Can a DTV visa holder open a bank account in Thailand?

DTV Visa Thai Bank Account Visa Requirements Residence Certificate Expat Banking Immigration Rules

Sep 14, 2024

3 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Dear All,

I would like to know that it’s DTV is allowing to open Thai Bank or not? In Bangkok 

Thank you very kind of you.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Opening a bank account in Thailand with a DTV (Digital Visa) can be challenging. Generally, you will need a Residence Certificate from Immigration, which requires completion of a 90-day report. Some banks may allow account openings based on individual bank policies, and having a work permit significantly improves your chances. Many banks are hesitant to open accounts for non-working expats due to regulations and concerns over money laundering. Therefore, exploring different banks and branches is advisable as experiences vary widely.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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Henrik *****

Do not expect to get a bank account until you have stayed at least 3 months.

Reconsider if a Thai bankaccount is need-to-have or nice-to-have.

Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so even depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.

3 months ago

Paulie ********

Wont know if you don't try banks are funny some are happy to help others say no with all non permanent visas it's pot luck. Good luck

3 months ago

Paul *******

@Paulie *******

Basically, it depends if you're working in Thailand or not. With a work permit (and appropriate visa that allows you to get a work permit) almost every bank will accept you. However, Thailand is one of the few countries where a large segment of the expat population doesn't work in the country and thus banks end up dealing with a lot of non-working applicants to whom they often say NO.

3 months ago

Henrik *****

DTV excludes from a work permit.

3 months ago

Reply to

Henrik *****

Ning ******

just try diff bank and diff branch..

3 months ago

Ko *****************

Depond on which banks you open.

3 months ago

Greg ********

Probably can once you have a Residence Certificate from Immigration and a long term lease. However in Bangkok you cannot get a Residence Certificate until you have completed a 90 Day Report. As the other guy said. An Agent can facilitate this without the requirements.

3 months ago

Reed **********

how long is the residency certificate valid for. I can get it here where I am before I leave for bangkok from another province? Is a long term lease and the certificate from a different province to the bank an issue?

3 months ago

Greg ********

@Reed *********

Usually valid for 30 days

3 months ago

Reply to

Greg ********

Samuel *********

@Greg *******

Here in Mae Hong Son you can get a residence certificate even with a tourist visa (I have registered scooters and you can also get a driving license), but I don't think it's enough to open a bank account.

3 months ago

Greg ********

@Samuel ********

You can get them easily in many immigration offices. Bangkok is the only one I have heard of that required the 90 Day check in first. As for Bank Account opening Bangkok Bank in Sukhumvit between Soi 10 and 12 asked for a Residence Certificate, pasport and a long term lease to open an account. I pulled out my Work Permit and then nothing else required.

3 months ago

Samuel *********

@Greg *******

so do you think that with a certificate of residence and an annual rental contract you can also open with a tourist visa/DTV?

3 months ago

Greg ********

@Samuel ********

As with most things in Thailand "It depends" There are no standard rules and location and branch dependent. I know it is possible in a couple of places in Pattaya for example but in Bangkok they were being funny in Bangkok Bank even though I already had an account with them. I have a Krungsri account in a branch close to the factory of the company I used to work for. The closest branch to my condo ask me to open a new account there every time I go in. However I do not have 2 forms of photo ID (Only have passport) so I cannot - there is no level playing field with transparent requirements.

3 months ago

Reply to

Greg ********

Christopher *********

NO unless you get a visa agent.

3 months ago

Reply to

Christopher *********

Why won't Thai banks open accounts for DTV visa holders?

197 comments

3 months ago

Can you open a bank account in Thailand with a DTV visa?