Answered4 months ago
What should I expect when entering Thailand with a DTV visa after using the Fast Track service during immigration?
I landed in Bangkok (BKK) last night after a 4-day trip to Taiwan. At immigration, the officer called another IO to escort me to a separate room, where I waited for around 30 minutes.
After that, an officer called me over and asked if I had ever used the VIP lane/Fast Track service before. (I had used it once on my first DTV entry last year through an agent.)
I told him that I hadn’t used it this time because I didn’t think I needed it since I have a DTV visa. This was my third entry, and I also didn’t use it on my second entry.
He simply said, “You did the right thing. You don’t need to use that anymore since you have a visa, and immigration officers will no longer provide that service.”
They didn’t ask me anything about my job, my income, or the type of DTV I have. I think the only issue was that I had used the VIP line service once before, and that was it.
After that, they stamped me for 180 days and let me go. That was the entire process.
So, based on my experience, there’s no need to worry too much about some of the scary posts in this group. Of course, everyone’s situation is different, but in my case everything went smoothly, and the only thing they seemed concerned about was my previous use of the Fast Track service.
After that, an officer called me over and asked if I had ever used the VIP lane/Fast Track service before. (I had used it once on my first DTV entry last year through an agent.)
I told him that I hadn’t used it this time because I didn’t think I needed it since I have a DTV visa. This was my third entry, and I also didn’t use it on my second entry.
He simply said, “You did the right thing. You don’t need to use that anymore since you have a visa, and immigration officers will no longer provide that service.”
They didn’t ask me anything about my job, my income, or the type of DTV I have. I think the only issue was that I had used the VIP line service once before, and that was it.
After that, they stamped me for 180 days and let me go. That was the entire process.
So, based on my experience, there’s no need to worry too much about some of the scary posts in this group. Of course, everyone’s situation is different, but in my case everything went smoothly, and the only thing they seemed concerned about was my previous use of the Fast Track service.
Answer summary
The user shares their experience of entering Thailand with a DTV visa and undergoing an immigration check that involved questioning about past use of the Fast Track service. They were reassured that they didn't need to use that service since they hold a visa. The immigration process went smoothly, with a stamp for 180 days. Several commenters advise on getting the correct visas before arriving and the necessary documents to open a bank account in Thailand.
84 repliesnewest first
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Richard ********
I didn’t need the consulate involved for my accounts with Bangkok Bank and Krungsri
Jan ************
Take a agent
Mike ******
Depends on your Nationality; some Embassies, like UK will not issue such letters.
Alain ***************
When i tried to open a second account, krungsri asked for a "letter embassy". The Swiss embassy then gave me something like a certificate of residence where i registered my address in Bangkok. Signed from the embassy. It looks very impressive for bank staff 555 but i was rejected for a different reason-which i understand and accept. Try calling your embassy. Mine said I can order it online from the ministry of foreign affairs. It’s in my binder of documents I will bring to any government office to overwhelm them with documents vworked nicely in the past. Too many documents looks well prepared and they want to have lunch break so just stamp the farang and continue the day
Jason *************
Agent.
Trevor *****************
Is your money safe in those banks , if your visa gets rejected, can one transfer the money out easily?
MagentaGo**********
Kbank and SCB is best choice
Sue **********
You say you‘re coming to Thailand to get your retirement visa? I thought you had it already when reading your comments? If so: Just get the CoR (Certificate of Residence) and the lease contract of your rented accomodation + your Thai mobile no. and thats it. Nothing else is required even if a bank staff says something else, there is a written guideline for the staff which exactly shows what is needed.
Roy *********
We opened a joint bank account today with KTB in Bangkok at Ome Bangkok Mall, the process for me was 1. both our LTR WP and O Visas, the O is for dependent, my wife. 2. Us ID driver license. 3. We purchased a condo, we supplied the contract agreement, 4. There was a $0 THB minimum to open the savings account. We choose to open there because its a busy branch and they are familiar with the LTR Visas, hI also learned from them if you open the account in this area and choose to use the debit card in another area at a KTB bank there will be a $15 THB charge. The process was simple but it was like doing a mortgage closing, an hour of signing paperwork and photos. I think everyone situation is different, but yiu would definitely need a rental agreement if you rent.
