What documents does Immigration require to renew a Retirement Visa with proof of Baht 800K?

Nov 29, 2018
6 years ago
David ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
A no doubt very silly question but I have to ask it. My previous visas have been handled by an agent. Now it's my turn!

My Retirement Visa is up for renewal on February 26th 2019. On November 23rd 2018, I deposited Baht 800K in my Bangkok Bank account. Ergo 3 months ahead of the date of renewal.

What exactly do Immigration want from me to prove that I have had Baht 800K in an account for 3 months prior to renewal? My bank book continuously updated, showing the date that the money went in and it remaining there? A statement / letter from the bank dated on the last day of each month prior to the date of actual application? Or what?

Please advise and many thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To renew a Retirement Visa, you need to present documents proving that Baht 800K has been maintained in your bank account for three months prior to renewal. It is advisable to obtain a letter from your bank detailing this information, printed on the bank's official letterhead. Ensure you bring your updated bank book with you to the immigration office. The letter is typically valid for only 7 days, so timing is crucial. Some immigration offices may also have specific requirements or need to see you have previously used an agent, which could influence the process.
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Marty *********
I recently got my 1 year extension in Bangkok. There are many bank branches at that immigration office. The immigration officer told me what she needed from the bank. The banks there know what letter you will need for immigration. They will update your bank book. I withdrew 1000 baht the day I was there before updating my bank book. This info is just for the Bangkok immigration office.
David ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marty ********
Thank you.
Tod *********
@David **************
, keep in mind depending on what immigration office you got your initial "Non-O visa and yearly extension" when you go to get a new yearly extension IF they see that you used an agent to get it the first time you might be "strong armed" into using one again. :/

Those are the perils of paying someone to "push paper" for you :O. The immigration office knows when they look at your file that you previously used an agent and I have seen offices refuse to process your new extension application if you didn't use an agent again.

I'd GO to your immigration office and get the hand out that lists the exact requirements and copies you need so that when you do go for your extension you can get it done in one trip.

Good Luck
David ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thank you and I use Chaeng Wattana.
Gregor **********
some bank clerks tend to know little about the exact requirement of this so called "letter of guarantee" . . I found the first three times with different clerks a bit difficult to explain whilst always been over the top friendly and not pushing. The letter needs to be on the bank's original letterhead (not being a copy!) So just in case nobody in your bank knows this "letter of guarantee" for Immigration always kindly ask for the manager. And it might be helpful if you got your Immigration's office telephone number at hand (however I never needed to go this far and I don't know anyone who did). Yet I trust all is well - in places with a good fluctuation of expats, there will be absolutely no problem with the bank letter
David ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thank you.
Gregor **********
from Siam Bank PLC there will be an addtional paper that lists all movements in the account for the recent three months, and they required this as proof, not the bankbook even if it shows the recent three months as well. I once asked them if copies of the bank book pages would suffice and they said, No ๐Ÿ˜ž
John *****
Tod *********
@John ****
that is a letter from a bank stating you have the 800K baht in the account.

It's really just a simple form letter, stating your name, passport number, account number, date you opened it and the balance as of the date they wrote the letter.

Most banks do it for 100baht but some charge 200baht. You need this letter copies of your bank book pages AND to update your bank book on the date you apply for your extension if you are using banked money.
John *****
@Tod ********
this is the 'letter of guarantee' as referred to by
@Gre***
Huettner above?

Because when I tried to get the letter from Kasikorn 2 years back a) they had no idea what I was asking for and then b) they created something and charged me for a letter that immigration refused to accept.

This was for my exemption based on being over 50.
Tod *********
FWIW: the bank letter looks like this
Gregor **********
oh, they do, outside near their office. Even in Sisaket Immigration, for the last 4 years they always asked me to do an ATM draw whenever I applied for the Extension of Stay based on Retirement
Mikkel *******
The vast majority of immigration offices don't have an atm in the building anyways
Mikkel *******
Gregor Huettner atm card is not needed.. why do you say this? Just have the bank letter that states the account is yours, and what amount was in it at the time of the letter being written, together with the bank book and copies of the last few months from that book. (
***
months depending on what kind of extension)..

Not all accounts have an atm card, and I have personally never heard of anyone anywhere having to use an atm card to prove a bank statement for immigration.
Gregor **********
take bankbook and ATM card along to Immigration, as they sometimes ask you to draw a small amount like 500 THB from an ATM outside their office, and show the receipt to the officer
David ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Paul *******
You need to get a letter from your bank - they will know what Immigration require. Note that the letter is only valid for 7 days. You need to take you bank record (pass book) (updated to the day that you visit Immigration) with you.
David ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
Thank you.
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