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What are the requirements for applying for an OA visa from outside Thailand regarding income verification and bank accounts?

Jul 10, 2025
5 days ago
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm still confused. I am trying to go the OA route and one must apply outside Thailand (TL).

I won't have the 800k thb (no comments please) but I earn 100k thb each month social security and have for 1.5 years. Soon to start collecting on a pension, LTR eventually). The US LA Consulate page has three options for income verification for the OA:

1. 800 thb in bank last 3 months;

1. income certificate for 65k thb (US embassy does not do this)

2. "or a deposit account plus a monthly income totaling not less than 800k thb (in one year). In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from bank (an original copy) is required."

It goes on to say "Recent bank statement showing the applicant's name and ending balance of no less that $30,000 or proof of monthly income of not less that $2500/month along with the current bank statement showing incoming income."

Question: If Im outside, how would this have to be in a Thai bank? Can't set one up without a long-term visa.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking clarification on the income verification process for obtaining an OA visa while currently outside of Thailand. They note their confusion regarding the requirement to have funds in a Thai bank account, as they earn a sufficient income but lack the 800,000 THB for a Thai bank statement. Comments clarify that applicants can use their home country's bank accounts for the initial application and that a Thai bank account is only needed for extensions after obtaining the visa.
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Vanessa **********
Last year, I applied for and obtained my Retirement non-OA visa from Thai consulate in L.A. The entire application process was online and was issued an e-visa. I chose to submit monthly income retirement to meet minimum financial requirements. Online, you will be asked to upload various documents. For income verification, I uploaded my most recent bank statement showing my monthly retirement income deposits. The website will not accept many pages of a document. I uploaded 2 pages, front page of my bank statement and page showing retirement income deposits. Hope this info is helpful to you.
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vanessa *********
how about the health insurance form?
Vanessa **********
@Bigd *********
You will find the Thai medical form on Thai government website. All the best!
Vanessa **********
@Bigd *********
Not sure what you mean by health insurance form but there are 3 health related documents you must submit. First, a medical form that states you do not have certain diseases. Your local doctor can complete it and sign. Secondly, once you have obtained health insurance, the insurer will send your policy and lastly the health insurer will send a certificate verifying your health insurance policy. Each document is one page.
Bigd **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vanessa *********
thank you!!
Yaoyu ***********
@Vanessa *********
Wow, thank you for sharing your experience. I was also wondering how a foreigner can open a Thai bank account before receiving the visa. 🫡

ps, she's one of my favor singers. 😅
Bob **********
Why don’t you look at the non-o a lot less requirements
Peter ****************
@Bob *********
Well, he does not have the 800k฿ (yet) and seems to want long stay in Thailand. So to open bank account and save money to get the 800k฿, maybe this O-A is not too bad to start and have at least a year time. Later he can get 'the free year' (with requirements of insurance etc.) and/or get a non imm O in- or outside the country. Only needs one border hop/run.
Graham ******
@Peter ***************
can use 65k income for the initial Non-O or Non-OA from an Embassy
Bob **********
@Peter ***************
yes but to change from the OA to a non-o he’ll need to leave and either apply out of the country but he’ll need the 800k to extend it hopefully he’ll have saved enough
Anna *********
You are very confused so I suggest you re look at the requirements to obtain the OA visa

You might also want to look at the non O visa

The extension of stay (after you get the visa) is where the 800 K THB in a Thai bank etc becomes a requirement
Graham ******
@Anna ********
the requirement for the first extension is a Thai bank account (or an Embassy income affidavit), the 800k (or 65k income) is needed for the initial Non-O too
Anna *********
@Graham *****
I know I’ll edit my post to make it clearer 😀
Graeme ******
When you are applying in your home country you use the equivalent of 65k baht a month in your own currency or 800k baht total equivalent again in your own currency. So if in the USA this is in dollars in your own account. You only need a thai bank account when you are wanting an extension inside of thailand.
Lynnette *******
You apply outside of Thailand in home country. Use home bank account. The 12 month extension in Thailand you'd need a Thai bank account.
Bob **********
@Lynnette ******
not for the first one but he’ll need one year of insurance to get stamped back in for his second year
Brandon ************
Where does it say it has to be in a Thai account?

6. Applicant must have a bank deposit of no less than 800,000 Baht in the last three months

or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht,

or a deposit account plus a monthly income totaling not less than 800,000 Baht (in one year). In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is required.

Nothing there says anything about a Thai bank account or a certificate from any embassy. You are not dealing with immigration which has a requirement for Thai bank account, you are dealing with an embassy.
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