This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What do I need to successfully open a bank account in Thailand on a Non-O visa as a foreigner married to a Thai citizen?
Non-O visaBank accountThailandMarriage visaUS EmbassyThai spouseImmigrationForeigners in ThailandVisa requirementsBanking in Thailand
Aug 29, 2019
7 years ago
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am trying to open a Bank Account in Thailand and am on a Non-O visa now. I have a Thai Spouse and this is part of the process of obtaining a marriage visa to deposit my 400,000K baht for 3 months.
After spending an hour in the bank, they are saying I need a specific paper from the US embassy which allows me to open the account but couldn't give me a form number.
I have a good friend in the Khon Kaen immigration office that says my bank is "bullshit" and try another bank. Does anyone have experience with this? Thank you.
After spending an hour in the bank, they are saying I need a specific paper from the US embassy which allows me to open the account but couldn't give me a form number.
I have a good friend in the Khon Kaen immigration office that says my bank is "bullshit" and try another bank. Does anyone have experience with this? Thank you.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is experiencing difficulty opening a bank account in Thailand while on a Non-O visa, despite being married to a Thai citizen. They were informed by the bank that they need a specific document from the US embassy but weren't given clear details. Community members advise them to try different banks, particularly Kasikorn, where they can open accounts with just a passport and basic documentation. It appears that experiences vary widely depending on the bank branch, and some users suggest that the embassy requirement is misinformation from inexperienced bank staff.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Jesse *********
@Robert *******
how did your marriage visa go? where did you apply?Jesse *********
Robert Pruitt All you need from the US Embassy is an affidavit right? and they stamp with their notary stamp? P.S. do you mind sharing the agency you used?
Reply to
Jesse *********
Reply
Vivek ********
Try kasikaron branch in a some mall with this amount I hope u will be able to get through this red tape.I did it with only my Non B Visa and company docs.
Akthar ************
Robert Pruitt I opened my account 3 months ago in krungsri it was really quick with my non immigrant visa
Reply to
Akthar ************
Reply
Marty ********
I have been told that a RESIDENCY CERTIFICATE will eliminate that problem. Thai Immigration offices will give you one that is only valid for 30 day. A copy of your lease and passport will be required.
The U.S. Consulate will give you a RESIDENCY CERTIFICATE valid for 6 months. I have been told you must schedule an appointment for them and have no idea what documents they require.
All of this information came from my Thai Attorney who is getting my initial RESIDENCY CERTIFICATE as I am disabled and do not mind paying them to do that. Plus I cannot do stairs.
The U.S. Consulate will give you a RESIDENCY CERTIFICATE valid for 6 months. I have been told you must schedule an appointment for them and have no idea what documents they require.
All of this information came from my Thai Attorney who is getting my initial RESIDENCY CERTIFICATE as I am disabled and do not mind paying them to do that. Plus I cannot do stairs.
Vipin *******
Go to your wife's bank... They let me opened bank account even on tourist visa... Lol
Kenny ********
Bangkok bank , tm30 and passport
Joe ********
That's not true. I opened an account without any paperwork from the embassy. Just needed to fill out the irs tax form
John ********
Six months ago, I went to a tiny Bangkok Bank branch in a shopping mall just north of you (Nong Bua Lamphu).
Opened two single accounts and one joint account. Passport only. They already had the IRS form.
Yes, your Khon Kaen friend was correct. Even different branches of the same bank have vastly different levels of competence.
Opened two single accounts and one joint account. Passport only. They already had the IRS form.
Yes, your Khon Kaen friend was correct. Even different branches of the same bank have vastly different levels of competence.
Ադամ ********
My bank in Chiang Mai has required this for years. They are foreigner friendly, clearly displaying requirements to open an account
Ադամ ********
Garrett Greenwald The embassy/consul letter to validate the passport.
Reply to
Ադամ ********
Reply
Paramjit *******
awesome 📌
Dawn **********
I went to 3 Bangkok bank before they allowed me to open an account with my passport and lease agreement...People say the one in Kad Suan Kaew was the easiest. It didn’t work for me. I opened mine at Pantip plaza. Good luck.
Nathan ***************
Opened a joint account no problem just after we got married
All finished in about 15 minutes
Kasikorm
All finished in about 15 minutes
Kasikorm
Thomas *************************
Just go to Krungsri. All you need is a lease agreement and passport. I got one on a tourist visa.
Benjamin *************
Reply to
Benjamin *************
Reply
Steven ***************
I got one easily at Kasikorn
I'm on a spouse visa too. Take your wife to the branch in your local area. She will need to cosign for it.
I'm on a spouse visa too. Take your wife to the branch in your local area. She will need to cosign for it.
Steven ***************
If you still have grief, open a joint account with wife first then return a few days later to open a sole account.
Reply to
Steven ***************
Reply
Ken ******
I just did this two months ago. Had to fill out a US tax form (the bank had the form) but that was it, aside from providing a passport and a Thai address.
Go to a different bank if they won’t play ball with you. Should not be an issue once you sit in front of someone at the bank that knows the procedure.
Go to a different bank if they won’t play ball with you. Should not be an issue once you sit in front of someone at the bank that knows the procedure.
Rob **********
Try different banks and different branches- keep pounding the footpath and eventually you'll get a bank sorted. After all, I know people that have opened bank accounts on visa exempt and tourist visas with just a copy of passport.
Vipin *******
@Rob *********
true....Reply to
Vipin *******
Reply
Jamie *******
As others have said -- just try different branches. Some are more cooperative than others.
Benjamin *************
That’s indeed bullshit. Go to kasikorn, and try out different branches, talk to the manager.... eventually it will be possible
Andrew *******
Not an IRS form? I had to fill out a US tax form at K-Bank when I took over as MD for a company in Thailand.
Steven ***************
@Khun *****
. Exactly. If tourists can open a bank account here then spouses of thai citizens definitely can. As you said just lazy or incompetent staff at the bank.Ken ******
Robert Pruitt Nope. You need your passport and nothing from any embassy. You also do not need a work permit.
If they start in with that, then go somewhere else. That means they don’t know what they are doing.
They drop that Embassy nonsense when they don’t know the procedure.
If they start in with that, then go somewhere else. That means they don’t know what they are doing.
They drop that Embassy nonsense when they don’t know the procedure.
Andrew *******
Not sure what else you would need. Non-US banks don’t like the reporting requirements for US account-holders. Made us pains in their behinds.
Reply to
Andrew *******
Reply
David ********
Where did you try to open the account area i mean
David ********
@Robert *******
yeah sounds about bang on mateDavid ********
@Robert *******
i know its difficult in touristy areas ive had no problems in nong khai to be honest i think some places the staff cant be botheredReply to
David ********
Reply
Yin ********
ICBC Chiangmai
Henrik **************
Try another bank.
Reply to
Henrik **************
Reply
20 comments
2 years ago
28 comments
2 years ago
116 comments
2 years ago
15 comments
2 years ago
135 comments
2 years ago
12 comments
2 years ago
77 comments
2 years ago
96 comments
3 years ago
33 comments
3 years ago
23 comments
3 years ago
29 comments
4 years ago
0 comments
4 years ago
10 comments
4 years ago
112 comments
5 years ago
22 comments
5 years ago
135 comments
5 years ago
188 comments
5 years ago
15 comments
5 years ago
50 comments
6 years ago
9 comments
7 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
6 comments
7 years ago
48 comments
8 years ago
31 comments
8 years ago
18 comments
9 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.