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Answered10 days ago

What are the new requirements by Bangkok Bank for visa extension deposit certificates?

Ronny *********
asked Oct 29, 2026
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Bangkok bank new requirement Bangkok Bank has implemented a strict policy regarding the issuance of "Deposit Certificates" for visa extensions. This internal banking rule is independent of Thai Immigration regulations

The Core Mechanics of the New Rule

Bangkok Bank’s internal directive dictates two distinct pathways depending on how long your money has been in the account:

• The 4-Month Seasoning Route: To get a standard, restriction-free letter confirming your balance (THB 400,000 for Marriage or THB 800,000 for Retirement), the funds must now be continuously maintained in your account for at least 4 months before the date of request.

• The "Consent to Freeze" Route: If your funds have been in the account for less than 4 months, the bank will refuse to issue the letter unless you sign a legal consent form. By signing, you agree to let Bangkok Bank freeze the required visa amount for an additional 4 months starting from the day the certificate is
Answer summary
Bangkok Bank has introduced new internal rules that require funds to remain in an account for at least four months to qualify for a 'Deposit Certificate' necessary for visa extensions. Two pathways exist: one for accounts with funds held for over four months that allows for a standard letter to be issued, and another for accounts under this period that requires signing a consent form to freeze the needed amount for an additional four months. This policy has drawn significant criticism from expats, with many feeling it complicates and restricts access to their funds.
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Mickey **********
Mickey **********
The Land of
@Gr***
Andy **********
Andy **********
Be careful!!! I opted to freeze my account for four months and then tried to open another account .

That request was denied (bank manager decision.....might be ok in another branch)

I then went to Kasikorn who welcomed me with a big smile and said no problem opening an account with them.

Cannot touch the frozen 400k EVEN if you want to close the account!!!

Have to wait four months
Dean *********
Dean *********
Why stay with them?

If you use Charng-Wattana to extend your visa Bangkok Bank is currently 1 of 3 banks conveniently located in the complex. GSB and Krungsi (not 100% sure) are the other two.

This is important for when Immigration says you're missing some bank document. You can go get it (or have someone get it because you never go alone) and not lose your "spot".
Perry *********
Perry *********
Last year i spent 2.5 million baht in Thailand all.shown on my bank statements. But because wise wrongly coded two transfers immigration said no leave the country.The purpose of the requirement is to show you have the finanancial capacity to be here commonsense would say i showed that but there is no arguing with immigration.
Wouter *******
Wouter *******
How is that possible with a 90 day non immigrant o visa?
Ronny *********
Ronny *********
OP
Wouter Huijs Like I explained you got to sign a contract that you can not touch the money 4 more months and than they will give you the certificate after the 2 months it is matured
Wouter *******
Wouter *******
Ronny Liekens Oh ok thanks for explaining
Mick ******
Mick ******
Would this also be the case when changing the 90 day to the first 12 month extension? Or just for future continued extensions? This ruling would make the first extension impossible.
Ronny *********
OP
@Mick *****
That is why I posted it, it is not impossible, you only got to agree that your money will be frozen 4 more months if you want the certificate in time
Farang *********
Farang *********
1. That's not new, did it 8 months ago.

2. What's the problem, no issues and the bank was very helpful issuing the letters promptly with no fuss.

Just more Farang whining. It's their country, their rules either accept it or leave.

Go to the UK and see how many hoops you have to jump through. Sill waiting for my Driving licence renewal after 6 months and god knows how many forms I have completed. In Thailand an hour and done
Paulccfc **********
Paulccfc **********
Slowly making it harder and harder tells you everything
Greg ***********
Greg ***********
that 4-month rule is a Bangkok Bank requirement before they issue the bank letter, and has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with Immigration. For Immigration, it still is 2 months seasoning of the 800,000 THB before the application, and must never go below 800,000 THB for 3 months after been issued the 1-year extension, never below 400,000 THB in the rest of the year and back up to a minimum of 800,000 THB for 2 months before the next application
Brook ********
Brook ********
I don’t understand why anyone would choose to subject themselves to Bangkok Banks draconian policies attaching your money.

Change banks. Vote with your feet. Move ฿400k then wait a few days and move the other ฿400k.

