Can I change from a free visa to a retirement visa while in Thailand, and is the process complicated?

@Todd ********

I recently enquired about it and got a 40k first year + 20k for renewal deal in BKK , and a 35K first year + 22K renewal deal in Pattaya region

@Todd ********

I had a friend who used agents money and went up 8,000 baht last year and he found it hard. I guess it a lucky dip.

@Gary *******

what is misinformation?

@Wak *******

some agents, after the tightening of bank rules in February 2025, have by now figured out a safe way to open a bank account even on a tourist visa or visa-exempt.

They however need the full cooperation of both Immigration and the bank in delaying the timely process of a "change of visa type".

Immigration allows them the application to the change without the existence of a Thai bank account.

The applicant will receive a receipt from Immigration for the 2000.- THB application fee, which says he is applying for the 90-days Non-Imm-O visa. The bank will accept this receipt as proof of the process in the issuance of a 90-days retirement visa, and will open a bank account for the applicant.

Right after, the applicant must transfer a minimum of 800,000 THB ASAP onto the account, and visit Immigration again with the bank statement that the 800K deposit now sits in the account. Only then, Immigration will stamp the 90-days Non-Imm-O visa as "under consideration" for 14 days. After this waiting period, the visa itself gets stamped, and as soon as the 800,000 THB have seasoned in the account for 2 months, an application to the 1-year Extension of Stay Permit can be made

@Wak *******

yes - of course

@Wak *******

even very well connected agents cannot get bank accounts for tourists right now.