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How can a Singapore passport holder transfer 800,000 baht for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand if she's unable to open a bank account?
Jun 2, 2025
a year ago
Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTERHi… I’m writing on behalf of a friend who’s interested to retire in Thailand. She holds a Singapore passport so able to enter Thailand with exempt visa. She wants to apply for a non O retirement visa… with the current situation with opening account with banks… how is she going to transfer the 800,000 baht if she’s not allowed to open a bank account ? Appreciate it very much to hear your advice. Thank you
TLDR : Answer Summary
A Singapore passport holder wishing to retire in Thailand needs to apply for a Non-O retirement visa. There are concerns about transferring the required 800,000 baht if she's unable to open a Thai bank account. Recommendations include applying for the Non-O visa while still in Singapore to facilitate account opening, or obtaining a bank letter in Singapore proving the deposit exists. Upon arrival in Thailand, she can open an account with her long-term visa and transfer the necessary funds.
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.
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Yeo **********
Get a letter from bank in SG proving deposit of minimum THB800k equivalent. The amount can be in SGD, subject to exchange rates used by the Thai Embassy for calculation of equivalent amount. Refer to Thai Embassy in SG for list of required documents.
Jesper *******
Singapore passport apply with proof of funds in sg for the nonO in thai embassy(sg) Or apply from the thai embassy (canada) if she can proof her residency and funds in Canada hope this helps
Stuart ***********
Easiest way is to get the Non O before coming to Thailand. They can then open a bank account without needing an agent, as they have a long term visa. They should open the account as soon as they get here and transfer 800,000 baht. They get a list of requirements to extend their stay for 12 months from immigration and when the money has been in their account for 2 months, take the documents on the immigration list to apply. It costs 1,900 baht and there's 1 a4 size form to complete with simple questions like; name, date of arrival in Thailand etc.
Stuart *********
Classic Catch-22. Probably best to apply for the Non O in Singapore which will make opening the bank account way easier.
If not you’re probably going to need an agents help.
If not you’re probably going to need an agents help.
Stuart *********
@Christine ****
No idea from where this image comes from but you’ll notice it includes wording like “usually” and “more flexible if”. That means it can be got elsewhere. The Non OA and OX can only be got from your home country or country of legal residence. I won’t argue anymore on this one. You can choose to believe me or not. Others have mentioned the same. A Non O is available outside of Thailand.
Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
noted with thanks. I will let my friend know. The chart was from ChatGPT
It’s not that I don’t believe you. I’m sure you and everyone is right
Thank you and I will let my friend know and see whether she’s able to apply a non o from Canada.
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Christine *****
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Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
in other words it’s better for her to apply for a OA retirement in Canada and upon arriving in Thailand then apply for a bank account ?Stuart *********
@Christine ****
She can apply for the Non O in Canada too. OA requires medical insurance, police cert and health check.Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
I’ve just checked and they offer non OA and non OX ( 10 yrs) onlyAnyways, my friend in Canada was told by Thai embassy that non O can only be applied in Thailand
Stuart *********
@Christine ****
They will offer those. They will also offer the Non O. Can be based on various reasons as mentioned earlier. Many refer to a Non O as a “retirement” visa but it can also be based on being married to a Thai, having a Thai child and numerous other reasons. Perhaps you’re not looking under the right section.Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
applying overseas at a consulate is always a Non OA. Only in Thailand you can apply for a Non OChris *******
@Christine ****
NO absolutely wrong.Steve *******
@Christine ****
Totally incorrect. You can apply for the Non Imm O at just about any Embassy/Consulate in the world. Only a Non Imm OA can be applied for in your home Country or a Country where you hold PR.Stuart *********
@Christine ****
Completely incorrect. You can apply for a Non O visa at a Thai embassy overseas (evisa).Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
I applied a non O in consulate in hk and it’s an OA. Only in Thailand that you can apply for a non O without having insurance. I’m in Thailand now with a non OA for 2 yrs before I flew out and came back in to Thailand and applied for a non OBrandon ************
@Christine ****
you're 100% wrong. You can get a non-O 90 day visa at every embassy in the world. They're all on evisa and it's standard across the world.Stuart *********
@Christine ****
Perhaps you got yours during the Covid pandemic years. There were some restrictions then. There aren’t now.Stuart *********
@Christine ****
I don’t know what to tell you. You can apply for a Non O visa (marriage, over 50, Thai child, and various other reasons) at a Thai embassy via the evisa system. It IS not only in Thailand that you can apply for a Non O visa. You can of course but you can also do so outside of Thailand.
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Stuart *********
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Christine *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
she’s coming from CanadaReply to
Christine *****
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