This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What documents are needed to open a bank account and apply for a Retirement Visa in Thailand?
Non-O VisaRetirement VisaThailandBank AccountImmigrationVisa ApplicationThai Driver's LicenseVisa ExtensionTM30 Registration
Oct 30, 2025
6 months ago
Andrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHi Peeps, my wife and I (abv 50y/o) just got issued our 90-days Non-O Immigrant Visa from outside of thailand. Once i arrive in BKK and get my visa stamped on my passport, i understand that I can open a bank account which I will do from Bang Saray/Sattahip, since I own a condo there (will bring all my property papers). Will the bank ask for a Thai mobile rgst'd in my name ? What are ALL the docs they need ?
Beside this, does anyone know how to go about obtaining a Retirement Visa while we are in Thailand(without going thru an agent) ? What are the documents and stuff needed to apply for Retirement Visa btw. How much must I deposit into Kasikorn bank ? How many days would the Retirement Visa approval take and must I be staying in Thailand until they issue it ? Also how to obtain a Thai Driver's lic ? I already have my country's one and a valid International Driving Permit. tyvvvm
Beside this, does anyone know how to go about obtaining a Retirement Visa while we are in Thailand(without going thru an agent) ? What are the documents and stuff needed to apply for Retirement Visa btw. How much must I deposit into Kasikorn bank ? How many days would the Retirement Visa approval take and must I be staying in Thailand until they issue it ? Also how to obtain a Thai Driver's lic ? I already have my country's one and a valid International Driving Permit. tyvvvm
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking information about opening a bank account and obtaining a Retirement Visa after receiving a 90-day Non-O Immigrant Visa in Thailand. They inquire about the required documents for the bank account, specifically asking if a Thai mobile number is necessary. Additionally, they want details on obtaining a Retirement Visa without an agent, including required documents, the minimum bank deposit, processing time, and the need to stay in Thailand during approval. Comments suggest that a residence certificate, a Thai mobile number, proof of residence, and a TM30 registration are important for the visa and banking process.
90 DAY REPORTING RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Use the trusted Thailand 90 Day Reporting Serviceto get your in-person report done and mailed to you for as low as 375 THB (even if the online system doesn't work for you).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- 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 90 Day Reporting Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Martin **************
To mention one important requirement that is often forgotten or neglected: an TM30 that was registered within 24 hours after you arrival, mostly done by the hotel where you will stay after your arrival in Bangkok. When you come to your condo later, register a TM30 within 24 hours after arrival there. Because you are the owner of the condo, you have to do that yourself. It can be done online:
tm30.immigration.go.th
tm30.immigration.go.th
Martin **************
I'm so surprised that people don't find out the requirements for extension of a non-immigrant visa before they enter Thailand. You can easily make a mistake or forget something and then the extension of your visa will be denied. Thai Immigration has become very strict. You can do it yourself without a problem and save the money for an agent, but you have to be well prepared.
Jason ******
The more and more I read about all these retirement visa problems, I wish I now never bothered to come to thailand, have a photo of the place of where you staying for residence lol, Christ sake do they want sperm DNA also . Think I just about had enough of it already and not even arrived yet ,I knew I should have stuck with Cambodia, phils or Vietnam where I am sure they would welcome my retirement with less hassle and stress
Thomas ***********
You will need a registry of where you live with photo of you infront of address you will need to have 800,000thb in your bank for a period of no less than 3 months very doubtful you can open a bank account without a agent they keep accounts with needed funds and attch your name until opened its a frustraiting process i have a bank account at bangkok bank but it wasnt easy willing to keep your money my account for 5% a month interest fee if under 1.5 million us
Stuart ***********
Great reply from John (as always) covers pretty much everything I think.
Get a folder and make copies of your documents (you will need copies constantly and some passport photos). Go to your local immigration office and ask for their list of requirements to extend your stay (every office is slightly different) and the application form. Good luck.
Get a folder and make copies of your documents (you will need copies constantly and some passport photos). Go to your local immigration office and ask for their list of requirements to extend your stay (every office is slightly different) and the application form. Good luck.
John **********
When you enter Thailand you will get stamped in for 90 days. You will need to open a bank account within the first couple of weeks as to apply for a 12 month extension of stay (not a visa) the money must be in the bank for 2 full calendar months. To open the bank account you will most likely need a residence certificate from your local immigration office. And yes you will need a Thai mobile number in your name. Retirement extensions are normally issued on the day but if you want to leave after that you will need a re-entry permit to keep it alive, you can get one either from your immigration office or at the airport. You need to have a minimum of 800k baht in a Thai bank for 2 full calendar months before applying for an extension. Getting a Thai licence is pretty straightforward if you have a home license and IDP, you go, you apply, you do a couple of very basic tests and they give you a 2 year licence, when you go for the next one they will give you one for 5 years
Von ***********
@John *********
having just gone through all this, to get the Thai bank account, the Thai phone 📱 number is also linked via your passport as verification of identity and the carrier will issue a ( confirmation docket ) this is important as the Bank 🏦 of your choosing will want to see that docket to link your identity with the phone number to your bank account along with facial scan at the bank.Did it all on Thursday with Kasikorn.
