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Is a 30-day Visa on Arrival enough to open a bank account and sign a rental contract in Thailand?
retirement visa30-day visa on arrivalNon O visabank accountrental contractexpat advicevisa typesThailand immigration
May 14, 2024
2 years ago
Tom ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi, I will be arriving in Thailand around mid August with a plan to retire there, I have lived in Thailand before and did have a retirement visa.
What I want to know is if I come on a 30 day VOA will that be sufficient enough to be able to open a Bank account with as well as rental contract etc etc, Thanks
What I want to know is if I come on a 30 day VOA will that be sufficient enough to be able to open a Bank account with as well as rental contract etc etc, Thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses whether a 30-day Visa on Arrival (VOA) is sufficient for an expat planning to retire in Thailand. Multiple comments suggest that while it may be possible to open a bank account on a 30-day visa, it is generally more challenging without applying for a longer visa, such as a 60-day tourist visa or a 90-day Non O visa. Most respondents recommend securing a Non O visa before arrival, as it facilitates bank account opening and the required proof of funds, including maintaining 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for visa extensions.
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Keerti ******
No . With a student visa it’s easier ☺️
Jermaine ******
@Keerti *****
how did you convert from tourist to student visa? What’s the process?Keerti ******
@Jermaine *****
join a school program . The school usually provide all you needReply to
Keerti ******
Reply
Joe ******
Yes I sorted out my retirement visa with a 30 day visa exemption., which is plenty enough if you planned ahead and know where you are going live.
James *********
Joe Mann When did you do that?
Lynnette *******
I've just opened bank account with 30 day exempt but extended it to give more weeks. I own a condo so that helped. I needed second ID (extra to passport)which in UK I don't have. .so used my bus pass 😆! Had to buy insurance but that wasn't too bad.
Brandon ************
@Lynnette ******
buy insurance and use agent are about the same cost at this point. But without one of these basically impossible.Jan ******************
@Brandon ***********
According to an agent I know you need to buy a one year insurance at 4900 baht if you’re from China, Russia or India anyway. Can be cancelled after one year.Lynnette *******
@Brandon ***********
what are agents in Phuket charging to open bank account for folk on 30 day visa exempt?Jan ******************
@Lynnette ******
I know an Agent in Pattaya. She charges 3500 baht for opening an account in Bangkok Bank on both tourist visa and visa exemption if you have minimum 15 days left on your current stamp. ATM card is 700 baht. No mandatory insurance unless you’re from China, Russia or India.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
Lynnette *******
@Brandon ***********
agents wanted mega bucks. So being a bit rushed, I was fine with what we eventually did. The insurance for the years useful I guess. I'm old. . It covers death. Lol.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Jan ******************
@Lynnette ******
Good to know it’s still possible. Could you please also inform us which bank and branch you managed.Lynnette *******
@Jan *****************
Bangkok bank. Cherngthalay. Phuket. Immigration is at blue tree just up the road. Coffee shop next door and shops to look in as you wait.Jan ******************
Lynnette *******
@Jan *****************
took half a day to get account. They had my condo lease but weren't happy about my 30 day exempt entry. Said only 3 weeks wasn't enough so I said I'd extend it, but doubt that meant anything.Jan ******************
@Lynnette ******
Ok, but you managed anyway unlike several others. It’s almost impossible now without a long stay visa unless you get an agent to assist you.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
Aake **********
För oss som gift oss i Sverige var dat ganska enkelt. Ambassaden översatte dokumenten, ett företag i samma byggnad som Ambassaden legaliserade dokumenten hos Thai ud och skickade med DHL till oss. Vi åkte till lokala distriktrskontoret, Amphur tillsammans med bychefen och två vittnen. Byte av efternamn, gul husbok och Thai id klart på en timma.
Henrik *****
If you come on a tourist visa, it will be more difficult to get a residens certificat, since you need to stay at least 3 month, to be entitled to get that.
