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Can you open a bank account in Thailand with a DTV visa?
DTV VisaThai BankingVisa RestrictionsExpat Financial SolutionsTrueMoney AppBank Account LimitationsMobile PaymentsExpat Life in ThailandVisa Types
Jul 29, 2025
9 months ago
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI read a lot of posts about people looking for to open to a bank account with the DTV visa and here's my experience.
YOU CANNOT OPEN AN ACCOUNT WITH THE DTV VISA except for particular cases (you are married to a thai, you have a thai son/daughter, etc). I know it sucks but I've been using for a few months TrueMoney and I can guarantee is a great 2nd choice. I've obtained the full access to the app (it required me to send a picture of my dtv visa + a picture of the entry stamp on my passport) and this is what I can do with the app:
1) I can scan pay EVERYWHERE, including the small auntie at the local market
2) I can link the payment to most of the app (grab,bolt,lazada, shoppee etc)
3) I can create a virtual debit card to buy stuff online
4) I can link that card to google/samsung pay and pay with the NFC.
5) I can top up at the true store up to 50k baht, I believe that out of every tesco lotus there's an automatic machine to do that
6) I can obviously pay at everystore which is true money friendly (7/11)
With that said, having a bank account is great but with true money I can do 99% of the things I would have done with a bank.
PS: I got cash with me so I just exchange the cash at the local superrich and then transfer it on my account. On the app there's the possibility to link it to a credit/debit card, not sure if that works just with local ones or it'll accept a foreign card as well
YOU CANNOT OPEN AN ACCOUNT WITH THE DTV VISA except for particular cases (you are married to a thai, you have a thai son/daughter, etc). I know it sucks but I've been using for a few months TrueMoney and I can guarantee is a great 2nd choice. I've obtained the full access to the app (it required me to send a picture of my dtv visa + a picture of the entry stamp on my passport) and this is what I can do with the app:
1) I can scan pay EVERYWHERE, including the small auntie at the local market
2) I can link the payment to most of the app (grab,bolt,lazada, shoppee etc)
3) I can create a virtual debit card to buy stuff online
4) I can link that card to google/samsung pay and pay with the NFC.
5) I can top up at the true store up to 50k baht, I believe that out of every tesco lotus there's an automatic machine to do that
6) I can obviously pay at everystore which is true money friendly (7/11)
With that said, having a bank account is great but with true money I can do 99% of the things I would have done with a bank.
PS: I got cash with me so I just exchange the cash at the local superrich and then transfer it on my account. On the app there's the possibility to link it to a credit/debit card, not sure if that works just with local ones or it'll accept a foreign card as well
TLDR : Answer Summary
This discussion highlights the challenges expats face in opening bank accounts in Thailand with a DTV visa, noting that it may only be possible under specific circumstances (e.g., being married to a Thai national). Alternatives like the TrueMoney app are suggested, which allow various forms of payments and financial transactions without the need for a conventional bank account. Users share their experiences regarding access to the app and its limitations, as well as insights on the general banking trends for tourists and temporary visa holders.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV 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 DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Erik *******
For those who really live in Thailand and rent a place : if you have only Truemoney (no local bank account) good luck to get back your 2 months security deposit from your landlord 💸
Sefton ********
Cannot get full access to the true money app as a non Thai. You can get partial access but many features are still blocked.
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sefton *******
correct but still very useful for a dozen of other optionsReply to
Michael **********
Reply
Jim **********
Very useful post - thank you
Pieter *******
I think most people have issues with atm fees. Which is why they want an account
Tom *****
You can't link oversea card to the App 🙁
Anonymous ******************
I thought only the top up had limit and not scanning? Can you confirm.
Also, does it charge extra on connecting with your debit card? Does that mean you can top up via your foreign debt card? I thought that was not possible and can only be done via thai bank accounts.
Also, does it charge extra on connecting with your debit card? Does that mean you can top up via your foreign debt card? I thought that was not possible and can only be done via thai bank accounts.
Anonymous ******************
Ah alright. Yes I am topping up using cash but was just wondering whether it charges extra by connecting foreign debt card. I was able to connect it by submitting driving license. Anyways, thank you for your post. I have also been trying truemoney for past four weeks.
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 953 I am not totally sure but I believe that you can top up 3k at the
****
, 20k at the automatic machines and 50k if you do it in person at the true store. I haven't linked my account to any card reason why I can't tell whether or not is allowed to use a foreign cardReply to
Michael **********
Reply
Rok ********
Why would you pay with QR Thai code if you can pay with the card which is purchase fee free (wise, monzo etc…). Converting foreign currency is expensive (whether cash exchange or wise transfer onto a thai account) … keep it for where they do not take foreign cards or charge extra for using them.
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rok *******
my bank accounts are in countries that don't allow those cards u mentioned. That's why I rather get here with cash and put it in my true money account. Since we can't have a bank accont here is way better than using my foreign card and pay 1.5% to my foreign bank every time I use itDTV_Be*******
@Rok *******
street food or street restaurants are a prime example of them using QR codes Also places Like Macro and Go market don’t take credit cards only cash and scan
Anonymous ******************
DTV_Begpacker if you order Makro online and have them deliver, you can use your credit card(I’m American, so I use my Chase cc). If you go to the store, you need cash, QR code or Thai CC.
