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Why does the Immigration Office in Saraburi require a bank account for a Non-Immigrant O Visa extension based on retirement?
Non-Immigrant O VisaVisa ExtensionThai Immigration RulesBank Account RequirementsIncome AffidavitSaraburi Immigration OfficeExpat Financial Guidelines
Sep 25, 2025
7 months ago
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTERWent to my local Immigration Office in Saraburi today to ask about all handouts for my 1 year extension of stay of my Non-Immigrant O Visa based on being over 50 years old (retirement).
This is what the officer gave me but also told me to open a bank account despite that I said (and girlfriend) I will use an income letter from my Embassy to guarantee my income, my Swedish Embassy still offer this service.
Trying to figure out why she wanted me to present an bank account, is this common at other offices when using Embassy letter?
I will of course do as I'm told, bring my girlfriend to her bank and ask about all the paperwork, as I understand it should not be a problem to open an account since I'm on a long term visa/extension.
Wish me luck, thanks!
This is what the officer gave me but also told me to open a bank account despite that I said (and girlfriend) I will use an income letter from my Embassy to guarantee my income, my Swedish Embassy still offer this service.
Trying to figure out why she wanted me to present an bank account, is this common at other offices when using Embassy letter?
I will of course do as I'm told, bring my girlfriend to her bank and ask about all the paperwork, as I understand it should not be a problem to open an account since I'm on a long term visa/extension.
Wish me luck, thanks!
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user visited the Saraburi Immigration Office to inquire about extending their Non-Immigrant O Visa based on retirement, only to be advised to open a Thai bank account despite having an income letter from their embassy as proof of funds. This led to confusion about whether this was a standard requirement. Comments from the community suggest that while some immigration offices may request bank documents even if you have an embassy-issued income affidavit, this appears to depend on the specific office and its internal policies. The conversation highlights varying immigration practices and the importance of complying with local requirements to ensure a smooth application process.
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Robert *****
The income letter isn't much good without corresponding proof of minimum monthly deposits to a Thai bank account.
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ****
But there is a choice from Immigration to use an income letter from Embassy when applying for 1 year extension, if that choice exists why should I also need to proof monthly deposits to a Thai bank account, doesn't make sense at all?Robert *****
@Mikael *********
lots of Thai immigration things don't make sense. I always wonder why I can't just deposit all 12 months lump sum in January But I assure you the requirement is proof of 12 continuous months of income greater than 65,000 baht deposited to a Thai bank account, or a balance of 800K for 3 months prior and 3 months post the visa renewal date. .Reply to
Robert *****
Reply
Rod *********
Saraburi is ok if you supply all correct documents or you will be going back and fourth until you have all they want.
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rod ********
You fix what they want, yes that can mean several visits but, hey, sabai sabai!Rod *********
@Mikael *********
yes several visits sometimes luck only 10 minutes from my homeSteve ********
@Mikael *********
Thank goodness for Chaengwatthana! They've been extremely consistent over the years and I've always got everything wrapped on the same day!Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Jan ******************
Formally, according to the regulations, a bankbook should not be required when you can present an income confirmation from the embassy. This is also stated in the handout you received from your immigration office. It is an “OR” rule. Nevertheless, we know that the immigration offices interpret and apply the regulations in their own way. You will not have problems opening a bank account on an extension of stay, and it is probably an advantage to simply prepare for this as well. We will lose the income confirmation from the Norwegian embassy in May next year, and as I understand it, it is likely that changes will eventually also be introduced at the Swedish embassy.
