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What challenges do DTV visa holders face regarding banking in Thailand?
Digital Nomad VisaDTV VisaThailand Visa RulesBanking in ThailandRemote WorkFinances for ExpatsMedical TourismImmigration Issues
Sep 2, 2025
8 months ago
Brilliant*********
ORIGINAL POSTERThe Thai government announced the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) to attract digital nomads, those interested in medical tourism, and soft power professionals. It's been reported that DTV visa holders may not be able to open a bank account in Thailand. They even close DTV holders bank accounts also. If that's the case, how will these visa holders handle their finances, such as depositing and withdrawing money? This is a terribly managed policy.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The announcement of the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) by the Thai government has raised concerns among potential holders regarding their banking options, as reports suggest they may not be able to open bank accounts in Thailand. Comments from users indicate that many DTV holders successfully manage their finances using international bank accounts, online payment platforms like Wise and Revolut, and various payment apps. Some users argue that the DTV is intended for those who travel frequently and do not necessarily need a Thai bank account. Discussions also highlight the ongoing debate about the long-term implications of such visas and the adequacy of existing financial structures for digital nomads.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV 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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แดนนี่ ***********
Most things managed in Thailand are terrible lol. Thais don’t understand management lol so it’s not surprising lol
Patrick *********
Guys, this is getting ridiculous. This topic comes up on almost every other post and to me this whole war between: “DTV is a tourist visa, you’re tricking the system yada yada yada” and “paying for Elite or getting a proper LTR is for suckers yada yada yada” comes down to the definition of “permanent” or “long term” residence.
There are legal definitions for that, and based on those the first group is obviously right… but don’t get me wrong: these definitions are not always applicable to the times we live in so the second group istn’t always technically wrong either…
Back in the day having a place where you intend to stay for the foreseeable rest of your life was a given. Now so many people have no f’in idea where they’ll end up in 2 years, that no wonder 180 days seems to them like a LONG TERM stay per se. DTV is for just these guys. And (IMO) for those who want to check if Thailand is for them. If after some time spent in The Kingdom they decide to settle - that’s what LTR and other visas are there for. And tbh only then you should actually need a Thai bank account…
There are legal definitions for that, and based on those the first group is obviously right… but don’t get me wrong: these definitions are not always applicable to the times we live in so the second group istn’t always technically wrong either…
Back in the day having a place where you intend to stay for the foreseeable rest of your life was a given. Now so many people have no f’in idea where they’ll end up in 2 years, that no wonder 180 days seems to them like a LONG TERM stay per se. DTV is for just these guys. And (IMO) for those who want to check if Thailand is for them. If after some time spent in The Kingdom they decide to settle - that’s what LTR and other visas are there for. And tbh only then you should actually need a Thai bank account…
Anonymous ******************
You can use your card from other countries which works in an ATM, even apple pay if you want.
Also moreta pay works for scanning, plebqr for personal qr codes, and even crypto these days.
Also moreta pay works for scanning, plebqr for personal qr codes, and even crypto these days.
Kaitlyn *********
It’s really not that big of an issue just use apps like Remitly to withdraw money with low fees
Greg ********
If you upgrade to the LTR "Digital Nomad" Visa you will get a bank account and tax advantages. Only need to do 90 Day report once a year too.
Anonymous ******************
DTV visa is for digital nomad; a digital nomad is by definition nomad; how Thai government approach the question ? Nomads are people who travel countries and share their time in may places; Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam; then travel again for business in China then come back etc. Everywhere nomads travel they should use payment methods for nomads people and there are so many
If you think that you will settle yourself indefinitely in Thailand and not move so much; you are no anymore a nomad and you are misusing the visa policy; you will start to do visa run same some people here to extend indefinitely your 6 months; you will be worry to do real extension at immigration because you know that your not legitimate to stay here long term etc. At the end you have to change visa so do it now…
If you think that you will settle yourself indefinitely in Thailand and not move so much; you are no anymore a nomad and you are misusing the visa policy; you will start to do visa run same some people here to extend indefinitely your 6 months; you will be worry to do real extension at immigration because you know that your not legitimate to stay here long term etc. At the end you have to change visa so do it now…
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 786 maybe the Thai govt should create a way to let nomads easily pay the majority of local shops, which happen to all use QR code for payments… why are you wasting effort making excuses for Thailand’s lack of payments infrastructure?
