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How can I prove a fund transfer for a Non-O visa application in Thailand when using Transferwise?
Non-O VisaVisa Application ProcessRetirement VisaVisa RequirementsBank TransferTransferwiseImmigrationThailandExpatFund Proof for Visa
Jul 10, 2018
8 years ago
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI'm in the process of converting a 60 day tourist visa, applying in Thailand for a non-O visa based on retirement, and moved THB 800.000 via Transferwise to my account at Kasikorn Bank. Immigration at Chaeng Watthana requires document 5.3 "Evidence of foreign currency fund transferred to Thailand." which normally requires a letter from my bank. Using Transferwise, the payment shows only as a transfer from the corresponding bank Bangkok Bank to my account at Kasikorn, making this a domestic transfer. Kasikorn can't therefore provide this letter...So basically, I have 800.000 baht sitting in an account that I can't use to satisfy immigration. Has anyone else had this problem - and more importantly solved it?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster is experiencing difficulty in proving the source of funds transferred to Thailand via Transferwise, which shows the money as a domestic transfer. Despite having the required amount of THB 800,000 in their Kasikorn Bank account, immigration requires documentation evidencing that the funds originated from a foreign bank for the Non-O visa based on retirement. Various community members provided suggestions such as obtaining letters from the sending bank or showing original bank statements to support the claim of foreign origin. Some shared their personal experiences with different banks and advised persistence in dealing with immigration and bank staff to secure the necessary documentation.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Colin *******
I think (not 100% sure tho
Good luck
@Simon ********
) but if transferwise have done this for you and they have had there fees then they should help. For about 100bt kasikorn can provide a letter. You Only need to bs a little bit with them and tell them you need a letter for a visa for proof of money in account. After all immigration should accept the letter as it will just be your balance and it won't say where it come from.Good luck
Colin *******
@Simon ********
well done at least you got it sorted. Can be very frustrating with Thais I know but it paid off in the end.Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI tried this at several branches. Kasikorn can't see that the transfer is international because it came via Bangkok Bank and they cannot therefore confirm it in a letter. Even the online K-Cyber showed it as a Thai payment from a "dummy branch". In the end, Bangkok Bank could confirm it by giving me a receipt for the transfer. Kasikorn Bank was happy to confirm the sum, but not the provenance. Bangkok bank confirmed the provenance - and fortunately Immigration accepted the two documents together.
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Simon *********
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David **********
You should have a receipt from your original bank from overseas as that is what they normally require,
Maybe a bank statement showing you moved the funds to Thailand would be OK?
Maybe a bank statement showing you moved the funds to Thailand would be OK?
David **********
@Simon ********
at least it's all good, well done mate😊Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@David *********
They had both the Transferwise statement and the Nordea transfer to Transferwise, but needed confirmation of exactly the same information on paper headed with a Thai bank name. It's solved now, but worth remembering for another time.David **********
@Tod ********
oh OK, so maybe more difficult.Tod *********
I think it's because they're using the company transferwise to move their money.
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Tod *********
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Peter ********
Hello Simon, this reply is a bit late, because you now have your visa, but this may still be of interest to you since you say you may use bank to bank in future when you need to prove foreign origin of your funds.
Unfortunately the exact same issue arises when you do a bank to bank transfer and your sending bank doesn't have direct agency arrangements with your Thai bank. In my case I transfered money many times from Commonwealth Bank of Australia to Kasikorn. I had no idea that my money was being routed via Citibank in Bangkok before landing in my Kasikorn account. When eventually I needed a proof of origin doc (although it was to buy a condo) Kasikorn looked up my deposit codes and said that they were all domestic transfers. Non of the counter staff could tell me where exactly the transfers had come from. On my second visit, armed with copies of my Aus bank statements and Kasikorn bank statements clearly showing withdrawals and deposits in each, and attending a proper branch of Kasikorn rather than then shopping centre type places, and refusing to leave my chair without a resolution, I eventually found out about the Citibank involvement. Kasikorn could not provide the actual form Immigration ask for because they hadn't done the foreign currency conversion but they did provide a letter explaining the situation and the dates and amounts of the various deposits. That letter was eventually accepted. But had it not been, my only option would have been to travel to Bangkok and get the form completed by Citibank.
