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Is Azimo a good choice for transferring money for an O visa in Thailand?

money transferThailand O visaAzimoTransferWisevisa requirementsexpat adviceChiang Maibanking in Thailand
Feb 24, 2021
4 years ago
Neil *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm moving to Chiang Mai next month from the UK. I normally use TransferWise for my money transfers but for sending 40k gbp for my o visa, anyone used azimo? Good rates free for first 2 transactions
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses money transfer options as the user prepares to move to Chiang Mai, Thailand, with a focus on transferring £40,000 for their O visa. Comments caution against using unfamiliar services like Azimo for such a large amount, recommending established providers such as TransferWise or bank transfers instead. Various visa and money transfer insights are shared, with concerns about visa requirements and the origin of funds raised. The importance of maintaining safe transfer practices and ensuring compliance with visa regulations is emphasized.
Geoff ********
I have a great option for you. PM me and I will give you details.
4 years ago
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Joe ******
Starling give a better exchange than transferwise if your sending 40k

About 1400Thb extra.

But Azimo 5k Thb better than transferwise. Obviously the first two transactions are free which helps
4 years ago
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Christina *********
Have you asked the bank how much, for large amounts it might be safer and easier to use them?

I transferred for my house using the bank in 2008, I can’t remember their charges but don’t think it was crazy.

I’m with NatWest and get better rate using my card then transferwise.

Transfer-wise I would trust completely. But will costs hundreds in charges.
4 years ago
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Simon **********
@Chri*****
 I would be extremely surprised if your bank offered a comparable exchange rate to TransferWise. My bank offers free international transfers but they just sting you on the exchange rate instead.
4 years ago
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Christina *********
4 years ago
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Christina *********
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Stephen **********
Somebody is not giving you a reach around. That is corruption OMG
4 years ago
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Terary **********
There used to be issues with using Transferwise for visa related stuff. Something to do with proving the funds are of a foreign origin. Something like, Transferwise uses a local account to transfer to your local account and that causes issues with immigration.

Honestly I do not have first hand information but it is another dimension for you to consider.
4 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Terary *********
 this doesn't appl to the
*****
0thb needed for non o marriage. Just monthly income
4 years ago
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Nigel *********
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Metty *******
Non -immigrant Visa category 'o,

Never cost that much money 40.000 pounds lots of money.

You be careful.dont get done mate.
4 years ago
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Neil *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cagneys *******
 I'm not saying the visa is 40k its just the amount I'm bringing with me visa needs
*****
0bt
4 years ago
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Ken ********
@Neil ********
 bring it with you just declare it
4 years ago
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Ken ********
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Steve *******
@Cagneys *******
 Yep, they're 2000bt, about £50.
4 years ago
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Steve *******
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Jeff ********
Why not just send it as Sterling and let your Thai bank exchange it spot rate on the day its received...this should not cost you more than £10.00 from yous UK. bank...
4 years ago
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Ken ********
I'd bring 10k with me if I was you or bring the lot and fill in the declaration
4 years ago
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Andy ********
@Ken *******
 you need to show that money coming from outside of Thailand if its for his Visa and not sure if hand carry will show that.
4 years ago
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Ken ********
@Andy *******
 that's only if you do the monthly payments if you do the lump sum in your account just keep a copy of the declaration form you fill out pretty sure that's proof isn't it?
4 years ago
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Andy ********
@Ken *******
 I don't think so. When you have the 800k ti get your visa they check bank statements and it has ti show it coming from overseas. Transferwise doesn't always show it as coming from overseas either unless you say the reason is for extended living allowances........
4 years ago
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Ken ********
@Andy *******
 I'm speaking from experience I sent 20k by bank transfer to my Thai bank account then I brought 30k over when the AUD was 27 went straight into my bank 3 years ago only had to show declaration once first year I opened my account
4 years ago
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Andy ********
@Ken *******
 that's good to know. I had to send more funds as the first lot didn't show on the statement that it came from overseas and all of it sent via Transferwise. Next time it's a visa extension so maybe slightly different.👍
4 years ago
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Andy ********
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Simon **********
@K**
 then what do you do with the GBP or AUD, change it on the street?
4 years ago
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Ken ********
@Simon *********
 there's still a good exchange place in Phuket town not sure about Chaing Mai
4 years ago
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Simon **********
@K**
 I have never used them
4 years ago
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Ken ********
@Simon *********
 one I go to best rate on the island my Thai friend that's owns a hotel and hires bikes put me onto it
4 years ago
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Ken ********
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Christina *********
@Ken *******
 yep you can bring 10k either £ or $ please check, that is completely legal and aloud. You might have questions at the airport, but nothing too problematic.
4 years ago
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Ken ********
@Christina ********
 under 10k no forms to fill in over 10 K you just fill in a declaration form
4 years ago
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Ken ********
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Simon **********
@K**
 I would definitely NOT do that!
4 years ago
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Ken ********
@Simon *********
 I've brought 30k from Australia filled out the declaration Not a problem
4 years ago
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Ken ********
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Tom *******
Turn it into crypto and transfer to a local exchange wallet in Thailand. Then turn it into local currency when you get to Thailand e.g. Thai baht. It’ll save you tons.
4 years ago
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Richard *******
You are a U.K. citizen using a U.K. registered bank, you get a government backed £85,000 guarantee your money is safe with TransferWise...