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
Yes I read about the Norwegian Embassy, cross my fingers it will take a few years until my Embassy close this service, many countries do so, don't know why though?Steve ********
@Mikael *********
Because the embassy is actually making a false declaration. They're certifying something which they have not verified. That's why the others stopped, because they sought legal advice and were told what they are doing is unlawful and leads the signatory open to court actionMikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *******
Exactly what do you mean by that? I send to my Embassy my latest income declaration that shows my monthly income is above 65 000 baht a month, that is what's required when using that method.John **********
@Mikael *********
I assume you also include tax returns or other proof of income, not just the declaration itself. The majority of the embassies that have stopped doing were just accepting a declaration without any proof so were encountering problemsMikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
We do an income declaration one time per year, in that it shows how much income and how much tax we payed on all our incomes during 1 year.John **********
@Mikael *********
I was trying to ask how you prove that to the embassyJan ******************
@Steve *******
I believe there may have been variations between embassies regarding the basis on which they actually confirmed income, with some confirming income on far too weak a foundation. I also know that some immigration offices have refused to accept confirmations from certain countries for this reason. However, this is not the reason why the Norwegian embassy has chosen to stop issuing income confirmations; it is solely a matter of prioritizing the foreign service’s general worldwide operations, and it is politically directed from Norway. The Norwegian embassy only accepts your most recent tax assessment submitted to the Norwegian tax authorities, or the latest annual statement from your pension provider. They will not accept any income you simply declare yourself, and really, what more than documentation of the income you have actually paid tax on in your home country can reasonably be required as proof?Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
Jan ******************
@Mikael *********
For our part, this represents a change in what the embassy considers to be its primary responsibilities, as documentation of finances is essentially a matter between the individual and Thai immigration. For most people already living in Thailand, it is straightforward to document twelve monthly transfers to their Thai bank, provided that they meet the income requirement each month. It is a bit more difficult during the first year of relocation, when one must document the entire first year with a lump sum in a bank account.Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
To be honest, yes I will open a bank account but my trust in the Thai bank system these days are down to zero.Jan ******************
@Mikael *********
I see it a bit differently. I live in Norway and have at times kept significant amounts in a Thai bank account over the past twelve years. I still have not had any problems. But for many years, it has been far too easy to open a bank account in Thailand. In what other country could you open a bank account during just a 14-day holiday? Now the banking system has been abused by large groups involved in organized fraud and money laundering. It is really about time that a proper cleanup takes place. Of course, one can argue that things could have been handled differently and that better information could have been provided, but if you are on a long-term stay in Thailand and have everything in order regarding your finances, I also believe there is little reason for concern. No legal funds will disappear from your account.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
John **********
@Jan *****************
I read it as the OR applying to the bank certificate.Jan ******************
@John *********
I actually agree that in this overview it can be understood that way; in any case, it becomes inconsistent when it states bank certificate or income certificate. In the more comprehensive regulations from Bangkok, however, it is made clearer that an income confirmation is an independent alternative for documenting the required income for subsistence.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
John **********
I don't know why they would want to see your bank book. I can only imagine that it's to show you are spending your income inside Thailand
Steve ********
@John *********
CW always requests bankbook, with updated balance on the date of appointment. A bank book doesn't tell you where you are spending money, and there's no requirement to spend it in Thailand anywayJohn **********
@Steve *******
yep I understand that, but with an income certificate there is no requirement to have a Thai bank account at all. My reference to spending was really with regards the request that if the bank book doesn't show everything they want a 12 month bank statement, I can only assume that's because they want to see all the transactionsSteve ********
@John *********
Some bank branches still give the 12-month statement listing just the international transfers, so no, they are not interested in other transactions, only in the 12 monthly 65k transfers. Some people don't update their bank books frequently, so sometimes individual transfers are missed,hence the 12 month statementJohn **********
@Steve *******
I understand the purpose of the 12 months statement but don't understand why its necessary if your income is verified by your embassy. I understand why they might ask to see the proof submitted to the embassy but this just seems oddSteve ********
@John *********
It's a breakdown in Google translator. It's "either - or". If you have an embassy affidavit you don't need the bank statementJohn **********
@Steve *******
but that's not what the immigration officer told himSteve ********
@John *********
I don't know what the immigration officer said. Were you there?John **********
@Steve *******
it's what he claimed was saidMikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
That is was Immigration officer said, why would I lie about that? She told me and my girlfriend I also need to open a bank account, I did not start arguing with her just told her I will use my Embassy for the economical requirements.Steve ********
@Mikael *********
You don't need a bank account for immigration purposes unless the immigration officer is aware that your ability to use an income affidavit is coming to an end, and is preparing you for the next extension in a year's time?Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *******
Okay that sounds logical, we tried to explain to her that I will use an income affidavit but she kept insisting I need to show I have a bank account, who am I to argue with an Immigration officer.Steve ********
@John *********
Exactly. Breakdown in translationReply to
Steve ********
Reply
Greg ***********
@John *********
some Immigrations have started to ask for the SOURCE of the income. I think in the future you will need to be a "real" pensioner when you start out of a Non-Imm-O Visa. In Germany and Austria it is already requested. If you are not receiving a pension but other income, or even if you can deposit 800,000 THB, if you are not a "real" pensioner, yet, the Thai embassy will direct you to apply for the Non-O/A LONGSTAY visa insteadEkkehard *******
@Greg **********
So this is a new regulation concerning pensioners in Germany?Greg ***********
@Ekkehard ******
it is in the stage of development, I know at least one guy over 50 whose application to the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa was rejected by the Munich consulate because he wasn't a pensioner, yetReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Nongnuch ********
it says "or" . . . . . . it says (12-months) bank account statements OR income affidavit. It seems some Immigration officers are partially illiterate. Well it is how it is . . . .the bank account is need for those whose embassies are not issuing any more income affidavits. All others whose embassies still issue it, should not be forced to show any bank statements. . . . . when in Thailand, just don't try to search for any logic . . there is little logic. Logic is too complicated for many Thai minds
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
Exactly, well I have all the time in the world to get them what they want, logical or not, this is Thailand!Reply to
Mikael **********
Reply
Ned *******
At my immigration office ( Prachinburi )
To open a bank account I had to obtain an authorisation letter from immigration to take to the bank.
