What do I need to ask my bank to prove the source of funds for converting my tourist visa to a Non-O in Thailand?

Mar 2, 2021
4 years ago
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sarah Dean asked;

I will be coming into thailand on a 60 day tourist visa and then converting that into a 90 day Non-O (with an intention of getting a yearly extension based on retirement after that)

I know I have to show proof that the 800,000 THB originated from overseas.

What exactly do I ask the bank for? I will also ensure I have proof of the SWIFT transfer from the UK end.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Sarah is seeking guidance on how to convert her 60-day tourist visa into a 90-day Non-O visa in Thailand, with plans to extend her stay based on retirement. She needs to provide proof that her 800,000 THB originated from overseas. Community members confirm that she must inquire with her bank about the specific documentation required, including ensuring that her bank book accurately reflects incoming international transfers.
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Benjamin ******
As a reminder, we have a zero tolerance policy for mentioning agents, or asking people to use agents to resolve problems.
Richard *********
Benjamin ******
@Richard ********
Great question!

1. *SOME* agents are good, and some are not. We don't know which agents are good and which aren't good.

2. IF a person meets the requirements, getting the appropriate visa/ extension of stay is simple. If a person does not meet the requirements for the extension of stay or visa, then they shouldn't be applying for it.

3. Visa agents *MAY* (but *NOT* all) be used as a backdoor to bribe certain immigration offices to get the visa/ extension of stay illegally. IF the immigration officer is audited, *AND* if they are found to have made the visa/extension of stay using falsified paperwork, THEN the visa/ extension of stay will be retroactivity revoked, and the person is on overstay. Overstaying a visa/ extension of stay is a fine of 500THB a day, with a maximum fine of 20K THB, AND if overstayed by 90 days, a blacklist of one year.

4. Visa agents may make it more difficult to get actual, valid, extension of stays. It's very common that someone uses a visa agent to get a one year "volunteer visa" in someplace in Isan, and then they find a real job. Sadly, they can't cancel the extension of stay based on volunteering and also get the extension of stay based on employment (OF COURSE, this doesn't apply if you didn't use an agent).

5. There are already many Facebook groups out there that do discuss agents and refer people to agents. The people who started this group decided to make this group focused towards "self-help" and "no side discussions". We want to be different :)
Ian ********
@Benjamin *****
even better answer! Thanks Benjamin. 👍🏼
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Now we're getting some where
@Sa***
(y)

You can't get a yearly extension without first getting the 90 day Non-O VISA and to get that based on being over 50 at a local immigration office you are correct that you need to show proof of where the funds originated.

When you update your bank book it should show a code next to the incoming transfers and the key to the codes is in the back of the bank book so check to see that they code as international incoming transfers.

The letter the bank writes you does NOT say that the funds came from abroad, it's just a "boiler plate" bank letter (about 5 lines long really) and looks like this
Jonathan *************
For the 400k or 800k dep, no need to prove from abroad
Nikolas ***************
@Jonathan ************
For monthly income (40k for marriage or 65k for retirement) it IS reuqired to come from abroad, but for 400k/800k it is NOT required? A local Transferwise transaction is sufficient in such case?
Jonathan *************
@Nikolas **************
YES, to the best of my knowledge and in Hua Hin in the last two successive years i've used BOTH different methods. Unless something has changed. Certainly for ther monthly income needs the proof, many have posted in the past no need for the lump sums to have come from abroad (although mine did)
Andy *********
@Tod ********
hi Tod - just for info - kk io would not accept this letter in English when I renewed last month - I had to go back and get a Thai version - even bank teller looked bemused ( The same io accepted it in English last year🤷‍♂️)
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ********
and that is total b/s.

The letters have always been in english at all the banks I've ever gone to with people (which is probably many hundreds of people over the years) and not one thing was said about it.

I'da sure complained about that and asked to file an appeal.

That is an example taken from a GIANT poster at Bangkok Bank :O in the basement of the government complex out at Chaengwattana where the immigration office is :P
Andy *********
@Tod ********
I know and I had withdrawn 500 baht to show balance in updated bank book - still well over but had to be a 100 baht deposit ☹️
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ********
showing the bank balance in the bank book on the day you apply for the extension is a policy at all the immigration offices.

BUT having a bank letter in thai is NOT.. ;)
Gregor **********
@Tod ********
sorry Tod, but all my SCB bank letters in the recent 13 years for applying for the extensions of stay, have always been in Thai
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