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Can I use a bank account in my home country to meet Thai immigration requirements for a visa extension?

Thai Banking SystemVisa RequirementsNON-O VisaExpat Financial TipsThai ImmigrationBank Account Regulations
Feb 25, 2025
2 months ago
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So as a thought seeing the bank account problems. Would opening an account with a Thai bank in my own country with the 800,000 baht equivalent be accepted by immigration. Second thought if now would it make it easier to get an account in Thailand by transferring said account to a branch in Thailand?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Opening a Thai bank account in your home country is not possible, as there are no Thai banks operating internationally in that manner. To meet the immigration requirements, the required 800,000 baht must be deposited in a Thai bank account. It's advisable to apply for a NON-O visa while in your home country, travel to Thailand, and then open the required bank account there. Once established, you can transfer funds to this account but must comply with the regulations set by Thai immigration regarding the location and type of bank account.
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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Colin *********
Which country are you in?
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ********
 UK atm and the london branch of Bangkok bank lists personal accounts...
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am not sure if you are confusing requirements where you need to provide proof of where the money came from,i was warned my bank last year they may require it when i paid a large sum in. But i had no intention of paying cash in as that would require me to be present there.
2 months ago
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Colin *********
@Mark *******
 yes but only take £500 max deposits ,try to deposit £11,500 in cash but refused to take it ,so put it back in my bank account and sent a bank transfer to Thailand bangkok bank
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ********
 Thanks,personal experience was what i was looking for. That seems absolutely crazy,i have never known a bank refuse money before😂
2 months ago
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Brian *********
@Ma**
 they all do now - it’s bizarre they have annual limits on cash receipts
2 months ago
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Colin *********
@Mark *******
 they said it could be illegal made money ,the bank is only a satellite bank not allowed to take large amounts of money only checks and bank drafts from other banks
2 months ago
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Colin *********
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Brian *********
I think it must be located in Thailand so no we all have the equivalent- it’s strange because they want this money badly so can’t understand all these rumours about a ban. Not happening here in Bkk
2 months ago
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Andy ************
There's no Thai bank in your home country
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ***********
 You couldn't be more wrong😂😂
2 months ago
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Boran *****
@Andy ***********
 There is a Bangkok bank in London. Also in HK & probably a few more spread around the globe but I think it maybe like HSBC the Thai version & U.K. version cant link for PV accounts.. Probably becasue the Thai version is corporate banking only.
2 months ago
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Andy ************
@Boran ****
 Bangkok Bank overseas are only for corporate customers, not for retail banking. You're correct. HSBC pulled out of retail banking in Thailand some years ago, and their presence now is strictly corporate
2 months ago
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Andy ************
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Jan ******************
@Andy ***********
 The immigration will probably not accept it, but anyway:

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2 months ago
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Andy ************
@Jan *****************
 Yes. Bangkok Bank in London and many other cities is considered a local bank and not a "Thai Bank"
2 months ago
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Andy ************
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Lynnette *******
It's not so difficult if you comply with what banks require. Get appropriate visa, arrive, go to chosen bank.
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
 Wow,you really are dumb. I can't get the appropriate visa without the bank account....
2 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Mark *******
 You’ll only get 90 days on your Non O visa regardless if you apply at the Thai embassy in UK or the immigration in Thailand. Then you’ll need to apply for a yearly extension of stay which is not a visa but a permission to stay. If you apply at home before you come, it will be easier to open a bank account and apply for your extension and the process itself it’s also easier.
2 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Jan *****************
 how many times has he been told the process but is still trying to argue. Bizarre behaviour. I often wonder why some people ask for advice and become outraged and abusive when it's given. 😆.
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
 Thanks,i do understand this already. I just simply wondered if i could get ahead of the game by opening an accout here👍
2 months ago
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Mark ********
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Lynnette *******
@Mark *******
 you can get the Non O visa. Think that's 90 days. Enter and open bank account. Deposit money. Then apply for 1 year extension of stay. It was suggested by one of the experts. Calling people dumb because you don't want to listen to people explaining how to get it done, is a bit ridiculous.
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
 Wow,you are so butthurt because i didn't listen to you😂😂
2 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Mark *******
 I really don't care if you get your retirement or not. It's an advice page and I gave same advice as several others. I do note, however, I'm the only person you hurl abuse at for giving same advice.
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
You are answering a question i didn't ask. I already knew what i could do,just wanted to know if that was a possibility... save the hassle
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
 So you copied and pasted what someone said before you? thanks for that👍
2 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Mark *******
 no I didn't copy and paste anything. I don't need to. I wrote same sort of advice but I'm the only one you've chosen to insult. . 🤔
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
But that is not the appropriate visa for me as i want to retire. Also the london branch lists personal accounts.
2 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Mark *******
 you apply in UK. Get visa. Arrive in Thailand. Open bank account. Deposit 800k. Get extension of stay based on RETIREMENT.
2 months ago
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Lynnette *******
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Stephen ********
If you are willing to put the money in the bank just get the visa first then the bank account then the extension
2 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Stephen *******
 yup 👍.
2 months ago
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Lynnette *******
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Jan ******************
Has to be in an account in Thailand but you can apply for the 90 days Non O visa at home and open a bank account in Thailand and transfer within one month for the one year extension of stay.
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The london branch lists personal accounts. Its a reasonable expectation. Do you actually know for sure? Experienced it or hearsay?
2 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Mark *******
 Never heard of anyone applied for a visa or extension of stay with any funds in a branch outside Thailand. But you can easily apply from the UK with monthly income £1500 or funds £
*****
, transfer the funds to your opened account in Thailand in time to apply for your extension of stay.
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
 Yes thanks,i understand that. Are they specific figures for applying from here a
*****
baht is approx 1500. I see it mentions these figures,just wondering if it is because of the exchange rate at the time the article was written? The money is not a problem just want to ensure i know. Thanks. I was just thinking i may have been able to save some time and make life easier.
2 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Mark *******
 This is from the website of the Thai embassy in London and you apply with income in £ and it’s not that big difference since last update as 65K baht now is £1520. That’s minimum income pr month for applying.

You just make a user here by registering your email and apply for a Non O evisa based on retirement. Processing time in UK is approximately two weeks at date.

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2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
 I have already registered,thanks. 20% is quite a big difference IMHO😂
2 months ago
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Mark ********
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Lynnette *******
@Jan *****************
 he's just called me dumb for saying the same thing 🙄. Some people won't listen.
2 months ago
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Lynnette *******
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Stuart *********
Not sure what you’re asking here. You can only open a Thai bank account in Thailand.

You can’t transfer 800k to a bank that has a branch in Thailand without having an account with a Thai bank.

Any foreign bank here is set up for corporate type stuff. They do not operate individual accounts. Or even if they offer that Thai immigration won’t see them as a “Thai” bank for extensions etc.
2 months ago
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Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The can't open personal bit is wrong but the rest is what i was looking for. The thought also was it might have made it easier to get them to open an account if i was transferring it from inside the same bank.
2 months ago
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Mark ********
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