Can I use the 400,000฿ in my Thai bank account for expenses while applying for my visa, and what are my options for banking in Thailand?

Nov 27, 2020
4 years ago
マレー *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey guys just going through the processes required for my visa including putting 400,000฿ into a Thai bank account.

Just wondering if that amount can be used during the year or do I need to maintain that amount regardless of what I use?

Also will they try to tax me on this amount that I deposit?

Lastly can you recommend a bank in Thailand?

Thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The 400,000฿ requirement for maintaining funds in a Thai bank account may depend on the type of visa you are applying for, specifically the Non-O visa for marriage. Recent discussions suggest that this requirement can vary: while some assert it is no longer needed after the application or during the consideration period, others emphasize that it must be maintained a couple of months before and after applying. Additionally, taxation on funds brought into Thailand is generally not applicable if you are not earning income locally. For banking, recommended choices include Citi Bank, Krungsri, and Kasikorn Bank for expats.
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.
Mo ******
Here is the EXACT process as I have just done mine completed on the 23rd November.

I first opened a bank account at krungsri bank in em quartier, in order to do this I needed my wife’s blue book and my own passport. Wife came with me. I opened two accounts.

1 FCD (foreign cash deposit)

2 THB savings account

Once the account was opened I transferred £12,000 from Halifax account in the UK to the FCD account. Cost was around £20 not sure exactly how much.

The transfer took 4 days, then on the 12th August I went to chaeng wattana to start the process , you will need to go together with your wife, no need to bring children. They collected all the documents.

Marriage certificate

Affirmation of marriage certificate which I had to go back to where our marriage was registered to get a copy of.

Bank book and letter from the bank saying that I had more than 400,000 in the account.

Wife’s blue book

Her ID card

My passport

Babies birth certificate

Proof that we own property/ where we live

Pictures of us at home together and standing in front of the door number.

They collected all the documents and said somebody from immigration would come round to check our home , and I alone would need to return on the 26th august.

5 days later we had a call and two officers came to visit , took pictures with us, completed a form and left, nice guys i guess just to prove we are a couple and do live there. He also checked my bank book.

So on the 26th I go back they stamp my passport with the first non o visa then validity until 23 November, but also said I would need to come back after 45 days to get my one year non o. So I went exactly 45 days later and they again ask for updated bank book which I got from the bank downstairs I had to resubmit all the documents again which is strange as they already have them albeit at another desk. On this visit I needed to go with my wife.

They then told me to return alone on the 23rd November with an updated bank book , once they checked that, they stamped my passport for one year,

So basically the money needs to be in the account for 3.5months they check at 5 stages throughout the process .

Initially I started by issuing an agent who said they would help with the account opening and funds , they were completely useless and I had the money anyways but it was in the UK.

I would not suggest you use an agent, save the money and do it yourself. It’s an arduous process but as long as you have all the documents it’s ok.

There were a few complications along the way which I won’t bore you with on here , if you have questions PM me.

Final comment Tod Daniels helped me with guidance and where I could open the account. Thanks Tod
Oliver *************
Mo Bugs Was there a Stipulation on How Long you Had to Have the Money in a Thai Bank For ?
Mo ******
@Oliver ************
When I first submitted the documents , the woman said 2 or 3 months. It was actually 3 and a bit
Oliver *************
@Mo *****
Thanks Just Need What’s Happening on the Ground Now Appreciate
Mo ******
Mo ******
Also , Worth noting . The FCD account must be opened with a minimum balance of $500 (currency equivalent in GBP) cash only , I went to an exchange shop and changed baht into pounds
マレー *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mo *****
this is great, thank you so much to explain that.l 😊
マレー *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
You mean that you own property in Thailand or UK?
Mo ******
@Jaymie *******
in Thailand , but that can be a rented property too, you just need to prove you live there , rental contract etc
マレー *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mo *****
ah yep i know what you mean now
Brett ***********
anyone heard of an "FET" form or "foreign exchange transaction" form. Do you need to show immigration one of these forms proving it came from overseas? how do you prove the money came from overseas? I was going to use Transferwise, a transfer service that is cheaper than swift because you send the money to them locally and then they send the money from their thai bank account to yours so it doesn't seem to be an international transfer. how do you prove the money came from overseas and do they ask for this.
Brett ***********
awesome, thanks so much. I truly appreciate your help as you gain nothing from giving it in this forum other than being a good guy. thank you
Ivan ************
@Brett **********
the whole overseas thing is for retirement extensions. It doesn't apply to marriage extensions, the money doesn't have to come from abroad in that case.
George *************
@Brett **********
Having a FET is useful to have as it proves where the money came from if and when you attempt to move the money out of Thailand. There is a threshold of I believe $50,000 under which FETs are not typically issued. For immigration purposes, immigration officials look for indications in your bank passbook and statements that the money came from an international transfer. For example, in the case of Bangkok Bank, your passbook transaction will be coded as FET (Foreign Electronic Transfer). Immigration understands what these codes mean and looks for them during your application process.

