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How can I open a bank account in Thailand without a permanent address for my retirement visa application?
Thailand visaNON-O visaretirement visaopening a bank accountexpat adviceTM30 formimmigration proceduresbanking regulations in Thailand
Aug 3, 2025
9 months ago
Chris **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI’ll be coming to Thailand in the 90 day visa with plans to then apply for the non-o retirement visa.
I’ll need to open a bank account and deposit the 800,000 Baht.
How do I open a bank account without a permanent Thailand address?
I’ll need to open a bank account and deposit the 800,000 Baht.
How do I open a bank account without a permanent Thailand address?
TLDR : Answer Summary
This post discusses the process of opening a bank account in Thailand for expats planning to apply for a NON-O retirement visa after arriving on a 90-day visa. Key steps include obtaining a TM30 form from your landlord after notifying them of your residence, securing a residence certificate from the immigration office, and ensuring the necessary funds are transferred within a month of arrival. The discussion also highlights the importance of applying for the NON-O visa at a Thai embassy before traveling and provides suggestions for seeking assistance from local visa agencies.
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- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Roberto *********
The "90 day visa" IS the retirement visa. When you get to Thailand, you merely extend it for 12 months having met the criteria
Steve **********
Coming in December where do I apply for the non-0 visa
Lynnette *******
@Steve *********
through the Thai embassy in your home country. It's done online. As Brandon has clearly explained.Bernard ************
@Lynnette ******
Bonjour Vous dites pays d'origine où le pays où je vis actuellement ?
Merci de votre réponse
Bonne journée
Reply to
Bernard ************
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Robert ********
@Steve *********
Online with the embassy in your country.Reply to
Robert ********
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Paul *********
Get an OX before you come
Michael ********
@Paul ********
not available everywhereGraham ******
@Paul ********
You must be an Aussie ;)Reply to
Graham ******
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Nova *********
Once you stay in Thailand need to inform the landloard to submit your residence at immigratiom (TM.30) after you move in within 24 hrs. then you will receive TM.30 from them . You can open bank account and use that address.
Frank ******
Wow great stuff I read the post it was a reasonable question and it received a reasonable response with clear instructions and also a clear confirmation from someone else that the information was correct it’s not often nowadays that this happens even amongst older people on here who I would think are mature relaxed as many of them have retired to a beautiful country and live amongst beautiful happy people but I still see ridicule and abuse and arguments but not on this occasion I’m stoked well done to all involved I’m happy for you Chris I’ll be joining you when the kids finish school see you in 8 to 10 cheers all again well done bloody champions
Robert ********
@Frank *****
Seen it happened more than once. A well formulated question gets more good answers than “I want to stay. What do I do?” 🤣
Reply to
Robert ********
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Stephen ********
If your coming to Hua Hin Chris, go to Anna’s Visa, you can look her up on Facebook and book an appointment with her, they do everything for you, Thai SIM card, retirement visa, bank account, multiple re-entry permit.
Valerie *********
@Stephen *******
Can you send me her contact information (her Line or WhatsApp number)?Hartmut ********
@Valerie ********
die Agentur benötigt genau die gleichen Unterlagen wie die Immi. Selber beantragen ist beim ersten Mal schwer, aber dann geht es leicht. Die Agentur ist viel zu teuerValerie *********
@Hartmut *******
thank you!Reply to
Valerie *********
Reply
Reply to
Stephen ********
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Taleporos ********
you love too much?
Chris **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Taleporos *******
? Sorry. I don’t understand your comment.Reply to
Chris **********
Reply
Josh *********
ChatGPT Helpful with bank options
Peter *********
Email Thai Visa centre.
Chris **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter ********
thank you!Peter *********
@Chris *********
they are excellent in just used them for my Visa.. just email and ask.Reply to
Peter *********
Reply
Brandon ************
You need to apply for the 90 day non-O visa from your Thai embassy before you travel. This IS the retirement visa and it's the only time you'll have a visa, after that you'll just be applying for extensions. You would get a TM30 from wherever you're staying and then get a residence certificate from your immigration office. You would then use this to open a bank account. You have to get all of this done and your money transferred within a month of arriving.
