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Should I transfer money directly from my bank or use Wise for my retirement visa in Thailand?
Mar 10, 2026
2 months ago
Tony ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI’m about to transfer 800k to a Thai bank account for the retirement visa.
Apparently if I use Wise it may not show up as an international transfer?
Should I transfer direct from my bank which is a lot more expensive?
Apparently if I use Wise it may not show up as an international transfer?
Should I transfer direct from my bank which is a lot more expensive?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is considering transferring 800,000 THB to a Thai bank account for their retirement visa and is debating whether to use Wise for this transaction or to do it directly from their bank, which is more expensive. The community discussion emphasizes several important points: using Wise can work if marked appropriately as an international transfer; immigration does not seem to require proof that the funds originated from abroad if the visa was issued outside Thailand; Wise recently updated its process to allow users to specify if their transfer should be categorized as international. Ultimately, the consensus seems to lean towards using Wise for its cost-effectiveness and ease, provided the right options are selected during the transfer.
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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John **********
Thought the money had to be in yout bank 3 months b4 you apply
Tony ********
ORIGINAL POSTERIt’s two months, but that isn’t the question.
Reply to
Tony ********
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Stephen **********
Bangkok Bank is hard work as it's next day at 14.00 unless the weekend stalls it further.Kasikorn is the WISE clearing bank and it's instant.
Sim ************
Needs traceability.
Jason *****
Best transfer from a bank to a bank. Wise is not a "bank" - happy to be corrected.
Carlos *********
There is an option in wise that asks you if this transfer is for that purpose. Id use wise and use thenpull down option to ensure its an international transfer.
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Carlos *********
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Dave **********
You should speak to Wise.
It also depends on where you set the Wise account up.
If you set it up here, it will probably look like a local transfer.
Using a VPN and opening a 2nd Wise account in the country the money is in & sending via that Wise account MIGHT circumnavigate that issue.
It also depends on where you set the Wise account up.
If you set it up here, it will probably look like a local transfer.
Using a VPN and opening a 2nd Wise account in the country the money is in & sending via that Wise account MIGHT circumnavigate that issue.
Andreas *********
If you also have an account with Wise and transfer the money there first, it appears as an international transfer when transferring.
Wez ***********
Doesn't matter, I bought over $
*****
Australian dollars in cash and converted it at supperich, got around *****
0B to fulfil the requirement for the Spouse visa, all Immigration wanted to see was the bankbook balance, statement from Krungshi bank and letter stating the account was mine, bear in mind when you lodge the statement, letter etc, you have to get them from the bank on the same day.Ant ***********
Do it in stages
Tim ********
If you're from the UK use Lloyds Bank as they charge £9 to transfer any amount.
John ********
Another way is leave the 800k in a country where it earns a high rate of interest. Then pay a visa agent to get the visa for you. Interest earned exceeds cost of agent
Paul *******
John Finlow that's a decent call
David ********
John Finlow yes that’s the best way ISA in the uk £20,000 in uk will generate £800+ per year
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David ********
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Gerry ********
@Tony McCann. I transferred pounds and Australian dollars this morning and you now get asked before making transfer if you would like a receipt as proof of foreign exchange transaction. This will give bank proof that it's came from overseas.
Simon *******
On the wise app it asks if you want it to show as an international transfer
Bill *********
Use the SWIFT system. That's my main method of transfer into my Thai bank.
Pascal ********
Use wise. It shows up as int. Transfer.
Montaque *********
Wiring money from cost more , I think wise is the best and fast , use all the time right to your account. They give you the cost and deposit date
Simon ******
Wise to kasikorn bank shows as an international transfer
James **********
It’s doesn’t make any issues where the money has come from as long as you have the 800,000 in a Thai bank account for the period of times you need .
