Answereda year ago
Do I need to maintain 500k THB in my bank account for re-entry to Thailand on a DTV?
Hey guys, bit confused about the 500k THB thing.
The rules say you need to have it in your bank account (crypto not allowed), but I’ve heard some people had to show proof of it again when (re-)entering Thailand.
There’s nothing I can find that says you need to keep that money in your bank account at all times. Honestly, I’d rather invest it than let it just sit there.
Has anyone ever been denied re-entry because they invested that money into stocks or crypto after getting their DTV approved?
Anyone here got personal experience with this?
The rules say you need to have it in your bank account (crypto not allowed), but I’ve heard some people had to show proof of it again when (re-)entering Thailand.
There’s nothing I can find that says you need to keep that money in your bank account at all times. Honestly, I’d rather invest it than let it just sit there.
Has anyone ever been denied re-entry because they invested that money into stocks or crypto after getting their DTV approved?
Anyone here got personal experience with this?
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around the requirement of having a bank balance of 500,000 THB for the Non-O retirement visa (DTV) in Thailand. Some expats express confusion about whether this amount must be maintained at all times post-approval or only when applying for extensions. While many share personal experiences indicating that proof of funds is seldom required upon entry and mainly necessary for in-country extensions, there are varying reports about immigration practices, with some stating they were only asked for a minimal amount (like 20,000 THB) when entering. It's generally advised to have the required funds accessible in case of checks but concerns about needing to show the full amount at re-entry remain unclear.
45 repliesnewest first
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Mehdi *******
Officer can ask to check anything regardless of the visa and your status
Abdulghani ******
Thailand immigration does recognise crypto as a currency or value, so try to avoid investing in crypto, immigration has the right to ask you at border entry to demonstrate financial fitness, do not show or mention crypto, this is synonymous with fraud and scam in Thailand
Luit *****************
@Abdulghani *****
I think it is a wise decision not to accept crypto as a currencey for visa requirements, but there are more currencies they better could skip.On the other hand they have the requirements in THB, that means it is the applicants responsibillity to keep it matching to 500K at any moment.
Anonymous *************
OPThanks everyone. Most people say you only have to show the funds again if you extend after 180 days. I’m not planning on doing that, so I’ll go ahead and invest the money. If there are any issues, I’ll just transfer it on the spot.
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer Maybe it then just is easier to transfer before you travel in. Transferring it at the moment they ask you for it might give a bad expression.
Dany ********
@Luit ****************
if the money is invested then there often is no cheap option for doing that.Dany ********
@Luit ****************
okay then answer this: how many retirement visa holders have been asked to show proof of their 800k baht in the bank when entering the country? how many marriage visa holders have been asked? you never ever read such stories. because its not happening.Luit *****************
@Dany *******
the equivalent of 500 THB on a direct access bank account just is a visa requirement, which means Thai autorities are allowed to check.That is not fear mongering, legitimate DTV holders have nothing to fear at all from checks.
And even illegitimate DTV holders do not have much to fear, because chances getteing checked ar less than a percent, but that still is higher than the chance you will win Thai lottery.
Dany ********
@Luit ****************
but as of nowno one will ask you to show 500k on entry. its not even specified anywhere. and the proof was different between many embassies as well. and foreign languages accepted as well… so its not a requirement. everything else is just fearmongering and not reality.
Luit *****************
@Dany *******
And exactly that is why investments are not valid as funds for visa requirements.
Anonymous ******************
@Luit ****************
I think you should find something better to do instead of fear mongering and talking about stuff you have very little understanding of. Have a nice day!Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 450 Maybe you should learn about visa requirements before you post rubbish here. I perfectly know the requirements, this has nothing to do with fear montering. In 99 percent or more you get away with abusing this visa, and when you comply to the requirements you have nothing to fear at all, so why do you accuse me of fear mongering.
Wannikea *********
It's a fear mongering myth dreamt up during herbal tonic fueled navel gazing sessions at a yoga retreat on KPG.
Shandy ********
There's conflicting information about this. On the one hand, in-country extensions require a 500K THB bank balance. But advice from what I'd call official sources suggest otherwise. The Chiang Mai airport is requesting that new entries on the DTV prove only 20K THB balance. Also, someone recently posted a notice from one of the SEA embassies that there's no requirement to keep the 500K in your account after your application's approved.
Shandy ********
This is the link to the post that says this. The last sentence says that you don't need to save the 500K.
