Nong Khai Immigration is being VERY STRICT with a 'rule' they seem to have created some years back. This pertains to those seeking the retirement visa.

For those who want to use the option of 65,000 baht per month income to satisfy the 'income requirement' they want a letter from the bank verifying a monthly history of 65,000 baht deposits.

On a good note.....they will accept the 'Letter of Certification' (of income) from the US Embassy in Laos. They keep the original so you have to get a new one each year. This was very helpful for me as I didn't want to travel to Bangkok or Chiang Mai to get the 'Letter of Certification'.

It is my understanding that NO OTHER immigration office is making people show the 65,000 baht monthly deposit history with bank letter.

LDB

I recently renewed my Retirement visa, in Nong Khai (on the basis of a monthly income of 65K baht), whilst I was required to show bank account records of my a/c here in Thailand, I did not have monthly transfers into the a/c equivalent to 65K.

And I've had to do it every time so who knows, maybe they didn't feel like reading carefully that day

Almost forgot did you have the have the 800K in the account, and did they still want to see the monthly deposits? I beleive that is what the poster is talking about

arjay wrote:I recently renewed my Retirement visa, in Nong Khai (on the basis of a monthly income of 65K baht), whilst I was required to show bank account records of my a/c here in Thailand, I did not have monthly transfers into the a/c equivalent to 65K.

Then I think you were lucky. I was DENIED. I went back on a different day and had a different Immigration Officer and submitted the same paperwork. This time I was approved but with a stern warning that next year you will not be approved UNLESS you provide the bank letter confirming a monthly history of 65K deposits.

Hey when the Super Bowl rolls around can I have your pick?

LDB, Can I ask what sort of amount you actually had in the bank a/c here?

I was worried that they may pursue the angle you came up against (though they certainly did not the previous year - in Phuket) and so I increased my balance to about 350K at the time of my renewal, but in the event he scanned the letter from the bank and the transactions in the passbook, but said nothing.

Just to clarify in my case I did not have transfers in of 65K per month, nor did the total transfers equate to anything near 800K over the preceeding year. Though my pension income well exceeds those figures.

No if I read the post correctly he did show deposits in tha period and had a record of them. As to the depoit nothing says that have to stay in the account only that they have to be deposited. This is where I get my operating money each month. It does say either or or a total of your require amount annually. I think what they really use the letter for is see you are infact depositing money monthly and do support yourself with money outside of Thailand.

Really not that difficult if you prepred for it, the letter as I recall has cost me 150 Baht Bank of Bangkok an is usually done within a couple of hours, If you are not prepared for it, it definetly is a big deal.

If your going to convert your Non O to annnual my recommendation is to at least four months make the deposits in a Thai bank, longer time frame if you can, Be ready to obtain the letter. Banks tend to want to just write the balance in. I have explained to the bank that mine needs each deposit listed and he date of the deposit. Make suer your bank book matches exactly then don't update your bank book it has to match the letter.

All of this must be done no sooner then days of the application.

This could save you a bit of frustration and wory, from time to time Nong Khai does make soem changes I always check early and make the adjustment, so I'm not pressured. Last year was th frist time I w aked for the doctors leter. The year before that I had the minimum amount int eh account the bank just listed the balamce of he account. Truthfully I noticed it and I thought I would see what would ahppen I was sent back to the bank to get the proper letter, with monhtly deposit listed. No big deal I didn't wait till the lat moment and therefore had plenty of time to make the adjustments. They have the denied or approaved stamp so it's better to just go with the flow when possible.

Most times if you take the approach of asking for help you will get just that. Sounds like that is what happened to you today, the right approach and they will cut you a bit of slack if they can, if they can't well they have bosses as well.

Never forget how many people blow up in these guys faces, they are human and it grinds on them and I'm willig to bet they are just waiting for you to do that and they will ge rid of some frustrations. You will be the recipent, not alway the best place to prove your right, this is only once a year why create enemies.

arjay wrote:LDB, Can I ask what sort of amount you actually had in the bank a/c here?

