Answered5 months ago
How can I obtain a retirement visa in Thailand for less than 45,000 B?
I have been given a quote for 45,000 B for assistance with retirement visa in Chiangmai by a service provider there. US citizen who already has a bank account in Thailand that has been active for over 15 years. Already has enough on deposit. I’d be coming into Thailand from china where I live and work up until this July. I lived in Chiangmai previously for several years on work permits from my job at that time. Any advice?
Answer summary
The user is seeking advice on obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand, specifically pointing out a quote of 45,000 B from a service provider. The conversation reveals that many respondents recommend doing the process independently to save money, suggesting to first obtain a Non-O visa (90 days) upon entering Thailand. They advise the user to ensure that the required funds (800,000 B) are in their Thai bank account for at least two months before applying for the one-year extension, which costs 1,900 B. Multiple users emphasize the lack of need for an agent, given the user's established banking situation in Thailand.
63 repliesnewest first
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Ken ************
Contact another agent
Egger *******
I'd suggest talking to immigration and not Facebook experts from other countries.
Jordan *******
That’s a great price!! Go for it. You’ll love the expertise and smooth processing. 555
Terence **********
A Bit pricey about
*****
baht I have heard , my wife helped me easy peasy 2000 baht
Nev ********
Save your money and do it yourself. Sounds like you have everything you need already.
Lawrie *******
Get a 90 day visa from Embassy.
Get the 800k Bt into a Bank Account for 2 months and do it yourself. You need a statement from where your living to show living address..Rent Starement etc.
Plus Starement from Bank on the Day you apply...
Get a Photocopy of every used page of your Passport... Money needs to be in your Thai Account for 2 months.
Cost is 1900 bt
Saving.. 42.100 Bt.
Good Luck.
Get the 800k Bt into a Bank Account for 2 months and do it yourself. You need a statement from where your living to show living address..Rent Starement etc.
Plus Starement from Bank on the Day you apply...
Get a Photocopy of every used page of your Passport... Money needs to be in your Thai Account for 2 months.
Cost is 1900 bt
Saving.. 42.100 Bt.
Good Luck.
Dave ***********
I was quoted 80,000 THB per person from someone recommended here, to do a non O visa for my girlfriend and I. That is $5,000 U.S.
Needless to say, I’m going to do it myself. It’s not complicated. I did my DTV myself
Needless to say, I’m going to do it myself. It’s not complicated. I did my DTV myself
Tomas *******
I pay 8k in Pattaya, 1k extra for re entry single, 800k on the account
Adventurou***********
OPTomas Arndt what is re entry single? Is that a re-entry permit that you use to go and come back during the 30 day window?
James **********
AdventurousLizard3758 its a permit to allow you to leave and re-enter, without it the visa is cancelled if you leave Thailand, you can also get it at the airport. Just need to allow extra time.
Adventurou***********
OPJames Mitchell I can get this at immigration department too? Is there still an immigration office next to CNX? Or do I go to that office at the ‘new’ mall? New to me bc I left back in 2012. 😂
Tomas *******
James Mitchell This, you need to apply before you leave the Country, otherwise your visa will be cancelled. There are single and multiple entry. Multiple makes only sense if you are leaving more than two times per year
Jesper *******
Since u already have a thai bank acct....come to thailand as visa exempt apply for the initial 90days nonO inside thailand with the bankin 800k (with more than 15days left on your current stamp)...filled up the TM87 with your latest TM30, bank statements , lease agreement and pay 2000baht they will give u a date to go back and stamp your 90days ....run down your 90days until left with 30days and go back to the immigration to do the 1yr extension (1900baht) with almost the same documents when u apply for the initial 90days....can be done without the agent ....most ppl use agent as they do not already have a bank acct OR the 800k needed hope this helps
Adventurou***********
OPJesper Ngiam thank you Jesper.
Michael *********
Stay home ya 🥜
MagentaGo**********
It is easy to get the retirement visa by yourself since you have a bank account with 800K
Glennstev ***********
DiY
David *********
Contact thai visa centre in bangkok
Garetu ***************
David Tulloch the best
John ********
Being robbed mate !
Mark *********
To much look at other visa agencies
Ant ***********
This is where you want to start your application on the Thai Embassy website
For a Non-O single entry 90 day Visa
- Upload pics of passport
- proof of current address
- Inward Flight no ( doesn’t have to be booked )
- PDF file of equivalent of 800K Thai Baht in any bank in your name
Pay the fee ( around 85 usd )
Once approved
Fly in.
Go to your immigration office choice ask them the requirements for the 12 month extension .
You have a big advantage if you have an active Thai Bank account
Move the 800K to the Thai bank account
It needs to be there for 2 months before applying for the 12 month extension !!
Pay the 1900 Baht fee
And if you want multi entry to come & go that’s an extra 3800 Baht
So basically less than 6000 baht to do it yourself !!!!
