Answered8 years ago
What are the best ways to transfer money to Thailand to fulfill visa income requirements?
Good morning, I want to create a paper trail showing my money is coming from outside of Thailand. This is visa related because in the future I may be asked to "prove" I am not working upon entering the country. In addition I would like to fulfill one of the requirements for a marriage visa and have that available to me.
Up until this point I have be withdrawing cash at the ATM and depositing cash in my BKK Bank account. I would like to start doing a monthly transfer from my American bank. As far as I can tell BKK Bank stopped allowing this recently. What are my options to transfer money that fulfill the proof of income requirements? Thank you very much.
Up until this point I have be withdrawing cash at the ATM and depositing cash in my BKK Bank account. I would like to start doing a monthly transfer from my American bank. As far as I can tell BKK Bank stopped allowing this recently. What are my options to transfer money that fulfill the proof of income requirements? Thank you very much.
Answer summary
A community member seeks advice on establishing a paper trail for income from outside Thailand, particularly for visa-related matters. They want to shift from ATM cash deposits to monthly transfers from a US bank but have heard Bangkok Bank no longer allows this. Responses suggest using services like TransferWise, which shows transfers as international, thus fulfilling the visa proof of income requirements. Others mention that while some banks label these transfers differently, they still provide documentation that can assist in immigration processes. The conversation highlights various methods of bank transfers and their implications on visa matters.
23 repliesnewest first
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Robert *******
I still don't see how different types of sending money into a Thai bank account is Thai visa related. The paper trail you need to proof that you have enough money to support your stay inside Thailand is very simple. Thailand banks do use bank books. You can update them at a ATM like machine
****
a day. You need a letter from the bank that it is actually your account and that the minimum sum is coming in every month. That is the requirement from Immigration and that is visa related. How you like to bring the money into your Thai bank account is not. Good luck.
Kent ********
Ummm think this might be a crazy question but can I set up a Bangkok bank account from here in the states...?... thanks
Ivan ************
No, you can't. But if you wanted to apply for a visa that has financial requirements (like a "retirement visa") if you were applying from the United States you could show money in a US account, there is no need for it to be in a Thai account.
David *******
@Kent *******
good luck with that one in the branch when opening account they photo copy passport house book if u have one then use a tree of paper for printing off many copies of many documents to sign then set up your pin. Just your usual thai red tape. That is provided they let you open one lol
Joe ***********
Brian - Just relax as others have pointed out only ONE method of funds transfer has been discontinued. You can use standard wire and SWIFT code. Or use TransferWise and/or the Borderless Account TransferWise offers. I have a friend who has been using TransferWise from his U.S. Bank to Bangkok Bank... After just two transfers the transfer time is down to 1.5 days at a very reasonable rate.
Wannikea *********
Incoming wire transfers from foreign accounts can be tracked as such by asking for the customer advice document regarding each incoming transfer. It will list everything regarding that transfer, sender, payee, company name, amount, amount in baht, time, originating bank, etc etc. This can be requested from your banks central office and sent to your local branch by fax.
Marty *********
Wannikea Wanblee That sounds plausible. However, it does mean that you need to be proactive to get records indicating that the money is of foreign origin. Ideally the bank should provide a letter just stating you meet the monthly income requirements. That is what I get for my banked 800,000 baht when I used that for my 1 year extension.
Wannikea *********
Likely because Bangkok Bank is Thailand's central bank, incoming funds go there first then allotted to the recipient bank, hence seen as Thai to Thai likely. The customer advice statement/document shows the actual wire transfer details, for me to my SCB account.
Marty *********
My US wire transfers to Kasikorn are labeled Domestic Transfers when viewing the online statement on the Kasikorn website. So yes, going to bank to see if the transfer is recorded differently is something I would advise people to do.
John *****
But Transferwise into Bangkok Bank is ok, shows as foreign transfer, a friend did it last week and ok.
Ivan ************
@Bi**
Bangkok Bank specifically it comes up as "International Transfer". Not other banks. I have done it into Bangkok Bank several times.
Billy *******
I wish i knew that for sure i use saim bank TW sent it threw TMB first.shows up 3rd party.ATS ? How many times have you done this?
Billy *******
Transferwise shows up as ATS that's a Local Transfer they use 3 Thai bank partners.I will ask immigration if the paper Trail will be excepted but probably not
John *****
I think if I remember Tod's recent post, Transferwise into Bangkok Bank shows as a foreign exchange transaction but into all other accounts it looks like a domestic transfer.
I know using Transferwise to K Bank it looks domestic and not foreign as you want / need.
I know using Transferwise to K Bank it looks domestic and not foreign as you want / need.
Marty *********
Check the website for your US bank. They will allow you to set up wire transfers to your Thai bank. You can call their help line too. I wire transfer from Bank of America to Kasikorn. You just need the SWIFT number of the Thai bank. I find hard to believe Bangkok bank won’t receive wire transfers.
Brian *******
Same here. BB but after Apr no longer expected to work. Have tried and tested Transferwise. Works fine. Can even indicate exact $$$ or Baht amounts. fees and exchange rates used are reasonable and are shown upfront before you push the GO button. Takes 24-48 hrs. Can use your US checking or Credit card. Can use bank to bank, wire transfer or Credit card. When the money landed in my Bangkok Bank acct it was listed as International Transfer..... Which is what the are looking for.
Doug ********
@Brian ******
fellow St. Louis guy. Go cards!
Robert *********
I use transferwise from Aust
Ivan ************
I have an account with Bangkok Bank and TransferWise definitely shows up as international. As Ron says may not with another bank but they do with Bangkok Bank.
Robert *********
Transferwise also issue a statement of your transfers, no-one yet knows what will or will not be accepted, but I am pretty sure between my bangkok bank statement and the transferwise statement I should have my bases covered.
Ron ******************
Some people reported that some transfers showed int and some as local. As I understand it is that if they use Bkk bank to clear the funds abroad and if your account is with Bkk bank it shows as international. If your Thai account is with another bank the funds are clear with Bkk bank abroad but then transferred inside Thailand from Bkk bank to your bank which shows as a local transfer.
Steve **********
@Brian ******
Using Transferwise into a Bangkok Bank works and shows as an international transfer. There is a question of whether or not such transfers will reliably be coded as international. Some have reported that they can show up as a local transfer.
Brian *******
OPI was under the impression this does not provide the proof of origin required.
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