Foreign Currency Account and Visa

Post by **beachyhead** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:09 pm

I transfered funds into a foreign currency account at the Bank of Ayudhya, I needed these funds to enable me to obtain a retirement visa. Due to the poor exchange rate I did not want to transfer these funds into my normal Thai account. I asked twice at the Immigration office if this account was acceptable and twice was told yes, as I didn't want to turn up there 3 months later to be told it was not. When I went to bank to get my letter of funds the lady at the bank said good luck as she had a lady come back to her saying that it was not acceptable at immigration and that she wanted to transfer funds into a Baht account and that she was told that it had to be in there for 3 months before she could re apply, so she was off to Cambodia to get a 3 month tourist visa. When I went to Immigration I was told the same thing and got blank stares when I told them that they had said it was OK, then the younger guy who works in there came over and told my Thai wife that if I got the last 3 months statement printed out and got each page stamped and signed by the bank they would accept it and they did but make sure that each page is stamped and signed and you must still have the official letter. I was just in immigration getting my 90 day stamp and heard a couple being told that their Foreign Currency Account was not acceptable so I waited outside for them and told them how I got round it. Why do Immigration not tell people this ?

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:26 pm

I'm sure you're aware, but you can get the retirement extension with overseas income of 65k a month. This dosn't have to be transferred to Thailand, but you need a letter from your Embassy confirming what your income is. The proof required depends on the individual Embassy.
Or it can be a combination of income and money in a Thai bank as long as the total is over 800k. With a combination, I believe it's not necessary for the savings to be in the bank for 3 months. I would, however, suggest that people confirm that with Imm first. HH may take a different view.
The above options might not suit you, beachyhead, but they are alternatives to transferring large sums over here.

Post by **beachyhead** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:43 pm

Thank you for the reply, I was aware of those facts but I needed the money in Thailand and it saved a trip to BK and the Embassy, next year may be a different matter depending on funds and I may be going down that line. I just get upset that Imm know the answers but don't seem to want to tell you, had I not had a Thai wife I would have walked away non the wiser. I really do try to do everything right regarding the laws and rules of Thailand as I am aware I am a guest here and it is their country but Imm always seem to find some technicality as to why my application is not correct and am I the only person who gets the magic calculator passed across the table with an amount shown on it that seems to get over these problems.