Do I need a Thai bank account with THB 500,000 to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV)?

Oct 9, 2024
3 months ago
Trev *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi there. I'm just trying to understand the bank account situation before applying for the DTV.

Its my understanding that I need to have THB 500,000 siting untouched in a Thai bank account for period of time before I can apply for the DTV.

My question is; how can you establish a Thai bank account if you don't already live in Thailand? Also, its my understanding that you can't obtain a permanent residential address (to open a bank account) unless you have some form of visa already allowing you to live Thailand.

Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The requirement of having THB 500,000 in a Thai bank account for the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) may be misunderstood. It has been clarified that this amount can reside in a foreign bank account as long as it's under the applicant's name. Furthermore, the suggestion to open a Thai bank account is often deemed impractical for prospective expats who are not yet residing in Thailand. To obtain a Thai bank account, one generally needs to provide proof of residency, which can be challenging without a visa. Many applicants successfully use statements from foreign banks demonstrating the required balance instead of relying on Thai banks.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Mark *********
I applied in London and they accepted a statement showing a balance on 1 day only. Other embassies may have different rules.
Trev *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you to everyone for the information. It now makes sense. Cheers.
Deepak *******
Please show me where it says Thai bank account. I have serious reservations about the quality of DTV visa holders Thailand is getting.
John *******
@Deepak ******
Try living in the UK, you don’t need a Visa.
Karl *********
Mine was Australian bank statements equivalent to 500,000b - keep in mind they could use a slightly lower exchange rate (e.g now it’s 22.5b = $1aud - they calculated at 20.5b in Taipei)
Neil ******
It doesn’t need to be in a Thai bank, mine was the equivalent gbp in my uk account and I just needed to show a statement with the balance
Samantha **********
Hi
@Trev ********
Doesn’t need to be in a Thai bank account.

Which embassy are you looking at for the DTV?
Romain ****
No one is asking for the money to be in a Thai account. Where did you read this 🤣🤣
Henrik *****
Reconsider if a Thai bankaccount is need-to-have or nice-to-have.

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 even 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?
James *******
Doesn’t have to be a Thai Bank account. Can be any foreign account with funds equating to 500k baht best have a little more incase of currency fluctuations

Needs to be a personal savings account under your name. Cannot be a Company Bank Account or crypto holdings or stocks/bonds portfolio. Straight cash in a personal savings account
James ********
@James ******
Correct ✅
Adam *********
@James ******
thank you for that explanation
James *******
As for how many months it’s mixed based on which embassy, which type of application you’re doing and the strength of your supporting documents 📑. I’ve seen some people claim they just have 1 month statements. Most embassy’s want 3-6 months
Luit *****************
@James ******
I think most embassies accept just one moment statement, only the embassies in countries near Thailand want to see more, because there are a lot of people applying there who already live in Thailand, more or less legal, so I understand the more strict checks for this group.
James *******
@Luit ****************
ahh yes smart assumption makes sense. Yeah they asked me to open my bank app haha 😆
James ********
@James ******
look at the Thai Embassy or Consulate website to find out their requirements for the DTV visa. The banking requirements may be different.
Graham *******
Welcome to Thailand. As the (broken) rules are enforced people will find life harder and harder. Many of us use agents to help with banks.
Andrew *******
@Graham ******
except these are not the rules, and the poster could have simply read the consulates application process or searched the thread and come to the conclusion that it can be a bank account anywhere in the world with any type of currency. But yes many other rules are broken 😂
Graham *******
@Andrew ******
don't be surprised when it is the rule.
Andrew *******
@Graham ******
I mean it’s clearly not the rule or anything along those lines. And also yes you cannot apply while in Thailand so would negate any possible concern for that
Josh ****
@Graham ******
impossible for DTV as you cannot apply for it inside Thailand. Quit making drama.
Graham *******
@Josh ***
Its not the rule yet. Depends on if u want a local bank account.
Josh ****
@Graham ******
and yes if you later want a Thai bank account on a DTV you likely need to use an agent. But that doesn't help him get the DTV.
Josh ****
@Graham ******
the rule for DTV is 500k baht in local currency where your bank is anywhere in the world. That is what this post is about.