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Can I open a bank account in Thailand on a tourist visa to later apply for a non-O visa?
Visa InformationNon-Immigrant O VisaTourist VisaBank Account Requirements in ThailandExpat RelocationKoh SamuiFinancial Requirements for Visa Application
Apr 15, 2025
a year ago
Sharon ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERWe are a British couple (over 50) who have taken early retirement and are considering relocating to Koh Samui.
We currently live in Northern Cyprus so do not have access to a Thai Embassy/Consulate in order to apply in person for a 90 non immigrant O visa prior to arriving in Thailand.
I have looked at the Thai E-Visa website to try to apply online but I cannot see this visa type as an option (just a long stay OA visa or a Tourist visa).
My question is if we arrive on an initial 60 day Tourist visa will I be able to open a bank account with this visa type, in order to then meet the financial requirements to apply in Koh Samui for the non immigrant O visa, and subsequent extension?
We currently live in Northern Cyprus so do not have access to a Thai Embassy/Consulate in order to apply in person for a 90 non immigrant O visa prior to arriving in Thailand.
I have looked at the Thai E-Visa website to try to apply online but I cannot see this visa type as an option (just a long stay OA visa or a Tourist visa).
My question is if we arrive on an initial 60 day Tourist visa will I be able to open a bank account with this visa type, in order to then meet the financial requirements to apply in Koh Samui for the non immigrant O visa, and subsequent extension?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a British couple considering relocation to Koh Samui, asks if they can open a bank account in Thailand with a 60-day Tourist visa to fulfill financial requirements for a non-immigrant O visa application. Responses indicate that a Tourist visa does not allow for bank account opening, and suggestions are made regarding applying from other countries or considering alternative locations in Thailand.
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Jim *******
You might have liked Koh Samui from the pictures. I have been there 4 times, first 2003. when they opened their first siupermarket, a mini Lotus Tesco. Everything there is at leat 30% more expensive than in the mainland Thai.
Unless you are a millionaire who can afford to live near the beach, you may end up in the sticks, with interrupted water and electricity supply. You would not even know there is the sea nearby. Try to rent there, see the prices.
Over touristed. My daughter (a Thai national, then 19 years old) asked me: "Why the hell did we come to this shithole"?
Back to Googlers.
Unless you are a millionaire who can afford to live near the beach, you may end up in the sticks, with interrupted water and electricity supply. You would not even know there is the sea nearby. Try to rent there, see the prices.
Over touristed. My daughter (a Thai national, then 19 years old) asked me: "Why the hell did we come to this shithole"?
Back to Googlers.
Erik **************
Don't think Koh Samui is the dream place for you, consider Hua Hin, you will not regret. Good luck
Simon *******
I would look at the less touristy places and see the real Thailand.
Micheal **********
I live in Pattaya, and would really like to check out Hua Hin, as a place to possibly move to.
John *********
@Micheal *********
let’s pray the ferry service doesn’t start 🙏🏻👀Micheal **********
@John ********
I sure wish the ferry was running... It would sure make getting a look at Hua Hin an awful lot easier!Reply to
Micheal **********
Reply
Melissa *********
You might consider Ao Nang or Hua Hin as locations. Both feel like island life but are not on an island.Ao Nang is near an international airport which comes in handy
Eddie **********
Find some Nice Island in greece instead,,,
It is very very hot here 8 out off 12 month
It is very very hot here 8 out off 12 month
Klaus ******
Besides Visa you might consider this:
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Mark *******
I share your love for Thailand,but also when serving at RAF Akrotiri in the late 80s,myself and my then wife visited Northern Cyprus; Kyrenia in particular! Really loved the place..I wonder if you are better off staying where you are...? Just a thought!
Sharon ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mark ******
i love it here too, but after 3 years here this time (we also lived here for some time over 10 years ago), just feel like a new adventure. We own property here so can always come back.Mark *******
Excellent! Best of luck in your " new adventure." I love both Thailand and Cyprus,north and south!
Reply to
Mark *******
Reply
Abey *********
Why not cross to ROC, there is a Thai Embassy there.
Brandon ************
@Abey ********
doesn't matter where there is a Thai embassy. It's all done online. Even where there isn't a Thai embassy, there is an embassy that serves that area online.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Steve *********
Can you not apply in Ankara? If not your option would be to go to another country and apply from there.
Ian **********
@Steve ********
No embassies deal with visas anymore as it is all done onlineSteve *********
@Ian *********
yes but you still need to be in the country you are applying from.Ian **********
@Steve ********
Northern Cyprus is part of TurkeySteve *********
@Ian *********
that's why I thought maybe they could apply online through the Ankara Embassy.Ian **********
@Steve ********
it's a global e-visa website for the initial application that is then directed to your local embassy. You cannot apply directly with any embassyReply to
Ian **********
Reply
Peter ***************
Visit Koh Samui for a few weeks. Not my idea of a retirement destination but we are all different. A very expensive place now.
Paul **********
Koh Samui is nice. A bit small for me and would get Island fever quite quick.
Sharon ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul *********
before coming to the TRNC I’ve spent most of my life in Jersey (9x5 miles island) so feel drawn to island life, but we did think it could be a starting point for us to explore other mainland destinations.Stuart ***********
@Sharon **********
I agree with Paul and Baz. We drove down to Samui a few months ago for a vacation and must admit a couple of weeks is long enough. I think Phuket has more to offer, if it is island life you want and you don't need to catch the ferry to explore other places. We live in Hua Hin and the beaches are not as nice, but it's a great location to go south to the islands or north to Bangkok if you get a car. Try a few places before you settle down.I love Cyprus, but think Thailand is a wonderful place to retire. Good luck.
Baz *********
@Sharon **********
Keep in mind Koh Samui is a very tourist orientated island and therefore you will be paying tourist prices for everything..As a general rule it's always more expensive to live on an island than the mainland.
You should take a look at Hua Hin as a long term option.
It's very popular with retired Expats and foreigners staying long term.
Paul **********
@Sharon **********
yep it will lean in to you well. Enjoy.Reply to
Paul **********
Reply
Brandon ************
No, you will not be able to get a bank account if you arrive as a tourist.
As you saw, there is no such thing as in-person visa applications anymore. Everything has been standardized to the e-visa system.
The non-O visa is most certainly an option, as it's an option at every embassy because they are all standardized on the e-visa system.
As you saw, there is no such thing as in-person visa applications anymore. Everything has been standardized to the e-visa system.
The non-O visa is most certainly an option, as it's an option at every embassy because they are all standardized on the e-visa system.
Tony *****
just add some substance to Brandon’s post. When you look on the e-visa site you’re correct you’ll see NON OA and NON OX as the long stay options. If you scroll down to the “other visas” option the 90 day visa based on retirement can be viewed.
When you create an account and submit your application that’s when you’ll see Brandon’s screen shot.
I was confused when I first looked at it.
I hope that helps
When you create an account and submit your application that’s when you’ll see Brandon’s screen shot.
I was confused when I first looked at it.
I hope that helps
Sharon ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tony ****
thanks, created the account and I now see the drop down.Reply to
Sharon ***********
Reply
Sharon ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thanks, I’ll look again.Reply to
Sharon ***********
Reply
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