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Do I need separate bank accounts for my Thai visa deposit and daily transactions?
Thai bank accountvisa requirementsfinancial requirementsretirement visaThai immigrationNON-O visabank statements
Sep 18, 2023
3 years ago
Simon *******
ORIGINAL POSTERJust to clarify, when opening a Thai bank account and depositing the, say Bt800k for a visa; does that need to be a separate bank account and another one opened for day-to-day usage?
TLDR : Answer Summary
When applying for a visa in Thailand that requires a deposit of 800,000 Baht, you do not necessarily need to open a separate bank account. Many expats successfully use their regular accounts for both the visa deposit and day-to-day transactions. However, it can be beneficial to have two accounts to simplify record-keeping and minimize the risk of dropping below the required balance. Immigration often requests specific bank statements that can vary by location, with some requiring 12-month statements while others need only two months' worth of transactions. Keeping your visa funds in a separate account can make the immigration process less cumbersome, but is not a strict requirement.
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.
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J ****************
It’s easier to have two accounts. I opened a new account when I moved to another city and used the original for the 800ok
Ivan ************
You can use the same account. Some people prefer to do it in another account just to keep it simpler and reduce the risk of accidentally going under. If using a second account you have the option of using a term deposit for the immigration account which pays a bit more interest, it's not a huge amount but not nothing either, about 12-16k at the moment on 800k. If doing this make sure the account has instant access and it's acceptable to your local immigration but most term deposits are.
John ********
I used the one account and never had any problems with the immigration,
Peter *********
No
Nongnuch ********
why would the statement be huge? The statement consists of TWO months, that's what Immigration is asking for when you use the 800K deposit method. I am doing my 17th retirement extension this year and my SCB bank statement is a printout of two recent months deposits. If you stop updating your bankbook every month, the expenses will show in ONE number only as a "condensed amount", means that like 20 single withdrawals show in the bankbook as ONE "condensed" withdrawal. I only update the bank every month for the three months after Immigration has issued the new extension, because they don't like to see accumulated entries, when I have to show them my bankbook after 90 days have passed since they issued the extension (NOTE to self: Immigration Sisaket)
Ian ********
@Nongnuch *******
CM immigration require a 12 month printed statement from the bank.Nongnuch ********
@Ian *******
the requirement seems to be Immigration specific. My Immigration Sisaket requires a bank letter proof of the seasoning of a minimum of 800.000.- Baht over two months prior to the day of application.Ian ********
@Nongnuch *******
yes CM also requires that plus the year statementReply to
Ian ********
Reply
Johan ********
I used my regular account and only submitted the signed paper from Kasikorn. Not my whole statement. This was enough for Immigration in Jomtien.
Ian ********
I used my day to day account for my visa and extension with no problems except the statement was huge!! So I now opened another account just for day to day so I don't have to take an inch thick pile of paper to immigration lol
Brandon ************
You can use one account for both, but it's going to take a while at the immigration office. They're going to go through your entire 12 month bank account statement at the immigration office to ensure that none of your transactions dropped you below the 800,000 for 3 months after you received your extension and then never dropped below 400,000 for the remainder of the year.
There are people that have been denied extension for going below 400,000 even if they brought the account balance back up minutes after it went below the required amount. They actually do check the entire statement.
There are people that have been denied extension for going below 400,000 even if they brought the account balance back up minutes after it went below the required amount. They actually do check the entire statement.
Marty *********
@Brandon ***********
I used the 800k deposit method for my 0A visa extensions for four years at the Bangkok immigration office. They want the bank letter and a one year bank statement. I use the same account for my 800k deposit and money I used for every day expenses. There is a column with the account balance and it is not difficult for them to just scan the balances. I also kept an additional 400k in the account as buffer to variations in monthly expendituresNongnuch ********
@Brandon ***********
when using the deposit method with 800,000.- THB in your account, Immigration only asks for a two month statement on the "rab roong thanakan" (bank letter of guarantee) and NOT for 12 months! You are confusing it with the 12 month bank proof of incoming 65.000.-THB for 12 consecutive months, month for month, for U.S. and U.K. citizens. When you hold a minimum of 800.000.- THB, you can use this account for your daily expenses as well, as long it does not fall below 800.000.- THB during the 3 months after having received the "extension of stay" ( NOT the "visa" . .the extension is NOT a visa!) and 2 months before applying for the new 1-year extension. Best is NEVER let it fall below. I use my "deposit method" account all year round, usually keeping 1.5 million THB on it. Immigration only ask for the two-month statement, I always ask the bank to give me a three-month statement. And that's what's to itBrandon ************
@Nongnuch *******
I'm not confusing it with anything. For a retirement extension based on banked money you are required to keep your account at 800,000 for 3 months after your receive your extension and you cannot let it drop below 400,000 the rest of the year. They verify this at your next extension by requiring you to provide a 12 month statement. How else would they enforce the requirement?Nongnuch ********
@Brandon ***********
maybe your immigration is complicating things. I can only speak for the Immigration Sisaket. They ask for a letter from the bank verifying 2 months seasoning. They ask for the bankbook and go through it by themselves. That's itJohn **********
@Nongnuch *******
I also use the 800k method but I only update my bank book once a year. I don't have to return to immigration after 3 months. Believe me they check the entire 12 months of statements at my immigration office, and most others are similarNongnuch ********
@John *********
it apparently is Immigration specificJay *******
@Nongnuch *******
isn't everything in Thailand?Mikkel *******
@Nongnuch *******
as with everything else here it depends. On what office. On what specific officer. On what day of the week. On what color socks your had on last Tuesday. Your experience in Sisaket may (and will) be different from the experience of others. Both in Sisaket, but more importantly in other immigration offices. Best advice is to check with your local office as advice from a different office might be useless.Nongnuch ********
@Brandon ***********
I use the deposit method with my Extensions. For an application to the next extension, I only need a bank letter verifying two months seasoning period, on the day of the application. Why would you need a bank letter for full 12 months, when you have been to your immigration with you bankbook three months after being issued the extension, so they can verify it never went below 800,000.- THB? To verify the rest of the year, a monthly updated bankbook is sufficient.Reply to
Nongnuch ********
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