Answered2 years ago
What are the requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand with a Digital Nomad Visa?
Yesterday afternoon, I managed to open an account at SCB in the Airport Plaza in Chiang Mai.
It took three attempts, but in the end, it worked out.
First attempt: I asked what was required to open an account. They told me: passport, visa, certificate of residence, and a work permit.
When I pointed out that I didn’t have a work permit, they informed me that an account could be opened with the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) for remote work and a translated employment contract for remote workers.
So, I got that done.
Second attempt: Of course, the information I received the first time wasn’t complete. On the second attempt, they told me I also needed a Thai tax ID.
So before my third attempt, I applied for one at the Revenue Department, explaining that I was on a DTV and intended to stay in Thailand for more than 183 days. They issued the tax ID for me.
Third attempt: With my certificate of residence, translated employment contract (which explicitly stated that I work remotely for my employer from Thailand and will stay for more than 183 days), visa, and tax ID, everything went smoothly and quickly.
Oh, and they didn’t try to sell me any unnecessary insurance!
It took three attempts, but in the end, it worked out.
First attempt: I asked what was required to open an account. They told me: passport, visa, certificate of residence, and a work permit.
When I pointed out that I didn’t have a work permit, they informed me that an account could be opened with the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) for remote work and a translated employment contract for remote workers.
So, I got that done.
Second attempt: Of course, the information I received the first time wasn’t complete. On the second attempt, they told me I also needed a Thai tax ID.
So before my third attempt, I applied for one at the Revenue Department, explaining that I was on a DTV and intended to stay in Thailand for more than 183 days. They issued the tax ID for me.
Third attempt: With my certificate of residence, translated employment contract (which explicitly stated that I work remotely for my employer from Thailand and will stay for more than 183 days), visa, and tax ID, everything went smoothly and quickly.
Oh, and they didn’t try to sell me any unnecessary insurance!
Answer summary
The user recounts their experience opening a bank account at SCB in Chiang Mai using a Digital Nomad Visa. They detail three attempts, highlighting the initial requirement for a work permit, which they discovered they could bypass by providing a DTV and a translated employment contract. Subsequent complications revealed the need for a Thai tax ID, which they successfully obtained beforehand. Finally, with all the correct documentation, including a certificate of residence, the account was opened without issues.
28 repliesnewest first
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Paul ********
Nicely done.
Adrian ********
Well done. I did the same a few weeks ago, just needed a certificate of residence. The banks don’t tell you this just say ‘no bank account with DTV because they cannot be arsed to help’.
Having the correct paperwork opens doors.
Go to IO and get a cert of residence and the banks won’t refuse especially as the IO insists on providing a letter to your nominated bank stating that you are a resident
Having the correct paperwork opens doors.
Go to IO and get a cert of residence and the banks won’t refuse especially as the IO insists on providing a letter to your nominated bank stating that you are a resident
Callum *******
Luckily still kept my SCB account from the work visa days when i worked for a crappy agency back in the day (lol they forced teachers to close their bank account when they wanted to quit or even move jobs, i refused and just bounced, so glad I did) SCB have been really cool since and weren't that bothered when I told them my visa status changed to DTV in case anyone is in a smilar boat
Paul *******
@Callum ******
Yep of course not. Once you have your account it's yours to keep
Anonymous ******************
Sounds like it you are willing to pay taxes can get a Thai bank, pointless when have other applications including wise that's easier and convenient to withdraw funds with good exchange rates
Adrien ****
Do you work for a Thai company?
Anonymous ******************
Well done now you have to do a tax return.
Ja***
Anonymous participant 833 You don't need to do a tax return just because you have a tax id number. If you don't have any taxable income there is no need to file.
Anonymous ******************
@Ja***
if he wasn't required to do one they wouldn't have issued a TIN.Ja***
Anonymous participant 833 For example to avoid the withholding tax for bank interest (up to 20k THB per year). Or for identification purposes for foreign financial accounts. If you are a tax resident of Thailand you can get a tax id but being a tax resident doesn't mean that you have to file a tax return necessarily.
Anonymous ******************
@Ja***
which are?Ja***
Anonymous participant 833 Incorrect. There are other reasons for needing one besides needing to file a tax return.
Amanda ******
Is it MUST to apply tax ID from revenue department at this moment ?
David ********
@Amanda *****
only if you want a bank accountAmanda ******
@David *******
I have already but heard from the news the Thai government plan to tax from expat stay over 180 days.David ********
@Amanda *****
better talk to accountant if you want specific information about this everyone's circumstance is different it's not a one size fits all. Don't listen to fb or other social media just people having their own interpretation
Peter *********
@Amanda *****
No.Amanda ******
@Peter ********
Thank you.
Anna *********
That's fabulous Well done Just goes to show by asking the right questions in the right place the "impossible" can be done
Anonymous ******************
Honestly at this points. I might just give up and do tag Thai. Thai government obviously isn’t interested in making it easy for DTV users to get bank accounts
James *******
Anonymous participant 572 tag Thai is useless, can’t prompt pay anyone. I got it and it says contact merchant to access
Calvin ******
Anonymous participant 572 but every time you load money… it has to be from converting a foreign currency. How do you plan on doing that?
David ********
Amazing so to all the people saying you cannot open s bank account 😂😂 Just like in your own country you need the correct paperwork. You think by just walking in and asking for a bank account they will bow to you. Play by the rules just because you are a foreigner doesn't mean you are above everyone else
Brandon ************
@David *******
Not quite that simple. It changes bank branch by bank branch, day by day, and even by the person you talk to at the bank. Someone with the exact same paperwork might have a completely different experience if they tried next week.David ********
@Brandon ***********
never heard anyone posting what paperwork they have tried to present to the bank. I believe they dont want to go to the trouble as this person has. They just want to go to agent but surprise surprise agents can't anymore. Lazy uninformed farang just like they say can't get a car license use an agent don't believe these people. Sorry mate l haven't had any issues with either yes you may have to chase some other paper but it's possible if you work with the responsible officeBrandon ************
@David *******
Agents certainly can still get bank accounts. But the price has gone up significantly. Now about 12-15,000 baht. I would just use the new TagThai easy pay app before I ever paid that for a bank account.
Andi ***********
Congrats on being 3x lucky...did you need to show a long term lease/rent agreement?
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