Pattaya Immigration Experience - 13 May 2024 - For Annual Extension

[Pinetree]

12 hours ago, Liquorice said:

A 12-month statement has to be ordered from their HQ in advance, takes 5-7 days.
Branches can only print statements up to 6 months.

Almost all branches can order the statement, produce statements, and issue the letters.

Don't put up with it, change your bank.  SCB do it while you wait.  Why put up with such poor service? 

[Liquorice]

2 hours ago, Pinetree said:

Don't put up with it, change your bank.  SCB do it while you wait.  Why put up with such poor service? 

No, thanks.
Bangkok bank has other advantages over other banks.

Besides, I never require a 12-month statement.

Edited May 16 by Liquorice

[Khunmark]

17 hours ago, Liquorice said:

22 hours ago, Khunmark said:

 

Your 'agent' requested a 6-month statement.
Immigration orders make it quite clear it's only 2 months prior to the date of application based on funds.

So, you’re suggesting i disregard the instructions of my agent? I’ve been trying to point out to you the discrepancy between theory and practice. How is it that MrStretch gets a visit from immigration annually and I don’t and yet we are hold the same type of visa? That Thailand seem to apply ALL its law arbitrarily is should come as no surprise that immigration would be any different. As for the photos? They prove nothing.

 

Mind you I’m not complaining, because my agent takes care of all of this for me.

[Liquorice]

4 hours ago, Khunmark said:

So, you’re suggesting i disregard the instructions of my agent?

Suggest you maybe point your agent to Immigration Orders.

(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.

Regarding photos and visits, there is nothing in any order stating numbers. That is at the discretion of each IO whether to require 4 or 6 photos, or one initial visit or annual visits, but in each case this is satisfying another requirement of the Immigration order.
(3) In the case of spouse, the relationship must be de jure and de facto:

 

 

[Pinetree]

3 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Suggest you maybe point your agent to Immigration Orders.

(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.

Regarding photos and visits, there is nothing in any order stating numbers. That is at the discretion of each IO whether to require 4 or 6 photos, or one initial visit or annual visits, but in each case this is satisfying another requirement of the Immigration order.
(3) In the case of spouse, the relationship must be de jure and de facto:

If I had not had 12 months statements I would not have got my extension. End of. 

[MrStretch]

5 hours ago, Khunmark said:

So, you’re suggesting i disregard the instructions of my agent?

I'd be asking the agent, "Why, if immigration regulations say two months are you asking me for six?"  I've found "agents" to make up new "rules" for absolutely no reason at all, except maybe to convince their clients that they are in the know of something and the client couldn't possibly do without them.  Not only the domestic visa ones but the ones (often the same) that assist Thais in obtaining visas for other countries.

21 minutes ago, Pinetree said:

If I had not had 12 months statements I would not have got my extension. End of. 

In your OP you said you had the 12 months of statements but didn't explain why.  Who told you that you needed 12 months or you wouldn't have received your extension?  Surely, not an immigration officer.

[Pinetree]

26 minutes ago, MrStretch said:

I'd be asking the agent, "Why, if immigration regulations say two months are you asking me for six?"  I've found "agents" to make up new "rules" for absolutely no reason at all, except maybe to convince their clients that they are in the know of something and the client couldn't possibly do without them.  Not only the domestic visa ones but the ones (often the same) that assist Thais in obtaining visas for other countries.

In your OP you said you had the 12 months of statements but didn't explain why.  Who told you that you needed 12 months or you wouldn't have received your extension?  Surely, not an immigration officer.

Because I've got a brain and realised that I needed to prove that I had followed the rules for the 800K for the whole 12 months, 3 months after the last years extension at or above 800K and never below 400K.  Its hardly rocket science.  The extensive check of the statements by the IO showed what was expected and required. Anyone who tries to play a different game with the IOs is taking a big risk.  What agent's do is between them and their clients, but the regulations are as clear as day . I personally have always followed the 800K rules, even when I used an agent. Things have a nasty habit of suddenly turning around and biting you in the ass here if you decide to bypass the rules. 