Paul *******
Anonymous participant 786 At some point, that might happen. For the time being, all multiple entry visas continue to allow you to come and go and establish a quasi-residency in the country, but in the future, that could change and you might be advised to switch to another type of visa.
Anonymous ******************
@Paul ******
yes go and back is not a problem that’s why this visa is made for but go and back within 2 hours for 5 years this what is the abuse of system;Paul *******
Anonymous participant 786 Yes, in a sense, but so far, the authorities don't mind this approach if you're on a DTV. That might change in the future.
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Paul *******
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 786 Thanks for letting us know the meaning of Nomad. However, ‘digital nomad’ is just one of the DTV categories. There are other categories which require full time stay and exit only to reenter
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 205 what other DTV options need full time stay? I can't think of any.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 205 yes so then go say to the bank and ministry that you are as a non immigrant visa and this situation is unfair because you stay in Thailand long term 5 years; what a joke; 90 days report and tm30 is nothing just a adress report; they even don’t know what you work what you study and want be treated as non b visa;
Anonymous ******************
you should go see what is look like a renewal for a long term visa what bunch of documents you have to submit and get visit of immigration a your house sometimes twice a year even if you have Thai children
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Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 205 there is no visa « full time » that needs you to exit to reenter; if you have to exit to reenter it means you are not legitimate to stay here on a full time; this kind of visa run is just an abuse of a system and you re entry only depends on the appreciation of IO at airport; if you out few hours and back it’s as simple as visa run;
If you are soft power learning something and legitimate to stay here « full time » then go to local immigration extend; nobody do it because everyone knows there is a trick; so do be surprise to not have a bank account; even the local immigration office of your city don’t even know that you exist and why you are in their circonscription for long term; the foreigner people living long term in Thailand are « known » by local administration that why they have access to some services; if you are here on DTV + visa run you are just as a tourists same the ones stay in hotels; you don’t exist in the local administration data
If you are soft power learning something and legitimate to stay here « full time » then go to local immigration extend; nobody do it because everyone knows there is a trick; so do be surprise to not have a bank account; even the local immigration office of your city don’t even know that you exist and why you are in their circonscription for long term; the foreigner people living long term in Thailand are « known » by local administration that why they have access to some services; if you are here on DTV + visa run you are just as a tourists same the ones stay in hotels; you don’t exist in the local administration data
Anonymous ******************
stop spreading incorrect info. There is declaration of address at the time of entry; and follow up 90 days reporting for authorities to know whereabouts. Visa run is an option and some people find it easier, otherwise it’s same extension as a non immigrant visa
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 205 visa run is not really what you should call an option, it is using a loophole. You can be sure no country in the world is designing a visa to have this feature, but it is difficult to prevent if you want the visa to be flexible. Some countries do this by allowing a maximum number of days in a certain period. If they really wanted you to stay longer, they would not have limited the extension to only once. And with the remark that it is same as a non immigrant visa extension you are spreading incorrect info yourself, the number of extensions on non-o is not limited like on DTV
Reply to
Luit *****************
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Vi***
Use
@Wi**
Paula ********
I am on a DTV - I feel no need for a Thai bank account. It's a tourist visa - not necessarily for someone staying here long term without leaving. I use Wise, Revolut and pay the $8 ATM fee
Antoni *********
@Paula *******
It would be convenient to use the QR code system. Carrying cash all the time and the high withdrawal fees is annoying.Elías ********
@Antoni ********
you can use TrueMoney on a DTVPaula ********
@Antoni ********
have you tried any of the methods that don't need a bank account. They are not perfect but at least they exist *************************************************
Reply to
Paula ********
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Anonymous ******************
@Paula *******
Exactly. People are totally obsessed with a bank account that isn’t needed or even usefulJon **********
Anonym deltagare 714 Such a ridiculous comment. Local bank account not useful for someone living 5 years in a country?