So unless your Norwegian bank sends direct to Kasikorn, your no better off. I'd do a small transfer first and check the code when it arrives in your Kasikorn account. The local branch staff in sending or receiving countries will not really know what international agency arrangements their bank has in each country. (in Australia, ANZ bank does have direct agency with Kasikorn, but CBA doesn't - or didn't a few years ago.
Unfortunately the exact same issue arises when you do a bank to bank transfer and your sending bank doesn't have direct agency arrangements with your Thai bank. In my case I transfered money many times from Commonwealth Bank of Australia to Kasikorn. I had no idea that my money was being routed via Citibank in Bangkok before landing in my Kasikorn account. When eventually I needed a proof of origin doc (although it was to buy a condo) Kasikorn looked up my deposit codes and said that they were all domestic transfers. Non of the counter staff could tell me where exactly the transfers had come from. On my second visit, armed with copies of my Aus bank statements and Kasikorn bank statements clearly showing withdrawals and deposits in each, and attending a proper branch of Kasikorn rather than then shopping centre type places, and refusing to leave my chair without a resolution, I eventually found out about the Citibank involvement. Kasikorn could not provide the actual form Immigration ask for because they hadn't done the foreign currency conversion but they did provide a letter explaining the situation and the dates and amounts of the various deposits. That letter was eventually accepted. But had it not been, my only option would have been to travel to Bangkok and get the form completed by Citibank.
So unless your Norwegian bank sends direct to Kasikorn, your no better off. I'd do a small transfer first and check the code when it arrives in your Kasikorn account. The local branch staff in sending or receiving countries will not really know what international agency arrangements their bank has in each country. (in Australia, ANZ bank does have direct agency with Kasikorn, but CBA doesn't - or didn't a few years ago.
Ron *******
@Peter *******
all countries have a central clearing house for incoming and outgoing International transfers mate. It's how they keep track for money laundering purposes etc.The UK for instance, i think you'll find is Barclays handle it.
Peter ********
I don't think so Ron. It certainly isn't (or wasn't, it could have changed) for CBA and I know ANZ go direct to Kasikorn. Neither of those two involve BKK bank at all.
Ron *******
As i said, The Bank of Bangkok, is the Thai clearing house for all International transfers
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERVery interesting - and a bit of a worry. Glad it got sorted out. At least this time, we know to check the correspondent bank and to get them to confirm it, rather than the actual bank we are using. I'm going to go and check if all previous Transferwise payments came via Bangkok Bank, or whether they have other correspondents as well. If the former, it would probably make things a whole lot easier if I opened an account at BKK Bank instead. Just in case.
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Simon *********
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Benjamin ********
Does this mean that if one has 800,000 in a thai bank that has not been transferred but saved here over a period of time immigration will not accept that and no retirement visa
Martin ***********
@T**
to some this might be a stupid question, when applying for a yearly extension, be it retirement or marriage, is it only a requirement that you show you have the required funds for the 'seasoned' period or do you have to transfer those funds every year....E.g. If someone transfers, let's say 800,000b , its ' seasoned' and applies for extension without any issues, then during the subsequent year they only use, let's say 500,000b leaving 300,000b excess. Do you have to transfer anther 800,000 or 500,000 for the seasoned time... hope that made sense fella. 🤑
Tod *********
@Ricky *******
, when you apply for a yearly extension of stay they don't care where the money came from.Tod *********
@Ri***
to get what's called a "retirement visa" (of which there really is no such thing) you need to FIRST get a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type O visa. If you apply for that visa inside the country using banked money you must show the money came from overseas.
If you apply for the 90 day single entry Non-O visa from a thai consulate in another country you don't have to show where the money came from.
Benjamin ********
So if never had a retirement visa only tourist wen applying for first retirement visa you have to show proof of money transferred then after that u don’t is that right
Tod *********
ONLY if you are getting a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type O visa inside the country for being over 50 or being married to a thai do you have to show the money originated from overseas.
