Answered5 months ago
What are the challenges and solutions for extending a Non-O visa and opening a bank account in Thailand?
You live and learn, thanks to this group I gained an understanding of the various steps required to extend my 90 day Non O visa. Today I learned the steps being taken by Thais to ensure you use a visa agent.
Went to a particular bank will not name but if you like the color yellow you will be in the know. Provide required documents and was told no problems you meet our requirements for an account but sorry sir now all applications for a new bank account must go to Bangkok, is no problem you will get in about 8 or 9 weeks. Another shake done it would seem not, othered to pay to speed up but sorry cannot do. Talked about my n ed to show 800k in bank for 2 months, response was sorry sir cannot help, maybe talk to an immigration agent to help you.
I love this country and its people, used to getting played and playing the game but this really sucks.
Went to a particular bank will not name but if you like the color yellow you will be in the know. Provide required documents and was told no problems you meet our requirements for an account but sorry sir now all applications for a new bank account must go to Bangkok, is no problem you will get in about 8 or 9 weeks. Another shake done it would seem not, othered to pay to speed up but sorry cannot do. Talked about my n ed to show 800k in bank for 2 months, response was sorry sir cannot help, maybe talk to an immigration agent to help you.
I love this country and its people, used to getting played and playing the game but this really sucks.
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around the difficulties faced by a member trying to extend their Non-O visa and open a Thai bank account. The user expresses frustration with the requirement to use a visa agent and the slow process involved, including a long waiting period for a new bank account application. Comments suggest various banks, experiences with immigration, and the benefits of hiring an agent versus handling it independently. There's a debate about whether using agents is essential and concerns about the banking rules related to retirees, especially in terms of online banking access for older individuals.
37 repliesnewest first
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John *********
There are no “steps being taken by Thais to ensure you use a visa agent”. There is no conspiracy.
Matthew *********
@John ********
not so sure on that. The stack of applicants at immigration with a stack of money attached to each one including mine makes me think differently. But for me I prefer the agent route. If you got money it's worth the no hassle and speed processing. I was sold on the idea first year 555พี่ *****
My friend is foreigner, he have 4-5 different thai accounts. No problem 😊
พี่ *****
Agent can't help you
Anthony ***********
OPWhy is that?
พี่ *****
Anthony Beresford they seeing you as a ATM.
Just go to the nearest immigration office and ask what you can do for change visa type.
You may also request paper STM11.
Anything else, you able to ask chatgpt also
Just go to the nearest immigration office and ask what you can do for change visa type.
You may also request paper STM11.
Anything else, you able to ask chatgpt also
Colin ***********
Went to SCB recommend by a friend zip zero nada two banks down the street K Bank welcome to join 👌
Yo***
What did you learn from this non sense? You are not retired??? What is to learn from this non sense and this unpleasant experience with thai banks? Yes we are living and learning new too, but we are retired, so this means, we learned enough from unpleasant experiences before many times. Why even after retirement, learn that kinds shits again? Rather enjoy our rest of life in peace. We learn Thai cultures, language, Thai people and their life and nature. No reason to learn new stress again. Life is really short🤣
Mark ********
Go to another branch. Go to another bank. Keep going until one welcomes you.
Mark ********
AND smile, don't go in with an attitude, plus make sure you have shaved and are wearing nice clothes.
Sturgess ********
You did not indicate if your extension was related to a retirement visa. If so, be aware that the yellow bank does not allow customers 70 and over to use on-line banking. A visa agent I know told me it’s because they have an antiquated computer system that is not doing facial recognition effectively, especially if the subject is older. Just an FYI.
Ann **********
Sturgess Spanos I'm early-70s and they let me use the on-line banking. I've been with the same branch for 9 years though.
Steve *******
K-Bank and take a Thai person with you.
Darren ******
Steve Mills I agree with this 100%.My experience was easy im sure due to my Thai girlfriend being with me.They were cracking jokes together in Thai at the window.
Vincent ******
They want you to use agents so they get a kick back
Michael ********
Vincent Vega Not always. They also like to receive an application from (a long established) agency because they know it will have been properly prepared
Vincent ******
Michael Durkin yeah right
Yo***
if you have money, hire an agent. then, you can have a Thai bank account within days. Or if you have no money, try all branches in your place. One of hundreds of branches can open an account for you. Just good luck to you.
