What are the steps for opening a bank account in Thailand on an O-retirement visa without embassy assistance?

Jun 3, 2023
2 years ago
Bobby ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello all, trying to open a bank account to deposit money to obtain my O-retirement, however, am being asked for a form from the US consulate verifying my passport. Sent an email but got no reply. First appointment is in mid July as I chose assuming notary service is required. Although it states on the Consulate website they do not provide any service to allow for the opening of a Thai bank account. Any suggestions or thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on opening a Thai bank account to manage funds for an O-retirement visa but faces challenges due to the US embassy's lack of support for providing residence certificates or verification forms. Community responses suggest hiring a local agent to facilitate the process, as many banks may impose varied requirements. Some users share their positive experiences with specific banks in Chiang Mai and recommend finding a knowledgeable agent to navigate the bureaucratic aspects effectively.
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.
Paul ********
If you live in Chiang Mai I would definitely open my bank account there rather than somewhere cheaper or easier. There are a variety of good reasons for this, chief of which if you need to do something official, you will be asked to do it at the branch where you opened the account.
Frank **********
50 bucks for a certified copy of passport is what the Embassy charges.
Bobby ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
thank you very much.
Cliff *********
Getting a bank account

Don’t expect to get something for nothing. Each office is an independent business. Each office makes their own criteria.

You certainly will pay a fee for transferring USD from USA to Thailand. The amount depends on the bank and the transfer service.

Banking is an essential service if you plan to spend time here. It’s not FREE.

I prepared ahead of time by getting a bank account set up 6 months ago.

I treated this as an important business transaction, not just a casual activity.

My Thai friend made an appointment for me at the Bangkok Bank branch across from Astra in CM. He also translated for me.

I am a middle aged physician and dressed as such. Yes I did do the whole business card ceremony.

I told the banker that I plan to retire soon and buy a condominium at Astra.

I was asked to purchase a life insurance policy for about $100. Presumably the banker gets a commission. Whatever, it’s the price of doing business at the bank.

They wanted to copy my passport and see my credit card from Wells Fargo. I think I showed them how much was in my account also to make the point that I’m a serious customer.

I also showed them $500 in perfect $100 bills that was to be the initial deposit.

Nothing else was required.

Act like a serious customer and you will be treated as such.

Present yourself properly and you should be fine.

If not, thank them for their time and visit another office.

Best wishes on your adventure to Thailand!
Bobby ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cliff ********
Thanks but this is a new situation. Everyone on an O will eventually be getting a visit. Thanks for the feedback though.
Cliff *********
When I got my bank account with Bangkok Bank In Chiang Mai, this was not necessary. They just made copies of my passport.

Find another bank, this is nonsense.

If you have a problem with one branch, just disengage and go elsewhere.
Cory **********
You are making this way to complicated. I had a bank tell me I needed a letter from my embassy. I left. I had a bank tell me they wanted 5900 baht life insurance policy. I left.

Truth is I hired an agent I believe it was 2500. This is in chiang mai. She went to immigration got the residency certificate and drove me up to the correct bank. Super simple. Took an hour of my time on a tourist visa.
Steve *******
@Cory *********
Never seen it cheaper than 5000bt
Cory **********
@Steve ******
is that in Bangkok? Anyone in chiang mai and needs a great cheap agent I will find the contact information again for her. Cheap and awesome person.
Paul *******
@Cory *********
same here. Would you mind sharing your agents contact info, or at least name of the agency?
Cory **********
@Paul ******
@Tony ********
contact
@Siri ********
. Besides helping with the bank account she also helped me get my driver license while on a tourist visa. Made things simple. She is located in Chiang Mai. Highly recommend her.
Paul *******
@Cory *********
great...I presume thats the agent's name...Could you tell me the Agency name as well?

Thanks
Tony *********
@Cory *********
Many thanks Cory.
Tony *********
@Cory *********
I'd appreciate the agent contact info, if you can provide it please.
Cory **********
A letter from USA embasy is 1900. With taxi Grab rides I would have most likely paid over 2500. So money well spent. Just hire an agent and relax. They know the friendly banks that work with tourist visas.
Steve *******
You need to provide a notarised copy of your passport. The US embassy provides those
Bobby ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
I am hoping this it. Already contacted my congressman to speed up the process as the embassy website claims the do not provide any service to allow for opening a bank account
Steve *******
@Bobby **********
your congressman won’t be able to do anything. Just go online and book an appointment for notarial services. Take your passport and when you get there just tell them you want a notarised copy. They don’t care what it’s for.
Larry *******
You can get a certified copy of your passport at the embassy. They don’t help in getting a bank account but they will provide a certified copy
Brandon ************
The US embassy and others no longer offer residence certificates. You also cannot get a residence certificate from immigration in Bangkok on a tourist entry. Your best bet will be to find an agent to help you open a bank account for 3-5,000 baht.
VaiAna **********
@Brandon ***********
,
@Bobby **********
why pay an agent when you can get one for 500 baht is the expedited fee in order to obtain a letter from immigration and with that you can take it to the bank . I got one last year
Bobby ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@VaiAna *********
they are not asking for a residency letter, they are requiring a verified passport letter from the embassy. This has been verified by my friend's Thai wife that handles visa issues for many here in Chiang Rai. She shuttled me all over town to two immigration offices. One here in Chiang Rai and the main in Mai sai as well. We physically went to four banks and she called her personal bankers as well. She is not some former bar girl. She is a wealthy Thai lady by her own rights. This will be coming down the pike for anyone trying to open an account very soon for all.
Brandon ************
@VaiAna *********
because that's not an option in Chiang Rai
Bobby ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you, I will investigate this option. 5,000 would be a pittance compared to the run around I am recieving. 555 I live in Chiang Rai but can go anywhere, so any suggetions would also be appreciated?
Russell *******
@Bobby **********
I opened a Bangkok bank account in Chiang rai. I will come back to with the branch . I also had a residency certificate from Chiang rai immigration 500 baht .
Bobby ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Russell ******
this is something new. It's not a residency cert they are asking to be provided. It has to do with passport verification. I went with my friend's wife who does his visa every year for many here. She phoned every bank in town trying to get this done.
Russell *******
@Bobby **********
Well it worked for me last May . 🙏
Bobby ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Russell ******
yeah, I was here in 2020 but had to go as I am unvaxxed and had to wait for the smoke to clear before returning. No worries at all, if it does not work out I can head back to eastern Europe and have far less hoops to jump through. I have bank accounts in Latvia, Georgia and Romania. Easy peasy
Bobby ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah Chiang Rai office and Mae Sai both said need the verification from the Emabassy. Something to do with the glut of fake passports of late. All my retired friends here in Chiang Rai area have recieved home visits from Immigration to take photos of them with their passports and an immigration agent.
Brandon ************
@Bobby **********
first I've heard of that. Sure complicates things
Bobby ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
if you already have a retirement visa it's a simple process. However it has surely complicated acquiring one 555
Sean *********
Brandon ************
@Bobby **********
you can check with the immigration office in Chiang Rai to see if they offer residence certificates. That's what the bank is actually asking you for most likely. If Chiang Rai immigration will not offer it, you can get it in Chiang Mai for the price of a couple of nights in a hotel and 500₿ to immigration.
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