When you get a yearly extension you do NOT need to show origin of funds. They only need to be seasoned the requisite amount of time in the bank.
When you get a yearly extension you do NOT need to show origin of funds. They only need to be seasoned the requisite amount of time in the bank.
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERIf I understand from Tod's posts, if you're converting in Thailand from a tourist visa to permission to stay based on retirement, then you do need to show that the money was sent from a foreign bank. If it's an extension of an existing permission to stay based on retirement, then there is no requirement for the money to come from abroad.
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Simon *********
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Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat did I learn from this? 1) It's probably best to use a normal bank transfer rather than Transferwise if the money has to be guaranteed somehow by a bank. You'd be fine if your account was with BKK Bank, but Kasikorn was definitely thrown by this and I'd guess that most others would be as well. 2) If it doesn't work the first time by asking a bank officer, ask another one; and another one, and another one, until you find someone who can in fact press the right buttons, on the right machine (serious respect for the manager of the branch in CW who made the effort) 3) If you get turned down by one Immigration agent, another might be OK with it.
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Billy ***********
Yes, my thoughts exactly. Funnily enough, at Chaengwattana, the otherwise very helpful manager at Bangkok Bank would only open accounts if you could show a work permit and they didn't want retirees. On the other hand, I bet I'd get a different response from another branch or even on another day.Billy ************
I’m very pleased you have resolved your problem. I’ve used Bangkok Bank to help with many issues and they’ve always been 100% positive. Maybe worth considering a change of bank?
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Billy ************
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Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERA quick update: I went to Chaengwattana this morning with my documents from Nordea Bank and Transferwise, pulled a number and had time to go down to Kasikorn bank, to get another set of copies made of my passbook and the letter confirming that there was sufficient money in the account. I needed this as the documents must be from the date of application. I had a low number, so had to go straight back up to C1 to apply again and was turned down by a different officer this time as the Immigration won't accept any proof of transfer from Transferwise or a foreign bank. I was asked to go down and get Kasikorn bank to confirm that the money came from abroad...so right back to square one again. I asked if they could get a letter from Bangkok Bank instead, as the correspondent bank for the transfer from Europe and she agreed. I thought I'd have one last try at Bangkok Bank again and ended up being shuffled up to the branch manager, who checked in their system and was surprised that they did indeed have a copy of the payment from Europe. She couldn't write a letter, but could print off the receipt from the bank's own system and I thought I'd just give it one more try at immigration. The information on the form is exactly the same as on the transferwise document and isn't signed and stamped either, but hey, it's got a Bangkok Bank logo in the corner, and was on flimsy 3-ply coloured printer paper. This time, it did get approved, so yay.
Benjamin ********
You Could use a agency
Ron *******
I had some of this before with Kasikorn but for a different reason. I ended up having to go to The Bank of Bangkok head office to get it sorted as it couldn't be done at branch level due to being an International transfer. It actually took over 2 weeks.
Heres the address if you need it.
Bangkok Bank PCL. 333 Silom Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok
Heres the address if you need it.
Bangkok Bank PCL. 333 Silom Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok
*****
Thailand. By telephone: Call our Customer Service Representatives at Bualuang Phone on 1333 in Thailand or (66) 0-2645-5555 from overseas.Ron *******
@Simon ********
it was due to it not arriving here in a foreign currency, and then ending up in a Kasikorn account. The bank of Bangkok are the clearing house but i was asking Kasikorn for the FET papers. Thats the problem.Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks. I'll try them tomorrow. Not sure I like the sound of two weeks as that'll put me under the 14 days period where I can apply before my visa runs out.
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Simon *********
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PeeJay *****
I have an acquaintance who transferred money from UK to his KBank account here. Bangkok Bank was the clearing bank. He got his letter from Bangkok Bank and it was accepted at Chaengwattana. I know this as I was with him at bank and at Chaengwattana.
