Hello

I wish to apply for retirement visa. I am 50+ and carry Swedish passport. I understand that if I can deposit 800.000 baht in a Thai bank account I may succeed with an application.

I am in Chiang Rai now on a tourist visa. 5 weeks remain of the visa. I walked between banks yesterday trying to open an account without success.

TMB needed a work permit

Kasikorn needed me to rent apartment or house. Then the landlord could probably issue some necessary document they said.

Bangkok bank needed a document from a Thai person certifying that I was "no problem".

Relations with bank clerks were good and I naturally don't dress in flip flops and shorts when going to banks.

I still like to move around and live in guesthouses. I will most likely rent an apartment later when I have decided in which Thai city to stay longer. Right now only 5 weeks remain of my tourist visa and I do not wish to rent an apartment for a longer time before I have visa for a longer period.

I also think immigration wants the 800.000 baht on the account three months before I apply. Therefore I need the bank account before renting an apartment.

I have heard about foreigners living in guesthouses getting bank accounts without renting apartment.

It seems I need a bank account to get my visa. How should I proceed? Is it easier to open a bank account in another city or bank?

I don't return often to Sweden any more. If I can't obtain the retirement visa I may go to another SEA country temporarily. But setting up retirement visa from outside Thailand seems difficult just considering the difficulties obtaining the bank account from WITHIN Thailand.

I apologize if I repeat a question, I use a phone and have had problems searching.

Thanks a lot for any advice how to get the bank account and retirement visa.

Edited September 19, 201411 yr by thailandsgreat

If you can provide evidence of 65,000 baht monthly income to your embassy then you can get a one year permission to stay on that basis. During that year you can easily get a bank account and deposit the 800,000 baht if you wish to switch to the cash method.

Hello

I wish to apply for retirement visa. I am 50+ and carry Swedish passport. I understand that if I can deposit 800.000 baht in a Thai bank account I may succeed with an application.

I am in Chiang Rai now on a tourist visa. 5 weeks remain of the visa. I walked between banks yesterday trying to open an account without success.

TMB needed a work permit

Kasikorn needed me to rent apartment or house. Then the landlord could probably issue some necessary document they said.

Bangkok bank needed a document from a Thai person certifying that I was "no problem".

Relations with bank clerks were good and I naturally don't dress in flip flops and shorts when going to banks.

I still like to move around and live in guesthouses. I will most likely rent an apartment later when I have decided in which Thai city to stay longer. Right now only 5 weeks remain of my tourist visa and I do not wish to rent an apartment for a longer time before I have visa for a longer period.

I also think immigration wants the 800.000 baht on the account three months before I apply. Therefore I need the bank account before renting an apartment.

I have heard about foreigners living in guesthouses getting bank accounts without renting apartment.

It seems I need a bank account to get my visa. How should I proceed? Is it easier to open a bank account in another city or bank?

I don't return often to Sweden any more. If I can't obtain the retirement visa I may go to another SEA country temporarily. But setting up retirement visa from outside Thailand seems difficult just considering the difficulties obtaining the bank account from WITHIN Thailand.

I apologize if I repeat a question, I use a phone and have had problems searching.

Thanks a lot for any advice how to get the bank account and retirement visa.

Easiest way but it will cost you something : is to get a lawyer who can accompany you to the bank and also ease your application for this first time, you should at the same time apply for a multiple to get in/out during the course of your actual visa. Then it will be easier for you to renew the visa in one year's time. But remember you should have a address and also do your 90 days immigration check.

You will just have to try another branch of the same banks. It seems that it's up to the branch manager. I have accounts at BKB, SCB, Krung Thai and GSB and didn't have any problems opening the accounts but that was a long time ago and not in Chiand Rai. Before yo apply for a retirement "extension" you first have to convert your tourist visa to a Non-O visa. If you are using the Bank method you do have to and 800k in a Thia Bank in your name only but it doesn't have to be seasoned (in most offices). You need to have 15 days left on your current permission to stay to do the conversion, cost 2000 baht. They will give you 90 days permission to stay. During the last 30 days (45 in some locations) of your 90 day permission to stay you apply for the 1 year retirement extension. On the first application the money has to be seasoned for only 2 months, 3 months for your next and ongoing extensions. Cost 1900 baht.

It seems that the bank account is just luck of the draw and you need to try another branch until you find one. Good luck!

@Mahjongguy

Thanks, I am aware of that method (pension 65.000/mo). But I prefer to use the cash method now. (One reason is that Swedish people can temporarily lose their right to Swedish medicare if they stay away too long.) I prefer not to involve my Embassy.

Edited September 19, 201411 yr by thailandsgreat

Thanks for several good replies.

