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Will I face any issues banking 800,000 baht into a Thai bank for my OA visa extension?

OA Visa Thai Bank Account Visa Extension Financial Requirements US Citizen Banking Issues Immigration in Thailand Non-O Visa vs Non-OA Visa

Aug 15, 2025

2 days ago

Richard **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok. I can get my OA visa here in the US. Going to  Bangkok mid October staying in Hotel for a couple weeks.  MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.  Am I going to encounter any issues banking the 800,000 baht into a Thai bank so I can get my 1st year extension??

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is concerned about potential issues when depositing 800,000 baht in a Thai bank for a visa extension while on an OA visa as a US citizen. Responses suggest that while there might not be significant issues in opening a bank account, US citizens could face more stringent paperwork and compliance requirements compared to non-US citizens. It's also highlighted that the funds do not need to be in the Thai bank account until two months before the extension application, giving the user time to establish residency and secure the necessary documentation.

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John *********

I have had B400k in my Thai bank account for over 3 years and I have never done FUBAR.

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Gerg **********

The good news is you enter Thailand on an OA visa with a one year stay and don’t have to worry about rushing around to get the money in a bank within a month. You can wait until you get a long term rental contract and it will be simple to get a bank account. You don’t need that money in a Thai bank until 2 months before your first extension.

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Richard **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you to everyone who answered my question. I think I will try on my own when I get there as opposed to using a agent.

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Gerg **********

@Richard *********

I did it by myself. Wasn’t hard at all.

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Gerg **********

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John **********

Are you sure you are applying for a Non-OA visa rather than a Non-O visa? The Non-OA visa is good for 12 months, and if you get a 2nd year of insurance and bounce out of Thailand and back just before it expires you can get another 12 months out of it, with no need for any funds in a Thai bank.

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Chet *******

@John *********

i didn't know that I'm waiting on my OA myself. We'll be there the end of next month. Thanks I had never heard of this before.

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John **********

make sure you are not confusing the Non-OA and the Non-O. Two different visas with two different requirements

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Chet *******

@John *********

I am applying for the OA with multi entry just waiting on my report from FBI. I would like to know all the documents needed to open a Thai bank account as a US citizen. I do know about the financial requirements. Thanks if anyone has answers?

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Gerg **********

Did you check with your state police website? I went to Michigan State Police website when I applied for my OA and they had an option to download my criminal background report instantly for $10. It worked fine for my visa requirement. The federal government is so slow at everything.

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Chet *******

@Gerg *********

yes I did go to our State Police for fingerprints and submitted it to Thai consulate or embassy in LA told me I needed done by the FBI. Didn't realize it would take close to 2 months when I mailed a check form and fingerprints. Didn't realize I could have done it on line which is much faster. I will be cutting it close as I leave at the end of September. It's been about 4 weeks so far. Hopefully no more snags. 😁

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Gerg **********

Good luck man. Hope you get it in time.

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Chet *******

@Gerg *********

thank you me too

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Chet *******

@Gerg *********

thanks me too I guess if I have to I can always do a border once I have my Visa. If I haven't gotten it by the time I leave. From what I understand

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John **********

usually you need your passport, a residence certificate from immigration and a sim registered in your name along with the receipt from the sim company

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Chet *******

@John *********

OK thank you. Wasn't sure about tax returns.

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John **********

not required

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John **********

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Graham ******

@John *********

and, to get an Extension, you still need the mandatory insurance plus the 800k so a double requirement

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Graham ******

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Mark *********

I thought in that situation you could do all of the proof of financial competency through the embassy of the country you got the OA visa from.

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Graham ******

not for the 12 month extension

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Graham ******

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Phil ********

Another pain is that if you put more than $10,000 USD in a foreign bank, you must file an FBAR report with your 1040, making you subject to IRS audit. Go to a Thai Visa agent.

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Jeff *******

Filing the FBAR does NOT increase your chance of an audit. It's also a separate filing and is NOT part of your 1040.

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Dick ********

actually, the US$10,000 rule applies to the total amount on deposit across all foreign accounts at any one point during the year. Accordingly, if you have less than $10,000 in one account and less than $10,000 in one or more other accounts and the total among all accounts on any single day in the year is $10,000 or more then the FBAR rule applies.

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Phil ********

Technical point, you do not control the 800k baht. If so, try to use it.

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Phil ********

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Jo **********

that’s ridiculous and terrible

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Brandon ************

An agent won't save you from this. The requirement to file an FBAR is if you had a foreign account that was over $10,000 at any point during the year. Using an agent, they put 800,000 baht into your bank account and then remove. Therefore you had a foreign bank account greater than $10,000 during the year.

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Phil ********

@Brandon ***********

Technical point, you do not control the 800k baht. If so, try to use it.

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Brandon ************

It's not technical. The government regulation is clear. It has nothing to do with "controlling" the money. It says if your foreign bank accounts holds that amount of money during the year.

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Phil ********

@Brandon ***********

ok. I amend what I wrote. Solution. Take any excess over 10,000 USD and put it in yr safe.

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Phil ********

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Stuart *********

With an OA visa you shouldn’t have any issues. That said some bank managers just don’t like opening accounts for US citizens. The paperwork for compliance is horrendous.

Non US citizens is about 2 or 3 bits of paper. For US citizens about 20+

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Frank *******

@Stuart ********

why is it more for US citizens?

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Max *************

Because of for example FATCA and CRS.

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James *********

because the U.S. want’s to be sure they taxed that money and if they can - tax it again.

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Stuart *********

Compliance with US banking laws.

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Frank *******

@Stuart ********

hhhhhhmmm

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Mike ********

that’s at the bank tho, and a lot of it is your signature.

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Mike ********

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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

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