Right now , leave it in £ , it’s rising steeply 😊
4 years ago
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Neil *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ******
 yes I know thinking now just to transfer enough for visa leave the rest
4 years ago
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Neil *********
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David ***********
I would stick to who you know to be safe
4 years ago
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Peter *********
Continue transferwise
4 years ago
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Shari *********
World remit app if going to bank account..first couple of transactions free.
4 years ago
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Neil *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shari ********
 yes but crap rates
4 years ago
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Neil *********
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Gooddy *******
I wouldn’t transfer it all in one go. Maybe transfer the 10k plus 2k over first then do a regular transfer of small amounts
4 years ago
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Steve *******
Get the Non Imm O in the UK. Transfer £10k for the yearly extention of stay based on marriage or £20k based on being over 50.
4 years ago
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Neil *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
 not got the marriage papers yet had to come home for family reasons before I could it.
4 years ago
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Neil *********
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Bobby ********
£40,000!!!????? Please tell me you're not using a visa agent!
4 years ago
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Neil *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 no doing it myself. 10k visa rest living etc
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Neil Hanslow. The visa is 2000 baht.
4 years ago
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Neil *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 10k for 2 months I mean
4 years ago
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Neil *********
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Robert *******
Azimo is highly recommended and instantaneous
4 years ago
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Ted ********
Don’t use REMITLY.
4 years ago
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Daniel *********
@Ted *******
 Have you had issues with Remitly?
4 years ago
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Ted ********
@Daniel ********
 yes
4 years ago
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James *******
@Ted *******
 I used Remitly last week and it was the quickest and best rate ive had in over a year.
4 years ago
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James *******
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Steffi ******
Use TransferWise is safe
4 years ago
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Neil *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steffi *****
 I know just looking at the charges and a better rate with azimo thanks.
4 years ago
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Steffi ******
@Neil ********
 I understand but would try it first before sending a big amount.
4 years ago
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Steffi ******
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Simon **********
Sorry but why do you need £40kGBP for an O visa?
4 years ago
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Neil *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Simon *********
 I know only 10k for marriage o visa but for living and extras
4 years ago
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Simon **********
@Ne**
 ah ok, I thought I was missing some “new” rule 🙂 Just as an aside, any single transfer over £
*****
will attract anti money laundering checks
4 years ago
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Simon **********
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Bruce *****
For that amount I wouldn’t use a service I haven’t used before
4 years ago
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Bruce *****
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