Ask question

What are the options for applying for a Thai Non-O visa after visiting China, and can I open a Chinese bank account in Hong Kong?

Thailand Visa Non-O Visa SETV Extension Visa Application Locations Visa Requirements Volunteering in Thailand Chinese Bank Account WeChat Wallet Hong Kong Visa Processes Immigration Advice

Sep 20, 2017

7 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, I'm a British passport holder. I have a SETV that I think I will extent in Chiang Mai for another 30 days.  After that I need to fly to China to open a Chinese Bank Account before returning to Thailand (as I need to set up wechat wallet/pay). I am most probably going to re enter on a no-o 90 day visa to then apply for a work permit before doing some voluntary work with a local foundation I have been in contact with. 

From what I have read online, it seems that I cannot apply for any Visas for Thailand in China, it only allows for Chinese nationals to apply in China.

In light of this, where would be the best options/countries to fly to apply for my no-o 90 day volunteer visa after my China visit.  Hong Kong probably makes sense as I can also enter visa free. I'm still trying to ascertain also if I can open a Chinese bank account(mainland) in Hong Kong or Macau, to save me having to fly to China.

If anyone has any sound advice/experience in relation to anyof the above, it would be good to hear from you.

1,047

views

3

likes

33

all likes

18

replies

0

images

9

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The user, a British passport holder, plans to extend their SETV in Chiang Mai and then travel to China to open a Chinese bank account for WeChat payments before returning to Thailand on a Non-O visa for volunteering. They are seeking advice on where to apply for the visa after China, noting that only Chinese nationals can apply for Thai visas in China. Suggestions include Hong Kong and Vientiane, Laos, based on the documentation from a local foundation. Community members share experiences and advice on bank account options in Hong Kong and the visa application process.

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.

Richard *********

I will send you a pm regarding opening a Chinese bank account. Check your message requests.

Like

Reply

Ian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Will do Richard

Like

Reply

Reply to

Ian ********

Reply

Shahin **********

Be careful with any short trips to China. I did China for holiday (Xi'an and Shanghai) last year around November, and cut my trip short to only 5 nights.

Going through Pudong airport passport control they took my passport for 40mins while I sat in no mans land between passport control and security baggage checks before going to the gates, wondering what was going on. Until she came back with my passport and 4-5 other officers all standing around me interrogating me asking what I was doing in China, Thailand, Malaysia and so on, if I was working in China and these countries.

I had to pull out my phone and show them touristy photos I took all over the place before they let me go with the biggest angry greasy look on their faces.

Like

Reply

Andrew *******

I'd be a bit surprised if you can open a mainland Chinese bank account in HK (though I might be wrong; but BOC HK is a separate legal entity). Even more so for Macau.

While you're in China I'd suggest (i) getting a Chinese SIM card, (ii) doing whatever activation thing it is you need to do so it works abroad for as long as possible (I think you have to pay a separate deposit of a few hundred RMB for this, at least with China Mobile circa 2015), (iii) setting up internet banking and payments, (iv) linking your wechat wallet to the bank account, and (v) maybe registering with Alipay too.

Some of these things are difficult or impossible to do once you don't have a Chinese phone number anymore and can't visit the branch. :)

Like

Reply

Andrew *******

(vi) Maybe also see if the bank will let you register a Thai number or something with them. (these are mostly things I wish I'd remembered to do ;) )

Like

Reply

Reply to

Andrew *******

Reply

Glen-do **********

Hi mate, HK will open you a bank of China account.

Like

Reply

Andrew *******

IIRC, the wallet isn't installed by default on the English version. It should appear there when you receive money though. (You can pm me your wechat ID if you like. I'll send you 1 Mao and the wallet should appear.)

You only really need a bank account if you want to actually withdraw from or deposit money into wechat. For just sending and receiving over wechat you don't. :)

Like

Reply

Ian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have installed the app on my phone and when I go to 'Me' the wallet isn't listed, possibly because its not the Chine version and I downloaded from Google Play Store. I understand that to send money to and from a Chinese national I have to have a Chinese bank account. Could you possibly pm me with further info if you can help?

Like

Reply

Dan *********

Don't need to travel anywhere to get a wechatpay account in china.

Like

Reply

Ian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Glen. Would it be a mainland Bank of China account though? I need a mainland China bank account number to be able to send and receive we chat payments from Chinese Nationals. I recently went to the Bank of China in Melbourne with the intention of opening a Bank of China account, but it would have been an Australian Bank of China account only.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Ian ********

Reply

Tod *********

The foundation that gives you the documentation to get the Non-O visa usually recommends which thai consulate to use. I would check the thai consulate's website and see what the requirements are for getting a 90 day single entry Non-O based on volunteering because they all don't have the same requirements.

