This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What issues should I be aware of when using Wise for international transfers to Thailand for visa extension purposes?
Visa ExtensionsRetirement VisaTransferWiseBankingVisa RequirementsWise Transfers IssueKasikorn BankInternational TransfersImmigration OfficeExpats in Thailand
Dec 19, 2025
4 months ago
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERJust been applying for an Extension of Stay (based on Retirement) and hit an issue that I think could impact a lot of people.
I use the 65k per month route, and I use Wise for the transfers from UK to Thailand, and I have never had any issues previously. However, the IO told me that I had failed to make the required transfers, and so refused my application. I always transfer well above the 65k (I usually transfer between 150k and 230k per month). On closer examination, it turned out that all of the transfers prior to and including August were fine. But from Aug 31st onwards, all of my transfers were showing as domestic transfers. After consulting with my bank (SCB) and Wise, it turns out that from Sept 1st they had changed partners and had started using Kasinkorn, who receive the transfers and then remit them onto the required bank, and they do this using 'Channel Code' ENET (Domestic Transfer) whereas the previous partner had remitted them with Channel Code RIS (International). So, for anyone using Wise, I suggest you review your transfers quickly and if you find they are being marked as ENET then you have a problem.
I have flagged the issue to Wise, who initially did not want to know, and just kept directing me to take it up with Kasinkorn, I had to remind them that I have no relationship with Kasinkorn, much less an account, so I would be nothing to them. I reminded Wise that they have the relationship with Kasinkorn, who they have chosen as their partner, and they need to take it up with them as this could affect thousands (maybe tens of thousands) of Wise customers in Thailand. They are now 'looking into it', so I am assuming that the more of you that also contact Wise re this, the more likely they are to fix it.
I assume if you are a Kasinkorn customer using Wise, then it might be OK as I assume they will show such transfers as Inetrnational not Domestic, but be interested in any of you check this and let us know on here.
Meantime, I am looking at a workaround using Wise 'Transfer Receipts' and once I have tried this workaround with Immigration I will update here. One thing I have found though is that the Wise Transfer Receipts seem to change content and format frequently, which is a bit of a concern.
Anyway, thought it best to let you guys out there know about this !
Merry Bloody Xmas ...
I use the 65k per month route, and I use Wise for the transfers from UK to Thailand, and I have never had any issues previously. However, the IO told me that I had failed to make the required transfers, and so refused my application. I always transfer well above the 65k (I usually transfer between 150k and 230k per month). On closer examination, it turned out that all of the transfers prior to and including August were fine. But from Aug 31st onwards, all of my transfers were showing as domestic transfers. After consulting with my bank (SCB) and Wise, it turns out that from Sept 1st they had changed partners and had started using Kasinkorn, who receive the transfers and then remit them onto the required bank, and they do this using 'Channel Code' ENET (Domestic Transfer) whereas the previous partner had remitted them with Channel Code RIS (International). So, for anyone using Wise, I suggest you review your transfers quickly and if you find they are being marked as ENET then you have a problem.
I have flagged the issue to Wise, who initially did not want to know, and just kept directing me to take it up with Kasinkorn, I had to remind them that I have no relationship with Kasinkorn, much less an account, so I would be nothing to them. I reminded Wise that they have the relationship with Kasinkorn, who they have chosen as their partner, and they need to take it up with them as this could affect thousands (maybe tens of thousands) of Wise customers in Thailand. They are now 'looking into it', so I am assuming that the more of you that also contact Wise re this, the more likely they are to fix it.
I assume if you are a Kasinkorn customer using Wise, then it might be OK as I assume they will show such transfers as Inetrnational not Domestic, but be interested in any of you check this and let us know on here.
Meantime, I am looking at a workaround using Wise 'Transfer Receipts' and once I have tried this workaround with Immigration I will update here. One thing I have found though is that the Wise Transfer Receipts seem to change content and format frequently, which is a bit of a concern.
Anyway, thought it best to let you guys out there know about this !
Merry Bloody Xmas ...
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses recent issues faced by expats using Wise for money transfers to meet the requirements for extending their Retirement Visa in Thailand. A user experienced a refusal of their visa extension application because their transfers were incorrectly marked as domestic instead of international. This issue arose after Wise changed their banking partners, which affected the transfer categorization. The community responded with various suggestions, including obtaining credit advice from Kasikorn Bank, ensuring transfers are tagged properly, and discussing alternative solutions for wire transfers to avoid future complications.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Robert *****
Might be easier to just park the 800,000 baht and forget about it.
