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Can anyone transfer 800,000 THB from abroad for a Thai retirement visa, or does it have to come from my own bank account?

Apr 4, 2024
2 years ago
Jason *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
When putting 800000 bht into bank for retirement visa can anyone put it in from back home or does it have to come from your own bank account.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To qualify for a retirement visa in Thailand, you can transfer 800,000 THB into a Thai bank account from abroad, regardless of whether it comes from your home account or another source, as long as it is documented as an international transfer. It's important to ensure that the funds remain in the account for at least three months before applying for the visa. While it is typically required to open a Thai bank account with a long-term visa, many expats suggest seeking help from a visa agent to navigate the process more smoothly.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Steve **********
As long as it's coming from abroad, and put in a Thai Bank under your name ....your fine
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Res *****
just do retirment visa thru thai agency)
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Miri **********
I read that I can only open a Thai bank account in-country and NOT with just a tourist visa. So how do I meet the requirement for the Retirement visa, of having money in a Thai Bank Account? I am happy to start the process before arrival or once in Thailand but get more confused, the more I read.
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Bart **************
@Miri *********
get non-O or OA back at home, open account within the first month.
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John ********
@Miri *********
For a start you have to be over fifty years old. If you are, then if you can provide a bank statement showing at least 200,000 THB, equivalent in your own country bank account, then apply for a 3 month non-immigrant 'O' visa in your own country, then when in Thailand you can apply for a bank account & then do a transfer from your own countries bank account of the equivalent of ,800,000 THB to your new Thai account then you can apply for the visa retirement extension. When your in Thailand, go into an immigration office and ask for the requirement process you need to go through to get this extension.
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Joseph *********
@Miri *********
Contact by email they will answer your questions free of charge
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Craig ********
@Miri *********
you need a long-term visa to get a bank account. You need a bank account to get a long term visa. Welcome to Thailand 🙂

Personally I visited about 3 or 4 branches of bkk bank to get my first bank account. They required a notarized copy of my passport from the US embassy as well as other documentation. So that took weeks to sort out.

Bringing a native Thai with you can help as well.

And then there are agents who can get this done for you, for a fee.
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Colin *******
@Miri *********
Miri, yes this is a real problem for most people. Easiest way is to find a visa agent and ask them to assist. I think the going rate is 5000 bht, which if it saves you days / weeks of going from branch to branch, queing at each one for up to an hour, and then dealing with another rejection..... a good deal for lots of folks 😂
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Colin *******
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Brian ***********
I brought Cash , exchanged it , deposit to bank , no problem..
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Craig ********
@Brian **********
You brought 800k TBH worth of cash in another currency into Thailand? Did you declare it? Did they hassle you at the airport?

Technically this is not allowed since the 800k is required to come from overseas which is not true for a cash deposit. But like always, it's up to the office and officer exactly what rules are required.
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John ********
@Craig *******
Duurgh! If you brought it into Thailand as foreign currency, why would a cash deposit that obviously would be exchanged at the bank to want to deposit at, along with the exchange paperwork, not be accepted? Also, they said they brought 800,000 THB equivalent in a foreign currency. Then you say that the 800,000 is required to come from overseas which is not true of a cash deposit. If it's foreign currency why would it not of come from outside Thailand?
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Brian ***********
@Craig *******
declared of course , no hassles. None.

And I got at least 1.5 baht per 1 $ more than the bank transfers give .
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Craig ********
@Brian **********
glad it worked out for you. I am not sure everyone who tries it will get their stamp though.
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Brian ***********
@Craig *******
I have the paper trial to show where the $$$ came from. Never heard or knew it was to be a bank to bank transfer.

Only thing I use a bank for is to hold funds.
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Craig ********
@Brian **********
the rule is it must come from overseas. I guess if you have a paper trail. But that's pretty unusual I would guess and as such, might not be the easiest path through immigration.
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Brian ***********
@Craig *******
no body cared..

Easy.. no agent involved either
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Craig ********
@Brian **********
what office?
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Brian ***********
@Craig *******
your to anonymous to discuss this.
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Brian ***********
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Graham ******
@Brian **********
And you got issued a Non-O Visa?
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Steve **********
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Brian ***********
@Graham *****
no questions asked
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Chris *********************
@Graham *****
like I said different Provence different rules
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Chris *********************
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Chris *********************
International transfer, don't mater who puts it along it in for 3 months b4 you apply
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Graham ******
@Chris ********************
Not for the initial Non-O Visa in country (unless it's Jomtien), only seasoned for the Extension (usually 2 months)
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Chris *********************
@Graham *****
different Provence, different, rules
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Graham ******
@Chris ********************
Yes but your comment was worded as if it was that rule for all
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Graham ******
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Graham ******
As long as it shows as an international transfer the name of the source does not matter
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Graham ******
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