Answereda year ago

Can I use an overseas bank account for Thai retirement visa requirements and where should I apply for it?

Thai Visa Retirement Visa Financial Requirements Overseas Bank Account Visa Application Process Thai Immigration

Minakuchi *****

asked May 30, 2025

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Hello everyone. I have two questions and would really appreciate your help.

1. Regarding the financial requirement, can we use a bank account from overseas (not in Thailand) as proof of funds?

2. We are living in Japan.( Japanese citizenship ）Should we apply for the retirement visa at the Thai embassy in Japan, or should we first enter Thailand with a short-term visa and then apply at the Thai immigration office?

Thank you very much in advance!

Answer summary

The user inquired about using an overseas bank account as proof of funds for a Thai retirement visa and whether to apply at the Thai embassy in Japan or enter Thailand first. Responses indicated that an overseas account can be used when applying at an embassy but not for applications made within Thailand, where a Thai account is required. Additionally, it was advised that entering Thailand on a short-term visa without a long-term visa would prevent opening a necessary Thai bank account for the visa application.

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Wannikea *********

Unless you are a Japanese or have a Japanese permanent residency you won't be getting an OA visa in Japan. Is there a specific reason you're going for the OA visa instead of the O Visa? The OA requires mandatory insurance background check and the only benefit is not bringing over the money immediately into Thailand.

a year ago

Minakuchi *****

@Wannikea ********

Thank you for your advice. I am Japanese and hold Japanese nationality.

a year ago

Christine *********

Thai Elite visa 👍🏼

a year ago

Jeremy ********

What visa are you trying to obtain??

a year ago

Minakuchi *****

@Jeremy *******

We want to apply for a O-A visa first, and then consider applying for LTR later.

a year ago

Graham ******

@Minakuchi ****

First check that your residential status in Japan will allow you to apply for a Non-OA there as you are not a Japanese national

a year ago

Minakuchi *****

@Graham *****

thank you . I am a Japanese citizenship

a year ago

Brandon ************

1) You can use an overseas account to apply at an embassy, but you can only use a Thai account to apply for anything (visa or extension) in Thailand.

2) If you enter Thailand without a long-term visa, you will not be able to open the bank account required to apply for the visa in Thailand.

a year ago

Wayne *******

@Brandon ***********

Thanks for this advice, Ive been considering a retirement option but it seems with every visa, there is a part that makes you reconsider and has me going round in circles 😅

I used to get my visa advice from a guy called Udon Joe on a forum but he sadly passed away a few years ago and I left the forum

a year ago

Brandon ************

@Wayne ******

It used to be very easy to enter as a Tourist, open a bank account and apply for the visa. Those days are long gone. Now you get the visa before you travel as it's meant to be done.

a year ago