Yes, you can use TransferWise to do the international transfer but you must take care to do it correctly. How to do it correctly is spelled out in this group
*************************************
but basically, it requires that you use Bangkok Bank as your Thai bank and that you indicate on the TransferWise transfer that you are doing it for the purpose of longterm stay in Thailand. This will result in the correct FET code being applied to your transfer. Using another Thai bank or failing to indicate the long-term stay in Thailand reason is likely to result in a transfer marked other than FET and which immigration will not accept.
Rob ******
Is that still a requirement ?Some visas it has changed on because the Chinese visitors not able to meet .
Tod *********
IF you are using 400K baht it means you are most likely applying for either the initital 90 day Non-O visa or a year extension based on marriage to a thai.

The 400K baht needs to be in a thai bank account in your name only and for the initial 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage it needs to show it was transferred in from abroad.

IF you already have the 90 day Non-O and are applying for a yearly extension the 400K baht needs to be in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months BEFORE you apply for the extension, then at SOME immigration offices it needs to stay in the account for the 30 days "under consideration" period, Once you get the year extension inked into your passport from the immigration office you can use the money
Todd ***********
With an OA visa you just have to show that much in your bank account in your home country and that it has been there for at least 6 months. You then have 3 months after arriving in Thailand to transfer it to a Thai bank. I think these rules apply across the board for other visas as well.
Ադամ ********
@Todd **********
No 6 month seasoning is required for 0-A visa applications from US. Other countries may be different?
Janin ******
400.000 marriage visa, 2 months before applying no tax. kasikorn bank.
Janin ******
John ****************
@Janin *****
old info
Janin ******
@John *******
, marriage visa still need 400.000 or statement of proof from income, need to be 2 months in advance! We don’t talk about the 500.000 concerning C19. What is old on it?
John ****************
@Janin *****
all of it:
John ****************
FIRST: there is no such thing as a Thai 'marriage VISA'... Second: U write like Thai VISA rules are etched in stone; they aren't. The rules are administered at provincial immigration offices at the whim of their commander. The 400.000 Baht in the bank has been eliminated at some office. Third: their is no 'statement of proof of income' as I erroneously called it. The "Affadadivit of Income" previously required from home country embassies was eliminated by a number of countries. Fourth: the time your funds in the bank rule was also changed - time PRIOR TO and # of months AFTER your renewal. All that said I don't preach as an expert to anyone BC the rules change on a whim - and there are no experts for nationwide guidance.
Steve *******
@John *******
What are you talking about?
@Ja***
is correct with the info she posted. The 400,000bt HASNT been eliminated, any proof of monthly income can be used if you choose that method. For an extention of stay based on marriage the time your money stays in the bank HASNT changed.
John ****************
Chonburi has 3 Immigration offices - my American friend uses one - last October his renewal of his Marriage VISA was denied after 13 years... No explanation. He was forced to sign retirement extension forms and required to increase bank deposit to 800,000 Baht. My Imm office denied my retirement extension after 12 perfect years BC embassy stopped "Affidavit of Income" & I was denied use of provable deposit in home country.
John ****************
@Steve ******
wrong on all 3
Paul **********
@Steve ******
he can also show regular income of 50k per month
Kool *******
John Boland, you are full of BS. Technically the visa for him to enter Thailand would be a type O 90 day visa based on Thai wife. After he enters Thailand he can apply for a one year extension, and again, based on Thai wife. To do that, and this is set in stone, with no exceptions, he must show bt400,000 in a Thai bank account in his name only, or bt40,000 minimum a month for the last 12 months direct deposited from an overseas source into his Thai bank account. There are no exceptions to this, no matter what a "commander" says, and actually the term at immigration is not commander. It is supervisor, deputy director, or director. The bt400,000 must be in a Thai bank at least 2 months before you apply, and they check again after your 30 day under consideration period, when you come to get your actual extension stamp. This is the same at every immigration office countrywide. What an office can do, if you need a little more time, is give you a 30 day extension to get what you need, but after that you still must meet all the requirements, no exception.
Steve *******
@Kool ******
The only exception is you dont need the money deposited from an overseas source. You dont have to show 12 monthly deposits for the first extention of stay. The overseas/12 months deposits are for an extention of stay based on being over 50. You can use your income from working in Thailand to obtain an extention of stay based on marriage.
Kool *******
Steve Greir, you are highly misinformed.