Brigstocke ********
After you spend a reasonable amount of time here, you realise that the system wants you to use agents, because it provides employment for local people.
This is particularly true for immigration matters. It might surprise some of you, but using an agent doesn’t have to cost you more money overall.
Let me explain using the retirement visa, where you need to keep THB 800,000 (800K) in your Thai bank account (or show proof of THB 65K income per month) if you personally extend your visa each year.
If you use the right type of agent, they will cover that, and you can keep the THB 800K outside of Thailand, and invested.
If you invest well, you can earn 5% on that amount, without too much trouble. That’s income of THB 40K per year.
The agent’s fee to extend your visa each year (plus a multiple re-entry visa) should cost you no more than THB 20K per year.
This is particularly true for immigration matters. It might surprise some of you, but using an agent doesn’t have to cost you more money overall.
Let me explain using the retirement visa, where you need to keep THB 800,000 (800K) in your Thai bank account (or show proof of THB 65K income per month) if you personally extend your visa each year.
If you use the right type of agent, they will cover that, and you can keep the THB 800K outside of Thailand, and invested.
If you invest well, you can earn 5% on that amount, without too much trouble. That’s income of THB 40K per year.
The agent’s fee to extend your visa each year (plus a multiple re-entry visa) should cost you no more than THB 20K per year.
Rok ********
Brigstocke Lexden completely illegal not to properly season 800 k for 2 months before extension in your own account, keep 800k 3 months after extension and not less than 400k for the rest of the year followed by 2 months 800k before next extension or producing record of 65,000 deposit for each of the previous 12 months. It has been also fine to buy a house through a nominee or a company until it was no longer ok but has been illegal throughout.
Giraffe *********
Brigstocke Lexden The replies to your information are dumb arses have no idea of the Thai system
Graeme *******
Brigstocke Lexden what bank offers 5%, according to Bank Of Thailand as of 13 May 2026 no bank offers that
Brook ********
Graeme Drake he said leave the money invested at home. Not put the money in a Thai bank.
The US stock market returns an average well over 7%.
The US stock market returns an average well over 7%.
Robert *******
No need to use any agent I did mine by myself and even and the Bangkok Bank
Jim *********
Robert Alofs I’ve been doing my own retirement visa and have had two Bangkok Bank accounts for twenty years now. I did all of the paperwork for my wife to get a US permanent residence Green Card 13 years ago as well and the paperwork for years for our Thai dog to fly with us every year. You have to provide the information anyway and I have computers, color and laser printer/ scanner and copier at my houses. A bit time consuming but not difficult.
Steven ***************
Jim McGowan I also have been doing My own extensions at My local immigration office for several years. Its not difficult. As for banks only got told no once a long time ago at SCB walked across the street to K bank and opened 2 accounts in about an hour. Now why I'm replying to Your comment is I could use any information You can provide on taking My small dog to the USA for several months while We adjust the status of My wife's visa to a green card. I know all the requirements and am wondering if there is some sort of packaged plan. Also our 1st port of entry is not our final destination, will We have to make arrangements to stay in Los Angeles before We can go on to Sacramento? Appreciate any insight.
Mike ************
Brigstocke Lexden extensions are 20,000, the initial visa and extension are over 3 time that now
Vincent ******
Brigstocke Lexden but it's illegal and you take the risk of getting kicked out and Blacklisted
Yo***
Vincent Vega yes but not only illegality but also legality can kick you out and blacklisted. Remember that your extension of stay permit is temporary! not guaranteed for long term you may expect. If you understand clearly what means temporary, you can understand what I say. Good luck to you.
Ally ************
Try K-Bank.. should get some joy 😁
Marianne ********
Kasikorn seems more foreigner friendly overall anyway.
Try them.
Try them.
Dca *****
Did you already get a Residence Certificate from your local Thai Immigration Office??
Anthony ***********
OPDca Dca yes had all, I was polite but realised it’s just not worth the effort. Using an agent is not that costly, just simple pay them to do the first extension and 90 day report and take over from there.
Robert *******
Not use the agent money to open your account as then you are stuck with them as they will not leave the money in the account.
Stephen ********
Anthony Beresford Not that easy. Once you're on the scam agent merry go round, you can't get off!
Steve *******
Try multiple banks and branches and let us know what you find.
John **********
Just go to a different branch or a different bank
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