Upon applying for the yearly extension, I too, had to receive a proof of income certificate from my embassy....( Prachinburi IO instructed me that I had to have this income certificate, corroborated and stamped at The Thai consulate....🙈🙈)
I also had to show proof of 65,000 Thb being deposited monthly into my Thai bank account,
an up to date, bank book, showing current balance,
and....a confirmation letter confirming the deposits from my bank. ( dated the same day as my application )
They also required photos of the house where I am living ....inside and out
As well as a diagram showing the locality and positioning of the house
and the required passport size photo ..........
Just my experience.....🙈🙈🙈
To open a bank account I had to obtain an authorisation letter from immigration to take to the bank.
Upon applying for the yearly extension, I too, had to receive a proof of income certificate from my embassy....( Prachinburi IO instructed me that I had to have this income certificate, corroborated and stamped at The Thai consulate....🙈🙈)
I also had to show proof of 65,000 Thb being deposited monthly into my Thai bank account,
an up to date, bank book, showing current balance,
and....a confirmation letter confirming the deposits from my bank. ( dated the same day as my application )
They also required photos of the house where I am living ....inside and out
As well as a diagram showing the locality and positioning of the house
and the required passport size photo ..........
Just my experience.....🙈🙈🙈
John **********
@Ned ******
you're in a different situation as your embassy won't provide an income certificate so you use 65k baht per month transfer option. They were looking for confirmation of where they 65k came from. It's not unusualNed *******
@John *********
.. incorrect ...my Embassy surely does ....but that was far from enough ( as I stated ) for the immigration at Prachinburi....🙈🙈John **********
@Ned ******
what passport are you living in Thailand on?Reply to
John **********
Reply
Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ned ******
My God, that was a lot!Ned *******
@Mikael *********
... Yep ...I thought ( obviously wrongly ) that the income certificate from my Embassy would suffice .....ohhh no ....You are best checking with your the immigration dept in your province ...for their requirements...👍
Reply to
Ned *******
Reply
Shane *********
Good luck 🤞
Stephan ***********
They want to see that you (in theory) can transfer the money to an account here in your name... even if it's not officially a requirement. But hey... you know where we are... different office, different rules... and at the end of the day you have to do what they say if you want your stamp... sadly...
Johnie *********
@Stephan **********
I've been saying this for 3 years. Others keep telling me you don't have to have income or the letter as long as you have 800k in a Thai bank. I finally give up. But I do tell them not to move to Samut Prakan Province. They are sticklers and do require both.Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephan **********
Okay, I understand, yes I know to expect...well, anything when it comes to paperwork, just smile and give them what they want!Reply to
Mikael **********
Reply
Paul *******
Just so you understand. You will not be renewing your visa because a visa cannot be renewed and expires when it reaches its end date. You will be applying for an Extension of Stay based on being over 50.
Nongnuch ********
@Paul ******
not even you are correct. You are right that the visa cannot get extended or renewed, but you fail to explain what actually happens to a single entry 90-days visa when you enter Thailand on it. . . Let me teach you: The visa will become invalid ("USED") on the day you enter. You will be in Thailand on a 90-days stay permit. Only this stay permit can be extended or "renewed"Mikael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
That is what I wrote, maybe I was unclear, English is not my first language, sorry.Now edited, hopefully better!
Paul *******
@Mikael *********
Have a good day.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
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