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What documents do I need from the US embassy to open a bank account in Thailand?

Thailand bankingVisa requirementsBank account openingUS embassy documentsCertificate of residencyNotarized passportImmigration proceduresExpats in Thailand
Apr 29, 2023
2 years ago
Zachariah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am trying to open a bank account here in Thailand. I went to a few banks and they told me I need something from the US embassy to open an account, but they couldn't tell me what it was. I looked on the US embassy website and couldnt find it. Anyone know what specific document I need for that?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To open a bank account in Thailand, you typically need a certificate of residency, which can be obtained from the local immigration office. However, the US embassy no longer issues residency certificates as of a few months ago, so some alternatives may be required. Many users suggest obtaining a notarized copy of your passport from the US embassy, which costs around $50 and requires an appointment. It's noted that each bank may have its own specific requirements, and recent changes in policies may affect expat access to banking services.
Taz **********
Get a letter from where you are staying, stating you reside there. List your name, country, date of birth, passport number

Take this letter & passport and passport sizes photos to your local immigration & request a certificate/ letter of residency to open a bank account, they usually charge 500 baht per letter.

Take this residency letter with your passport to a bank

The residency letter is only valid for 30 days

Go to a main branch usually helps

Bangkok bank & ? Kasikorn are the easiest

SCB requires a yellow house book to open an account

Krungshri requires you to have a retirement visa

Bangkok bank will usually ask you to buy a bank product

Accident insurance for 12 months, cheapest option is just under $6,000 baht
2 years ago
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Chris *********
@Taz *********
 this was

The case up until 6 week ago before a new law came in, I been all the banks the last few days and all say will ONLY except one year NonO or Retirement visa, no exceptions and not taking residency letters any more, they said come

Back next year maybe the law will change again 🤷🏼‍♂️
2 years ago
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Taz **********
@Chris ********
 it’s interesting then, as krungshri requires you to have a retirement visa to open an account, I took a friend late last year, he did an OA visa in his own country however needed an account to deposit money to apply for his O visa / retirement, Krungshri would not let him so we went to Bangkok bank and opened one for him
2 years ago
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Chris *********
@Taz *********
 this was Pattaya dark side, that my experience a few days ago … yea they’ve tightened right up 🤷🏼‍♂️
2 years ago
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Taz **********
@Chris ********
 depending on your circumstances, I’m sure if you went to another area, even Udonthani

And did the process you would most likely succeed

Places like Pattaya have a high turnover and most likely ppl open accounts and then leave Thailand, causing the banks to have a high volume of unused accounts with no money in them & unable to close for a certain period of time, this would cause them to enact something like the requirement to hold a retirement visa

Banks in Thailand are like franchises, what happens in one branch / city doesn’t happen in another 🤣🤣🤣
2 years ago
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Chris *********
@Taz *********
 yes your right, I’ve not gave up lol
2 years ago
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Taz **********
@Chris ********
 I need to renew my Thai licence, it expired during Covid, in Udonthani they want me to do a driver school at $4,000 baht per licence, in Khon Kaen 120 Klm away someone just did theirs / no school, cost about 300 baht.

My international drivers permit expires in about 6 weeks, I’m looking to go to Pattaya to do my licence 🤔
2 years ago
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Taz **********
@Chris ********
 years ago Pattaya was easy, just needed a passport for krungshri

My girlfriend, my friend and I opened accounts with Bangkok bank between October 22 and March 23 in Udonthani
2 years ago
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Chris *********
@Taz *********
 yea I had 2 accounts but they closed them because inactive of late (long story), been telling all my friends to put money in their accounts to keep active..
2 years ago
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Taz **********
So if all banks do this, how do ppl open an account for a retirement visa 🤔
2 years ago
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Taz **********
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Taz **********
@Chris ********
 what area ?
2 years ago
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Taz **********
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Steve *************
I was visa-exempt, got a residence certificate at immigration and walked into K-bank walking out 30 minutes later with an accout. If course I need my passport and a 2nd ID, but it couldn't have been easier
2 years ago
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Chris *********
@Steve ************
 was that recently or not? It’s just they changed the laws 6-8 week ago and now they are only excepting 1 year Non O or retirement visas no exception 🤷🏼‍♂️
2 years ago
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Chris *********
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เจสัน ******
Use this Bangkok Bank Link for Foreign Customers...ask them to send exactly what they require in writing to you.

