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Answereda year ago

Can I renew my NON-O visa in Thailand without an agent after depositing 800,000 baht in the second year?

Mike *****
asked Oct 21, 2025
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If I use the agent first year for non o visa in Thailand and decide to deposit 800,000 baht following year, can I renew the visa without the agent or do I need to get a fresh non-o visa (apply outside the country).
Answer summary
The discussion clarifies that if you initially used an agent to secure a NON-O visa with a deposited amount of 800,000 Baht, you'll typically be required to repeat that process with an agent in subsequent years unless you make certain arrangements. It’s suggested that you could switch to a monthly transfer instead for the second year, but there are concerns regarding the 'seasoning' of the original deposit and the implications of using an agent's funds. Participants recommend depositing your own money and keeping it in the account properly over the necessary duration for renewal.
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Tim ********
Tim ********
You will need to deposit 800,000 for the first year, no more agent BS. Times have moved on.
Frank *****
Frank *****
Stuart ******
Stuart ******
I believe from what I've read and videos I've watched that this was one off the main reason bank accounts were frozen because it was the money of the person applying for the visa.

If you can afford it then you should put your own money in.

The 65k monthly for 1st renewal if you come from a country that allows a letter from your embassy that is the way to go.

But if you are like me a UK citizen then my pensions can be paid directly into the Thai bank account and a statement will suffice.
Todd ********
Todd ********
@Stuart *****
not true. Mule accounts mostly from Chinese scammers were the problem.
Stuart ******
Stuart ******
@Todd *******
well I believe different and a few lawyers have said the same. Not a problem for me not got one at the moment. But will next year.
Todd ********
Todd ********
@Stuart *****
have the retirement extension many years and multiple bank accounts. And property. So no issues
Liam ***********
Liam ***********
@Stuart *****
hi

I believe you do not need 800 k in a Thai bank for a Non o if your embassy certifies your pension 65k pm or above

I am a Irish citizen and my embassy still certifies unlike uk USA Australia embassy’s
Stuart ******
Stuart ******
@Liam **********
no you don't a letter from your embassy will suffice as I said.
Stuart ******
Stuart ******
@Frank ****
that's what I will do when I return next year, a separate bank account and not bother with it.
Frank *****
Frank *****
@Stuart *****
yes, I used to be able to get an affidavit of income from the US embassy, but no longer. I just keep the required funds in the bank.
Stuart ******
Stuart ******
@Frank ****
yes mate. Plus your letter. Before they stopped UK citizen doing the letter from your embassy. The letter used to be enough, but need statement from bank to confirm going in. Not a major problem.
Frank *****
Frank *****
@Stuart *****
so would your thai bank statements proving the deposits. Yes?
Yo***
Yo***
Many said there, some agents put the money 800,000 THB ( it is their own money ) into the bank account and after minutes they withdrew it. This is a trick. But, To whose Thai account they put their money in? Applicants account in Thai bank?? or their own name account??? if the applicants account, in my case, there is no record of transactions of this 800,000 THB in the bank transaction history or bankbook at all. There was no 800,000 THB in and out at all in the bank record of my account. How could they do this? if they really put the money into my account and withdraw it? , there must be a deposit record of this in the bank statement and bank book. But I can not find any of this. Did you check your account history or record of this money in and out?
Frank *****
Frank *****
@Yo***
bribery is the answer.
Frank *****
Frank *****
@Yo***
I've had to provide itemized bank statements for the previous year, for every renewal. I would not recommend gaming the system... you are also required to keep 400k in the account for the entire year. 800k for 2 months prior to renewal and 3 months after, is the rule.
Dennis *********
Dennis *********
@Yo***
frauds is a felony…..at least in the U.S. Perhaps here in Thailand as well — perhaps you should take all your documents to immigration and see if they can assist!
Derek *****
Derek *****
The money isn’t actually deposited in some cases. They just obtain the bank letter, and that’s what you’re paying for.
Frank *****
Frank *****
@Derek ****
in which case, you'll need to keep using an agent ever year. And its fraudulent.
Derek *****
Derek *****
it’s no “you” — I’m not the one posting. I’m just answering.
Alfred *****
Alfred *****
@Yo***
see my earlier reply
Sean **********
Sean **********
You can use an agent to do the paperwork and use your 800K transfer to avoid getting stuck with that agent in the future.

My 1st year I had the 800k ready to transfer but the sneaky agent did the deposit using their funds and withdraw immediately following getting the letter from the bank.

