Answered5 months ago
Can I open a bank account and get a bike license in Thailand on a METV?
Just looking for recommendations on an agent. I plan to enter Thailand next year on METV and stay for the 90 days allowed. Within that time I would like to open a bank account and get a bike licence. Can this be done and if so. Can you recommend an agent to help this run smoothly. TIA
Answer summary
The original poster inquired about recommendations for an agent to assist with opening a bank account and obtaining a bike license in Thailand while on a Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (METV). Comments clarified that the METV does not allow the holder to open a bank account but does suggest that if the person is over 50 years old, applying for a Non-O visa may be a better route. Various agents, such as Thai Visa Center, were recommended for further assistance.
33 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Bill *********
Suggest you use the moderator of this forum as your Visa agent. You're absolutely right to get a consultation so you can get all of your questions regarding your specific situation answered and a course of action put in place.
Brent *********
Best apply for a retirement visa in your own country , then sort the rest when you arrive .
Steven *****************
OrangeCa*********
OPOk yes maybe a non O is the best route. I am over 50 but my passport runs out mid next year so I don’t want to do the retirement yet and only get 9!months on it which is the remaining time on my passport. So I can get non O visa for 90 days but don’t have to apply for retirement ? But I can with that open bank account (in prep for retirement visa ) and to make life easy while in Thailand plus get a driving licence? That would be perfect. Any recommendations in Jomtien or Pattaya? Thanks for the positive replies so most people.
Newfarang ****
OrangeCaribou2368 I only had 18 months left on my passport so I renewed it before I came over on my retirement visa. No worries now for ten years.
Paddy *****
OrangeCaribou2368 just renew you passport now. I have non OA before now I just use visa exempt entry. I only come during winter months.
OrangeCa*********
OPAsPaddy Kan I am travelling around currently and have been for two year.
Greg ***********
OrangeCaribou2368 you do not have to apply for the 1-year extension. You can use the 90 days Non-O visa for a 90-days holiday, just for this one time. I know people who enter Thailand twice within a one-year period on a 90-Days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa and who never continue and apply for the extension of stay permit. . . . however, sooner or later this method will raise eyebrows, that's for sure
Greg ***********
OrangeCaribou2368 for the application to the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, you need to upload three months of bank account statements (with a minimum of 800,000 THB equivalent on it) . . so this will allow you to first get a NEW passport issued before you apply
Paul *******
OrangeCaribou2368 you get a 1 year extension and transfer it to a new passport.
Paul *******
Next time i return i need mine put in the new passport. Led to believe its a simple process.
OrangeCa*********
OPPaul Jones ok that can be done? Didn’t realise. I thought they only give you what is left on passport ?
OrangeCa*********
OPGreg Alexander sounds perfect thanks.
Greg ***********
OrangeCaribou2368 nobody will force you to apply for the 1-year extension. As long as you don't overstay the 90-days stay permit, you will be fine
Greg ***********
OrangeCaribou2368 yes, when you apply for the 1-year extension of stay permit, you will get it issued only until the expiry date of your passport, should this be less than one year. Besides that, you need a minimum of 6 months passport validity or you won't be allowed to board a flight to Thailand
Luc ************
No bank account on a METV.
Steven ***************
As you've seen in other comments you can not open a bank account with the METV visa. If you are not over 50 then you also don't qualify for a Non-O retirement visa, (Note: If you are old enough that is what you need to get.) Otherwise you have limited options. You might contact Thai Visa Center a good reliable company and see what they can do for you. P.S. please excuse and ignore the negative replies, some people don't understand how confusing the Thai visa system can be for newcomers and seem to forget that they too were once a newcomer. Good luck.
Graham ******
Why enter on a METV then convert to a Non-O You are wasting money and making it difficult, enter with your Non-O then open a bank account etc.
Anonymous**********
Why you need a Thai bank account? You’re a tourist? FYI you need a long term visa to be able to open a bank account.. to be honest it’s people like you that has F it up and made its so much more complicated for us expats that seriously live here long term
RubyPho********
AnonymousCelery6880 what makes you so special and entitled that you think everyone else doesn't deserve to live here long term?
Why is the poster messing things up for everyone else?
Why is the poster messing things up for everyone else?
Anonymous**********
RubyPhoenix7764 read the persons post again and my response… fyi so many problems is caused by short term stays making it hard for those who want to relocate LONG term… I’m all for people staying long term here and I’m always happy to direct those about to relocate here!! But coming as 1-6 month vacation and fraudulently getting bank accounts has made the Thai banking looking in to both agencies and other things making many long term stays getting their accounts blocked and checked
OrangeCa*********
OPAnonymousCelery6880 the banking problem was caused by money laundering was it not ?
