Answered2 months ago
Can I switch from using an agent to managing my retirement visa myself for a Non-O in Thailand?
I arrived with 90 day Non O (retirement) a couple of weeks ago and the process of opening a bank account made me reconsider depositing my 800K. I managed to do it and I am trying to open one more (see question #3) but my patience after 20+ rejections is running out. Three questions:
1) If I use an agent to sponsor my visa for the 1st yearly extension of stay while starting to deposit 65K per month (in preparation for the 2nd year) will I be able to change to this method if I so choose to or I am stuck with an agent forever? Is there a way to switch to not using an agent down the line if my first ever extension is done with an agent?
2) Do the immigration offices of Bangkok (Chaeng Watthana) and Pattaya (Chonburi Immigration) accept the "65K THB brought from abroad" yearly extension method WITHOUT asking for pension slips or any other documentation? My money comes from savings and not pension so I will not be able to provide anything more than proof that the money came from abroad.
3) Trying to open a second bank account with SCB (first one is on kasikorn) to keep separate daily spending from the 800K if I finally decide to bring my own money here. Can anyone recommend a specific branch of SCB in Bangkok that opens bank accounts for Non O based on retirement? Which one specifically? I have thai sim/rental contract/thai TIN/passport/cert of residence/my country's ID.
1) If I use an agent to sponsor my visa for the 1st yearly extension of stay while starting to deposit 65K per month (in preparation for the 2nd year) will I be able to change to this method if I so choose to or I am stuck with an agent forever? Is there a way to switch to not using an agent down the line if my first ever extension is done with an agent?
2) Do the immigration offices of Bangkok (Chaeng Watthana) and Pattaya (Chonburi Immigration) accept the "65K THB brought from abroad" yearly extension method WITHOUT asking for pension slips or any other documentation? My money comes from savings and not pension so I will not be able to provide anything more than proof that the money came from abroad.
3) Trying to open a second bank account with SCB (first one is on kasikorn) to keep separate daily spending from the 800K if I finally decide to bring my own money here. Can anyone recommend a specific branch of SCB in Bangkok that opens bank accounts for Non O based on retirement? Which one specifically? I have thai sim/rental contract/thai TIN/passport/cert of residence/my country's ID.
Answer summary
The user recently arrived in Thailand on a 90-day Non-O retirement visa and faced challenges with opening a bank account needed to deposit 800,000 THB for retirement requirements. They asked three questions regarding switching from using an agent for visa extensions to managing it independently, if specific immigration offices would accept yearly extensions based on monthly transfers from abroad without pension slips, and for recommendations on SCB bank branches in Bangkok that accommodate Non-O retirees for new bank accounts. Community comments provided mixed experiences regarding the immigration requirements and bank account policies, particularly emphasizing that documentation may be required by certain immigration offices and sharing individual banking experiences.
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Daniel *******
Get cash and stick it in your safe at home in thailand and change as u go
PadKra******
OPthis does not answer my questions Daniel
Jeff ********
This is a super informative video I found with advice from a well-respected Thai Immigration attorney. Best advice I've found yet.
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Brian *******
I have been here 2 years now and 1 account since inception works fine. I just keep about 1 Mil baht in it for any normal spending plus emergencies. Don't stress about 2 accounts. May real savings are in my home country bank accounts earning real interest and transferable quick if needed.
Jay *******
Or you can hire an agent just to open another bank account and have one in about 10 minutes
Alastair ********************
If you use an agent for the first extension and then go to the 65K monthly for the 2nd year extension would you not run into the issue of not having the 800K in the bank 2 months after the extension and 2 months before reapplying and a minimum amount of 400K in the intervening months as in the money never existed. Using and agent, imho means your stuck with an agent until you complete a year of using your own 800K funds to escape the cycle.
Andy **********
Alastair Phillip Patterson I have heard about this "trap" as well. You are actually not complying with the rules of the extension you received.
However, you could, in theory, drop out of Thailand and pick up a new non immigrant O visa and then extend on the basis of 65k a month.
However, you could, in theory, drop out of Thailand and pick up a new non immigrant O visa and then extend on the basis of 65k a month.
PadKra******
OPAlastair Phillip Patterson I would most likely, that is why I ask.
Micheal **********
I have been here for almost 3 years now.
I started by using an agent for the 800K baht method... For myself, I'd advise you to use a reputable agent, as the confusion and stress of getting the money transferred in (Use Wise, but keep your home country address as your official Wise address! Do NOT open up Wise with a Thai home address!), getting your Thai driver's licenses (You need separate licenses for car and motorcycle.), and at first, with so much coming at you, from so many directions, use an agent to get you into the country and settled... then you can start getting used to dealing with the wild Thai bureaucracies yourself, once you get settled-in and can catch your breath.
I live in Pattaya, and am now on the 65K baht/month method.
My advice is this: Go ahead and bite the bullet and pay an agent to get you settled-in and bureaucratically set-up, then, after you've got the balls rolling, you can begin to take care of these things yourself, as they come due in the future, at separate times.
I'm here on an O retirement visa.
I'm now on the 65K/mo method... so no more 800K baht, tied-up and not producing any income...
I started by using an agent for the 800K baht method... For myself, I'd advise you to use a reputable agent, as the confusion and stress of getting the money transferred in (Use Wise, but keep your home country address as your official Wise address! Do NOT open up Wise with a Thai home address!), getting your Thai driver's licenses (You need separate licenses for car and motorcycle.), and at first, with so much coming at you, from so many directions, use an agent to get you into the country and settled... then you can start getting used to dealing with the wild Thai bureaucracies yourself, once you get settled-in and can catch your breath.
I live in Pattaya, and am now on the 65K baht/month method.
