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Can I really obtain a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand without opening a local bank account?
Thailand visaNon-O retirement visabank account requirementsexpat advicevisa agentsimmigration procedures
Aug 9, 2024
2 years ago
David ****
ORIGINAL POSTERAn agent claimed to be able to get me a non-o retirement visa without having to open a bank account? Is that to be believed? She said an account would be an additional charge?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around whether it is possible to obtain a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand without opening a local bank account. Many comments suggest that while some agents may claim they can facilitate this without an account, typically some form of proof of funds is required, which usually necessitates having a bank account to show the required amount. Various users discuss how agents often facilitate opening a bank account as part of the visa process, and the complications that arise from not having a local account. Many participants caution against any fraudulent methods or shortcuts, stressing the importance of adhering to immigration laws to avoid future issues.
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.
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Alex *******
Hi ,so my question is $900.thb elite visa for 5 years this money is gone or you still can have excess for late?
Max **********
You need
*****
0bht in Thai bank with proof it came from outside Thailand. I don’t think possible. Then again this is Thailand never say never.Jim ********
Just get the DTV! 10,000 baht for five years! Retirement visas are a relic of the past now! Agents will go out of business
Bob **********
@Jim *******
and you believe that you can book a three month cooking class ,complete that leave and get stamped back in anytime you want for 5 years ???Jim ********
@Bob *********
Digital nomad remote workerBob **********
@Jim *******
that’ll work be prepared to pay Thai income tax as your admitting your workingJim ********
@Bob *********
Remote working. Not working in Thailand. Not remitting money to Thailand. Zero tax.Bob **********
@Jim *******
good luck with that if your here for 180 days do you really think Thailand is going to give you a 5 year visa let you work in country and not collectJim ********
@Bob *********
I'm not working in country. I'm working remotely. All earnings stay in Australia. Thailand gets 10,000 baht off me for the visaReply to
Jim ********
Reply
Bob *********
Better to take a boxing or cooking class and get a letter from them stating so, and get a DTV visa, leave your money in your home country
Randy ******
Do you still need 800 k for Elite visa?
Todd *********
@Randy *****
definitely no. But you pay 900,000 baht for 5 years. Or 10,000 baht for 5 year DTV. Up to youReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Steve *******
Can be done but your visa/extention will basically be fraudulently obtained. If the poop hits the fan it'll cover you not the agent!
David *********
Just for Non O , yep sure they can .
Jim *********
What they do is add your name to an open account then remove it after the visa processes. It's just a doggy visa.
Mac *********
I would ask two questions:
1. Are you the kind of person who would buy a discounted game ticket from someone in the parking lot who says they can't make the game?
2. Do you want to get deported for fraud after setting up your life here?
If the answer is 'no' to both, you're on the right path and know what you need to do.
1. Are you the kind of person who would buy a discounted game ticket from someone in the parking lot who says they can't make the game?
2. Do you want to get deported for fraud after setting up your life here?
If the answer is 'no' to both, you're on the right path and know what you need to do.
David ****
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you all for your comment. For clarification, what do you mean by 'tied to them'? So the visa would be obtained through bribery?
Stuart ***********
@David ***
it means because you don't have a bank account with 800,000 in for the extensions each year you are unable to satisfy the visa requirements and have to use the agent again.It's worse than that though, as it is illegal, so if the Immigration Officer is investigated, they will cancel ALL of the visa that were approved without the required conditions satisfied. You would then be forced to leave the country. I have seen several posts from people complaining this has happened to them over the past few years, so it does happen. My advice would be to use an agent to help open a bank account for you and then deposit your own 800,000 and do everything else yourself as it is easy. Good luck.
David ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart **********
many thanksReply to
David ****
Reply
George *********
@David ***
the year after receiving your retirement visa you will not be able to satisfy immigration the following year because you need to show money in the bank for 3 months AFTER your visa date.Obviously you cannot..so have to use an agent again..ad nauseum
Nick ************
@George ********
not true in my experience.Todd *********
@Nick ***********
i also switched from agency visa while still in countryReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Todd *********
@George ********
use the 65k method. Or leave the country and come back to start over when you need.David ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@George ********
can I use the visa to open a local account and deposit the money. The headache right now is getting an account on a tourist visaReply to
David ****
Reply
Paul ********
Perhaps a misunderstanding?
Some applicants for non-O retirement visas already have an appropriate Thai bank account, so there would be no need to open an additional one, and thus the agent could help get the visa without charging the additional fee for the bank account.
