Answereda year ago
Which bank should I choose to open an account for my retirement visa in Thailand?
which bank do you recommend to open an account so i can arrange my retirement visa? Apparently the banks don't want to open an account for foreigners at the moment?
Answer summary
The discussion primarily revolves around which banks are suitable for foreigners looking to open accounts for retirement visas in Thailand. It highlights challenges faced when opening accounts, especially under short-term visas. Participants recommend banks like Kasikorn, SCB, and UOB while noting that recent banking regulations have made it difficult for foreigners, particularly those with tourist visas, to open accounts. It is generally agreed that holding a long-term visa, such as a NON-O, simplifies the process, although some users have shared their experiences of difficulties even with the proper documentation.
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Baran ********
Small sacrifices today lead to big lifestyle options in the future.check out Honor & Independence: Your Mission to Early Retirement
Johnny *********
Serious questuon, what's going the nuh appeal about thailand? It's a bit of a dump
Bill *********
@Johnny ********
If you want to see a dump, go to the Philippines. Thailand is fantastic!
Mark *********
@Johnny ********
Good stay where you are!
Michael *******
@Johnny ********
plenty of choices out there , always Philippines or Cambodia…..everyone to there own.Johnny *********
@Michael ******
VA Why not Norway,?Michael *******
@Johnny ********
indeed - marvelous in the summer reminded me so much of New ZealandJeremy ********
@Johnny ********
the weather is great year roundJohnny *********
@Jeremy *******
Agreed, it even beats Florida. But why Thailand over Costa Rica, another dumpy place?Jeremy ********
@Johnny ********
I like Asian women
Nick ************
Using Wise you are limited to transfers not exceeding
*****
baht. Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn and SCB allow you to transfer larger amounts which might be more convenient.Mark *********
@Nick ***********
Wrong! I use Wise and BB every month for my 65k. Just did a transfer from US a week agoNick ************
@Mark ********
Not wrong. Read it again! I do the same as you but from uk.
Hartmut ********
Krungsri oder Kasikorn. Nur gute Erfahrung gemacht
Wannikea *********
Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, and SCB are the major banks.
Tony ********
Bangkok bank is no longer working with immigration agents to put 800k into account
Norbert **********
@Tony *******
not true,in Bkk or outside Pattaya etc.. they make it still,Korruption never stops!!!Peter *********
I got mine with Bangkok Bank. I used a agent.. No problems.
Jim ********
@Peter ********
when?Peter *********
@Jim *******
when did i get my Visa and bank account. About 5 weeks ago.Peter *********
@Ian *********
ok..got my retirement Visa, and bank account..all done in about 3 hours.
Ian **********
@Peter ********
BKK bank and others have tightened up in the past 2 weeks following uncovered fraud in a Pattaya Branch. Those on short term visas may have difficulty presently, therefore may need assistance.Jim ********
@Peter ********
yes that’s why I asked you how did you manage to get a bank account without a long term visa as you need the bank account before the visa if you apply in the country 🤷♂️Peter *********
@Jim *******
Correct.i have a retirement visa. You can't have a bank account on a tourist visa.Jim ********
@Peter ********
yeh I’ve just looked and I contacted them last week and they are unable to open bank accounts now unless you have a long term visaJim ********
@Peter ********
Thank youPeter *********
@Jim *******
Thai Visa centre.. fantastic..no nonsense..so happy.. Highly recommended!!Jim ********
@Peter ********
ok thank you. What agent would you recommend as every agent I’ve asked can’t open bank accounts anymore unless you already have a long term visa and you cannot get a long term visa unless you have a bank account unless you do it in your home country. Sorry for the questions but I’m trying to find a solution for my mate who is already in ThailandPeter *********
@Jim *******
best way.Jim ********
@Peter ********
using an agent?Peter *********
@Jim *******
visa and account within a few hours of each other.Jim ********
@Peter ********
Ok and what visa did you have when you got the bank account? Tourist visa or visa exempt? Also did you use an agent?Jim ********
@Peter ********
when did you open the account?
Ian **********
My wife and I (both European) have just opened accounts with Kasikorn in HH using LTR-Visa, LTR-Visa Endorsement Letters, Passports, and Proof of Residence. We had to queue for a while and the process took a good hour or more. We also went to Bangkok Bank out of interest, and they wanted all of the same documents and an ID from our Country of origin - they said they would accept my International Driving Licence as my Country of Origin ID, and waive my Wife's. They also said, anyone renting must show a TM30, not just a rental agreement. Banks have been unnerved by the fraudulent activity uncovered in the passed two weeks in a Pattaya Bank Branch - they are tightening up and anyone with short term visas may need help.
Gary *******
@Ian *********
Thanks for the info. I will have to do same soon in HH. Couple of questions:1. What is a visa endorsement letter and how do you get one?
2. Are you staying in long term or short term rental? We will be short term (a few weeks) rental initially until we decide where to long term rent and wonder if that is likely to cause complications for residency cert or other steps.
3. What did you have to do to get residency certificate?
Thanks!
