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How can I deposit 800k for the retirement visa if I can't open a bank account in Thailand?

May 7, 2025
a day ago
Steve ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
if i cant open a bank account to deposit the 800k for the retirement visa, how can i get it please??
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question revolves around the challenges of depositing the 800,000 THB required for a retirement visa in Thailand if one cannot open a bank account. Various suggestions and solutions were provided by the community, including using agents who can facilitate the process, applying for a 90-day Non-O visa from a Thai embassy in the home country, and recommendations for specific banks like Kasikorn. Another proposed solution involves using an immigration receipt to open a bank account while applying for a visa, followed by ensuring the funds remain in the account for the required duration before applying for a one-year extension.
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.
Greg ***********
The opening of a Thai bank account on a Tourist Visa or on a visa-exempt entry, has been made possible, again, under some conditions

Some agents, after the tightening of bank rules in February 2025, have by now figured out a safe way to open a bank account even on a tourist visa or visa-exempt.

They however need the full cooperation of both Immigration and the Thai bank, in delaying the timely process of a "change of visa type".

Immigration allows the application to the “change” without the existence of a Thai bank account.

The applicant will receive a receipt from Immigration over the 2000.- THB application fee, which says he is applying for the 90-days Non-Imm-O visa.

The bank will accept this receipt as proof that the process of aquiring a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa is under way, and will open a bank account for the applicant.

Right after, the applicant must transfer a minimum of 800,000 THB onto the account as soon as possible, and re-visit Immigration with the bank statement that the 800K deposit now is sitting in the account.

Immigration will stamp the 90-days Non-Imm-O visa as "under consideration" for 14 days. After this waiting period, the visa itself gets stamped, with the 90 days beginning to count of the day he initially applied for the “change”.

As soon as the 800,000 THB have seasoned in the account for 2 months, an application to the 1-year Extension of Stay Permit based on Retirement can be made
Chris **********
Have you tried Kasikorn Bank? They are one of the few who will do it from my experience. I tried 4 banks before Kasikorn said, yes.
Bill *********
Use an agent. Worked perfectly for me. Everything done in under a day
Greg ***********
Ok so I arrive with my Non O visa.

I open an account and deposit 800k.

I have 90 days from arrival to apply for my 1 year extension. However the money must be in my account for 90 days before I can apply. So sounds like timing is an issue.

Yes I know I can always leave and reenter and get a new 90 days.
Anna *********
@Greg **********
60 days seasoning required not 90 days
Greg ***********
@Anna ********
my bad, for some reason I thought it was 90 days prior and 60 days after. Been so long since I did my initial extension I don't remember the time frames
David ******
Loas embassy
Jesper *******
Apply for 90days nonO in the thai embassy in your home country using home funds equivalent to 800k ....and after u travel to thailand with that visa to open thai acct
Neil ********
Lynnette *******
You get the online visa from your home embassy. Arrive. Open bank account. Go get 12 month extension.
Graham ******
At an Embassy outside Thailand
Steve ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
So where do i show the 800k?
Graham ******
@Steve *****
Any bank account in your name
Jan ******************
@Steve *****
At the specific embassy either at home or outside Thailand. They accept foreign bank accounts.
Jan ******************
Several agents still offers this as a totale package with 90 days Non O visa, one year extension of stay and bank account included. (Legally).
Bob **********
@Jan *****************
it’s not legal,bribes are not legal !!
Jan ******************
@Bob *********
There is still no formal ban on foreigners opening or holding bank accounts in Thailand.
Bob **********
@Jan *****************
no but you need a long stay visa to do that,go and try with no visa and get back to us
Jan ******************
@Bob *********
No, it’s still possible to apply for Non O visa while on a visa exemption, get assistance with opening a bank account, place your own 800K baht and get assistance with forms and the immigration completely legal without bypassing any formal regulations.
Bob **********
@Jan *****************
you paying an agent who interns lay some of the money to open an account you think that’s legal??
Jan ******************
@Bob *********
it’s still not illegal to open a bank account even if you pay an agent to assist you.
Bob **********
@Jan *****************
then why is the government telling agents to stop no having a bank account is ok but it’s the same a getting a non-o and extension it’s back hand money and they can (not probable) come at you why do you think you can’t switch to monthly income after the agent put the 800k in a bank for you ???
Greg ***********
@Bob *********
I personally know an agent who has an agreement set up with the Immigration Office and the bank. As long as the applicant is using his own funds, the process is fully legal.

Immigration allows to apply for the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, yet without the existence of a Thai bank account.

Immigration writes a receipt of the 2000 THB application fee. And the bank will accept the receipt as proof that the applicant is in the process of getting a Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, and will allow the applicant to open a bank account.

As soon as the account is opened, the applicant transfers a minimum of 800,000 THB onto it.

With this proof of a deposit, after a delay of 14 days, he re-visits Immigration and will receive the 90-days stamp (starting on the day he applied for the "change"
Jan ******************
@Bob *********
No, but you can put your own 800K baht in an account an agent assisted you with and apply for a Non O visa and extension of stay stil with assistance of an agent. (Again: Legally).
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