The visa and the bank account are two separate items, with separate fees.
Some applicants for non-O retirement visas already have an appropriate Thai bank account, so there would be no need to open an additional one, and thus the agent could help get the visa without charging the additional fee for the bank account.
The visa and the bank account are two separate items, with separate fees.
ALi *****
If you don’t have 30k usd what are you thinking in the fist place. Stay in your home country there is support there.
Mike *********
@ALi ****
what a stupid comment. There are several ways to meet the financial requirements without putting $30,000 in a bank account.Todd *********
@ALi ****
why would you convert $30k USD to THB, pay transaction fees, lose on exchange rates to dump it in a Thai bank at 0% for life? Even at 5% it gives you income of $1500 USD/year for life. Can't make too many mistakes like that in life.Paul ********
@ALi ****
Maybe, maybe not.Reply to
Paul ********
Reply
George *********
You are then tied to the agent the following year..and each year to follow
John ********
@George ********
No big deal in my opinion. You pay for the service. Must be some hard up expats in Thailand if they can't afford around 800 baht a month based on 25,000 baht for a year.William ******
@John *******
800? *****
would be a little over 2000 per month. Or did I miss something. If you offsetting with interest not a problem otherwise first year a little expensive. *****
is like the middle range. I’ve seen people pay *****
. The benefit really comes year 2 and beyond because renewal with agent is half priceJohn ********
@William *****
back to school on my maths 😂Reply to
John ********
Reply
Chris ******
@George ********
not at all . Just fly out and back in to start a new application in the future when you need a change .Todd *********
@Chris *****
true. The old guard here has not quite adapted to that simple reality yetReply to
Todd *********
Reply
John **********
@George ********
Which is not such a bad thing. 800,000 in a Thai bank earning little to no interest meanwhile back in your own country even in a simple terms deposit you will make enough to cover your agent fees and have some money left over.William ******
@John *********
for another year or two this is true. USA will be back to 2-2.5% in two years. But yes interest rate are good and now now to cover agency. In three years everyone will ask how to not use an agent for renewal. For me it’s *****
. I see the argument today if using either methodJohn **********
@William *****
We get around 5.25% in Australia without really shopping. But it also needs to be mentioned , the convenience of using an agent. Yes it's not too difficult to do yourself but moving to a new country has many challenges, why not make it easier the first year or two.Todd *********
@William *****
you don't need to keep your money in USA at all. Look further afield as so many do.Mexico for instance has 8% or better at present. And has for many years nowWilliam ******
@Todd ********
ok. Opening a bank account is a big pain in butt in Mexico. Yes, I think last year saw 9% in Mexico. Yes if you put money in Mexico during Covid years you would have made 9% plus another 20 or 30% on exchange over the last 3 years. Peso hit 25 to 1 in 2020 and this year and last year went down to 16.5. Big difference. I bought used car and had for 3 years and sold for more than I bought it because of exchange rate and inflation.Todd *********
@William *****
depends on which bank in Mexico. Intercam for instance is well known for assisting expats. Yes - during the Covid years at 9% and plus exchange rate was great. And now more like 8% and the peso sliding back. There is always opportunity (like the car) and being well diversified internationally is the key.
William ******
@Todd ********
I have not taken the step yet, putting money internationally. Diversity for me is stocks bonds money marketReply to
William ******
Reply
George *********
@John *********
rates are coming downJohn **********
@George ********
This might be the case but at the moment they are 5.25% and that's without looking for the best deal.Reply to
John **********
Reply
Todd *********
Yes - they definitely can do it. If you want a bank account (u likely do) , may need them to assist also
Dennis *********
why would anyone want to get a retirement visa, and not have a banking account locally?? doesn't even make sense, but yes, everything through an agent is going to cost you $$...
Geoffrey ******
Guess you didn't read the entire post. Continue. I don't transfer monthly.
