Last year Phuket Immigration approved a one year retirement visa for myself, using a joint bank account with my Thai wife as proof of funds.
On May 20, I ventured to the Immigration office to renew the one year retirement visa, but they refused to issue the visa saying that the bank book needed to be in one name only – my name.
I now have to approach the bank to close this investment account and reopen another account in my own name. This is such a considerable waste of time and money for me.
I asked the immigration officer, could I not lodge an application for a Marriage visa as the account is in both names. That was ignored and I subsequently received a “take it or leave it” gesture. Could someone please explain to me the reasoning behind this sudden change of heart?
Peter Freer, Phuket
Friday, June 5, 2009 3:33:22 PM
“Attaining a retirement visa normally requires the applicant to have 800,000 baht in his or her account. Your statement shows that you have 1 million baht in the bank, but it is registered in both you and your wife’s names. In this instance, you need 1.6 million baht in your bank account to qualify for a retirement visa if you maintain a joint account with your wife.
To apply for a marriage visa, Immigration will require the following documents: a bank statement from the past three months showing a balance of at least 400,000 baht; if currently employed a letter from your employer or business detailing your salary; tax details (PorNgorDor 91 and 90); your marriage certificate; and a KorRor 2 document from the district you live in (Thalang, Muang, Kathu). Once you have all this paperwork, you need to go to Immigration and collect an application form. Once submitted, immigration officers will then check to see if your marriage is legitimate.”
Friday, June 5, 2009 3:33:22 PM
Police Captain Rassarin Teerapattanakul, Sub Inspector, Phuket Immigration
