Failed attempt at trying to get a non o in BKK

[AlexRRR]

Friday in BKK Australian 60's something experience in trying to get a non o Immigrant visa happening.

 

Thinking i did my research pretty well and only after contacting 3 so called visa specialists while still in AU where i just hit a wall over just a pure lack of details decided to go it alone.

 

I turn up at the Laksi complex where i have extended my stay once before, with a TM86 form, photo copy's of arrival card visa stamp and passport and my rental contract for one year and still 17 days left on my tourist visa.

 

First desk after telling him i want to apply for the non o long stay based on retirement says my TM 86 is incorrect and hands me a TM 87, so i fill it out then proceed to the second desk who send me into the main area where im speedily seen by a female officer, who says the TM 86 is correct for what i want...that i have all but the banking details and pretty much sends me away, in fact no matter what i ask its something along the lines that i will need to renew my visa and mumbled something like that would happen at another branch and that i should go down stairs to enquire about getting information on how to apply for a bank account....

 

Now this was meant to be a trail run as i half expected that id have problems but thought i would be set right by helpful immigration who haven't had a lot to do the last 2 years and most likely could return monday with the right everything and get it done....Nope....and thats a NOPE...

 

Going down stairs its plainly obvious with every Thai bank under the sun down there she was referring i should apply there, BKK bank said they wanted to see a work permit or a long stay stamp....so back to the first desk and ask about requirements for getting a bank account he then referred me back to my original officer who sent me down stairs...getting now where i asked her who i could see about making an application for a residency certificate she sent me on while waiting she came out of her cubical and began more of the same by this time im completely confused and just had enough and leave.

 

Friend who is a manager at a large insurance company here read the requirements form i printed out back in AU in Thai  in there somewhere she says either bank account or a lease agreement is enough to get the ball rolling....no comment....

 

Anyway she and i tried 2 banks at a mall and as you can expect got the same response. and this is only because i recontacted those 3 so called visa specialists one said they dont help with getting a bank account quote "Most of clients can open successfully with Bangkok Bank if they tell bank that they need the account to transfer money from there country" well thats not true is it?

 

Ok i get i must have done something wrong....I was under the impression handing in a TM 86 id get a 2 month extension so thats obviously incorrect....with that new stamp i assumed id get in my book it would open ups the possibility to get a bank account......with time running out on my tourist visa (its up on the 10th of May) im in need of some help, Thanking you to whom responds.

[soi3eddie]

Catch 22. Within Thailand, need a Non Immigrant visa for a bank account, need a bank account for a Non Immigrant visa. Not that easy to open accounts anymore. If I was you I would book a trip to Pattaya for a week or so. A good few agents there who will arrange not only a Thai bank account but a long stay Non-O visa for you. Maybe your best option at present. Then, once all in order and requirements met for next year, move back to Bangkok (or wherever) and do it yourself. I would have been in same situation as you except I was lucky enough to have had a Thai bank account for many years before the banks became so strict. Good luck! ...and please report back here how you ultimately get on.

 

Edited April 22, 2022 by soi3eddie

[ubonjoe]

You have to apply for the non-o visa at Chaeng Wattana immigration. Laski only does extensions for visa exempt entries.

You would only use a TM86 form if you entered with a tourist visa. For visa exempt you use a TM87 form.

Requirements are here: https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022C1_09.pdf

[DezLez]

Opening a Bank account without a WP From The BKK website;  (Savings Account (bangkokbank.com))

 2. Foreigner without work permit

• Passport
• A reference letter issued by one of the following institutes or organizations or required document
  • Embassy located  in Thailand 
  • An overseas bank where the customer holds an account sent via SWIFT 
  • Trusted individuals such as a Bangkok Bank staff member or customer, director of a private company, permanent residence in Thailand, government or private educational institutes located in Thailand trusted by the Bank
  • Trusted companies, e.g., an employment letter from the company if the customer is in the process of applying for a work permit.
  • Document showing ownership of a fixed asset such as a condominium sale/purchase agreement (a condominium which is acceptable to Bangkok Bank) Or a property reservation agreement valued at 100,000 baht or more with a reference letter from the property developer that is acceptable to Bangkok Bank.
     

Notes: Contact addresses for both Thailand and overseas must be provided (hotel and P.O. Box addresses are not acceptable).

 

Just find someone who has a BKK bank account or possibly your "manager friend" might qualify!

 

Edited April 23, 2022 by DezLez

[DrJack54]

OP, I read most of your post but it all came down to one thing.