My advice is this: Go ahead and bite the bullet and pay an agent to get you settled-in and bureaucratically set-up, then, after you've got the balls rolling, you can begin to take care of these things yourself, as they come due in the future, at separate times.
I'm here on an O retirement visa.
@Patcharin *********
is the name of my agent and she's a damn good one! I'm now on the 65K/mo method... so no more 800K baht, tied-up and not producing any income...
PadKra******
OPMicheal Millsaps I have always used an agent so far for almost everything (thaivisacenter) and it is not a matter of money to be honest - it is just a matter of convenience. This time for my retirement I thought about starting the "right way" but understanding apart from losing interest on the 800k they are gonna hustle me to get it out after I switch to the 65K THB method AND even when I switch some immigration officers might not accept the switch..and the trouble of getting my extension/filing the 90days/losing interest on the 800K/unreliable thai banking makes me reconsider
Micheal **********
PadKrapow101 I had my agent set me up with the 65K method, just as soon as I was eligible for it. i did it myself this year, but I think I'm going to just have my agent take care of it going forward... Once you get it set up, it's doable, but as with so much of the various bureaucracies here in Thailand, it's just so freakin' complicated and such a pain in the ass.... I'm just gonna have my agent take care of it, going forward!
Jon *******
I know in Chiang Mai you can open a 2nd account as a fixed deposit account. A slightly better interest rate but withdrawals/deposits are done in the bank. I use mine as the 800k holder and forget it until it’s time for the extension. My savings account is for my daily
Todd *********
My Kasikorn banking app has a button where I can open an e savings account - I havnt done it but it may be of assistance
PadKra******
OPTodd Sleight not for foreigners (according to the app)
Todd *********
PadKrapow101 bugger!
BronzeH********
Todd Sleight it won't allow foreigners to do this. I've tried on my Kasikorn app. Thai nationals only 🤬
Ling *****
I just opened an SCB account at SCB near the corner of Pattaya Klang and second road. Needed non o with extension, residence certificate, Thai driver's license and certificate from phone company showing your name and your passport number and phone number on it. 45 minutes later it was 100 % online and available for use on the app.
PadKra******
OPLing Gah thank you. unfortunately I am in Bangkok and the SCB brunches I've visited so far look at me like I am an alien
Graeme *******
Seem to be making a mounta8n out of a molehill, get the letter /cert from immigration and open 2 or two accounts, it's pretty easy. On.a non o.
Ken **********
Graeme Drake wrong
PadKra******
OPGraeme Drake wrong
Graeme *******
PadKrapow101 why wrong
Malcolm **********
I have 2 Kasikorn accounts and opened the second about 2 years ago with a residency certificate and no problems. I know they have cracked down but if you use a branch in a city it shouldmt be too much of a problem but rural banks don't always know the requirements or rules for foreigners. You might also find it easier to open the second account after you have the 12 month extension as it appears that some banks think you can't hold an account until the extension has been granted.
PadKra******
OPMalcolm Whitlock SCB has been a nightmare, krungski "they will call me back after the headquarters have a look at my documents".. have tried around 20 banks all over bangkok
Malcolm **********
I think a lot of the problems I've seen on posts have been either in very rural areas (I had a friend living in Chayaplum who couldn't open an account without a yellow housebook) or possibly Bangkok. I have lived and have friends in Pattaya and Khon Kaen and not experienced issues, maybe it just getting much harder now. Like I said as you have the 1 bank account you might find it easier to just wait until you have your extension and it might be easier as I've seen quite a few posts where the bank staff think you can't open an account until you have that extension. I'm also wondering why you don't just open another account at the same bank as the first, you can have multiple accounts at the same bank.
Nongnuch ********
regarding 2): If you use the 12-monthly consecutive transfers from abroad of a minimum of 65,000 THB, MANY if not ALL of the Immigration offices, will ask for some documentation showing the SOURCE OF THE FUNDS
PadKra******
OPNongnuch Kamdee what about the two specific immigration offices I mentioned? do those ask for source of funds? (pension slips/embassy letter etc)
Johanne ******
PadKrapow101 I can't tell if they will ask for source of funds, but please note that those two are the strictest of all immigration offices, so chances this happen are high.
Nongnuch ********
PadKrapow101 I hope that people who have used Chaeng Wattana and Chonburi Immigration, read this and are are able to shed a light on this question
Ian ********
A lot of people post about opening a second bank account for everyday spending etc .Why not just put the extra money in the original account and manage it with the Kasikorn app ie checking the balance
Stuart ***********
Ian Carman it's more about not having to print dozens of statement pages with every single minute transaction for the immigration officer to struggle with.
Dan **********
Stuart Chiverton it’s inelegant, but hardly a struggle. Can scan 22 pages to check the balance didn’t drop below the limit at any point as easily as scanning 2 pages.
But yeah, there are still good reasons for keeping the stable savings account separate from the daily transactions. No point having every food court we purchase on the permanent record.
… if you can swing two successful accounts, which seems to remain a gamble.
But yeah, there are still good reasons for keeping the stable savings account separate from the daily transactions. No point having every food court we purchase on the permanent record.
… if you can swing two successful accounts, which seems to remain a gamble.
Ian ********
Stuart Chiverton true but some IO like to see transactions on the main account
Stuart ***********
Ian Carman you have to do a transaction on the day you get your bank book updated and apply for the extension.
PadKra******
OPIan Carman seriously? in which immigration office has this happened? one more reason to use an agent..
PadKra******
OPIan Carman why keep all the eggs in one basket?
John **********
What are you calling a certificate of residence? Was it issued by immigration or are you trying to use a TM30 receipt?
PadKra******
OP@John *********
Immigration.(purpose: to open a bank account). Have TM30 too ofcJohn **********
PadKrapow101 should be straightforward in that case
PadKra******
OP@John *********
should be but it is not 😔Activity
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