How do I handle my retirement visa funds and 90-day reporting if I use an agent to manage my retirement visa?

Agents have been in business for decades. There’s no suggestion that that will change in the future either. Whether you use an agent is a free choice. For some it’s because they don’t have the 800k for others it may be because they don’t want to move 800k here when they can make far more from investing that amount overseas.

Take a typical foreign couple. They need to have 1.6m baht tied up in Thai banks (I know in theory they could possibly get away with 800k and do a tango and separate their renewal timings - but that would be a nightmare).

1.6m is approximately 50k usd. Investing that in stocks or other places typically could net you about 5k per year, or 160,000 baht.

An agent may charge 15k per person so the yearly charge for both is 30k.

By not using an agent they’re possibly losing 130k per year.

As mentioned it’s a personal choice. Some want to do it themselves, some want to use an agent - but it’s not always because they don’t have the money - they may just know a better way to use it.

Mark Schultz Thanks for your advice smart ass but no one is interested in your opinion

No you don’t

Edward Junger Why not? Thousands of people have done the same all over FB and many other forums. It must be the world's most well-documented fraudulent activity. Even AI bots know all about it.

Edward Junger why not

Immigration loves agents

How do you think they would survive without all that extra income ?

Andy Spence You can also pay a ‘fee’ at some immigration offices and they turn a blind eye to your lack of funds. This amount varies by office but is in the range of 17,000 baht to 22,000 baht. I’m not sure how you go about arranging this ‘fee’.

@Andy *******

Yes, or you use an agent again.

Don’t use an agent . You can do it yourself… go to your immigration office and ask their requirements 👍😊

Andy Spence The funds are meant to be yours and yes you are meant to maintain them for 5 months and always maintain a balance of at least 400K. Currently the agents get around this regulation and drop the money for like 5 minutes. Exactly how, well people have their opinions. You are however intentionally circumventing the immigration rules and while it is currently unlikely you could be fined, have your visa cancelled and be deported and even jailed. Before all the know it all's chime in I am well aware this does not currently happen, compliance is non existent and thousands get away with using an agent to provide the funds. Then again 18 months ago it was considered safe to border hop on a visa exemption, then there was a compliance crackdown and not anymore. Six months ago you could setup a fake company and buy land as a nominee, then there was a compliance crackdown and not anymore. Many circumventions of regulation that have been considered safe for decades are slowly being erased. How long before immigration start to enforce compliance on this, maybe this year maybe never, nobody knows. You are though probably better off not being one of the cheats when they do. The best way forward, as you say you have funds, is follow the regulations, use your own funds and do it properly. If compliance enforcement starts you won't be one of the people who have to look over your shoulder worried about when the Thai authorities will come after you. If you need help you can still use an agent for preparing your documents and provide your own funds as intended.

Andy Spence but its all done to suit immigration

Your only stuck with an agent if you dont actually have the 800,000 money in the ongoing years, but up to you if you want to tie up all that money, or just pay 12 000 once a year to an agent

But immigration know thisì happens. They encourage it, because they get a very nice income from it

Andy Spence you used the agent, get the 1 year but you will have to use an agent again to renew the following year

@Andy *******

that's why you get stuck using an agent

Andy Spence Man go into A.G.E.N.T and ask them they will explain it to you instead off getting 10 different answers on here.

Andy Spence Handout from Jomtien lists showing bank book and passport to the IO after 3 months (?) On the other hand this sheet doesn't mention map or condo photo for the extension. So am not sure what to make of it

Andy Spence

No, you do not need to show proof of funds in the bank at 90 days. But accordingly to the rules you are suppose to maintain the funds at 800k the first 3 months of the extension. Then you can drop to 400k, bit mist be brought up to 800k again 2 month before applying for the next extension.

Don’t need agent for 90 day report… and don’t need proof of funds

Todd McGowan do you mean - not needed if you use an agent?

Mark Colcord I believe that certain IOs do check. Cannot remember which ones though.