Answereda year ago
Can Australian Super Funds be used for Thailand visa financial requirements?
Several visas have a "cash in bank" requirement. I have cash in an Australian Super Fund. These funds have huge assets, are as safe as banks, and because I'm over 60 the funds are immediately accessible. I'd hate to have to transfer funds from this high-interest environment into a low-interest bank account just for the visa. So does it have to be in a bank, or would a Super Fund qualify?
Also, some visas want to see an income from a government pension. I get some funds from this, but the majority from my Super Fund as an allocated pension. Would they look at both incomes?
Also, some visas want to see an income from a government pension. I get some funds from this, but the majority from my Super Fund as an allocated pension. Would they look at both incomes?
Answer summary
The discussion centers around whether funds in an Australian Super Fund can satisfy the financial requirements for Thai visas, particularly when it comes to cash in bank requirements. Most community members indicate that typically, funds need to be held in a Thai bank account when applying from within Thailand, although some exceptions exist for specific visas when applying from Australia. There is also a debate about whether income sources from a pension can be combined for visa applications, with an emphasis on understanding each visa's specific requirements and the potential need for foreign funds to be verified or deposited in Thailand.
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Alex **********
You may not need a visa for Thailand
Graham ******
@Alex *********
The OP mentions being over 60 and receiving a pension so is obviously looking at the retire,ment/over 50s Visa options and requirements
Porky ******
It doesn’t matter what currency it is as long as it’s a current that Thailand recognises so I think you’re good mate 👍🏻
Bruce ***********
Go to agent
Stephen *******
Yes and yes
John ********
No it has to be in a thai bank account
Stephen *******
@John *******
Not for an O-A for instanceGraham ******
@Stephen ******
or for an initial Non-O obtained outside ThailandJohn ********
@Stephen ******
true But it's going to cost him a lot of money for insurance that he will not be able to fully trust
John **********
Does immediate really mean immediate? Can you *instantly* transfer out of a super fund or does it take a few days?
Bill ********
OP@John *********
You can do it instantly online, but may take 1-2 days to hit your bank account.John **********
@Bill *******
that's not the same thing
Markie ******
@John *********
mine takes 5 days but depends if it's cash then yes as i understandJohn **********
@Markie *****
so not immediately available.
Mary ********
If you use it wisely you can minimise any loss. Keep in mind that the requirement (and I am sure someone will correct this if my understanding is incorrect) is that it be in your account 3 months before you apply and 4 months after and allows you to use funds up to half (for non o retirement 800k - can use 400k) the rest of the year. How we use this is to transfer funds when the exchange rate is up, thus making up for the difference in interest the funds could have earned and not having to transfer when the rates are low. It works well for us at any rate. By doing it this way, we negate the need to have an agent for immigration which can be quite costly and our annual visa costs us only 1900 baht annually (89.00 AUD)
Rob **********
@Mary *******
you are on the right track Mary, but it 2 months before your extension and 3 months after your extension that the 800K has to remain in the bank, and you are correct it must not drop below 400K during the rest of the year.Mary ********
@Rob *********
We have only actually gone under once which was during my surgery so I wasn't sure, thank you for the clarification! Our method of transferring when AUD is up has worked a treat for us and the seed money we put into the Thai bank already has returned in super thanks to wise investiments. It is nice to know should an emergency pop up that the funds are right here and accessible.Rob **********
@Mary *******
sounds like you well placed Mary👍
Sasha ***********
Yep… imagine gaining 0.5% interest from 38K sitting stagnant in a Thai Bank… along with now having to (legally) pay tax on your super income that you transfer over!
Steve ******
@Sasha **********
wrong on the tax
Jim ********
@Sasha **********
If you have a pension plan from your super, it's not taxable in Thailand. Many Australians also retain Australian Tax Residency and a "permanent home" in Australia so can be deemed solely an Australian Tax Resident, paying nothing in Thailand. As with any tax regime, there's legal ways to circumvent!Sasha ***********
@Jim *******
Nah mate… in Australia our super is tax free when paid so when it is remitted into Thailand it is subject to tax ( so the DTA does not assist in this case.). Only tax exemptions are Government and military pensions. If you reside more than 180 days a year in Thailand,then you are a Thai tax resident for tax purposes and therefore required to submit a return and see if/or how much must be paid. People call BS on this and are rightly annoyed about it but it is correct. Sure.. you can try to find a way around it or refuse or whatever.. but legally, you are obliged to pay tax on your remittance (in this case private super income).
Chizel *******
@Sasha **********
you may want to read Article 4 in the DTA to see why Jim is correct.Tony **********
I don't believe Australia embassy certifies income. So that leaves out the 65k method. Funds in a non-thai account won't qualify for a 1yr extension of a non-o visa. You can get a non-oa visa showing foreign funds but it also requires specific Thai health insurance and criminal background check. A lot easier to simply put the money in a Thai bank account and forget about it.
Graham ******
@Tony *********
No need to "forget about it" as the 800k is needed for just over 5 months for the first extension of a Non-O obtained from outside Thailand then nver fall below 400k for the duration of the first 12 month extension while transferring 65k a month in international transfers for at least 12 months to apply for the second and subsequent 12 month extensions.Tony **********
@Graham *****
true, but a lot easier to just forget about it and keep it as a prudent reserve.Tony **********
@Jim *******
in your second and following years, yes. And when you don't need 65k/month? If I didn't golf, I wouldn't go through 65k every month...Jim ********
@Tony *********
Easier to use the 65k transfer. It's yours to spend as soon as it hits your bank account
Wylie *******
Depends on what visa you apply for and whether you apply in Thailand or Australia. The requirements are pretty clear. If it says the funds need to be in a Thai bank account then there are no exceptions that I'm aware of. Typically if you are applying inside of Thailand and use the banked money method then that money needs to be in a Thai bank account in your name only.
Some visas with financial requirements allow the funds to be in your home country when applying outside of Thailand. The non-o (when applied outside of thailand), OX, OA, etc.
Some visas with financial requirements allow the funds to be in your home country when applying outside of Thailand. The non-o (when applied outside of thailand), OX, OA, etc.
Paul *********
Get OX from Australia, can use super as financial requirements
Andy ************
@Paul ********
Excellent advice for Aussies - but they must apply through the Sydney Consulate, not the Canberra Embassy.
Wayne *********
@Andy ***********
it's EVisa website now not really either as it's onlineWayne *********
@Andy ***********
yep sure lie on application make up address that doesn't match the other documents you must provide like police clearance and medical formAndy ************
@Wayne ********
You nominate the location on eVisa. Very easy to become a "resident" of NSW.Wayne *********
@Graham *****
yes but only NSW can go via Sydney now. When you put your state in they will know.Graham ******
@Wayne ********
but your "local" consulate processes and approves the application
Ryan ****
Pretty sure it has to be a Thai bank account or you need a letter from embassy verifying monthly income. If I recall correctly the Aust embassy won't issue such letters, so you'll need to revert back to money in a Thai bank or find an agent to grease the wheels for you.
Andy ************
Super Fund worked for me to get OA visa, and more recently DTV.
Not often proof of pension is required, but I'm guessing that provided you can show the 65k transfer has come from a number of pension funds you should be right. It's usually one of those "depends on the immigration office" things
Not often proof of pension is required, but I'm guessing that provided you can show the 65k transfer has come from a number of pension funds you should be right. It's usually one of those "depends on the immigration office" things
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