Answered7 years ago

What are the steps for getting a retirement extension in Thailand, specifically using bank transfers for income verification?

Retirement Visa Long Stay Visa Thailand Immigration Banking in Thailand Visa Extension Process Foreign Telegraphic Transfers

Edwin *********

asked Aug 1, 2019

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Hello folks, here's a description of what took place this week as I accompanied my friend on the Retirement Extension Adventure.  US Citizen applying for 5th consecutive retirement extension in Jomtien DUE first week of August.   Previously used US Embassy Notarized "Letter of Income" but after hearing in Oct 2018 about the "possible" change, he opened up an account in Pattaya's Bangkok Bank Branch Big C Extra. When US Embassy officially announced no more letter, he began using Transferwise in Jan 2019 to transfer 67,000 baht per month from US Bank to Bangkok Bank.  Deposits showed up as Foreign Telegraphic Transfer Jan - Jun.  The July deposit showed up as SMT.  NO idea what that term stands for.  More on this later.  Went to Bangkok Bank Branch told them needed 7 months details and letter from Bank for Immigration Purposes. Bank says if you want today they can only give letter/details for last 6 months.  If you want longer than 6 months it will take 5 business days. Friends decides 6 is enough.  Go bak in 3 hours, pick up what he thought was needed and off to immigration.  NO JOY!  Jomtien says Bank letter and details no correct BUT gives copy of what bank should provide.  Back to Bank, a bit of a mildly confrontational discussion, but no raising voices or scowls.  Seemed bank Service Personnel weren't keen on being shown or confronted that they were wrong with the initial letter they provided.  In any case, they fixed it all up correctly and another 200 baht.  Back to Jomtien, copies of everything including front page details and last page details of bank book.  Jomtien agent reviews and says they understand US people having difficulty meeting 12 month requirement this year so not necessary.  BUT, he told my friend he must have 12 months deposits next year in ONE Bank account.  All ended well and he retrieved his passport today with the new 1 year retirement extension.  He's a happy camper.  PS:  He is still unclear on international transfers.  Option he's heard was having to go to Banks Main Office (Not a branch) to get correct information in passbook and letter for immigration next year.  Remains a mystery.

Answer summary

The post describes the journey of a US citizen applying for their fifth retirement extension in Jomtien, Thailand. It details the process of obtaining the necessary bank documentation to prove monthly income via international transfers, specifically mentioning issues encountered with Bangkok Bank regarding the correct type of letter needed for immigration purposes. After initial setbacks and discussions with bank staff, the correct documentation was obtained, allowing for a successful visa extension despite not meeting the standard 12-month requirement this year. Comments provide additional insights into banking terms and suggest how to handle potential future issues with transfers.

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Marty *********

Since he has a deposit that is SMT he might want to figure out how to get the bank to trace and document it as an international transfer. It is probably going to happen again sometime in the next year and it would be good to know how to deal with it.

7 years ago

Peter ********

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35/thb-transfers#FET ... this is what needs to be done when needing to trace transferwise transfers that show as local

7 years ago

Mikkel *******

Not only did he get leniency over not having 12 months of transfers. As I understand your post his last transfer, in July, was not even registered as an international transfer? I think the SMT means smart transfer, and is a domestic transfer. Did he have to get any further proof of that specific transfer, did the bank mark it as international in their letter despite of it being registered as domestic or did the IO just accept it as it was?

7 years ago

Edwin *********

We talked about same thing. Unsure if wire transfer shows up at Foreign Transfer or not. Looks like main banks have swiftcode but when customer access account at branch, monies show up as interbank. Maybe someone in BKK could visit Banks main branch and get guidance or clarification. Would be nice if Embassy would take that onboard as a mission but that's highly unlikely.

7 years ago

Mikkel *******

Interesting.. Lots of people complaining about issues due to this using transferwise.. Good for him though!

7 years ago

Edwin *********

I think the bank listed it as SMT, not sure, but it was accepted.

7 years ago

Tod *********

Well at least it worked AND they granted leniency meaning he didn't have a full 12 months and still got it so congrats

Just a question is there any way to get a redacted copy of that letter he got from the bank showing the monthly transfers is there?

Its that we can't find any examples and the one example we do have when someone showed it to the Bangkok bank head office and they said there is no such letter.

If you can't it's okay but it'd sure help a LOT of people using monthly income if we could see the actual format of that letter.

Again, congrats to your friend, and THANX for the update. (y)

7 years ago

Edwin *********

It is not his letter. It was a sample letter.

7 years ago

Thomas ********************

I think in principle, he should do his own redaction before sending it anywhere :)

7 years ago

Edwin *********

He says OK, as long as redact/cover up identifying into. Will bring to me tomorrow. Hope it helps.

7 years ago

Edwin *********

That by far was his biggest hurdle. Let me see what can dig up and call him and see if he still has example then take a picture & send to you. Or would you rather I send it to you via FB Messenger so you can review etc and post where you think appropriate?

7 years ago