Bill *********
The best solution is to do a one time deposit of B800k and be done with it until you have to show proof at the next visa extension in a year. Why do people want to try to make things happen perfectly 12 times instead of just once?
Jackie ************
Sean McDermott
******************************************************************************
**********
*****
*****
*****
3/Jackie ************
Sean McDermott
******************************************************************************
**********
*****
*****
*****
6/Jackie ************
Kasikorn bank provides global inward certificate upon application for 200 baht need to provide the wise transfer receipt
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERWho/where in Kasikorn ? I spent an hour in a branch today and they did not have a clue ... I gave them the Wise Transfer Receipts and they had no clue what to do with them. Because I was not a Kbank customer, they really did not want to deal with me at all. Are you a Kbank customer ??
Jackie ************
@Sean **********
Im not a kasikorn customer, i went to their internationl services desk here in pattaya. I dont know if they have that where you are but im sure there are othersReply to
Jackie ************
Reply
Malaysian_Bo*************
Following
Vince **********
In Pattaya take your Wise confirmation from these miscoded transactions to the Kasikorn branch on Klang. Just did this yesterday and the lady at the International desk knew exactly what was needed. In and out in 15 minutes.
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERUnfortunately that requires a 10k flight for me ... I live in Samui and there is no Kbank International here on the island (at least, as far I have been able to find out so far). Could you please explain a bit more detail what this ladty did and what she provided ? Might be useful in my next discussion with Kbank here.
Reply to
Sean ***********
Reply
Nick ************
My regular transfers to Bangkok bank have shown as international for 22 months without an issue. I got Wise to tag my account 2 years ago. When I got my extension I had to provide statements from my UK bank to show where the money had come from. Two had sat in Wise account for a number of months but that was not an issue. IO spent an hour checking money out if UK with money in to Thailand. All was fine and they did not seem to care whether transfers were marked as international or not even though they all were.
Adam ******
Does anyone know where to get a list of the banks internal codes? I see on my last three SCB statements that the incoming WISE transfer is indeed ENET. Having said that I see on the right side of the statement amongst my name and acc no, a code saying ISO ACT (underlined in red). I'm wondering if this signifies anything that may suggest/prove international funds.
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Adam *****
That is a good spot and a great question.Adam ******
@Sean **********
I'm picking up my extension stamp next week here in Hua Hin. I'll ask them.Reply to
Adam ******
Reply
Ian **********
My BBL book has the codes in the back
Adam ******
Been all around the app but never thought about looking in the book. Thanks.
Reply to
Adam ******
Reply
Jackie ************
For many folks , so far, only the September transfers were a problem. Get a credit advice letter from Bangkok bank and a certification of International transfer from kasikorn for the affected month or months and hopefully that is enough proof.
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jackie ***********
Good luck on getting anything from Kasinkorn if you are not a Kasinkorn customer.Jackie ************
@Sean **********
Kasikorn provided the requested form without hesitation, 200 bahtReply to
Jackie ************
Reply
Adam ******
@Jackie ***********
For me, October and November are ENET transfers as well.Reply to
Adam ******
Reply
Ian **********
I'm so glad I changed to a DTV
Ossie *********
@Ian *********
I’ve heard some horror stories regarding DTV I was going to switch over but have decided to wait another year to see if anything changesIan **********
@Ossie ********
What horror stories?Reply to
Ian **********
Reply
Articulat**********
Wise: “Why can’t Wise give me a Confirmation Letter of International Fund Transfer?
We aren't authorised by the Bank of Thailand to issue a Confirmation Letter of International Fund Transfer. This is due to how we operate: when you send money with us, we use our Thai banking partners to send your money locally. It doesn’t cross any borders, so it doesn’t register as a foreign transaction.”
We aren't authorised by the Bank of Thailand to issue a Confirmation Letter of International Fund Transfer. This is due to how we operate: when you send money with us, we use our Thai banking partners to send your money locally. It doesn’t cross any borders, so it doesn’t register as a foreign transaction.”
Adam ******
Following.
