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Can my friend from Australia open a bank account to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand?
Feb 21, 2025
a year ago
Neil ********
ORIGINAL POSTERMy friend is coming from.Australia in April
But as I see she can't open bank account to obtain retire visa ?
But as I see she can't open bank account to obtain retire visa ?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster inquired if a friend coming from Australia could open a bank account to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand. Responses affirmed that if the friend arrives on a 90-day Non-O visa, she will be able to open a bank account and should apply for this visa before arriving in Thailand to facilitate the process.
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Brandon ************
The op has left the group so commenting is off
Nongnuch ********
There is no enforcement for people who arrive with a proper 90-days Non-Imm- visa class.
They all can open a Thai bank account on these visa classes. It is business as usual for agents to service these people
Only people who arrive on tourist visa or visa-exempt, at the moment are met with enforcements
The threadstarter is correctly advised to tell his girlfriend to apply for the “90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa” in Australia via the e-visa system of the Thai Embassy Canberra or the consulate Sidney, then enter Thailand using this visa and immediately open a Thai bank account. There is absolutely no problem in doing so
They all can open a Thai bank account on these visa classes. It is business as usual for agents to service these people
Only people who arrive on tourist visa or visa-exempt, at the moment are met with enforcements
The threadstarter is correctly advised to tell his girlfriend to apply for the “90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa” in Australia via the e-visa system of the Thai Embassy Canberra or the consulate Sidney, then enter Thailand using this visa and immediately open a Thai bank account. There is absolutely no problem in doing so
Chris *******
Maybe, maybe not. April is still a good month away. The enforcement of banking rules might blow over by that time
Lynnette *******
@Chris ******
there's no rule stopping people with a non O visa from opening a bank account.Chris *******
@Lynnette ******
there’s no rule for any type of visa. Reliable sources indicate that it’s the enforcement of existing rules that is the problem. Of course, proving your residential address on a tourism visa will always be problematic no matter the country - a very common stumbling blockLynnette *******
@Chris ******
banks are mostly reluctant to open bank accounts for those on tourist visas or exempt entry. As Brandon and others have said. Therefore the Non O type of visa is recommended. Fyi I opened my account last may on visa exempt entry. My biggest problem was not having 2 IDs.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Andy ************
Yes of course she can. She comes on a 90-day non-O visa, she can open a bank account within days of arriving
Neil ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy ***********
cheersNeil ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy ***********
has no visa only touristGraham ******
@Neil *******
Not a tourist - "She comes on a 90-day non-O visa" ;)Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Lynnette *******
Why can't she open an account? Wouldn't she get visa in AUS then arrive, open bank account.
David **********
@Lynnette ******
if she does that she canLynnette *******
@David *********
hopefully they will listen to the advice on how it can be done.David **********
@Lynnette ******
never used an agentLynnette *******
@David *********
me neither. It's not true that foreigners can't get bank account. They need a visa like Non O etc. which they can get before arriving.David **********
Many people like to promote agents or spreading propaganda to scare people I wish they would help people so it's easier
David **********
Neil ********
ORIGINAL POSTERYou know more than my agents , you ver clever lady
Lynnette *******
@Neil *******
your agent says WITHOUT VISA cannot. The advice is quite clear and been repeated by several people. Get a visa before arriving and open bank account.Neil ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
f off Idiot I lived thailand many years and come 30 yrs
Meet dumb people like you all the time
Go away
Lynnette *******
@Neil *******
so rude. You've been given advice from people like Brandon, who are knowledgeable but hurl abuse at me because I've given same advice as Brandon Thurkettle and others. There's nothing "dumb" about me or my information.Lynnette *******
@Neil *******
you aren't listening. Your agent says "without visa" cannot. The advice you've been given is quite clear! They get visa in Aus, arrive, open account, then can apply for extension of stay based on retirement. 🤦Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Lynnette *******
@David *********
I know she can but he seems adamant his friend cannot. No idea why.Neil ********
ORIGINAL POSTERLynnette *******
@Neil *******