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You'd have to ask the poster where exactly he found this announcement because I searched the Jakarta website and can't find it.**********
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3/ You'd have to ask the poster where exactly he found this announcement because I searched the Jakarta website and can't find it.Anonymous *************
OP@Shandy *******
do you have the link to the post by any chance?Shandy ********
Anonymous participant correction: I read that post again and the poster did not answer when asked for the source of the screengrab. So sorry, spoke too soon, we're still waiting for clarification on this requirement.
Anonymous ******************
Why not just transfer the money before traveling? It’s easy. One or two days won’t kill you. Everyone worries about investing but 500,000 is not a lot unless using it in a margin account
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 482 but your still a tourist
They rarely check balance. But to be safe if leaving every 6 months then why not transfer for a couple of days. Your also suppose to be able to extend for 6 months but they make it difficult so people border run.
They rarely check balance. But to be safe if leaving every 6 months then why not transfer for a couple of days. Your also suppose to be able to extend for 6 months but they make it difficult so people border run.
Anonymous *************
OPAnonymous participant 482 it's not about the amount. It's about that it can't work for me. I can transfer the money but that's nothing I would like to do. I proved financial stability once when I applied for the DTV.
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer So you did have money for emergency situations at he moment you applied, but when you enter it should not matter anymore you don't have? What kind of logic is this?
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer it is not about how you consider the 500K, but how Thai autorities consider it. They made a visa requirement of it. You can argue you don't need as much as you want, but those arguments have zero value, it are their arguments that count.
Anonymous *************
OP@Luit ****************
the 500k isn't my emergency money. Simple as that.
Alan ****
Makes zero sense if have shown you have the 500k for the visa requirements but expected to have 500k again after living there for a few months.
Luit *****************
@Alan ***
Why does it not make sense anymore when you live in Thailand for a few months.It just is a visa requirement because the want people who stay longer have a financial reserve while staying in the country.
So it makes no sense that you don't need it anymore after some time.
Alan ****
@Luit ****************
so you go in with 500k, are you not supposed to touch that 500k?Luit *****************
@Alan ***
It not needs to be a problem as long as you are not checked, and chnces getting checked are very low unless you want to do in country extension, but it is good to keep in mind why the visa requirement is there.That is also why they at approval sometimes ask you how you want to support your daily living in Thailand, because the 500K is not meant for that.
Alan ****
@Luit ****************
ok that’s where the confusion lies. That’s going to be a problem then. School fees and rental was going to be from that 500k
Luit *****************
@Alan ***
Indeed you are not supposed to touch it, it is meant for emergencies, not for cost of living.Anonymous *************
OP@Alan ***
true but some people claim that they needed to show the proof again.Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer Since it is just the most important visa requirement it is perfectly normal that it is checked sometimes.
Kaitlyn *********
Just re-entered yesterday and was not asked for proof. My understanding is if you extend for 180 days that is when you need to show it
Luit *****************
When you extend in country the chance you need to prove again is just 100 percent.
The chance you need to prove when just entering the country is less than 1 percent I think, but because it is a visa requirement the chance is not zero.
The chance you need to prove when just entering the country is less than 1 percent I think, but because it is a visa requirement the chance is not zero.
Anonymous *************
OP@Kaitlyn ********
thanks. Your understanding is based on what official information?Dany ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer for my entries on the DTV i never had to provide any documents (no financial proof, nothing)… for my successful DTV extension i had to proof everything again with fresh dated documents (certificate of employment, bank statements, etc.)
Greg ********
Anonymous participant If you extend in country you need to show a balance of 500k in an account for the previous 30 days.
James ********
Anonymous participant THIS is Thailand. Highly unlikely to see a link to the answer that you are seeking. Experiences of many DTV visa holders are on the forum, and the recent request to show 20,000 Thai baht at the Chiang Mai Thai Immigration arrival appears to be a sole Chiang Mai arrival report. As suggested, have available if asked, a copy of the documents used in your application for the DTV visa.
Kaitlyn *********
Anonymous participant the official information from the people that have done it
Angelina *****
Are you ok if you are refused entry at the airport for being unable to show this amount in your bank account? Up to you to take this risk. I personally wouldn't do it.
Anonymous ******************
500k is nice back up if you get into medical issues or lose job etc.
Dany ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer 401 but allways have a medical insurance.
Anonymous ******************
@Dany *******
yes agreed but also have emergency cash also. This isn’t the like the western world where you can get an overdraft or max credit cardGreg ********
For the DTV I have not seen any posts where anyone was asked to show proof of the 500k upon entry or re-entry.. The only time anyone has been asked to prove they still have the 500k after approval is for an in-country extension.
Jef ********
Mo *****
No you’ll be fine.. some people have reported having to show 20k
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