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What is the typical cost and time frame for opening a bank account and obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand?

Thailand bank account retirement visa agent fees visa process expat advice

Jan 27, 2025

3 months ago

Simon *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

What would be the appropriate cost from an agent to:

1. Open a bank account

2. Assist in getting a retirement visa

An idea of how long this takes would be great

Much appreciated

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The costs associated with hiring an agent in Thailand for opening a bank account and obtaining a retirement visa vary widely. General estimates for agent fees are around 4,000 to 5,000 Baht for a bank account and between 20,000 to 45,000 Baht for a retirement visa. Some users suggest that self-handling these processes could reduce costs significantly. The time required to complete these tasks can also vary, with some saying it can take as little as half a day if all documentation is in order. However, others note that the rules surrounding visas and bank accounts have tightened, making the process more complex for those without long-term residency.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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Henrik *****

2024 the rules were tightened a lot, and since then, it has been very difficult to get a bankaccount, if you don’t have a proper long term visa, stayed several months at a permanent adress in Thailand etc.

Even when you need to deposit 400.000 - 800.000 Baht for visa purposses, the banks are reluctant to open a account.

Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so reluctant depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.

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I would never recommend to support corruption by using a agent.