Answered10 months ago
What are the requirements for opening a Thai bank account with a Non-O visa?
USA arrived Bangkok on 90 day non-imm O visa December 4. Over 50 and intend to retire here. Decided to go to open bank account today. Went to Bang kaput mall, 3 different banks. Kbank, krungsri and Bangkok bank. All 3 had different rules and requirements. None allowed me to open account. I supplied passport, 90 day Non-O visa hard , copy, invoice of Condo I’m renting, TM30 and prepared to transfer 800,000 baht. No good. Lease contract needed. Bangkok bank wanted a lease contract of at least 6 months. Ongoing theme was they wanted the visa in the passport stamped as retirement visa. My visa was stamped and in writing on the visa stamp was “Evisa” and “non-O” with the date set for March 3, 2026.
Any suggestions on where or what else I need to do to open an account? I will not be using an illegal agency.
Thanks!
Any suggestions on where or what else I need to do to open an account? I will not be using an illegal agency.
Thanks!
Answer summary
A USA expat with a 90-day Non-O visa faced challenges opening a bank account in Thailand due to differing requirements by banks, specifically needing a lease contract. Suggestions from the community include obtaining a letter from the immigration office, acquiring a Certificate of Residence, and registering a Thai SIM card linked to one's passport. Some users shared positive experiences with specific banks like Kasikorn and provided tips on approaching smaller branches or using agents.
26 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Jungle ******
Thus an agent 🙄
Bent *************
Keep trying…
Graham ******
You should get a certificate of residence and your Thai sim registered to your passport and try more branches and you'll succeed
Dennis *********
I rented an Airbnb for 5
I opened two accounts without issue but one bank did still turn me down even with the Certificate of Residence.
***
months so don’t have a lease. Go to immigration and get Certificate of Residence to open the bank account. I opened two accounts without issue but one bank did still turn me down even with the Certificate of Residence.
Bob **********
Get a resident certificate and I’d only consider Kasikorn best for transferring with Wise from the US
Jason ***********
Your print out of your retirement visa with barcode? Did you bring that and damn my 6 month lease ended on dec1. I got a metv visa and didn't use my lease agreement because I applied on the 3rd. Sounds crazy but if you had your E visa print out, and a fresh 6 month lease do you think they would of approved it?
Stan ******
OP@Jason **********
tried this very thing at several banks. No luck. I will go to immigration and get a certificate of residence.
Jack *****
A lease or certificate of residence is required.
COR obtained from immigration office.
COR obtained from immigration office.
Nongnuch ********
visit F.S. Consulting Co in Pattaya, for 5000 THB they will get a bank account opened for you within two days. With Kasikorn Bank. EVERYTHING legal, as you have the correct 90-days Non-Imm-O Visa, which is one pre-requisite, and the other requirement is a Thai SIM card registered on your name and passport number
Jo **********
did you go to SCB?
Max **********
Visa agent !!!!
John ******
Is quite Claire easy to understand. If you have a lease contract of one month you can expect that the bank believes that you are going to be short time in thailand. That is not a real customer
John **********
You need to go to immigration and get a residence certificate, then you need to get a Thai SIM registered against your passport (get a receipt) then go visit a bank.
Chance ********
Here in chiang Mai I have the same issue. I will try again next year, I was unable to get the bank account and have to leave the country. It's a vicious circle but I think I will have everything they want next year.
Gregory *********
I got a proof of residency from local immigration themselves for opening a bank account and have no lease and opened the account. I had to come back after 7 days to the same immi office to collect the proof of residence and it was free. Opened at kasikorn bank. I visited the bank before that and spoke by phone to someone who spoke english. So tm30, proof of residency, passport copies and they opened up an account with 1000 baht deposit.
Ian ********
I found small branches easier to deal with.
and I wrote my own rental agreement and signed it for both parties. 🤐🤐🤐
and I wrote my own rental agreement and signed it for both parties. 🤐🤐🤐
Bob ********
Thai Visa Center in Bangkok, I did same came here July, certificate of residency was required by K bank, lease agreement by yellow,, 3 day turn around on the retirement visa stamp multiple entries
*****
THB
Martin *********
Use a agent
Patrick **********
I’m arriving Jan 5 on a non o visa . Is the issue that you don’t have at least a 6 month lease ? Or your visa wasn’t stamp with retirement ? I plan to obtain 12 month lease . Or both ?