DTV_Be*******
Anonymous participant 656 I order nothing online I go out and get what I need
Luc ************
Anonieme deelnemer 656 why would you order fresh food online? You have to see and feel what you buy.
Reply to
Luc ************
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Daniel ********
Do you have to resubmit documents every once in a while?
Andrew *******
Why did this dtv get such a bad name with banks? Because of all the issues with the Chinese call center scams? Can it be that dumb a reason ?
Peter ***********
@Andrew ******
Because it's classed as a tourist visa, and banks have stopped opening accounts for touristsAndrew *******
@Peter **********
that’s always been the rule, but it seems they go after dtv even more than a tourist visa now.Peter ***********
@Andrew ******
It's all tourist visas, and even those on non-O 90-day visas are finding it hard. It seems banks want to see a 365-day visa or extension in your passportAndrew *******
@Peter **********
I guess so, atleast for now they do. I got one of mine with a metv maybe 10 years ago without an agentPeter ***********
@Andrew ******
The new restrictions only came in May this year. A few years ago you could open a bank account with a free entry stamp. I can't see it going back to how it was. CRS has changed the banking landscapeReply to
Peter ***********
Reply
ScenicPer*********
You can. People have done it. . .
ScenicPer*********
You can open an account with DTV.
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTERScenicPersimmon526 anonymous users did ;)
Reply to
Michael **********
Reply
Sefton ********
ScenicPersimmon526 you can what ?
I think many posters are simply now aware of what 'full access' means.
I think many posters are simply now aware of what 'full access' means.
Reply to
Sefton ********
Reply
Nickel *******
Opened bank acc no problem 🤷
Hamza ********
@Nickel ******
details please.Nickel *******
@Hamza *******
i see you've asked this question alot man. Go to the bank or get an agent. I was able to do it with Kasikorn. DTV visaReply to
Nickel *******
Reply
Brian ****
Truemoney wallet wouldn't give me full access even uploading my DTV and entry stamp.
Jason **********
@Brian ***
you can also use your thai driver license to unlock.Sefton ********
@Jason *********
that's not full access, that's basic access.Jason **********
@Sefton *******
its full access I'm on dtv and just used my license. I also have a bank account from years ago. I have 50k sitting in my true money and use it to pay power/water since my bank doesn't work for those 2.Sefton ********
@Jason *********
No it isn't. Go into the finance section and look at the range of things you can't do
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sefton *******
full access as a foreigner. The only way to get access to the finance section is to obtain a thai passport firstSefton ********
@Michael *********
so I think we disagree on what 'full access' means.No.. Using a driving license, or a Pink ID, or a tax number, or any one of the other things does not give full access to the true money app.
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sefton *******
Full access as a foreigner, does this sound better to you?Reply to
Michael **********
Reply
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brian ***
when u apply for full access it'll ask you to show your NON IMMIGRANT visa, at that point I sent a picture of my DTV visa + picture of the entry stamp in thailand and that was enough. I'm not sure if having also a phone number with true or the US password helped but I'm happy with itSefton ********
@Michael *********
go into financial, buy save gold, or mutual funds, the credit features, etc etc Please confirm you have FULL app access in there.
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sefton *******
nope, that (and the insurances) are just available for thai citizensReply to
Michael **********
Reply
Positive*********
@Michael *********
Pleaset get Thai driving license and submit it. It worked for me.Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brian ***
it seems you didn't send all the documents requested. That's not a deny, they say your application is incomplete or not clear (make sure to take the whole page and do not crop the picReply to
Michael **********
Reply
Laurent ********
I'm using Truemoney (advanced account) too but there are also some disadvantages..
- For a transfer to a Thai bank account there's a 20 baht fee all the time
- Scanning QR codes (non business) is limited to 30 free scans a month, after that 25 baht fee per scan
- Maximum balance is 50K
- For a transfer to a Thai bank account there's a 20 baht fee all the time
- Scanning QR codes (non business) is limited to 30 free scans a month, after that 25 baht fee per scan
- Maximum balance is 50K
Zou ********
@Laurent *******
the most annoying is 50k limit. My rent is 25k alreadyMichael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Zou *******
I doubt you spend 25k per day. Anyways, you can top up 30times a month for free, not a very big issue thenZou ********
@Michael *********
one transaction is limited 10k and yes I can make more than 1 per day but total per month is limited to 50kReply to
Zou ********
Reply
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Laurent *******
can you explain that "non business"? You mean if I scan pay at Lotus or a famous restaurant then it won't affect while scanning at the night market auntie's account does?Laurent ********
The business codes are free to scan, the personal codes just 30 times a month free, after that 25 baht fee per scan
Reply to
Laurent ********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Mic****
I think he means personal accounts that small shops & market trader use rather than an actual Business bank accountReply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Fábio *******
Great to know, thank you for sharing.
Peter ***********
This'll send the "Cash is King" sector into meltdown! 👍
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter **********
cash is surely the king but it's damn helpful when you can deal with online stuff by yourself, not everyone accepts cash on delivery and not everyone likes to wait the carrier to come to your place. It's also a great thing to go around without bringing anything but your phone.Reply to
Michael **********
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