Can I open a bank account in Thailand on a DTV visa?

DTV visa bank account Thailand visa types immigration expat advice residence certificate banking options in Thailand

Oct 31, 2024

5 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello there, does anyone opened a bank account on a DTV visa? I tried 3 banks and they told me they cannot open it.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Opening a bank account in Thailand on a DTV (digital nomad tourist) visa can be quite challenging, as many banks may refuse to do so. It is suggested that obtaining a residence certificate from immigration may improve your chances, but this could require visiting many bank branches. Alternatively, hiring an agent who specializes in setting up bank accounts for foreigners can simplify the process, as they can provide all necessary documentation and support for a fee.

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Brian ********

3 days ago

Eric ******

For $5000 baht or less $125-$150 USD), why even bother. Contact the owners of this site or Mark at One Stop in Pattaya. It is almost a no brainer to me to use an agent to open a bank account. They will get you a resident certificate and do ALL the paperwork, get it fast tracked, open you an account at Bangkok Bank, set up an online account, pick you up at your hotel and drive you to the bank, explain everything, show you how everything works, get you an ATM card and take you back to your hotel. So much easier then trying to figure it out on your own!

5 days ago

Billy ******

@Eric *****

well worth 5k for such service.

4 days ago

Jim ********

@Eric *****

That's Pattaya, what if you want an account in Bangkok?

4 days ago

Jo **********

@Jim *******

different type of ladies over there

4 days ago

Eric ******

@Jim *******

I've read on here is MUCH harder to get an account here, so the agents charge $20k baht or more. You save quite a bit by going to Pattaya or Phuket.

4 days ago

Jim ********

@Eric *****

But there's not a lot of value having an account in Phuket if you're living in Bangkok

4 days ago

Eric ******

@Jim *******

I agree, but if you are going to be there anyway…

I wasn’t too impressed with Phuket myself, but it is cheaper to open a bank there strictly based on costs.

4 days ago

Jim ********

@Eric *****

But having a bank account in Phuket doesn't help much if you're living in Bangkok.

4 days ago

Eric ******

@Jim *******

again, I agree. But you could still hypothetically use the branches in Bangkok and ATMs correct? And no ATM fee if you do it through you're phone.

3 days ago

Jim ********

@Eric *****

Yeah but when you need something major doing you have to go to your home branch

3 days ago

Reply to

Jim ********

Robert *********

@Eric *****

many people just don't get that things work differently here than wherever they are from .....

5 days ago

Reply to

Robert *********

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

The DTV is a tourist visa, so it's going to be almost impossible. Your options are to get a residence certificate from immigration and then try going to 30-50 bank branches and see if you get lucky, or find an agent that can help you do it for around 5000 baht.

5 days ago

Lee ********

@Brandon ***********

so what's a work around?

What type of visa is suitable to open a bank account???

4 days ago

Ryan ****

@Lee *******

workaround , buy a condo property. Get the contract/option to purchase and head down to the bank . That being said , you have to secure a 10-20k downpayment to even get a contract.

You are better off using an agent.

4 days ago

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

@Lee *******

a non-immigrant visa that's meant for living in Thailand for long-term. The workaround is using an agent like I stated in my original reply.

4 days ago

Lee ********

@Brandon ***********

but I'm getting mixed responses from various agents and banks.

They saying I need a marriage visa to open a bank account. But then I need an account to qualify for a marriage visa 🤷🏻‍♂️ is it always this backwards?

4 days ago

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

@Lee *******

you're not supposed to get a marriage visa in Thailand. You're supposed to get a visa BEFORE you travel to a country. Just because it's possible to get a marriage visa inside Thailand doesn't mean it's supposed to be easy.

The DTV is a tourist visa, and the banks don't think a tourist needs a bank account.

4 days ago

Lee ********

@Brandon ***********

yes but all the banks we've approached habe all said I need to show proof of marriage before I can open an account.

But then the requirements for getting a marriage certificates and visa i need proof of funds in an account.

You think the dtv or education visa would make it easier?

Cheers

4 days ago

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

@Lee *******

no, it won't be easier on either of those.

4 days ago

Reply to

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

Ken ***********

@Brandon ***********

the information you gave is 100% correct, but isn't it a farce that Thailand approves a five year visa for 180 days at a time, yet they give no guidance for banks to allow the visa holder to open a bank account.

5 days ago

Reply to

Ken ***********

Robert *********

Pay a agent

5 days ago

Reply to

Robert *********

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