Without it it will be much harder to get a bank account, which again will be close to impossibel on tourist visa.
VOA is limited to a small number of countrys, is 15 days and cost a fee.
Probably you mean visa excempt, but that will not be suitable for your purposes.
Without it it will be much harder to get a bank account, which again will be close to impossibel on tourist visa.
VOA is limited to a small number of countrys, is 15 days and cost a fee.
Probably you mean visa excempt, but that will not be suitable for your purposes.
Jan ******************
@Henrik ****
You’re right, but as I wrote agents are still able to open a bank account for you on a tourist visa and even a visa exemption. (Fee 3500 - 5000 baht). But you make everything so much easier by applying at home before you come.He’s from the UK and means visa exemption as you assumes.
Reply to
Jan ******************
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Jan ******************
@Brian *******
No need of an agent with bank account if you get a Non O visa at home before you come.Reply to
Jan ******************
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Mark *****
A agent will sort everything out for a fee, bank account, 15 month's Non O immigration visa etc...
Jan ******************
@Mark ****
No need of an agent if you apply at home before you leave. Very straightforward.Mark *****
@J**
, you apply from home it's a OA then you will have to buy insurance year after year after year to keep the OA.Apply here in Thailand for Non O then no insurance required.
Jan ******************
@Mark ****
This is not Correct! You can apply both for a 90 days Non O visa and a one year Non O-A visa at home. Non O-A can only be applied for at your home of permanent residence. There’s no mandatory health insurance required for a regular 90 days Non O applied for at home. Check the link from the Thai Embassy in London I provided for OP. ******************************************************
Mark *****
@J**
, only if you have a state pension !!!!. How many people do you know have a state pension at 50 ??Jan ******************
@Mark ****
Pension is not required. You can apply with regular income and pension if you’re past 50 years. Most people who retire in Thailand starts with a 90 days Non O and apply for extension of stay within two months. If you apply in Thailand you’ll need to bank 800K baht at date when you apply and for your second extension of stay you can switch to the income method showing proof of twelve months consecutive transactions of min 65K baht from abroad over sea into a thai bank account. For most people this is a regular pension, but passive income or period work at home is also possible.
Reply to
Jan ******************
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Simon ******
I did arrive on a 30 day but needed an agent to get things done. Can be done
Tony *********
No you need to have the 800,000 baht seasoned for 2 months in thai bank account prior to the extension
Jan ******************
@Tony ********
This is wrong! Prior to the extension you ALWAYS need the funds to be seasoned for two months. The special thing with Jomtien is they require two months seasoning also for the Initial 90 days Non O visa.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
Phil ******
@Tom *******
no the 30 day Visa Exempt isn't enough. Go get a 60 day tourist visaSteve *******
@Phil *****
Even better get the Non Imm O before arrivingPhil ******
@Steve ******
yes advise the OP not meSteve *******
@Phil *****
I did, just advising you the better option as well 👍Reply to
Steve *******
Reply
Jan ******************
I would recommend that you apply for a 90 days Non O visa at the embassy at home first. You can just use your bank at home to verify your income/funds. Then you will be able to open a bank account within a month and bank the required 800K baht to apply for your first year extension of stay in Thailand.
You might also come on a 30 days visa exemption or 60 days tourist visa and apply for a 90 days Non O in country if you get an agent to help you opening a bank account to bank the required 800K baht at date when you apply. (At Jomtien immigration they demand two months seasoning in your account before you can apply as well).
You might also come on a 30 days visa exemption or 60 days tourist visa and apply for a 90 days Non O in country if you get an agent to help you opening a bank account to bank the required 800K baht at date when you apply. (At Jomtien immigration they demand two months seasoning in your account before you can apply as well).
******************************************************
Steve **********
@Jan *****************
ah, yep !Paul ********
@Jan *****************
best answer as you don’t need insurance and police check upReply to
Paul ********
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