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How can I deposit 800k for the retirement visa if I can't open a bank account in Thailand?
Retirement Visa ThailandBank Account OpeningVisa Application ProcessNON-O VisaFinancial Requirements for VisaExpat Advice Thailand
May 7, 2025
a year ago
Steve ******
ORIGINAL POSTERif i cant open a bank account to deposit the 800k for the retirement visa, how can i get it please??
TLDR : Answer Summary
If you're unable to open a Thai bank account to deposit the required 800k THB for a retirement visa, there are several alternatives. You can apply for a 90-day NON-O visa at a Thai embassy outside of Thailand and, upon arrival, attempt to open a bank account where you then deposit the funds. Some have found success using agents who facilitate the bank account opening process. Notably, Kasikorn Bank is mentioned as a viable option for account opening. Additionally, some recent changes allow account openings on a tourist visa under specific conditions, such as presenting proof of your visa application to the bank. Timing is crucial as the funds must remain in the account for 90 days before applying for a one-year extension.
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Mma *******
Rock meet hard place, funny old world when ye can’t give your 800k away.
Steve ********
Get an agent. They'll take care of everything, easy
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
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.
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 daysGreg ***********
@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 framesReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
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
Mark *******
@Jesper ******
I believe that applying for non o outside Thailand, medical insurance is mandatory.Steve ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mark ******
is this trueJeremy ******
@Mark ******
that is a requirement for OA not OReply to
Jeremy ******
Reply
Neil ********
@Jesper ******
spot onReply to
Neil ********
Reply
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 nameJan ******************
@Steve *****
At the specific embassy either at home or outside Thailand. They accept foreign bank accounts.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
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 *****************
wrong if using an agent how do you think they make it happen an agent charges about 8-10,000 baht if you have your own funds quite a bit more than 1,900 if you do it yourself so who do you think gets the majority of that money??? Open your eyes everything you pay someone to do for you involves back hand money how do you think they get it doneJan ******************
@Bob *********
If you pay an agent to help you with opening a bank account - which agents still legally can do - your visa/extension will not automatically be invalidated for that reason.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
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 usJan ******************
@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"
Bob **********
@Greg **********
there’s no agreement it’s back hand moneyGreg ***********
@Bob *********
You may call it as you want, doesn't change the fact that all parties have agreed on these steps in the process. As long as the applicant is using his own funds, there is nothing such as tea money involved. You forget that each Immigration has the sole discretion on how to handle each case. The agent only gets paid the normal service fee. The fees are posted openly in their office. A fee for the application to the "change", another fee for opening a bank account, and a fee for the application to the 12-months extension plus a multi re-entry permit. Everybody is playing with open cards, there is no "backhanding" involvedBob **********
@Greg **********
There is no imagination office that will stamp a visa or extension in your passport using an agent without a bribe call it what you willGreg ***********
@Bob *********
wrong - there are those who don't have own funds-they need to bribe. Those with funds don't need to bribe anyone - they just pay for the pure serviceJan ******************
@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).Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
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