Robert ********
@Brandon ***********
Yes. Mine is … don’t know … I got it about 2015. Then you get a yearly extension at your immigration. Costs 1900 and needs a few papers plus some time to wait in line (max 30 minutes in Buriram, but I’ve heard about many hours in Bangkok).Abey *********
@Brandon ***********
Where is the immigration office in Pattaya ?Ben *******
@Abey ********
Soi 5 Jomtien BeachAbey *********
@Ben ******
Thank youBen *******
@Abey ********
.. WelcomeReply to
Ben *******
Reply
Jim *******
@Brandon ***********
Has anyone had trouble trying to withdraw their money from a Thai bank? This is my biggest fear about getting a visa in Thailand.Brandon ************
@Jim ******
why would they have trouble? It's their money. Bangkok Bank will freeze your money for 4 months if it hasn't been in your account for 4 months, but they don't do that in future years if you keep your account balance at that levelReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Rini *********
@Brandon ***********
do you need the 800.000 bath on a thai bank or is it also possible to have it in your home country? Thank you 🙏Jan ******************
@Rini ********
You can apply at home for the initial visa with your own bank, but for the extension in Thailand it has to be in a Thai bank account.Rini *********
@Jan *****************
Thank youReply to
Rini *********
Reply
Exit **********
@Brandon ***********
The non-O visa nowadays is for 90 days only? Are you sure? Some years ago we could apply for the 1 year non-O retirement visa at the embassy in our home-country. We had to do a face check every 90 days at local immigration. Is that not available anymore?Brandon ************
@Exit *********
There's a 1 year non-OA visa. But that one has requirements like background check, health check, and mandatory insurance forever.Robert ********
@Brandon ***********
Correct. Many don’t look at the slight differences in names like O vs OA. Just as many talk about their “retirement visa” after years of extension. 😉
Exit **********
@Robert *******
so the 90 days visa non-O can be extended without limit?Reply to
Exit **********
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Ben *******
@Brandon ***********
... Get an agent to do it all for you. So much easier. I had a room in a hotel long term for about five months before I got my condo. The beauty of that is, it gives you time to settle in. No bills. No up front deposits. Room cleaned everyday but that will depend on the hotel if you are getting it cheap for a longer period. You can get a TM30 still because that's how I purchased my bike. If you are staying in Pattaya I highly recommend One Stop Visa in Soi 6.Ando **********
@Ben ******
how much it cost for non O visa and Bank account etc. if I have the 800kBen *******
@Ando *********
... Best to just go into an agent because the costs vary from agent to agent. Most provide an excellent service. I got my bank account, visa and both Thai driving licences. I can't disclose how much I paid because it might have gone up now. But if you're in Pattaya I highly recommend One Stop Visa at the bottom of Soi 6 near beach road.Reply to
Ben *******
Reply
Brandon ************
@Ben ******
you can do all if yourself from your hotel roomBen *******
@Brandon ***********
... You can try. But I highly recommend an agent. They know all the contacts and any rule changes. I have not even been to immigration in over six months. The agent does my 90 day. Just give them my passport and pick it up the next day. Just takes all the stress out of all the officialdom allowing you to settle in peace.Max *************
@Ben ******
Imo,it seems you're incapable of doing anything yourself. Did your mother clean your apartment back home and cook for you? 🤔Ben *******
@Max ************
... I am quite capable of doing anything and everything. I just choose to do it my way. You do it how you want. Really don't see why you need to bring my mother into the argument but am sure yours still wipes your ass for you. Everyone to their own, I guess. Have a lovely day.Robert ********
@Ben ******
I just did my 90 days online. Costs me nothing ;)Ben *******
@Robert *******
Awesome. I've still yet to try it online.Robert ********
@Ben ******
Works well and easy. You may need to give a call to your immigration. Mine isn’t looking into it every day, so I need to tell them to do their job 😉
And: the first time after entering the country must be done by an officer (don’t know why, it is what it is).
Here’s the link
*******************************************
Reply to
Robert ********
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Coretta **********
@Brandon ***********
great infoChris **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thank you!Jan ******************
This is in fact all you can do, but be prepared to visit several branches. I was denied in three branches with a Non O and a residence certificate before I was allowed in the fourth. The others demanded also a house book or a work permit or the first year extension of stay done as well.
Sharon ***********
Jay *******
@Chris *********
just went through the process and Brandon's explanation is exactly correct. Not overly difficult. For much less hassle you can use an agent to push the paperwork.Reply to
Jay *******
Reply
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