Loui *********
Anonymous participant 714 It isn't needed, but it is VERY useful to have.
Reply to
Loui *********
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Anonymous ******************
@Paula *******
At last! A logical and sensible approach! 👍Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
Can survive & thrive without opening a Thai bank account
Chris **********
Anonymous participant 223 I reckon I'm doing alright without a Thai account 👌
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Chris **********
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Anonymous ******************
We live in a global economy. You can use your overseas bank accounts, credit cards etc in Thailand
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 683 maybe if you’re in the bubble, but 90% of places I like to go to are qr only. No credit card support. Carrying and storing cash for everything gets old… makes thailand seem more like a 3rd world country than it already is
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 635 Yes I use QR code for just about everything but I live in Thailand. Not interested in carrying cash. But this post relates to tourism. When visiting other countries people have to adapt to the systems in place in that country. If I'm visiting the UK for example, I can't use QR code, so I'm compelled to use either cards or cash. This is life. I'm certainly not going to open a bank account in every country I visit in order to save a few dollars
Jon **********
Anonym deltagare 683 I don’t know much about UK visas, but do they offer one where you can stay 5 years but are not allowed to open a UK bank account?
Anonymous ******************
@Jon *********
CorrectReply to
Anonymous ******************
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Lincoln ******
Anonymous participant 683 can’t summarise. Didn’t read.
Scott **********
Anonymous participant 683 exactly . This bank account not even necessary
Abdulghani ******
Anonymous participant 683 I have bank account with Bangkok bank, they have never bothered me, I have been on Tourist visa, retirement visa, tourist visa again, DTV visa now. All this nonsense of banks closing accounts is false information.
Jon **********
@Abdulghani *****
It’s not false information. Try going in to your bank and letting them know you’re on a DTV and see what happens.Reply to
Jon **********
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Christopher ***********
Anonymous participant 683 Providing your card issuers agree to send their cards to Thailand. As regards operating a current (checking) bank account overseas, we run the risk of our bank closing us out.
Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
Then let the card issuer send the card to your home country when you are there an take it with you.Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
Card expiry dates are fixed.Reply to
Christopher ***********
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Luke ********
Anonimowy uczestnik 683 exchange rate is only a part of the puzzle - they charge extra for any cash withdrawal in a country that is very cash oriented. I agree that any dtv visa holder should have a right tu get a basic payment account. Seems obvious.
Luit *****************
@Luke *******
Should every tourist in every country in the world have the right to open bank accounts to make cash withdrawals cheaper? Why should banks not get money for a service they deliver? Just because Luke Swords is to stingy to pay for what he uses? Come on!Luke ********
@Luit ****************
when you visit for a month or two no one really cares but when you going to spend a lot of time there over the next 5 years it makes it a bit different, don't you think? I'm a ritch guy but it's about the approach more than my wallet. Anyway everybody have their opinion 🤷🏻♂️ F*ck this. I visited Thailand so many times I can swap to another country in the years to come simply for a change of environment.Luit *****************
@Luke *******
we can discuss about what is a lot of time, but DTV is not meant to live in the country, and for banks that group is just not attractive enough. When I look at most reactions here, I see mainly people who want services, but don't want to pay for those services. When banks make services available where you can top up with foreign currency people compain the service is too expensive. You just cannot expact to be happy to have customers that cost them money and a lot of workReply to
Luit *****************
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 683 i wouldn't say so, most are qr scans which western banks don't have.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 593 Most places will still take cash - those that don't offer a number of payment options, such as MasterCard or Visa
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 683 yes, but there are fees to draw cash. So that's what it's really about, isnt it?