I was worried that they may pursue the angle you came up against (though they certainly did not the previous year - in Phuket) and so I increased my balance to about 350K at the time of my renewal, but in the event he scanned the letter from the bank and the transactions in the passbook, but said nothing.

Just to clarify in my case I did not have transfers in of 65K per month, nor did the total transfers equate to anything near 800K over the preceeding year. Though my pension income well exceeds those figures.

At the time I applied I only had about 10,000 baht in the bank. However, I have brought in 2.6 million baht in the last 11 months. My bank book shows these transfers in from foreign banks. My largest balance was 1.3 million baht.

The thing is Nong Khai has written their own rules. The official Thai website says you only need the 'Letter of Certification' from the US Embassy confirming monthly income of 65K baht. NOWHERE does it say you must show a monthly history of deposits in any amount.

Yes very true but if you want to do the work in Nong khai, you have to do it thier way. Doesn't really matter who is right or wrong what matter is an annual visa. You'll get used to it its much more fun to beat them at thier own game. Based on what you just posted and knowing how things were in the office four years ago in all honesty. I'm very surprised you got it all. Count your lucky stars, Nina would have had you packing your bags

LBD, Yes, I agree with you. That was exactly my understanding. All you had to prove was that you had that amount of monthly income in your home country. I know of or was told of no requirement to show that it is all transferred here monthly or at other intervals.

When I got my first Retirement Visa, on that basis in Phuket, I just showed him the confirming letter from the Embassy. He then asked have I got a bank a/c over here, with some "spending money" in it. I showed him the passbook. It had about 200K in it. He took a photo-copy and away we went. End of story.

I have read somewhere that after this military coup the Immigration offices have each being given a certain amount of autonomy!!

Ok guys I think your right I was the exception that had to do this for past four years, must be my Karma

Borrowed from Pops:

This is exactly what I have done three years in a row and haven't had any problems

"Hope this will help a little for you......

1. 1 copy of house registration (wife's if you are married)

2. 1 copy of marriage certificate (if married)

3. 1 copy of letter from your embassy, certified, as to what your monthly income is.
a. If married- 400,000 baht or a combination of your annual income and what you have in the account in a bank, here in Thailand, that will total 400,000 baht.

b. If NOT married - 800,00 baht or a combination of your annual income and what you have in a bank account, here in Thailand, that will total 800,000 baht.

4. 1 copy of a physical by a local doctor, I have here at Pop-Pop's for those who need the form.

5. 2 passports pictures

6. A letter from your bank dated within 10 days ( should be the last thing you get)

Give them copies, not originals. Keep the originals for future extentions on your visas. The only original you give is the letter from the bank, as it's only good for 10 days. I will try and get copies of the form needed for marriage visa but at the moment all I have and the blank forms for physical by a local doctor.

Pop's "

I don't see the problem

HMM!!!! Guys HDB did get his visa and he got it with less requirments then the the norm in this area. Now if I were he, I think I would be grateful, doesn't appear to be the situation.

I have been using the Nong Khia office for four years three annuals so far and yes they do have quirks, but nothing that is impossible to meet, if you prepare for it.

Being prepared no matter what office you use to meet that offices standard is important, each is obviously different. There are dozens of Posts on this forum outling the needs to work with Nong Khai If you don't like the offices policy then by all mean find the one you like and use it.

The very reason that there is a different standard at Nong Khia is also the reason the LDB got his annual, officer's discretion.

Also from the sounds of thing so did Arjay. So where is the problem is that this office functions differently then Pucket, Chang Mia. Bangkok, or Pattaya yes it does and each of them function differently as well.

I know what the minimum requirements are that Nong Khai wants for documentation to meet the minimum requiremnts. So I go get them. again where is the problem?

