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Can I obtain a certificate of residence from immigration if I'm staying in a hotel with a Non-O visa?

Jul 15, 2025
3 days ago
Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone, planning to arrive in Thailand with a Non-O visa at which point I need to open a bank account. I understand that the bank will require a certificate of residence issued by immigration.

My question is, if I am staying in a hotel for the first few weeks, assuming the hotel has submitted my TM30, will I experience any difficulties in obtaining the certificate of residence? Or will immigration expect a lease agreement to issue the certificate of residence?

In short, can one obtain a certificate of residence from immigration if they are staying in a hotel? Thank you!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A person planning to arrive in Thailand with a Non-O visa inquires about the ability to obtain a certificate of residence while staying in a hotel. They want to know if this would pose any difficulties, considering that the hotel has submitted their TM30 form. Responses indicate that it is generally possible to obtain such a certificate while staying in a hotel, but experiences vary between banks. Some banks may require additional documentation, such as a yellow house book or a lease agreement, which can complicate the process. Therefore, it is advisable for the individual to be prepared with various documents and possibly try multiple banks.
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Tracy *****************
How do you get the certificate of residence? I have a landlord and a property manager. Is it something they do? Could it be a month-to-month lease or does it need to be for a set amount of time?
Simon *********
No problem getting certificate of residence if the hotel filed the tm30, but a lot of banks want a yellow house book, lease agreement or work permit, to open accounts... Started back in 2018
Kool *******
Be fully aware that in Bangkok when applying for the residency certificate they mail it to you to make sure the address you listed is accurate, and it takes a week to ten days to receive.
Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
my understanding is that you can place an urgent request for THB 500 and collect from the office the following day.
Kool *******
@Innes *****
not all offices. Bangkok immigration mails it
Timothy ****************
Hi , like others I fly in next week with non o visa , hoping to start the retirement process , will be staying with wife in a rental under her name , I plan to rent a house for us under our names hopefully this will help , is there a easier bank ? To open account then use wise to transfer funds thanks
Tony *****
This is my experience today. Visited three branches in Phetchabun. 2 SCB and 1 Kasikorn. Rejected all three times. I had certificate of residency from immigration. Copy of AIS mobile utility bill. Non o visa for retirement. And appropriate documents.

Reason for refusal.

They insisted I needed ethier a yellow house book or be married to a Thai national.

I’ll try more tomorrow before I use an agent. Ridiculous state of affairs. Even the immigration officer wished me luck!!!
Innes ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ****
doesn’t sound too promising for anyone wanting to retire to Thailand! Has there ever been a more difficult time to navigate the immigration processes?
Stuart ***********
@Tony ****
that's ridiculous Tony, good luck I hope you get it opened tomorrow.
Tony *****
@Stuart **********
thanks. Phitsanulok tomorrow for family stuff. I’ll try Bangkok end of week. Crazy!!!
Pete *******
@Tony ****
try to ask for a list of documents required to open an account.
Tony *****
@Pete ******
tried. The only one they needed was Yellow tabien baan. Everything else was good!!!
Bryan ***********
@Tony ****
That's ridiculous. With the Bangkok bank craziness, lately some banks and branches have been tightening up. My advice, would be to keep trying banks in other locations, even if it's the same bank company you have already tried. Just use a different branch and you may even need to go to another town or city in the province.

Good luck
Tony *****
@Bryan **********
thanks for that
Pete *******
Yes you can obtain a certificate of residency if you are staying in a hotel.
Paul *******
You should not have any problem. Every bank is different. Every branch is different. Even inthe same bank, staff will give you different answers. Even a letter from you hotel stating that you stay there might be enough without needing a certificate of residence. You may need to try a number of banks/branches.
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