Jesper *******
Yes it happen during Sept and many ppl have been posting their statements not having the correct code...mostly bkk bank there are solutions from other posts that u need to get a statement from Kbank which is the partner of Wise and distribute funds to other banks OR use direct Swift transfer so you will definitely get your FET without any problem
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jesper ******
As the problem has already happened, Swift is not a fix, but is def an option going forward - assuming I don't get kicked out of TH over this.Jesper *******
@Sean **********
if u still have time for your extension go to kbank and ask for the overseas transfer statements /Wise and tallies with your statement in your SCB acct and show that to the immigration officer....I know its troublesome but many have done that and it worksSean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jesper ******
I was in a Kbank branch today, and it was very hard work. They did not really want to deal wiith me because I was not a K bank customer, and thus had no account or cards with them. They then tried to fob me off with going to their Internation Trade Centre in Bangkok - that is a 1,000 mile trip for me, so not very helpful. The only way of contacting them by phone is via the Call Centre, which requires a K bank account number or Thai Tax Id so again, no use. They did not even have an internal line to the Trade Centre - which amazed me. Eventually, one of the more senior officers seemed to finally understand the urgency and importance, and offered to take my phone and email details and get back to me once she had found a way to contact the Trade Centre. About 3 hours later she did indeed call me back, but only to check on my name and contact details. I offered to send her the details of the specific transactions to help trace them, but she declined and seemed very evasive about me having any numbers or emails direct to them. So, still waiting to hear ...Reply to
Sean ***********
Reply
Max *******
never ever ever ever use wise !!!! my buddy has his money stolen.. 150 000 AUD.
Ossie *********
@Max ******
been using them for years never had an issue and they’ve handled way over than what your friend had as you call it stolen that’s a serious allegation to make !Max *******
@Ossie ********
oi oi oi... no comment😂Reply to
Max *******
Reply
Kevin *********
Can you tell us how you contacted wise and got them to answer? I've emailed them numerous times and contacted them numerous times about a change of address with sufficient evidence. They've replied to my correspondences but have not changed my address yet! More than a year. Wise needs to wise up
Ossie *********
@Kevin ********
Kasikorn is the best bank in Thailand over 20 years of living here I tried them all you do have an alternative and that is use an agent saves all the agro having to deal with IOsJim **********
@Kevin ********
if you use the App look for Help then select messaging serviveKevin *********
@Jim *********
I've done that. I've got responses from them but despite showing my evidence to them, they still didn't update the darn thing. I'll give it another try. Cheers 👍Reply to
Kevin *********
Reply
Robert *********
Thanks for the notes. Best of luck in solving. Please update if you do manage to find a solution.
What about using Xe or Revolut for low cost transfers/fx? What intermediary do they use? Annoying to have to open an additional money transfer account I know but this maybe a solution long term?
What about using Xe or Revolut for low cost transfers/fx? What intermediary do they use? Annoying to have to open an additional money transfer account I know but this maybe a solution long term?
Skilled*******
My dad is from uk living off his pension. They said they want to see tax remittances now
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERthat is a whole separate discussion, and nowt to do with this issue.
Sylvia ********
SkilledOwl3475 that started 2 yrs back, he should have submitted last year. Tell him to apply for Tin number first
Reply to
Sylvia ********
Reply
Wayne **********
What is it that the IOs wants to see on a statement. I use wise to send directly to my kasikorn account. On my statements it shows up as Trade Finance Deposit. Then a trade reference no. IRxxxxxxxxxx lots of random digits
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wayne *********
I think the IR = International Remittence so that identifies it sufficiently for the likes of Immigration.Reply to
Sean ***********
Reply
Charmae *******
This isn't a new issue mate
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Charmae ******
It is to me. I've been using Wise for years and have never had this issue until now, and as per my post it is directly caused by a process & systems change they made on 31st August 2025.Reply to
Sean ***********
Reply
Barney ********
For the last couple of months my wise transfers in to my bangkok bank account have gone from instant to next day mid afternoon at the earliest, whereas if i transfer into my wifes kasikorn account its still instantaneous. Id assumed wise had changed their method and clearly they have. The payment into the bangkok bank is still marked international so thats a relief. I wonder why wise have changed this, maybe it was to keep their rates as low as possible, or to acheive tge best exchange rate. Either way it still works, still the cheapest, unless someone has discovered a better carrier than wise, but i doubt it ))
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Barney *******
What is the code that BB statements have to show it's international and where is it ? (Channel Code ? Description ? Note ?)Barney ********
@Sean **********
it comes up on my bb phone app and says 'international funds transfer'. I suppose itll show similar on any digital or paper statement i might ask for but that a pfaff but ill do it if i have toReply to
Barney ********
Reply
Jim **********
@Barney *******
As I understand it, Wise have a number of ‘partner banks’ in each country (who may actually be banks or in some cases, are other payment companies). These partners are the ones the international transfer go via. I have no idea how they operate the multi-partner model ie whether they give specific slices of their business to specific partners, or whether it is driven by algorithm to find the best deals on a day to day basis or some other way.
