Proof of funds for visa extension - what formats?

[Scout]

My first year, I used the bank deposit method. I arrived at immigration with the signed letter from Bangkok Bank, and a copy of my bank statement. Unfortunately, the bank letter stated I had 860,000 baht while my statement showed I had 1,250,000 baht. Immigration sent me back to the bank to get a new letter with an amount that matched my bank statement. Upon returning an hour later, immigration noticed my bank statement was not signed by the bank, and sent me back to the bank to get it signed. Upon returning 1 hour later, they scrutinized every aspect of the financial portion of my renewal application (and I mean REALLY scrutinized it) then issued my visa renewal. I will also point out, this was a "checking" account at Bangkok Bank, it worked, even though the Bank originally told me that only a "savings" account would work and balked at giving me the letter until after they called immigration and were told a "checking" account was acceptable. Last year, for my 2nd renewal, I decided to try the income statement from the American embassy instead. I made an appointment with the embassy using their internet online system, downloaded and printed the "income affidavit" form from the embassy website, filled it out in advance, then drove to Bangkok a week later for my appointment. The embassy charged me $50.00 usd, about 1,600 baht, asked me if everything I had put on the form was correct, then after I said yes, they signed and stamped the form. I drove back to Hua Hin the same day. The following day I went to immigration, the immigration officer looked at the income affidavit for 1 second, then issued my visa extension. Except for the drive to Bangkok, 1,600 baht fee, the parking adventure in Bangkok and the loss of one day, the embassy letter was much easier than the bank deposit method and I intend to go the embassy route from now on. The American Embassy did not require any documentation proving the income amount I wrote on the form, they only required that I state it was correct. Hope this helps..

[Procyon]

A couple of questions on proving funds with a Thai bank account ...

Can the letter from the bank and updated bank book be the day before the visa application? I ask this as my bank is not in Hua Hin and being sent away back to the bank would involve a 5-6 hour round trip.

I presume by reading comments here that the balance on the letter and in the book have to be identical, and one transaction must be made on that day also?

Thanks.

[Matlot]

Do you still have to show your bank book when applying via the proof of income?

[Nereus]

A couple of questions on proving funds with a Thai bank account ...

Can the letter from the bank and updated bank book be the day before the visa application? I ask this as my bank is not in Hua Hin and being sent away back to the bank would involve a 5-6 hour round trip.

I presume by reading comments here that the balance on the letter and in the book have to be identical, and one transaction must be made on that day also? Thanks.

Yes, it can be up to 7 days. Just do not update your bank book after getting the letter, so that the balances remain the same.

[Dannie Boy]

A couple of questions on proving funds with a Thai bank account ...

Can the letter from the bank and updated bank book be the day before the visa application? I ask this as my bank is not in Hua Hin and being sent away back to the bank would involve a 5-6 hour round trip.

I presume by reading comments here that the balance on the letter and in the book have to be identical, and one transaction must be made on that day also?

Thanks.

Certainly from my experience last year, your bank book needs to be updated on the same date as you get your letter - easiest thing is to withdraw/deposit say 1000 baht before getting your book updated and your letter.

[Nereus]

A couple of questions on proving funds with a Thai bank account ...

Can the letter from the bank and updated bank book be the day before the visa application? I ask this as my bank is not in Hua Hin and being sent away back to the bank would involve a 5-6 hour round trip.

I presume by reading comments here that the balance on the letter and in the book have to be identical, and one transaction must be made on that day also?

Thanks.

Certainly from my experience last year, your bank book needs to be updated on the same date as you get your letter - easiest thing is to withdraw/deposit say 1000 baht before getting your book updated and your letter.

Of course the date on both the book and the letter need to be the same,but that was not the original question.
I recall that you had a problem with yours previously, but I cannot follow why you would need to make a transaction beforehand?
I use a fixed deposit account, and no transaction can be done out of it, without losing the agreed interest rate, and it is never a problem.

[Dannie Boy]

A couple of questions on proving funds with a Thai bank account ...

Can the letter from the bank and updated bank book be the day before the visa application? I ask this as my bank is not in Hua Hin and being sent away back to the bank would involve a 5-6 hour round trip.

I presume by reading comments here that the balance on the letter and in the book have to be identical, and one transaction must be made on that day also?

Thanks.

Certainly from my experience last year, your bank book needs to be updated on the same date as you get your letter - easiest thing is to withdraw/deposit say 1000 baht before getting your book updated and your letter.

Of course the date on both the book and the letter need to be the same,but that was not the original question.
I recall that you had a problem with yours previously, but I cannot follow why you would need to make a transaction beforehand?
I use a fixed deposit account, and no transaction can be done out of it, without losing the agreed interest rate, and it is never a problem.