Anonymous**********
RubyPhoenix7764 are you stup where did i write i don’t think others deserve that?? The bank issues has been caused by short term stays making i problematic for us staying or want to stay long term!! Read again please…
Laurie **********
AnonymousCelery6880 maybe he is coming to set himself as a long termer expat. Thailand isn't exclusive for the likes of you who just want to keep everyone else out
Anonymous**********
Laurie Longland then why is he coming and asking for short term visa them? I’m all for people staying here LONG term and been assisting several to do so… the problem we started to face is that all these short term stays that got bank accounts made it that many of us staying long term also got problems with our bank accounts
Laurie **********
AnonymousCelery6880 maybe because he is trying to navigate the very complex long term visa system
Paul *******
AnonymousCelery6880 What problems have you had with your bank account? if it's bangkok bank that has nothing to do with sghort term visa holders. Thai accounts are also been locked.
Lynnette *******
You need a different visa to open bank account.
Nongnuch ********
OrangeCaribou2368 . . . The METV is the wrong visa type for your plans. . . If you are over 50 years already, you should apply for the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa. On this visa you will get stamped in for a 90-days stay permit. On this visa type, you can get a Thai bank account opened, easily with the help of an agent. In Pattaya, F.S. Consulting Co. costs 5000 Baht for getting a bank account openedfor you. They can also help you with getting a Thai driving license both for a motorcycle and for a car. You need to bring with you your country's IDP along with your national drivers license
oxley******
Where are you going in thailand
Shane ***********
METV is a 6 month multi entry visa. You get 60 days on entry which can be extended for 30 days before you must leave to get another 60 days. It is a tourist visa and you will not be able to open a bank account.
John **********
The bike licence you can do. The bank account is more difficult, you can no longer open one on a tourist visa and many agents won't help now unless it's as part of a full visa package.
Ant ***********
For the Thai bike license
You will need an IDP
Shop around
Contact
THAI VISA CENTRE - visa agent
You will need an IDP
Shop around
Contact
THAI VISA CENTRE - visa agent
Activity
20 joined20
people
Related
25How can I apply for a visa and open a bank account while considering retirement in Thailand?
1.1k8142mo
What is the duration of stay allowed on a Thailand METV and how can it be maximized?
5.5k151395mo
What visa do I need to unfreeze my Bangkok bank account and continue paying my condo bills?
6.4k101805mo
What type of visa should an Australian citizen apply for to retire in Thailand and how can they manage the bank account requirements?
3.5k29376mo
What are my options for a Thai visa after using a METV for 150 days?
587437mo
What are the options for obtaining a long-term visa in Thailand if I lack sufficient funds?
1.7k1769mo
Do I need to apply for a Non-O retirement visa through an agency in the USA?
5834310mo
What do I need to do to successfully open a bank account and obtain a driver's license in Thailand?
3.3k214610mo
How can I get help with my retirement visa in Thailand?
10.7k9011810mo
Can I expect any issues entering Thailand on a visa exempt status if I'm married to a Thai and only visit for 50 days this year?
1.3k10610mo
Can I open a bank account in Thailand with a Non-O retirement visa application pending?
371121y
How can retired couples from the UK stay in Thailand for 6 months a year?
4.4k34481y
What are some reputable visa agents in Bangkok for a Non-O retirement visa and bank account assistance?
2k14201y
Should I get a multi-entry visa for visiting Thailand three times a year, or can I manage without it?
916462y
What steps can I take to obtain a retirement visa for Thailand during my current trip?
4.7k43302y
How does the 60-day METV extension work if I travel to Kuala Lumpur before it expires?
1.8k12132y
What is the best visa option for a couple over 50 planning to stay in Thailand for six months each year for two years?
4.9k42402y
How can I open a Bangkok Bank account quickly as a traveler to Thailand without a letter from my home bank?
2.1k15163y
What are the requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand, specifically at Bangkok Bank Jomtien branch?
10.5k721393y
What is the best visa option for a Belgian citizen wanting to spend winters in Thailand?
2.7k25123y
Can I extend my EVisa based on marriage to a Thai citizen and do I need to worry about the seasoning period?
1.1k5133y
How long does it take to process a Non-O retirement visa application in Thailand?
1.9k11214y
Can I use foreign travel insurance to obtain a Thai OA Visa while residing in Canada?
2.1k13254y
What are the fund transfer requirements for applying for a Non-O Visa based on retirement in Thailand?
1.4k6164y
What are the best visa options for a year-long stay in Thailand for a couple, one over 50 and the other under?
2.1k1999y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served