It looks like the move from one partner to another does not have sufficient checks and due diligence to avoid issues like this to their customers.
Barney ********
@Jim *********
yes id guessed as much. Although in the beginning with travelwise i got the impression each country in the operation had cash in the local currency, and the exchange was me paying england in pounds and the travelwise partner paying out in thai baht, allowing them to balance it all up later, and maybe take some advantage of exchange rates. It now seems my english pounds are instantly exchanged thru kasikorn into baht, at the push of a button. Im not complaining, i love wise, makes life super easy. Im just trying to make sense of it )Reply to
Barney ********
Reply
Jo **********
i do all my transfers direct bank to bank it costs me 0.5%. I have the security and reliability. Wise is for cheap charlie
Nick ************
@Jo *********
some banks like mine charge a lot more. In addition I had one UK account closed because of regular transfers to Thailand they assumed correctly I was living here. In addition I could not set up a direct debit and every Swift transfer involved 30 minutes on the phone giving details and on one occasion the bank made an error which stuffed me up for a year. So. Wise provides an excellent service and is certainly not for cheap Charlie's. Maybe you enjoy wasting your money and time. My transfers took all of 3 minutes last week and came through the next day as always.Jo **********
@Nick ***********
ok I understand your point. but I pay so little and transfer is in my bank in 2 hours.Reply to
Jo **********
Reply
Mikael **********
Yes you are correct, I use Wise every month to transfer to my Kasikorn account, on statements it shows as "Trade Finance Deposit" and also having a code that Immigration Officers know stand for "International transaction".
Jo **********
@Mikael *********
i do all my transfers direct bank to bank it costs me 0.5%. I have the security and reliability. Wise is for cheap charlieCharmae *******
Nothing to do with being a cheap Charlie ..don't be derogatory
Mikael **********
@Jo *********
Well it works fine Wise to Kasikorn, when I did my 1 year extension Immigration Officer in Saraburi even told me that this specific code stands for money coming in from outside Thailand, I was a little bit worried about that.Jo **********
@Mikael *********
understandReply to
Jo **********
Reply
Colin *********
With your Extension of Stay refused, what now? Did the IO offer you a chance to try to get evidence of the International transfers from the banks concerned and then come back to apply for the Extension again?
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Colin ********
yes. My visa expires tomorrow, and they are giving me until Monday to provide them with the required proof of international transfers.Colin *********
@Sean **********
ok, that's good. Good luckReply to
Colin *********
Reply
John **********
Even Wise recommend you use SWIFT if it's important to show your transfers are international.
Colin *********
@John *********
this is something that I haven't had to deal with as yet, so; does using "SWIFT" mean using a 'regular' financial institution such as a Bank or Credit Union and not Wise?John **********
@Colin ********
you can make SWIFT transfers via Wise but they are more expensiveColin *********
@John *********
more expensive than traditional banks, or do you just mean more expensive than the normal way of transferring through Wise?John **********
@Colin ********
more expensive than standard Wise. Not sure why you would even use Wise for SWIFTReply to
John **********
Reply
Loma ******
Can you share the reporting office? Chaeng Wathana? Other?
Peter ****************
It's a known issue arround august, september this year with Wise (and using "funds for long stay ........" as reason). Also this 'reason', you can change it at a later moment as before. Wise keeps the last reason as default, so you have to watch out, it isn't changed by this Wise issue to another reason then "Funds for long stay.......".
Gregory *********
Kasikorn bank shows these transfers as "Trade Finance Deposit" from "Wise Payments L" in my kasikorn statement.
Anna *********
This has been an issue for a while and has been mentioned on posts before
Good luck with Brandon’s solution
Good luck with Brandon’s solution
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Anna ********
As per my post, this has never been an issue for me until 31st August.Reply to
Sean ***********
Reply
Wannikea *********
You can also join Wise (former TransferWise) solution Thailand NEW group, specifically setup to address this issue years ago.
