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What are the experiences and steps for obtaining a residence certificate and applying for a retirement extension in Thailand?

NON-O Visa Retirement Visa Residency Certificate Bank Account Opening Immigration Process Expat Experiences Thailand Visa Rules TM30 Form

Jul 27, 2025

7 days ago

Shamir *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello everyone! 

My dad, after hiring an agent, he has just returned to Thailand from Vietnam and was stamped with a non-o visa. His plan is to do the retirement extensions every year. 

I'd love to hear about other's experiences with getting the residence certificate to sign up for a thai bank account and the process of applying for the retirement extension. Was the process easy? I'm looking for advice from people that didn't use an agent.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user shared that their father entered Thailand on a NON-O visa and plans to apply for annual retirement extensions. They seek advice on obtaining a residence certificate for opening a Thai bank account and the retirement extension process. Several comments provided insights including the necessary documentation for bank accounts, experiences of successful applications with and without agents, and tips for making the process smoother, such as being respectful at bureaucratic offices and having all required documents organized. Some users highlighted difficulties faced when not having an agent and shared their own successful processes, emphasizing patience and preparation.

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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Simon *******

I went to k bank the other day opens a bank account without any problem

6 days ago

Jingles **********

Be aware that Bangkok Bank is in the middle of some kind of policy shift/upheaval. I, and many others in the past few weeks, have tried and failed to open an account there, despite having all paperwork in order. I had success at Kasikorn. Good luck!

6 days ago

Max *************

@Jingles *********

Fyi, there's no "policy shift" whatsoever at Bangkok Bank. They're dealing with what they call "fraudulent/illegal activities" that occurred earlier this year. That's the main reason for recent problems when trying to open bank accounts.

6 days ago

Chris **********

@Max ************

I recently received a notification of change in agreement that was sent to me and I had to agree to the change in agreement as a result my account was locked out for about 1 hour before being reinstated again. The change in the agreements is definitely a policy shift this event happened about 1 week ago this was Bangkok Bank

6 days ago

Max *************

@Chris *********

There are new T&C at least a couple of times every year at Bangkok Bank. The last email (with an attached pdf) I received about it was just a few days ago. There can be minor changes and nothing really important. It doesn't mean a "policy shift". I've been with Bangkok Bank many years and I have received a shitload of new T&C. Don't forget that requirements do differ between branches and provinces. That has always been the case.

6 days ago

Chris **********

@Max ************

thank you for the clarification Max. In the 3 years I've been with them that is the first TNC notification I have received. I did go into One Bank just recently last week to inquire about opening a bank account it was a mall branch and I had my non-o Visa my lease agreement and my passport and they told me that there was a policy change at that bank and I needed a residency certificate from immigration or a Yellow House book for me or my wife. It was not a Bangkok Bank branch and I do not have a wife yet. They informed me at this branch in the mall that it was in fact a policy change and I was unable to open an account at that bank. Once again it was not Bangkok Bank. So even though there are no policy changes at Bangkok Bank I have been told in person that some banks of a different name are in fact doing policy changes. It is comforting to know the Bangkok Bank is not making policy changes.

6 days ago

Reply to

Chris **********

I recently opened a bank account on my own after one failed attempt at a mall type Branch I went to a standalone Bank the requirements were a passport indicating on Visa with one year extension. A one-year signed lease. And my passport containing the Visa and stay of extension. I was in and out in 30 minutes to 45 minutes. There was no minimum deposit required and unlimited deposit capability and limited 50,000 withdrawal limits on online use

6 days ago

Shellee ********

It’s a lot of paperwork. I was turned away a few times but had no problem when I used an agent to help.

6 days ago

Robin *******

I followed the paperwork given to me by immigration, and all went smoothly, obviously it helped my Thai wife was able to double check everything and speak to AIS, the bank etc etc

6 days ago

Jeremy ********

Learn Thai it Makes life so much easier

6 days ago

Tony **********

Go to the bank prepared. Have copies of all needed documents neatly in a folder. Residence certificate, passport pages, 1yr lease agreement, etc. Dress somewhat professionally and be respectful. Your goal is to make THEIR job as easy as possible.