@ZAKY

What is a "multiple"? I have assumed that a one year visa is always multiple entry? Should I specify that my retirement visa should be multiple entry?

What is the 90 days immigration check? What do they check then?

Thanks for several good replies.

@ZAKY

What is a "multiple"? I have assumed that a one year visa is always multiple entry? Should I specify that my retirement visa should be multiple entry?

What is the 90 days immigration check? What do they check then?

Yes multiple allow you to leave and return. The 90 days check is that you will have each 90 days re-confirm your address to the immigration but if you are not staying to thst limit on each trip therefore no use.

You will just have to try another branch of the same banks. It seems that it's up to the branch manager. I have accounts at BKB, SCB, Krung Thai and GSB and didn't have any problems opening the accounts but that was a long time ago and not in Chiand Rai. Before yo apply for a retirement "extension" you first have to convert your tourist visa to a Non-O visa. If you are using the Bank method you do have to and 800k in a Thia Bank in your name only but it doesn't have to be seasoned (in most offices). You need to have 15 days left on your current permission to stay to do the conversion, cost 2000 baht. They will give you 90 days permission to stay. During the last 30 days (45 in some locations) of your 90 day permission to stay you apply for the 1 year retirement extension. On the first application the money has to be seasoned for only 2 months, 3 months for your next and ongoing extensions. Cost 1900 baht.

It seems that the bank account is just luck of the draw and you need to try another branch until you find one. Good luck!

Thanks all of you, I appreciate. Much I need to learn.

I did not know of the Non-O visa.

So the first step to get a retirement visa is to get a Non-O visa.

To get the Non-O visa the money must be on my account. But it needs not to have remained on the account for any length of time.

So is it correct that immigration also only approves of my address if it is an apartment or house? Will immigration also approve of a guesthouse address?

Which bank branches (cities) have you been successful getting an account at?

Maybe you already had a "permanent" address when you applied for the bank account? Kasikorn and Bangkok bank seemed to refuse me an account only since I lived in guesthouse. If I had rented an apartment they would probably have opened an account for me.

Edited September 19, 201411 yr by thailandsgreat

Thanks for several good replies.

@ZAKY

What is a "multiple"? I have assumed that a one year visa is always multiple entry? Should I specify that my retirement visa should be multiple entry?

What is the 90 days immigration check? What do they check then?

You cannot apply for a multiple entry extension. After you get your extension you can get a re-entry permit that can be a single re-entry permit (1000 baht) or a multiple (3800 baht).

You have plenty of time to open your bank account. You first be applying for a change of visa status to obtain a 90 day non immigrant visa entry. The money just has to be in the bank on the date you apply for it.

Then 60 days after you get the visa entry you can apply for your extension. At that time your money will need to be in the bank for 60 days.

Just try a few more banks to get your account opened.

You mentioned Bangkok Bank suggested a reference. They offer the option of getting a document signed by your embassy also. Perhaps you could get it signed by the Swedish honorary consulate in Chiang Mai. Download http://www.bangkokbank.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Bangkok%20Bank/Personal%20Banking/Foreign%20Customers/Certified_Letter.pdf There are other options mentioned here: http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/PersonalBanking/SpecialServices/ForeignCustomers/Pages/Openinganaccountnew.aspx

I was going to suggest BKB also. I didn't know about the form but if you put your guesthouse address on it and it signed by the consul it should work. Here's info on the consul, give them a call.

SWEDEN
Honorary Consul: Mrs. Supajee Nilubol
Consulate:
Consulate of Sweden
Address:
186/48 Green Valley,
Moo 5, Mae Sa, Mae Rim,
Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand.
Phone: +66 (0)53 29 86 32
E-mail: '; document.write(''); document.write(addy_text35674); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 09.00-12.00

Thanks again guys. You know it all and you share it, I appreciate. You point out possible ways.

It seems to me a "permanent" (non guesthouse) address is important to open the bank account and also to obtain the Non-O and retirement visas.

I must leave Thailand for a short time this autumn. So, listening to your advice I think the best thing I can do is: Spend my remaining 5 weeks here travelling around and deciding for the permanent place for me to settle. At the same time try to open a bank account.

My 2 months tourist visa ends in 5 weeks. At that time I go abroad shortly and then try to enter Thailand again, renting an apartment which will probably make the whole process easier. (Having a "permanent" non-guesthouse address. )

My passport only has one stamp from Thailand. It will be tourist visa from about Aug 28 to about Oct 26.

If I apply (maybe at Thai embassy in Manila) for a new tourist visa to Thailand later this year. Do you think there will be any restrictions for me (since I recently visited Thailand). If I come around the start of December, are they likely to issue a new 2 months tourist visa for me? (So I can get started with apartment etc.)