[Liquorice]

3 hours ago, MrStretch said:

In your OP you said you had the 12 months of statements but didn't explain why.  Who told you that you needed 12 months or you wouldn't have received your extension?  Surely, not an immigration officer.

@Pinetree did state he applied for extension based on retirement, for which he is correct in that a 12-month statement is required.

@Khunmark then replied 'off topic' about his spouse visa permit, to which I have mainly been replying to.

[Liquorice]

11 hours ago, MrStretch said:

I'd be asking the agent, "Why, if immigration regulations say two months are you asking me for six?"  I've found "agents" to make up new "rules" for absolutely no reason at all, except maybe to convince their clients that they are in the know of something and the client couldn't possibly do without them.  Not only the domestic visa ones but the ones (often the same) that assist Thais in obtaining visas for other countries.

Having witnessed this first hand, I can concur with those sentiments.
For many of these agents, it's just all about "the money".

[Khunmark]

The advice we were given, and this is from an immigration official, was to open an account for specifically for proof of funds and have a secondary account for all financial transactions. A set and forget, which we have done.

[Pinetree]

1 hour ago, Khunmark said:

The advice we were given, and this is from an immigration official, was to open an account for specifically for proof of funds and have a secondary account for all financial transactions. A set and forget, which we have done.

I would say that is only necessary of you have some difficulty controlling your outgoings and money transfers.  I have no problem knowing exactly where my account is at any one time, so I have no need for two accounts. 

[MrStretch]

5 hours ago, Khunmark said:

The advice we were given, and this is from an immigration official, was to open an account for specifically for proof of funds and have a secondary account for all financial transactions. A set and forget, which we have done.

That's always been my policy.  I did a significant tap on the account this year, because we just bought a new house and had money locked up in CDs that won't mature until July.

But that's always been our policy.  Have a "visa" account and don't touch it.

[bushav8r]

On 5/14/2024 at 12:59 AM, Pinetree said:

I normally use an agent for my annual Retirement  extension, but she is now insisting on me obtaining all the required bank stuff in advance.  I concluded that if I'm doing that, I may as well save her fee and do it all myself, for the first time in 6 years. Here are my observations, which may inform others. 

I stated at home by downloading the TM7 and photocopying every page in my passport that had anything on it.  First thing, well 11am, I went to the bank. They were excellent, SCB in Big C South.  I updated the passbook, got the letter and 12 months statements.  All done in 15 minutes for 400 Baht.  I then went to immigration, at around 1230,  That I think was a mistake.  If I had waited until around 230 pm the numbers waiting would have been greatly reduced. The new aircon buildings are a great improvement and the new pre checking procedure in the outside building cleaned out a lot of confused Russians who don't understand the system and who like to try to jump the queue. The IOs were having none of it. They did a quick check of my paperwork, gave me a ticket and passed me into the main building. I waited around 15 minutes to be called to desk 8,  where the IO did a very good job of going through every bit of paperwork.  He especially concentrated on the 12 month bank statements and passbook, making sure that I met the 2 and 3 month rules, which I did. I was obtaining the extension 3 weeks in advance of the due date, so I made sure that the 800K was in there an extra month early to account for this.  He did comment on that, saying good move.  I tend to let the account float a bit after the 3 month point and he warned me to beware of dropping that too early or not topping up before the 2 month point. I assured him that I was very mindful of the rules. I then received a ticket to collect my passport 24 hours later.  The whole process, including waiting time came to one hour and 30 minutes. overall time, including the bank and a coffee in S and P meant that I had left home in Sattahip at 10am and I was back home by 230pm. 

Overall, its a very clear and efficient service there now and a little more customer friendly, with aircon and free water.  I will probably now continue to do my own extensions in future and save the agent fee.  I hope thats of interest to some other Members. 

Very similar experience in Bangkok recently.  Several banks are located at Thai Immigration there so it is easy to get the required documents.  I only got a 3 month statement though.  A new addition was a special desk where they pre-screen your documents before going to see an immigration officer.  They decided I needed to have photocopies of all the pages in my bankbook which they kindly did for me.  They were actually very helpful this time around and made the process go very smoothly.