Todd *********
@Dennis ********
you could simply use WiseGeoffrey ******
@Todd ********
Wheë does Wise send your money when you use them. Maybe your bank account here. You think.Todd *********
Geoffrey ******
@Todd ********
Ah, so you like paying additional fees to withdraw your money. Makes sense. SmartTodd *********
@Geoffrey *****
lol. Oh Geoff... how much did you pay an agent to get your bank account? And do you have 400-800k sitting doing nothing in a thai bank after paying transaction fees and currency conversion loss? Smart. And just so you are aware, the 220 baht fee for a 30k withdrawal is 0.7%. Try not to panicGeoffrey ******
@Todd ********
I'll make sure to attend your next class in economics if you let me know when it is.Geoffrey ******
@Todd ********
You conveniently forgot to mention the 5% that banks hit you for when you withdraw using a non Thai ATM. Guess it slipped your mind.Todd *********
@Geoffrey *****
you get a 5% bank charge 😂😂😂 that’s hilarious.! I pay $0 for every foreign transaction. Like many people. Another thing you missed in classGeoffrey ******
I stated, if you read correctly, which I am not sure you did, that when you use a non Thai issued ATM to with draw funds, you are hit with a 5% fee . This is in addition to the 220 baht. Was implemented by the banks here in November 2023. Pay attention.
Geoffrey ******
@Todd ********
Never paid an agent for anything. Did on my own. I don't transfer money monthly. Having *****
sitting in an account is not an issue for me. At least I never have to be concerned about any potential problems in staying here. Getting $ 750 interest on the money in the states barely covers the cost of an agent. I pay $ 25. To transfer money, regardless of the amount. Use Thai ATM card and no 220 baht fee when withdraw. That might be classified as Smart. Certainly paying 220 for every withdrawal wouldn't.David **********
@Geoffrey *****
so what part of "I pay $25 to transfer money, regardless of the amount" am I not understanding? 🧐🤦David **********
@Geoffrey *****
if you're paying $25 to transfer money, you are getting ripped off!Geoffrey ******
@David *********
Can you understand what you read. Reread my post again.Todd *********
@Geoffrey *****
finance is not your thingGeoffrey ******
@Todd ********
It's obviously not yours.Reply to
Geoffrey ******
Reply
Dennis *********
so you're there living in Thailand, one day for whatever reason, you have an emergency, and need some instant $$. then for whatever reason, you can't get instant funds via Wise, or the amount is over the threshold, where you need to wait 3-4 days to clear, and you're in deep dodo. If someones going to live in Thailand, they really should have a local bank account.
Todd *********
@Dennis ********
you clearly haven’t used Wise much. You can store your money in your Wise acct and withdraw it from your account when desired using the physical card or e-card. Just like… your Thai bank accountDennis *********
@Todd ********
I've used wide foe years. So ok let's do this again. You walk across the street and get hit by a car or bike. Hospital wants more than you can insta wise via your atm card. Hospital ok we'll wait until you can drag yourself to an atm every day for a few weeks until you have some funds. Get real your 1000s of miles from home and no local bank account..why!! That's just insane.Todd *********
@Dennis ********
use your credit cared like everyone else. Sort yourself out. This is not complicated.Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Brandon ************
Anything is possible when your money is being used for bribes. But traditionally the agent would open a bank account for you, deposit the money long enough to obtain proof, then move the money out. That way they at least have a document with your name on it, and the bribe is for them to look the other way that it wasn't in the account long enough.
Sandy **********
@Brandon ***********
and immigration in with itCarsten ************
@Brandon ***********
I believe, here it's about the initial non o only. The account is needed for the extension and is of course not included in the non o fee/bribe.Brandon ************
@Carsten ***********
Conversion to non-O visa in Thailand requires proof of 800,000 in a Thai bank account in your name only. So you still need proof of funds. The only time you don't need proof of funds in Thailand is if you're applying at an embassy outside of Thailand, and then you can use a bank account that's not in Thailand.Carsten ************
@Brandon ***********
Initial non o from an agent in Thailand w/o leaving the country costs xy Baht. A bank account costs +/- 5k extra. That's probably here the case.Brandon ************
@Carsten ***********
it's usually all in one because they need to show the money in your bank account, even if it's only there for 30 secondsCarsten ************
@Brandon ***********
... for the extension. Here it's not about the extension. Maybe I missed something...Brandon ************
@Carsten ***********
THEY BOTH REQUIRE PROOF OF FUNDS. A non-O visa conversion requires proof of funds. An extension requires proof of funds. What is so difficult to understand?Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Jim ********
Agents can do most things if they have the connections
Tree *******
@Jim *******
This is the way.Reply to
Tree *******
Reply
Bob **********
If your going through an agent they’ll have to
Open an account for you so they can deposit the 800,000
Open an account for you so they can deposit the 800,000
Bob **********
@Rene *******
no in and out in a minute or twoRene ********
@Bob *********
ok taReply to
Rene ********
Reply
Bob **********
@Rene *******
yes it’s all taken care of by the agentPeter **********
@Rene *******
Yes, they do. Shady agencies open an account in your name without giving you access and temporarily deposit 800k. Then they bribe the IO and basically you will need them every consecutive year to extend.This is the most shady (and expensive) way to buy your way into Thailand.
