Pension confirmation

[Mikeh]

Hi i receive a pension from UK and (1)want to get letter of confirmation to add to my bank balance as confirmation i have the required amount of funds for renewal of my 1 year retirement visa   (2)Do I have to go to the British consulate in Bangkok to get letter or is there another option.  At the moment the pension is being paid into my hong Kong bank. (3) Would it be advisable to transfer pension to My Thai bank.. My visa is up for renewal in April next year

[Somnat]

Thai bank account + Letter from British consulate to add up to 800K Bht.

No seasoning of money required.

Your pension can be paid into any account. Your letter from consulate is confirming your earnings only.

[Mikeh]

Thanks I am married to Thai so the limit is 400K.  I think Ill transfer pension to Thai bank.  I just want to free up some of my funds

[Somnat]

Mikeh. In your OP you mentioned "for renewal of my 1 year retirement visa"

Thus my figure of 800K Bht.

If your reason to remain in Thailand for a further 1 year is "Married to Thai National" then you are correct ... 400K Bht

Again, No seasoning of the moneies if using Consulate letter + Thai bank.

[Mikeh]

Thanks didnt mean to cause confusion  The only other thing is do I have to go to consulate in Bangkok to get letter. Can you clarify Seasoning   Sorry Im new to thois game but learning quickly   That its not what you know but who you Know

[Nobby]

Thanks didnt mean to cause confusion  The only other thing is do I have to go to consulate in Bangkok to get letter. Can you clarify Seasoning   Sorry Im new to thois game but learning quickly   That its not what you know but who you Know

Are you going to extend your visa because of 1)married to a Thai or 2) Retirement as different rules apply. If you are going down the 1) route you cannot use a combination of income AND money in Thai Bank. Its one or the other.

Also worth noting is UK Embassy can issue an Income letter by post and payment by C Card.   

[Somnat]

Seasoning of money in bank for further stay ... The requirement is two months for first application when only using money in your Thai bank account. Three months thereafter.

Using the combination method, No seasoning required ...... but have a look at this..... http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/599471-extension-of-stay-based-on-retirement-problem/    Not all immigration offices follow the rules.

I am assuming you are here on a Non-O Visa Mike?

[Somnat]

Thanks didnt mean to cause confusion  The only other thing is do I have to go to consulate in Bangkok to get letter. Can you clarify Seasoning   Sorry Im new to thois game but learning quickly   That its not what you know but who you Know

Are you going to extend your visa because of 1)married to a Thai or 2) Retirement as different rules apply. If you are going down the 1) route you cannot use a combination of income AND money in Thai Bank. Its one or the other.

Also worth noting is UK Embassy can issue an Income letter by post and payment by C Card.   

Is this a new rule Nobby ?

About 5 years ago I used that method without problem.

[Mikeh]

Yes I have A non O vIsa  The only reason I meantioned married because it means you have to have 400k as opposed to 800k if not married  Thanks to all very useful 

[Mikeh]

Further to my last My pension is approx 384K per year  So if I pay into Thai bank that should with existing bank balnce cover the money requirements Am i correct in this understanding of the "rules"   I say that because they seem to change or have different knowledge at different offices

[Somnat]

Yes I have A non O vIsa  The only reason I meantioned married because it means you have to have 400k as opposed to 800k if not married Thanks to all very useful 

Can be married and still get Retirement extension no problems.

[Somnat]

Further to my last My pension is approx 384K per year  So if I pay into Thai bank that should with existing bank balnce cover the money requirements Am i correct in this understanding of the "rules"   I say that because they seem to change or have different knowledge at different offices

Correct Mike, as long as the total amount of 400K Bht is in the bank for 2 months prior to your application.

Have heard reports of people dipping below the 400K bht and then topping back up to over 400K Bht being denied:(

[Mikeh]

Not questioning your knowledge but are you sure it is 2 months and not three because that clears my problem I can deposit said amount before my application in April

[Somnat]

Sometimes Mike, its my lack of knowledge that's dangerous

But this below explains the "offical" rule. Pretty sure it is the latest and most up to date order.


ORDER OF THE ROYAL THAI POLICE BUREAU No. 777/2551 Re: Criteria and Conditions for Consideration of an Alien’s Application for a Temporary Stay in the Kingdom of Thailand


Reasons of Necessity

2.18


(6) In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year.

The following year it is 3 months lead in time.

[Jamaw]

I just took proof of my earnings, a letter from contractors abroad, to the UK Embassy and they gave me a letter which confirmed this. I took this to Surin Immigration and renewed my retirement visa. I didn't show my bank book or get a letter from the bank.