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Do I need to submit my Retirement Visa application in person even if I use an agency?

Retirement VisaThai ImmigrationVisa Application ProcessNon-O VisaExpat Life in ThailandVisa AgentsImmigration Requirements
Aug 24, 2023
a year ago
Othman ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Even if u apply Retirement Visa thru an agency, u still need to PERSONALLY submit your application forms and passport to the Immigration Office. Is this true?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
It is generally required for applicants to submit their Retirement Visa application in person, although experiences can vary depending on the agent used and specific immigration office policies. Some agencies handle paperwork without requiring personal presence, while others may mandate applicants to appear for photo verification or other processes. The TM7 application form indicates that in-person submissions are the norm, with certain exceptions, but the practical experience of expats suggests inconsistency in enforcement. It is advisable to choose a reputable agent who can guide you through the process.
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.
Steve ********
I saw in Pattaya of late you need turn up at imigration have your photo took with officer and you also need a tm 30 for Pattaya.
a year ago
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Paul **********
if you have the 800k don't bother with an agent. do it yourself for 1,900 bht. if you dont have the money then use an agent, but allways remember it's an illegal Visa. but safe enough as long as the government don't investigate the agent that stamped yours.
a year ago
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Thomas *******
No
a year ago
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Paul **************
No
a year ago
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Alan *********
Yesterday I attended in person paid 1,900 thb, in and out in 30 minutes.
a year ago
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Andi ***********
@Alan ********
 That was for the initial retirement O visa ?
a year ago
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Alan *********
@Andrew ********
 I changed from marriage to retirement non-o, so my 1st retirement visa.
a year ago
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Andi ***********
@Alan ********
 ok, very quick. was that in BKK? is it ok if i pm you with some questions? as im planning to do the same visa.
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Andrew ********
 If you're going onto Non-O (over 50), make an appointment at CW. You go to Section C. Take bank book, bank statement, lease, TM30, passport, and copies thereof. 2000 baht cash. You get a 15-day under consideration note. You return on the nominated date and get the 90-day visa stamped into your passport. Takes about 45 mins the first time, about 20 mins second time.
a year ago
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Andi ***********
@Steve *******
 Thanks a lot for your reply. Is proof of the apartment ownership required? I think it's called a "blue book". CW is Bangkok immigration office ?
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Andrew ********
 No. For the non-O there's no advantage in owning a property. A lease will suffice
a year ago
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Alan *********
@Andrew ********
 Pathumthani
a year ago
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Alan *********
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Brian ********
It is true. If your agent tells you differently, I'd go to another one. You don't want anything shady.
a year ago
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Slaninova *********
Sure , anyway they have to take your Photo in the immigration office.
a year ago
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Nick ************
@Slaninova ********
 I've never had photographs taken at the immigration office. Always take them with me.
a year ago
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Ivan ************
@Ni**
 most offices they want both, they need the photo attached to the application but also want to take your photo with a webcam in the office.
a year ago
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Nick ************
@Ivan ***********
 yes, sorry. I had forgotten the little round black thing on the desk that snaps you!
a year ago
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Christopher ***********
@Ivan ***********
 Confirm my office require both photo attached to application form and a deskcam photograph.
a year ago
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Christopher ***********
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Nick ************
My advice would be to use an agent (if you need to) who takes you to Immigration Office and takes you through the process. That way you know what you are getting and where it came from and it is less likely that things will go wrong then or in the future. I insisted on paying half up front and half on completion which should not be a problem for a legit agency. It is quite possible then to get your affairs sorted out and obtain your future extensions yourself at your local immigration office. That is the course I followed and it worked out well.
a year ago
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Colin *********
@Nick ***********
 that sounds like good advice for anyone who would like to use an Agent. It's more likely to avoid anything dodgy that could 'come back to bite' one in the future.
a year ago
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Nick ************
@Colin ********
 only problem I had was with my new passport. Local IO refused to transfer stamps. Had to fly to Bangkok for a couple of days. It was a nice break.
a year ago
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Nick ************
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Giorgio ******
have to go to " take the picture"
a year ago
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Steve ********
An agent pays bribes on your behalf to immigration officers to look the other way on certain items. The amount you pay usually corresponds to these sleights. You will probably end up with a visa/extension issued at an immigration office hundreds of miles from where you live. This means you have to keep using the same agent year after year. It's a bit like joining a bikie gang. You can't leave! 😆
a year ago
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Thomas *******
@Steve *******
 , not true
a year ago
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Paul **************
@Steve *******
 nonsense
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Paul *************
 Truth
a year ago
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Steve ********
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Bob **********
No
a year ago
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Will ************
The TM7 clearly states ''APPLICANT MUST SUBMIT THE APPLICATION IN PERSON. WITH THE EXCEPTIONS OF HANDICAPPED PATIENTS OR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.''
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Will ***********
 lot of things here ' clearly stated '....ha
a year ago
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Geoff ********
@Will ***********
 we're in THAILAND!
a year ago
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Geoff ********
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David *******
Some agents require you to go to immigration and maybe have photo taken, other agents don’t require you to go at all.
a year ago
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Dawn **********
The one time I used an agent in CM, I showed up for my allotted time and stood in front of immigration person while the agent handed him my paperwork.
a year ago
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Jeremy ********
You should show up some I/O’s want to make sure you actually exist
a year ago
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Stuart *********
Perhaps that may depend on the agent you are using. Generally not.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
Depends on the agent. Depends on the immigration office. Many agents you'll give your passport to and pick it up a few days later and you'll have a stamp from an immigration office in a province a few hours away that you've never heard of or been to.
a year ago
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David *******
@Brandon ***********
 you keep on repeating this assertion with zero evidence as if it’s what happens with all agents. It is extremely rare for that to be the case and certainly never the case with any of the numerous agents in Pattaya who all deal with Chonburi immigration.
a year ago
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Andy ********
@David ******
 never the case in Pattaya you say. I know personality of one person who after leaving their passport at one of the more prominent agents in Pattaya found that their extension had been issued in Nakhon Si Thammarat. That happened this month, August 2023. The truth is most people don't even check where their visa or extension were issued.
a year ago
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Wayne *****
@David ******
 yes you are right David. I think some people just like to big note themself and make out they know it all.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@David ******
 Where did I say it happens with all agents? I literally said it depends on the agent.
a year ago
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David *******
@Brandon ***********
 you have made the sweeping generalisation about ‘out of province’ stamps more than once.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@David ******
 There have been at least 2 posts on this group this month alone about people having issues because their agent stamp was from out of province. I will continue to warn people about it and keep it in a negative light.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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