For a Non-O single entry 90 day Visa
- Upload pics of passport
- proof of current address
- Inward Flight no ( doesn’t have to be booked )
- PDF file of equivalent of 800K Thai Baht in any bank in your name
Pay the fee ( around 85 usd )
Once approved
Fly in.
Go to your immigration office choice ask them the requirements for the 12 month extension .
You have a big advantage if you have an active Thai Bank account
Move the 800K to the Thai bank account
It needs to be there for 2 months before applying for the 12 month extension !!
Pay the 1900 Baht fee
And if you want multi entry to come & go that’s an extra 3800 Baht
So basically less than 6000 baht to do it yourself !!!!
Adventurou***********
OPAnt W Tailor thank you for your kind advice. I have had much more than 800K in that account for over one year now, perhaps two years by now.
But I live near Guangzhou China, and I don’t want to fly home to USA. I went to Thai consulate website and I could figure out if it’s possible for me to download the forms to the application. Do you think I must go back to USA to apply for the Non I Imm?
But I live near Guangzhou China, and I don’t want to fly home to USA. I went to Thai consulate website and I could figure out if it’s possible for me to download the forms to the application. Do you think I must go back to USA to apply for the Non I Imm?
Ant ***********
AdventurousLizard3758
No need to go to USA
If you aren’t having any luck or can’t apply for the Visa from within China
It can be applied for and probably more recommended to do it with a bordering country to Thailand - ie : Vietnam ( Hanoi ) or Vientiane ( Laos ) are common
No need to go to USA
If you aren’t having any luck or can’t apply for the Visa from within China
It can be applied for and probably more recommended to do it with a bordering country to Thailand - ie : Vietnam ( Hanoi ) or Vientiane ( Laos ) are common
Doug ******
Easy to do yourself. 45,000 Baht is nuts!
The easiest is to get a Non-O before you arrive. That will last you 90 days. During that time you do the one year extension at a local immigration office. The extension will cost you 1900 baht.
Since you already have a bank account you could also just enter as a tourist and then convert to non-O in country. That’s what I originally did at Chiang Mai immigration. Once you convert you then have the 90 day non-O based on retirement which you’ll do annual extensions of.
The easiest is to get a Non-O before you arrive. That will last you 90 days. During that time you do the one year extension at a local immigration office. The extension will cost you 1900 baht.
Since you already have a bank account you could also just enter as a tourist and then convert to non-O in country. That’s what I originally did at Chiang Mai immigration. Once you convert you then have the 90 day non-O based on retirement which you’ll do annual extensions of.
Adventurou***********
OPDoug Mann aha! Thank you! This is what I wanted to hear! I wanted to know that if I come in on a tourist visa to CNX then I’ll be happy to go to the Imm office or wherever I need to go in CM. I lived in CM for many years so I know the city and all the key offices. So I’ll pursue that route. Thank you
Last question, related to that, is if I come in on a tourist visa, can i stay for about one week and then fly back to my current city in china for just a few days to close up some things up here and pack up some remaining items and then fly back to CNX on, I guess what would be another tourist visa?
Last question, related to that, is if I come in on a tourist visa, can i stay for about one week and then fly back to my current city in china for just a few days to close up some things up here and pack up some remaining items and then fly back to CNX on, I guess what would be another tourist visa?
Doug ******
You would be coming in as “visa exempt” which a tourist status. It currently allows 60 days but it’s likely to drop to 30 days soon. You can exit and return on a new visa exemption. You can immediately work on converting to non-O in country. You might stop by immigration during your first visit and ask for the current requirements for converting to non-O based on retirement that way you’ll be prepared when you come back.
Adventurou***********
OPDoug Mann thank you
Doug ******
I did it myself 2 years ago. Here is a picture of the requirements to do so at Chiang Mai immigration then. I don’t believe the rules have changed.
Ludwig ***********
You cannot convert a visa exempt to a non-O.
Julian *******
ridiculous price for your circumstances. you can do it yourself or pay no more than 15,000 baht
Lynnette *******
Surely you'd just get the non-O before arriving? Then get the 12 month extension for 1900tbt.
Julian *******
Lynnette Munoz agreed
James **********
Lynnette Munoz it's not that simple if you've never done it before, especially if you're not computer savy
Graham ******
James Mitchell The OP is talking about using a Tourist Visa for his July arrival which has the same online application process ;)
John **********
James Mitchell same as James let me know how you get on
Trustworthy************
James Mitchell but several visits to immigration would help. That’s a lot given no paper money required.
Lynnette *******
AdventurousLizard3758 you should be able to apply because it's done online. Just need proof you are actually where you're applying from.
Adventurou***********
OPAtrustworthyJaguar thank you
Atrustwor*********
AdventurousLizard3758 It's evisa website and not required to be in your home country to apply
James **********
TrustworthyFlamingo4178 it's a lot, that's why they're asking the question here.
