Proof of income for retirement or married to a Thai visa extension

[Chitown]

Right now, all I have to do is go down to the US Embassy and swear about what my income is on an affidavit. I then take it to Thai immigration to get my extension. I never have to show the US Embassy staff any proof as to how much I make as they take my word on it. I have heard that this proof of income for a retirement or married visa extension might be changed in the near future by the current Thai government.

Do you think that Thailand will move the goal posts on it?


What do expats from other countries have to do to prove how much income or pension they get?

[Ronin]

Right now, all I have to do is go down to the US Embassy and swear about what my income is on an affidavit. I then take it to Thai immigration to get my extension. I never have to show the US Embassy staff any proof as to how much I make as they take my word on it. I have heard that this proof of income for a retirement or married visa extension might be changed in the near future by the current Thai government.

Do you think that Thailand will move the goal posts on it?

Quite possible if they have reason to believe they are being taken for a ride (i.e. have evidence that some farangs don't have the income they claim).

What do expats from other countries have to do to prove how much income or pension they get?

[Charles]

Embassy letter for Brits requires documentary evidence of income. It used to be done by Hon Consulates, but the Foreign office centralised it all earlier this year and it now has to go by post to the Embassy. The fee for an embassy letter is Bt2520 and you pay Bt100 extra for them to return the letter by EMS.
You complete a declaration of income form from the website and send it with proof and a copy of your passport photo page. Takes 7-10 days.
sent mine last Thursday.

[Guest]

I really doubt they will be changing soon. Americans do get a tiny bit of preferential treatment. And I've noticed lately my nemesis Phuket Immigration has been much more cordial lately.
They used to be absolutely prissy cnuts, now they are quite pleasant to us seppo. I think the nasty Russian influx has something to do with it. Nobody seems to like the Russians.

[Texpat]

I expect to get a retirement visa early next year as I'm 50 now. On my last report, I wanted to clarify what documents are expected.

I was told by a new IO that 800k in the bank for more than three months AND proof of pension from the embassy was required. I know that's not the law.

The new IO further explained that the 800k in the bank MUST be deposited in roughly equal increments monthly -- a single lump deposit will not be honored. I chuckled a bit, said thanks, and made my exit.

This place is a fcuking circus.

Lewis Carroll

[CCBW]

Right now, all I have to do is go down to the US Embassy and swear about what my income is on an affidavit. I then take it to Thai immigration to get my extension. I never have to show the US Embassy staff any proof as to how much I make as they take my word on it. I have heard that this proof of income for a retirement or married visa extension might be changed in the near future by the current Thai government.

Do you think that Thailand will move the goal posts on it?


What do expats from other countries have to do to prove how much income or pension they get?

I have always used the process you noted. I do not see it changing anytime soon. No reason to change it.

[Guest]

^^That's pretty weird!

To my knowledge nothing's been changed. I got my retirement extension recently the same as always; with simply the income affidavit from the embassy.

[Charles]

^^That's pretty weird!

To my knowledge nothing's been changed. I got my retirement extension recently the same as always; with simply the income affidavit from the embassy.

I can see the sense in having a level playing field for all nationalities.

To get the Embassy letter as a Brit I have to provide proof of income to the Embassy.

US and Australia can tell any old story and get the same letter, which carries the same weight, with Thai Immigration.

This is not about jealousy but we still have to put up with morons who can't actually afford to live here. They make life difficult for all those who are here legally and cause untold damage to the national reputation of their home country by doing so.
It's like living next door to George W Bush when you know he's a complete nincompoop and a fraud.

[Guest]

I can see the sense in having a level playing field for all nationalities.

To get the Embassy letter as a Brit I have to provide proof of income to the Embassy.

US and Australia can tell any old story and get the same letter, which carries the same weight, with Thai Immigration.

This is not about jealousy but we still have to put up with morons who can't actually afford to live here. They make life difficult for all those who are here legally and cause untold damage to the national reputation of their home country by doing so.
It's like living next door to George W Bush when you know he's a complete nincompoop and a fraud.

Actually GWB is a Harvard MBA, and a jet fighter pilot. Not someone you can easily call a moron. Actually if you can easily call GWB a moron you aught be looking at yourself in the mirror.

[Mid]

Where did Charles call GWB a moron ?

complete nincompoop and a fraud.

but I fail to see where Charles called GWB a moron .

[Charles]

Actually GWB is a Harvard MBA, and a jet fighter pilot. Not someone you can easily call a moron. Actually if you can easily call GWB a moron you aught be looking at yourself in the mirror.

As his father probably bought both qualifications on his behalf, just like a British Peerage, it's quite easy to describe him as a moron.

George W Bush is a moron, and you are half the man he will ever be. No apologies from me if you find a blatant and self evident truth difficult to swallow.

[Guest]

As his father probably bought both qualifications on his behalf, just like a British Peerage, it's quite easy to describe him as a moron.

George W Bush is a moron, and you are half the man he will ever be. No apologies from me if you find a blatant and self evident truth difficult to swallow.

You have obviously never piloted an airplane nor have an MBA from Harvard.
That would make you deficient in your analysis.