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Will Bangkok immigration accept an income verification letter from the French embassy for a Visa O retirement extension?

Thailand Visa O Retirement Visa Income Verification Thai Immigration Visa Extension Procedures French Embassy Processes

Apr 8, 2025

5 days ago

Faith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, I am a French passport holder and will be returning to Thailand with a Visa O over 50 retirement visa at the end of May. I understand that the French embassy provides an income verification letter. However, when I present this income verification document to Bangkok immigration when requesting the one year extension, can the immigration officer choose not to accept it? (I understand that everything about our lives in Thailand is at the discretion of Thai immigration and I also am aware that I can transfer 800,000 baht into a Thai bank account and present this as financial proof instead.) I am asking for clarification from anyone who has used the income verification method and if it is feasible or risky option. Thank you.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user inquired about the acceptance of an income verification letter from the French embassy for a one-year extension of their Visa O retirement visa in Thailand. They noted that while the embassy provides such letters, there is uncertainty about whether Thai immigration will accept it without additional documentation, such as proof of income or a legalization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Comments from other users suggested that while the letter might be accepted, it's prudent to also have proof of income ready, as immigration officers have discretion in these matters.

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Jan ******************

Some immigrations require a legalization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for your first affidavit letter. You normally also have to show the original documentation you provided to your embassy.

5 days ago

Faith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

thank you

5 days ago

Reply to

Faith *********

James ********

If your Embassy of France in Bangkok provides a letter to Thai Immigration verifying your Annual income, it's likely to be accepted by the Thai Immigration office.

Suggest you also have with you the proof of your annual income, if ASKED for it by the Thai Immigration Officer.

5 days ago

Faith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

thank you

5 days ago

Reply to

Faith *********

John **********

As your embassy doesn't authenticate your income, they are only authenticating your signature, I doubt that there's any guarantee they will accept it. If they do they may also ask to see proof.

5 days ago

Jan ******************

@John *********

At least at the Norwegian embassy in Bangkok you’ll have to provide your complete tax settlement from last year or annual statement from your pension provider and proving your income to get a affidavit letter. I’ve never heard of any problems regarding this as it’s used by people staying in Thailand for decades, but as mentioned some immigrations might require a legalization for your first affidavit and you also have to show the original document provided to your embassy.

5 days ago

John **********

@Jan *****************

so does the Norwegian embassy authenticate the income or just that you have signed to say its true (even though you have to show tax returns etc)? The reason that many embassies have stopped providing income certificates in the last few years is that Thailand were insisting they authenticate the income

5 days ago

Jan ******************

@John *********

This is what you have to provide to get a affidavit letter from the embassy and you see it’s called a "check list for income confirmation". (NAV is the general pension provider in Norway). They verify and specify your income as it’s reported to the Norwegian authorities. Never heard of any affidavit letters turned down by the immigration, and as I understand it’s considered as a guarantee of income as some immigration officers have referred to it (according to a Norwegian/thai newspaper) and its the only document they accept even though they do also a control of the original documents.

5 days ago

John **********

@Jan *****************

thanks. That reads like they are authenticating your income rather than your signature, albeit on the documents you provide. What does the affidavit letter say?

5 days ago

Jan ******************

@John *********

Never done it myself, just seen it (couldn’t find it now), but they confirm both your personal information and your income reported to the Norwegian authorities in gross income before taxation.

5 days ago

Reply to

Jan ******************

Faith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

thank you

5 days ago

Reply to

Faith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********