Roy *********
Sorry it was Kasikorn not KTB, the Green bank
Andy ***********
Much much easier to do visa in home country … then arrive and get bank account
Guz ********
Andy Silverfox Probably the only sensible comment. The OP applies for a non OA visa in his home country. With the long-term visa a bank account can be opened.
Steve *******
Never heard of that before
Mario *********
Steve Greir me neither 🙄
Peter *********
If you have a 90 day non o already all you will need is a certificate of residence from immigration to open an account at Bangkok Bank
Sue **********
Peter Barbano and a Thai tel. no.
Peter *********
Sue Heimchen yes
Peter *********
Get an agent
Peter *********
AS YOU SAY. DO IT YOUSELF.
Rok ********
As long as you secured the 90 day non-o already from your local consulate you will be fine opening the bank account; get a certificate of residence from Immigration addressed to the bank you will be trying to open a bank account with (Kasikorn currently best bet) and then try and don’t give up. Each branch has specific requirements and capacity to open a bank account (as i learned first hand).
AmbitiousDa***********
Rok Ziherl what about if I already have a bkk bank account for 15 years and it has more than 800K for already more than 1 year. If I come in exempt, get the TM30 and show lease agreement on the condo I’ve already rented at the local bkk bank branch I have been dealing with for many years, do you think I’ll have any problems converting to retirement visa?
Rok ********
AmbitiousDachshund8717 sounds like you should be fine as long as you have enough days remaining on the exempt tourist stamp or its extension (if i remember it was 14 days) at the time of application. I had none of above so applying from home country was ever so much easier. Not sure if they want to see proof of source of funds (being transferred from abroad).
Ian ************
Rok Ziherl thank you , good stuff
Haim *******
Pay an agent and you won’t have money left to deposit. 😂
Alan **********
Lack of specificity and incorrect terms are the bane of this group's existence.
You're not coming to GET your retirement visa, you should already HAVE your NON-O visa for retirement purposes.
"Affirmation letter". Did you ask the bank agent exactly what they want the British Consulate to "affirm" ? Your consulate may not understand exactly what they're supposed to affirm, as some commenters here.
You're not coming to GET your retirement visa, you should already HAVE your NON-O visa for retirement purposes.
"Affirmation letter". Did you ask the bank agent exactly what they want the British Consulate to "affirm" ? Your consulate may not understand exactly what they're supposed to affirm, as some commenters here.
Tore *********
As with allot in Thailand. Go to 5 different K bank branches and get 5 different sets of requirements
John *********
Asking on here will not change the requests dude just get the documents
Ian ************
John Andrews wow super helpful
John *********
Ian O'Sullivan thanks
Marianne ********
You should postpone your trip and apply for a Non-O visa before you leave.
Without it, it will be very difficult to open a bank account without dishing out stupid amounts of money for a agent to do the whole bank and visa + extension package for you.
Without it, it will be very difficult to open a bank account without dishing out stupid amounts of money for a agent to do the whole bank and visa + extension package for you.
Ian ************
Marianne Holmen yes , I have the 90 day , will go to immigration as soon as I arrive and check in , do the rest of the forms etc
Marianne ********
Ian O'Sullivan Ok, so you already have the "retirement visa" :)
What you'll get next is a extension of stay, based on retirement ( being 50+ )
Whoever you are staying with needs to file a TM30 for you.
You'll bring this to Immigration so you can get a Residence Certificate for opening your bank account.
I highly recommend KBank / Kasikorn, they are pretty foreigner friendly.
Make sure you get the bank account(s, you'll want 2 ) within the first 2-3 weeks of your arrival and transfer the 800 000 baht to one of the accounts and let that be the only account used for visa purposes.
Your 800k bank account should not be your daily driver.
When that money has sat in the bank for 2 months, you can apply for the extension of stay.
But please do grab a list of other requirements when you're at Immigration to get your Residence Certificate, so you know what other documents to bring along with the bank documentation.
What you'll get next is a extension of stay, based on retirement ( being 50+ )
Whoever you are staying with needs to file a TM30 for you.
You'll bring this to Immigration so you can get a Residence Certificate for opening your bank account.
I highly recommend KBank / Kasikorn, they are pretty foreigner friendly.
Make sure you get the bank account(s, you'll want 2 ) within the first 2-3 weeks of your arrival and transfer the 800 000 baht to one of the accounts and let that be the only account used for visa purposes.
Your 800k bank account should not be your daily driver.