Andrew *********
@James *********
3 months or longer 👍🏼Andrew *********
@James *********
💯👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼Reply to
Andrew *********
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Scott *******
Wise has a place to add the Foreign proof of transfer. After you add to wise, when you send to Kasikorn or other thai bank it will document for you no problem
Bernard ***********
Can you take.800,000 thi bat in cash?
Barath *******
Bernard Posluszny we were planning to bring CAD and exchange when we arrived but someone here said immigration will ask proof. However, another said upon arrival we should declare at customs, they will issue a receipt.
Kevin ***********
Bernard Posluszny customs rules allow only 10,000 sterling/usd
Kim *********
Kevin O'donnell yeah without declaration - no problem to declare it though.
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Kim *********
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Wallace ******
Wise now has a question box at the end… do you need it to show as an international transfer?
Tony ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks, I’ve just tried and found it
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Tony ********
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Robert ********
It's not that bad. Why was you trust a third party? People, it's bad enough.You gotta trust the banks
Steve *****
If you are American, then get a Charles Schwab account. International Bank wire transfers are only $15 and the use of their ATM card comes with fees reimbursement worldwide.
Sara *******
Steve - I didn't see baht when I was looking at the wire info. Does that mean the receiving tha bank is setting the rate instead of Schwab?
Ivan ************
Sara for wire transfers in USD the Thai bank sets the rate. Thai bank rates are decent for USD, certainly better than you'll get for THB from a US bank.
For card withdrawals, it's the Visa rate. This is also a good rate, maybe 0.5% on average markup. It's set by Visa, Schwab don't charge anything.
Both methods (and Wise too for that matter) work out about the same in terms of cost, they are all inexpensive. It depends whether you need a large sum of money in a bank account, or a smaller amount of cash, as to which you use.
For card withdrawals, it's the Visa rate. This is also a good rate, maybe 0.5% on average markup. It's set by Visa, Schwab don't charge anything.
**********************************************************************************
Both methods (and Wise too for that matter) work out about the same in terms of cost, they are all inexpensive. It depends whether you need a large sum of money in a bank account, or a smaller amount of cash, as to which you use.
Steve *****
I was told you can set it up to receive USD. I have not done that yet. You can ask the Thai bank about that.
Steve *****
Sara Jones yes, the receiving bank will determine the rate. Generally the Thai banks would give you a little bit better rate but depends on how much you are transferring. If I transfer a big amount I'll use the bank. Otherwise, I use WISE.
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Steve *****
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Paul ******
I did my transfer through WISE and there was no problem with immigration.
Darren ***********
Wise 💯 shows international and you tick the box when send it
Ling *****
I don't know which Thai Bank you use but I can confirm that for me in the last week 1 to Bangkok Bank and 1 to Kasikorn Bank both marked as Funds for long term stay both came through as international transfers. Kasikorn says Trade Finance Deposit, it means international as is says from Wise P/L. Just do tester first maybe to be sure. I sent from Australian bank to Wise via email PayID.
Graeme *******
Think like the marriage visa you just need the funds in a Thai bank account. I use Wise for all my transfers and they show as " transfer from other bank Wise payment".
Todd ********
With Wise I use all the time just a reason for transfer all the way to the bottom says funds needed for long term stay click that so it goes. It’s coded correctly at the bank.
Greg ***********
Todd Capron it is NOT needed to show the money came from abroad if he got the initial Non-Imm-O Visa issued outside of Thailand
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Greg ***********
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Donald **********
Not necessary as explained, but Wise specifically ask now whether you want to show the funds came internationally and have information about this when you get to the transfer stage. Presumably for the people making the >/= 65k monthly transfers.
Steve **********
Donald Campbell yes, just asked me yesterday. I like that.
Adrian *********
Donald Campbell hello sir you mentioned the 65k month from wise do i need the 12 months statements from wise and where it came from plus a letter from pension and 12 statements from Bangkok bank
Donald **********
Adrian Foister The information link takes you offsite to explain the ins and outs of it, with the bank you transfer it to.
