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Can a holder of a non-immigrant O A 1-year visa open a bank account in Thailand?
Non-immigrant O A visaThailand bank accountBanking for expats in ThailandVisa requirements for bankingImmigration and banking rules in Thailand
Jan 9, 2021
5 years ago
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTERIs it possible for the holder of a non immigrant O A 1 year visa to open a Thailand bank account?. Thank you for any advice
TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, holders of a non-immigrant O A 1-year visa can open a bank account in Thailand. While it is possible for anyone to open an account, some banks may impose additional requirements. Users have reported successfully opening accounts at various banks, including Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank, often only requiring a passport and proof of residence, such as a rental contract. Some users found it helpful to bring a Thai person along to assist with the process. There is some debate regarding the necessity of a letter from an embassy, with most users concluding that it's not required. Preparing necessary documents and being aware of the specific bank's policies can facilitate the process.
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Chulala **********
400k in your bank of you if not enough you can use Reason that you are sponsor of your child
Bruce *****
Yes
David ********
Kasikorn opened an account for me while I was visiting on a 30 day visa on arrival. By presenting my blue book and a bunch of documents related to the house purchase, they opened within an hour.
Graeme **********
Opened an account on a Non Imm OA long stay visa at Krungsri Bank. Not a problem
Dana *******
Chose a bank that allows you to do e-banking even WITHOUT a work permit...
Hamid *******
Yes Krung Thai Bank has less restrictions than other banks
Hamid *******
No idea
Reply to
Hamid *******
Reply
Brad **********
I’ve only ever traveled on tourist visas & I have a Thai Bank Account!
Krung Thai Bank, wonderful staff & easy to deal with!
Just walk in & ask!!!
Krung Thai Bank, wonderful staff & easy to deal with!
Just walk in & ask!!!
Dimitri ********
@Brad *********
When did you get that bank account? I thought Krung Thai Bank was known for giving Bank accounts only to people with a work permit... Brad **********
@Dimitri *******
2018 at Udon Thani !Reply to
Brad **********
Reply
Teluk ******
Yessss, it is no problem
Danny *********
Yes
Jac ************************
Hamid *******
Tourists cannot open bank account, however try Bangkok Bank, which I heard its easier to open than Kasikorn Bank.
Hamid *******
Well may be things have changed, cause previously I could only open Bank account with my work permit only, yes every bank has its own rules.
Stewie *****
@Hamid ******
Nothing has changed. Just because you got rejected doesn't mean that it is not possible. In fact, people on tourist visas (and visa exemptions) have to open up a bank account and deposit 400,000 or 800,000 baht in order to an O visa here.Todd *********
@Stewie ****
exactly. Rejection can be hard lolReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Bobby ********
Hamid Rezai. If that's the case how does a Non-O and OA holder open an account, when there is an immigration requirement to have either 800k or 400k in a Thai bank account in that person's name?
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Dave **********
@Hamid ******
she not a tourist holding a OA! Yes she can easy with her retirement Visa. Stuart *********
@Hamid ******
wrong. Legally anyone can. Each branch of each bank has its own rules. Some will let you, some won’t. If the one you’re trying won’t then walk along to the next one. Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Bobby ********
Good to take a Thai person with you when you open. I've got accounts with SCB and Bangkok Bank. Both took about 30 mins to open. Both with debit cards (MasterCard) and internet banking. They wanted to see passport with OA visa and lease. Nothing else. Easy as anything.
Peter *********
Internet banking is the key if you want to have an account and treat it as normal in your own country. That’s why I had a lawyer attend with me to the bank.
Simple, got it all done in 24 hours
Simple, got it all done in 24 hours
Todd *********
@Peter ********
easy enough to do on your own if you wish. Lawyer far from necessary. But keeps them employed through your generosity. Nice Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Dimitri ********
I was able to open an bank account inclucing internet banking and a debit card with Krungsri bank with a 1 year rental contract. I also opened a Bangkok bank account. But it was more difficult and for some reason they did not want to give me access to internet banking.
Hans *******
@Dimitri *******
go to headoffice in Bangkok the give internet banking within 1 hourTodd *********
@Ha**
that's one hour of my life i won't be throwing in the garbageReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Jonas *************
You just need to get letter from your embadsy stating that you've stated that the address they stated is the address you've stated that you reside at. Yes. And you need the embassy to write a letter saying that your passport is your passport. Lol. Yes. It sounds ridiculous, but that's what is to it unless you're working you're better off going to bangkok bangkok. Other banks often require work permits.
Jonas *************
Not sure when you did it, but I needed the letter least year.. others have mentioned it too.
Bobby ********
Jonas S Karlsson. I didn't need it. Just passport and lease agreement. But I have read elsewhere it depends on the branch
Todd *********
@Bobby *******
is right. You don’t need it. If you want to go thru the hoops and collect them, then bring a briefcase full papers to the bank, they will nod and accept them. But all you need is a passport and some sort of proof of residence from hotel or rental Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Bobby ********
Jonas S Karlsson. I've opened two bank accounts. Used passport and lease. Didn't need anything from embassy!
Rob ******
@Bobby *******
worked for me opening three different accounts. First in 2015 at SCB, no problem. Then a few years later tried same SCB to open a second for joint with my Thai kid and they would not without the embassy letter or certificate of residency from Thai immigration (even though I had 1st account with over 1mil THB). Went to like 5 more SCB’s with same result, then found one who would. Same last year with BKK Bank, it took about 4 before one would allow me to open without the letter or certificate. Reply to
Rob ******
Reply
John *********
@Jonas ************
no letterGreg ********
@Jonas ************
Never heard of anyone needing letter from an Embassy. I have 2 accounts currently and never needed anything but passportf with visa and lease. Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Peter *********
You will normally need a letter from the British Embassy , the bank will give you a form which they will ask the Embassy to endorse. I short cut this by getting a local law firm to assist, cost me 2000 Baht.
Todd *********
@Peter ********
there is no red tape, no need for an embassy letter and you got ripped off 2000 baht for nothing. But lesson learned. Good advice for anyone to avoid situation like that Steve *******
@Peter ********
You dont need a letter from the British Embassy or a law firm to open a bank account in ThailandTodd *********
@Steve ******
is correct. No letter is needed. Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Thomas ************
Took me 10 minutes at Bangkok Bank Chanthaburi, Visa card, m-banking and i-banking incl.. Just need Passport and rental contract (address).
Greg ********
@Peter ********
I have never needed letter from Embassy. It is nit required.Peter *********
Good for you buddy
Just saying it cut out a lot of red tape
But it was 3-4 years ago
Just saying it cut out a lot of red tape
But it was 3-4 years ago
Hans *******
Why pay 2000 Baht if the Bangkokbank do everything for free.and not only BBKbank, all banks do, if there is a bank that say it can't than the try get money out off you, go to next bank in the same branch and the do it for you
Reply to
Hans *******
Reply
Beverly **********
Of course. I opened up two of them. One with Bangkok Bank and other with Kasikorn.
Steve *********
Yes. It's possible for ANYONE to open a bank account ... I've done so twice whilst on 30 day visa exemption. HOWEVER - even though it's possible, it's not always easy! Some banks refuse. It's easier if you take a Thai person along.
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