I have just returned from Kap Cheung Immigration where I went to renew my retirement visa. The process was not as straight forward as last time as I was informed that new regulations are now in force. Before I continue, I must stress that all the staff were friendly, helpful and they certainly were not being obstructive.
The financial requirements are still the same and you still require a letter from the British Embassy along with the usual photo copies of all the pages in your passport that have anything related to Thailand on them and your ID page. However, even if you have proved your monthly income to be over 65,000 bht, they require you to produce an UP TO DATE Thai bank book.
I strongly advise that you take your spouse/girlfriend with you along with proof of where you live. Photo copies are ok, (I think).
They also require a map showing where you actually live. We had to draw one at the office. There is a reason for this.
When all the documentation has been completed and accepted you have a stamp put in your passport saying that your application is being considered and you have to return a month later to get your actual visa. You have already paid your 1,900 baht by the way.
The reason for this is to give immigration time to “check you out” including a likely visit to your home to confirm that you are living where you say you are. On a personal note I was assured that there were no problems but they have to follow this procedure.
Visits to Immigration are stressful enough and I am writing this so that you don’t feel there is anything “sinister” going on.
I would also like to state that the information is accurate as given to me today. However, this is Thailand and the procedure could vary from office to office and possibly day to day.
Footnote: I have since received a home visit from Immigration which I have covered in a more recent article.