I just copied the following from the Pattaya Mail (bold emphasis is mine).

Immigration announces new requirements for retirement visas

Reporter - Sawittree Namwiwatsuk

The Immigration authorities have issued new requirements for foreigners wishing to apply for a retirement visa, including the need to have an ATM card and a credit card.
Pol Lt. Samruay Saman, deputy inspector at Pattaya Immigration announced the new rules on November 12.

Pol. Lt. Samruay Saman, deputy inspector at Pattaya Immigration
Applicants using visa application form TM 7 have to enclose their passport, a 4 x 6 cm photograph, 1,900 baht fee, proof of income (certificate of bank deposit and bank book savings account, or a fixed account for at least the last three months), and proof of an appropriate amount of money from abroad through the bank in a certain period of time, such as a certificate of transfer from abroad or copy of a banking transfer order.
In the event of having any dependents such as a husband, a wife or children, then the relationship certificate approval with Thai translation certified by the embassy or consulate must be presented.
The authorities reserve the right to ask for any additional necessary documents in the event of requiring a copy of an ATM and credit card statement, a bank statement, a bank book, and a certificate of pension from the embassy in the event the source of such an amount cannot be checked.
Regulations for taking into consideration a foreign applicant’s extension for staying in Thailand require that the foreigner be more than 50 years old, and not forbidden to enter into the kingdom. The foreigner must have financial proof of a deposited amount of no less than 800,000 baht, or a monthly income of no less than 65,000 baht, or an annual income of no less than 800,000 baht in total.
For more information please visit www.immigration.go.th

What confuses me is the ...right to ask for additional necessary documents... First of all, if they are "necessary" why are they not listed in the preceding requirements where it plainly calls for your passport, photos, the required fee, proof of income, etc? Secondly, if I'm required to give a copy of my ATM and Credit Card's, it will definitely have the account numbers blacked-out, except the last 4 digits.

The way this is going, I believe I'm going to change from retirement visa to married visa on my next extension. What a pain in the butt.

Pakawala wrote:What confuses me is the ...right to ask for additional necessary documents... First of all, if they are "necessary" why are they not listed in the preceding requirements where it plainly calls for your passport, photos, the required fee, proof of income, etc? Secondly, if I'm required to give a copy of my ATM and Credit Card's, it will definitely have the account numbers blacked-out, except the last 4 digits.

The way this is going, I believe I'm going to change from retirement visa to married visa on my next extension. What a pain in the butt.

Perhaps it's there way of introducing changes without the requirement to change the law. "The right to ask for additional necessary documents" is referenced on the immigration website under Required Documents. It's nothing new, but it seems that many folks miss this point. And it also applies to an extension based on marriage. Question is will the ATM/Credit Card thing carry over to other immigration offices.

1. Immigration form 7 (Tor Mor 7)
2. Copy of passport
3. cm. X 6 cm. Photograph
4. 1,900 baht application fee
5. Financial Evidence:
1. Bank account pass-book, bank statement
2. Evidence showing reception of pension accompanied with Thai
translation certified by the embassy or consulate of the country
paying the pension
3.Evidence presenting other sources of income or evidence of money
transferred from overseas
6. In cases of having dependents (husband / wife, children), the applicant must provide evidence indicating their relationship. Evidence must be translated into Thai and be certified by the embassy or consulate of the non-Thai citizens.
7. Health Certificate for those who apply for further stay after Nov. 14, 2002.
8. The officials reserve the rights to examine or ask for additional documents, if necessary

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en ... ge=service

Never forget each office has different requirements so far Nong Khai has not asked for copies of ATM crads edt. Until they do I will file it away as a posible requirement in the future.

This all gets covered in that one aspect of the law, as long as it exists we have to deal with it.

Have you missed the UK Police letter
stating no criminal record?Neded for the first retirement visa.

More money is required for a multiple entry visa on top of the 1900bht. I think its 3500bht.

With all the hassle of the retirement visa I might consider returning to the Uk next year for an "O" Visa. Hull provides them in 15 minutes with an appointment. Don't know of other Consulates.

If you really are having a proble please consider Korat Immigration Office. They are all gentlemen and ladies. The boss is a lady who is looking for a falang boyfriend. Thats where I will go

I believe the initial post refers to the procedure of receiving the one year retirement extension on an existing visa (either a Non-Immigrant "O' or "O-A"). That being the case, there is no criminal record letter required and the 1900 B fee is correct.

I would agree that the Pattaya Mail headline is confusing by mixing the retirement visa with the retirement extension.

bamakmak

You arecorrect if you are renewing a retirement visa, but for the first one I was asked for the Police letter. I came originally with a one year "O" visa where I had to leave every 90 days. With the retirement visa I only have to report every 90 days.

Naam Jai

That's interesting to know. I also got the Non-Immigrant "O", but did not need a Police letter. It sounds like the Thai embassies are as consistant as the Thai Immigration offices!

Sounds like the report of a somebody who may have taken things out of context in order to create an sensationalistic story. Not that the Pattaya Mail has ever done that before!

We'll have to watch and see.

Naam Jai wrote:bamakmak

You arecorrect if you are renewing a retirement visa, but for the first one I was asked for the Police letter. I came originally with a one year "O" visa where I had to leave every 90 days. With the retirement visa I only have to report every 90 days.

same for me but am on marriage visa,first application marriage the almighty one wanted police letter from udon thani police station for me to go there with 2 people that have personally known me for over 4 years!
so far the almighty one has renewed my marriage visa and will it be 3rd time lucky next year,bloody hope not!