The other thing I don’t understand is why some enterprising group of Thai investors doesn’t start their own bank. Call it the foreign bank of Thailand, make it foreigner friendly and pay 3% interest on savings.

Allow online address changes and provide TOD OR POD or lobby for changes to Thai law.
Martyn ***********
Martyn ***********
Bangkok bank shouldn't be setting visa rules...
Jonathan ************
Jonathan ************
Our what a comfort it must be to have a thai PM who is totally committed to a personal xenophobic agenda at the cost of the Thai economy and devastation of the tourism industry.
Ron *****
Ron *****
Called BK bank and they don’t control the 800k balance “seasoning” rule of 3-months, Immigration does.

What BK Bank will do, is “Freeze” your minimum balance at 800K for 4-months after you are given your Balance Certificate letter for immigration visa purposes.
ExcitingCr***********
ExcitingCr***********
So you can have the money in the account for only one day, as long as you freeze it for 4 months afterwards?
Robin *******
Robin *******
Change banks
Herco **********
Herco **********
I have had the money (400.000 for marriage visa, 12.000 euro) ready for three years already and if I put it in a Thai Bank account I have no intention of touching it in Thailand either. I don't need it.
Jan ****
Jan ****
This is very correct; at the beginning of this year, the bank didn't even provide a bank letter for immigration for a visa extension based on my monthly income.
Peter *********
Follow
Joel ******
Joel ******
Don't use Bangkok bank?
JJ ********
JJ ********
I don't see what the problem is; instead of 3 months before, they're now taking 4 months.
JJ ********
JJ ********
Normally, it's 3 months in advance.
เดวิด **********
เดวิด **********
So they just want to use immigration as an excuse to lock our money away in their hands ?
Michael ********
Michael ********
Never worked out why GSB (Goverment Savings Bank) has never made an easier account for people with initial Non O visa
Tim ***********
Tim ***********
And just a few minutes ago I was reading sn article on how there were less and less foreigners in Thailand (visitors and long stay residents) I wonder why that is! Could it be that they have milked the foreigner cow to death?
Andy *******
Andy *******
This is not "new" News
Peter *********
Peter *********
i leave my visa money in a Bangkok Bank fixed account - earns shite interest - but i know its there and doesnt get touched!
Scott **********
Paul ***********
@Peter ********
I do the same
Darcy *************
@Peter ********
having two bank accounts maybe the way to go.. use one account for visa and the other day for your everyday use.. if one can afford not to touch the 800,00
John **********
John **********
This is not a blanket situation across all Bangkok Bank branches. I've never had a problem getting the letter, it's mostly areas that had an issue with mule accounts
Ronny *********
OP
@John *********
The 4-month deposit seasoning and certificate rule is a nationwide head office policy enforced across all Bangkok Bank branches in Thailand rather than being limited to specific locations But like always in Thailand individual branches do what they want. I think there is only looked more strictly when you are asking for your first time the certificate because there occurs mostly the illegally money mueling. And John I think you are the most valuable person in this group with your always correct information even in difficult cases
Roland *********
Roland *********
Don’t generalize. Instead, specify which bank branches you’re referring to. In Hua Hin, nothing has changed.
Jeff *************
Jeff *************
I would say since Bangkok Bank keeps requiring more than immigration does to stay here, every Foreigner should close their account and take it elsewhere
Mike ******
Bangkok Bank has joined Anutin's War on Farangs. They don't want us any more. When Vietnam creates a long-term visa, Thailand will empty.
Steven ***************
There's plenty of other banks. Interesting though I've been getting annual extensions of stay for years and never needed a letter, I just take copies of My bank statements that show the money has been in the account.
Allan ********
So why would you not just keep 400,000 or 800,000 in all the time easy .
Graeme *******
So why not just leave the money such a small amount, then every year nil problem to get a letter.
Jim *********
Jim *********
It's been that way for about 2 years, nothing new. It doesn't matter to me, my money has to be there 2 months before and 3 months after by law, so 2 months before and two months after doesn't even cover the time you are to keep the balance. But I don't know about marriage visas now. By law, two months before application is all from what I read now. Our US marriage certificate isn't certified. I plan to do it after February when Thailand finally accepts Apostle certification.
Tom ********
Tom ********
So your funds are locked up for 7 months of the year in total.
Dave *******
Tom Jarvis but while I think its a ridiculous idea and total BS by the bank it is not much to keep in the bank every year just make life easy re visa stuff
Jeff *************
Tom Jarvis yes, 2 more months then immigration required
Mike ******
Mike ******
Bangkok Bank has joined Anutin's War on Farangs. They don't want us any more. When Vietnam creates a long-term visa, Thailand will empty.
Ron ********
Mike Bell Vietnam will do exactly the same, money in your account all the time. None of this Asian country’s will be facing the cost to send people home because they running out of funds.
Gerar ********
Mike Bell No, they don’t like to used by dodgy agents.

