Hi guys,

This is a follow-up to my previous post here:

[members only]/?

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7/8 – 6:45 AM

I entered Thailand by road from Malaysia via the Bukit Kayu Hitam / Dannok border checkpoint.

Cleared Malaysian immigration with no issues. Activated my Non-O visa using my passport and a printed eVisa (just regular A4 paper 😆). Everything was smooth and hassle-free. The Thai immigration officer even welcomed me and wished me a great stay in Thailand.

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8/8 – 1:00 PM

Visited the immigration office in Hat Yai to request for residence certificate.

They asked for the original and a photocopy of my eVisa, TM30, passport (front page and Non-O stamp), and the completed application form. I requested two copies of the residence certificate — one for banking and one for driving license/vehicle purchase purpose. Yes you need 2-3 copies.

Waited for about 20 minutes, and everything was done. No passport-size photo, rental agreement, or payment required.

Bonus — the super friendly officer asked if I needed the visa extension checklist, gave it to me in both Thai and English, and even passed me two application forms to prepare in advance. She told me to return if I needed help any help especially on bank account matters. Kudos to Songkhla Immigration!

Location : [members only]

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8/8 – 2:30 PM

Headed to Kasikorn Bank on Level 2 of Central Festival Hat Yai.

Told the staff at the front that I needed to open an account for visa extension purposes. She gave me a queue number, and I only had to wait for one person ahead of me.

The officer attending to me was very polite and professional. She asked for:

- My passport

- eVisa

- Rental agreement

- Kor Ror 22

- Marriage certificate (from my home country)

- Residence certificate

- Phone number

She made photocopies, asked me to sign each page, took photos of all documents, and submitted them to their HQ (I believe). After a short wait, she proceeded to open the savings account for me.

She downloaded the K+ app and set it up on my phone.

Deposited 1,000 baht + 400 baht for the upgraded debit card.

After everything was set, she introduced some of the bank’s services like PA insurance, mutual funds, and fixed deposits — which I politely declined, mentioning I’d return when I’m ready.

She also explained that I could apply for a credit card by pledging a 1:1 amount in an FD (e.g., 50K baht FD = 50K credit limit).

She gave me a SWIFT transfer slip, mentioned she wasn’t familiar with Wise, and recommended using SWIFT for international transfers. Before I left, she said to come see her later for the extension support letter and handed me her name card.

All done in about 30 minutes, plus some casual chatting.

I left with a new savings account and debit card, and honestly, everything went so smoothly — from eVisa, to immigration, to banking — I feel incredibly lucky.

Location : [members only]

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All this completed in just 3–4 hours total, in a single day.

Next up: Funding 400k Baht and let it seasoned for 2 months & Thai driving/motorcycle license and vehicle purchase.

Till then…

(Photo taken by my wife via FaceTime 🤭 and YES I went all by myself)

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**@everyone

⚠️ Bank Account Opening Misinformation ⚠️**

There has been a lot of confusion in this group, with some people claiming our agency cannot help retirees on a Tourist Visa or Exempt Entry open a bank account.

This is NOT correct. We regularly assist retirees with bank account openings in Thailand, provided they intend to apply for a Non-O visa. Also there is no need to leave the country for this process.

While some agencies may not offer this service, we do.

Currently, we offer this service only in Bangkok, and the process typically takes just 1–2 days.

If you are outside of Bangkok, you can make a short trip to the city to complete the process.

One Step Closer To Our Thai Dream. Non O Visa has been accepted..Time for the next step!!!! Bank account and sim to our name. Suggestions?

K bank account opening question. I’m visiting Pattaya to visit friends today, travelling from Phetchabun. Has anyone opened an account in Pattaya on a non O retirement visa with Kbank recently? If so which branch was it? My local branches refused me due to their particular rules.

Thanks in advance

Hello everyone!

My dad, after hiring an agent, he has just returned to Thailand from Vietnam and was stamped with a non-o visa. His plan is to do the retirement extensions every year.

I'd love to hear about other's experiences with getting the residence certificate to sign up for a thai bank account and the process of applying for the retirement extension. Was the process easy? I'm looking for advice from people that didn't use an agent.

I applied for my Non-Immigrant O [90-day] visa in Belgium 10 days ago. I received my approval by email today. I have a few questions, and I hope someone can help me. Do I need to book a return ticket, or can I use a one-way ticket to Thailand, since I'll be applying for a one-year extension there? Is it still possible to open a bank account with this 90-day visa and a TM30 without going through a visa office? Thanks in advance for your help.

Non O vis 90 days (retirement). I'll apply Thai Embassy in UK. Is it straightforward to open a bank ac account with this visa?

Surprised today going to Bangkok Bank asking to open a bank account based on a 90 day O visa and holding the document provided from the immigration office.

There answer was that they don’t open anymore account to foreigners even though I explained that I am not on a tourist visa but a O non immigrant one .

My second attempt was going to Krungsri and all looks well. They copied all my documents and they will call me in two days.

What is the possible bank where I can open an account as a 1-year ED visa holder?

Hello everyone, I was just wondering if any of you had an issue opening a bank account with a non-immigrant OA visa secured in your home country (but without a long-term lease in Thailand?) I know the OA does not require a long-term lease as part of its approval process, but does the bank require a long-term lease before opening?

Thanks!