Answered8 days ago
What is the process for opening a bank account in Bangkok with a Non-Immigrant O visa?
I need help opening a bank account in Bangkok
I have just arrived in Bangkok on a Non-Immigrant O (retirement) visa and was granted a 90-day stay upon entry. I was aware that opening an account is not easy, but I had understood that if you try enough bank branches, you eventually find one that will open an account for you. I visited four Kasikorn Bank branches today, and the response was the same at each one: they require a long-term lease agreement. For the time being, I only have the TM30 form provided by my hotel as proof of residence, which is not sufficient for the bank. I am aware that the Bangkok Immigration Bureau does not issue certificates of residence based on a hotel-provided TM30, but I intend to try requesting one anyway. Do you have any suggestions, other than signing a long-term lease? Thank you for your help.
Edit : Here is the immigration form: 4 - A copy of the receipt for the 90-day notification.
I have just arrived in Bangkok on a Non-Immigrant O (retirement) visa and was granted a 90-day stay upon entry. I was aware that opening an account is not easy, but I had understood that if you try enough bank branches, you eventually find one that will open an account for you. I visited four Kasikorn Bank branches today, and the response was the same at each one: they require a long-term lease agreement. For the time being, I only have the TM30 form provided by my hotel as proof of residence, which is not sufficient for the bank. I am aware that the Bangkok Immigration Bureau does not issue certificates of residence based on a hotel-provided TM30, but I intend to try requesting one anyway. Do you have any suggestions, other than signing a long-term lease? Thank you for your help.
Edit : Here is the immigration form: 4 - A copy of the receipt for the 90-day notification.
Answer summary
The user is seeking guidance on how to open a bank account in Bangkok after arriving on a Non-Immigrant O (retirement) visa. Despite visiting multiple branches, they face challenges due to requirements for a long-term lease agreement, which they do not have. Suggestions from the community include obtaining a residence certificate from immigration, registering a Thai SIM card tied to their passport, exploring different banks that may have varying requirements, and considering the use of a visa agent to navigate the process more easily.
59 repliesnewest first
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Phil *********
first you need long term visa .exstend your non-o visa for a year ,then you can open bank account with a proof that you live there
Todd ********
Personally i would use an agent. They do this crap everyday ….know the ins and outs with the local immigration and can make your life easier. Ignore the people who say dont use agents. Im sure NONE of them ever made mistakes and waited ALL day in banks and immigration or forgot the one extra copy needed signed in blue ink. Good luck
Keanu *****
Is there any other way to do it besides elite visa or retirement visa?
Rok ********
Yes, a proper lease is almost always required by Kasikorn - every page must be initialled. Once a lease or even a blue book is in place banking life becomes a breeze.
Surasak ****************
You need to find the apartment where you can live. You and your landlord agree to make the rent contract between you and landlord. Your landlord must provide you with his Thai ID copy and landlord property registration copy in ordering to ref into the contract. You must pay the landlord with the bank certified under the landlord's full name. Once you complete the contract with both sign on each page. One copy for the landlord whereas one for you. You can go to KC bank if you open the saving bank account and show your contract. Once you complete with the bank, then you need to go the immigration office nearest your resident for requesting the new notice address form for your landlord to fill up the form.
Sandor ***********
To open a bank account you need a certificate of residence. The TM30 form is enough to get a cor in immigration office. You need a Thai phone number confirm by youre provider that it is register in your name. Just go to a branch of your provider and give you for 50thb. I will advice to go Kasikornbank because whit the app of Bangkok Bank you cannot pay AIS, True online, True move and lot other organisations.
Bill *********
Sandor Godefrooi You can top up AIS and you can use the AIS to pay via BBKB
Eileen ***********
mine got rejected because they said the letter approving my ltr’s red stamp wasn’t original. i had everything else. had ti gi from a one year to 2 year visa.
Soup****
Eileen Stelladog Not this but similar. I was applying for my Thai drivers licence, firstly they told me I was missing paperwork, which wasn't the case, then she said my international driver's permit was a fake and I bought it at the market 🤣 Sensational I still laugh about it .
鹰**
I have my account with Bangkok Bank. It wasn't easy, though. Even at the same bank counter, different employees kept giving me different requirements. Eventually, I got fed up and hired an agent to handle it for me. It cost a bit more, but saved me a lot of time and frustration.
Steve ******
Agents
Chih *****
Check with your embassy or consulate, should able to issue certificate of residence
Dennis *********
If you are good with instructions ask the bank for their rules and do all of them. If not good with details get an agent. Banks are not required to open an account, so you maybe have to check several
Dennis *********
If you are good with instructions ask the bank for their rules and do all of them. If not good with details get an agent. Banks are not required to open an account, so you maybe have to check several
Willem ****************
Get yourself an agent like
@One *****************************************
soi 6Christopher ********
How do I link a phone to my passport? My sister inlaw usually provides me with a sim when I arrive
Steve **********
Christopher Taylor go to an Ais shop and get a SIM card . You'll need to show your passport to get it. Then ask for a letter proving the two are linked.