Complaining about a process that is easy if you do research.

 

Your main issue is bank account.

The simple solution is to use an agent to open an account.

That cost is 4.5-5k.

 

You can do it yourself but difficult on a tourist visa. 

Even more difficult in Bangkok where some banks require a residence certificate.

They can only be obtained if you are doing 90 day report. Indeed catch 22 as mentioned earlier.

 

You can obtain the equivalent to residence certificate at (some) embassies. Not Oz.

 

If you have a lease you could try Kasikorn as them seem to be helpful.

 

You won't attend Laski.

Non O application will be done at CW.

Edited April 23, 2022 by DrJack54

[DezLez]

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Your main issue is bank account.

The simple solution is to use an agent to open an account.

That cost is 4.5-5k.

You do NOT need an agent.  See my post above!

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, DezLez said:

You do NOT need an agent.  See my post above!

Yes nice little list from some website.

When was last time you personally helped someone open a bank account on tourist visa in Bangkok.

From the OP.....

 

"still 17 days left on my tourist visa.".

He should have opened a bank account long ago.

Now time is urgent.

I suggest he obtain a covid extension so he can get organized.

 

Edited April 23, 2022 by DrJack54

[DezLez]

Just now, DrJack54 said:

Yes nice little list from some website.

When was last time you personally helped someone open a bank account on tourist visa in Bangkok.

 

It is NOT a "nice little list from some website" Please use the link provided, it is from Bangkok Bank Website!

Yeas I have helped people open accounts with them recently.

[Olmate]

6 minutes ago, DezLez said:

You do NOT need an agent.  See my post above!

Come to Pattaya.Get both! 

[DrJack54]

33 minutes ago, DezLez said:

Please use the link provided, it is from Bangkok Bank Website!

Interesting.

I personally tried to open a bank account with Bangkok Bank Sukhumvit Rd Asoke head office.

 

I had in my passport a non O and many annual extensions and at the time reentry permit.

I also had with me my partner a long time customer of that bank.

 

I took along lease etc etc.

The manager there wanted a residence certificate or similar from my embassy. Oz embassy does not provide that.

 

They also wanted something from my Oz bank.

Along with some other rubbish.

 

I eventually was successful with Kasikorn.

The winner for them was the non O in my pp.

The op has a tourist visa.

 

I never stated it's impossible, rather that it can be difficult.

Given time frame an agent imo best option..

Edited April 23, 2022 by DrJack54

[DrJack54]

OP, you need the Thai bank account in your name only BEFORE you apply for the non O.

 

Not the other way round.

 

You also need 800k in that account when you apply for the non O.

 

The non O stamps you in for 90 days not 60.

In that 90 days you will have time to season the 800k for 2 months prior to your 12 month extension.

 

You require 15 days left on your permission of stay to apply for the non O.

 

Your at that point now and no bank account.

I suggest you obtain a covid extension to give you time to get organized. 

Edited April 23, 2022 by DrJack54

[Polaky]

33 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, I read most of your post but it all came down to one thing.

Complaining about a process that is easy if you do research.

 

Your main issue is bank account.

The simple solution is to use an agent to open an account.

That cost is 4.5-5k.

 

You can do it yourself but difficult on a tourist visa. 

Even more difficult in Bangkok where some banks require a residence certificate.

They can only be obtained if you are doing 90 day report. Indeed catch 22 as mentioned earlier.

 

You can obtain the equivalent to residence certificate at (some) embassies. Not Oz.

 

If you have a lease you could try Kasikorn as them seem to be helpful.

 

You won't attend Laski.

Non O application will be done at CW.

Jack you do not need to submit a 90 day report when applying for a residency certificate at Jomtien,  I got one on a tourist visa, Tm30 receipt from the landlord and fill in the residency form 300 Baht in an hour, after waiting for 5 in the Q.

[DezLez]

29 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Given time frame an agent imo best option..

30 - 40 minutes to open a bank account without an agent!

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, Polaky said:

Jack you do not need to submit a 90 day report when applying for a residency certificate at Jomtien,  I got one on a tourist visa, Tm30 receipt from the landlord and fill in the residency form 300 Baht in an hour, after waiting for 5 in the Q.

Thanks. Yes aware of that.

It's a Bangkok thing for some reason.

 

I do note that as recent as yesterday there was report of someones paperwork being accepted for residence certificate in Bangkok and no 90 report.

I questioned the post but no reply.

 

It certainly is a requirement in Bangkok to have filed a 90 report to apply for residence certificate.

