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Can I open a bank account from the US before arriving in Thailand for a Non-O visa?

Non-O Visa Thai Banking Expats in Thailand Visa Application Process Opening a Bank Account in Thailand

Sep 2, 2025

12 days ago

Richard **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Filling out visa. Non O. I have never encountered such a comprehensive form. Recently retired and waiting for 401 money to hit bank account.  I know I need it to finish the form. When it goes in can I open bank account from the US Or do I have to wait till I arrive?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The process of applying for a Non-O visa is relatively straightforward, and you can use your US bank funds for the application. However, to open a Thai bank account, you need to be present in Thailand. Many suggest that applying for the Non-O visa can be done quickly if you have all information ready, with most procedures taking under 10 minutes. Once in Thailand with your Non-O visa, you can open the bank account and follow further steps to deposit the necessary funds and apply for a one-year extension.

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.

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9 days ago

Richard **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you everyone

Every bit of advice helps🙏

11 days ago

Paul ********

Ha ha. Expats who have lived in Thailand a while are like the frog in slowly hotter water. We sometimes don't notice the constant little changes in policy and procedures and just take it all in stride.

Yes, it is a giant PITA. But you can get through it.

There's quite a bit of turbulence in the banking sector here right now, so you may experience some minor difficulties opening your account. But just be patient.

And remember the expat in Thailand motto: "ALWAYS have a plan B."

Cheers!

12 days ago

Maitin *******

@Paul *******

definitely a plan B. Go to a real branch, not a bank in a big mall full of tourists. Dress nicely, didn't act like an entitled cun! and it's all pretty easy if you have the right documents. If it doesn't work, be nice and just go to another branch. You will have to go back to the branch you opened your account with for most things, so make sure it's convenient to get to. If you move to another providence, open another account. You'll save aggravation, travel and fees.

12 days ago

Paul ********

@Maitin ******

I find the Kasikorn branch in Central Festival to be very helpful and on top of things. I opened an account there a while back and was in and out in well under an hour, including wait time.

11 days ago

Nongnuch ********

@Maitin ******

complete nonsense. If it doesn't work, after visiting three banks in vain, use an agent service, as 5000 THB will get you a bank account opened if you have entered on the correct visa. And if you move to another province, just take your existing bank account with you. You don't have to open a new account, you just moved your adress, you visit a branch in your new location and change the adress

12 days ago

Maitin *******

@Nongnuch *******

sure whatever. I just opened the plan B account, because it's easier to get the letter for immigration. Still keep my original as they have a branch in my home country and it's easy to ACH money into my account in Thailand without dealing with SWIFT or WISE . As for the opening a new account, I would personally disagree. I have friends in CMX who had to go back to BKK to go to the branch where they opened the account to deal with some issues. Even though the banks maybe national, they seem to be different entities in each providence.

But you do you...

12 days ago

Reply to

Maitin *******

It should take under 10 minutes if you have the information collected. The O-A is much more of an in-depth application.

Just remember all the bank statements need to be in one file, you can only upload one file for each section.

You need to be in Thailand to open the bank account. I would suggest going to a stand alone branch and not one in a mall.

12 days ago

Jay *******

Applying for the non O is fairly simple and doesn't have many requirements. You show money in your US bank to apply. You open a thai bank account when you get here with your non O visa.

12 days ago

Dick ********

You can use funds in your USA bank for the application via evisa. Get your non O then come to Thailand and follow steps to open an account when you arrive. Deposit the required funds and then apply for your 1 year extension.

12 days ago

Gerg **********

Non-O is like the easiest one to do!

12 days ago

Tony ******

Get an agent

12 days ago

Ron ******

@Tony *****

To fill in an online form that takes all of 10 minutes?

12 days ago

Reply to

Ron ******

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

You can't do anything in Thailand without being there.

And the non-O application is not complicated. Make sure you didn't select the non-OA which has much more requirements.

12 days ago

Reply to

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

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