I did the transfer of 800k immediately into the account and left it there all year. I then used their funds agent the 2nd year but no funny funds transfers to validate my bank history for the year.
Sebastian **********
Sebastian **********
@Sean *********
That makes sense. That's exactly what I'm planning to do. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Tom ********
Tom ********
@Sebastian *********
i had the offer of a 'friendly agent' sort out the 800k/ visa and it was going to cost me 30,000 tbh, but i had the funds anyway but didn't actually want that particular visa so i left it. things have a habit of biting you in the arse in thailand sooner or later if u don't do things the way the authorities want.
Sebastian **********
Sebastian **********
I'm a bit confused. If I get a visa now with an agent who deposits 800,000 baht into my bank account for 10 minutes, and then I transfer my 800,000 baht from abroad and keep it in the account for a year, will I get a visa extension or not? Can someone answer this question for me? Thank you.
Yo***
Yo***
@Sebastian *********
I think the deposit of 800,000 THB is only for extension purpose. So, when the agent put the money in and out, this is for extension. Strictly to say, once you put 800,000 THB from the time when extension applied, you can not touch this money at all until approval. And after approval, you can not also touch this for two months or so.. When the agent put and withdraw the money at the day when applied, it is against law ( if so strictly to say.) I just can assume only, because I do not know too,,, if the immigration officer you face is strict enough, it can be a problem.. But again I do not know too...
Kennon *****
Kennon *****
You can use the ag3nt as your first time visa.because alot of paperwork etc..and they won't make your application smooth..as the agent and imm..got involved with the fee ..2nd time as long you must remember all the papers..you can renew yourself be sure to have your wife along as 1 thai can speak thai is better..cheers
Sean **********
Sean **********
@Kennon ****
yes, having a good Thai translator is very helpful.
Wannikea *********
Wannikea *********
The problem comes from the agent depositing the 800k for 10 minutes. That 800k isn't seasoning for 3 months after the extension is granted therefore the terms of the extension aren't met and in theory you're on overstay. So.. start fresh.
Yo***
Yo***
@Wannikea ********
Does an agent put 800,000 THB into my name Thai account? or whose account??? if my account, how can the agent do this? He put 800,000 THB ( his money) into my account and withdraw it immediately from my account? even without me knowing that? Also, there is no record of 800,000 THB in my transaction history of my account at all. bankbook or transaction history or bank statement, there is no such transactions at all. How could he do this???? They must show something that money is in to my name account to the immigration. how could they do this to the immigration? Which paper or bank record?
Sean **********
Sean **********
@Yo***
your account.

The agent will go to the bank solo with your passbook deposit the funds, get the letter. Then come out and instruct you to send the 800k back to his account using your phone app.

Note this is accomplished by the agent passing cash under the table to the bank employee.

And now you are forced to use the agent to validate your account again for the next extension assuming you deposited the required 800k immediately following the agent actions and leave it there the required time the balance of the first year.
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
@Yo***
you missed the part when we started to say "use your own funds, don't need the agent" . . . or when we said, "you have no own funds, then use the agent to front them" . . . .

in the first case, you are fulfilling the first year's extension requirements which are that your own funds need to remain in your account for the full year.

However in the second case the agent just borrows you 800,000 THB and puts them into your Thai bank account for maybe 15 minutes, then withdraws them.

Which means that during the whole year of the first extension you don't have own funds sitting in your account, which further means you are theoretically in overstay, and further means you are not fulfilling the requirements, which require the funds to be remaining in your account during the year
Marc *******
Marc *******
@Brandon ***********
Exactly, in most cases.
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Marc ******
Don't have to use same agent, just have to continue using an agent in most cases, but you can switch agents.
Marc *******
Marc *******
@Sean *********
I don't think there will be a "next year" without same agent.
Sean **********
Sean **********
@Yo***
no, I think it sounds like the agent did not give 800k at all and just paid some banker under the table to provide a letter.

I hope you put 800k in your account immediately and left it sit there to have a valid record for next years extension
Yo***
Yo***
@Ron *****
I never asked you. dont worry 🤣
Ron ******
Ron ******
@Yo***
I think you ask too many questions 🤣
Yo***
Yo***
@Sean *********
you meant the agent give the cash 800,000 THB directly to the banker and get the letter from him? without records at all in bank book or statement???? and return it from the banker???? this is more odd for me. I think there might be something different we do not know?
Yo***
Yo***
oh I see. you got the record of money in and out clearly in your bank book. But in my case, I do not find anything in my bank book or bank statements with all transactions since opening my account. Mine is bangkok bank. It is very strange for me. My agent did not put any money into my account at all. At least not in the official record. how could they do it????
Sean **********
Sean **********
@Yo***
strange because you also usually need to have your bank book available for the agent to review.

