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How can I successfully open a bank account in Thailand with a Non O Retirement Visa?
Non-O Retirement VisaBank Account RequirementsResidency CertificateTM30 FormImmigration ProcessExpat Advice
Sep 6, 2025
8 months ago
Mark ****
ORIGINAL POSTERSo here's my situation regarding my Non O Retirement visa: I arrived a few days ago to Bangkok on my 90 day Non O.
I tried going to several banks to open up a bank account, the language barrier was a factor but I dealt with it the best I could. Bangkok Bank and UOB said they don't do this anymore and Krungsri said I need some form from Immigration. Kasikorn said they needed a rental agreement but that my TM30 form for the Airbnb I'm currently staying for a month wasn't good enough and that I need an actual rental agreement.
From what I read here, reddit, etc, I thought I'd be able to open up the bank account first and then find a permanent place once I had that done. So now I need to find a condo and sign a year lease in order to open the bank account and then after the two month waiting period apply for the one year extension. What scares me is that when I sign the lease for whatever reason if I'm unable to open the bank account I'll be in this weird limbo of having signed the lease but not being able to stay and having to do the whole process over again or be forced to do visa runs for a year.
Anyone else in a similar situation or have any advice? Thanks!
EDIT: I'm also considering trying to get a "Residence Certificate" (which is what I think Krungthai was asking for when they said they needed an "Immigration Form") at Chaeng Wattana Immigration (Government Complex, Building B, Floor 2, Section 2) on Monday and if I get this then trying the banks again.
I tried going to several banks to open up a bank account, the language barrier was a factor but I dealt with it the best I could. Bangkok Bank and UOB said they don't do this anymore and Krungsri said I need some form from Immigration. Kasikorn said they needed a rental agreement but that my TM30 form for the Airbnb I'm currently staying for a month wasn't good enough and that I need an actual rental agreement.
From what I read here, reddit, etc, I thought I'd be able to open up the bank account first and then find a permanent place once I had that done. So now I need to find a condo and sign a year lease in order to open the bank account and then after the two month waiting period apply for the one year extension. What scares me is that when I sign the lease for whatever reason if I'm unable to open the bank account I'll be in this weird limbo of having signed the lease but not being able to stay and having to do the whole process over again or be forced to do visa runs for a year.
Anyone else in a similar situation or have any advice? Thanks!
EDIT: I'm also considering trying to get a "Residence Certificate" (which is what I think Krungthai was asking for when they said they needed an "Immigration Form") at Chaeng Wattana Immigration (Government Complex, Building B, Floor 2, Section 2) on Monday and if I get this then trying the banks again.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is facing challenges opening a bank account in Thailand with their Non-O Retirement visa due to varying requirements from different banks. They learned that some banks require a rental agreement rather than a TM30 form for their Airbnb stay and expressed concerns about signing a lease without being able to open a bank account, which could complicate their visa status. Comments suggest options like obtaining a Residence Certificate from immigration prior to visiting banks again, considering different bank branches, or hiring an agent for assistance.
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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John **********
Get a residence certificate from immigration before approaching the bank
Lim ***********
In Udon Thani, we need to furnish a condo rental agreement in order to get a certificate of residency for opening bank account, buy car etc.
Jay *******
Like has been stated, every branch at every bank can have different requirements. My suggestion and some won't like it, but hire an agent and go to kasikorn. You will probably need a certificate of residence from immigration
Kim **********
Agent required my signed lease in hand. We aren’t moving in til Tuesday but I had to go sign early and get a copy. But then it took only 20 min of signing papers and I was good to go
Graham ******
What you need is a residence certificate from immigration, as you have a TM30 it is simple to get
Dick ********
@Graham *****
this….Reply to
Dick ********
Reply
Lynnette *******
Or maybe an agent can help you get it opened and use your own money to deposit the amount required.
Lynnette *******
Perhaps a 6 month agreement "in principle"?
Dirk **************
Try the bank account first. Again, the requirements vary from bank to bank. A few years ago when I opened my account, I had two different branches of SCB tell me two completely different things. One was not even willing to accept the Non-O Visa as they wanted specifically a “marriage” or “retirement” visa (which does not even exist). It is a lot of legwork but good luck!
Sue **********
@Dirk *************
The non-immigrant O 90 days retirement visa exists by the wayDirk **************
It is a "Non-O visa", which is based on retirement, marriage but there is per se no "retirement visa" as well as there is no "marriage visa." My point was that the bank did not accept my non-O visa as they mistakenly believed that it should say "retirement visa" on the form from immigration I presented.
Reply to
Dirk **************
Reply
Stuart *********
Each bank branch manager sets their own rules, so the fact one branch said they “don’t do this anymore” doesn’t mean another branch will. BB has its own issues at the moment so maybe best to avoid them anyway.
Doug *************
@Stuart ********
💯 my account blocked two weeks and countingStuart *********
@Doug ************
As have many others. Nothing to do with options for opening an account.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
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