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Can agents assist in obtaining an O visa with help funds?
O visa ThailandThai Visa AgentsVisa Application ProcessImmigration HelpFinancial Requirements for VisaVisa Costs
TLDR : Answer Summary
The community generally agrees that agents can assist in obtaining an O visa, although there are mixed opinions on the financial aspects involved. Some users recommend working with agents like the Thai Visa Centre, while others caution against the increasing fees and suggest that applying independently might be more cost-effective. There are concerns about the complications agents can create with banks, and suggestions on how to navigate the process effectively.
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Angel ******
Yes
Yo***
Agents can not help with funds . They take your funds only. yes payment it is. Agency fee is increasing higher and higher. So it costs much.
David *******
@Yo***
Agents and some immigration will help with funds.Put in
Bank letter
Update passbook.
Stamps.
Pay the fee.
Do the calculations.
Leave your money in your bank
36,000 baht interest.
Agency is about 17,000.
19,000 baht better off.
(Just saying)
Ralphy *****
@David ******
where do you get 4.5% interest in ThailandDavid *******
Reply to
David *******
Reply
Yo***
yes right. using agents makes things easier. This is very sure. I am always using agents when I am in a foreign country. As a foreigner, everything is hard to do by myself. all different and even, cultural difference is huge. Language barrier is also huge too. Different system, process, people here. The agents are locals and they are expert to do such process and relationships and networks, that they already have. Only we must pay to hire them. I tried before all process of things in a foreign country, because it looked not difficult for me to do by myself. But I really failed big. Even a simple thing I could not manage. Even worsened. After I wasted money and times and energy, I realized that I need a good agent. After that, I always used agents in foreign country to do something for such necessary things. and so far, they helped me a lot. only one agent was fake and shit to me. In Thailand, I do not know much yet. I am just learning and monitoring.
Reply to
Yo***
Reply
Brandon ************
@Yo***
Nothing has changed about agents.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Roberto *********
You mean open a bank account, put in 800k, request a bank letter, and withdraw the money immediately?
Patrick *********
@Roberto ********
what you think he means Smart ass.Roberto *********
@Patrick ********
Just confirming he's likely to join that group of whiney expats who have had their accounts frozen! 😂😂😂Gerg **********
@Roberto ********
He means a visa agent puts in THEIR money, not his.Roberto *********
@Gerg *********
I know what he means but those days are drawing to a close. Bangkok Bank already insist on four months the lump sum has to be in the account otherwise no letter! The other banks will follow suit! Already accounts are being frozen across the country and Facebook is packed full of whiney expats who can't get their money! lolReply to
Roberto *********
Reply
Max *************
@Roberto ********
That way your 1 year extension isn't valid anymore. Good luck with that move.Roberto *********
@Max ************
You don't need to offer me good luck, I've never used a visa agent in the 18 years I've been here! For me it's the 65k monthly transfers - no brainerReply to
Roberto *********
Reply
Neil *******
Save a fortune and do it yourself. I did and it was relatively easy if you can cope with the immigration office.
Todd *********
@Neil ******
you actually lose about 24,000 a year by doing it yourselfNeil *******
@Todd ********
don’t get that paid 2,000 to get my own visa. Agents were charging 24,000Todd *********
@Neil ******
Agents charge about 32k for 15 month starter pack. Then 16k or so for annual renewals. The obvious financial advantage being that you don't need 800k in the bank for an agent. 800k at 5% makes 40k annually. Pays for your 16k annual fee and leaves you 24k every year in your pocket. Up to youReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Graham ******
@Todd ********
The 800k only needs to be in Thailand for just over 5 months if planned properlyTodd *********
@Graham *****
although true, it's a hassle. And as you are well aware it's not like you can send it out and back into country without incurring costs that would far exceed the value. Agents make perfect sense to anyone with a tiny bit of financial savvyMaitin *******
@Todd ********
well, you're going to spend it here anyway. I used to be an advisor and there are reasonable arguments on both sides. Honestly 800,000 thb is in the noise. What's your time worth... Mines with a lot ( at least to me and who knows how much there is ) you do get a discount from agents if you deal with the bank issues... They just collect the info and get in the front of the line at immigration. I have no desire to ever step foot in there again.Todd *********
@Maitin ******
all perfectly true. I’m never standing in line or chasing the paper trail to sort it all out. Nobody retires to go stand in govt lines. Well… except a few cheap Charlie’s here apparentlyMaitin *******
@Todd ********
Exactly. I didn't bust my ass for years to put up with nonsense. All the fees for an agent are seriously in the noise. If you are worrying about every baht... I'm really sorry... Not my problemNick ************
@Todd ********
except that when entering through BKK with an agent obtained Visa extension I was in no uncertain terms told, by an immigration Officer, to get my extension myself next time.Todd *********
@Nick ***********
you can ignore him.Wayne ***********
@Todd ********
fair comment fellaReply to
Wayne ***********
Reply
Dick **********
@Neil ******
Obviously he does not have the funds.Roberto *********
@Dick *********
And the way Bangkok Bank auditors have been ploughing through the records and freezing accounts, good luck with that oneMax *************
@Roberto ********
It's about relatively new accounts, nothing else. You sound like a rabid scaremonger.Roberto *********
@Max ************
Just living in the real worldReply to
Roberto *********
Reply
Todd *********
@Dick *********
It's more likely that he does and he also understand how much interest 800k makes elsewhere. My average return on investment over the last 25 years is over 14%. You can't seriously think a decent investor is bringing 800k to thailand, losing on exchange and fees, to sit in a bank at 0.5%. Not a great option.Maitin *******
@Terry *********
3 or 4 months, depends on the bank. Immigration only wants 2, but the banks won't give you the letter unless you comply with their rulesMax *************
@Todd ********
Why park those 800k in a savings account when there are for example Fixed Deposit Accounts? It sounds like you think 800k baht is a fortune?Maitin *******
@Max ************
I was thnking the same thing. Let's say you earn 12 percent a year. 800,000 thb is about $25,000 So each month you could have made $250 return. Depending on the bank it's 3-4 months, so $750 - $1000. Which happens to be what agents are charging. So it's close to a wash. As with everything, up to you
Terry **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Max ************
is when you haven't got it😃🍺🍺Todd *********
@Max ************
why does it sound like that lol? It’s beer money. But as they say, a fool and his money are easily parted. What do here with with micro amounts reflects how you handle money in general. It sounds like you have no clue about the value of time.