If you have the funds normally for a longer period you don’t have any issues.
Nick *********
Mike Bell what an absolutely ridiculous thing to say. Vietnam is the pits. Some people will go there, but not that many. Thailand is miles better in every way. Anutin wants quality people to be living here........rightly so. It is the scum bags that use the scum bag agents that are the problem. If they dont have money, they should not be here. Bangkok Bank are wrong for what they are doing, but its the Agents and the scumbags that caused it.
Carlos *********
Nick Exclubz vietnam is great! And more inviting and very much cheaper.

I just love Thailand
Mike ******
Nick Exclubz If Vietnam is so bad, why are their tourist figures up 17% this year? If Thailand is so good, why are their figures down 5% so far this year?
Darren *******
IamSparticus777 I've lived and worked in both, if I had to choose one now to live in then it would be Vietnam. That decision has nothing to do with the bank situation or how people perceive the govt to treat them etc, I just prefer Vietnam.
Mike ******
IamSparticus777 Live full-time in Thailand 20+ years. Spent a number of holidays in Vietnam - staying in 5* hotels because I could afford to as opposed to the crappy little box on Suk soi 13 in Bangkok. (same price but VN includes buffet breakfast; coffee-making machine in suite with balcony + lots of goodies daily. The other main difference was in the people; Thais are hostile now thanks to their PM; Vietnamese much more friendly like Thailand was 20 years ago.
IamSpar********
Mike Bell

Easy… there is big difference between a 2 week holiday and living permanently in a country.

I live permanently in Thailand and I couldn’t stand even 7 days in Vietnam. I wanted to come back sooner!

A holiday may involve staying in a 5 star resort but living in normal Vietnam versus normal Thailand are very different long term outside of resorts
Robin *******
Nick Exclubz good point well made 💯% right
Tim ***********
Nick Exclubz sorry chum but you need to take your rose tinted glasses off. ANUTIN DOES NOT LIKE FOREIGNERS that us crystal clear.
GreenPo********
GreenPo********
Why the fck would any 1 use that bank pack of cnts to aliens
Steven ***************
Steven ***************
There's plenty of other banks. Interesting though I've been getting annual extensions of stay for years and never needed a letter, I just take copies of My bank statements that show the money has been in the account.
Darcy *************
Steven L. Daugherty last year December when I went to renew my extension and they told me I needed bank statement and also a letter saying the basically the statement was correct.. I found that odd by I did get one from Bangkok bank but hear others have had issues but was quite easy for me.
Allan ********
Allan ********
So why would you not just keep 400,000 or 800,000 in all the time easy 🤔.
Don't ***********
Don't ***********
Allan Morris I have a separate account where I keep about 500k for marriage extension, and never use the account. My local immi told me that the processing immi in Bangkok could mark it as suspicious 😂 by following their stupid rules
Don *******
Don *******
Allan Morris Easy if you have it. Hard if you don't. Many people don't.

