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What should I do about transferring 800k baht using Wise for my retirement visa extension in Thailand?
Retirement VisaNon-O VisaThai Visa RulesBanking in ThailandMoney TransferVisa Extension Requirements
Sep 10, 2025
8 months ago
Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTERNeed some immediate advice regarding the retirement visa.
I just got to Thailand about a week ago and am on the Non-O initial 90 day visa. I plan to sign a one year lease within a week or so, open a Thai bank account immediately after that, and then transfer the 800k baht to the account so I can let it sit there for two months before I apply for the one year extension.
*However I just found out this potential problem:* I already transferred the 800k baht to Wise so I could transfer it to the Thai bank account once I open it, but I heard that using Wise for the 800k baht transfer and not a direct wire transfer from my US bank could cause immigration to deny my one year extension. Has anyone encountered this issue? If I don't use Wise and just wire transfer another 800k baht from my US bank will that make everything ok?
I am utterly confused and appreciate any advice on this, thanks!
I just got to Thailand about a week ago and am on the Non-O initial 90 day visa. I plan to sign a one year lease within a week or so, open a Thai bank account immediately after that, and then transfer the 800k baht to the account so I can let it sit there for two months before I apply for the one year extension.
*However I just found out this potential problem:* I already transferred the 800k baht to Wise so I could transfer it to the Thai bank account once I open it, but I heard that using Wise for the 800k baht transfer and not a direct wire transfer from my US bank could cause immigration to deny my one year extension. Has anyone encountered this issue? If I don't use Wise and just wire transfer another 800k baht from my US bank will that make everything ok?
I am utterly confused and appreciate any advice on this, thanks!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on transferring 800,000 baht into a Thai bank account for a retirement visa extension after initially using Wise for the transfer. They wonder if using Wise instead of a direct wire transfer will pose a problem for their visa application. Several comments clarify that transfers for retirement visa extensions do not specifically need to be marked as international. Users suggest that the transfer should not be a problem as long as they can provide proof of the transfer with Wise documentation. Additionally, they recommend using Kasikorn bank for better experiences.
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.
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Frank **********
Avoid Bangkok Bank if possible.
Benjamin *******
No for your extension it does no matter where it comes from but for extension normally u need 400k for the last 12monrh on account and 800k 2 month in advance and 3 month after..
!?!
!?!
Fabien *********
Pour moi le problème avec mon visa non immigrants 0 valable 3 mois c'est les banques pour le moment a Bangkok ne veulent pas ouvrir de compte en banque, visa touriste?quelqu'un a réussi a ouvrir un compte en banque pour extension de un an pour placer les 8.00.000 bath au mois août ou septembre?
Giovanni **********
When I did my transfer it was internal, they couldn't care less.
Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Giovanni *********
So you got the one year extension and immigration had no issue with it?Giovanni **********
@Mark ***
Non what so ever. However remember every immigration office makes up, its own rules.Reply to
Giovanni **********
Reply
Rok ********
I never had issues with Wise transfers but recently not being marked as foreign transfers by one of the banks. I moved to Kasikorn now but i am sure we can always prove the transfer by providing the Wise statement.
Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rok *******
So you got the one year extension and immigration had no issue with it?Rok ********
@Mark ***
…. The issue arose Just after the extension in August and hence i moved to Kasikorn for next year which shows Trade Transfer. Somebody here said it was just wrongly translated. In thai it still says International Transfer.Rok ********
“Trade Finance Deposit” 🤔
Reply to
Rok ********
Reply
Nigel **************
Do you have a Thai bank account already? That will be your biggest headache by far.
Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nigel *************
This was another issue, I tried getting a "residence certificate" at immigration but they denied it since my TM30 was invalid. I'm staying at an Airbnb and the "owner" is Italian. I asked him for a TM30 and his co-host sent me one. When I gave them all the paperwork at immigration they said the TM30 didn't have the "title deed" or something like that. Now my only hope is to sign a year lease, bring that to Kasikorn Bank, and hope they let me open up an account. What a friggin headache.Jay *******
@Mark ***
kasikorn required me to get a residence certificate. So you might look at solving that issue first. They wouldn't talk to me without it. However once acquired opening an account was fairly easyMark ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jay ******
I tried to get a residence certificate but immigration denied the TM30 I brought form my Airbnb. The "owner' of the condo is Italian and the "title" deed wasn't on the TM30. Now I'm just gonna sign a lease first somewhere and get the bank account after.Jay *******
@Mark ***
that should work. With the proper paperwork it wasn't difficultReply to
Jay *******
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Mark ***
you must avoid AirBnB rentals. Rent premises from a Thai, using a real rental contract, or use a hotel (Bangkok Immigration accepts a TM30 of a hotel address to issue the cerificate of residence)Nigel **************
@Mark ***
yeah it really is a dysfunctional shit show these days. Best of luck.Brandon ************
@Mark ***
You might still need CoR. Every bank branch has their own requirements. You can try a few different branches before trying to get a CoR. Normally the ones in big malls are best. I think Emporium and Emquarter both have a branch, but you can just go down the BTS and stop at the various malls and try. Siam Paragon, Central World, Emquarter, etc.Gordon *******
@Mark ***
consider using an agent?Reply to
Gordon *******
Reply
Gary ******
Use swift
Bill *********
@Gary *****
Exactly. Keep Wise out of the equation and all will work out fineGary ******
@Bill ********
yes 100%Reply to
Gary ******
Reply
Brandon ************
It's not a problem. Retirement EXTENSION using 800k is not required to be an international transfer. It's only when applying to convert from tourist to non-O inside of Thailand that has this requirements.
The people that are having problems are the ones using monthly transfers to qualify as proof of monthly income for their extensions.
If you want your transfer to show as international regardless, select the proper reason for the transfer and Wise will attempt to get it to show as an international transfer. Highly suggest getting a Kasikorn bank account for better odds based on recent reports.
But even if it doesn't show as international, the transfer into your bank account will show which Thai bank it came from. You go to that bank with your Wise receipt and ask them for a credit advice which will show that the money was international.
The people that are having problems are the ones using monthly transfers to qualify as proof of monthly income for their extensions.
If you want your transfer to show as international regardless, select the proper reason for the transfer and Wise will attempt to get it to show as an international transfer. Highly suggest getting a Kasikorn bank account for better odds based on recent reports.
But even if it doesn't show as international, the transfer into your bank account will show which Thai bank it came from. You go to that bank with your Wise receipt and ask them for a credit advice which will show that the money was international.
Incognia **********
@Brandon ***********
if retirement NON O from embassies online need overseas or not at first apply?(not extension)Brandon ************
@Incognia *********
Embassies normally don't care where the money is at. You can use money in your foreign bank account. But once you're in Thailand they only recognize money in Thai bank accounts.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
I plan to use Kasikorn since they seemed to be the most receptive of the four major banks I tried. How risky is what you just suggested? Would I be safer just to transfer another 800k via wire transfer to avoid all potential denials from the immigration agent?Brandon ************
@Mark ***
There is no risk of denial. The only requirement for retirement extension is that you have 800,000 in your personal bank account for 2 full months at the time of the application for extension. There is no requirement that the money was an international transfer for the extension.Also, if you have Kasikorn, there's a 99% chance that it will show as an international transfer anyways. And even if it didn't, you just go to the Thai bank the money was routed through and get their credit advice showing that it was international. There's no case where you are denied based only on this.
Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
I went to the Kasikorn at True Digital Park in Udom Suk where I'm staying, they were receptive but the language barrier was tough there. I think I might just go to a Kasikorn in the city center at Emporium or Emquarter like you said, might be better English speaking employees there to help ease things.Gerg **********
@Mark ***
I have an account at Kasikorn bank in EmQuartier, and never have a problem with the staff concerning language.Brandon ************
@Mark ***
I'm surprised True Digital Park doesn't have better English staff. That's not exactly a rare place for foreigners to spend time.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
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