 

[Onerak]

Surprising that visa agents won't open a bank account in Bangkok. In Pattaya, all visa agents provide services of bank accounts also for a few thousand bahts.. 

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, Onerak said:

Surprising that visa agents won't open a bank account in Bangkok. In Pattaya, all visa agents provide services of bank accounts also for a few thousand bahts.. 

They do.

Siam Legal will provide that service in Bangkok.

They use Bangkok Bank for bank account. 

Other agents also.

 

[AlexRRR]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

You have to apply for the non-o visa at Chaeng Wattana immigration. Laski only does extensions for visa exempt entries.

You would only use a TM86 form if you entered with a tourist visa. For visa exempt you use a TM87 form.

Requirements are here: https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022C1_09.pdf

Thanks for the reply, i did attend that centre Lak Si and Change Wattana are the same place..and to be sure i just checked it on my phone and google maps...

 

Visa fixers? well its like immigration, a lot of nothing, vague and unhelpful, mind you i was recommended to one who was vague and unhelpful and they all showed a lot of disinterest hence going it alone. 

 

 As for immigration the very first counter got it wrong with the form i needed i had the correct one i might add.....

 

Will try a bigger known visa (well there website is bigger and seems known) agent on monday anyone in BKK with a recommendation would be good.

 

I accept Dr Jack that research would have made it easier and i did do my research which goes too show you how much <deleted> is on the internet, it would have been easier if i had of known someone who had already did the process.

[AlexRRR]

5 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

Catch 22. Within Thailand, need a Non Immigrant visa for a bank account, need a bank account for a Non Immigrant visa. Not that easy to open accounts anymore. If I was you I would book a trip to Pattaya for a week or so. A good few agents there who will arrange not only a Thai bank account but a long stay Non-O visa for you. Maybe your best option at present. Then, once all in order and requirements met for next year, move back to Bangkok (or wherever) and do it yourself. I would have been in same situation as you except I was lucky enough to have had a Thai bank account for many years before the banks became so strict. Good luck! ...and please report back here how you ultimately get on.

 

I opened a bank account just over 10 ys ago on then a some 3 month long visa, unfortunately they didnt let me know in anyway that if the account was inactive for more than 12 months they would shut it down if i had of known that i would have kept sending over some money from time to time...and yes they swallowed up my cash and kept it...wasnt to much but i though it wasnt a good look....

[Lemsta69]

4 minutes ago, AlexRRR said:

Thanks for the reply, i did attend that centre Lak Si and Change Wattana are the same place..and to be sure i just checked it on my phone and google maps...

 

Visa fixers? well its like immigration, a lot of nothing, vague and unhelpful, mind you i was recommended to one who was vague and unhelpful and they all showed a lot of disinterest hence going it alone. 

 

 As for immigration the very first counter got it wrong with the form i needed i had the correct one i might add.....

 

Will try a bigger known visa (well there website is bigger and seems known) agent on monday anyone in BKK with a recommendation would be good.

 

I accept Dr Jack that research would have made it easier and i did do my research which goes too show you how much <deleted> is on the internet, it would have been easier if i had of known someone who had already did the process.

ser, you don't need to use an agent to open a bank account now because @DezLezwill help you to open it. easy peasy ????

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, AlexRRR said:

Will try a bigger known visa (well there website is bigger and seems known) agent on monday anyone in BKK with a recommendation would be good

First up here is a thread to read re bank accounts. There are many..

The main reasons I suggested using agent is that many will insist upon residence certificate.

You are in Bangkok and you won't be able to obtain residence certificate.

Your embassy can provide equivalent but messy. Also your embassy may not provide that service. 

The second is time. 

You currently have little over 15 days left on your permission of stay. 

Think your best advised to obtain 60 day covid extension, to give you time. 

 

 

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, AlexRRR said:

Thanks for the reply, i did attend that centre Lak Si and Change Wattana are the same place..and to be sure i just checked it on my phone and google maps...

Laksi only appears on their mailing address. They just opened a office at a mall in Laksi and that created the confusion.

 

 

[AlexRRR]

1 hour ago, DezLez said:

Opening a Bank account without a WP From The BKK website;  (Savings Account (bangkokbank.com))

 2. Foreigner without work permit

• Passport
• A reference letter issued by one of the following institutes or organizations or required document
  • Embassy located  in Thailand 
  • An overseas bank where the customer holds an account sent via SWIFT 
  • Trusted individuals such as a Bangkok Bank staff member or customer, director of a private company, permanent residence in Thailand, government or private educational institutes located in Thailand trusted by the Bank
  • Trusted companies, e.g., an employment letter from the company if the customer is in the process of applying for a work permit.
  • Document showing ownership of a fixed asset such as a condominium sale/purchase agreement (a condominium which is acceptable to Bangkok Bank) Or a property reservation agreement valued at 100,000 baht or more with a reference letter from the property developer that is acceptable to Bangkok Bank.
     

