Moving to Thailand Confusion, help please.

[louse1953]

Just one point ...............

stgrhe suggests "Get a letter of recommendation from your British bank that states what a good customer you are"

Make sure that you have it translated into Thai and just maybe perhaps certified as a true and correct translation .

Forget that idea,that will only cost you money and the Thais will laugh at you.Nearly all banks are cool,except my local Siam C,but went to provincial capital and they couldn't be more helpful.

[lostinisaan]

Couldn't the OP just go to a Thai consulate with his wife and apply for a one year Non-O visa based on marriage?

Obviously works in many other European countries, without any bank statements.

[novo58]

@ louse1953......................

So glad that you are the fountain of all knowledge.

My post , that you quoted ,was just to advise that IF the OP were to get any such letter that he would need it translated into Thai as they will not just accept an english version.

I was NOT stating that any such letter would or would not help him to open a bank account.

For me personally , I went to 2 banks that would NOT open an account for me ( permission to stay - retirement) , until finally Bangkok bank said yes with my Thai GF providing her bluebook to verify my place of residence and certified translated documents to substantiate the source of the funds from outside Thailand.

Just as no 2 immigration offices play by the same rules , neither do all banks or bank branches. They ALL interpret the rules their own way .

[wilkis333]

please try the one in tourist area and commercial area as the staff understand what u want. Dont go to The local district branch as it wastes your time.

[elviajero]

A joint account will not be accepted for an extension of stay based upon marriage no matter how much money you have in the bank.

Even for an extension of stay for retirement I think you will find that most offices will not longer accept them even if you have 1.6 million in the account.

I question your comment about a joint bank account in relation to a marriage extension.

My wife and I have a joint bank account. Prior to my last extension I asked if it was ok to provide proof of funds using my joint account and I was told that a joint account was no problem. In fact I was going to submit my sole account and joint account because together they met the 400k requirement and the IO was ok with that too. In the end, as the 2 month rule was waived due to me being a parent, for simplicity I transferred funds to my sole account and applied with that. So I can't confirm a successful application using a joint account, but I can confirm that it's possible. I also can't find anywhere that states joint accounts can't be used.

Retirement extensions are treated differently, as confirmed by my office. They will not accept joint accounts and require the account to be in the sole name of the applicant. This can be confirmed by the immigration bureau website FAQ's.

24. Question : For retirement reason for extension of temporary stay, could the foreign husband and wife have their combined name of the bank account as evidence?

Answer : No, the name in the bank account must be only the name of the applicant individually.

No such specific question exists for marriage extension, and it would make sense that marriage and retirement extensions are treated differently in respect to joint bank accounts.

Edited April 21, 2015 by elviajero

[ubonjoe]

A joint account will not be accepted for an extension of stay based upon marriage no matter how much money you have in the bank.

Even for an extension of stay for retirement I think you will find that most offices will not longer accept them even if you have 1.6 million in the account.

I question with your comment about a joint bank account in relation to a marriage extension.

My wife and I have a joint bank account. Prior to my last extension I asked if it was ok to provide proof of funds using my joint account and I was told that a joint account was no problem. In fact I was going to submit my sole account and joint account because together they met the 400k requirement and the IO was ok with that too. In the end, as the 2 month rule was waived due to me being a parent, for simplicity I transferred funds to my sole account and applied with that. So I can't confirm a successful application using a joint account, but I can confirm that it's possible. I also can't find anywhere that states joint accounts can't be used.

Retirement extensions are treated differently, as confirmed by my office. They will not accept joint accounts and require the account to be in the sole name of the applicant. This can be confirmed by the immigration bureau website FAQ's.

24. Question : For retirement reason for extension of temporary stay, could the foreign husband and wife have their combined name of the bank account as evidence?

Answer : No, the name in the bank account must be only the name of the applicant individually.

No such specific question exists for marriage extension, and it would make sense that marriage and retirement extensions are treated differently in respect to joint bank accounts.

The police order is clear that it has to be the husbands only.

"(6) In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year."

You were lucky it was it accepted. There have been several reports of people being denied an application for having a joint account.

You could be denied next time if there is a change of staff at the office where you applied.

[zeichen]

"In fact I was going to submit my sole account and joint account because together they met the 400k requirement and the IO was ok with that too."

Told and approved are 2 separate things. You can be told by an immigration officer many things that are untrue. They aren't the ones that approve your extension though. They just pass the paperwork along.

