Residency Certificates - Just One More Hassle!

[Dodger]

I was informed at the Immigration Office in Chonburi yesterday that as of April 14th they no longer issue Residency Certificates, or Letters of Residence Information for any reason other than to obtain a drivers license or purchase a vehicle. At least that's what the agent I was talking to told me.

Requesting either of these documents for other reasons has apparently been halted. Those other reasons would include things like; opening a bank account, registering a marriage, obtaining a yellow house book and/or Thai government ID card (pick card), etc.

I went there to request a Letter of Residence Information which is required by my local Amphur to obtain a government issued ID card for foreigners (Pink Card). No such luck. I was told I would have to obtain this from my Embassy.

The Immigration agent told me that this change applied to all Immigration offices in Thailand and that these certificates/affidavits (for the reasons stated above) would now have to be obtained at one's Embassy.

According to what I researched on-line after returning home, many foreign embassies and consulates in Thailand provide an Affidavit of Residence or Address Confirmation Letter, which serves as a residence certificate for foreigners. This is often used as a faster, albeit more expensive, alternative to obtaining the official TM.16 residence certificate from Thai Immigration, however, availability varies by nationality.

Some Embassy's, such as the U.S. Embassy, have ceased issuing these for driving license purposes, forcing citizens to use Thai Immigration, while others, like the British or Australian embassies, still offer them.

I strongly suspect that this unhinged change is for the very same reason that some banks stopped issuing Bank Letters needed by their customers for visa renewal purposes.

They, the BANKS - IMMIGRATION - AGENTS, did this to themselves in my opinion, and now find themselves unable to combat money laundering and other criminal activities due to having accounts and records in their systems that DO NOT COMPLY with their own laws and policies. I'll resist saying more on this subject on an open forum.

Personally, I don't have to have a Government ID (Pick Card) and won't waste any more time with this.

Now that Immigration refuses to provide these services people will have to use their Embassies. For those who have never had to use their embassy in Thailand for these types of services you will want to make an appointment on-line.

Welcome to Thailand!

[Gaybutton]

Yet another reason farang are being pushed to use visa agents.

[Gaybutton]

One thought - suppose no matter what reason you want a residence certificate, what if you simply tell them you want for obtaining a driving license?

[Dodger]

One thought - suppose no matter what reason you want a residence certificate, what if you simply tell them you want for obtaining a driving license?

Great question. One I asked myself as well.

Unfortunately, when you apply for a Residency document (certificate or letter), you have to specify the reason why you need the document on your application (form TM 16). That reason is then indicated on the final certificate, which is then specifically intended for that single purpose.

Typical Thai bureaucracy.

This is the reason why I'm pursuing getting a Thai government ID card (Pink Card). This ID can then be used to verify my Thai residence for any/all reasons.

[Gaybutton]

This is the reason why I'm pursuing getting a Thai government ID card (Pink Card). This ID can then be used to verify my Thai residence for any/all reasons.

I think you are right. I looked on Google and other than that pink card only a residence certificate is sufficient to verify your residence. The Catch 22 is immigration no longer will issue a residence certificate for that purpose. The US embassy used to provide a notarized affidavit of residence, which was acceptable, but they too have stopped issuing those.

What documents are necessary to get the pink card and where do you get the card?

Again, maybe this is where a visa service might be necessary.

[Dodger]

Again, maybe this is where a visa service might be necessary.

No such luck.

I met with a Pattaya agent this morning and it looks like getting a residency letter or certificate for any reason other than obtaining or renewing a drivers license - or purchasing a vehicle - won't be happening, at least in the short-term.

The agent I spoke with, and her boss who was sitting next to us in their office, were totally unaware of this policy change until I mentioned it. The agent quickly picked up the phone and called her contact at Chonburi Immigration who confirmed this.

The agent, and her boss, looked shocked, and said that unless a foreigner's embassy can provide this service all bets are off. And, as confirmed earlier this week, the U.S. Embassy stopped issuing these certificates/letters back in 2023. I have no idea what the other embassy's are doing.

Having learned this, I've put my little project on the back-burner until after the wizards at Immigration figure out what their next move is going to be.

The Pink Card would be nice to have...but I'm not jumping through any more hoops to get one.

[Jun]

I met with a Pattaya agent this morning and it looks like getting a residency letter or certificate for any reason other than obtaining or renewing a drivers license - or purchasing a vehicle - won't be happening, at least in the short-term.

Don't you need a new car ?

[Gaybutton]

I don't know about anyone else, but other than buying a car or getting a driving license, I can't think of anything else I would even need a residence certificate for.

[richsilver]

Some banks are requiring a resident certificate to open an account.

[Gaybutton]

Some banks are requiring a resident certificate to open an account.

Even for those holding or applying for an O or O-A retirement visa?

If banks are now requiring a residence certificate. but immigration won't issue it, welcome to the latest Catch-22.

And, of course, I wonder how a new retiree or anyone else with a legitimate reason to hold a Thai bank account, but doesn't already have one, is supposed to get a Thai bank account. That's interesting. In order to get a retirement visa you have to hold a Thai bank account - and immigration is the same office where you would get the residence certificate. What's wrong with this picture?

Visa services may still be able to get bank accounts for people. MOTs visa service web site still says they can get bank accounts for people. If they still can, I would imagine any of the visa services can. But even if they can, next question is for how much longer?

Again, for many years I have been urging those who need a Thai bank account or anticipate ever needing one, to open an account while you still can. I hope it's not already too late. Years ago, all you needed in order to open a Thai bank account was your passport and 500 baht. Times have changed. And if anyone reading this does need to open a Thai bank account, but still has not, if you wait it will only get more difficult. For sure it won't get easier. If you wait and find yourself in this kind of Catch-22 predicament, you can't say I didn't warn you.

I wonder how the Thai government will respond when no more foreigners can retire in Thailand because of these absurd rules.