Jason ******
@John *********
to get an extension of stay one year do you need police check , I have a police check when it was first done in 2019 printed certificate , all clear record, I then registered my police check on the online criminal update service this means I can give the info to look at it online only , they won't print another certificate with a new date of 2025 . Cos anyone can view the criminal police check online with my permission this is how our police checks now work in UK ,they have gone digital to stop having to print certificates to save paper and also as lots get stolen in the post which is Causing fraud and copy of Identity .Will my 2019 printed physical copy be accepted or will thailand accept looking at my criminal record online to view it themselves. ( I doubt it )Chris *********
@Jason *****
I think the police check is dependent on visa. One needs it the other doesn't. Non O does not need, non OA does (I think it's that way round).John **********
@Jason *****
you don't need a criminal police check for an extension of stay. Depending which visa you apply for you may need one but that's most likely in your home country before you travel to ThailandJason ******
@John *********
ok perfect thanks, I am coming in Novemeber with 90 days retirement Non O ( single entry ) I was hoping to get extension of one year year retirement but multiple entry can you get that if you pay extra for the multiple entry. I got to possibly leave thailand for family visit to sick patient in hospital or even possible funeral . Thanks for info much appreciatedJohn **********
@Jason *****
yep you can do that, either a single re-entry permit or a multiple but be aware it doesn't add any time, just keeps your entry stamp alive when you leaveJason ******
@John *********
ok I see what you mean now, it dont add any time on extension of stay, If I leave for Uk Yeah I understand that , so if I got extension of stay from Feb 2026 to Feb 2027 , if I am out of Thailand for 3 months then I loose 3 months on the extension ,Chris *********
@Jason *****
you can only leave the country for a max of 90 days whatever you do or you have to start again. If you are going to leave the country more than a couple of times in a year then get a multi entry extension, if less then just pay at immigration before you go.John **********
@Jason *****
probably best to think of it as the extension just carries on until it's permitted date whether you are in Thailand or not, assuming you get a re-entry permitJason ******
@John *********
so maybe best to stay with single entry and just pay at airport when I have to leave to keep my entry stamp alive ,Reply to
Jason ******
Reply
Andrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
what’s the “best” and most competitively priced telco there; True, AIS or DTAC ? My friend swears on DTAC. Haha 😁John **********
@Andrew ******
they're all ok, I use AISAndrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
What are the documents needed to apply for Retirement Visa btw. I heard also need to show cleared of criminal record, some say don’t need.John **********
@Andrew ******
depends which of the 5 or so distinct retirement visas you want to apply forAndrew *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
What ? 5 diff types of retirement visa ? WTH ! I don’t know man. Just the standard retirement visa I guess. Heard the “standard” is one that allows 365 days and online reporting every 3 months ?What type of insurance they need us to get and which company in Thailand provides that ?
Keith ************
@Andrew ******
you probably have a non O. Non oa requires a health check, a criminal record check and insurance. Non o has none of those requirements. Visit your local immigration office (which you'll have to do anyway to get a residency certificate for the bank) and ask them for a handout for the requirements for the yearly extension. It varies a bit from office to office, so you need to get specific info.
And lastly, it's not reporting every 3 months, it's every 90 days.
But for now, just visit immi and ask for a residency cert and requirements for the yearly extension.
John **********
@Andrew ******
I guess the most common one is the Non-O visa. Get it before you come to Thailand using funds in your home bank which allows you to enter Thailand for 90 days. Once you are in Thailand open a bank account stick 800k baht in it and apply for the 12 month extension of stayGraham ******
@Andrew ******
To get 12 months on entry that's the Non-OA and requires insurance, police check etc. The "standard" one is the Non-O which gets 90 days on entry.Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Graham ******
@John *********
Glad uou got here before me 555Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
11 comments
6 months ago
10 comments
7 months ago
15 comments
8 months ago
56 comments
9 months ago
54 comments
9 months ago
26 comments
9 months ago
41 comments
10 months ago
17 comments
a year ago
18 comments
a year ago
17 comments
a year ago
83 comments
a year ago
31 comments
a year ago
72 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
53 comments
a year ago
146 comments
a year ago
21 comments
2 years ago
10 comments
2 years ago
124 comments
3 years ago
83 comments
3 years ago
134 comments
3 years ago
29 comments
4 years ago
46 comments
8 years ago
71 comments
8 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.