I have been told directly from the head of immigration in CM that a joint account isn't accepted. I had to have an account purely in my name and the 2 months was enforced. Mine was in for 2 days short of 2 months and I was told to come back in 2 days.

You also cannot have it in 2 accounts. It needs to all be in one account. CM is more strict than most places. They even made me redo my photocopies because the weren't all in the same direction. I had some horizontal and some vertical.

[elviajero]

A joint account will not be accepted for an extension of stay based upon marriage no matter how much money you have in the bank.

Even for an extension of stay for retirement I think you will find that most offices will not longer accept them even if you have 1.6 million in the account.

I question with your comment about a joint bank account in relation to a marriage extension.

My wife and I have a joint bank account. Prior to my last extension I asked if it was ok to provide proof of funds using my joint account and I was told that a joint account was no problem. In fact I was going to submit my sole account and joint account because together they met the 400k requirement and the IO was ok with that too. In the end, as the 2 month rule was waived due to me being a parent, for simplicity I transferred funds to my sole account and applied with that. So I can't confirm a successful application using a joint account, but I can confirm that it's possible. I also can't find anywhere that states joint accounts can't be used.

Retirement extensions are treated differently, as confirmed by my office. They will not accept joint accounts and require the account to be in the sole name of the applicant. This can be confirmed by the immigration bureau website FAQ's.

24. Question : For retirement reason for extension of temporary stay, could the foreign husband and wife have their combined name of the bank account as evidence?

Answer : No, the name in the bank account must be only the name of the applicant individually.

No such specific question exists for marriage extension, and it would make sense that marriage and retirement extensions are treated differently in respect to joint bank accounts.

The police order is clear that it has to be the husbands only.

"(6) In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year."

You were lucky it was it accepted. There have been several reports of people being denied an application for having a joint account.

You could be denied next time if there is a change of staff at the office where you applied.

I'm sure some have been denied based on a joint account because of the known inconsistencies with immigration offices.

There is nothing in the that police order that specifies that it has to be a sole account. It says "in a bank account in Thailand".

[ubonjoe]

I guess you would try to read it to say that it does not have to be the husbands income only.

[khunPer]

OP’s question 1:

Bangkok Bank in Nathon will open you an account based on Passport and Non-O visa – probably also some of the other banks like Kasikorn (K-Bank).

For Visa-extension deposit Bangkok Bank in Nathon use to be good, they will charge you 100 baht only for confirmation letter for Immigration. If you deposit your 400k permanent, you can either shop around with fixed term high interest accounts (be aware of dates fit with your Visa-extension’s 3-month limit), often around 2,5 percent pro annum, or use a 12-month fixed deposit with interest around 1.5 to 1.75 percent; both will be deducted 15% tax, which you can claim back if you have no other Thai income exceeding the tax-limit (if it’s worth the effort).

Question 2:

Multiple Non-O you will need Visa-run every 3 month (90 days), until you can get extension. You only need deposit for 2 month for the first extension, thereafter 3 month.

Wish you good luck at Samui...

[elviajero]

"In fact I was going to submit my sole account and joint account because together they met the 400k requirement and the IO was ok with that too."

Told and approved are 2 separate things. You can be told by an immigration officer many things that are untrue. They aren't the ones that approve your extension though. They just pass the paperwork along.

I have been told directly from the head of immigration in CM that a joint account isn't accepted. I had to have an account purely in my name and the 2 months was enforced. Mine was in for 2 days short of 2 months and I was told to come back in 2 days.

You also cannot have it in 2 accounts. It needs to all be in one account. CM is more strict than most places. They even made me redo my photocopies because the weren't all in the same direction. I had some horizontal and some vertical.

I agree. That is why I said I couldn't confirm a successful application.

I also agree that IO's can give wrong advice, but that works both ways. Sometimes they advise and apply rules that don't exist. There are inconsistencies in processing these applications between offices. Because of these inconsistencies, the best option, if in doubt, is to check with the local office before applying. Thats what I do.

The rule is 2 months so I guess they had little choice.

I agree the police order 327/2557, in the case of marriage, says "a bank account" which would indicate one account. However, the condition for a parent simply says "deposited funds" which is not specific to the number of accounts. I was applying as a married parent so maybe there is more flexibility for the IO.

[elviajero]

I guess you would try to read it to say that it does not have to be the husbands income only.

With respect Joe I understand and agree that it needs to be the husbands money.

The police order is a translation and it's intention may well be that "a bank account" means sole bank account. But, in English, that is not what it says.