I wouldn’t park mine in savings account or FD accounts. Don’t be ridiculous. They don’t even keep up with inflation especially on an after tax basis
Max *************
@Todd ********
I don't see 800k as a lot of money,maybe you do. It's a small part of what I have. You are just another person whining about parking money in a Thai bank like it's the end of the world.Todd *********
@Max ************
clearly reading comprehension is not your forte.Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Neil *******
@Dick *********
get it!Reply to
Neil *******
Reply
Benjamin *******
Yes 100% only a bit more expensive 1st time
Stephen *********
Yes, And it’s these agents that are causing all the issues with the banks
Terry **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephen ********
wait till your 80 spent most of your savings and left with a few thousand pounds put aside for emergencies because can't get medical insurance pre existing conditions , pension of 700pds a month you might not have or want to tie up ,800,000 bath Which is frozen for 4 months in bank .before you criticise the why this post is written I left school at 14 and didn't have the chances your era got Regards glad your living the dream in ThailandKenneth *******
@Stephen ********
Hi it's the agents causing the issues can you explain hear how that is ? What they are doing to cause the problemsNick ************
There is nothing underhand about asking an agent to help you open a bank account, putting your money in it and getting help obtaining the non o at the same time.
Stephen *********
@Nick ***********
I agree if done legitimately, but unfortunately a lot of the time it’s notReply to
Stephen *********
Reply
Eric **********
Jarmo *********
@Stephen ********
no they r not. This is about some chinese scammers. Immigration is aware about agents and they dont have a problem with them.Max *************
@Stephen ********
Maybe you shouldn't listen to any "English solicitors" in Thailand.Alan ******
@Stephen ********
also, without agents, there'd be 1000s of pensioners up shit creek, Thailand would be lost without agents, I'll admit some are downright robbing twats, but most a genuine,David **********
@Alan *****
Agreed, as much as the Thai Government threatens to Huff and Puff and Blow the house down - it’s never gonna change.Besides people leaving, think of all the people out of work.
They would really shutdown the entire Visa agent business - I doubt it.
Reply to
David **********
Reply
David **********
@Stephen ********
If the Thai government were to crack down on these visa brokers, a whole lot of people would be in trouble and a whole lot of people would be saying bye, bye to Thailand.Terry **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@David *********
Mainly the Thai families we support will be worst hitMark *******
@David *********
i think its only a matter of time.Gerg **********
Ray ********
@David *********
well if the Thai government don't us here we'll spend out retirement money in Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, etcTerry **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ray *******
not that easy if been here 22yrsReply to
Ziggy ********
Reply
Todd *********
@David *********
😂😂😂😂 if the government cracks down on themselves lol? Umm it’s a safe bet immigration won’t be ‘cracking down’ on immigration anytime soon. No good bye Thailand. No trouble. No standing in line. No 800k. All good. Enjoy them. Great serviceStephen *********
@David *********
I’ve just seen a reel from an English solicitor in Thailand. He has stated that you can no longer get a bank account on a Non O visa. I’m not sure how this can be true. To get a 12 month retirement visa you need 800k in the bank but he’s saying you can’t get a bank account unless you’ve got a 12 month visa WTF 😳Terry **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephen ********
sorry that's wrong , just opened one with kasakorn bank bit of a pain though . Had to get yellow house Book and I'd card from my local city hallOlav *********
@Stephen ********
800k in the bank or show papers from your embasy theth you hawe a steady pension ower 65k bath ewery month.Andreas *********
@Stephen ********
" To get a 12 month retirement visa you need 800k in the bank but he’s saying you can’t get a bank account unless you’ve got a 12 month visa WTF " . . . . this is utter bollocks. Kick the advice of the other guy into the bin . . . . You enter on a 90 days Non-Imm-O Retirement visa. The visa becomes invalid or "used" upon entry. Can you FOLLOW me? You are in Thailand on a "stay permit", NOT "on a visa". You get a bank account opened as soon as possible after you entered. You transfer a minimum of 800,000 THB into it. Then up from 30 days before your 90-days stay permit expires (NOT your "visa", you don't have a visa any more!!!) and that's as soon as the 800,000 THB have been sitting in your Thai bank account for 2 months, you apply on Immigration for the "12-months Extension of Temporary Stay Permit Based on Retirement" which is NOT a visa but an "extended stay permit"Terry **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andreas ********
CorrectTHAI ******************************
@Stephen ********
We can still help with opening a bank account on a tourist visa and with exempt entry if your goal is to obtain a Non-O visa.There is a lot of misleading information circulating online, so it’s best to get the facts directly.