I don’t normally use it myself although my wife has been invited in to explain to her Bangkok Bank manager when I transfer unusually large deposits, when we are buying something high value. She likes Bangkok Bank because of their phone app, although the transfer usually takes longer than to K-Bank etc. Probably because of scrutiny of the transfers.
I don’t normally use it myself although my wife has been invited in to explain to her Bangkok Bank manager when I transfer unusually large deposits, when we are buying something high value. She likes Bangkok Bank because of their phone app, although the transfer usually takes longer than to K-Bank etc. Probably because of scrutiny of the transfers.
Nongnuch ********
Adrian Foister for the application to the 1-year extension of the stay permit using the 12-months of bank transfers, you need the 12-months bank statement on their original bank paper with their letterhead. You need your updated bankbook, and you need some proof of the origin of the money like your original pension statement. If you embassy does not issue an affidavit of income, the original pension document would be your only possible proof of source
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Nongnuch ********
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Paul ********
Reading all the reports on here before I opened the bank account and deposited the 800,000 I was a bit unsure about this international transfer thing, in the end while I was at immigration I asked about this and they said they don't mind where it comes from as long as it in a Thai bank,
James ******
I don’t mess around with immigration pay the extra cost and don’t take a chance
Greg ***********
James Sing it is NOT needed to show the money came from abroad if he got the initial Non-Imm-O Visa issued outside of Thailand
James ******
yep, i did it 19 times already, what do i know
James ******
Greg Alexander looks like he wants to do it while he’s in Thailand
Greg ***********
James Sing Your assumption is based on wrong wording, he calls the 1-year extension wrongly "retirement visa". He has no visa any more, he has a 90-days stay permit. He is not aware that he entered Thailand on the 90-days Non-O Retirement Visa and will just be applying for the 1-year extension of the stay permit.
Tony ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI got the non immigrant o in Australia.
Reply to
Tony ********
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Chris **********
No, use Wise
Ah ********************
I just printed the statement from home county wise Apps, Thai bank book (match the deposits) and provided to immigration office. They accepted. ( I applied the Non-O retirement inside Thailand) Wise offered the best exchange rate.
Nongnuch ********
Ah Cheong Ah Cheong YOU are confusing two different processes . . . Tony McCann got the Non-O visa issued outside of Thailand, he does NOT need to show that the 800,000 THB came from abroad. YOU did something different, YOU did the "change of visa type" inside Thailand, so YOU had to show the money came from abroad
John ********
I did the same. Printed the wise transfer receipts and presented them with the other paperwork when I changed visa in Bangkok.
I’ve no idea if they were necessary but they took them as part of my package when I changed visa in Bangkok.
For the extension of stay several months later (yesterday) I had them in my folder again but didn’t present them. They didn’t ask.
(Marking them as funds for long term stay made no difference how Krungsri categorised them.)
I’ve no idea if they were necessary but they took them as part of my package when I changed visa in Bangkok.
For the extension of stay several months later (yesterday) I had them in my folder again but didn’t present them. They didn’t ask.
(Marking them as funds for long term stay made no difference how Krungsri categorised them.)
Greg ***********
John Wenman it is NOT needed to show the money came from abroad if he got the initial Non-Imm-O Visa issued outside of Thailand
Nongnuch ********
John Wenman Wise specifically asks now whether you want to show the funds came internationally and have information about this when you get to the transfer stage. Presumably for the people making the >/= 65k monthly transfers. You can pick how you want it
Reply to
Nongnuch ********
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Brandon ************
If you get the non-O visa from a Thai embassy, the extension in Thailand does not require proof that the funds came from overseas.
Taki****
Do a small test transfer first to see what result you get
Alan *****
Use wise and put the reason as a property purchase, it’ll take longer to go through but will come up with an international code
Nongnuch ********
Alan Bow this is not possible any more, WISE changed it. But now WISE asks you if you want it shown as international transfer, you just chose to say no or yes
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Nongnuch ********
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