credit cards for annual visas

[dirtydog]

New changes to Visa rules - Oct. 21, 2007

Barry Kenyon has notified us that Pattaya Immigration bureau has introduced the following rules regarding one year Visa’s and extensions of Visa’s On Arrival, and 60 day Tourist Visa's.



Applicants for one year retirement visas must now show and make copies of the back and front of any one currently valid ATM or credit card issued in their name. The copies must be signed by the applicant. It does not matter whether the card was issued in Thailand or overseas.

After the information was presented, a member at the meeting who had been renewing his Visa reported that he was required to give Immigration a copy, front and back, of any one credit card he had - and he did so.

According to Barry Kenyon's not to us, this new requirement is intended as a further check on the applicant's financial health.

Plus - Applicants for extensions on short visas, for example a request for the maximum allowed 7 days on a “Visa on Arrival” or for the maximum 30 days on a “60 day Tourist Visa” issued abroad, must now show proof their onward travel plans after the extension has expired, by having in their possession an air or electronic airline ticket, or a bus ticket with clear departure dates printed on it. This requirement is to assure Immigration that the visa holder does indeed plan to leave Thailand at the expiration of his extension.

LINKY

[watterinja]

Welcome to LOS. TiT.

They will never, in my lifetime, get a copy of a master account, from me. This is simply not wise. I have never heard of this rubbish from ANY other country I have ever required a visa for.

Pure BS, imho. The best they would get would be details of a locked, parked amount - set aside for pure visa purposes - on a Bank letter, signed by the Bank official. They have no right to personal information beyond that.

Thailand has the dubious reputation as being a country with an extremely corrupt banking system. Why would someone want to give an official open access into their account? Defies all logic.

[dirtydog]

Well if it does come true I think most people will just open a new 500baht account and let them copy that card, I really can't imagine anyone willing to give them copies of their real cards that they actually use regualary.

The onward ticket bit is true for normal visa extensions, but that can be any sort of travel ticket.

[Luckydog]

Brave talk Watty, but what will you do if they refuse to renew without the Visa card copy?

[Mid]

yep , got buckley's , getting a copy of mine .

[watterinja]

^^^ Sure, but what if they then perform such a check - as they claim they want the card for - & find out you've played them at the same game?

Would you be deported?

[watterinja]

Brave talk Watty, but what will you do if they refuse to renew without the Visa card copy?

Then I would leave & go home, or elsewhere.

There are some ethical lines I simply would never cross.

[Thetyim]

Why do they need a copy of the back of a credit card ?

This shows your signature which they already have and the three digit code number that is needed for online transactions.

I think I would refuse this request or say that I don't have a cc

[watterinja]

^ Exactly, the 3-digit number would allow them to raid your account.

[blackgang]

Black out the 3 digit number with a small piece of black plastic tape for the copy and then just remove it, it does not stick that hard and would cause no perm. damage to the card.
But thats what I was thinking too when they said both sides of the card, shit I would just use my SCB ATM/Debit card.

[Thetyim]

According to Barry Kenyon's not to us, this new requirement is intended as a further check on the applicant's financial health.

How does a copy of a credit card show your financial health.
IF, and that's a big IF, immigration can check your account it would show how much you can borrow and how much you owe.

(Barry Kenyon btw works for the British Embassy)

[stroller]

The purpose of this can only be misuse.

How is possessing an ATM card an indication for financial health? - the mind boggles.

[in4zip]

will they soon also want to see the skid marks in me nickers as proof that I have eaten?

and after that what?

perhaps an official TAT handler to accompany us to 'officially' recognized and approved venues where we can be parted from our dosh?

fuck off , the lot of them

[dirtydog]

In a country that is reknowned for credit card fraud they are asking for copies of your card and signature, can't see many people going for that, Barry Kenyon is really old now so we can only hope and assume his mind is slowly going senile.

According to Barry Kenyon's not to us, this new requirement is intended as a further check on the applicant's financial health.

I think Pattaya Expats Club is taking that stance aswell

[Thetyim]

Just read the first two sentences again.
Why are extensions based on marriage not included in this new "regulation" ?

[stroller]

^
Because it would hurt a fellow Thai if the dumb foreigner's account was suddenly empty?

[Texpat]

Open an account, put 500B in it. File it away with your passport and important docs. When renewal time rolls around, give it to them.

Aside from three extra photocopies, nothing to get your panties in wad over. Another stupid rule by the same stupid people.

[watterinja]

^ What will happen when they do check your 'financial status' by peeking in your account? Isn't that what the card is meant to be for, anyway?

[Texpat]

make copies of the back and front of any one currently valid ATM or credit card issued in their name

They can't do a credit check on an ATM card can they? It doesn't involve credit.

I have an ATM card with my Thai bank, with only as much in there as I'll need for the month. I'm certain they have no idea what my holdings are anywhere else. I really don't care if anyone sees what's in my Thai bank.

I'm with you on withholding "real" credit card information though.

[Thetyim]

I just checked my files.
I have three empty bank accounts with ATM cards.
The ATM cards do not have an expiry date and the back has no CCV number.
They can have one of those.

[dirtydog]

I think Mr Kenyon is getting old and confused, don't forget immigration get a copy of your bank book money page, plus the letter from the bank stating you have the dosh, what does an atm card prove?

[ChiangMai noon]

I think I would refuse this request or say that I don't have a cc

I haven't had a credit card for years, about 10 of years.

[Thetyim]

what does an atm card prove?

Absolutely nothing.
I agree, this is another load of bollocks .
Lets wait until there is something official from immigration

[Texpat]

Right, an ATM card shows nothing but maybe what you have in that particular bank.

But with a credit card, they can do a credit inquiry and find out every account you have, every time you've applied for credit, a monthly record of payments on all credit, previous addresses, inquiries to your credit by others ... more than I want those guys to know.

[Gerbil]

I think I would refuse this request or say that I don't have a cc

I haven't had a credit card for years, about 10 of years.

That's you out then!