Adventurou***********
OPJim McGowan yes thank you for that, the issue I’m having is that though I’m a US citizen I have been working and living in china for along time and I am still in china now. I’m trying to find out if it’s possible for me as a US citizen to apply for that Thai Non Imm O from here in China.
Jim *********
TrustworthyFlamingo4178 it took me four trips to the Phuket immigration office to change from a visa exempt stay to an O non immigrant based on retirement, and then 50 days later apply for a one year extension to stay in the Kingdom. Two of the trips were to pick up my passport. I have had a Thai bank account for twenty years and I have always done my visa myself. It used to be a lot easier!
Lynnette *******
James Mitchell it may take time to fill in the form on line but I'd not want to pay 45,000 tbt for filling in a form.
Graham ******
James Mitchell yes, the same documents you have to get for an agent ;)
James **********
Lynnette Munoz your '1 form' comment suggests to me you have not done it yourself before. It's not the same as a 30 day extension
Lynnette *******
James Mitchell why do you need to know if I have a retirement visa? 🤨
James **********
Lynnette Munoz it's not just filling out1 form is it, there are all the documents you have to get before hand, are you on a retirement visa?
Donald **********
Why not apply yourself from China or wherever, then check with the local immigration office their requirements for the 12 months extension of stay once you arrive. No need to mention to Immigration you already have a bank account. Why involve an agent from the beginning if you have the funds for the extension of stay already in the bank account or available to put into the Thai bank account, soon after arrival?
Adventurou***********
OPDonald Campbell yes thank you. I’m trying to figure out how to apply at Thai Em or consulate here in China where I live and work until
My contact finishes in late July.
My contact finishes in late July.
Yo***
AdventurousLizard3758 it is very very clear if you use Agent!! things go smoothly, and you just have relaxation and just wait for a while only. many foreigners here say, no agent, it is easy and cheaper!! do it yourself!! yes it can be easy but can be only. No one can guarantee. Simple, if you have enough money, pay agent and just relaxing while your agent works for you. but if you dont have enough money or do not want to pay for agent, then, just do it by yourself. Who knows? it is really easy for you? good luck to you.
Donald **********
AdventurousLizard3758 As others have posted, you apply a online and not directly at an embassy or consulate. The application process will guide you. Remember you need to remain in the same country as the application is made from until the visa is granted. They will possibly contact you for further clarification during the application process. I’ve no personal experience of applying within China but I did apply for my visa from a different country to that which is regarded as my home country. I provided an entry stamp initially and was asked for work permit details from my passport as clarification. Took less that 3 working days, including the clarification request, to get approved and receive my visa. Beware of scam sites. This is a link to the correct one:
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John **********
Get the 90 day Non-O visa before you travel to Thailand if you can. Then when you arrive and are settled visit the immigration office that serves the area where you live, ask them for their requirements for a 12 month extension of stay based on retirement, meet the requirements and apply. Easy enough to do yourself
Adventurou***********
OP@John *********
thank you, I’m having trouble trying to figure out how to get the forms from the Thai consulate in Guangzhou China which is the city near where I live. And by the way, I DO want to be able to go to Thailand in July and then pop out again up here to china to get some things taken care of and bring my things back to CM. So I guess if I go in on a tourist visa, I won’t be able to go out and then come back in again within a two week window, will I?Graham ******
AdventurousLizard3758 Get your Non-O for your July entry then when you're leaving get a re-entry permit to keep your 90 day entry stamp live so that when you come back you can start the 12 month extension application.
Graham ******
AdventurousLizard3758 whatever suits you, if you will be in Thailand in October every year then get your Non-O for July, people tend to travel the same time every year so avoid those travel months such as Christmas/New Year, birthdays etc
Adventurou***********
OPGraham Seal right so that means I should ideally wait until the end of the first cycle is that right??
Graham ******
AdventurousLizard3758 ok, whether you do a Non-O for July will depend on whether you want your annual extension to be during October every yeat or 3 months after your next entry, something to think about
Adventurou***********
OPGraham Seal thank you: what I need to do is arrive in early July, stay 1 week, go back to china for one week, then come back to CNX and I will stay and get retirement visa. Done and dusted.
Yo***
AdventurousLizard3758 you already have a thai bank account. So you just come to Thailand on visa free, and your agent will apply for non o retirement visa and one year extension together in Thailand. If you hire agent, agent will do everything for you. That is why you have to pay such.PS) Did you already ask the agent about your request and situation? if so, and agent said we can do it for you, then, it is fine.
John **********
AdventurousLizard3758 you apply online at every Thai consulate. You can't fill out forms and go in person. It's probably best just to come visa exempt for the first trip and apply for the visa when you return to China, otherwise you would need a re-entry permit
LavenderA**********
Very expensive
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