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 593 Are you that financially inept that you can't afford a few dollars to make a cash withdrawal?
Jon **********
Anonym deltagare 683 Maybe you enjoy paying 220 thb + fee from your bank just to access your own money, but most don’t. Many Cards have a limit of anywhere between €200 to €500 per withdrawal, so you’ll need plenty of withdrawals. Over the course of 5 years these fees adds upp.
Anonymous ******************
@Jon *********
I have a Thai bank account so I don't pay those fees, but I'm not a tourist here. When I travel around the world different countries apply various fees for bank withdrawals. What do I do? Open a bank account in each country I visit?Jon **********
Anonym deltagare 683 Do you stay 5 years in each country? Then yes, it sounds like it would be convenient to have a local bank account then.
Anonymous ******************
@Jon *********
If I'm going to stay five years in a country, I'm going to get a visa which fits with my strategy to stay. I'm not going to opt for a tourist visa and then whine like a wounded cat when I'm stopped from doing certain things the visa doesn't allowJon **********
Anonym deltagare 683 DTV allows for a stay up to five years, so whats your point?
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 593 Do you really think this whole discussion is about some people are to stingy to pay some fee at ATM? And that in a country with such low cost of living?
Reply to
Luit *****************
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Lincoln ******
Anonymous participant 683 unless you want to get your car or bike out of a shopping centre car park and the option to pay is scan. Then you’re in a pretty shtty pickle…
Anonymous ******************
@Lincoln *****
So you work around it and don't park somewhere where you can't payLincoln ******
Anonymous participant 683 I live in makassan so it’s not as easy as that when I need
To go shopping unfortunately … and yes thank you for the advice, however my comment still sticks as I was replying to you saying “you can use your overseas bank accounts, credit cards etc in Thailand” and I pointed out a frequent expample
Of where you cannot.
To go shopping unfortunately … and yes thank you for the advice, however my comment still sticks as I was replying to you saying “you can use your overseas bank accounts, credit cards etc in Thailand” and I pointed out a frequent expample
Of where you cannot.
Luit *****************
@Lincoln *****
Maybe the fact you say "I live" and not "I stay" says it all, you just did choose the wrong visa. With the right visa you would be able to open a bank account.Lincoln ******
@Luit ****************
I do live here. And I’m sorry? I have had a bank account for years. Bangkok bank closed it down last week.Luit *****************
@Lincoln *****
When you choose to use a loophole of a tourist visa to live in a country and not just stay there some time, you have to accept implications of that decision. For the bank you now are a tourist.Lincoln ******
@Luit ****************
I’m not over 50 like you clearly are or Married to a Thai national either. So I didn’t use any “loopholes” my buddy. I work online full time for myself, for my overseas business I’ve owned for 14 years.This visa was the correct and only option for me.
