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Do I need a Thai bank account for the Retirement Visa in Thailand if I have a Citibank account?

Retirement Visa Thai Bank Account Visa Requirements Expat Banking Citibank Thailand

Apr 27, 2025

24 days ago

Chris **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’ve been reading numerous posts about how you need a Thai Bank Account for the Retirement Visa. I see that Citibank has offices and branches in Thailand. If I have a Citibank account, would that be acceptable? TIA!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To obtain a Retirement Visa in Thailand, you must have a Thai bank account. Citibank does not provide retail banking services in Thailand and thus its accounts are not acceptable. All contributors agreed that a local bank account is necessary, and new regulations require a long-term visa before opening one.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Steve ******

New rules as of 2024. You cannot open a bank account until you have your long term visa. Any games with questionable agents who try to get aroubd the rule can be a problem. Just do it the right way

22 days ago

Ricky ********

Not possible to open a Thai bank account until you have the visa.

23 days ago

Greg *********

Get an agent .they whole system is designed to get agents .creates employment for thais

23 days ago

Patrick ********

Must be Thai + 800.000 deposited for 6 months

23 days ago

Tony **********

Need to use Thai bank

24 days ago

John *********

Get a good visa agent like

@Farang ********************

and they will take care of everything for you

Tracy *********

totally agree!

Bill *********

Absolutely use an agent. Saves a lot of stress and time. I can make money but I cannot make time so anything to help make things easier is definitely worth it to me. I got the whole Visa thing worked out in under a day.

24 days ago

Peter **********

@Bill ********

In my country it’s illegal to make money. 😉

24 days ago

John *********

@Bill ********

yes sir and didn't have to wait in line at immigration

24 days ago

Andy ************

@John ********

In Bangkok you make an appointment. No need to wait in line. In and out in 45 mins. Total cost 1900 baht

23 days ago

Reply to

Andy ************

Peter **********

@John ********

They take away some of the burden of spending your money providing a service which you can easily do yourself. 😉

24 days ago

Reply to

Peter **********

Cliff *********

*****

24 days ago

Andy ************

Citibank in Thailand no longer offers retail banking. This arm of the business was sold to UOB about two years ago. Similar to HSBC they now focus on corporate and investment banking

24 days ago

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

No, it will not be acceptable. You need a Thai bank account opened in Thailand. Citibank does not offer consumer services in Thailand. Any presence they have is only for commercial purposes, not retail.

24 days ago

Chris **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

thank you. So one of these is where we’d need an account?

24 days ago

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

@Chris *********

Yes any of them should be fine. Though I've never heard of CIMB. The most common banks are going to be Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn and SCB for foreigners. They are also the only banks that can receive foreign transfer over 50,000 baht.

24 days ago

Mindy *****

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

CiMB is Malaysian and the biggest Bank in Malaysia. Here to ask if I can use CIMB Thailand UOB is Singaporean.

22 days ago

Ef ****

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

Kasikorn and TTB can receive foreign transfers over 50,000 THB.

24 days ago

Marcel *******

@Ef ***

Bangkok Bank also