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What documents do I need to open a bank account in Thailand with a Non-O visa?

Aug 6, 2025
2 days ago
Clifton ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am attempting to open a bank account. I have a copy of my Lease, a document from Immigration acknowledging the lease and my Non-O Visa.

Do I need a document from Immigration to open a bank account (lady at Mall Immigration Office said I did)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To open a bank account in Thailand with a Non-O visa, it's often necessary to have a certificate of residence from the immigration office, though some banks may also accept just a lease agreement. The process can vary by bank and region, with some branches requiring original documents and others being more lenient. Recent reports indicate increased difficulty in opening accounts for some types of visas, particularly 90-day Non-O visas, which some banks treat as tourist visas. It is advisable to check with the specific bank branch for their requirements.
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David **********
Yes get a letter from immigration to open a bank account
Mark ********
Yes. I just did it in March.
Chris **********
I recently had difficulties trying to open the bank account. I was finally successful about 3 weeks ago at a standalone Kasikorn Bank branch. The requirements were my passport and in the passport a Non O Visa my extension of stay for one year and not a copy but the original lease agreement with my owner lots of signing lots of paperwork out with my new account in about 40 minutes. The main thing the bank had told me was a copy of the lease agreement was not acceptable it had to be the original. I did not need anything from immigration
Stephen *********
Yesterday Aranyapratet Immigration told me they don't do Certificates of Residence even after we submitted a TM30 by my landlord.
Finns ********
Yes certificate of residence 500 baht,passport photocopy page with visa and main page, two photos and lease should do it.
Max *************
@Finns *******
The cost differs between provinces. At some it's free if you can pick it up next day,at some 300 baht same day. 500 baht is imo quite expensive.
Finns ********
Sure, I understand, but paying 500 is straight away, i.e., 10 to 30 minutes at Hua Hin, with good service and friendly staff.
Daz **********
I did with krungsri, not for kasikorn
Kees **********
Yes, it's always better to ask Facebook than believing the officials. Maybe ask the bank.
Max *************
@Kees *********
You need to ask the branch,not the bank itself. Requirements differ.
Sean ********
Check out my post dated the 14th July. Hope this helps
Wayne ******
Hard to get a bank account lately, might have to find an agent to help
Clifton ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne *****
and all others. Thanks for the replies 👍

I went to the immigration office and requested a “Letter of Residence “ they will mail it to my Thai Address in 15 days. See the picture for what is required. They were very helpful (unless you are an Arrogant Chinese who argues with everyone) They waited while I ran and got a passport photo that is required from the Photo Copy Shop that is at the immigration office.

Thanks again
Vivek ********
@Clifton **********
There is a fee of 200 or 300 baht extra but with in a hour you will get it normal procees you have to go next day to collect it ..By mail??
Clifton ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vivek *******
they are mailing it to me in 15 days… this is from the Chiang Mai Immigration Center at the airport.
Clifton ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
And I didn’t pay anything
Paul ********
@Clifton **********
Interesting. In Jomtien, Immigration had me come back later the same day to collect the document. No mailing or long waiting.
Max *************
@Wayne *****
Theres no need to use an agent as long as you're on correct type of visa and knows what documents to bring to the bank.
Wayne ******
@Max ************
the past month the banks are making is very difficult to open new accounts
Paul ********
@Wayne *****
Agent of little help if you have non O. You can do everything yourself very quick and easy.

What part would an agent make easier?
Paul ********
@Doug *******
Yeah - you could be right. I agree with your take on it.

There are a lot of moving parts right now in Thailand - some seemingly unrelated events and forces working together, producing perhaps unintended consequences.

I predict continued turbulence ahead for the next year or so. Good time to keep your head down and your nose clean! 555

And ALWAYS. . .have a plan B.
Stuart *********
@Paul *******
Used to be the case. Numerous reports on here that lately it may not be. Even with a Non O.
Paul ********
@Stuart ********
I opened a new Kasikorn account about three weeks ago. So easy and quick. Finding a pen to fill out the form at immigration was the biggest problem I faced.

I'm not one of those anti-agent guys. I will use them no problem if I see a benefit. But in this case, I just can't imagine how an agent would have made the experience quicker, easier, or cheaper.
Doug ********
@Paul *******
which visa was you on ? And where was the branch if you don't mind me asking as I was refused at kasikorn a couple of months ago in Udon Thani but accepted at krungsgri next door with exactly the same paperwork
Paul ********
@Doug *******
I've happily had a Bangkok Bank account for over five years, but found some of their recent policy changes a little worrisome and/or annoying.