Well it was a problem for me. When I went to immigration last year, I had previously been to the bank, I got my bank book updated with any transactions and a letter produced confirming the amount of my balance which agreed with my bank book. The problem, was that my last transaction was about two weeks before, so even though the bank letter was current and the amounts were the same, the Immigration officer insisted that I get my bank book updated showing a transaction of the same date as the bank letter. It didn't make sense to me then and still doesn't, but as many people have already commented, some days black is black and other days it's white and the guy I was dealing with in effect was saying, if you want your visa, this is what you have to do.

[Nereus]

The problem, was that my last transaction was about two weeks before...................

Sorry Dannie Boy, I did not realise that you are actually Irish, just thought that you were using that nice name!

It looks absolutely clear to me why they objected!

[Dannie Boy]

The problem, was that my last transaction was about two weeks before...................

Sorry Dannie Boy, I did not realise that you are actually Irish, just thought that you were using that nice name!

It looks absolutely clear to me why they objected!

Now Mr wise ass, I don't see at all why you are making such an issue over this unless of course it's you that doesn't understand plain English. I'm sure that I'm like a lot of people and only take money out of my account on an infrequent basis - in my case it had been about two weeks before I needed to get the letter from the bank. I had my bank book updated, but it showed the date of my last transaction, about two weeks previous. So the only way to get the entry in the bank book and the letter confirming my funds showing the same date (which is what the Immigration officer was asking for) was to make a withdrawal or deposit some money.

If you have any other suggestion on how to do it, please enlighten everybody.

[mo1]

what are the consequences/option in the event that funds are in only for 1 month instead of 3 months?
factual answers will be appreciated

When my 'O' visa did not permit me to make the full 90 day seasoning requirement (could only manage 89 days), we had to come to an 'arrangement' which was beneficial to both parties.

thanks for your input but I don't think 1 day is the same as 2 months,
any one else had any similar problem? appreciate any other inputs

[Big Boy]

Yes and no - my first visa extension was resolved after 30 days, when I realised there was going to be a problem. So 'actual' timescales sound the same.

In the same was as my original problem was resolved, and the problem in the OP - go down and discuss with them. They are very helpful, and if there is a way around your problem, only they can find it.

[Nereus]

Now Mr wise ass, I don't see at all why you are making such an issue over this ..............

Jeez, this is a good example of why I do not post much on here anymore. There is nothing "wisearse" about it. If you cannot follow a simple rule, better you get somebody else to take care of your affairs.
You post rubbish that justs makes people more confused, just because you cannot understand the process!

[Dannie Boy]

Now Mr wise ass, I don't see at all why you are making such an issue over this ..............

Jeez, this is a good example of why I do not post much on here anymore. There is nothing "wisearse" about it. If you cannot follow a simple rule, better you get somebody else to take care of your affairs.
You post rubbish that justs makes people more confused, just because you cannot understand the process!

I really ought to let this go, but as your questioning my intelligence, I won't.

So just for your benefit (and in the unlikely event that anybody other than you is confused), when I went to Immigration last year, I did exactly the same as I had done before - I got my bank book updated and letter to confirm my funds met the 800,000+ and three month rule. The year before it hadn't been a problem, but last year the officer who dealt with me said the rules had changed and head office now insisted that the bank book had a transaction the same date as the bank letter. So this was a change from previous rules/interpretations, so it was for this reason that I advised others to ensure that they carry out a transaction on the date they get their letter.

[Procyon]

The year before it hadn't been a problem, but last year the officer who dealt with me said the rules had changed and head office now insisted that the bank book had a transaction the same date as the bank letter. So this was a change from previous rules/interpretations, so it was for this reason that I advised others to ensure that they carry out a transaction on the date they get their letter.

Thank you for this, it was one of the answers I was looking for (as was 7 days), I can be better prepared now for their ever shifting requirements.

[Nereus]

The year before it hadn't been a problem, but last year the officer who dealt with me said the rules had changed and head office now insisted that the bank book had a transaction the same date as the bank letter. So this was a change from previous rules/interpretations, so it was for this reason that I advised others to ensure that they carry out a transaction on the date they get their letter.

Thank you for this, it was one of the answers I was looking for (as was 7 days), I can be better prepared now for their ever shifting requirements.

And I can assure that it is NOT a requirement to make a transaction on the day that you obtain your letter from the bank. The correct requriements are posted on the Immigration Website, where there is NO mention of any such "rule". Using a fixed deposit account as I do, without any transactions at ALL, never gets questioned.

The fact is: if you go to immrigation with the incorrect paperwork, you WILL be denied! And further more, if you believe what some official tells you to save his face, then you deserve any run around that comes your way!