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How can I switch from an agent-supplied retirement visa to a personal retirement visa with my own bank account in Thailand?

Dec 2, 2023
2 years ago
Gary **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm in Chiang Mai with a retirement visa from Pattaya (agent supplied the 800k). Started in April '22. One renewal. My passport is being renewed now. New passport in a few weeks.

I'll stay in Thailand long term and want to switch to an actual retirement visa where I hold the 800k in my own account. Does anyone have experience with this process? I've gotten mixed info about it. Thank you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently in Chiang Mai on a retirement visa initially obtained in Pattaya and wishes to switch to a retirement visa where they maintain the required 800,000 baht in their own bank account. They are in the process of renewing their passport and have received mixed information about the process. Comments provide insight into the requirements for visa extension, including the need for 12 months of bank statements and demonstrating compliance with the financial conditions.
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.
Stewart **********
Hi is it 800.000 per person to get a retirement visa, only just starting to get info together looking about 2 years out before we come over to change mai. Any helpful tips would be really helpful please tag me in for messages thank you
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Sharon *******
@Stewart *********
800k each unless you are married in which case 1 retirement & 1 dependant/trailing spouse. You will need to get your marriage certificate legalised & translated for use in Thailand.
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Stewart **********
@Sharon ******
thank you for info I take there must be expat communities etc what’s the best area?
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Sharon *******
@Stewart *********
I'm actually in Hua Hin but yes you'll find expat communities in most areas. There are alot of gated communities here that are mainly expat/thai couples the best area depends on what you are looking for as we are all different, consider what your average day will be & what you'll spend time doing.

While I like Chiang Mai I would struggle with the air quality during burning season, for me Hua Hin has everything I need.
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Sharon *******
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Rob **********
@Stewart *********
best to start your own post that way you will probably get more answers to your question.
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Stewart **********
@Rob *********
yes probably right thanks
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Stewart **********
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Chris *******
You have to start over to break the visa/extension you have by the agent.
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Brandon ************
The issue is that when you apply for an extension, they want 12 months of bank statements because they want to check that you met the requirements for the previous extension. Those requirements were that you kept your bank account at 800,000 baht for 3 months after your received your extension and then never let it drop below 400,000 baht the rest of the year. Then it needs to be at 800,000 again 2 months before you apply for the next extension. So unless you can show all of that, you cannot apply for your own extension.
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William ********
@Brandon ***********
i was in the "agent trap" also. I had to leave the country to get an O visa in Lao. The Lao consulate wanted to see the 12 months of bank statements along with proof of the source of my 65,000+ baht income transfers. After entrance to Thailand and asking for a 1 year extension, i had to show the same documents to the Thailand Immigration. Extension approved. Good to be free from the agent.
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Gary **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Makes sense. But I'm wondering if there's a workaround with new passport. Applying outside Thailand? Or leaving and returning on tourist status, reapplying fresh...
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Brandon ************
@Gary *********
there's no workaround. You have the option of "starting over" by leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit and entering as a tourist then applying in Chiang Mai for the 90 day non-O visa and then the 1 year extension.
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Gary **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
One more: is reentering as a tourist dependent upon using a new passport?
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Kool *******
@Gary *********
you already have your Thai bank account, so it is very easy to change over, as Brandon mentioned, to what you want to do. The hardest part, and your new passport makes no difference, is getting a Thai bank account on any tourist entry. The type O visa based on retirement is the easiest to get once you are over 50, and have the bt800k in your account. You already have that, as long as the bt800k came from an overseas source. As soon as immigration takes your picture, and fingerprint, on entry, they know everything about you. A new passport doesn't change anything. Just come into the country on any tourist entry, get your two bank letters, and go to immigration and get your new type O for 90 days, then when you have about 30 days left get new bank letters, and anything else they want, and you get your new one year extension. It is pretty simple because you already have your required Thai bank account.
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Brandon ************
@Gary *********
no. As I said if you leave without a re-entry permit your existing extension will be cancelled.
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Gary **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Simple enough.
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Gary **********
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