And even though I do have it and don't miss it, I resent having to deposit so much to only get a measly one or two percent interest on it. My other investments get 5-10% or more. I accept that it's the price I have to pay to extend my visa though.
BreezyGi*********
BreezyGi*********
Don Smith it’s peanuts really. Go back to work if you can’t afford it
Gerar ********
Gerar ********
Allan Morris because most of the people who have these issues are using agents as they don’t have the funds in their own.
Martin *********
Martin *********
Gerar Teuben if they use a agent then its because they dont have the money in the first place
ImTheJesusC************
ImTheJesusC************
Gerar Teuben that's bullshit
Gerar ********
Gerar ********
ImTheJesusChristHimself tell that to the many people who got problems when trying to get their own extension after using agents without money.
Martin **********
Martin **********
Allan Morris Easy. Not always. If something happens to you, a medical urgency, an accident, with urge to buy a new car etc. Then you are below of it before you know it.
Allan ********
Allan ********
Martin Mairesse. Really just treat it as 0 and you can't go below it soon as you get close just transfer money into it simple.
Martin **********
Martin **********
Allan Morris As 0 fine. But then you still have such a big amount to get to Thailand. I not have always hundreds of thousands here, sure. But enough for emergency, and what I have I can use for what I want. And I had that method before, so much more happy now.
Gray *******
Gray *******
They will issue an account verification letter for any other reason.
Phil ******
Phil ******
Ronny Liekens yes for extensions based on retirement but you say Married extensions too? Can you send the information you base this on?
Alexander *************
Alexander *************
What?
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
So why not just leave the money such a small amount, then every year nil problem to get a letter.
Don't ***********
Don't ***********
Graeme Drake I have a separate account where I keep about 500k for marriage extension, and never use the account. My local immi told me that the processing immi in Bangkok could mark it as suspicious 😂 by following their stupid rules
Don *******
Don *******
Graeme Drake My 800k has been on term deposit for 15 years. I'm happy with that as it makes my visa extension 100% legal and about as robust as it can get. I do it all myself and getting the letter takes minutes.

But I would not call 800k a small amount. It's more than the price of a decent new car. More than what nearly all European state pensioners receive a year. It's double my frozen UK state pension, though thankfully I have other means.
Dave ******
Dave ******
Don Smith double your state pension? Sounds like a 6 month trip to the UK would be a good idea for an upgrade.
Don *******
Don *******
Dave Owen Sounds good but it doesn't actually work in practice unless you do it every year, at which point you are basically living in the UK and taking a long holiday here every year. But if I did that I would no longer be non-resident in the UK which means I would have to pay a lot of tax there. Far more than the difference between a frozen and unfrozen pension. So it would not be worth it for me. Besides which I would have to pay for accommodation and other things there that I get for free here.
Don *******
Don *******
Keith Leng It works while you are there, or indeed if you visit any non-frozen country like the EU or USA. But when you return to your frozen country the pension reverts to what it was frozen at. The only permanent way to get your full updated pension it is to move to a non-frozen country and stay there.
Keith ******
Keith ******
Dave Owen Are you sure that works? I've heard conflicting opinions. Some say it does; some say the increase lasts only a you're in the UK.
Andy **********
Andy **********
Don Smith I also favour this approach but the issue is that perhaps 90% of retirees or "expats" as they like to call themselves, simply don't have the funds to retire overseas and thus the fraudulent agent route was conceived.

Prior to the crash of 1997, it was as low as Bt200k or Bt20k a month. If the Bt800k of 1998 was inflation adjusted, it would now be Bt1.3m.

With all the upheaval going on at the moment, why anyone would use a fraudulent agent is beyond me.
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
@Graeme ******
Belittleing people doesn't make you cool Drake, it makes you look like a fool.
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
@Garrett **********
Im not belittling anyone, fool.
Darren *******
Darren *******
Graeme Drake because they don't have the money and use an agent to basically deposit the money and withdraw it as soon as the letter/statement is issued.
Pat *****
Pat *****
Darren Grist but you need yo show a 12 month statement to Immigration
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
Pat Jqm correct how do they manage that.
Sefton ********
Sefton ********
Why would a bank have any right to demand things like this, when you are simply asking for fact confirmation.
เดวิด **********
Sefton Hanley Bangkok bank is pretty much dictating immigration policy
Paul ***********
เดวิด โรเจอร์ส But its not immigration rules.
Ronny *********
OP
Jim McGowan The bank rule got less to see with the immigration rules it is merely applied to discourage those fishy Visa agents who temporaly put money on the account
Jim *********
Paul Bengtsson the immigration rule is ฿800,000 must be deposited two months before renewal and three months after you are approved. For the remaining months your account balance can not drop below ฿400,000 or you are in violation of your permit to stay in the Kingdom and you are on legally on an overstay. The bank rule isn't even enforcing the entire rule.
BreezyGi*********
เดวิด โรเจอร์ส are you seriously this dumb? Typical farang buffalo 🦬
Chris **********
Sefton Hanley I think the facts point to the issue of Visa Agents helping people to circumvent the law.
Petro ************
Chris Crookson no these things are mostly because of big scandal with opening Bangkok Bank accounts to chinese.
Dimitri ********
Chris Crookson This is not a problem that banks should worry about. A bank is a bank, not immigration...
Petro ************
Dimitri Visser in this case the Bank exactly does not care about immigration but has it own policy.
Sefton ********
Chris Crookson Obviously you are correct, I fully agree.. But then deal with the agents, its not like they are had to find.. But of course they are paying the 'fees'. Its corruption all the way down.