************************************************************************
2 years ago
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Phil ******
@Zachariah *******
 like all banks around the world they require proof of id and also proof of residence. It's this residence document they require. Go to the Head office bank of Bangkok bank with a thai friend or use an agent to do for you

Good luck
2 years ago
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Phil ********
Siam Legal law firm; it'll cost you 5000 thb to have their assistance in opening a bank account.

TIT

YMMV
2 years ago
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Kat ******
Not sure if this information applies to all banks in Thailand. But in Krungthai bank, they might ask something else aside from a residence certificate. If you're a foreigner especially if you have a residence in US, they will/might require an additional documents. Few days ago, the bank employee told us on why they ask us if we have an address in US because it is about "avoiding TAX".
2 years ago
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Chris *******
Certificate of residency

Appointment

And $50.00

Or

Call Siam legal

Will do it for you $100.00 usd
2 years ago
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Frank **********
@Chris ******
 American Embassy doesn't issue Residency Certificates.
2 years ago
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Chris *******
@Frank *********
They did when I needed it

Sorry to hear
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Chris ******
 they just stopped 2 months ago
2 years ago
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Chris *********
@Brandon ***********
 yes this is true… I’m

Trying to find a loop hole myself with no success yet
2 years ago
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Chris *********
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Brandon ************
As mentioned a few times and I'll confirm. They want a certificate of residency but the US embassy no longer does this. So you either find a bank that will do it without or use an agent to open an account.
2 years ago
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Donna ***************
@Brandon ***********
 My husband and I had to do this two

months ago: 1. Make an online appt with the US Consulate for a NOTARIZED AFFIDAVIT OF YOUR THAI ADDRESS, basically you solemnly swear in front of Consulate staff that this is your Thai address and they notarize it for the lovely price of $50usd EACH. It states right on the form that they make no guarantees of this information, it’s just some red tape that Thai Banks insist upon. The nice staff person said she and even the manager of the whole facility had to do this, and it’s the most common thing American citizens need from them! Each person needs one appt, and be sure to take a screen shot and make a physical copy of your appt information, security will check for this at the queue to their roster, or you will not be allowed past this point! Also, security is super tight, more than TSA, check website, but no laptops, chargers, etc. Your cell phones will need to be turned off and checked in At security front desk.

We went to 9 different branches of the top 4 Thai banks trying to open bank accounts for our Non-Immigrant O-A Visas (Retirement), and yes, they all told us different things, or vague things. We also brought in originals and copies of our US Passports, USA driver’s licenses, TM30, our 12mo th lease agreement, Official Thai Consulate letter granting us the Non-Immigrant O-A Visa (which we applied for stateside, with financial information and FBI criminal checks!)