If you have any questions, our team is available on LINE:
**********************
Terry **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@THAI *****************************
Best AND CORRECT ANSWER YETMax *************
@Stephen ********
Why do you listen to rubbish? And you're not applying for a 12 months retirement visa, you're applying for a 1 year extension to stay based on retirement.Stephen *********
@Max ************
is the 1 year extension the only option for retirement, or is there a more long term option?Maitin *******
@Stephen ********
there have always been more options. LTR is good if you qualify Thai privilege if you just want to burn cash
Max *************
@Stephen ********
The 1 year O-A applied for in your country. But it comes with a mandatory health insurance and a couple of "odd" requirements.Stephen *********
@Max ************
I’ve heard of some people doing pay as you go for medical costs. How is this an option if it’s mandatory to have health insurance? Let me guess. This is where the agents come in 😜Max *************
@Stephen ********
One official requirement for the Non-O-A is the health insurance. The main differences between a Non-O and the Non-O-A is the fact you can only apply for the O-A back home at an Embassy/consulate and you don't need 800k baht in a Thai bank account.Nick ************
@Max ************
you can apply for the non o in home country by showing the funds there. It gives you 90 days to open an an account in Thailand and deposit the funds there for two months before applying for 12 month extension based on being over 50, married etc. Or is that what you meant?Max *************
@Nick ***********
No, he asked if there was another option, a long term visa based on retirement instead of the 90 days Non-O and the 1 year extension at immigration. The only one is the O-A.Nick ************
@Max ************
to be honest, taking another look, I'm not sure what he was asking.Max *************
@Nick ***********
He's totally clueless. He's just rambling about visas and illegal actions by agents and opening an account on a 90 days Non-O is not possible etc etc.Reply to
Max *************
Reply
Stephen *********
@David *********
how true. I’m traveling to Thailand in December on a non O with the intention of getting a bank account. So I can transfer my 800,000 thb in over the next 12 to 18 months. Looks like this won’t be happening nowMark *******
@Stephen ********
if your genuine and follow the rules.....shouldn't be any issues.Andreas *********
@Stephen ********
you can still get a bank account opened fully legal if you enter on a 90-days Non-Imm-O visa. If you happen to meet incompetent banking staff, just use an agent. Costs around 5000 THB to get a bank account opened with any of the many agent's in Pattaya. No health insurance requried on a Non-Imm-O, but it might be wise to have secured a good health insurance just for peace of mindDavid **********
@Stephen ********
watching some Facebook group I’ve seen guys mentioning they transfer money in to Thailand 3 months before their renewal then once approved transfer back out of Thailand until next approval cycle.With the continued uncertainty nobody wants to have a Thailand a store of money.
Maitin *******
@David *********
not that easy to get the money outNick ************
@David *********
that would not work as the full amount has to stay in the bank for three months after getting the extension and not go below *****
0 (for retirement) for the rest of the year. Monthly payments can be spent or sent back to home country but to swap you need to do both for the first year.Max *************
@David *********
Those guys don't have valid extensions if they're doing what you described.David **********
@Max ************
I’m not gaming it or trying to game it so I don’t really know.Max *************
@David *********
Don't you know how a 1 year extension at immigration works?Max *************
@Stephen ********
Why not?Reply to
Max *************
Reply
Stuart *********
@Stephen ********
You can think that but they’ve just been caught in the crossfire like many other farangs. If you hone in on the word crossfire (and the current border issues in certain parts of Thailand) then you may well be closer to the real reason Thai banks are clamping down on foreign accounts and potential money laundering. A clue. It’s not your typical Western guy spending his retirement funds in Thailand. They are just pawns in the game.
Pete **********
@Stuart ********
everyone has taken this crap way too personally. Im glad to see voices of reason within this chaosStuart *********
@Pete *********
Yep. They think it’s that they’re clamping down on western foreigners but it’s got nothing to do with them. They are just caught up in the happening. To stop the huge money laundering that’s been happening from a certain country they’ve had to curtail foreign accounts.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Ant ***********
Ian ********
Yes
Stuart *********
Yes. Speak to
@THAI *****************************
Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
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