Christopher ********
Steve Northrop Would the shop easily give me that letter?
Owen ********
Mark Preece they will want you to top up the account with 100 baht to get that receipt.
Mark ********
Peter Slaman I agree, True gave me an official printed form stating my phone number was officially mine and linked to my passport scan. This was needed by Bangkok Bank only last year when banks started tightening up the rules, yet I have had the same account over 9 years 😱
Christopher ********
Peter Slaman Thank You
Peter ********
Christopher Taylor
If you go to like a true store they will provide you the document if you ask for it
If you go to like a true store they will provide you the document if you ask for it
Alan *****
Just go to an agent
Wayne *******
Alan Bow good luck an agent will only do with a visa application
Alan *****
Wayne Lucas 🤔🤔🤔
Brent *********
You will 100% need a phone linked to your passport
Taylor *********
You'll need a visa agent. They have ways to get around this. Yes, you'll need to pay up but it's the only way I see without the lease agreement and TM30.
Andy ********
Taylor Q Jake terrible advice
Heiko *********
Andy Otters only for poor people
Graham ******
Heiko Bentrup and for able people
Jeff *************
Taylor Q Jake he Doesn’t need a Agent, no one needs an agent
Allan *******
Krungsri bank is best. Been 23y with them. My bank i wait 10 to 15 mins fir 3 letters for visa. The other bank mentioned wait 1 week cos they get from bkk city.
May ******
Allan Rawai No different. I have an account with Bangkok bank for many years, 2 weeks ago try to open K Bank account, I own my own condo, had Chanote, blue book (my name is not in it as an Ozzie) purchase paperwork, over 6 months of jurrasic and electric bills... Declined, ineed a certificate of residence from immigration.
Nonsensical.
Nonsensical.
Martin *********
Use a agent . But also go to a different bank
Wolf ******
Request the CoR at immigration and try Bangkok Bank.
You will need also to show a driver license of your country.
Good luck🙏
You will need also to show a driver license of your country.
Good luck🙏
Trustworth***********
Wolf Gang Wow, really? Bangkok Bank has been problematic for many people. So many issues. Kasikorn welcomes business with foreigners, but you must have your ducks in a row. I got an accounts there within an hour, but I had all the docs including my condo lease. The certificate of residence (not the TM-30, although that’s needed too) from Immigration is required. Kasikorn has to be specifically mentioned on the Certificate of Residence.
Raymond *********
Wolf Gang Bangkok bank seriously? The worst advice possible
Wolf ******
Raymond Dowling not for me and maybe other persons.
Dave ******
Wolf Gang and a phone linked to your passport.
Christian ********
Dave Owen you need a phone with a registrated number and you only get a thai telefon number when you show your passport. the thai number is the proof. it is automaticly connected. you need the number for the banking app.ected
Chris *******
Dave Owen How can you show that your phone number is linked to your passport? Will the mobile network provide some kind of certification?
SereneRas**********
Chris Blunt yes go to your provider they will do it and i wouldn't go anywhere near Bangkok Bank
Martin *********
Chris Blunt yes
Dave ******
Chris Blunt you won't get a phone contract/sim without it. From memory I think I also had to show the residence certificate too. Regarding the question about the phone number being 'legit', I've no idea, nothing was said by AIS or immigration. As in all things Thai there is no consistency with beurocracy. I was charged 750 baht for the CoR at immigration but others have said its free, so there you go
Wolf ******
Chris Blunt ask at your SIM provider a confirmation that this is your number (get a paper with all informations)... it's free of charge
Graham ******
Bangkok Immigration will issue Residence Certificates based on a TM 30 from a hotel. The days are gone when you had to have completed a 90 day report to get one.
Christian ********
Graham Seal the bigger problem is the long term lease agreement as mentiont. you dont get that from a hotel. the bank want that and not the immigration.
Graham ******
Christian Vogler a lease is often accepted in lieu of a Residence Certificate not as well as, if a bank asks for both or the one you don't have it means that they don't want to do business with you ;)
Justin **********
Jossy Sacre same here 3 months ago
Jossy *******
Graham Seal KASIKORNBANK wanted both for my account that I opened last year.
Gregory ********
Graham Seal how long does stay need to be?
Graham ******
you just need a valid TM30
Djamel ***********
OPGraham Seal Thanks
John **********
You need to get a residence certificate from immigration and a Thai SIM registered against your passport. Kasikorn can also want a driving licence or similar as an extra validation of your identity. Immigration will issue a residence certificate just off the back of a TM30 filed by a hotel or what
Djamel ***********
OP@John *********
I already have Thai SIM registered against my passeport and appointment at the immigration office tomorrow; fingers crossed. Thanks
Simon *******
Djamel Benbrahim you need a certificate of residence from immigration, this is your problem if you don't have one.
Penn **********
Djamel Benbrahim
Try Krungsri Bank; they’re not difficult to deal with.
Try Krungsri Bank; they’re not difficult to deal with.
Dave ****************
Penn Ngamwaen seconded
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