Can I use a UK Stocks and Shares ISA to meet the 500k financial requirement for a Thai visa?

Thai visa requirements DTV application UK Stocks and Shares ISA Thailand immigration digital nomad lifestyle

Nov 7, 2024

7 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Two questions:

1. Can the 500k requirement be in a UK Stocks and Shares ISA bank account that’s invested into index funds?

2. I’m a digital nomad in south east Asia. I stay predominantly in Thailand, but can go anywhere. Where would be the best place to apply for the DTV?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The respondent clarified that investments in stocks and shares, including those held in a UK Stocks and Shares ISA, do not satisfy the 500,000 baht requirement for the Thai visa application. Additionally, the poster inquired about the best location to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) while staying predominantly in Thailand.

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Kool *******

Stocks and shares of any kind do not qualify in meeting the bt500,000, or equivalent, in a bank account.

7 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kool ******

although spending pedantically, it is a bank account, and the balance on the funds more than meets 500k requirement.

7 days ago

John **********

Anonymous participant the money is not instantly accessible so it won't count

7 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

so I’d have to move the cash from there to my main account with Barclays? Wouldn’t it look suspicious just moving a wad of cash specifically for the visa purposes? I remember when I applied for my working holiday visa in Japan, they queried why I had a transfer in that brought me up to the amount needed for the visa application.

7 days ago

John **********

Anonymous participant they might question it but what else have you got? Wait a few weeks after the transfer before applying?

7 days ago

Reply to

John **********

Kool *******

Anonymous participant use that and apply. If it is accepted then it works. If not then you lose bt10,000, as the application fee is not refundable.

7 days ago

Pete *******

Anonymous participant Vanguard is not a bank so any funds held with them would not qualify.

7 days ago

Reply to

Pete *******

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kool ******

that’s unfortunate. So if I sold the index funds and kept the cash in the same Vangusrd S&S ISA bank account, I’m assuming that would be better. It’s a bank account and that’s then cash. Sucks though, because I don’t keep my money in liquid funds so it can rot with inflation, but long term invest it as one should.

7 days ago

David ***********

Anonymous participant remember to consider tax implications of realising any gains, especially with the recent increase in capital gains tax.

7 days ago

Deepak *******

Anonymous participant Do you get an ATM card that you can use to withdraw money from ATM machines? If so, it will qualify. For example, Charles Schwab and Fidelity Checking accounts qualify, but their investment accounts don't qualify even if the money is in cash (SPAXX) because there is no ATM card for their SPAXX account.

7 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Deepak ******

you’re right, no ATM card.

7 days ago

Reply to

Anonymous *************

Do I need to hold 500,000+ baht in my bank account before applying for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand?

21 comments

7 days ago

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