Thanks for bringing up the idea with the Honorary Consul in Chiang Mai. I had no thought of it. Very good idea. I will go north from Chiang Rai a few days but definitely check that possibility before I continue.

A guesthouse owner who spoke good English and also seemed used to dealing with foreigners also said that BKB were used to dealing with foreigners.

Edited September 19, 201411 yr by thailandsgreat

Don't forget you can also extend your 60 day tourist visa entry by 30 days at immigration.

If you do leave the county it would be best to try and get a single entry non-o visa instead of a tourist visa. Most embassies and consulates within the region will do them. Some may want to see financial proof but you could use a statement from your account in Sweden for that.

You do not have to worry about re-entering the country if you get the non-o or a tourist visa.

Quote from BKB regulations:

----

Non-Resident Baht Account

A non-Resident Baht account may be useful if you plan to transfer funds to Thailand for investment purposes and intend to repatriate your funds in the future. Transactions are recorded in accordance with Bank of Thailand regulations.

Please note, this account is not appropriate for daily use as all transactions are manual and can only be made at the Head Office branch on Silom Road, Bangkok.

----

So they will try to keep the money on the account??

I hope I can transfer the money to other accounts where it is more easily available?

Don't forget you can also extend your 60 day tourist visa entry by 30 days at immigration.

If you do leave the county it would be best to try and get a single entry non-o visa instead of a tourist visa. Most embassies and consulates within the region will do them. Some may want to see financial proof but you could use a statement from your account in Sweden for that.

You do not have to worry about re-entering the country if you get the non-o or a tourist visa.

Thanks.Very useful. I learnt a lot today from you guys.

I get a good impression of Thailand. Even if I walk to several banks and still haven't been able to open the account their methods are ok, I feel. (At least so far.)

They are polite and they wish me to have a permanent address before I can get a bank account or get a longer visa. Those are reasonable demands I think.

I will try for the Non-O visa in Manila later this year. Very good info, thanks.

Quote from BKB regulations:

----

Non-Resident Baht Account

A non-Resident Baht account may be useful if you plan to transfer funds to Thailand for investment purposes and intend to repatriate your funds in the future. Transactions are recorded in accordance with Bank of Thailand regulations.

Please note, this account is not appropriate for daily use as all transactions are manual and can only be made at the Head Office branch on Silom Road, Bangkok.

----

So they will try to keep the money on the account??

I hope I can transfer the money to other accounts where it is more easily available?

You will not be opening that kind of account. You will be opening a standard savings account.

See: http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/PersonalBanking/DailyBanking/Accounts/SavingsAccounts/Pages/Default.aspx

Quote from BKB regulations:

----

Non-Resident Baht Account

A non-Resident Baht account may be useful if you plan to transfer funds to Thailand for investment purposes and intend to repatriate your funds in the future. Transactions are recorded in accordance with Bank of Thailand regulations.

Please note, this account is not appropriate for daily use as all transactions are manual and can only be made at the Head Office branch on Silom Road, Bangkok.

----

So they will try to keep the money on the account??

I hope I can transfer the money to other accounts where it is more easily available?

You will not be opening that kind of account. You will be opening a standard savings account.

See: http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/PersonalBanking/DailyBanking/Accounts/SavingsAccounts/Pages/Default.aspx

Thanks, I get it.

Removed an off-topic post.

Don't forget where ever you open your bank account will be the the only bank you can withdraw the money for nothing.

I opened an account in Pattaya then moved to Bangkok, I pay 15 baht a time to use the ATM, I guess I could change my head office ? but cant be bothered.

In places like Bangkok or Pattaya it's easy to open account. If you have problem your Swedish Embassy can help you. Read about it on their website

Edited September 20, 201411 yr by larsjohnsson

I went to the local Kasikorn Bank with only A passport.30 day tourist.Not A problem.Just keep checking.

Thanks all of you. I appreciate all good hints given.

I just got a savings account at the KTB in Mae Sai. (Maybe it helped that the lady I held up the door and smiled to when entering the bank proved to be the clerk handling my application. "Sorry no interest, if you marry a Thai we can give you interest." The two lady clerks said and smiled They had to think long and ask several people before it was approved.

Thanks for advice in this thread.

So I can now transfer money from my Swedish bank (SEB ) to this account, I was told.

I just want to ask in the thread if there may be any obstacles in this process that I can not easily forsee right now. Can something "unexpected" happen?

Is it that simple? I just transfer the equivalent of 800.000 baht to this account and then apply for Non-immigrant O-A visa?