When that money has sat in the bank for 2 months, you can apply for the extension of stay.
But please do grab a list of other requirements when you're at Immigration to get your Residence Certificate, so you know what other documents to bring along with the bank documentation.
Luit *****************
Do you have a reason why you want to travel first and then get a visa? Normally you should get a visa first and then travel.
Entering with a valid non-o retirement visa will make the process more easy and opening a bank account should be no problem then.
Entering with a valid non-o retirement visa will make the process more easy and opening a bank account should be no problem then.
Ian ************
Luit van der Linde sorry for not being clear , have the visa already , was speaking to a manager at KTB today on WhatsApp so just checking
Kim *********
Ian O'Sullivan you have it already but you wrote “I am coming to thailand Sunday to get my retirement visa". Rather confusing.
Graham ******
The Embassy Affirmation I believe is used an alternative to the Thai Residence Certificate which just verifies who you are and your home address, just get a Residence Certificate
Ian ************
I see , thank you very much
Woody *********
Graham Seal yes, this what I learned from Bangkok bank.
Malcolm **********
To open a bank account you need to enter on the non-O visa and then get a 'residency certificate' from Immigration and that plus your passport should be enough to open the bank account. I have seen posts that say some banks also want to see a rental agreement (you will need this for the residency certificate as well) and possibly other documents depending on the bank & branch. I would recommend using Kasikorn bank as they are more expat friendly and also they can produce all the documents you need for the annual extension without having to pre-order or send off to their head office and wait 2 weeks or more unlike some other banks. I have never heard of a bank requiring any document from the British Consulate but then things do change and banks can make their own rules up as well
Ian ************
Malcolm Whitlock great , thanks , that’s what I thought , I think I was talking to at KTB is new to the process maybe
Roger **********
Although I have not used agents for my Non-O visas, and extensions of stay, I did find the most help coming from the local Immigration offices themselves listing what they want in application submission.
Malcolm **********
Just one point, you need to arrive on a non-immigrant O visa and then you get a 12 month extension of stay for the purpose of retirement, I'm guessing that you know that and have already applied for and got the O-visa as they can not be issued in Thailand. You can not normally arrive on a visa waiver or a tourist visa and get the retirement extension as it's only given if you already have a O-visa or a OA-visa. Agents do have a work around but that is VERY expensive.
Dean *******
Its not what you know its who you know
Willi*****
Just pay an agent to do everything for you,tightarse!🙄
Will *****
Willism69_ There's a difference to being a tight arse or just flushing your money down someone else's toilet mate.
Willi*****
Will Den best thing I ever did was use an agent.Saved me many,many hours of confusion,stress,worry and hassles.All done in a couple of short visits to their office.P.S.dont you just hate it when people you don't know call you "mate"? .Sneering and very condescending 🙄
Jared ********
Willism69_ mmm given the spotty reliability of some agents hes entitled to be reticent to going down that road. Not everyone is super rich. As an Australian im saying... dont be a judgemental ....
Rick ****
Jared Yindee As long as you are doing everything the legal way, there is nothing to worry about. The biggest thing that trip people up is using your own money for proof of funds. Any other way is not legal!
Willi*****
Jared Yindee there are plenty of long established reputable visa service firms.What do you mean "spotty "? You have to leave 800,000 baht in a bank account so an agent's fee is just a drop in the bucket.And it will save countless hours of anxiety,confusion, stress and worry.
Tom ******
Willism69_ Only way to go for sure with all this crap going on.
I lot say its illegal to use and agent!
Rubbish, everyone get a cut , government officials agents.
All totally legal.
I lot say its illegal to use and agent!
Rubbish, everyone get a cut , government officials agents.
All totally legal.
Dante **
I suggest you push back your trip and get a NON-O based on retirement before you arrive, or it will be impossible to open an account on your own.
You might be able to open one through an agent, but only if you allow yourself to be in their pocket for all future extensions. Additionally, accounts opened through agents are under intense scrutiny and tens of thousands have been frozen and closed.
Since you intend to do everything yourself, get a “retirement visa” before you arrive in Thailand or none of it is going anywhere.
You might be able to open one through an agent, but only if you allow yourself to be in their pocket for all future extensions. Additionally, accounts opened through agents are under intense scrutiny and tens of thousands have been frozen and closed.