Notes: Contact addresses for both Thailand and overseas must be provided (hotel and P.O. Box addresses are not acceptable).

 

Just find someone who has a BKK bank account or possibly your "manager friend" might qualify!

 

Hahaha....i have to laugh my Thai manager friend was stressed after just going to two banks trying to help me open an account yesterday mind you i had the pleasure of doing the circuit twice at immigration then checking 4 branches of banks in the basement there for like 5 hrs then cooling my heels for there hour long lunch and managed to kept my cool, i did whisper to her show them your BKK key card...haha....and tell them i want to pop in 7 million...money does talk....hahaha well shes use to telling other people what to do...... she wanted to go tot the Chang bar here last night....hahaha...

[AlexRRR]

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

First up here is a thread to read re bank accounts. There are many..

The main reasons I suggested using agent is that many will insist upon residence certificate.

You are in Bangkok and you won't be able to obtain residence certificate.

Your embassy can provide equivalent but messy. Also your embassy may not provide that service. 

The second is time. 

You currently have little over 15 days left on your permission of stay. 

Think your best advised to obtain 60 day covid extension, to give you time. 

 

 

Thanks, i did read that thread, im well aware of the horror stories as well as them that have done it....super hero's...hopefully now im in Thailand i can find a service provider thats on the ball shows some interest and provides a proper service..

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, AlexRRR said:

can find a service provider thats on the ball shows some interest and provides a proper service.

Sent you pm with couple of options. 

Just to clarify ...your intention is to do the non O and extension (retirement) yourself?

It is an easy process once you obtain the bank account.

Your intention is to transfer the funds from abroad? 

Edited April 23, 2022 by DrJack54

[AlexRRR]

39 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Sent you pm with couple of options. 

Just to clarify ...your intention is to do the non O and extension (retirement) yourself?

It is an easy process once you obtain the bank account.

Your intention is to transfer the funds from abroad? 

Yes that is it.

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, AlexRRR said:

Yes that is it.

Good. 

So basically it's just the bank account to sort out.

As I mentioned earlier you could have one last try at Kasikorn however if they also require a residence certificate it's difficult.

Oz embassy does not provide equivalent and your not doing reports and also the certificate takes between one and two weeks.

[Stefanix]

5 hours ago, Onerak said:

Surprising that visa agents won't open a bank account in Bangkok. In Pattaya, all visa agents provide services of bank accounts also for a few thousand bahts.. 

I wonder how this agent stuff works. Most probably a part of that fee goes to the bank's clerk. Could this be the reason they prefer to reject applications coming the normal way and force applicants using an agent?

I mean we are complaining about corruption while using this system ourselves!

Edited April 23, 2022 by Stefanix
small addition

[shortstop2]

7 hours ago, DezLez said:

Trusted individuals such as a Bangkok Bank staff member

Some branches will only let you open the account if you buy their insurance product which most farangs don't want but the Bangkok Bank employees are incentivized to push these insurance schemes.

[DezLez]

1 minute ago, shortstop2 said:

Some branches will only let you open the account if you buy their insurance product which most farangs don't want but the Bangkok Bank employees are incentivized to push these insurance schemes.

Just say no thanks and ask for the manager if they insist.  Works especially well if you have a Thai BKK customer with you.

[Tony125]

5 hours ago, AlexRRR said:

Thanks for the reply, i did attend that centre Lak Si and Change Wattana are the same place..and to be sure i just checked it on my phone and google maps...

 

Visa fixers? well its like immigration, a lot of nothing, vague and unhelpful, mind you i was recommended to one who was vague and unhelpful and they all showed a lot of disinterest hence going it alone. 

 

 As for immigration the very first counter got it wrong with the form i needed i had the correct one i might add.....

 

Will try a bigger known visa (well there website is bigger and seems known) agent on monday anyone in BKK with a recommendation would be good.

 

I accept Dr Jack that research would have made it easier and i did do my research which goes too show you how much <deleted> is on the internet, it would have been easier if i had of known someone who had already did the process.

Lak Si immigration is located in the IT Square Building ( Mall) ,it is not the same as Immigration Bld  B ChangWatenna shown in bottom photo.