I was not saying you are wrong. I was questioning what you say because of conflicting advice from an immigration officer.

I am absolutely sure that applications get rejected with joint accounts, but for several reasons I'm not yet convinced they should be rejected.

[ubonjoe]

I guess you would try to read it to say that it does not have to be the husbands income only.

With respect Joe I understand and agree that it needs to be the husbands money.

The police order is a translation and it's intention may well be that "a bank account" means sole bank account. But, in English, that is not what it says.

I was not saying you are wrong. I was questioning what you say because of conflicting advice from an immigration officer.

I am absolutely sure that applications get rejected with joint accounts, but for several reasons I'm not yet convinced they should be rejected.

If it was a joint account not all of it would be the husbands money is part of the reasoning for joint accounts not being accepted.

Prior to the police order issued in 2008 joint accounts and the wife's and/or husbands were allowed for about 2 years. The current wording of police order 327/2557 is identical to that police order that took the joint accounts and being able use the wife's out of the clause..

[paz]

Under the amendments to the BOT regulations on visa status last year a multi entry Non Imm O is acceptable as a long term visa, banks words, not mine.

I was pulled into the bank over my online banking and had to show evidence of a "long term visa".

Which BoT regulations? Published where? If that was true people with a tourist visa or visa exempt entry could not open an account. But in fact they do.

[paz]

I am absolutely sure that applications get rejected with joint accounts, but for several reasons I'm not yet convinced they should be rejected.

The reason is what ubonjoe explained. A joint account would need to have Bt 800K deposit for marriage, and 1.6M for retirement..

[Geztek]

Thank you all for your comments, I am now clear on what I need to do. For those who have helped, thank you , for those who have posted on here for something to do rather then know the facts, please, for others sake, stop creating the confusion that made me reluctant to post here in the first place.

Cheers

Geztek

[larsjohnsson]

Q.1 anyone can have an account in Thailand, read in banking forum for more details. Make sure the account is in your name only.

Q.2 the non-imm 'O' visa has either single or unlimited entries, never just 3. You need to leave country every 90 days, you can also obtain a 60 days extension without any proof of funds. That brings the total visa "life" to almost 17 months.

Marriage Visa requires a bank account in both names...

It doesn't requires a bank account in both names Edited April 21, 2015 by larsjohnsson

[Suradit69]

If you are not coming here until December then you could open a personal account of your own at Bangkok Bank London Branch. This would count as a Thai Bank and you do not have to have your Thai Wife involved which would protect your money. That way your money will already be aged when you arrive.

"If you are not coming here until December then you could open a personal account of your own at Bangkok Bank London Branch."

Not sure you can open a personal account at an international Bangkok Bank branch. I know you can't at the New York branch although they may open business accounts. You'd have to have opened an account in Thailand first and then you can use the foreign branch to make deposits using the account number you got in Thailand. Maybe the London branch is different.

In any case you would want your account lodged at a local branch in Thailand once you were here since it's your branch manager who issues letters to immigrations if needed.

There are many services available including:

• Trade Finance
• Corporate Lending
• Remittance/Funds Transfer
• Deposit Accounts (restricted)

re -- post 8, i am pretty sure the income has to be a lot more than 40,000 baht, perhaps someone can quote a proper figure. more in the region of 65,000 but some one will be along soon to put that right

It's Baht 65,000 for an extension based on retirement. Baht 40,000 if based on marriage.

Edited April 22, 2015 by Suradit69

[wilkis333]

OPs question 1:

Bangkok Bank in Nathon will open you an account based on Passport and Non-O visa probably also some of the other banks like Kasikorn (K-Bank).

For Visa-extension deposit Bangkok Bank in Nathon use to be good, they will charge you 100 baht only for confirmation letter for Immigration. If you deposit your 400k permanent, you can either shop around with fixed term high interest accounts (be aware of dates fit with your Visa-extensions 3-month limit), often around 2,5 percent pro annum, or use a 12-month fixed deposit with interest around 1.5 to 1.75 percent; both will be deducted 15% tax, which you can claim back if you have no other Thai income exceeding the tax-limit (if its worth the effort).

Question 2:

Multiple Non-O you will need Visa-run every 3 month (90 days), until you can get extension. You only need deposit for 2 month for the first extension, thereafter 3 month.

Wish you good luck at Samui...

[wilkis333]

may i get further info,over which amount the interest will be taxed ?

[skatewash]

may i get further info,over which amount the interest will be taxed ?

