Can expats in Thailand obtain a Visa or Mastercard credit card without a work permit?

Thai Visa Credit Card Eligibility Non-Immigrant Visa Retirement Visa Secured Credit Cards Expat Banking Thai Banking System

Aug 16, 2023

a year ago

กะลาสี *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

I searched the group for previous posts about this subject but I couldn't seem to find the answer. I've had one Thai Bank account for in excess of 6 years. It's where I keep my 800K for my annual retirement extension of stay and deposit my monthly pension. I also have another Thai account (at a different bank) that I use for everything else (e.g. paying assorted bills, withdrawals, etc.) My question is, as a non-immigrant farang retired and living here full time, can I qualify a visa or mastercard credit card here? Have any of you farangs had any success in obtaining a credit card at a Thai bank?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A long-term expat in Thailand seeks advice on obtaining a Visa or Mastercard credit card without a work permit, highlighting their established bank relationship for visa requirements. Responses suggest that without a work permit, options may be limited to having a substantial balance in a Thai bank account or securing a credit card by locking funds in an account. Alternatives like prepaid cards are also mentioned, with concerns regarding currency conversion rates when using such cards.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

กะลาสี *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

One of the perks of asking a serious question here is that it inevitably brings a couple of trolls out of the closet. I then just block them and I know I won't be bothered with their feeble attempts to troll me in the future.

a year ago

Bob ********

If it's only a card you need for convenience, become a Qantas frequent flyer, and get a. Qantas visa money card.

a year ago

Bob ********

@J *****************

I agree, but its very easy to get and handy to have if you need to pay with a card.

a year ago

J ******************

@Bob *******

Qantas money card while convenient has very poor rates around 2 THB per dollar worse than Superrich and worse still than Wise as examples

a year ago

กะลาสี *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bob *******

Thanks for the tip. I have a visa and mastercard from my home country. I just want one from my local bank in TL.

a year ago

Reply to

กะลาสี *****

J ******************

Why not ask a bank?

a year ago

กะลาสี *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@J *****************

I will, now that I've gotten feedback from members who say it's possible. If members came back and said there was no way it was possible, I wouldn't waste my time going to the bank or even calling and dealing with the language barrier.

a year ago

Jack ****************

@กะลาสี ****

because he can't ask the bank while idly musing on the toilet. Why ask anything on Facebook?

a year ago

J ******************

@กะลาสี ****

best bet would be where you already hold an account it might help to have a Thai speaker with you

a year ago

Reply to

J ******************

Stuart *********

Another “non credit card” option is to apply for something like the SCB Planet card - I’m sure all banks will have similar types.

It’s a Visa card that has 13 different currency “wallets”. You can top it up from your bank to however much you want. If you’re going to a country that uses one of the currencies then convert the THB to that currency before you go and spend in the local currency on the card.

a year ago

กะลาสี *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

thank you.

a year ago

Reply to

กะลาสี *****

Brandon ************

Without a work permit, the only way to get a credit card is either to have millions of baht in an account, or get a secured credit card (you lock away baht in an account, and the amount you put in the account is your credit limit).

a year ago

กะลาสี *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for the information

a year ago

Reply to

กะลาสี *****

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