So I opened my new account in Pattaya Central Festival Kasikorn Bank. I have a one year extension of stay based on retirement. ("O," not "O/A)." I got a residence certificate from Jomtien Immigration first, before going to the bank.

It took less than an hour to open a standard savings account, and I left with book, working debit card and ap/promptpay set up and tested on my phone. No agent involved.

Again, I'm not anti-agent when needed, but I don't see how using one would have helped even a little bit in this particular situation.

They were very happy to do it. Honestly, I think Kasikorn is a little gleeful because they are aware they are rapidly gaining a lot of ex-Bangkok Bank customers.
Doug ********
@Paul *******
ol I think that's where you are fortunate. The one year non o seems ok with the bank but the 90 day one seems to be an issue. 2 banks told me the 90 day non o is classd as short stay and they will not open account on that despite everything saying it is what's needed to get your first account. Lots of nervous banks about I think because of the recent scams etc
THAI ******************************
@Paul *******
We’re also surprised to hear reports of individuals struggling to open bank accounts despite already holding a Non-O visa.

In most cases, having a Non-O visa should make the process straightforward, so there may be additional circumstances involved in their situation if they claim they still cannot open an account.
Doug ********
@THAI *****************************
all my paperwork fine with 90 day non o. Three banks refused then fourth agreed all with same paperwork
THAI ******************************
@Doug *******
That’s quite surprising. We can assist in Bangkok, but unfortunately, the cost is the same as it would be for someone on a tourist visa.

Perhaps someone in the group can share a branch they’ve found to be more flexible.
Doug ********
@THAI *****************************
I got account at fourth bank. Just comment as it seems more difficult now I think banks treat 90 day non o as just a tourist visa now at some branches
Chris *****
All the best. Following for more updates.
Lauren ******************
Certificate of residence. - you'll need to take your TM30 to immigration with other supporting docs. Did she say they could open on a DTV visa?
Brian *********
You will need a proof of residence, sometimes called proof of address from the immigration office.
Colin **********
I've just got a certificate of residence from Prachinburi immigration, it took about 20 minutes and. They used my yellow book for my address, and it was free.
Radost **************************
@Colin *********
you don't need certificate of residence if you have a yellow book
Clifton ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Radost *************************
we’ll, I don’t have a yellow book so I am okay that I requested a Certificate of Residence. Thanks 🙏 anyway
Colin **********
@Radost *************************
not my experience today, they didn't want the yellow house book (at the DLT) or pink ID, each office as interprets the requirement differently. Last time I did it 5 years ago, they didn't accept my yellow book but accepted my wifes house book. It changes. My immigration department accepted the yellow book to produce the house certificate.
Greg ***********
@Colin *********
my Immigration boss told me to get a yellow house book, so she doesn't have to issue any more certificates of residence for me. I successfully got a yellow house book, and from then on never needed another certificate of residence since
Sean **********
@Colin *********
Buriram immigration charged me 500 baht for the ‘certificate of residence’
Ant ***********
@Sean *********
Yes that is the price if you would like it straight away

If not in a hurry Offices will post out following week for no cost
Dirk **************
@Colin *********
but can’t you use your yellow book/ pink card as proof of residence? We could in Samut Prakan.
Cabbie ******
@Dirk *************
in Phuket I used my yellow book to open a bank account at SCB Chalong
Dirk **************
@Cabbie *****
yes, generally they accept it but then again, it is Thailand.
Ron ******
@Dirk *************
That's far too logical Dirk! Given they both link you to a residence you'd think so.
Max *************
@Dirk *************
If the bank asks for a Residence certificate,then you give them one.
Colin **********
Brandon ************
It's called a certificate of residence and some banks might require it. It certainly won't hurt to have it.
Clifton ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
the person at the Immigration Office asked for the purpose and put it on the form and the envelope that will be mailed to me.
Brandon ************
@Clifton **********
yes, a certificate of residence is only issued for a specific purpose and can only be used for that
Sean **********
@Brandon ***********
Yes, and if you go to get a ‘certificate of residence’ ask them to state in the certificate it is for the purpose of opening a bank account.
Max *************
@Sean *********
You need to enter the reason on the form,TM16 I think it is
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