Proof of pension letter for retirement visa

[Calvin]

Is it really necessary, having previously proved I have a pension from outside Thailand, to have to present the letter from the British Embassy every year, in order to renew my retirement visa? Can I just show the confirmation from my provider, alongside monthly statements from the bank?

If I turn up without the letter but with the other confirmation, will they make me go back to the Embassy, or accept it and re-new? How flexible are they? Anyone have experience of this?

[Big Boy]

I've no experience, but I'd be interested in the answer.

[bazza]

My experience is they need the letter. You can get easy by posting your pension details to the British Embassy. I got the letter returned within three days this year.

[Lung Per]

Comment removed at the request of the poster

[lomuamart]

Don't know about any fee, but the rules are a new income letter every year.

[sateeb]

I feel that any info regarding this and the possible procedures in place at HH Imm would be better served by PM.
You never know who is monitoring!!!!

[Calvin]

I'm happy to play by the rules, which aren't that clear on the Immigration site. Perhaps I'm looking at the wrong web page. As I understand it I need:

1. An application form. What is the form number? Can I download it?

2. Copy of my passport

3. Evidence of Income. Do I still need to have the funds in my account for 3 months. Or is that just the first year?

4. Funds deposit letter from the bank + copy of bank book

Anything else?

Does anyone have the email address or phone number of the British Embassy so I can organize the letter via mail?

Cheers.

[lomuamart]

I'm confused as to whether you'll be applying for the extension based on overseas income or savings in a Thai bank account or a combination of the two. Can you clarify?
If you're doing it based on your pension/income (as your first post implies), then there's no need to show any Thai bank book/letter from bank/have any money seasoned. In fact there's no need to even have a Thai bank account. Your income dosn't have to be transferred to a Thai bank every month, unless you want it to be and I would think most people do that for convenience.
All Imm are interested in is that your Embassy have verified your income, hence the letter from them. As a Brit, the Embassy will set the ground rules as to what they want to see from you to evidence your income. I believe your annual pension letter and/or three months bank statements will suffice. It's best to contact them directly and ask. I've always found the consular section very good at replying, usually within one working day.
Here's a link to their site http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/about ... contact-us
The email address you need is ConsularEnquiriesBangkok@fco.gov.uk
As said, let us know if the income route is the one you're opting for. If so, then you'll need:
Form TM7 "Application for extension of temporary stay in The Kingdom.
You
Your passport
Copies of the passport's details page, the O visa you're extending off, your permitted to stay stamp and your departure card.
Letter from Embassy
A hand drawn map showing where you live - not always asked for but best to have it in case
1.900 THB

That's it. You'll get your extension there and then as long as you have all the paperwork sorted out.
If you're going to do things based on savings (800K THB), then you'll need your passbook and letter from the bank. For the first year's extension, the money has only to be seasoned for 2 months. It's 3 for subsequent extensions. No need for an Embassy letter in this case.

[Calvin]

Very helpful, thank you. Mine is a combination of external pension and savings in a Thai bank. I have two weeks to complete this, so will email the Embassy to confirm cost and timescale for turnaround of passport.

[lomuamart]

As it's a combination, there should be no need for seasoning with the savings.
However, I'd suggest that you clarify that with Imm in HH first. Different strokes etc etc...
That's what I'd do anyway.

[wpcoe]

As it's a combination, there should be no need for seasoning with the savings.

So one would think, wouldn't they? Especially after doing multiple retirement extensions in Jomtien using combination of savings+income, I hit a Hua Hin Immigrations roadblock last year, doing my first extension in Hua Hin.

Hua Hin Immigrations requires the money to be seasoned three months, even when using the combination method.

We went round and round (politely and respectfully), with the officer showing me the English translation of the Police Order that he said backed up the requirement -- the same translation that I was using to say the money did NOT need to be seasoned.