Using Embassy letter (US) for retiremnt extenison

**Phuketrichard** · 17-12-2012, 01:35 PM

Ok;Phuket

Been reading recent reports about this so went in and checked at immigration.

American's can still use letter from embassy for full amount or in combination with Bank Book for getting ur extension, BUT now they MUST have additional documentation showing where the pension/income is from ( ie before we only had to have the letter ) As the brits have to do

**chassamui** · 17-12-2012, 01:56 PM

I had the same problem at Surat Immigration. Let me off this time because I had embassy letter and bank book, but warned I will need to show pension source next year.

**BobR** · 17-12-2012, 02:25 PM

Not a big deal, but still frightening they can make these silly policy changes almost at will.
Might be because there have been several visa services running ads claiming they can get you a retirement visa without income.

Thanks for the info, my renewal is coming up.

**Phuketrichard** · 17-12-2012, 03:16 PM

luckily it was not a problem as mine does not renew until June but wanted to find out in advance

There is a new head guy an thats when all this started.

**Boon Mee** · 17-12-2012, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Phuketrichard

Ok;Phuket

Been reading recent reports about this so went in and checked at immigration.

American's can still use letter from embassy for full amount or in combination with Bank Book for getting ur extension, BUT now they MUST have additional documentation showing where the pension/income is from ( ie before we only had to have the letter ) As the brits have to do

I've never had to get the Embassy Letter for renewing my Non-O with Retirement Extension. All they ever asked for was the letter from the Bank verifying the $ is in there and the Bank book. This is the Ayutthaya office. I'll find out next month when I go to renew again if anything's changed...

**Thetyim** · 17-12-2012, 04:05 PM

^
Embassy letter is only needed when using pension for extension

**toddaniels** · 17-12-2012, 08:17 PM

I can confirm that Bangkok Immigrations at the government complex at Chaengwattana is NOT asking for proof to back up the amount you put on the US Embassy letter for a yearly extension of stay. (Now with that being said, you should always have the support documents to back up what you put on the letter). Still it's not a "requirement".

I've been out to Chaengwattana over 2 dozen times this year so far, yet never had them ask for proof on the US Embassy letter when renewing a yearly extension of stay based on retirement. In fact I went there twice last week on different days "shepherding" people thru the process. Both people were Americans, both people used the US Embassy notarized letter, and both yearly extensions of stay sailed thru without a hiccup or a question.

Now, IF you're converting a 30 day visa exempt stamp or a 60 day tourist visa stamp to the first 90 day Non-Immigrant Type O visa at Bangkok Immigrations for purposes of retirement (so you can eventually secure a yearly extension of stay) the immigrations officer in the section which issues those visas will want to see proof if you use the US Embassy letter.

As I only deal with Bangkok Immigrations, I have no experience for any other areas. Bangkok seems to run pretty close to the letter of the rules. Some of the Immigration offices scattered around the country are little fiefdoms in their own right, asking for far more documentation than is required in the Police Orders (which governs Immigrations rules in Thailand).

**Phuketrichard** · 18-12-2012, 11:39 AM

question; Can i obtain my extension in Bangkok using the us letter and by showing a Bangkok address and still do my 90 day reports from Phuket via mail?

**Thetyim** · 18-12-2012, 12:08 PM

^
I think the answer is yes.
If your registered address is Bangkok and you happen to be in Phuket the same week that your 90 Day report is due then I don't see how they can complain about the post mark on the envelope.
Obviously their reply will have to be sent to the Bangkok address.

**Boon Mee** · 18-12-2012, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

^
Embassy letter is only needed when using pension for extension

Thanks for confirming that, Thetyim.

**Phuketrichard** · 18-12-2012, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

^
I think the answer is yes.
If your registered address is Bangkok and you happen to be in Phuket the same week that your 90 Day report is due then I don't see how they can complain about the post mark on the envelope.
Obviously their reply will have to be sent to the Bangkok address.

Thanks

**Mr Earl** · 19-12-2012, 06:26 AM

You can also use Ranong immigration. Just the straight affidavit from the embassy works no other documentation needed other than a bank book with 4000 baht.
I've found them to be a lot less hassle than the fuckers in Phuket.
You do need to show and address but the hotel you stay at will work or a bungalow on Koh Phayam.
Also Ranong doesn't ding you over the foking 90 day reporting shenanigan. Phuket will now zing you for 5000baht for not reporting!
And Ranong there's never any waiting in line.

