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Can I open a Thai bank account on a tourist visa before applying for a retirement visa?
May 14, 2025
a year ago
Chris **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHow to open a Thai Bank Account before applying for a retirement visa when on a tourist visa.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Opening a Thai bank account while on a tourist visa can be challenging, yet some individuals have successfully done it with the help of immigration letters or through agencies. Opinions vary significantly: some assert that it's impossible under a tourist visa without a qualifying visa in hand, while others have found ways to navigate the process. It often requires demonstrating the necessity of the account for future visa applications.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Sharon ***********
I’m going through an agent who is brilliant she has applied for a student Visa for me once that comes through we can open a bank account and then apply for the retirement Visa so now I won’t leave the country until it all comes through in August. I was on a tourist Visa.
Dieter *********
At Bangkok Bank it's easy. I got my Account with Tourist Visa (in year 2000)
Yvan **********
I was on a tourist visa and I opened a BKK bank account in April 2024
Yvan **********
No agency, it cost 200 baht, first deposit and 500 baht for a letter from immigration. I wonder how much the agencies are charging
Michael **********
@Yvan *********
did the same thing Jan. of this year with agency in Bangkok. Took about 30- 40 minutes and fone. Didn't have to buy insurance either.Reply to
Michael **********
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Carl *********
Dang the advice given here is nearly incomprehensible because your English is 3rd grade level or even worse.
Lion *****************************
@Carl ********
incomprehensible most of it....🙄 abd a lot of the rest is just BS👍Reply to
Lion *****************************
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John ********
Make sure you have proof that your phone number is registered to your name, passport, and Telco company have taken your photo.... it's all about the fear of money laundering. I've got my atm card, but am still waiting to be able to use the banking app, as they are checking my validity....
Michael ******
I went to Laos and got a three month non-O visa...then you can open an account right away. You have to deposit the required amount of money and have it in there for 2 months before applying. So a small window...
Rhonda ********
Rhonda ********
F!!!
Johan ******************
What agency ?please dm me
Tony *********
Opened account today in Bangkok at Krungthai,, used an agent, 8,000 baht 👀
Johan ******************
what agency please let me knopw
Tony *********
Reply to
Tony *********
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Mark ********
@Tony ********
which agent palMark ********
@Tony ********
thank you palReply to
Tony *********
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Kris *********
As for a letter of recommendation of immigration (not a residence certificate).
Pertti *************
Pattaya 10k fee including credit+debit and online banking👌
TN ********
@Pertti ************
can you tell about agency ?Gústaf *********
And make a note that visa agencies are not legal. They pay their way under the table. This is expensive and illegal.
Mark *******
But it happens with the compliance of the authorities! It is Thailand after all,and money talks...More so than a lot of countries worldwide...
Reply to
Mark *******
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Peter *****************
Just married a Thai.You can find in Nana and cowboy.Plenty dude with special discount.
Reply to
Bobb *********
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Rob **********
Extremely difficult
Gústaf *********
Very simple. Simply go to the bank as long as you have a NON O visa. You need that visa anyway to apply for the visa. But you can not apply for the visa unless you have less than 30 days left of the 90 day visa.
Nine ******
@Gústaf ********
he said on tourist visa not non o visaReply to
Nine ******
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Wayne ********
Is that a question or are you going to tell us 🤷♂️
Luebbener ********
I’ve tried many banks, even had a letter of recommendation from immigration but there was no way, so I ended up using a visa agency.
Carlos *********
@Luebbener *******
Do you mind sharing the cost for that service and agency name?Luebbener ********
@Carlos ********
I think it was something around 40.000 for opening a bank account ( had to buy an insurance from the bank which was included in the hole price, retirement visa, visa extension and multiple entry.TMT visa service in Patong
Reply to
Luebbener ********
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เต๋อ *****
@Luebbener *******
not recommend, authorizesReply to
เต๋อ *****
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Rafal *************
I have a problem opening a bank account for a company that I founded with a Thai partner. Bangkok Bank refused due to the fact that the shareholders are also foreigners. Kasikorn did not even want to talk when seeing foreigners. Krung bank refused saying that if it is to open a company account, the foreign partners should have business visas.
Frank **********
Yes NaN services Pattaya
30 minutes
30 minutes
Anita *****************
90day non-o e-visa ( >50 age) plus adress in Thailand worked in Kasikorn bank 👍
Adrien ****
@Anita ****************
what branch was it?Anita *****************
@Adrien ***
bluport ... best service, friendly, fast and high knowledgeReply to
Anita *****************
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Mark **********
I got a letter from immigration that I took to the bank
Simon *******
@Mark *********
the letter is called a certificate of residence you need it to register a car ,to get a driving license or open a bank account .I got one and the bank still refused me ,got an agent to sort it in the end
Carlos *********
@Mark *********
What immigration office did you get the letter from? Also, were you on a tourist visa when you asked for letter?Mark **********
@Carlos ********
surat thani and no I was opening the account to to a non o visa, I was visa exempt.Reply to
Mark **********
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Mark *********
Go to a visa agent near where you are, they have bkk cnx huahin Samui Phuket they can help at a price
Chris **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mark ********
back door way too expensiveReply to
Chris **********
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Brad **********
I’d try walking into your preferred bank at ask!
No luck, move onto the next one! Still no luck, try each bank in another town or city!
Best of luck 👍
No luck, move onto the next one! Still no luck, try each bank in another town or city!
Best of luck 👍
John **********
@Brad *********
not just each bank but each branch of each bankReply to
John **********
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เต๋อ *****
Just act you are applying for a class of visa that require a balance in bank in Thailand, and ask immigration for a letter of authorizes to open bank account, then head to Bangkok Bank.
Chris **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@เต๋อ ****
oh so just go to immigration Changwathana and ask for a letter right ?เต๋อ *****
@Chris *********
tell them you want to apply for a visa, wich requires account balance, so, you need to open an account to show you have money.Graham ******
@Chris *********
a residence certificateChris **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
got that one. Is enough for the bank account?Graham ******
@Chris *********
That will be up to the branch you use but yes, it is normally accepted if it's less than 30 days oldReply to
Graham ******
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Ryan **********
@เต๋อ ****
which type other than retirement requires it?Reply to
Ryan **********
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Daniel ********
Tourist visa? Your easiest path is an agency and even that doesn’t guarantee anything.
Hans *********
If you're in Pattaya j&e concierge,I just did it most said not possible.it is.
Bulent ********
@Hans ********
how much price this service, thnxHans *********
@Bulent *******
I did 2 drivers licenses, wasn't cheap , but I talked to 10 different visa services , they were the only one to actually get it done, get in touch with them, they did a residency card as well .Bulent ********
@Hans ********
thanksHans *********
And s bank account. With krungsri bank
Reply to
Hans *********
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Hans *********
Great service
Reply to
Hans *********
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Frangipani *******
Cannot!
Thomas *******
@Frangipani ******
of course you can , i just did it even with 60 days at arrival!Robin *******
@Frangipani ******
I did, but my wife helped meNine ******
@Frangipani ******
can you just don't know right peopleTodd *********
@Frangipani ******
you definitely can. But not always easy for someReply to
Todd *********
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Andrew ********
I asked my agent for tourist visa and they said at no point they will visa has to be in hand that qualifies but may get lucky
Carl *********
@Andrew *******
can you correct your sentence , please. "they will visa has to be" is not comprehensible...Bunga *******
@Carl ********
Yes, I thought so too, not comprehensible. He's too lazy to use punctuation, which makes it a riddle. I don't read comments like this any more, I don't take the effort to decipher.Reply to
Bunga *******
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