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wannikea ********
Thanks - looks usefulReply to
Sean ***********
Reply
Wannikea *********
As Brandon said, request the credit advice slip for each of the relevant months. Failing that, produce the paper trail amounts/dates/method from your origin bank to your Thai bank and hopefully a decent IO will accept the proof as proof. Finally don't leave anything to chance, if your extension/life abroad relies on monthly international deposits being flagged as such, wouldn't you want to check that each and every month?
Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERI have already stated that I have never previously had any issues prior to this systems/process change involving Kasinkorn becoming the partner bank. So, any checks I made on transfers were simple checks that the money was in my account. I never looked at the Channel Code, because it has never been an issue before now. Very easy to be wise after the event.
Wannikea *********
@Sean **********
Wise has made a few tweaks in the past with seemingly little thought to how it affects these sensitive transaction coding issues todo with retirement visa monthly funding in Thailand. Just gotta keep on top of everything all the time these days.Sean ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERyes, I think I have learned that the hard way now ! 🤦♂️
Reply to
Sean ***********
Reply
Colin *********
@Wannikea ********
you certainly would want to check that Wise Transfers are correctly coded as International. Knowing what a number of Expats have said about 'Thai logic', it's hard to imagine an IO understanding and accepting the 'paper trail', as you put it.Wannikea *********
@Colin ********
three highlighted statements per transaction, funding bank, Wise, receiving bank. Date, amount, withdrawal/deposit, conversion. It's been done before. An open minded IO is hopefully sitting across the desk. The OP already has 8 months of sequential traditional international deposit transaction flags, the pattern is obvious, just not the notations on the few errant transfers.
Reply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
Marianne ********
Wise has a guide on how to get your transfers registered as international if they aren't already.
*************************************************************
*****
35/guide-to-thb-transfersJim **********
@Marianne *******
thanks, I read the article. It refers to ‘beneficiary bank’ and ‘recipient bank’ interchangeably as who to get the Confirmation Letter from. Where the payment goes via Kasinkorn to SCB, which is the recipient/beneficiary bank ??
Jim **********
@Marianne *******
so it is the banking partner ? (In this case, Kasinkorn)Marianne ********
@Jim *********
Probably? That is what it says on the site.Reply to
Marianne ********
Reply
Colin *********
@Marianne *******
generally, that's good information and it's come up before that I've seen. The OP obviously was already following the procedures in that Wise article, but if Wise change their partner as mentioned without clearly notifying it's customers, then people are going to get caught out.As
@Brandon ***********
suggested, there is a way to overcome the issue, but it's probably best for all those Wise customers who need their transfers to be marked as International, for Visa and long term extension purposes, to check their bank account after every transfer, to make sure it's coded correctly.Frank **********
@Marianne *******
good info, thanks.Reply to
Frank **********
Reply
Brandon ************
This is not a new problem nor a new issue.
Your workaround is 99% not going to work.
You need to go to KASIKORN bank with your proof of transfers from Wise, and have them issue you a credit advice showing that money came from overseas. Include this with your statement from SCB and that should be all it takes.
You might need to find a Kasikorn Bank branch with a Kasikorn Bank International Trade Centre.
Your workaround is 99% not going to work.
You need to go to KASIKORN bank with your proof of transfers from Wise, and have them issue you a credit advice showing that money came from overseas. Include this with your statement from SCB and that should be all it takes.
You might need to find a Kasikorn Bank branch with a Kasikorn Bank International Trade Centre.
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
27 comments
7 months ago
43 comments
8 months ago
30 comments
8 months ago
62 comments
8 months ago
35 comments
8 months ago
43 comments
9 months ago
37 comments
a year ago
61 comments
a year ago
54 comments
2 years ago
How can I ensure my Wise fund transfers are tagged as international for visa extensions in Thailand?
31 comments
2 years ago
17 comments
2 years ago
93 comments
2 years ago
13 comments
3 years ago
16 comments
3 years ago
39 comments
4 years ago
1 comments
5 years ago
9 comments
5 years ago
50 comments
5 years ago
36 comments
5 years ago
1 comments
7 years ago
9 comments
7 years ago
136 comments
7 years ago
20 comments
7 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.