Steve *******
@Kool ******
How can it be from an overseas source if it's earnt in Thailand. Ive never had to prove my money came from an overseas source for a yearly extention of stay based on marriage
Janin ******
@John *******
,in 6 years nothing has changed for marriage visa!
Nigel *********
For marriage visa {non o based on marriage} you need
*****
0thb in your bank 2 months before and one month after application. Once you've completed your under consideration period you are free to use the money. You then need the
*****
0thb 2vmonths before next extention.
マレー *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nigel *********************
would I need to apply every year or 3 months? It’s based on having a child here.
Nigel *********
@Jaymie *******
you get a one year extention of stay based on raising Thai child.
マレー *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nigel *********************
great thanks. It’s been hard getting advice lately. I came here on a non Imm O multi and thought I was done. It’s all been a mess
Nigel *********
@Jaymie *******
is your name on the birth certificate?
マレー *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Nigel *********
@Nigel *********************
you don't pay tax on that money
Oliver *************
No Tax in Thailand as You are Not Resident Unless Uou over There on Wirk VISA Ie Earning Money in Country Money that Comes From Abroard in Thailand is Non Taxable as Stated by KMPG Tax Consultants
Oliver *************
I Wanted to Live in Thailand and Pay Uk Taxes But Was Refused as I Wasn’t Living There Or Resident
Janin ******
@Oliver ************
, it’s very strange, because I have some good friends living here from the UK and they pay taxes in their home country and not here! So I don’t understand...and we have a discussion, so I don’t feel that you say something wrong..👍
Sigurd *********
You don't have to have the money anymore. They recently stopped the requirement.
Garrett ***********
@Sig***
The financial requirement was removed for tourist visas, NOT for retirement visas to extensions.
Brett ***********
@Sigurd ********
link please?
Joe ***********
There is another way (in normal - non Covid times) to obtain an O Visa for Marriage 12 months Multi-Entry. That is when the Borders are open and one can visit the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet, Laos or in HCMC - Ho Chi Mihn City, Vietnam... Then pay 5000 Baht, present a letter from the wife verifying marriage, her ID Card, Thai Marriage License...No financial requirements. Under this Visa One has to Exit and Reenter Thailand at 90 day intervals.
Brett ***********
@Joe **********
this is what I had for three years but now can't do this...
Joe ***********
The standard O Visa for marriage - then processed into a One Year Extension most certainly requires 400,000 Baht in a Thai Bank Account. Or - one can proved 40,000 Baht transfer deposit each month for the previous 12 months brought into Thailand from a foreign source. Or the 40,000 from a salary - money earned in Thailand when the O visa / Extension holder has acquired a Work Permit - which is allowed to be done under this O Visa / Extension category
Paul **********
@Joe **********
correct it can be lump sum or income over 12 months
Joe ***********
Sigurd - you are Wrong
Wylie *******
@Sigurd ********
depends on the visa type they are applying for, which they don't state.
Oliver *************
The Answers You Got are Good But Not 100 % Correct Take This Slowly Please
Brian ***********
Krungsri are great
Tony ********
@Brian **********
yes I have them too
Jamie ******
400,000 has been scrubbed don’t need to show it anymore
Michael ********
Yes he mentioned
*****
0 baht so its obviously marriage visa. The
*****
0 baht for tourist was scrapped and that didnt need to be in a Thai bank account
Janin ******
@Jamie *****
no it isn’t!
Bob *******
I believe they have only scrubbed the large bank deposit (400k) for tourist visa only. Still required for 12 month Thai wife and even more for retirement visa. Can spend the money once you have the visa stamp in your passport. But you will need deposit again for next extension / renewal.
Anthony *********
400,000 baht sounds like Marriage Visa.
Wylie *******
@Jamie *****
i think you are referring to the 500,000 baht in any bank account for the tourist visa. Isn't the 400,000 in a Thai bank account still required for other visas?
Jamie ******
@Wylie ******
depends what visa u are after
Wylie *******
@Jamie *****
that was my point. The previous requirement that was dropped was 500k in any account for the TR or STV visa, and didn't need to be in a Thai account. The fact the op is asking about 400k in a Thai account would lead me to believe they are referring to a different visa that still has the requirement.
Jamie ******
@Wylie ******
the fact he is referring to over a period leads me to believe his after a TR visa needs to be more clearer on post
Wylie *******
@Jamie *****
agreed, they need to be more clear. But they are not asking about a period in the past. They are asking if they have to maintain that amount or if it can be used throughout the year in the future. Which would again lead me to believe they are not talking about the TR visa, but who knows.
Gareth *******
@Jamie *****
?????.Not two week's ago.
Jamie ******
@Gareth ******
you don’t need to show it anymore not a requirement
Ken ********
interesting Jamie,,
Robert *******
Citi bank
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