6 days ago

Erik ***********

@Tony *********

Respect is the key-word here. Why do not 85% of the foreigners get it? Went to Immigr. (Chom Thien) last week, as far as I could see the only foreigner in full length trousers, shoes and ironed shirt etc. Was only for my 90 days, but with a renewed one-year lease I lined up for the information desk thinking I might need to change end-date of certificate of residency. Big moma, the one in uniform spotted me, smiled and with a nod sent one of the not uniformed assistents to go to me in the queue. He asked what I wanted, I explained. «Not necessary to change, come with me». So he walked me to the 90 day desk, handed over my papers, said something like «he is good to go», and 5 mins later I was. Good to go. All because of showing respect and not turning up at their workplace in shorts, flip-flops and a singlet barely covering an evergrowing beer gut. They would never do this in their hometown, so why here? Entitlement is my guess, with some good old-fashioned racism mixed into it?

6 days ago

Robin *******

@Tony *********

absolutely agree 100% it just makes so much sense

6 days ago

Reply to

Robin *******

Jack ********

Go to your local immigration to get a handout of the requirements for the residency certificate. Open a bank account. Transfer the 800K if on retirement route. Get a handout to the requirements. So easy a monkey could even do it.

7 days ago

Heather ******

@Paul *******

7 days ago

Nongnuch ********

Fact is, you can get a Thai bank account opened on ANY Non-Imm visaclass

However, what we get reported is, most bank staff have no idea what to do if the applicant is a foreigner. They will dream up random requirements so they avoid to tell you they don’t know. It’s all about “face saving”

That’s why I suggest before you try that by yourself endlessly without getting any results, let an agent help you.

Moving to a more touristic area also helps -so you should plan to set up residence in Pattaya for a few days

It should cost around 5000 THB to get a bank account opened by an agent, at least that's the price in Pattaya. And they will guarantee the success.

The most basic requirements from banks are:

*** a printed-out Non-Imm-O Visa Type or the Extension of the Stay permit out of it

*** a Thai mobile phone number with a SIM-card registered in the name of the account applicant (receipt from the phone shop)

*** a certificate of residence from Immigration which you can pick up if you are properly registered per TM30 in your accommodation

What you DON’T NEED but maybe can get asked for:

***a yellow housebook

*** a marriage certificate

*** the birth certificate of your grandmother and a few specimen of her ankle hair

*** your drivers licence

*** a health insurance

What you CAN’T DO:

*** there is no bank account opening possible for people on touristic visa (DTV included) or visa-exempt entries

Good Luck, go ahead, book an agent service, and by the evening you will have a Thai bank account

The following experience was posted a while ago and it confirms exactly what I wrote above!

“Kalasim immigration

Arrived in Thailand 5 days ago, under a Non O visa.

I’m from the UK.

Public holiday in Thailand, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Immigration reopened today Monday morning. I needed a TM30, and Certificate of Residency so I could open a bank account.

I got there at 8.50am, 10 minutes before it opened as I knew it would be busy. I live with my Thai girlfriend in our (hers) house, so difficult to do the TM30 online as not a business or hotel.

She came with me, I was one of the first in the queue all sorted in 20 minutes. The cost was 500 baht. Left with the TM30 stapled to my passport and my certificate of Residency in an envelope.

Could not have been easier, and lovely people.

I then went to get a new SIM card from the AIS shop, then opened a bank account with Kasikorn Bank.

All sorted in 4 hours 😀

Documents required:

***TM30 & Certificate of Residency.

***Passport

***E visa printed copy

***Passport size photo

***My girlfriend’s ID card.

***My girlfriend’s house book.

***Cost 500 baht.

***New sim for my phone.

(I have my own phone number as an e-sim)

Passport only.

Cost, SIM card 100 baht, and 300 Baht a month for a good data plan.

Opening a bank account (Kasikorn Bank):

Passport

Certificate of Residency

Phone with new Sim (so they can upload the app and open the account)

Usual bank questions, home address in UK, what you salary was, new phone number, ect.

Cost was 300 baht. (but I gave 3000 baht cash to put in)

The whole process took 4 hours.

I know I was probably lucky with my timing.

And I know all provinces are different.

And I know it depends on the person.

All that worry for nothing.

Now I wait for 60 days for my funds to season, and apply for my extension.

I hope all who are trying find it as easy as I did."

7 days ago

Nongnuch ********

in case he entered on a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, he got stamped in for a 90-days stay permit. On this visa, he is able to get a bank account opened in order to transfer a minimum of equivalent of 800,000 THB onto it - because if he wants the 1-year xtension of the stay permit based on retirement, he needs the proof with a bank letter, that the money sat in the account for 2 months. In case he meets resistance from bank employees, advice him to use an agent

7 days ago

Reply to

Nongnuch ********

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Is it risky to use an agent for my non-O retirement visa extension in Thailand?

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