Some banks asked for our work permits (none: we are RETIRED). Some said they just don’t do them. Even with the consulate notarized affidavits in hand, we were told at Bangkok Bank (CentralwOrld) that the teller “needed to call and confirm with the consulate employee”, even tho we had our consulate appts printed up and consulate notary receipts, AND had confirmation of the visa charges online…but the consular offices were closed by then. We knew then it just wasn’t gonna happen and then waited for over 2 hours at Kasikorn Bank where we finally did open two separate bank accounts…but they waited until the very end of the day—after every local had been served before us. They did stay well after closing, and the staff member was very professional and nice, however. It was…difficult and frustrating to say the least.
2 years ago
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Phillip ***********
@Brandon ***********
 agency
2 years ago
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David *********
@Brandon ***********
 Thai immigration issues certificate of residence. I just got 2 for buying a car and renewing my drivers license. Best to ask for the 1 year certificate and not the 30 day one, just in case
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@David ********
 every office has different requirements to apply for and receive though. For example a tourist simply cannot get a certificate of residence from Bangkok immigration.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Steve *******
Yep. Notarised copy of your passport. Go online and book the appointment
2 years ago
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Scott ************
This is what they showed me as an example of what you need from the embassy.
2 years ago
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Scott ************
In addition to the residency certificate
2 years ago
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Scott ************
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Russell *******
Get a certificate of residency from you local immigration office. Once I had this an account was open within an hour of receiving it , after many failed attempts at numerous banks and branches. Just persevere and you will achieve it. It was Bangkok bank, Chiang rai , if that's any help. 🙏
2 years ago
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Sean *********
My experience in BKK: Tourist stamp/visa: Kasikorn Bank, Siam Paragon…..residential lease, home country drivers license (for ID purposes)…..though it is possible to get an account, the old guarantee of Bangkok Bank is not really an option at the moment. The powers that be are in (brown envelope) negotiations with the bank at the moment.
2 years ago
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Bob **********
Just go from bank to bank they all have there own rules you might get lucky show them your tm30 in your passport and might have to buy accident insurance but if your here for any length of time it’s not a bad thing to have go to Bangkok Bank in Central Festival there the go to spot
2 years ago
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Terry *******
Bangkok bank is your best option
2 years ago
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Alex *******
Probably notarization of your passport by the embassy. But it has been getting very difficult to open bank accounts recently, so you might not succeed
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
They’re after what’s called a “residence certificate”. You can get them from immigration or your embassy. Except sometimes you can’t.

Some embassies won’t issue them and if you’re in Bangkok immigration won’t issue one unless you’ve done a 90 day report - which you can’t do if you’re on a short term visa.
2 years ago
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Steve ******
Pay an agent, job done.
2 years ago
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Jim ***********
@Steve *****
 easiest way 👍
2 years ago
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Jim ***********
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Craig ********
You need a notarized copy of your passport. $50 at the US embassy, make an appointment online.
2 years ago
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Phil ******
@Craig *******
 notarised not needed as they see your passport in bank.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Phil *****
 did you even read the thread? Yes many bank branches REQUIRE this document. Your passport is not enough in many cases.
2 years ago
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Phil ******
@Craig *******
 yes the original NOT A NOTARISED PASSPORT
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Phil *****
 Again, many branches requires a notarized copy of your passport (in addition to the passport itself) from the embassy to open a Thai bank account.
2 years ago
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Phil ******
@Craig *******
 the bank manager copied my passport and notarised it in front of me. The assistant manager can also do it
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Phil *****
 Yes, for the last time my friend, it's up to the branch manager. They can do it with just a passport or they can require the notarized copy from the embassy. Both ways are common.

This guy went to a bank and they told him he needed something from the embassy but couldn't tell him what. I am telling him what they are actually asking for.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
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John **********
@Craig *******
 I just walked in to Bangkok Bank and opened an account. Just showed passport and had to deposit 500 baht 🤔
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@John *********
 yes it depends on the branch manager what they will do for you. But if they are asking him for something from the embassy then it's almost certainly a notarized copy of his passport. If he wants to go from branch to branch looking for someone to give him the account without it, that's an option.

