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How can a foreigner open a Thai bank account before receiving the O-X Long Stay Visa?

O-X Long Stay Visa Thai bank account financial requirements retirement visa expat banking visa requirements Thailand Thailand immigration Long Stay Visa process

Jul 10, 2025

4 days ago

Yaoyu ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

The financial requirement for the O-X Long Stay (retirement, 10-year) Visa is 3 million baht opened with a Thai bank in Thailand.

I cannot help wondering........

How may a foreigner open an account with a Thai bank in Thailand before receiving the O-X Long Stay Visa ??  🤔

( other than Australian citizens, how may a foreigner open an account with a Thai bank in Thailand before receiving the O-X Long Stay Visa ??  🤔 )

Thank you !  🫡🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The financial requirement for the O-X Long Stay Visa in Thailand is 3 million baht, which must be deposited in a Thai bank. However, many expats are concerned about how to open a Thai bank account prior to receiving this visa. Comments suggest that this visa might be less commonly used now, especially among non-Australians. Some have indicated that Australian citizens may have special arrangements with their consulate, while others discuss alternative visa options like the Elite visa and its benefits. Overall, there seems to be uncertainty and mixed experiences regarding the O-X visa and banking requirements.

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.

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Ian ********

I decided to get a 5 year bronze Elite visa.

The benefits open many doors.

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Jim *******

That Elite visa, does have some advantages if you want to go that way. In essence, it is like 8,000 THB a month rent for the right to breath Thai air. All else is your cost.

I know of Japanese Execs, getting it from their employers. Many of Japanese in Chiang Mai (Japanese like that place) are on that visa. As an extra perk.

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Ian ********

Am aware it's not cheap @ 650k baht ( more like 10k for 60 months ) however application is simple, is no upfront deposit held requirements and is my call on health insurance.

Other upsides are that I am only charged if the visa is approved, and I get to pay for after approval

At met at Swampy immigration by a special elite department officer and given

Letters of introduction to bank and for drivers and riders licences.

Is a no fuss strategy, for me anyways.

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Ian ********

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Helen *******

How to apply for thus visa thanks

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Ian ********

Google Thai elite visa

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Todd *********

make sure you don’t qualify for LTR before looking at Elite. LTR far superior

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Ian ********

And more prohibitive to get.

Have retired and do not have a high enough residual income stream to qualify.

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Todd *********

yes, the income requirement is high. 220,000 baht per month basically. One can live quite well in Thailand on that.

The visa itself is dirt cheap. The cheapest multi entry visa except DTV but without the hassles and no taxes

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Todd *********

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Henry *********

Are you sure? I thought it had to be a bank in your home country for O-X and O-A visas?

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เดแคลน ***********

@Henry ********

nope, the Thai Australian Embassies were the only embassies that allowed it to be in a bank outside of Thailand, Thai embassy in Sydney is the only embassy that allows it now

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Henry *********

Ah OK. It's the O-A visa where you only need to show the money in your home country bank for the initial application. The O-X is different.

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Henry *********

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Tony *********

The consulate in Sydney allows the money to be in your Australian account.

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

None. This visa is not used. The only people who used to use it were Australians because their embassy accepted showing money in an Australian bank account but now everyone is on evisa so this visa is basically dead.

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Yaoyu ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

But other than Australian citizens, how may a foreigner open an account with a Thai bank in Thailand before receiving the O-X Long Stay Visa ?? 🤔

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Graham ******

@Yaoyu **********

I doubt if anyone ever did g for the Non-OX

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Graham ******

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

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

Sydney Consulate still allows it

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

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