**Phuketrichard** · 19-12-2012, 10:19 AM

Earl;

Are u sure about this 100% and they will take any amount in the bank?
Letter form a hotel wil do saying ur staying there and than do 90 day reporting by mail???

Sounds great as i was going to do mine in Bangkok but really hate Bangkok.

**Mr Earl** · 19-12-2012, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Phuketrichard

Earl;

Are u sure about this 100% and they will take any amount in the bank?
Letter form a hotel wil do saying ur staying there and than do 90 day reporting by mail???

Sounds great as i was going to do mine in Bangkok but really hate Bangkok.

This was last July. But I'd forgotten my bank book in Phuket when I went and ended up being jerked around by Phuket Imm.

I also renewed my OA visa the previous year in Ranong. Things are much slower there so I doubt any wholesale changes are in the wind.
Ranong is like a breath of fresh air compared to Phuket or BKK!

**Phuketrichard** · 19-12-2012, 03:35 PM

last July does not count as i did my extension last july in Phuket with only the letter.

Its the new guy that heads immigration in phuket who started about 6 weeks ago. A real hard nsoe an got it in for Americans for some ungodly reason.

Wonder what Krabi is like?? closer than Ranong.

**Mr Earl** · 19-12-2012, 04:36 PM

No idea about Krabi, but anything would be better than Phuket Imm. After my experience last year I won't set foot in the place ever again.
I would sooner fly to Chiang Mai and get it done there. Friends tell me it's ok there too. A lot more Americans in CM as well.
Let fucking Phuket Imm wallow with nasty Russians, me thinks. Serves them right!

The other option is to have a lawyer walk the papers through for you, I know a very good one in Patong, PM me if you want her #. Cost a little bit more but well worth it.

**Boon Mee** · 19-12-2012, 05:06 PM

^
It's just me and a pile of Burmese/Cambodians at Ayutthaya. Never seen another farang there...

**Phuketrichard** · 21-12-2012, 07:35 AM

UPDATE and not sure if this will become universal through the country or not but.....
better to be aware of it.

Called Sunbelt Asia ( i think they are on top of things more than most so called visa help companies) they said now you have to have a US bank statement with regular deposits going in and that this has to be part of the affidavit from the US Consulate. I don't know if I believe those guys as they have a vested interest in making thing seem more difficult.
They will walk you through the visa process and accompany you to immigration you'd still have to go to the embassy yourself.Exclusive of visa fees: 14,000+ baht!

Don't know what they do for the 14,000

Go to embassy, get statement ($50)
go to immigration with passport,
copies of PP,and assorted pages
Photos,
Bank Book, ( if using combination method)
Statement from embassy and letter showing monies going into your bank account
apply for extension, what do they do??

**toddaniels** · 22-12-2012, 08:31 AM

Sunbelt Asia is certainly a big ball 'o wax and a cash cow for the owner too! They have "designated" Immigrations Officers they work with out at Chaengwattana. In other words, when you go with them you don't queue, you jump the queue to the Officer they use as soon as they're free.

Another selling point is; they send a Thai attorney with you. I find that quite strange; seeing as in the hundreds of times over the last three years I've shepherded people thru the process, I've never found it necessary to have an attorney present.

One other thing, just because Sunbelt tells you to have that documentation, and that it's in the "pile o' paper" you hand an Immigrations Officer, doesn't mean it's either required OR been requested by them. Those are two different animals, and because they keep it doesn't mean they need it.

I always have the people I shepherd thru who use the US Embassy letter make copies of their bank accounts, BUT I've never ever offered it out in the 'opening gambit" when handing in the papers to the Immigrations Officer when applying for a yearly extension of stay based on retirement. I haven't ever had them ask for the proof either.

Your mileage may vary, but those are my experiences.

I routinely send people to Sunbelt when I don't wanna fool with their dealy, and as I said, Sunbelt's a money makin' machine. Still I dunno how much of what they say is "gospel according to Thai Immigrations" and how much of it is Sunbelt's interpretation of the rules.

Interesting post though "Phuketrichard"...

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