Visas

[secosteve]

Attended the I Mobile immigration office today for my 90 days and had an interesting chat with the officer there about Retirement and Marriage visas, he was a pleasant chap with a good command of English.

 As most of us know from January 1st, 2019 many Embassy letters will not be accepted as proof of income, so I enquired what will be acceptable. He told me that proof of monthly income will not be accepted and that they are going to require the required amounts, according to what visa you apply for, in a Thai bank account. In respect of retirement the amount of 800,000 baht must be in the account for at least 90 days prior to application and for the marriage visa 400,000 baht for at least 60 days. He told me the reason for this is that the government want expats money to be circulated by the banks into the Thai economy, he did state however that discussions are still ongoing and this could change. He mentioned that recently someone applied for a visa with the required money only being in the account for one day and that after a call to his boss the visa was approved at a cost of 7,000 baht.

There may be others that have received different of similar information but it would be interesting to hear what you have heard or have been told.

[Freddy]

Good Info, thank you. Fortunately I maintain the 800k in the bank for my retirement extension but can see this being a big problem for those that don't.
If the information regarding money in the bank for 1 day at the cost of 7,000 is correct then if anything this is likely to increase business for the visa agents. Also the payment to immigration at 7k a pop will amount to a tidy sum very quickly. I wonder if receipts are given?

[DeputyDavid]

Is it that no letter will be accepted after January first or will letter obtained before then but presented prior to 6 months validity still be accepted?

[secosteve]

Deputy David, not too sure, I know the British Embassy will accept applications for income letters up to the 12th, December but as for Immigration, who knows. If you have a letter maybe worth a try but don't be surprised if the cost of the visa goes up considerably. We need someone to ask the questions I asked at the main Immigration Office just to make are they are all singing from the same hymn sheet.

[Starman]

Various embassies are to stop issuing letters on various date. If you apply for a letter prior to the last date it will be issued. These letters are valid for 6 months and will be accepted by immigration up to that time, ie. 6 months from date of issue.