The reason they do this is to avoid the problem of a bank teller not being an expert in how to identify a forged passport and relying on the embassy to declare it authentic.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
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Bill ************
@Craig *******
 i never needed that.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Bill ***********
 it's up to the bank's local manager and is pretty common. But if they are asking for something from the embassy that's probably what they want.
2 years ago
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Bill ************
@Craig *******
 you actually got a notarized copy of your passport?
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Bill ***********
 Yes, that was what bangkok bank required. You go to the embassy and they photocopy it and then notarize it and you take that plus the actual passport to back to the branch. That's exactly what I had to do
2 years ago
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Bill ************
@Craig *******
 wow, first time I have heard of that. I just walked in, (yellow bank). They copied my passport, I may have shown them my lease contact. That was that!
2 years ago
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Chris *********
@Bill ***********
 when was this as they changed the rules “apparently” 5 weeks ago ? TIA
2 years ago
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Bill ************
@Chris ********
 whuch rule are you asking about????
2 years ago
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Chris *********
@Bill ***********
 not sore the correct term but all

Banks saying the government changed the law about 6 weeks ago and all banks won’t accept a resident paper now only Yearly Non O or retirement what I’ve not got this trip, I’ve had an account for 20 years but they closed it as it’s been inactive for a few year 🤷🏼‍♂️
2 years ago
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Bill ************
@Chris ********
 first I’ve heard of this new rule. It was difficult before, now it must be reaching impossible.
2 years ago
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Chris *********
@Bill ***********
 yea true story, I been here for a couple month so kicking myself for not sorting soon as I returned, I’m

Not giving up.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Bill ***********
 You leased a condo without a bank account? Interesting order of operations. Again, it's up to the branch manager of the bank what they require but I've heard of many people having to get the notarized copy
2 years ago
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Bill ************
@Craig *******
 I never said I leased a condo. I leased a house. Agree, each manager at each branch seems to make up their own rules.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Bill ***********
 condo, house, whatever... point being you entered into the lease without a Thai bank account. Which is a bit out of the ordinary I would think. Taking a couple months rent in cash... /shrug.
2 years ago
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Bill ************
@Craig *******
 why would they require a bank account? My landlord doesn’t care what form payment come in. Maybe the different between private sector and corporations. Don’t really know.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Bill ***********
 they don't require a bank account to sign a lease. But that's how most people pay, bank to bank transfer to the landlord. If you want to go in there with a wad of cash I'm sure they will still lease it to you. It just strikes me as an odd order to do things in. I got my bank account long before i signed a lease.
2 years ago
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Dan *******
@Craig *******
 I would say 90% of my friends in Thailand don't have a thai bank account but have leased a property. Most just transfer using wise from their regular bank to their landlords thai bank account
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Dan ******
 Wise can take a couple weeks for all the ACH stuff to clear. That's crazy. Most of my friends are on retiree visas which require a thai bank account. Perhaps your friends are all high-rollers on elite visas.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
Also why would they pay all those fees just to pay a monthly rent? Seems to be cheaper to move a chunk of money over into a Thai bank account and deal with everything from there.
2 years ago
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Dan *******
@Craig *******
 no they all train muay thai and are on ED visas, and wise is almost always instant. Ofcourse they can pay cash too if they have any worries
2 years ago
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Craig ********
also it's even slower when you declare that you are sending funds internationally to an account that is not yours and can increase scrutiny. I'm a little skeptical that 90% of your friends are paying their rent directly with wise. That would be a lot more expensive than getting a thai bank account
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Dan ******
 wise is anything but instant, i've been using wise and xe for many years (xe is often cheaper) but neither one is fast. International bank transfers are never fast.

How are your friends getting all this cash if they don't have a thai bank account?
2 years ago
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Dan *******
@Craig *******
 withdrawing from the ATM using their home country's bank card. Never had a problem with wise myself only have really positive things to say about it
2 years ago
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Craig ********
sounds expensive
2 years ago
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Bill ************
@Craig *******
 i moved into a house two days after arriving in Phuket on a tourist visa. Then went looking for a bank account. Whatever works I guess!
2 years ago
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Bill ************
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Steve ********
Perhaps a certificate of residency, but the US embassy stopped issuing these a couple of months ago, so you'll need to go to your immigration office where you do your 90-day reporting to get one
2 years ago
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Steve ********
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