'How To' - Requirements for visa extensions etc

[caller]

One thing I'll be doing here in Hua Hin Imm will be going in the afternoon rather than mornings. No more crunch-time for me.

I went in the afternoon and it was standing room only.

[smiles]

I went in the afternoon and it was standing room only.

Bad luck for you I guess.
Actually I went to the Immigration office twice. On Thursday we were coming back from Bangkok. We went the by-pass way so I could pick some forms I needed. We got to Imm about 2pm, and when I was in there was only one customer.
Yesterday I went to apply for my Extension around 1:30pm. There where three others plus myself.
What can I say?

[HHTel]

One thing I'll be doing here in Hua Hin Imm will be going in the afternoon rather than mornings. No more crunch-time for me.

I went in the afternoon and it was standing room only.

Certainly unlucky, caller. I went at 11am and only one in front of me.

[smiles]

" ... Certainly unlucky, caller. I went at 11am and only one in front of me ... "

Possibly the poll results now showing 74% of ex-pats who are thinking ~ or actually doing ~ of getting out of Dodge fairly quickly. That metric tends to lower the crowds at Immigration.

[caller]

Certainly unlucky, caller. I went at 11am and only one in front of me.

I think you're absolutely right. It was Wednesday afternoon just gone and I could tell by the ticket sequence that most were doing their annual extension. When I arrived there were seven in front of me and only 2 desks operating, it speeded up when a third opened.

I have to say that the design of the new old building is a joke. It was probably okay 30-50 years ago, but tucking those waiting around a blind corner is not exactly a decent customer service experience, it was almost like an afterthought as to where they should all go. And that's after you have climbed God knows how many steps to the top level or if in a wheelchair, negotiated the steep, many hairpin turns ramp, that if straightened out, must have equated to half the length of a football pitch! I didn't see a lift - is there one? At least parking was easy.

[lomuamart]

On with the story.

I picked up my credit advices earlier but they're not in the format that you sent me, caller. However, I'm optimistic that they'll suffice with some explanation from me - as long as the presiding officer isn't having a bad day.

Basically, what I've got, for every month, are two documents. The first is very detailed showing my transfer from the UK to BKK Bank in BKK (correspondent bank). My address in the UK is shown as is my HH one. My UK bank is named but by code rather than by name (that could present a glitch but it's obviously from the UK). The amount transferred is shown in THB.

The second page shows the transfer from BKK Bank to KBank here and into my account.

Should be OK, I think. These documents are not stamped by the bank but they tally with my statements from KBank, that are.

I'll wait and see when I apply for the extension which will probably be in a couple of days. I've got until mid September anyway if there are any hiccups.

I know that there will be some who say that the savings route is better, or marriage extensions are the way to go and I can understand that but for me, the income route is preferable and this first year has been an experience. I could do either of the alternatives anyway.

As I live only a 10 minute walk from my bank, nothing's put me out yet. At least I've been languishing in air con talking to some pretty girls!!

Will let everyone know how it goes at Imm. Now time for a beer.

[Nereus]

Now time for a beer.

Good! So now maybe you can calm down a bit! You have been posting quite agitated posts since returning from the UK!

[lomuamart]

Damn. Lost my reply to you, Nereus.

Anyway, as I can't really give any first hand info about this visa extension as it's my first, I just go through my experiences and try to throw some humour in as well.

I've been giving advice on this forum for donkey's years re visas etc. I'm just tired of it now but a new experience has got me going again. (I don't do emoticons).

Agitated? I'd better get a couple more beers and clean my golf clubs (emoticon - happy).

[HHTel]

There are some IO's that are asking for the applicant to report back with their bank book 3 months after getting their extension to prove that they still have 800K in the bank under the new rules. Thankfully, not here in HH.

[T.O.M.]

There are some IO's that are asking for the applicant to report back with their bank book 3 months after getting their extension to prove that they still have 800K in the bank under the new rules. Thankfully, not here in HH.

Jomtien (which covers Pattaya.....so in other words a large office) requires a return with an updated bank book 3 months after the extension is approved......You will get a slip of paper with your return date.....completely unrelated to your 90 days reporting....

[HHTel]

.completely unrelated to your 90 days reporting....

I agree. The two are separate issues. Jomtien isn't the only IO requiring a further bank book check.

[Nereus]

There are some IO's that are asking for the applicant to report back with their bank book 3 months after getting their extension to prove that they still have 800K in the bank under the new rules. Thankfully, not here in HH.

Ah, ok thanks. The regulation states that the "alien" can withdraw funds after obtaining the new extension, BUT the amount in the account must not fall below 400k Baht for the first three months.

In a system with a normal logical process, not to be confused with Thailand, the three months SHOULD be a requirement for the NEXT extension, next year, not three months after the fact.

[HHTel]

To clarify, under the new rules, 800K must be there for 2 months before application, then 3 months after. Only then can your balance be reduced to not less than 400K for the next 7 months then has to be brought back to 800K for the final 2 months before a further application. All in all, the full amount needs to be shown for 5 months of the year. (2 months before, 3 months after)

[Big Boy]

I'm using the income route as opposed to the 800K. However, I have friends who, when renewing using the 800K method were told their 90 day report had to be at the main office, and not Bluport because bank balances needed to be checked. This information is 2nd hand, but I have no reason to doubt what I'm being told.

[Nereus]

To clarify, under the new rules, 800K must be there for 2 months before application, then 3 months after. Only then can your balance be reduced to not less than 400K for the next 7 months then has to be brought back to 800K for the final 2 months before a further application. All in all, the full amount needs to be shown for 5 months of the year. (2 months before, 3 months after)

Ok, thanks. I misread the stupid notice.