Answered8 years ago
Can I transfer funds from my home account to my Thai account for a retirement visa?
In a few weeks I will be going back to my home country to apply for my ' retirement visa '. I have 800000 baht floating around, its ok to transfer from my home account into my Thai account and just leave it there? Thinking ahead to when I apply for my o-a extension after 90 days, then the next extension a year later. Thanks in advance.
Answer summary
The user seeks advice on transferring 800,000 baht from their home account into a Thai account as part of the requirements for applying for a retirement visa (Non-Immigrant Type O-A). Several comments clarify that for this visa, the funds can be sourced from a foreign account, as well as caution about the potential freezing of inactive accounts. Additionally, there are discussions on the visa application process, necessary documents, and the implications of residency and address registration in Thailand.
35 repliesnewest first
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Tod *********
@Ma**
Oh and when you do bring money in you can use transfer wise no problem to get it here. (y)
Mark ********
OPExcellent, thanks Tod.
Tod *********
@Mark *******
, just so we (and you are clear) are you applying for a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immgirant Type O-A visa <- the kind that requires a police back ground check and a medical certificate and one you can use money in your bank account in your country to get? That's the kind that stamps you in for a whole year every time you enter during the visas validity. OR
Are you applying for a 90 day single entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa <- (note there is no A after the O) where you get stamped in for 90 days and then you apply in thailand for a yearly extension.
Philip *********
Great. That is my plan !
Tod *********
@Philip ********
, if you have a year-long, multi-entry Non-O-A visa you could go TWO years without applying for an extension of stay inside the country. You would exit and enter just before the visa itself expired and get stamped in for a whole new year, which would give you two years of stay out of a visa valid for a year.Tod *********
@Philip ********
on a year long multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa <-(the O-A part is critical) that you get from a thai consulate in your country BEFORE you come here you get stamped in for a whole year every time you enter. AND if you're here for 90 days you do a 90 day report.Philip *********
@Tod ********
so on year long multi . You do 90 day reports but don't have to apply for an extension in the first year .Mark ********
OPThe Police check I will get signed and witnessed at the local courthouse at home. Bank statements just need to be stamped and signed by the bank.
Mark ********
OPYes. Last time I applied at my home Embassy for " retirement " they told me to get a medical and a Police check. Police checks at home take 20 days. I was flying out in 5. Embassy gave me a METV instead as I had my air ticket organised and couldnt change. So I am returning home to do a few things there, plus start the process again with the Thai Embassy. Hopefully, this time, it will go without a hitch. The med cert I obtained here in Phuket, and have had it notarised , 1000b thanks very much.
Martin *********
@Tod ********
fair enough ... it does state it on the website though . Or did a few years ago .Tod *********
@Martin ********
SOME consulates require it but some don't :/ It's totally up to the consulate he's dealing with :(Martin *********
Tod Daniels I might add ( certainly in the Uk ) once you have got the medical cert , police check and bank statement etc ) you need to go to a solicitor and get them bundled and notored .
Jay ***********
Just be careful about one thing if you decide to leave your money here : if it is inactive for more than 6/12? months it may be frozen/closed. Not sure of the details, you can look it up
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? months it may be frozen/closed. Not sure of the details, you can look it up https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773187-leaving-a-bank-account-open-when-going-back-to-the-home-country/Tod *********
@Mark *******
once you get your O-A visa when you come back you'll be stamped in for a whole year, AND you can get almost two years of stay out of an O-A visa :O There's no rush in transferring over the money for at least a year or more..
Mark ********
OPIm only out of the country for a month whilst I get mt O-A, then I return. Was going to send the money over via Transfer wise. Is TW acceptable to use ?
Jay ***********
@Tod ********
ah OK. I've heard of different stories but it may just be like so many other rules/laws here : "subject to interpretation"Tod *********
I know people who have left their 800K untouched in their account for YEARS and years.
I don't think there's a problem leaving it untouched for 6months while they're out of the country. :/
I don't think there's a problem leaving it untouched for 6months while they're out of the country. :/
Richard ********
2 questions - 1. By "home country" do they mean where you live or the country of your nationality and 2. If you're applying in your home country do you avoid all the resident certification hassle?
Mark ********
OPinteresting. Thank you. I shall look into it.
Robert *******
It takes minutes, it took me a few years ago two hours to get my address registered in the Netherlands. And that was without waiting in the queue.
Robert *******
If the hotel does this registration for you and they use their own computer than yes, just ask for a print out as proof of registration.
Richard ********
Of the hotel's computer? Ok, thanks
Robert *******
Use a printer, to make a print screen.
Richard ********
But you don't get that slip of paper stapled in your passport this way.
Robert *******
Yes, that is why hotels, guest houses, condo complex and more have the on line system to do this quickly and easy and only ask you for a copy of your passport.
Richard ********
Robert Lagas Registered within 24 hours of arrival? Tough to get all the documents they ask for here in Phuket in 24 hours, especially the PoA.
Robert *******
By home country is the country where you have official residency or country of origin of your passport. If you come into Thailand, does not matter which kind of visa or visa exempt you use, your address need to be registered at Immigration Office. This is almost the same as in your country of residence where you report your address at city hall.
Martin *********
You only need your 800k in a thai bank account ‘ seasoned ‘ up to 3 months before you apply for your Extension ,
Steve *******
If you're applying for the Non Imm OA visa, often refered to as a "retirement visa" then you dont need 800,000bt in a Thai bank account.
Robert *******
Apply for the Non Immigrant O-A visa in your home country and you can get 2 years of Stay out of that visa.
Robert *******
@Damien ******
Indeed the Thai Elite Via is the only long stay visa for people under 50 years of age.Robert *******
The visa it self is a 1 year Multiple Entry Visa and gives you on every entry 1 year of stay. You only have to do 90 days reports if you stay longer than 90 days inside the country. If you leave and enter just before or on the Valid Until / Enter Before date on the visa you still get a 1 year Admitted to Stay. But as the validity of your visa is passed you need than a re-entry permit to travel and keep your stay alive.
Deanna *******
@Mark *******
It ALMOST makes it worth going back to the states to do that.Mark ********
OPAfter the first year, I believe you step out of the country just before its due to expire, return to Thailand and they stamp you in for another year..I think that's how it works.
Deanna *******
@Robert ******
... can you explain a little more on that O-A please? Is it really 2 years? Are there multiple extensions required?Activity
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