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How can I open a bank account in Thailand for property purchase if I don't meet the visa requirements?
Thai VisaBank AccountProperty PurchaseMarriage VisaVisa ExemptionNon-Immigrant VisaExpat AdvicePattaya BanksThai Marriage RegistrationRE Finance
Jan 13, 2025
a year ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERI'm a bit stuck with wonder if anyone can help with some advice.
My plan is to purchase property with my wife, so I need a bank account. She will purchase in her name, and offer a lease with a loan to give me some security. I'm chatting with Pattaya agencies to assist with getting a bank account. I've been told I can't get a bank account on a visa exemption because I'm under 50. So - I need a visa first, yet visas often seem to need a bank account!
My circumstances:
-British Citizen, under 50.
-Married to my Thai wife 13 years, dual nationality.
-We live in the UK
-She changed her name to English name on both passports + Thai ID
-But- we don't have a marriage certificate in Thailand
-Child born in England, dual nationality with full passport+Thai ID
-Only on visa exemption
Problem is - I don't think any of the visa categories work.
-Marriage visa - requires money in a Thai bank account, and a house book entry
-Retirement visa - not old enough
-None of the work visas make sense, I'm not working.
My plan is to purchase property with my wife, so I need a bank account. She will purchase in her name, and offer a lease with a loan to give me some security. I'm chatting with Pattaya agencies to assist with getting a bank account. I've been told I can't get a bank account on a visa exemption because I'm under 50. So - I need a visa first, yet visas often seem to need a bank account!
My circumstances:
-British Citizen, under 50.
-Married to my Thai wife 13 years, dual nationality.
-We live in the UK
-She changed her name to English name on both passports + Thai ID
-But- we don't have a marriage certificate in Thailand
-Child born in England, dual nationality with full passport+Thai ID
-Only on visa exemption
Problem is - I don't think any of the visa categories work.
-Marriage visa - requires money in a Thai bank account, and a house book entry
-Retirement visa - not old enough
-None of the work visas make sense, I'm not working.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster, a British citizen under 50, seeks advice on opening a bank account to facilitate purchasing property in Thailand with his Thai wife. Complications arise due to his visa exemption status, preventing him from opening an account, while various visa categories require a bank account or other stipulations he does not meet (such as the marriage visa needing a Thai marriage certificate and funds in a Thai bank account). Comments suggest alternatives such as utilizing agents in Pattaya to navigate the process, exploring the non-O family visa for residence, and properly registering the UK marriage certificate in Thailand to resolve documentation issues.
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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Lee ********
Firstly are you getting a Thai mortgage ?
As the house will be in your wife's name 51% then the mortgage will be paid through her bank account normally , we'll that's my experience .
Try Kasinkorn Kbank and go with your wife , I tried Bangkok and few others and they always want a long term visa .
The marriage visa seems the best path for getting more from Thailand but the 400,000 baht or £10,000 is a lot of change . You can withdraw after but needs to stay in the bank for over 2 months .
You can get your marriage registered at the local Ampor office/municipal area office . Take your UK marriage certificate plus your wife will have to show the name change possibly too .
Plus might need other documents.
As the house will be in your wife's name 51% then the mortgage will be paid through her bank account normally , we'll that's my experience .
Try Kasinkorn Kbank and go with your wife , I tried Bangkok and few others and they always want a long term visa .
The marriage visa seems the best path for getting more from Thailand but the 400,000 baht or £10,000 is a lot of change . You can withdraw after but needs to stay in the bank for over 2 months .
You can get your marriage registered at the local Ampor office/municipal area office . Take your UK marriage certificate plus your wife will have to show the name change possibly too .
Plus might need other documents.
Mounir *****************
Use the non-o family visa to take care of your child. The first 90 days you can get from the UK. Once in Thailand get a residence certificate from immigration and use it to open a bank account. Then you can extend for a year. Do this three times and you can get a PR.
If the child is not going with you. Marriage visa also works. Similar process.
If the child is not going with you. Marriage visa also works. Similar process.
Biff *******
You take the uk marriage certificate and register it in thailand. They then provide you with what’s called a Kor Ror 22 คร..22 (get your wife to search for that term)
That is the Thai version of your foreign marriage certificate.
Here’s a video she can watch so she understands how to do it
That is the Thai version of your foreign marriage certificate.
Here’s a video she can watch so she understands how to do it
************************************************
Wesley ********
Obviously the marriage visa is the correct way to go. But you can also get a bank account without, just gotta find the right bank/agent
Achanster ******
Your agent is wrong or not good. You don't need a visa to have a bank account, that's the whole point of using an agent
Lee ***********
@Achanster *****
maybe an agent being honestAchanster ******
@Lee **********
no I got one without a visaLee ***********
@Achanster *****
yes an agent can do it, but strictly speaking you can't get one on a tourist visa, so perhaps the agent was honest. I'm sure they could and for you they haveReply to
Lee ***********
Reply
Wannikea *********
Contact Tik Tok Services Thailand agent in Pattaya that can do everything and anything
Helen ********
Just a thought... maybe consider the DTV? Since you are already posting in the group a quick search to see what category you qualify for might be a good start. You'll probably still need an agent to help set up the bank account though.
Barry ******
Better to purchase of under your name and then you will be able to open a bank account as its a requirement to do so
Luit *****************
@Barry *****
A house on land, not a condo, can not be completely on the name of a non Thai.Theoretically as a foreigner you can own the house, but not the land, making it a bit complicated with an existing house.
When the Thai wife buys land, and give usufruct to the non Thai husband for 30 years, he can build a house on it on his name.
The usufruct is also in other cases the best way to give some certainty to the non Thai partner.
Ian **********
@Luit ****************
You are correct. You can also purchase house and land in wife's name and have a usufruct attached that gives you the right to reside in the property until you decide to leave or pass away.Luit *****************
@Ian *********
I know, depending on where in Thailand it can be a bit difficult to convince Land Office.Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Catherine ********
She can’t open a bank account?
Jef ********
One stop visa service Pattaya can do it , just need to by the insurance.
I’ve linked the video , skip to 9:00 mins in
I’ve linked the video , skip to 9:00 mins in
************************************************
Raven ******
@Jef *******
what is the name of this guys service please pal? 🙏Jef ********
@Raven *****
no problem good luck with it allJef ********
@Raven *****
you can find them on facebookJef ********
@Raven *****
One stop visa & driving license serviceRaven ******
@Jef *******
thankyou mate 👍Reply to
Raven ******
Reply
Will ************
Send money from your UK bank to her Thai bank via either Wise or Currency Club. Both will offer similar rates. You will have to submit copy of your passport to currency club to register for Anti Money Laundering.
Reply to
Will ************
Reply
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