, you're the volunteer visa expert, can he pull a Non-O in Hong Kong ?

Like

Reply

Ian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for this info

@Ivan ***********

Like

Reply

Ivan ************

Shayne I've only got a tourist visa from Hong Kong but it is one of the easiest consulates for that, they needed nothing except the form passport photocopies and photo. Also, only around 10 people there so it was quick. 3 airlines fly direct to/from Chiang Mai so it's convenient for that as well, and remarkably cheap (I flew HK Express). HK also give your passport back the next *morning*, unlike other consulates, so easy to fly back in the PM. As I say I don't know about the other visa types, but certainly worth a try if Ian was going to be there anyway.

Like

Reply

Ian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for your info

@Shayne *********

👍

Like

Reply

Shayne **********

If your foundation paperwork is perfect, you can get a visa anywhere in Asia.

Vientiane is always the suggested option because it is the closest and easiest and less hassle.

I don't know currently about Hong Kong, but it's like a 1% place, because most people don't choose to go to expensive cities to get their visas especially from Chiang Mai.

One possibility is trying since you are going to be there, and having Vientiane as a backup.

Like

Reply

Ian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

OK

, I think it makes sense to fly there then, afer China/HK. I appreciate your advice.👍

Like

Reply

Tod *********

, okay, they recommend Vientiane. Which probably means that they've pushed paper thru there before and there's a high chance it's gonna work there.

I think you're on your own taking their documentation to another consulate. They are NOT the same...

Like

Reply

Ian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Todd. I have copied and pasted this from the email that the Foundation sent me. 'Take paper work form foundation then leave Thailand apply Thai Embassy in any country. (I am recommend in Vientiane(Laos)'.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Ian ********

Reply

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Thai Visa Advice

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice

What are the best visa options and strategies for a 60-year-old retired Canadian planning to stay in Thailand longer than 90 days?

59 comments

2 months ago

Can I apply for a 30-day extension of my visa waiver before applying for a Non O visa in Chiang Mai?

4 comments

a year ago

How can I open a Thai bank account to qualify for a Non-O visa while only having a visa-exempt status?

9 comments

a year ago

What is the process for obtaining a Non-O visa for marriage in Thailand from Savannakhet?

36 comments

2 years ago

Can I apply for a Non-O or Non-OA visa after entering Thailand on a tourist exempt visa?

19 comments

2 years ago

What are the procedures and requirements for applying for long-stay retirement visas in Thailand for expats from Hong Kong?

8 comments

2 years ago

What are the visa options and requirements for British expats looking to stay in Thailand long-term?

4 comments

2 years ago

Should I apply for a retirement (Non-O) visa in the UK or Thailand, and what are the necessary requirements?

42 comments

2 years ago

What are my options for obtaining a Non O Visa after being denied in Thailand?

20 comments

2 years ago

Should I apply for a 60-day tourist visa or use the 30-day visa exemption to obtain a Non-immigrant O visa in Thailand?

19 comments

3 years ago

What is the process for obtaining a NON-O-X visa and opening a bank account in Thailand?

0 comments

3 years ago

How can I prove I have 800k in a Thai bank for a Non-O retirement visa while in the UK?

41 comments

3 years ago

Can a UK Citizen on a 30-Day Visa Open a Bank Account and Apply for a Non-O Visa in Thailand?

8 comments

5 years ago

Can I apply for a Non-Immigrant resident visa from within Thailand while on a tourist visa?

12 comments

5 years ago

What is the best place to apply for a multiple entry Non-O visa in light of current travel restrictions?

8 comments

5 years ago

What is the best visa option for a 53-year-old moving to Chiang Mai, Thailand?

8 comments

5 years ago

What should I know about applying for a Thai visa while planning trips to Hanoi and Israel?

8 comments

5 years ago

What Should I Do After Being Denied a 60-Day Extension for My Non-O Visa in Thailand?

13 comments

5 years ago

What are the steps and requirements for obtaining a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand for expats with children in international schools?

24 comments

5 years ago

What are the options for applying for a Non-O visa while in the UK?

27 comments

5 years ago

What visa should I apply for in Hong Kong to later change to a marriage Non-O visa in Thailand?

0 comments

6 years ago

Can we apply for a NON-OA or OX visa while in Thailand if we obtain a 90-day visa first?

31 comments

6 years ago

Is it necessary to leave Thailand to apply for a 90-day Non-O visa from a tourist visa?

12 comments

6 years ago

What are the best flight options and requirements for returning to Thailand with a SETV after visiting Shanghai?

21 comments

7 years ago

Can I apply for a Chinese visa in Bangkok while on a Thai visitor visa?

7 comments

7 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.