Visa Extension Bank Letters: What Has Been Reported and How to Prepare

What has been reported

A Pattaya Mail report on 4 November 2026 described individual cases in which two Thai banks reportedly declined to issue an account certification letter for an immigration application. One applicant reportedly obtained a letter from another bank, but immigration still asked about the earlier account.

These are individual experiences, not a confirmed nationwide policy. Procedures can differ by branch, account history, document requested and application type.

What financial evidence may be needed

Published government guidance for retirement extensions describes several financial routes: monthly income of at least ฿65,000, a Thai bank deposit of at least ฿800,000 subject to holding-period rules, or a combination of income and savings. A status change to a retirement visa has its own checklist.

These are different processes, so they should not be treated as one universal list. The evidence required depends on the visa category, the financial route and the immigration office, and some offices also ask for statements or account records on top of a letter.

How to prepare

• Ask your immigration office for the current checklist for your visa category and financial route.
• Contact the bank branch early, explain the purpose and confirm which certificate and statements it can issue.
• Check how recent the letter, passbook update and statements must be.
• If a bank declines, ask for the reason and keep copies of your records.
• Confirm with immigration before switching banks or relying on a substitute document.