Answereda year ago

How can I open a Thai bank account to apply for a Retirement visa without a long-stay visa?

Retirement Visa Thai Bank Account Visa Exemption Non-O Visa Thailand Immigration Bank Account Requirements

Bigd **********

asked May 29, 2025

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Question on applying for Retirement visa in Thailand.  Q: on the requirement for $800 k THB in a Thai bank for 2 months prior to visa application, how does one open a Thai bank account without a visa? I'd be there on visa exemption status. TIA

Answer summary

The inquiry revolves around the requirement to have 800,000 THB deposited in a Thai bank for at least two months before applying for a Retirement visa. A participant mentions the need for a Non-O visa, which can be obtained in the home country, to open a bank account in Thailand. However, if one is already in Thailand on a visa exemption, they may need to use a visa agent to facilitate the process, as opening an account without a long-stay visa is increasingly difficult. Comments also discuss the option of bringing money in GBP for the initial deposit and the requirements for transferring funds into the account.

12 repliesnewest first

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John **********

Make life easy for yourself. Apply for the 90 day Non-O visa before coming to Thailand. You can then open a bank account easily and deposit the funds for the 12 month extension of stay

a year ago

Mick *****

@John *********

can you bring the equivalent money in GBP, or do you have to do a bank transfer?

a year ago

John **********

@Mick ****

For the initial 90 day Non-O inside Thailand most immigration offices want to see an international transfer so bank transfer. For an extension it isn't a requirement but for that amount of money you need to declare it on entry

a year ago

Mick *****

@John *********

thanks

a year ago

Frank **********

Dude you need your own group as your history of asking basic questions is as long as my arm. Lolol or 5555

a year ago

Jeremy ********

You can open with an agent

But since this week agent opened accts have come under scrutiny by the Thai govt

Good luck

a year ago

Lynnette *******

You get a non O before arriving. Open account. Deposit money. Apply for 12 month extension.

a year ago

Wayne ********

The most frequently asked question on Thailand Visa Advice. If you read all the questions & answers you can become quite knowledgeable without asking any questions. Try it, you might surprise yourself 🇹🇭

a year ago

Bigd **********

@Wayne *******

oi!

a year ago

Jan ******************

You don’t have to have any funds seasoned(x) for the 90 days Non O in country unless you apply at Jomtien immigration. But it’s (almost 100%) impossible to open a bank account without a long stay visa now unless you use an agent to do the whole visa process for you and still are able to open an account as a part of the total package.

(x)Extension of stay requires two months seasoning for the application.

a year ago

Ray ********

You will have to apply for a 3 months Non O visa in your home country prior to coming to Thailand. Use that to open a bank account. But if you're already in Thailand without it you will have to use the services of a visa agent

a year ago