Stan ******
OP@Patrick *********
Patrick is correct. The passport is not stamped with ‘retirement’. Even though several banks said it should be. They are wrong but obstinate. The actual non-o visa has the remark retirement on it. But all banks did say they require a signed lease agreement from where you are living. The last bank we just tried, kbank, said they would accept it but that it must be original with actual blue ink signed by owner of condo or home. We only had an emailed signed copy from the condo owner. It was a 6 month lease agreement.Dennis *********
@Patrick *********
you don’t need a lease per se. I don’t have a lease and opened two accounts with the Certificate of Residence, Non-O Visa, passport and Thai Cellphone Number in my name.Ian **********
@Patrick *********
Your entry stamp will never be stamped retirementPatrick **********
@Ian *********
so can I use my initial temp hotel stay to open bank account ?Patrick **********
@Ian *********
thank you 🙏Ian **********
@Patrick *********
Yes but you must get a certificate of residence from immigration. Banks are hard work at the moment as they try to comply with international banking rules, so you may have to go to a few branches before being accepted. Avoid Bangkok Bank.
Raymond *********
Go to Immigration office and request à letter from them confirming your Non-O and ask them where it would be easiest to open your bank account. The letter cost me 500 thb and one hour later my bank account was open
Activity
21 joined21
people
Related
25Can I apply for a Non-O visa while on a METV if I want to open a bank account for retirement purposes?
8275122mo
What happens if I cannot open a bank account in time for the 800k requirement with my Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
2.2k5558mo
Can I open a bank account in Thailand before applying for a retirement visa?
4.1k29539mo
What documents are needed for a one-year extension of a NON-O visa based on retirement in Thailand?
1.5k11129mo
What are the requirements and process for obtaining a 12 Month Extension of Stay on a Non-O Retirement Visa in Thailand?
14.2k11018310mo
How challenging is it to obtain a Non-O visa in Thailand for retirement?
1.7k14101y
What are the best visa options for staying in Thailand as a retiree who wants flexibility?
6.2k41911y
What are the best steps to take for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand while starting on a tourist visa?
6.7k51821y
What are the steps to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand after being on a tourist visa for three months?
6.8k60621y
What are the costs and risks associated with using an agent for the Non-O visa extension in Thailand?
8k70761y
How challenging is it to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand when arriving on a tourist visa within the last 60 days?
2.3k20151y
Can I open a bank account in Thailand from the UK if I have applied for a 90-day retirement visa?
1.1k682y
How can I open a bank account in Thailand to apply for a retirement visa since banks require a visa to open an account?
10.6k83932y
What are the financial requirements for a retirement visa or Non-O visa in Thailand if I want to live in Korat?
5.6k49482y
Can I obtain a 90-day Visa in Thailand and later extend it to a Retirement Visa "O"?
2k18102y
What are my options for obtaining a long-term visa in Thailand as a tourist planning to retire?
13.4k1031682y
What steps do I need to take to move permanently to Thailand from the USA?
25.8k2282562y
Why was I denied entry into Thailand on a tourist visa after multiple visits?
5.8k47482y
What is the best immigration office in Bangkok for a 1-year Non-O retirement visa extension and can I make an online appointment?
1.6k1293y
Can I obtain a retirement visa in Thailand without leaving the country after a 30-day entry?
9.5k85863y
Can a hotel provide documentation for a retirement visa in Thailand?
3.8k36203y
Can my cousin apply for a 30-day extension or a 90-day Non-O extension after entering Thailand on a 30-day visa exempt?
1.4k7153y
What should I do about my OA visa after my passport was destroyed and while getting a new one?
1.2k6134y
How can I obtain a long-term Non-O retirement visa in Thailand if I'm over 50 and have a 30-day visa exemption?
1.8k12175y
What is the best visa option for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?
2.3k19145y
Resources
Need help with 90-day reporting?
Trusted service that gets people to a real agent fast