This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Can I open a bank account in Thailand to transfer euros for a Non-Immigrant O visa and how long must funds be held?

Jun 8, 2018
7 years ago
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Fabio asked is it possible open a account bank in Thailand and transfer euro in this account for a immigrant o?

And the amount must be equivalent 800.000 baht?

And then he asked;

I will return to Thailand in August with an immigrant or single entry, if I open the bill in July, must pass 60 days from the opening or from my entry in Thailand?
906
views
1
likes
41
all likes
30
replies
0
images
5
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
Fabio inquired about opening a bank account in Thailand to transfer euros for his Non-Immigrant O visa, specifically regarding the need to maintain 800,000 baht in the account. He further questioned whether the 60-day seasoning period for the funds starts from the account opening or his entry date into Thailand. Responses included considerations about conversion fees for transferring euros, the possibility of using a notarized letter for income to meet quotas, and advice to explore alternatives like TransferWise.
Ivan ************
@Fa***
what is the reason you want to do it in EUR? One thing to note, if you intend to transfer it back out, is that Bangkok Bank at least, but I think other Thai bank FCD accounts, charge 0.5% of the entire amount to transfer EUR back out. This is in addition to their regular transfer fee. On 800,000 that would be 4,000. It's not an unbelievable amount of money, but it is ten times larger than their wire transfer fee which is 400B. There may also be a 500B charge on the way in, from the Thai side.

If you intend to spend the money in Thailand eventually, and the aim is just because you don't want to convert it all right now, you can ignore all of the above- in that case it works out basically the same cost but you can choose when you want to do the conversion.
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fa***
, you can use a notarized letter from your consulate here in thailand stating you get at least 65K baht of income from abroad to meet the financial requirement for a year extension based on being over 50 (retirement) BUT you cannot use a foreign bank account balance with 800K baht (or the equivalent) in it to meet the banked money requirements inside the country.
Fabio *******************
I know this, thank for all informations
Bernd ***********
Just a recommandation for the transfer , have a look at Transfer Wise or Revolt. I opened an account with Transfer Wise also I got an Global Mastercard from them. Check the costs and the benefits,it's worth to have a look....
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Seeing as transferwise can't be used to transfer euro to euro in a thai bank and therefore does NOT meet the requirements of Fabios question we need to stay more on topic.

Thanx
Jennifer ****
@Bernd **********
Canada is has the most strict verification process. EU countries is a lot easier. Also depends on what you are sending... under a few thousand USD is easy, over that it gets more complicated. I think EURO is the easiest to send and receive.
Bernd ***********
@Jennifer ***
here in Germany verification and ID procedure were all online ,easy and within 10 minutes done.
Jennifer ****
I use transferwise almost daily now. Took a little time to get verified and understand the system. But its far cheaper than using the banks (who create their own exchange rates) and the transfer fees are less too. Huge savings. The expense of international transfers isn't the "fees" by the banks, it's their own exhange rates that they decide upon. Compare a few methods, using banks the exchange rates add up to a lot vs the real exchange or what transferwise will give you. @
@Fabio ******************
I don't know why that is... Maybe you needed to get the bank statement notorized or approved by your embassy? I had an issue in Australia when I showed my banking details for a Visa and they said they wanted to see it in THB - and I had to explain to them that I only had USD and CND accounts
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fa***
, you are confusing TWO completely different government agencies. There are completely different requirements for things inside and outside the country.

OUTSIDE the country visas are sold at thai consulates which are run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office.

INSIDE the country visas & extensions are sold by the thai immigration office which is a division of the Royal Thai Police.
Fabio *******************
thanks for all the information, you have been very kind
Fabio *******************
@Jennifer ***
the strange thing is that to have this seen in Italy the consulate asks me for the statement in Italy with at least
*****
euros, but when I have to ask for the extension here in Bangkok I can not use this document ahahahahah
Bernd ***********
Ok,we should stop here. It's a Visa forum not a Banking forum.Just a tip to have a look. .... :)
Bernd ***********
@Jennifer ***
yes, i leave euros on the mastercard and exchange when the rate is good.
Fabio *******************
@Bernd **********
maybe only from bank to bank, not with transferwise
Jennifer ****
Bernd Moonfruit yeh you can transfer euro to thb no problem, but you cant transfer Euro to Euro (in a thai bank, but keeping the foreign currency as Euros)
Bernd ***********
Jennifer Lo are you sure ? i use it only for transfer euros into thb but i thought you could also send euros !?
Fabio *******************
21.500
Jennifer ****
@Fabio ******************
800,000 thb is over 21,000 euro...
Bernd ***********
you can transfer what ever you want but if you in need of THB you have to accept the exchange rates of the Thai bank and charges.
Fabio *******************
Jennifer Lo Thank, for
*****
is only 150 euro, I think 0,7%
Jennifer ****
@Fabio ******************
@Tod ********
No it has to be one currency to another. Unfortunately can't do Euro to Euro or Usd to Usd.
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Be***
he wants to open a foreign currency (Euro) account in thailand rather than have it be in thai baht.

Can you use that company to transfer Euros into a Euro account at a thai bank here?
Fabio *******************
I know, but if I want open a account in Thailand in euro, I can transfer directly Euro?
Bernd ***********
You put Euros in TW account and transfer THB into your Thai account. Compare the rates, its worth.
Fabio *******************
@Bernd **********
but I can transfer euro in a Thailand bank?
Bernd ***********
Yep...
Fabio *******************
U mean transferwise?
Fabio *******************
I have ask a exstention for non immigrant o retirement
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
You can open a Euro account at a thai bank branch here and transfer in the money. If you're using it for a "retirement" visa you need to have the equivalent of 800K baht in the account and for the first year when you apply for an extension the money needs to be seasoned in the account for 60 days prior to you applying for the year extension.
Fabio *******************
Thank a lot
Thai Visa Advice
... members · 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice