What bank documents are required for extending an O-A visa using the 65k baht/month method in Thailand?

Dec 16, 2020
4 years ago
Clifford ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is some bank letter required when using the 65k baht/mo method when extending an O-A visa? I will be extending for the first time early next week. I will have bankbook info showing deposits plus copies of transfers from Transferwise website. Is there still some letter needed from the bank? I understand the need for one if using the 800k method but I am not. So what would be the intent of the letter? Would it be only current official proof that the account still exists? I just want to make sure what the bank gives me is what is needed. Last week I was in the bank and overheard a foreigner tell a bank teller that immigration told him the letter they gave him was the wrong one. I don't know any other details about his case. It just left me wanting to make sure I get what I need for my case. Thanks!!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When extending an O-A visa in Thailand using the 65k baht per month method, you will need two bank letters: one standard bank letter confirming your account details and balance, and another showing international transfers or a complete set of transactions for the past 12 months. It is also advised to have your bank book updated and to consider making a small transaction prior to applying, as immigration offices may have differing requirements.
Tod *********
I think we're done &
@Clif****
has his answers. If he has more questions or wants the thread opened he can message a mod/admin

Good Luck
Marty *********
In addition to the bank letter and statement you should make a small transaction and update your bank book the day you apply. Also your bank letter should be less than a week old when you apply.
Barry ***********
@Marty ********
really not necessary I never made a small transaction
Marty *********
@Barry **********
In BKK Immigration wants to see a same day transaction. It is one of those things that costs nothing. Why not be prepared if OP doesn’t know.
Barry ***********
@Marty ********
Here in Rayong it is not necessary. The immigration in Rayong is very good follows the law
Tod *********
@Ba***
&
@Ma***
just so you both know

different banks have different policies on whether IF you put your passbook in will it update in the machine. SOME require a transaction to do an update, OTHERS (Like bangkok bank) will automatically print the balance on the date you update the passbook without needing a transaction.
Marty *********
@Barry **********
The problem, as usual, is that the OP did not state what Immigration office they are using. They then get a lot of conflicting advice. My point is that as you get this varied advice to go to Immigration over prepared if it costs you little or nothing. Take notes after you have done it the first time.

No one ever complains because they brought too much documentation.
Christine *****
There were two letters which I had to pay (100 baht each) from the bank. Certificate from bank, bank account records and copy of updated bank book. I had all my documents and was in and out of immigration within half an hour
Christine *****
Barry ***********
You will need your Bank book updated every month for the last 12 months showing an international transfer to your account. Then a letter from the bank showing your balance. since you have an O-A visa you will need health insurance
Clifford ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Barry **********
Thanks. Yep, got that covered. My insurance renewal is underway and I'll get my Covid and O-A certs from the company shortly.
James ********
@Clifford *******
when extending the OA inside Thailand there is no COVID coverage statement required...

Only that the OA policy meets the OA insurance requirements. And must be issued by an approved Thai insurer listed on the website.

******************************************
Clifford ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
Thanks! Insurance company providing regardless so I will have it.
Tod *********
The standard bank letter looks like this
Tod *********
you will actually need TWO letters from the bank. One is the "standard bank letter" (the one that people who use banked money method get listing the account, your name, the balance on the date the letter was written) AND then one that lists the international transfers for a the previous 12 months OR a print out of all the transactions during the year (for the banks that can't/won't print only international incoming transfers).
Tod *********
keep in mind MANY banks tell people that it takes 5 working days to get the print out of the yearly transactions (because they only buffer 67 months at a time at the branch).
Clifford ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Hmm, here is hoping that the statement I requested last week will suffice. There was no discussion about international transfers. The statement was requested as I had no clue that I needed to go maybe monthly to update bankbook. You only get the most recent 2 months of updates when you stick book in machine. I foolishly thought it would give me everything since my last book update in Feb. Oops, wrong. So I paid for and requested a statement for all activity since I opened the account last Feb.
John **********
@Clifford *******
by last Feb do you mean Feb 2019 or Feb 2020?
Clifford ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I'm going to guess why you asked which Feb. I arrived Feb 2020 on my first O-A. That is when I opened my bank acct. I mistakenly did not do any updates until recently. I learned the errors of my ways when I did not get all activity since opening back in Feb. And you may or may not be confused as to why I'm renewing already. In case you are, my insurance was acquired Dec 2019 and expires next week Dec 22. But I did not come to Thailand until Feb 2020. Immigration checked the insurance database and set my visa to expire along with the current insurance. So in round numbers I only got 10 months out of my first visa as opposed to the full 12. I've been told I could have had the insurance company "adjust" the date in the immigration database but that lesson came after the fact. But now this year and going forward I can have insurance and visa expiration dates in sync.
John **********
@Clifford *******
I asked as it looked like you may not have 12 months worth of transfers which is generally what's required to use the income method for extensions. Fingers crossed that you get a friendly immigration officer and they accept 10 months of transfers.
Clifford ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Ah, gotcha. Well, I can only give them what I can give them. And that was limited more or less by immigration. Can't see any options available at this point even if they don't like it. I'll just make sure I am friendly and cordial even if I have to escalate to an officer's superior.
Tod *********
@Clifford *******
there's a good chance that will work (seeing as it's all the transactions) AND now you know, GO update your bank book at least once a month and then you won't need the yearly statement because it'll show ALL the transaction history not just a "money in - money out" summary
Peter *******
@Tod ********
Hua Hin Immigration want a yearly Bank Statement in addition to Bank book even if the book is updated.
Clifford ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Yes, learning from my rookie mistakes. ;-)
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