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Can I switch agents when renewing my retirement visa in Thailand?

Apr 16, 2025
3 days ago
Matt **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all if i used an agent to obtain my retirement visa and he put the money in my bank to get me over the line do i have to use the same agent for renewal or can i use someone else who is much cheaper

Thankyou
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster asks whether they must use the same agent for renewing their retirement visa in Thailand after the agent helped them with funding. Comments suggest that while it is possible to change agents, there are risks involved, particularly if the initial visa was obtained through questionable means. Some suggest that if you meet the criteria for direct application, you may proceed without the agent. However, opinions indicate caution due to potential immigration scrutiny and complications that could arise from having an agent manipulate finances for visa approvals.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Garrett ***********
You only need to use the same agent if they put the money in the bank
Sarick **********
If your agent brought you over to immigration for a photoshoot,then you can use other offices next year. If you had sent the passport you didn't go in person, you are stuck with that office forever.
Philip *******
If once your 1 year extension is done you deposit 65,000 baht per month into Thai bank account from overseas bank then you'll meet the criteria
Glenn *********
It’s because of dodgy shit like that that’s making harder for people that are trying to do the right thing
THAI ******************************
Our team can handle everything for you when arriving on a Tourist visa, or Exempt Entry.

The total cost is ฿50,000, broken down as follows:

- ฿13,000 for bank account opening

- ฿23,000 for a 3-month Non-O visa

- ฿14,000 for the 1-year extension

However, if you apply for the Non-O visa from your home country and arrive in Thailand with it already in hand, you might be able to open a bank account yourself and skip the first row listed costs.

We also offer a expedited service where we do everything in one day for you all through Chaengwattana immigration.

For Bangkok we offer door to door services, and if you are outside of bangkok, and already have a bank account we can service you by secure post.

You can contact us via LINE ( https://tvc.co.th/line ), or EMAIL (
**************
**********************
), or EMAIL ( help@tvc.co.th ).
จอน ********
You can use another agent when you renew, I've just done it in pattaya
Joseph *************
They are not cheaper visas are like organized crime run by one family and none of the family's will cut each other's throat stick to one family smile don't argue bend over if they ask you to get your visa and repeat in 90 days !
Charles ********
@Peter ******
in the early 2000's there was a crackdown on dodgy visas, many thousands were told to leave the country.
Pat ********
Yes you can change agents , before it is due go to a agency in your province and they will give you all the details you need to renew .
Lloyd *********
You can most certainly change agents. Where are you located?
Narong *******
He Didn't ask to do it himself... He Asked if the Following year when it come to renew it if He CAN CHANGE THE AGENT (cheaper one)

I think You can
Robert *****************
What was total cost of visa through agent please?
THAI ******************************
@Robert ****************
Our team can handle everything for you when arriving on a Tourist visa, or Exempt Entry.

The total cost is ฿50,000, broken down as follows:

- ฿13,000 for bank account opening

- ฿23,000 for a 3-month Non-O visa

- ฿14,000 for the 1-year extension

However, if you apply for the Non-O visa from your home country and arrive in Thailand with it already in hand, you might be able to open a bank account yourself and skip the first row listed costs.

We also offer a expedited service where we do everything in one day for you all through Chaengwattana immigration.

For Bangkok we offer door to door services, and if you are outside of bangkok, and already have a bank account we can service you by secure post.

You can contact us via LINE ( https://tvc.co.th/line ), or EMAIL (
**************
**********************
), or EMAIL ( help@tvc.co.th ).
Andy **********
@Robert ****************
there are agents in Pattaya, that do the initial non O visa and the 12 month retirement visa extension, for between ฿25k - ฿30k and the renewal every year is between ฿13k - ฿15k it's extra if you need a bank account opened.
Jim *******
@Robert ****************
I was told, in THAI VISA CENTRE (August 2024):

52,000 Baht if you have residence (yellow book)

58,000 Baht if you do not have.

What If I have 800,000 Baht in an account?

No difference in price? No difference. The agency somehow puts that money into your account (that they open for you).

After the initial retirement "O" visa, the prices as above, 22,000 Baht a year for them to handle it, extend it for another year, including 90 days reports.
Michael *******
Very hard to escape the clutches of an agent if they have illegally funded your retirement visa, often requires leaving Thailand and starting from scratch, switching to another agent merely exacerbates the problem….
Ally ************
If you tick all the boxes then diy is best.. but if you don't and you need an agent to 'cheat' the system.. then be prepared to have your visa cancelled one day.. eg. if immigration ever clean up the process and start investigating certain agent activity.. as others have said.. the only way to safely switch from a visa obtained via an agent.. ie. if your situation supports a direct application when it's time to extend it.. would be to let the visa lapse.. eg. exit the country just before renewal without a re-entry permit.. and upon returning commence a new visa application from scratch that you attend to yourself.. one day the agent system will get purged imo.. and if the authorities perceive you have knowingly abused the system by making false declarations.. then you could be banned from entering the kingdom.. surely that's too big a risk for someone if their heart is set on living out their days here!
Paul *******
I had a nightmare trying to do it myself the second year. I even provided my own funds on year 1 too.

IMO, much better to do everything yourself on day 1.
John **********
That's a question only the agent can answer. You won't be able to do it yourself as you won't have met the requirements for your current extension
Nick ************
Agents often charge much less the second time so may be stay with the same one or better still do it yourself legally at you local office as I did once I had the funds sorted.
John **********
@Nick ***********
where did you do that? Certainly wouldn't get away with it at my local immigration office, or did you leave, re-enter and start over?
Nick ************
@John *********
no, in my ignorance I went to Nakhon Phanom to get my own extension and got away with it. I now realise I was quite lucky. As for the change to monthly payments, being wiser I had the funds in the bank as well as a backup.
Nick ************
@John *********
I did! So it us possible.
Tony **********
Suggest you fund your account properly and break ties with your agent. Someday there will be a crackdown on immigration corruption (even if brief) and you may find yourself in the country illegally....
Sylvia ********
@Tony *********
that concerns me but being 50% of my friends use this service I very much doubt it
Greg *********
@Tony *********
This👆🏼
Peter *******
@Tony *********
not likely IO's make far more than their salary from it
Kim *********
@Peter ******
very likely because the immi offices are audited sometimes and this kind of fraud is discovered and the extension is cancelled and the immi officer responsible faces a trial and dismissal
Stephen ********
You can choose, or DIY
Narong *******
@Stephen *******
He Can't do it Himself Because he Does Not Have the Funds!
Stephen ********
Narong
@Pa***
oh right! I didnt realise. Gotta go the high cost route then
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