Two differences, though. He didn't use transferwiae. He used an agency in UK that gave him a good deal on rate and fees and the money didn't come from his account so he had to get a letter from them that it was his money and they were acting on his behalf.
And his was for an investment visa (bought a condo).
This was two years ago. Early 2016, if I am not mistaken.
Two differences, though. He didn't use transferwiae. He used an agency in UK that gave him a good deal on rate and fees and the money didn't come from his account so he had to get a letter from them that it was his money and they were acting on his behalf.
And his was for an investment visa (bought a condo).
This was two years ago. Early 2016, if I am not mistaken.
PeeJay *****
Good luck.
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERWell, I've got a PDF receipt from Transferwise and a copy of a bank payment to them from a Danish account and will try again tomorrow, hoping for another immigration agent. I'll try to get this confirmation from Bangkok Bank downstairs at Chaengwattana while I'm waiting for my turn and will keep you updated.
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Simon *********
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Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks - great help.
Tod *********
All you can do is try to see if by showing your danish withdrawal and the thai deposit if the immigration officer will accept it as proof the funds originated from your account.
IF that doesn't work you can go to a thai consulate in a nearby country and get a 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 and having the 800K in the bank (there's no proof of origin) and then come in on it and apply for the extension when the time on the 90 day stamp runs down. Again there's no proof of origin needed for yearly extensions so just the letter from the bank and the money being in the account for 60 days will be enough
IF that doesn't work you can go to a thai consulate in a nearby country and get a 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 and having the 800K in the bank (there's no proof of origin) and then come in on it and apply for the extension when the time on the 90 day stamp runs down. Again there's no proof of origin needed for yearly extensions so just the letter from the bank and the money being in the account for 60 days will be enough
Fabio *******************
@Tod ********
thank tod, good sound for me 😂Tod *********
@Fabio ******************
right, the proof of origin for using the banked money method is ONLY if you are applying for a 90 day Non-O visa from the thai immigration office inside the country. It is not required if you get one before you come here and are applying for the yearly extension of stay.
Fabio *******************
@Tod ********
sorry tod, I am interested in this topic because in August I will arrive in Thailand with a non-immigrant-or single entry issued by the consulate in Italy. I will transfer money through transferwise, so you say that at the time of requesting the one-year extension to the immigration office they will not ask me where the money came from, but only that they have been in a Thai account for at least 60 days?Tod *********
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
OK, thanks. Looks like I'd better go for something easier. Thanks for the heads-up about the police report. I'd forgotten about that. I'll also need the medical then won't I?Tod *********
AFAIK
I meant thai consulates like Vientiane, Savannakhet,or Penang.
Keep in mind you will need to get a police background check too
@Si***
, none of the thai consulates in china are all that user friendly and some require you be a resident of china to get thai visas from them.I meant thai consulates like Vientiane, Savannakhet,or Penang.
Keep in mind you will need to get a police background check too
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERExcellent. Thanks for that. Sounds like a good plan. Any experience of the Thai consulate in Chengdu, since I was planning on being there in August?
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Simon *********
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Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERIt's MCL
*****
which has been causing a lot of problems for several Kasikorn branches, as I believe it's a Bangkok Bank branch number.Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERYes, for MCL
*****
it says Smart CreditTod *********
In the back of the book doesn't it list what the code prefixes are?
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
what does the code in the bank book in front of the transaction show? Most bank books have a specific code for an international transaction and list the codes in the back of the bank book
Billy ************
I would ask Transferwise for assistance. They’re normally very helpful. Good luck
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Billy ***********
I've been trying. I think the advantage of BKK Bank is that they appear to be the actual clearing / receiving bank for Transferwise - or were in our case. I'm strongly considering moving bank...Billy ************
I used Transferwise 3 months ago to send funds for property purchase, I needed similar bank certificate to prove external source of funds. My Bangkok Bank accepted proof of my Transferwise transaction as I could show identical amounts and they gave me required certificate. May be worth trying to push your Thai bank.
Simon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERUnfortunately, they said they can't do anything as it's technically a domestic transfer.
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Simon *********
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