Banks have no right to hold your capital locked up, because you need them to write a letter, thier own government demands.
Wylie *******
Wylie *******
This policy was implemented over a year ago. I opened a Kasikorn account and moved all my money there before applying for last year’s extension specifically because of it.
Darcy *************
Wylie Pfaff can I ask another question.. im also married to a Thai. Have you held both visa’s Non O and marriage and if so which one is easier or better then the other?
Wylie *******
Darcy S Grouette The “marriage” visa is one of several types of Non-O visas. If you mean whether I’ve applied for a Non-O based on retirement as opposed to marriage, I haven’t, since I’m not 50 yet.

From everything I’ve read, most people seem to prefer the retirement option because it’s generally easier and involves less paperwork. However, it also requires more money to be tied up for longer, and you can’t obtain a work permit based on it if needed. So, which option is better really depends on your individual circumstances.
Darcy *************
Wylie Pfaff maybe a stupid question but, how did it work for the letter that you have to get from the bank showing you had the money if you moved before you got your extension? Im thinking of moving mine as well but am concerned about the letter if part of the time it was in one bank and then the other half it was in another bank..do I just ask both banks for a letter to prove I had the 800,000 until I moved it to another bank and ask them first a letter as well.. wondering how immigration wants this? Thanks
Wylie *******
Darcy S Grouette I’m on a marriage visa, so there’s no minimum balance requirement for the rest of the year. The only requirement is that the 400k be in the bank for at least two months before applying, which I still met. After that, the balance can drop to zero for the rest of the year. I'm not sure how it would work in your case.
Darcy *************
Wylie Pfaff ahhh ok thanks
Juli ***********
Wylie Pfaff me too!
Bob **********
Bob **********
This was implemented because Agents put funds in a take right back out that’s why if you use an agent for a visa you generally are stuck using and agent for following years
Martin *********
Martin *********
Bob D'Andrea unless you are able to provide the funds yourself at a later date. All these new rules were brought in because of the mule accounts that were set up nothing to do with the visa agents
Bob **********
Bob **********
Martin Backham you just do everything legal been doing it 17 years got my extension yes in Jomtien in an out in 20 minutes 1900 baht
Don *******
Don *******
Bob D'Andrea You are totally correct.

This requirement is entirely due to many dodgy agents having colluded with dodgy BB staff to issue fraudulent immigration letters over many years, based on illegal deposits made for a few minutes. This caused BB a lot of government hassle earlier this year and this is the knee-jerk reaction to it, as was all the freezing of undocumented accounts at the same time.

I expect all other banks to end up doing something similar at some point, if they are currently allowing agents to make dodgy short-term deposits to obtain immigration letters fraudulently.
Phil ********
Phil ********
They clearly don't want foreign customers.
เดวิด **********
เดวิด **********
Phil Wilson they want our money locked away so they can invest it and make their own profits at our expense.
BreezyGi*********
BreezyGi*********
เดวิด โรเจอร์ส that’s how banks work you idiot
เดวิด **********
เดวิด **********
BreezyGiraffe4639 firstly you cabbage; that is not how banks work. They speculate with our money but we can still withdraw it... Secondly. Bellend.
Danny *****
Danny *****
Tourism yes they are welcome... Overstaying is the issue,

And they are not customers, that improve the country..
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
Danny Kay Overstayers don’t normally deposit 800k in a Thai bank, I would have thought.
SageLyc*******
SageLyc*******
Danny Kay Having a valid visa is not overstaying. Many valid visa types are not eligible to open a bank account.
Sefton Hanley
Dick Greene

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