Since you intend to do everything yourself, get a “retirement visa” before you arrive in Thailand or none of it is going anywhere.
AmbitiousDa***********
Dante I already have a bkk bank account for 15 years and it has more than 800K for already more than 1 year. If I come in exempt, get the TM30 and show lease agreement on the condo I’ve already rented at the local bkk bank branch I have been dealing with for many years, do you think I’ll have any problems converting to retirement visa from exempt?
Dante **
AmbitiousDachshund8717 it sounds like you have the difficult things done already so i don’t see a problem. there might be some minor things the local office wants.
Willi*****
Dante bullshit! I used an agent initially to set everything up but have done all my extensions myself.
Andrew ********
BS ! Tosser
Dave ******
Dante I agree, that's what would stop me using an agent. That is, being in an agents pocket for future potential problems. Keep it simple, keep it legal and remember to be a liar you need to be a good one. As a last resort only.Being just an ordinary guy I don't consider myself a player that's up to being an international whiz-kid con artist.
Ian ************
Dante sorry for not being clear , have the 90 day so good there
Dante **
Ian O'Sullivan Apology accepted but that’s not just unclear it’s a contradiction.
Gerar ********
I never heard of that and I never used with my BB and KB accounts. 😳
Ling *****
WTF is an affirmation letter? I've never been asked for it. I hope you got your non o from home first otherwise it's going to cost you a lot.
Ingvar *******
Ling Gah its a letter from the Embassy to secure the passport is authentic. Price 250 pounds.
Anthony ********
Ling Gah correct… get your non o visa ( 90 days ) in your home country… makes it a lot easier and cheaper when u get here
Kullapat *****
I ‘m Thai. I recommend Kasikornbank and SCB Bank, but you can only open an account after you have successfully obtained your 90-day Non-O visa.
Dave **********
Kullapat Imm also he must open his bank account quickly after he receives that 90-day Visa
Kullapat *****
Dave Williams yes ka.
John **********
Will you have a 90 day Non-O visa (the retirement visa) when you arrive in Thailand? Without one you aren't going to be able to open a bank account to obtain the 12 month extension of stay (not a visa).
Ian ************
@John *********
yes thanks John , have the 90 day from immigration alreadyTom ******
KTB is a government bank . Use Kasikorn Bank and avoid Bangkok Bank whatever you do
Jay ****
Tom Pola ABSOLUTELY BEST ANSWER. F@€K BBK. Waayy too much BS from them to do anything. KASIKORN IS THE BEST.
Brent *********
Tom Pola no problems with Bangkok Bank .
Ian ************
Tom Pola Thanks Tom
Appreciate it
Appreciate it
Are ********
Tom Pola why not Bangkok bank ?
Willi*****
Are Opedal they froze my bank account for 5 months,no reasons,explanations or apologies ever offered or given.After a million phone calls,emails,whatsapp and Bank app pleas it was " unfrozen".Once again no explanation given.🤮💩☠️😈🤬
Haim *******
Are Opedal I have an account in Bkk bank for over 20 years. No problems.
Paul *******
Are Opedal Far too many documented problems. they are not longer a friendly option.
Paul *******
AmbitiousDachshund8717 Why not get O visa before you come. It's so much easier and cheaper.
Paul *******
Jay Wb ?
AmbitiousDa***********
Dave Williams I already have a bkk bank account for 15 years and it has more than 800K for already more than 1 year. If I come in exempt, get the TM30 and show lease agreement on the condo I’ve already rented at the local bkk bank branch I have been dealing with for many years, do you think I’ll have any problems converting to retirement visa?
Jay ****
Paul Jones FACTS
Dave **********
Paul Jones I've had Bangkok Bank for my regular bank account and for my fixed bank account with my 800,000 in 10 years I've never had a problem. Bangkok Bank is the largest bank in Thailand and one of the largest banks in Southeast Asia
Gary ***********
Tom Pola yep
Ant ***********
You can’t open a Thai bank account without a retirement Visa - and also can’t be done with a tourist Visa
You will need to pay an agent to organise that + the Non-O Visa
I was never asked for any affirmation letter - I don’t believe consulates offer it anymore
You will need to pay an agent to organise that + the Non-O Visa
I was never asked for any affirmation letter - I don’t believe consulates offer it anymore
Ian ************
Ant W Tailor thank you , yep good point
Wannikea *********
Go to another bank/branch
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