you've been given the correct advice ( by Brandon who's pretty much an expert ) on how your friend in Aus can get the visa in Australia, which is accepted by banks, so they can open an account when they arrive. They can then apply for the one year extension. If you prefer to ignore it that's up to you.Reply to
Neil ********
Reply
Neil ********
ORIGINAL POSTERRead the news
Lynnette *******
@Neil *******
nothing to do with the news. Banks don't want to open bank accounts for short term tourists. SO apply for a visa (online) from embassy before arriving. Open account. Then get 12 month extension of stay.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Neil ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
you lost meLynnette *******
@Neil *******
read what Brandon posted. . Apply for Non O visa in AUS. Fly to Thailand. Open bank account. Deposit the money. Apply for extension of stay based on retirement.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Neil ********
ORIGINAL POSTERForieners cant open thai account
Check it
Check it
Lynnette *******
@Neil *******
foreigners CAN open accounts. With a visa.Steve *******
@Neil *******
This is completely untrue!Neil ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve ******
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77-foreigners-face-new-hurdles-in-opening-thai-bank-accounts/Steve *******
@Neil *******
That's not news that's a comic! Don't believe everything on the Internet!Neil ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve ******
read the newsReply to
Neil ********
Reply
John **********
@Neil *******
not trueHenrik *****
Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.
That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.
Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.
Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so reluctant depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.
The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.
PS: there is a error in the 2. chapter, a thai bank account has never been needed to get DTV, but the rest is telling about the current situation.
That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.
Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.
Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so reluctant depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.
The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.
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9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?*********************************************************************************************
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77-foreigners-face-new-hurdles-in-opening-thai-bank-accounts/PS: there is a error in the 2. chapter, a thai bank account has never been needed to get DTV, but the rest is telling about the current situation.
Lynnette *******
@Neil *******
looks on Thailand Visa Advice | DTV | Retirement & More there's advice on there.Lynnette *******
@Neil *******
so if they obtain their visa from embassy in Aus they can't arrive and open a bank account? Yet that's what people are being advised. . Get proper visa, and go to bank ( several banks) then put money in bank.Nigel **************
@Lynnette ******
no they cannot nowReply to
Nigel **************
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Neil *******
listen to Brandon's advice, it is the only true advice. Enter with a 90-days Non-Imm-O visa an open a Thai bank account. If banks turn you down, use an agentLynnette *******
@Nongnuch *******
he's just called me dumb, an idiot and to F off for giving him correct info same as Brandon. Bizarre.Lynnette *******
@Nongnuch *******
he's not listening. Doesn't seem to understand and says "read the news". 🤷Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Neil ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
they changed it as from 17 febReply to
Neil ********
Reply
Brandon ************
She should apply for the 90 day non-O retirement visa before she goes to Thailand. This will make it easier for her to open the bank account she will require in order to apply for the 1-year extension.
If she tries to come as a tourist it will be impossible for her to open the bank account herself, and she'll need to find and pay an agent to do so.
If she tries to come as a tourist it will be impossible for her to open the bank account herself, and she'll need to find and pay an agent to do so.
Nongnuch ********
some cannot get helped and will meet their surprise 😂😂
Lynnette *******
@Brandon ***********
well he's hurled abuse at me, telling me I'm dumb and to F off, because I posted same info as you. I'm not sure he can be helped. 🤷Graham ******
@Brandon ***********
Many Aussie retirees prefer the Non-OX Retirement Visa so that also should be consideredBrandon ************
@Graham *****
I haven't heard if that's still the same for them after the switch to e-visa.Graham ******
@Brandon ***********
ok 👍Lynnette *******
@Graham *****
he just keeps repeating his agent says foreigners cannot open account. But looking at the screenshot his agent said "without visa". So the advice is get a visa before arriving.Reply to
Lynnette *******
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