What recent changes affect Norwegian income verification letters for expats in Thailand?

Question

FYI for anyone from Norway:

In one year, the Norwegian embassy will stop providing income verification letters.  This article was posted on ASN:

"The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the phase-out plan in response to a parliamentary inquiry. Minister Espen Barth Eide confirmed the service cut, explaining that it is not a legally mandated duty. The embassy will discontinue the letters in a year, providing time for adaptation.

Thai immigration practices have shifted, previously accepting foreign embassy letters, now requiring verification through Thai bank accounts. Thai authorities favour either a balance of 800,000 THB or monthly deposits of at least 65,000 THB. Many countries, including the UK, USA, and Australia, have already stopped offering similar services.

The Norwegian Ministry advises citizens to consult the Thai Immigration Bureau and Thai Embassy websites for accurate guidance.

The decision aligns with a broader international trend. Norwegian retirees in Thailand must prepare for direct compliance with Thai financial requirements going forward.

The recent government white paper further clarifies these consular changes. It confirms Norway's alignment with other Western countries' consular practices in Thailand. This shift signifies a new norm for the verification of income for Thai visas."

Ask Thailand · Answer

The Norwegian embassy will cease providing income verification letters for its citizens seeking Thai visas, with a phase-out period of one year. This decision reflects a trend among several Western embassies and aims to align with Thai immigration practices, which now favor financial proof through Thai bank accounts—either maintaining a balance of 800,000 THB or showing monthly deposits of 65,000 THB. The embassy advises citizens to consult Thai immigration sources for guidance on financial compliance moving forward.

Andrew ******* · Answer

If you consider that Thailand is looking to tax any foreign income, which would include the income for a visa, meaning you would need to bring in more to account for the tax amount it does begin to make the 800k lump sum more appealing because if you can show it's 'old' money from savings it's not taxed, which would mean you could in theory and depending on lifestyle being over much less to live on each month, which would potentially mean paying lower tax because of a lower tax bracket, so you could say the embassy is trying to save you money....

Dca ***** · Answer

Norway Parliament Written Questions

> [url redacted]

Dca ***** · Answer

Norwegian Embassy in Bangkok Facebook Post

> [url redacted]

Marianne ******** · Answer

I made a write-up in Norwegian about the requirements and how to obtain these.

It will be kept up to date and relevant, and I will amend any errors that are pointed out to me.

If it is not ok to link it, feel free to delete this comment.

[url redacted]

Tore ******** · Answer

Yes, we have heard that, and we are not happy with that decision. We are so few and don’t understand that this is a problem for our embassy 🙄

What recent changes affect Norwegian income verification letters for expats in Thailand?

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