Luit *****************
@Lincoln *****
If you think a tourist visa is the correct visa for you that is up to you When you use it full time for 5 years you are clearly using a loophole. Apart from retirement and married visa, there are more non tourist visa you can use to live in Thailand, but they might come at a cost. I am quite sure DTV is not the correct visa for you, and when you say it is the only option that just shows you don't want to pay for the correct visa. Nothing wrong with that of course, but you get what you pay for. I stay less than 180 days a year in Thailand, so DTV seems to be the correct visa for me, and I see no reason either why I should open a bank account. When we decide to go to live in Thailand we will get a visa that is meant for that purpose.Lincoln ******
@Luit ****************
yeh thanks but I own real estate here so the bank account is important for me. My bank account being closed down happened a week ago. Did you know that in the world we live in, it’s possible for one persons issue to not be an issue for someone else? Why are you trying to convince me that you know anything about MY personal situation here in Thailand? We are not the same. CheersLuit *****************
@Lincoln *****
I perfectly understand your issue, but you did not choose the visa best fitting for your purpose of stay because you want to save money. That is OK, but you then cannot expect in this case banks to adapt to this behaviour. Using loopholes of a visa also means you have to find alternative ways for your financials. When you choose a tourist visa, you should not expect to be treated as a resident.Lincoln ******
@Luit ****************
mate.. when I chose my visa it came with the right to have a bank account. That’s the facts. It’s just changed a week ago. It’s not a loophole visa. It’s a perfectly viable one. There’s many reasons I didn’t choose the “elite visa” which it seems you’re implying. Like I said, you don’t know me. My comment was simply about bank accounts now being closed without warning and the difficulty to pay with scan because you can’t link it with a foreign bank. No more, no less.Luit *****************
@Lincoln *****
DTV has been a tourist visa from the beginning. That implies you should not be surprised to be treated as a tourist. You say you use it to live in Thailand, so you are using the loophole of connecting the stays back to back, just fine. Without bank account there are still options to use QR Promptpay targeted at tourists when you really want, but that comes at a cost. It is all a matter of making decisions.Lincoln ******
@Luit ****************
so you’re on a DTV?Luit *****************
@Lincoln *****
Yes, as long as Thailand not is my primary residence and I have a remote job when I am there, DTV id fine.Never needed a Thai bank account.
Lincoln ******
@Luit ****************
great. Well Thailand is my primary residence. So as I mentioned. We are not the same.Luit *****************
@Lincoln *****
With this you say yourself you choose the wrong visa, a tourist visa for the country of your prime residence just does not match with each other.By using the touris visa to its limits, this loophole gives you the posssibility to use it to live in Thailand. Necessary border bouncing is one of the symptoms as this, just as no bank account, and only 2 year tempory drivers license.
That has nothing to do with the fact we are not the same.
You complain the bank closed your account, but by choosing to be a tourist and not a visa to stay as resident, this is caused by yourself, not by the bank.
Lincoln ******
@Luit ****************
mate… the rules changed. Fact. When I got the DTV. As a property owner, the bank account was approved and included in the conditions of the visa. I’m assuming you’re clairvoyant or some derivative of psychic blessing seeing as though you’ve told me on repeat for your entire Tuesday that I’ve never been entitled to a bank account and that I chose the incorrect visa. Or of course unless you work for immigration? Either way I’m bored with this so enjoy your night and I wish you many blessings 🙏
Jon **********
@Lincoln *****
Some, mostly older guys, just defend anything and everything thai gov says or does.Lincoln ******
@Jon *********
I feel like there’s a lot of rude guys in here considering I assumed it was a group for advice and support rather than patronising people.Anonymous ******************
@Lincoln *****
You've asked the question and you've got the answers. What else do you want to hear?Lincoln ******
Anonymous participant 683 nothing?
Luit *****************
@Lincoln *****
Bank account included in conditions of a visa? MFA does not tell anything at all about bank accounts.Banks decide which rules they use, within what government tells them to do.
There is nothing changed about DTV, it was a tourist visa from the very first moment. In the beginning some banks allowed opening bank accounts on DTV, while others did not allow. The trend to not allowing is very clear now, possible because government rules for banks are more strict and banks better know DTV by now.
It is not necessary to be clairvoyant to foresee a tourist visa might have some disadvantages when you want to use it to live in a country, and I suppose you know working at immigration is not a part time job you can do on a DTV visa.
Lincoln ******
Luit *****************
@Lincoln *****
Normally people post a short summary of a long article after TLDR, yours is missing and very short...And I do not see a long article too.
Reply to
Luit *****************
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Brilliant*********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 683 Some Asian countries' bank policies on exchange rates lead to losses when using their cards to withdraw money in this country.
Luit *****************
BrilliantMouse3131 then find another bank, it is your card issuer that decides about exchange rate, don't choose to let ATM do conversion.
Anonymous ******************
BrilliantMouse3131 That's part of the joys of international travelling and living. Exchange rates are never going to be overly favourable so you just have to work with what you have.
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Anonymous ******************
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