I can only imagine the agent paid straight off for the letter.
Alfred *****
Alfred *****
Alfred *****
Alfred *****
Alfred *****
Alfred *****
@Yo***
I did mine with Thailand Visa Center - I was picked up at 0800 from my apartment and went to Krung Thai bank . Agent brought my paperwork/ passports etc and the Bank officer will check for my Non O 90 days stamp in the pp. when all is in order , my agent gave them a whole stack of Thai 1000 baht notes . It was machine counted showing 800K . When the passbook was returned to me , I could see a 800k entry credit . And another of a withdrawal of 800k
Yo***
Yo***
@Sean *********
yes I think so. However, there must be a record of this in my bank statement or bank book or app. You know that you can see all transactions history of your bank account. But there is nothing about this at all in my bank statement. Is it possible??? There is no record of this kind of transactions in my account. How could they get the letter from the bank??
Rachael **********
Rachael **********
Following
Tommy ********
Tommy ********
Can’t you just switch to the
*****
baht transfer every month for the second year? Should be no problem.
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
@Tommy *******
not if you didn't keep your own 800,000 THB for three months after been issued the extension and respective 400,000 THB for the remaining year until 2 months before next application, in your Thai bank account for the whole year of the first extension. If you used an agent who put the money into your account for 15 minutes, you cannot apply for the next extension on your own
J **************
J **************
@Tommy *******
because the USA embassy no longer verifies income
Parker ********************
Parker ********************
@Tommy *******
not if you're Australian. Our Pension only comes to THB42,000 a month, which is way short
Ian *******
Ian *******
@Parker *******************
i haven't done it myself, but you should be able to achieve it with the mixed method. For example, 400k in the account, and 32,500 per month in monthly transfers. Talk to your immigration office.
Parker ********************
Parker ********************
@Ian ******
I was hoping I can do that. Actually, I'm not in Australia any more, I'm heading to the Philippines next month to meet up with my daughter there. I wonder if I can liaise with the Thai Embassy in Manila whilst applying as I will be staying there temporarily and not going back to Australia
Nimal *************
Nimal *************
@Parker *******************
yes the AS$ is very weak now - only 21 THB. There was a time 30THB
Parker ********************
Parker ********************
@Nimal ************
I can get 37.60 Philippine Pesos to the AUD. We're far better off over there, we get more bang for our buck so to speak.
Parker ********************
Parker ********************
@Nimal ************
I was living here back then, I lived quite comfortably, but I must admit at the time I was here on a work permit and not the pension like I am now.
Nimal *************
Nimal *************
@Les **********
I can remember around
*********
I got 30THB for 1 AS$
Les ***********
Les ***********
@Nimal ************
Less than the AUD.
Nimal *************
Nimal *************
@Les **********
that means NZ$ almost equal to AS$?
Les ***********
Les ***********
@Nimal ************
New Zealand is understand 19.
J **************
J **************
@Tommy *******
depends on your home country : USA. Can do 65k after first year but must still have 400,000

In the bank
Sean **********
Sean **********
@J *************
i don’t see that requirement anywhere, why?
Jay *******
Jay *******
@J *************
yes, but if an agent put up the money, the 400k/800k is not there
Jay *******
Jay *******
@Tommy *******
don't you have to show that you maintained the 800k/400k for the full year to make the switch to the monthly after the first year?
Sean **********
Sean **********
@Jay ******
I did it but I left the entire 800k all year and also made the monthly deposits. This IMO is the safest way to approach switching in case the 65k method does not fly. Some people have reported that certain Immigration office have flat out refused to accept the 65k monthly method.

BTW I did the extension renewal at Bangkok Wattana immigration and they did not like it and tried to convince me not to switch.
Wayne ********
Wayne ********
@Jay ******
i’ve not done it, but I have had friends who have I believe you start depositing your 65K as soon as you get your first non o approved so next year when it is time for your next Ext, you should have 12 monthly payments
Wannikea *********
Wannikea *********
@Jay ******
exactly, the seasoning terms of the agent acquired extension are not being met, and when you go to start the next extension the officer will ask to see the bank statement which will show the agent deposited 800k for about 1.4 minutes in your bank account
Tom ********
Tom ********
@Wannikea ********
this is why some thai banks closed foreigners accounts.. they are cracking down on non compliance of the rules
Tommy ********
Tommy ********
@Jay ******
to be honest im not sure. I don’t think so but don’t take my word for it. I’m sure someone who has done this will chime in.
Graham ******
Graham ******
@Tommy *******
"to be honest im not sure. I don’t think so but don’t take my word for it." so please do not comment
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
Generally if you use an agent to “fund” your visa/extension they you’re stuck on that gravy train until you start afresh with a “clean” visa.

Like everything here it is probably office dependent so check with yours as to their policy.

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