If you have a fixed deposit account, 15% of the interest earned will be withheld. You can apply for its return by getting a Thai Taxpayer ID Number and filing a P.N.G 90 Personal Income Tax form with your local tax authority (in January through March of the following year). Some local tax authorities may have an easier, more streamlined process, rather than requiring you to file a P.N.G. 90.

This withholding is automatic for fixed deposit accounts.

[skatewash]

If you wish to avoid the necessity of filing a tax return to get your withheld interest back from a fixed deposit account, you might be interested in a non-fixed deposit account, such as a savings account that pays a comparable amount of interest. For example, the Mee Tae Dai savings account offered by Krungsri Bank. Since the account is a savings account rather than a fixed-deposit account there is no automatic 15% withholding of interest earned. It does have the following restriction: you are limited to two free withdrawals from the account per month. After your second free withdrawal you must pay 50 Baht per withdrawal from the account the rest of the month. Interest in the account is paid monthly, rather than at the end of the term as in a fixed deposit account. The savings account can be used to satisfy the bank account requirement for retirement and marriage extensions of stay. Currently paying 2.00 % on balances between 100,000 and 10 million Baht.

[PoorSucker]

Welcome to Koh Samui.

When applying for 1 year extension of stay here they will try to scam you for 5.000 baht, the fee is 1.900 baht.

Just put it in an envelope marked "FEE 1.900 BAHT"

[sandyf]

Under the amendments to the BOT regulations on visa status last year a multi entry Non Imm O is acceptable as a long term visa, banks words, not mine.

I was pulled into the bank over my online banking and had to show evidence of a "long term visa".

Which BoT regulations? Published where? If that was true people with a tourist visa or visa exempt entry could not open an account. But in fact they do.

The ones that the bank manager told me had come into effect on 1st Jan 2014. I never made any comment about how knowledgeable various branches would be on the subject.

About this time last year I received an email from the banks head office in BKK to say that their records showed that my visa status was inconsistent with the new banking regulations. I had to visit the branch with evidence of a long term visa before the 1st July or my online banking facility would be terminated, the account would remain active.

The account in question was opened in Pattaya about 15 years ago when on visa exemption. I now live in Chonburi and went to the local branch but they said they could not deal with it and I would have to go to the original branch. I went to the Pattaya branch and the staff had no idea and called the manager. I showed the manager the email and he said that he had been to a meeting about these new regulations and asked to see my passport. He looked at my visa, a multi Non O based on marriage, and said he was satisfied that was in line with the new requirements and updated my details on the computer.

This all kicked off with an email from the HO so take it for what it is worth.

[wilkis333]

If you wish to avoid the necessity of filing a tax return to get your withheld interest back from a fixed deposit account, you might be interested in a non-fixed deposit account, such as a savings account that pays a comparable amount of interest. For example, the Mee Tae Dai savings account offered by Krungsri Bank. Since the account is a savings account rather than a fixed-deposit account there is no automatic 15% withholding of interest earned. It does have the following restriction: you are limited to two free withdrawals from the account per month. After your second free withdrawal you must pay 50 Baht per withdrawal from the account the rest of the month. Interest in the account is paid monthly, rather than at the end of the term as in a fixed deposit account. The savings account can be used to satisfy the bank account requirement for retirement and marriage extensions of stay. Currently paying 2.00 % on balances between 100,000 and 10 million Baht.

thanks. Saving acc is suitable for me.

[laislica]

OP’s question 1:

Bangkok Bank in Nathon will open you an account based on Passport and Non-O visa – probably also some of the other banks like Kasikorn (K-Bank).

For Visa-extension deposit Bangkok Bank in Nathon use to be good, they will charge you 100 baht only for confirmation letter for Immigration. If you deposit your 400k permanent, you can either shop around with fixed term high interest accounts (be aware of dates fit with your Visa-extension’s 3-month limit), often around 2,5 percent pro annum, or use a 12-month fixed deposit with interest around 1.5 to 1.75 percent; both will be deducted 15% tax, which you can claim back if you have no other Thai income exceeding the tax-limit (if it’s worth the effort).

Question 2:

Multiple Non-O you will need Visa-run every 3 month (90 days), until you can get extension. You only need deposit for 2 month for the first extension, thereafter 3 month.

Wish you good luck at Samui...

Interesting.

Yesterday a friend who has had an account with Kasikorn for many years, popped into the main branch to open a second account and was refused because he has a tourist visa, not a work permit. He took his long time gf with him so there was no misunderstanding.