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What are the requirements for applying for a Non-O visa and opening a bank account in Thailand?
Non-O VisaVisa ExtensionBanking in ThailandRetirement VisaImmigration ProceduresBank Account RequirementsThai Banking System
Jun 6, 2022
4 years ago
Neil *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI am preparing to apply for my first non O visa in Jomtien, then in less than 3 months apply for the extension based on retirement. Comments from a previous post say i need the bank account with the 800k transferred in from abroad, i was of the understanding you only needed this for the extension and having matured for 60 days first. I tried to open a bank account with Bankok bank and they said i need my visa printed out ( not a problem) and my passport verified by immigration??? Excuse my ignorance but for this do i just wander down to immigration hand my passort over and say "
verify this please"? Or am i missing something, anyone else done this.
EDIT: GOT MY RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE AND THE BANK ACCEPTED IT, OPENED BANK ACCOUNT ALL IS GOOD IN THE WORLD. THANKYOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP
verify this please"? Or am i missing something, anyone else done this.
EDIT: GOT MY RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE AND THE BANK ACCEPTED IT, OPENED BANK ACCOUNT ALL IS GOOD IN THE WORLD. THANKYOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is applying for their first Non-O visa in Jomtien and is preparing to meet the requirements for a subsequent extension based on retirement. They seek clarification on whether they need to have the 800,000 Baht in their bank account at the time of the initial Non-O application or only for the extension. Other users contribute their experiences about banking, emphasizing different banks' varying requirements for opening accounts, and mention the necessity of verifying their passport through their embassy rather than immigration. The user eventually resolves their issues by acquiring a residence certificate that enables them to open the bank account.
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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Stuart *********
For the money part you need the 800k in the bank from abroad for the initial application. For the extension it needs to be in the account for 2 months prior and stay for 3 months after. Can’t go below 400k and back up to 800 two months before your next application.
For the verify passport part I have no idea. Perhaps try a different bank branch.
For the verify passport part I have no idea. Perhaps try a different bank branch.
Neil *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pom *******
, rental argeement/tm30, passport plus photocopies of front page, latest stamp, tm6, printed out copy of tourist visa and 300 baht. This was jomtien one month ago.Pom ********
@Neil ******
there’s no tm6 when we arrived two days ago.Reply to
Pom ********
Reply
Stuart *********
@Miguel ************
sure start a thread or PM me.Neil *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThankyou, will hit immigration tomorrow armed with passport, lease agreement, sun hat and bottle of water!. Thankyou all for your help its very much appreciated
Neil *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
, once again, thankyou, will go tomorrow, luckily 3 minute walkNeil *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Russell ******
, thankyou, what do i need for that, i have TM30Russell *******
@Neil ******
you should already be registered by your landlord/landlady . So you just ask at immigration and they will check you are registered and give you a letter based on that . There was a 500 baht fee. Immigration seemed aware of the letter as soon as it was asked for. 🙏😎Chanida ***************
@Russell ******
can I ask which immigration did you go to? My bf has to do than soon too. Thx in advance 😊Russell *******
@Chanida **************
it was Chang Rai immigration . 🙏Chanida ***************
@Russell ******
Thank you very muchReply to
Chanida ***************
Reply
Stuart *********
@Neil ******
You go to immigration with your passport and lease agreement and ask for a letter of residence. It should be free but will probably cost 300-500 baht (no receipt). Some offices will do it on a short term visa. Others won’t.
Alternatively you can ask your embassy to provide one. Good luck with that route.
Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Neil *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
, but that would make it catch22, cant open bank account without long term visa, cant get visa without bank account!. Just got my tr60 visa printed out and will try bank again, then try other banks as im determined not to go down agent route, i have been quoted upto *****
b!!!!Russell *******
@Neil ******
hi , I was in same situation as you. I solved the opening of bank account ,by getting a letter of residence for immigration. 🙏Pom ********
@Russell ******
hello. I’m researching on what documents are required by Jomtien Immigration to get residence certificate to open bank account.Russell *******
@Pom *******
hi . I can't really say as I used Chang Rai immigration . I was staying with a friend and he registered me on TM30 , he came to immigration with me and showed his rental agreement. The letter was 500 baht .Reply to
Russell *******
Reply
Neil *******
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat is certificate of residence?, i have a TM30 which i showed them and they said it was good. They definately said verification of passport by immigration
Bobby ********
@Neil ******
The verification is by your embassy, not by immigrationStuart *********
@Neil ******
Yeah Brett could be correct. It’s a letter from immigration verifying your address, not passport per se. Some offices like Bangkok won’t issue them unless you’re on a long term visa/extension.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Brett **********
@Stuart ********
they could mean certificate of residenceReply to
Brett **********
Reply
Chris ********
Sadly you are on the merry go round of Thai banking. It's likely that if you go back tomorrow and talk to someone else you will be asked for different identification! I did this in January this year and tried multiple banks in my local town, they All asked for different I.D. We went to a local shopping centre with 5 banks last December (when I was here on holiday) same thing. When I retired here in January we went to our local BAAC, they wanted a work permit for my retirement visa! Tried another 5 or 6 banks in Ubon (they wanted a variety of WP, letter from embassy, retirement visa in passport, marriage certificate etc) . We finally stopped at another BAAC branch where a lovely lady photocopied my passport, no questions asked. Hallelujah, a bank account. There is no rhyme or reason to opening an account sadly. Hit EVERY bank you can, preferably with a Thai speaker, dress smartly and take every bit of paper with you. Eventually one will open an account but you will be non the wiser why. Remember, only Kasikorn, SCB and Bangkok banks can accept international transfers over 50,000 baht..... it took me a while 🥴. Good luck
Mark ******
Personally I would try a different branch of the bank - they all seem to have their own rules. I've never heard of Immigration having to certify your passport before.
Jonas *************
Your embassy can do both. Verify passport and address as needed by Bangkok bank.
Other banks are generally not helpful.. some may get lucky.
Other banks are generally not helpful.. some may get lucky.
Steve *******
800k transferred from abroad, no seasoning required, for the Non Imm O visa. 800k seasoned in a Thai bank for 2 months for the 1 year extention of stay.
Kool *******
For the verifying passport part, that is done at your embassy, not at immigration. Your embassy has to verify that your passport is real, and belongs to you.
Bonnie *******
You just have to keep trying different banks and different times until you find someone to open an account
Neil *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThats what im going to try next/tomorrow, thankyou
Reply to
Neil *******
Reply
Neil *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
, as always a fountain of knowledge, thankyouReply to
Neil *******
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