Ian **********
@Gary ******
TM30 you can obtain by googling it but your property landlord must complete it.Ian **********
@Gary ******
LTR-Visa's are preceded with a visa-endorsement letter from the BOI (issued via an agent if you use one), then you apply for the visa itself. We were outside Thailand when we applied so we used the E-visa method via the Thai-Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. We are renting for one year but if yours is shorter, you will need to test it with the bank. Certificate of Residence is issued by an immigration office, and for ours, they asked for passport, 4 x colour PP photos, rental agreement, copy of visa, complete their form, and pay 1,000THB.Jeremy ********
@Ian *********
yes you had a long term visa so you can open a bank acct If you tried on a 60 day visa exemption stamp the outcome would have been completely different
Ian **********
@Jeremy *******
I know, hence I stated we had LTR's
Michael ********
Bangkok Bank is the main international bank, but you must comply with all the requirements, your visa must be a long term visa, not a tourist visa,
Greg *********
They want you to use agents.its a economy based on kick backs.better also
Anna *********
They are mistaken On a long term visa ( not tourist) you are able to open a bank account without too much trouble
Tony *********
@Anna ********
but you have to open the bank account before you get the visa. Immigration will tell you that you need a bank account to get a long-term visa and when you go to the bank they will say you can only have a bank account if you have a long-term visa. Lol!
Ray ********
Tony *********
@Ray *******
you can apply for a non O within Thailand even if you enter on a 30 day visa exemption. That's how I got my retirement visa.Anna *********
@Tony ********
no you don’t, you get the visa before you arrive in Thailand and a non o is considered a long term visaAnna *********
@Tony ********
yes that’s right and the banks do accept a non o visaTony *********
@Anna ********
if the banks accept a Non O visa to open an account then that shouldn't be a problem. You can get a 3 month non O in Thailand and then open a bank account and deposit 800k and seed it for 2 months and then extend for one year if it's an extension based on retirement.If it's a non-OA that would be obtained in the home country.
Tony *********
@Anna ********
I got my long-term non O visa in Thailand which is the preferred way for many people.
Robert *********
@Tony ********
True. I have tried 12 banks and tried 6 agents. In Pattaya. I have 90 day Non immigrant o visa.And hoped to get the 1 year extension. Same answer. Cannot open bank account. And I do have the *****
0 baht.Jesper *******
@Robert ********
sorry to hear that u can't open bank acct with a nonO....have u consider getting a thai licence? I recently open my bank acct with SCB with just nonO and thai driving licence no need residency cert, lease agreement and no agentRobert *********
@Tony ********
Difficult at the moment. I have to go back August to UK and come back October and try then. Off to Vietnam today see how life is there...Tony *********
@Robert ********
It's crazy. Things have really changed. I opened my Thai bank accounts more than 20 years ago when any foreigner could walk into a bank and immediately open an account with just their passport.Jeremy ********
A lot has changed in the last month when it comes to banking
Good luck opening a bank acct now
Good luck opening a bank acct now
Adrian *********
@Jeremy *******
hows it stand for people that live out of the county have holiday property over there?Jeremy ********
@Adrian ********
in April the banks did a purge of phone numbers Basically your phone number has to be the same that’s on the acct…if not accts were suspended and the banks recommended that all money be taken out..:or a new phone number with correct visa be shown
After that the scam center debacle happened…and now 3-4 weeks later we are at now
Adrian *********
@Jeremy *******
I don't get back into the country until December plus pay direct debit monthly through the bank to keep my water/electric on so looks like I'm going to have fun when I get back ⁉️
Johnny **********
OP@Jeremy *******
i know 😩
Peter *********
If you are in pattaya try UOB bank second road they are quiet accommodating
Jesper *******
@Peter ********
UOB is not supported by Wise anymore
Brian *******
@Peter ********
I have been using UOB Korat but last time to get statements/transaction listing took 4 hours on the day 'had to go thru head office'. And even then the transaction report had to be a screen dump!. Immi was not pleased but accepted it and told me to change my bank before next time. Now I have a krungsi account. Don't recommend UOB!
Malcolm *******
@Peter ********
I have been with UOB in Pattaya for over 15 years and know the assistant Manager very well . She told me they can't open a new Bank account for any foreigner without a long term visa . Instructions from head office .Johnny **********
OP@Peter ********
thanks 👌
Stuart *********
Depends on your entry method. With a long term visa it should be no problem. Off a tourist or visa exempt entry almost impossible without the help of an agent.
Stew *****
Johnny **********
OP@Stuart ********
even with agent its not possible for the moment they told me.
Barry *********
@Johnny *********
I had that from the first agent I contacted The second one said no problem so keep tryingStuart *********
@Johnny *********
Find a different agent.Jim ********
@Brandon ***********
it’s not for me. I have a bank account already and have had one for years. I am assisting my mate who is there already but maybe he will have to leave and do his retirement visa application out of the country. P.s I was replying to Stuart
Brandon ************
@Jim *******
Then leave Thailand and apply for a visa from the embassy like it's supposed to be doneJim ********
@Stuart ********
it’s almost impossible on a tourist visa or exempt at the moment. I’ve contacted about every agent I know and have all been a big no no unless you already have a long term visaStuart *********
Johnny **********
OP@Stuart ********
can you recommend one?Activity
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