Answered2 years ago
What are the current requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand as a foreigner, particularly regarding residency permits?
for those who need a to open a bank account and need a residency permit based open a bank account go to sisaket this paper is free of charge
normal it cost 500thb butt there its free
normal it cost 500thb butt there its free
Answer summary
As of February 1, 2025, foreigners can no longer open bank accounts in Thailand using a tourist visa or visa exemption. They must hold a Non-Immigrant visa. In Sisaket, the certificate of residency required to open a bank account is currently free, which is different from the general fee of 500 THB in other areas. Users have shared experiences indicating it is still possible to open a bank account without a retirement or business visa, but certain banks are more flexible than others. Discussions also highlighted the issues with undergoing proper immigrant processes and how conditions might vary across different locations.
49 repliesnewest first
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Michael *******
It’s free - they charge a fee for “express” service but won’t provide a receipt so go figure I just plan around it but won’t contribute to the slush fund
Steve *******
Weird, they always used to cost 200 baht at Jomtien immigration when I used to get them in 2019. No agents, just walked in and got them myself.
Rod *********
That's Thailand for ya
Patrick **********
OPi dont care if you all believe me or not up to you ofcourse
butt why i and my mom can open a bkk bank account and it cost us nothing just your diesel and time for travel
we just come back
i just want to say to all the people who pay so damn much money for only open a bank account
it can be done for nothing
butt why i and my mom can open a bkk bank account and it cost us nothing just your diesel and time for travel
we just come back
i just want to say to all the people who pay so damn much money for only open a bank account
it can be done for nothing
Jim ********
Ok I’ll jump on a plane to Ubon, get a taxi to sisaket, get my free residency certificate, get a taxi back to the airport and fly back to Bangkok. I’d be lost without your top tier advice 👌
Gregor **********
Thank you for removing the guy who insulted me, from the group!
Lucas **********
500baht doesn't break the bank mate
Pierre ********
Thanks for this information but what is possible in Sisaket but not necessarily in others immigration areas
Todd *********
Lol. Good luck with that
Bora ********
Not enough 😂😂
William ********
Yes you can open a bank account in Thailand without a retirement or business visa, but it can be more challenging. Here are some key points to consider:
1. Tourist Visa or Visa Exemption
• Some Thai banks allow foreigners on a tourist visa or visa exemption (30-day entry) to open an account, but policies vary by bank and branch.
• Bangkok Bank is one of the most foreigner-friendly banks that may allow account opening with a tourist visa, especially in major cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
2. Required Documents
While requirements vary, you typically need:
• Passport (with valid visa or entry stamp)
• Proof of address in Thailand (hotel, condo lease, or utility bill)
• Work permit or letter from an embassy (not always required but may help)
• Initial deposit (usually around 500-1,000 THB)
3. Best Banks for Foreigners
Some banks are more flexible than others:
• Bangkok Bank – Best chance with a tourist visa.
• Kasikorn Bank – May require a long-stay visa.
• Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) – Often requires a work permit.
4. Alternative Options
• Wise (formerly TransferWise) and Revolut offer multi-currency accounts that can be used in Thailand.
• Digital banks in Thailand (e.g., SCB’s Easy App) may require a local bank account first.
1. Tourist Visa or Visa Exemption
• Some Thai banks allow foreigners on a tourist visa or visa exemption (30-day entry) to open an account, but policies vary by bank and branch.
• Bangkok Bank is one of the most foreigner-friendly banks that may allow account opening with a tourist visa, especially in major cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
2. Required Documents
While requirements vary, you typically need:
• Passport (with valid visa or entry stamp)
• Proof of address in Thailand (hotel, condo lease, or utility bill)
• Work permit or letter from an embassy (not always required but may help)
• Initial deposit (usually around 500-1,000 THB)
3. Best Banks for Foreigners
Some banks are more flexible than others:
• Bangkok Bank – Best chance with a tourist visa.
• Kasikorn Bank – May require a long-stay visa.
• Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) – Often requires a work permit.
4. Alternative Options
• Wise (formerly TransferWise) and Revolut offer multi-currency accounts that can be used in Thailand.
• Digital banks in Thailand (e.g., SCB’s Easy App) may require a local bank account first.
Kyle **********
@William *******
don’t just regurgitate chatgpt. it’s so unhelpful mannn
Dany ********
The certificate of residence is free of charge… if they charge you then its a scam. happens often 🤷♀️
Randy ******
Why even bother retire in Thailand? Pick Canada, mehico, Panama or my favorite Denmark to retire to .. All US territories
Lynnette *******
@Randy *****
fortunately they are not.Randy ******
@Lynnette ******
that’s a Taco name.Lynnette *******
@Randy *****
next time I'm somewhere with a mexican restaurant I'll order one and tell them you assured me there's a taco named Munoz.Lynnette *******
@Randy *****
nope. It's from Seville. ( You might need a map if you're a yank)Gregor **********
@Bobby ******
Now you are speculating. Now you are accusing me wrongly!What I wrote is true - at least for the moment! I didn't say that this will last forever.
A similar decrete had been in effect in 2023, it lasted for 2 months and then banks went back to the old rule, allowing agents to open bank accounts on touristic entries.
Now if you don’t believe me, why not call a few agents? At least for the moment, they will confirm what I am saying
Gregor **********
@Bobby ******
I have very good connections, if you don't believe me, just troll on and ignoreGregor **********
I would never want to retire in a place that is run by a con man and a whore 😃
Frank **********
@Gregor *********
he's married to your wife?Frank **********
@Andreas ********
my point is why did he call her a whole? Say what you want about Trump but leave his family alone.
