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What should I do if my retirement visa application was rejected due to funding in Wise instead of a Thai bank?

Nov 7, 2025
8 days ago
Dorothy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello I need some advise. We've applied for a retirement visa and got an email stating that the Wise Acct isn't considered a bank which we've transferred most of our funds to, that bank so not sure how to go about this. Everything else is in order so I'm left confused on what to do, please any advise anyone!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The issue stems from the fact that Wise is not considered a bank, which is a requirement for funding your retirement visa application in Thailand. Initially, applicants can apply for a Non-O visa from their home country and must provide proof of funds held in a Thai bank account. Money must remain in this account for at least two months prior to applying for an extension. Several community members suggest showing recent bank statements from the original bank account where the funds were transferred from. Alternatively, it's advised to hire an agent to streamline the process and avoid potential 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.
Natalia ************
The money must be in Thai Bank account not in any other country bank account.
Willy *******
@Natalia ***********
Wrong. He is applying Non-O in his home country.
John-Paul ******
Just use an agent. Easy, quick, no long questions to post, no homework to study up on, no research on web to sort through, all done while one enjoys this in... so all while incountry. no question needing answers. Yes will cost you. But its easy and you have the funds. Yes you can do all by yourself for cheaper, but having someone who knows the system and maneuvers within it... oh hell... one's time is better spent.
Dorothy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John-Paul *****
I definitely agree with you on this for sure. My other question is should I move funds back to my bank account away from wise until using an agent and that happens? Also, did you use one and any pointers.
Yo***
@Dorothy *****
searching for good agent in web. and find good one. there are many agents. and ask them and listen to their answers and offers. If you agreed, they can solve all problems once you paid. That is simple.
Daniel *********
Be aware you may transfer from Wise to Thailand but may not be allowed to transfer back to your account in your country through Wise.They like to play games here.Also no interest

on 800 000b.Be prepared to be disappointed in your paradise IMHO
Jon *****
Yes, I have some great advice and probably the best advice you will ever be given, as it could end up saving you time frustration and money. It pays dividends to do your research information is readily available.
Jon *****
Hiccup...... πŸ€”. I wish you well.
Dorothy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I don't think some understood the question! THE RESEARCH WAS DONE, and EVERYTHING was in order except the confusion of realizing that they don't consider Wise a bank which I have transferred most funds over to. So my question was how to go about this, if to maybe transfer funds back or a better solution. Thanks to all who understood the question and gave helpful answers, I appreciate you.
Yo***
@Dorothy *****
fully understand your situation. I had similar one before. headache and confusion and stress... cheer up. anyway winds blow.
Dorothy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jon ****
thank you I have been researching for months why everything else was in order except this hiccup regarding Wise.
Walrus *******
Or use an agent transfer all your money when here. I did that and all done in 3 days
Walrus *******
Speak to the agent. It will cost you nothing.

I am leaving Thailand so not getting anything out of this
Dorothy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Walrus ******
can you give me more insite on on this process since I've already transferred the funds to wise? Are you saying transfer back to my Amex and use and agent when there then transfer to Wise?
Wayne *********
@Dorothy *****
It's got a lot harder to get bank account in Thailand even via an agent. Better to get non o from home using a proper bank, get the non o go to Thailand open a bank account transfer the required money into it then apply for the one year. Wise will not be accepted for either application or the one year.
Dorothy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
yes this is what I found out through email from embassy regarding application. Wished would have know before moving $$, but lesson learned!
Wayne *********
@Dorothy *****
Yes best thing move on put it down as a lesson. Just a pain to find out the hard way. I use wise as transfer only I never put money into my wise account.
Walrus *******
@Dorothy *****
I used Siamese Visa service. Excellent
Dorothy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Walrus ******
thank you 😊
Walrus *******
@Dorothy *****
I think Kasikorn Bank can transfer to..
Walrus *******
@Dorothy *****
maybe your only option. Check with wise if they have an agreement with a bank here to put the money into
Mick **********
Show a recent bank statement from the account you transferred your money from originally. As long as it shows over 18k
Dorothy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mick *********
okay thank you will try that appreciate it πŸ‘πŸ½
Caroline *******
Question: Are you applying for your e-Visa from your home country as the first stage - i.e. the Visa is for 90 days and you will extend when you're in Thailand.

And is the proof required at this first? Or something else.

I ask because I shall be applying for my Retirement Non O Visa shortly.

I have moved money for the Visa from my Nationwide Bank to Wise (as Wise attracts interest) and so your situation may be the same as mine?
Sean *****
Nationwide is not a bank either it’s a building society, not sure how Thai embassy views it
Sean *****
Not sure how fussy there are but actually nationwide is not a bank either it’s a building society, not being funny but just saying technically not a bank and that’s why they refused wise
Colin *********
@Sean ****
if it is a Building Society, it operates in the same way banks do, so there wouldn't be any problem sending money to an overseas bank account (Thailand in this case). While Wise might be good for money transfers to overseas accounts, it isn't a bank, Building Society or Credit Union that operates like a traditional bank, so that's why a Thai Embassy or Consulate won't accept funds with them as proof for Visa purposes. What
@Dorothy *****
would need to do if she doesn't have sufficient funds in a traditional financial institution like the three I mentioned, is to transfer her funds back to her original account where the money came from, then provide the proof of funds from that account.
Sally ********
@Caroline ******
you should have left it in Nationwide
Dorothy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Caroline ******
yes applying from my home country and moved it from my Amex account to Wise and applied for the retirement O Visa with everything else in order but the email got me lost and confused.
Caroline *******
@Dorothy *****
- thanks for asking this question as I am now going to move my money back to my UK bank. I've double checked this.
Kevin *********
True.

Wise is not a bank.

Must be in a Thai account.
Jim *******
@Kevin ********
Wyse sends the money to Kasikorn bank. That is their contract. Even Thai Goverment approved all money transatcions go through Kasikorn bank. See that note when you have to pay anything with Thai Immigration.
David **********
@Kevin ********
Doesn't have to be in a Thai bank for the initial 90 day non-o retirement visa
Stuart ******
You have to apply for a O visa for retirement in your own country which is for 3 months. You will have to prove funds in your bank. Once you arrive in Thailand you need to open a bank account and put the retirement money in the bank it has to be there for 2 months. You can then go and get a extension for 12 months.
Jim *******
@Stuart *****
It is not that straight forward.How to transfer the 800K THB without providing the source bank and the destination bank?

There s a form, that asks for everything and anything about the destination bank account, even their head office of your bank branch, their phone numbers, address.

A Mickeymouse Wyse, made it impossible for me.

From the biggest bank from Japan, Mitsubishi UFJ, bigger than CitiBank, HSBC, DeutscheBank,BNP combined.
James *************
@Stuart *****
when the 12 months is approved can the funds then be used?
Marty *********
@James ************
For a 1 year retirement extension the 800k must be in a Thai bank account for 2 months before you apply for the extension and 3 months after you get the extension. It cannot drop below 400k after that. You will need to bump it up to 800k again 2 months before the next extension. Different immigration offices may interpret the rules slightly differently so check with you immigration office.
Stuart ******
@James ************
I believe after 4 months you can use upto 400k. But it has to be back upto 800k 3 months before your extension again.
Brandon ************
Wise is not a bank. It's a fintech service. Where did you transfer the money FROM? That was more likely a bank account. How long ago did you transfer the money? Perhaps you can show the bank statement from there if it was a recent transfer.
Jim *******
@Brandon ***********
Wyse is a Mickeymouse money transfer. It may work. It is not SWIFT.
Dorothy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
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