Bob **********
@Peter *********
your wrong about being stuck with them you can easily bring in your monthly transfers to satisfy the IOPeter **********
@Bob *********
until they ask why your balance from the year before was zeroed out on the day after you received the stamp… Or they ask for the bank documents of that bank account, which you don’t have because your shady agent never gave you access…
We don’t care about your 12 subsequent income payments, Sir. Please first show us where your previous bank balance went and prove it never went below 400k.
Oops!…
Bye bye! Have a safe trip home!
Bob **********
@Peter *********
maybe you just unlucky never happened to anyone I knowPeter **********
@Bob *********
1) So how many people do you know who hired shady agents? Do you really think they will advertise their stupid move on Facebook?2) Those who were sent out probably aren’t meeting you this week, because they were sent back!
But then again, “I’ve never seen it so it doesn’t exist” is really the best thing to write. Can’t argue with such cunning debaters. 🤣
Bob **********
@Peter *********
if you walk into any of the well known agents you see literally hundreds of passports waiting to be picked up or waiting to go to immigration big money been going on as long as I know it’s not going to stop so go ahead and deposit your 800 k if your scaredBob **********
Yes don’t think you would do well where ever that is
Peter **********
@Bob *********
Fortunately enough, I am not in little America. 😉Reply to
Peter **********
Reply
Nick ************
@Peter *********
not true.Rene ********
@Peter *********
ok, taReply to
Rene ********
Reply
Rene ********
@Bob *********
have you seen this account and have you had access to that money? Was it reflected in your bank balance?Rene ********
@Bob *********
I'm just questioning whether or not they physically dump 800,000 baht into your personal account for the 3 months before and the 2 months after the application or whatever the rule isReply to
Rene ********
Reply
Rene ********
@Bob *********
they may open an account, that you never see, but I've never seen 800 in my bank and I've had a few of these. Has anyone physically seen 800 deposited into their account? Like I said it could be location specific but this is a completely new one to me. What is to stop one taking out the 800 and doing a runner? Truly at least a few people would try that? So I'm still not clear on this whole issue having done at least three of these in the past and a decade and a half of experience in ThailandStevan ***********
@Rene *******
in out should readStevan ***********
@Rene *******
yes I’m out the same dayNick ************
@Rene *******
yes.Reply to
Nick ************
Reply
Todd *********
@Bob *********
they don't 'open an account for you'.Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
John **********
It happens, but if you don't have money in the bank you'll be stuck with them
Peter **********
@Todd ********
You’re totally right. 👍Todd *********
@John *********
which is totally fine. And if you want to become 'unstuck', fly out at expiry and return at your convenience and start again.Peter **********
@Todd ********
True, but then you’ll still need 800k seasoned.On top of that, if someone in Immigration figures out that your former application / visa was illegal you might get banned for a few years… Especially the guy who took the bribe a year earlier because he needs to protect his ‘business’.
Taz **********
@Peter *********
the visa is not actually illegal Ppl are just paying a fee for others to not care about not having funds seasoned
Yes this is an illegal act being performed, however it can only be acted on when investigated properly
However eventually one day something may change especially when someone gets sick or injured and doesn’t have funds in their bank or insurance to pay hospital bills
I believe this is what caused embassies to stop issuing the financial letters
Todd *********
@Peter *********
If somebody at immigration figured out it was ‘illegal’??? Peter, do you know where the stamps come from? Immigration officers. And it’s a legal stamp. Nobody is getting banned lol. Welcome to SE Asia. It’s how things workPeter **********
@Todd ********
and immigration officers can not be bribed by agents.. ???Thank you for welcoming me. You are right. This is SE Asia. Welcome 2u2.
Todd *********
@Peter *********
you are not thinking this through. And nobody is getting banned for an agency acquired stamp. They come from immigration.Peter **********
@Todd ********
Really? I would immediately report this shocking discovery to CNN. Surely you’ll get a honorary mention in their newsflash. They might even interrupt their show to go live with you! Wow! Amazing discovery!Reply to
Peter **********
Reply
Rene ********
Reply to
Rene ********
Reply
Phil ******
@David ***
yep you need a Bangkok bank account and they do. Depending on your visa you want from ฿15kPhil ******
Bo Andersen don't understand. This is agent fee to get Non O retirement. Others more
Reply to
Phil ******
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