What should I do if I can't get the required bank letter for my Non-O visa application in Thailand?

November 12, 2018
6 years ago
Robert **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
TransferWise issue: So I opened account at Bank of Ayudhya/Krungsri Sukhumvit 31 in Bangkok. I transferred twice around $14,900 USD by ACS transfer. (Maximum $15,000 USD for ACS. My US bank, Capitalone360, does not do wire transfers to non-US banks. I went to Krungsri, asked for letter for retirement visa, stating balance over ฿800,000 THB, transferred from outside Thailand. The bank manager refused. I had a Thai person interpret. TransferWise bounced the money through several banks, the last being Bangkok Bank. They said get Bangkok Bank to write the letter. I’m waiting for BB to open at Central World but I’m not optimistic. My ideas are 1. Go to head Krungsri office see if they can call BB and write the letter. 2. Engage a Thai lawyer. 3. Arrange to transfer more Money from USA by direct wire transfer, perhaps open BB account. I do have embassy latter as to address (one year condo contract), landlord’s thai ID copy, showing monthly income >฿65,000 THB–but it’s by transfer from my own funds, not pension. I’m applying to change tourist visa from USA to non-O 90 day by reason of retirement at Chaengwattana.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is facing issues obtaining a bank letter necessary for their Non-O visa application in Thailand after transferring a considerable sum through TransferWise. The local bank (Krungsri) refused to issue a letter confirming the transfer's overseas origin. The user is considering options such as visiting the head office of Krungsri, consulting a lawyer, or trying a direct wire transfer through another bank. Community members provide insights into the visa application process, emphasizing the importance of proving the funds originated from abroad and suggesting ways to obtain the required documentation.
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Robert *******
I hope it is clear, the way transfer wise works is not hat visa related. I close commenting.
Darren *********
As I understand it the key thing is to prove that the original currency wasn’t Thai baht. Foreign bank/currency transfer bank -> Bangkok bank > destination bank in Thailand. Show a paper trail reflecting this (including purchase of Thai baht) along with transaction statements. Otherwise it does look like an internal transfer.
Darren *********
Bangkok bank are the final clearing bank for Krungthai, SCB and Kasikorn, regardless of origin.
Robert **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok I’ll look at that. Thx
Dietwin ***********
you have to use a second bank outside the us to transfer your money , these are called transferal bank , like deutche bank or city bank for your case , you need this banks to change your money from usd to thai baht , on you applicationform of transferwise you need to fill in a second bank , you find the list on internet with transferral banks you can work with and their codes 😉
Akaon ******************
At the moment Western union are doing free transfers from, bank to bank account,i sent some over the other day and you get the online transaction record to show from where to where,they also gave a good rate for a change and took 2 days to be in my Bangkok bank account.only downside can only send 4000 gbp per time
Shezan ******
just use crypto its faster and easier lol
Shezan ******
Not there
Shezan ******
ok
Barry ******
Look at the terms on bx.in.th so officially you cannot use it as a method
Shezan ******
@Barry *****
Really?? please show me those terms and conditions I am quite interested
Barry ******
its against terms and conditions of Thai exchanges to use crypto for “foreign transfers”.

So officially you cannot do it.
Bob **********
@Shezan *****
they will not accept that
Rob ******
Don't bother with BBL at Central World, go to the Silom head office and go to the second floor to the international transfers desk. These are the only people at the bank that can help you.
Robert **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Got the letter
Robert **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob *****
thank you. I went to head office if my bank, got the letter and another favor from her.
Rob ******
Awesome news
@Robert *********
. I've made it a point to maintain a personal relationship with a banker at my bank's HQ and that has helped in a few situations. When you go to pick it up take that person a something small and grab their name card. It may pay off in the future.
Robert **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob *****
I went to head office of Krungsri they said they will do it, I have to come back in an hour
Danny *******
As Rob said, they know exactly what you need and will issue the required document.
Chris ********
So just to join in on this topic. Is TransferWise not recommended as a way to transfer the required amount of money? Even if it’s been there for over 3 months
Adrian ******
@Tod ********
that was my next question before I had finished reading all comments lol.
Biff *******
IF you have an account with Bangkok Bank, TransferWise transactions are shown on your statements as international transfers. Bangkok Bank are a clearing bank so if your account is NOT with them (as TransferWise apparently use them to clear funds into Thailand) these transfers may well NOT show as coming from abroad and you may well have problems demonstrating that to Thai immigration should you need to.
Chris ********
@Tod ********
thank you so much for clarifying that for me
Tod *********
@Chris *******
right, for extensions there is no need to show where the money came from, just that it was on deposit in your account for the correct seasoning period
Chris ********
@Tod ********
do you mean for a yearly extension you don’t need proof of where they come from
Tod *********
There is a difference when getting the Non-O visa inside the country insofar as you have to prove the funds came from overseas (and sometimes transferwise just transfers the money into your account locally).

For a yearly extension there is no proof of where the funds came from.
Robert **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you
@Tod ********
for your service here! I’ll try the banks to try and get letter, otherwise I’ll go with the form to CW and try my luck.
Danny *******
Robert, I recently had this issue as Transferwise use Bangkok Bank to initially receive your funds which are then sent to your bank. I went to Bangkok Bank main branch at Silom (2nd floor) with my transaction details and they issued a letter to confirm the international transaction. I took this letter with me to Chaengwattana and all was good.
Robert **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Oh ok it’s ‘TN’ I screenshotted wrong column. Just transferred, not showing source. Thanks for your help!
Tod *********
@Robert *********
and now look in the back of the bank book where it tells you what the transaction codes are
Robert **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
code “1274H”
Tod *********
The thing is; I've never seen a bank letter that states the money came from overseas. :/

That is usually shown in your bank book by the code in front of the transaction.

Most bank letters are simple short things like this;
Robert **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes I have that one
Robert **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tod *********
use it out at Chaengwattana for your application for the 90 day Non-O visa.

Make sure you have at least 15 days left on your current stamp when you apply, it'll go under consideration for 14 days and then you go back to get it inked into your passport.
Tod *********
I hope you're talking about THIS notary form from the US consulate.

This is the one you need..

*******************************************************************************************************
*******
/05/income-verification-affidavit-bkk-0517.pdf
Tod *********
Without the proof that the transfer came from overseas you will be knocked back out at Chaengwattana going to a 90 day Non-O visa.

Transferwise was a poor choice :( because of the way they 'move money' for you.

I was out at Chaengwattana Friday in the section that issues Non-Immigrant Type visas and they had no problem accepting an affidavit of income from abroad notary from the consulate for proof of funds.

I'd say use that for the 90 day Non-O application.
Ivan ************
With Bangkok Bank, yes. With Krungsri it seems not, it seems it comes in to start through Bangkok Bank and then is a domestic transfer. So it may matter who your Thai bank is.
Barry ******
money does come from overseas with TransferWise. In my Thai bank statement it states “international transfer” whenever I use transferwise.
Ivan ************
I think this may depend on the bank, Transferwise incoming transfers are coded as FTT/international if your account is with Bangkok Bank (perhaps as that is the bank they come in through).
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