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Answered2 years ago

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

Simon *******
asked Jan 27, 2025
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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
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.
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Henrik *****
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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*****
9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?

I would never recommend to support corruption by using a agent.
Frangipani *******
Frangipani *******
I paid 1000B for mine, others quoted up to 15,000B.

Up to you, I guess…
Tirthendu ********
Tirthendu ********
Bill *********
Bill *********
Others have provided the cost; I will add that it took me with my agent about half a day to get everything done from start to finish. A great solution.
Tracy *********
Tracy *********
@Bill ********
agent worth every bhat. I was at immigration 3 hours. Left with 15 months visa
Bill *********
Bill *********
@Tracy ********
Nice! 👍
Nick ************
Nick ************
@Bill ********
took me 1.5 hours for 1900 baht on Monday. An even better solution.
Nelson ******
Nelson ******
@Nick ***********
was it easy to get the residency certificate?
Keith ********
Keith ********
@Bill ********
What was the cost Bill
Bill *********
Bill *********
@Keith *******
I recall it was about 50K for everything.
Henrik *****
Henrik *****
Forget about agents, take control of you life, and do it your self.
Tracy *********
Tracy *********
@Henrik ****
use an agent and enjoy life
Randy ******
Randy ******
@Henrik ****
Keep the money for the cerveza , eh big guy!
Henrik *****
Henrik *****
Never support corruption, and you get valuable information about the way things work in the country you will be moving to, by doing things yourself.
Simon *******
Simon *******
OP
Much appreciated all the comments very helpful
Gordon *******
Gordon *******
Bank account 4000b

Retirement visa
*****
b

Multi entry

Second year 12-
*****
b

Pattaya Agents
Magnus ******************
Magnus ******************
5000 fore the bank and 20 000 fore visa.
Michael *******
Michael *******
Anywhere between 25 and 45k depending where you are, do it yourself for 3k
Phil ******
Phil ******
@Simon ******
฿5k onwards.

@mots or @tik tok are reliable
John **********
John **********
Thailand is a big country. You may want to put a city ?
Simon *******
Simon *******
OP
@John *********
haven’t completely made up my mind which was why it didn’t have a city. Thinking of Bangkok, ko Samut, Pattaya. Need to spend a bit of time in each to see which fits best
John ********
John ********
John ********
John ********

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