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

I agree, the most important thing is where plans to live, but if he uses the online banking app to withdraw cash he will not pay fees, regardless of where he is in Thailand.

@Lynn ******

no you are incorrect. The 800,000 is required in a Thai bank account either; when you arrive in Thailand to extend your current non o retirement visa (obtained by the e visa system) OR if you are applying in Thailand for the non o visa. In both cases, before extending your visa, the money has to have seasoned for 2 months in your account first.

If you think about it logically, how could you have a Thai bank account without coming to Thailand first. It would put people off applying if they had to travel here to open an account before applying, so virtually nobody would use the e visa system in their own country.

It's virtually impossible to open a bank account in Thailand now without a long term visa like the non o retirement.

@Jack ***************

the marriage visa is more difficult to obtain.

As Brandon stated, if she gets the non o retirement visa before coming it will be much easier to open a bank account here. She can then deposit the 800,000 baht.

She then only needs to go to the bank again on the day she applies for her 12 month extension at the immigration office.

She would then need to repeat these two steps annually.

She would need to do 1 in person 90 day report, but then should be able to report online every 90 days.

You might need an agent to help open a bank account as you don't have a long term visa currently.

After your account is open the process is very simple.

1. Transfer 800,000 into your new bank account (if using Wise use the buying a house option, as it shows as an international transfer).

2. Go to your immigration office and ask for a handout showing what documents you need to apply for a non o retirement visa. Then get your documents together and apply. There's a simple form to complete, maybe 15 questions.

3. After you have the non o retirement visa and your 800,000 baht has been in your account for 2 months, go back to immigration and ask for a handout showing what documents are required to apply for a 12 month extension of stay. When you have got your documents prepared go to the bank in the morning for the evidence of the 800,000 immigration will request (letter/updated passbook/statement) and then go to immigration to apply. There's a form to complete 1 page and about 15 simple questions (name, address, passport number, date of arrival etc). 1 passport photo, copies of everything and 1,900 baht to pay.

I extended mine again 2 weeks ago and was in and out within 30 minutes with another 12 month stamp. Good luck.

Do not use an agent, the process is easy.

First apply for a non o retirement visa whilst you are in the UK.

Then come to Thailand and open a bank account straightaway, this should be easy as you have a non o visa.

Deposit 800,000 baht in the account as soon as you have opened the account (if using Wise to transfer you need to use the code for buying a house, so it shows as an international transfer).

Go to your local immigration office and get a list of their requirements to extend your stay.

Once your money has been in the account for 2 months, go to your bank to get the documents immigration require and take these plus your other documentation (lots of photocopies and passport size photos) to immigration and get the one year extension.

I did mine for the third time two weeks ago and it took me less than 30 minutes in the immigration office, to walk away with another year.

It costs 1,900 baht. Good luck.

@John *******

yes, I have seen posts from several people complaining this happened to them.

Bizarrely, one of the expats blamed the immigration officer instead of himself (and/or the agent) for breaking the law!

I am unsure if the individuals are banned or for how long, but I read that this is likely in these circumstances.

I don't know which immigration offices were involved, but I think that's moot because does it really matter where you are if you are breaking the law?

I read someone recently explaining that Thailand is stepping up these type of investigations, but I have no idea whether that is true.

@Alan ******

I really hope your money arrives in time, but just to add to the points Brandon made. Using an agent to circumvent the financial requirements is illegal. If the immigration officer is investigated (this does happen) the visas they approved when taking bribes are all cancelled. This results in the individuals having to leave Thailand and potentially facing a ban.

Good luck and fingers crossed your money arrives on time.

@Kevin *****

don't use an agent (other than maybe to open a bank account) it's easy.

Once your bank account is open, deposit 800,000 baht, ensuring it shows as an international transfer (if using Wise use the code to state you are buying property, this changed recently).

Go to immigration and ask for their requirements for a non o retirement.

Supply the information they request and pay the fee.

2 months later apply for a 1 year extention.

It will likely be the same documents plus some information from your bank.

Repeat the final (extention) once a year.

Good luck.

@Kevin *****

the advice Tony gave is excellent.

Ask your friend if they can help you open an account here, they are the only person that would know. If not, and you are not on a long term visa in Thailand, chances are you would need to use an agent, but you can find a reputable one and would go to the bank with them to open the account, so I wouldn't worry about that too much. I think it costs about 5,000 baht. There are advantages with applying for the non o instead of the oa (you don't need to use the insurance companies stipulated and don't need to leave Thailand). Good luck