The only questions I have are:

Is immigration likely to allow for my address in a guesthouse? (and not an apartment)

Is the money safe in the Thai bank? There is no history of Thai banks going bankrupt?

Thanks.

Edited September 22, 201411 yr by thailandsgreat

You will need to transfer more than 800,000 as there is a fee for putting money into an account here.

I just got a savings account at the KTB in Mae Sai. (Maybe it helped that the lady I held up the door and smiled to when entering the bank proved to be the clerk handling my business. "Sorry no interest, if you marry a Thai we can give you interest." The two lady clerks said and smiled They had to think long and ask several people before it was approved.

Thanks for advice in this thread.

So I can now transfer money from my Swedish bank (SEB ) to this account, I was told.

I just want to ask in the thread if there may be any obstacles in this process that I can not easily forsee right now. Can something "unexpected" happen?

Is it that simple? I just transfer the equivalent of 800.000 baht to this account and then apply for Non-immigrant O-A visa?

The only questions I have are:

Is immigration likely to allow for my address in a guesthouse? (and not an apartment)

Is the money safe in the Thai bank? There is no history of Thai banks going bankrupt?

Thanks.

Not the best bank to have an account with. They are the only bank that does not pay interest on accounts held by foreigners. You should have no problem transferring the funds.

You cannot apply for a OA visa those are only done at an embassy.

You will first apply for a change of visa status from a tourist visa entry to a 90 day non immigrant visa entry. You will need to show you have the 800k baht in the bank by way of a bank letter and copies of your bank book.

Then about 60 days after you get the visa entry you will apply for a extension of stay based upon retirement. You will need a bank letter and copies of your bank book to prove the money has been in the bank for 60 days,

I just got a savings account at the KTB in Mae Sai. (Maybe it helped that the lady I held up the door and smiled to when entering the bank proved to be the clerk handling my application. "Sorry no interest, if you marry a Thai we can give you interest." The two lady clerks said and smiled They had to think long and ask several people before it was approved.

Thanks for advice in this thread.

So I can now transfer money from my Swedish bank (SEB ) to this account, I was told.

I just want to ask in the thread if there may be any obstacles in this process that I can not easily forsee right now. Can something "unexpected" happen?

Is it that simple? I just transfer the equivalent of 800.000 baht to this account and then apply for Non-immigrant O-A visa?

The only questions I have are:

Is immigration likely to allow for my address in a guesthouse? (and not an apartment)

Is the money safe in the Thai bank? There is no history of Thai banks going bankrupt?

Thanks.

Is it a O-A visa you gonna apply for???

If so you can keep the money in your Swedish account. If it is the extension of stay based on retirement you must have it in a Thai account

I mixed up what I just learnt. I wish to make an extension of stay, so I must transfer it. Thanks for pointing it out, guys.

Judging by your nick larsjohnsson, you may be Swedish too. Is there anything on the Swedish side I need to think of? If I one day will transfer the money back to Sweden or so?

Edited September 22, 201411 yr by thailandsgreat

I went to a few more branches. The Bangkok bank seems to be the most "foreigner friendly". The main office at Silom is maybe the easiest but I ended up with an account at the Khaosan road branch. They can also give me a fixed 11 months account with 2.8% interest. If you bring your passport and one more document, like driver's license or certificate of pension they seem to accept that. When I get the retirement visa they will change my account status so it will be the same as for Thai people.

Transferring money should not be a problem. My problem will maybe be that I like to move around in Thailand and stay in guesthouses. If immigration does not accept this for a retirement visa I don't know.

Thanks for advice here.

Edited September 30, 201411 yr by thailandsgreat

Just a little off topic on my first encounter with Thai banks. I had expected all to be smooth as I think most things here are, but you must look out for the fees and restrictions outside your "home area".

Earlier, when I opened my account in Bangkok I had declined to have an ATM card. Now that I wanted one (in another area) it was not possible to have one. To get an ATM card I have to go back to a branch in the Bangkok area, where my account was opened.

Withdrawal in a bank office is charged by 30 baht (<10.000) or 20 baht + 1/1000 of the amount (> 10.000). Deposit of a smaller amount costs 30 baht. (Larger I did not ask) This is also because I am not in my "home area". It would be the same if a Thai person from Chiang Mai deposited money in Bangkok, f.ex.

The only way around that is to open multiple accounts with different branches. I think that would be possible once I get the retirement visa.

There are also different types of ATM cards: VISA card and also another type that is locked to Bangkok Bank ATMs ...

A few things for an older guy to keep track of But no big problems of course. Thailand seems great for retirement.

Edited October 2, 201411 yr by thailandsgreat