Three people sit in a row this year and went over my paperwork. obviuosly looking for a reason to reject it, I got my renewal, again where is the proble

Arjay in another thread you mentioned that you felt they were trying to have you prove you had 800K in the bank and deposited 65K a month in the bank. Now for me on my first annual there was a problem that is exactly what thye told me I had to have I didn't have 800 K. But I didn't address it on here I went through proper channels, let the commander find the word or and I have never had to deal with it again.

Anyone key on the thread recently of how nice immigrations was?

If you get the visa and that is what you want, where is the problem?

Is it stress in the situation, it can go perfectly and you will still be stressed.


Is it that at times they act aloof, find me a government entity anywhere that doesn't from personnel who act in that manner. I know I have seen it in every Law Enforcement usef to cause me a lot of grief, in dealing with Deputy complants. I have seen it in all the governmet agencies that I dealt with thorughout my adult life. So we a gusts are to sit a different standard for Thailand Goverment agency that we have to deal with, When in reality we have exactly the same problems in our home countries.

Many guys have came her with annual visas in hand issued by Thia immigrations in Los Angeles, yet when I applied I was told I couldn't get one. were they wrong or did I ask the wrong questions I'm willing to bet since I didn't know and it is confusing I asked the wrong questions. I'm here where is the problem?

When I went to Lao they issued my a non b visa, I didn't ask for it, didn't provide any proof to get it, but when I applied for my annual they accepted it, where is the problem?

Now me if I get what I need that is good enough, nothing else needs to happen, but thats just me.

Ray wrote:The very reason that there is a different standard at Nong Khia is also the reason the LDB got his annual, officer's discretion.

Also from the sounds of thing so did Arjay. So where is the problem is that this office functions differently then Pucket, Chang Mia. Bangkok, or Pattaya yes it does and each of them function differently as well.

I beg to advise you I got my Retirement Visa (not marriage visa) because I correctly fulfilled the Immigration Depts requirements, (on the basis of pension income) not because any Immigration officer exercised discretion.

The point of the original post was that Nong Khai Immigration seem to apply their own individual requirements, which are at variance (usually over and above) with those laid down by the Thai Immigration Dept.

Agreed but is that different the then other immigration offices here?

Have you followed the same post on Thai Visa it is amazing how many different approaches there are as many as there are offices, that is just Thailand not Nong Khia in paticular and that is my point.

No matter which one you go to you will have to comply with what they want. You see Arjay you got yours in a very different manner then I did, mine has always been based on monthly deposits here not what my retirement is. But either way wheres the problem?

Because I submitted the EXACT SAME PAPERWORK and was denied once and then approved; there can be NO DOUBT that my approval was based on Officer discretion.

This to me is wrong and in the future perhaps directives will come down from 'higher ups' to follow the rules that currently exist. However, from what I've read things are going in the OTHER direction and each Immigration Office is being encouraged to use their own 'judgement' in deny/approve applications for all types of visas. This is a joke; it allows 'personal' feelings to enter the process. If an applicant has all paperwork required he should be granted his visa; end of story.

I agree LDB, it is wrong. They should follow their own previously laid down rules, not invent extra ones to create more obstacles, which they seem to do in Nong Khai.

I am told that they are more likely not to quibble or invent additional rules in Bangkok. Thery are busier and get on with the job.

Ray the correct/proper criteria is based on the amount of monthly pension/income, not transfers into a bank a/c here. I had this confirmed to me by a Bangkok based lawyer, before I applied for my first Retirement Visa and confirmed when I got my visa last year. It is frustrating then when, as you say, local offices/officers add additional requirements of their own and then maybe exercise their discretion if maybe people don't totally fulfill them.

The problem is only in as much as they invent these additional requirements almost on a whim and you therefore never know what they are going to come up with when you next visit. It doesn't really leave one feeling secure and stable living in LOS. Here, but for the whims of the local Immigration officer, I stay. I think/hope.