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How can I open a Thai bank account to qualify for a Non-O visa while only having a visa-exempt status?
Non-O VisaBank Account RequirementsThailand ImmigrationExpatriate Living in ThailandVisa Rules and Regulations
Sep 5, 2023
3 years ago
Cole *****
ORIGINAL POSTERHi all, I’m currently in Chiang Rai as a tourist on visa exempt and I want to get the non-o visa based of retirement.
I went to the local immigration office to enquire more and I fulfil all the requirements except for having a thai bank account with 800k baht in it (I have the 800k in my home country ready).
I then went to every single bank here to try and open an account but was told I needed either a non-o, non-b etc. and I couldn’t open one as a tourist.
May I know what can I do in this situation whereby I need the bank account to get the non-o, yet I need the non-o to get the bank account? How am I suppose to be able to do either when I can’t do 1 without the other?
Cheers and much thanks in advance.
I went to the local immigration office to enquire more and I fulfil all the requirements except for having a thai bank account with 800k baht in it (I have the 800k in my home country ready).
I then went to every single bank here to try and open an account but was told I needed either a non-o, non-b etc. and I couldn’t open one as a tourist.
May I know what can I do in this situation whereby I need the bank account to get the non-o, yet I need the non-o to get the bank account? How am I suppose to be able to do either when I can’t do 1 without the other?
Cheers and much thanks in advance.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is in a dilemma trying to obtain a Non-O visa based on retirement while only holding a tourist visa in Chiang Rai. They have the required funds in their home country but cannot open a Thai bank account needed for the visa due to restrictions on their current visa status. Responses suggest various solutions: getting a residence certificate, hiring an agent to assist with opening a bank account, or returning to their home country to apply for the Non-O visa before concluding their banking needs in Thailand.
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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Dimitris ************
I was in the same situation as you. Use an agent and pay 4-5,000 fee to open one in minutes. The best investment ever. No matter how many banks you will try it will be waste of time and energy
Nick ************
Try the same branches again. I went back to a branch of Bangkok Bank 4 times before I got an account. Get the non o yourself if you possibly can.
Luc ************
Get an agent.
Jake *****
Back to 5 yrs ago, when I applied for Non-O, I was so lucky. I visited Krungsri Bank in the government complex in Bangkok, I explained my situation such as opening a bank account for a non-O visa, and they accepted it without complications and I was able to open an account. It seems to be a case-by-case
Brook ********
How many banks did you try?
What areas did you try?
How were you dressed?
What was the amount of your initial deposit?
What areas did you try?
How were you dressed?
What was the amount of your initial deposit?
John **********
Also you could try banks a little further afield
Dan ********
The easiest and most efficient option is to pay an agent to do it for you.
Steve *******
Use an agent to open a bank account or return to your home Country for the Non Imm O.
Brandon ************
1) find out if you can get a residence certificate from immigration in Chiang Rai as a tourist. If yes, ask the banks if having a residence certificate will help you open an account.
2) find an agent to help you open an account.
3) return home, apply for the non-O visa before returning to Thailand and then open your account and start planning for your 1 year extension.
2) find an agent to help you open an account.
3) return home, apply for the non-O visa before returning to Thailand and then open your account and start planning for your 1 year extension.
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Brandon ************
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