Andreas *********
@Frank *********
the con man is married to Melania
Peter **********
@Randy *****
… which would be my primary reason not ever to retire there… 🤣Gregor **********
opening a bank account on a touristic entry is NOT POSSIBLE any more since February 1st, 2025, even for agents!
You cannot open a bank account any more on a tourist visa or on a visa-exempt entry.
THIS IS NEW since February 1st, 2025 . . . . No more Tik Tok or Mot's (!)
You are free to call and ask them, they will tell you it is not possible anymore
You cannot open a bank account any more on a tourist visa or on a visa-exempt entry.
THIS IS NEW since February 1st, 2025 . . . . No more Tik Tok or Mot's (!)
You are free to call and ask them, they will tell you it is not possible anymore
Benjamin *******
@Gregor *********
agents find anytime a way to open Bank Accounts or doing visas or what ever 😂😂😂😂Gregor **********
@Benjamin ******
What I wrote is true - at least for the moment! I didn't say that this will last forever. A similar decrete had been in effect in 2023, it lasted for 2 months and then banks went back to the old rule, allowing agents to open bank accounts on touristic entries.
Now if you don’t believe me, why not call a few agents? At least for the moment, they will confirm what I am saying
Gregor **********
@Benjamin ******
did you call an agent?Benjamin *******
@Gregor *********
ok got it impossible for the next few days 😂😂👍👍Gregor **********
starting February 1st, banks will not open an account for you any more, on a tourist visa or on a visa-exempt. You will need a Non-Imm visa class.
Gregor **********
Bobby Jones I have reported your hate speech and insults to FB and the admins
Andy ******
@Gregor *********
where did this information come from ?Gregor **********
@Andy *****
This information is from one of the largest and busiest agent services in Pattaya. . . . . it is true - at least for the moment! I didn't say that this will last forever. A similar decrete had been in effect in 2023, it lasted for 2 months and then banks went back to the old rule, allowing agents to open bank accounts on touristic entries. If you don't believe me, why do you not give Mot's or Tik Tok a call ? They will confirm what I am sayingAndy ******
@Gregor *********
yes I hope soGregor **********
@Andy *****
it might go away, like so many "new" rules. Money makes a lot of things work around any rules in ThailandAndy ******
@Gregor *********
ok thanks 🙏Patrick **********
OP@Gregor *********
🧐yesterday we was in the bkk bank in khukhan we just need this paper and copy paspoort with the e visa non-o 90day based on married with the pasfoto and my wife her house boom thats it today we go open a bank account 09:30 we in khukhan so i dont know what are you talking about all you can do from your self
Gregor **********
@Patrick *********
yes, it is possible to open a bank account on a Non-Imm visa class. That has been possible for DECADES! I never said this is not possible. It however is not possible any more on a tourist visa class . . . . the DTV for example, is a tourist visa class, so opening a bank account on a DTV is not possible. It used to be possible over an agent service, but since February 1st, 2025, even agents cannot open a bank account any more for clients that are on a touristic entry . . . .
just give Mot's or Tik Tok a call - they will tell you the same
Patrick **********
OP@Gregor *********
yes that is correct
Declan **********
@Gregor *********
, according to KTB and KBank (who I bank with), this has been the case since the beginning of last year. The only update for them this year is to make it crystal clear that the DTV is not exempt from these rules and you are not able to open an account with them on the Destination Thailand Visa.Gregor **********
@Declan *********
the DTV is a tourist visa class, so opening a bank account on a DTV is not possible. It used to be possible over an agent service, but since February 1st, 2025, even agents cannot open a bank account any more for clients that are on a touristic entry . . . .
just give Mot's or Tik Tok a call - they will tell you the same
Kyle **********
@Gregor *********
except Elite and Privilege Visas are tourist visas and you can open a bank account, so this person is wrong.Gregor **********
@Brandon ***********
I received this notice yesterday:“This has actually been the case since February 1st.
January 31st was the last day to open an account with visa-free entry or a tourist visa.
The same applies to TikTok, Mot's, etc.
As of now, opening an account is only possible if the customer has a non-immigrant visa. DTV is no longer sufficient either.
In my experience, however, this is only short-lived (there was a ban like this in 2023, which lasted around 2-3 months).
After that, the bank managers came crawling because their figures for the main branch were no longer correct. We will soon see whether this will be the case this time too.
Gregor **********
@Brandon ***********
correct, and we are just waiting on another "change" . .at the moment in Pattaya, banks are refusing agents
Brandon ************
@Gregor *********
every month it becomes "not possible" then a few days later the agents are doing it again. Also TTB bank in Bangkok was opening bank accounts directly for people with DTV just yesterday.
Brad *******
How many days did it take you to get?
Patrick **********
OP@Brad ******
just 10min just need your paspoort and tm30 he also can see the tm30in the system and they need the house book
from the owner of the land for me its from my wife 😃
he go check the document
and you need to fill in 1 document that was very easy just the normal stuff
and he make some copy,s and sign and thats it 😃normal its take 5-10 working day
because my wife have contact her niece she also married with a foreigner and he say it take some time
butt i was very very happy that it take 10min time thats why i post it on here😜
Patrick **********
OP@Brad ******
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