@Nancy *****

you need an O visa from your Thai embassy first. Without it you can't open a bank account. Without a bank account you can't get your O visa

I'm on a dependency visa.

To get this my English wife holds a none O visa based on retirement.

We then had our marriage certificate verified by the British embassy and then translated into Thai, which was then verified by the ministry of foreign affairs which was all done whilst being in Thailand.

@Paul ******

when you have your O visa then just go to immigration and they will tell you exactly what's then required and the time frame

@Michael *******

big clamp down now on opening up bank accounts without the correct visa. Long gone are the days where they'd accept your cash. This persons best option is to apply for the correct visa in his own country before arriving in Thailand. Then the process is pretty straightforward

@John ******

some people just leave it to the very last minute. Visa extensions can be done weeks in advance just for these situations.

@Michelle ****************

you can also get a "dependency " visa which all you have to do is get your marriage certificate verified by your embassy, then translated into Thai and verified by the ministry of foreign affairs. This way only 1 of you (the visa holder) can attach a dependent and only have to deposit 800K or show the 65K (for a full 12 months).

This is what myself and my wife do successfully for the past 6 years.

I don't know if this is different for different countries (we are British).

@Cris *****

it might actually be an idea to go to your bank and show your current visa. Their records will show your on a ED visa so you could actuallybe at risk of your bank closing your account.

You can not renew your British Passport online from Thailand.

You have to use VFS.

It's a free service (you only pay for your passport)

Catch 22 situation

Several payments using wise ect which Will probably cost the same transaction as 1 UK bank transfer.

Its a one off payment so bite the bullet on that one.

You need to show the money in your account ASAP

I've been there done that.

Had a "SIA" licence but still had to pay for their checks to obtain my OA visa.

Looking back I wished I'd opted for just the "O" visa as the health insurance is very restricted to only certain companies with Thai approval.