Answereda year ago
Is it normal to be charged so much when converting a TR visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand?
Can anyone tell me if this is something they have run across before when changing the TR visa over to a Non-O visa. This seems a little expensive.
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around the high costs associated with converting a TR visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand. Many comments suggest that the fees proposed by agents are exorbitant, with one commenter sharing an invoice amounting to 35,000 baht for services that should typically cost only 2,000 baht at immigration. Suggestions to explore different agents, do it by oneself, or reflect on the actual services included in the fees were frequent. Some shared experiences of their own visa processing costs, emphasizing the benefits and downsides of using agents versus managing the process independently.
41 repliesnewest first
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Henrik *****
Why even consider using a agent at all, you can do it yourself, save money, get in control of your life, and don’t support corruption.
Sam ******
OPWow, thank you to everyone for remembering what it was like when you first arrived in a strange place and needed advice. I’m sure you are all seasoned on how to maneuver the paperwork but some of just need a little help. I think I’ll take my chances with the true people I have met in this country. They seem to keep their snarky remarks to themselves and want people like me to succeed and not feel overwhelmed. Telling someone just do it yourself is not what I thought this group was for.
Paul ********
@Sam *****
Easy Tiger. Don't let the snark get to you. Yes, some people's unbelievable rudeness sucks, but letting them wind you up just encourages them further.My advice is to just accept that some of your interactions will be with people whose mom dropped on their heads when they were babies. They are to be pitied, not censured. Cheers!
John *********
This is why I don’t use an agent. It costs me B1,900 plus the stack of paperwork I have to show.
John **************
You need to learn to do this yourself.
Brook ********
Nongnuch ********
@Brook *******
when you are retired, time becomes irrelevant - because you got a sh...load of it. You just gotta use the time that is left for you, wiselyBrook ********
@Nongnuch *******
I’m retired. My time is still too valuable to me to waste at immigration.Nongnuch ********
@Brook *******
I do my yearly extension of stay based on retirement on "my" Immigration within 25 minutes, and that includes the purchase of a single re-entry permit. The only downside is, Immigration is a 75 kilometers trip from my home
John ********
Yep, looks good. Go for it.
Max *************
I remember when my immigration office actually offered 3+12 months for 19,000 baht cash. I don't know if that offer still exists.
Brook ********
My agent is ฿12,300 all in.
Brook ********
Some enterprising Thai needs to open a bank for foreigners, where they are welcomed, treated professionally, and can change their address or phone number in an app instead of in person after 4 hours of bank bureaucracy.
Max *************
@Brook *******
Where does it take 4 hours to change anything connected to your bank account? Stop posting nonsense. Maybe you don't understand how and why you need to do it.Max *************
@Brook *******
The last time I changed my passport number at KBank it took maybe 15 min. This was at KBank in Jomtien. A new visa debit card took 20 min tops. Same bank. 20 min at Bangkok Bank to change the passport number. The longest time at a customer service desk was 40 min at Bangkok Bank in Jomtien when I renewed my Fixed Deposit Account, which is basically opening a new account from scratch.This is not a cause for a heart attack. When you go to your branch you can plan ahead and be there maybe 15min before they open. If you are no 15,then yes, it will take time.Brook ********
@Max ************
KBank. Maya. Change of address. 2 hours wait time and 2 hours copying lease agreements, passport, visa (2 copies each - signed in blue ink) and signing bank forms. All this and the bank still sent statements on one of my accounts to the old address as they failed to update it in the computer properly.
Max *************
@Brook *******
Sounds ok,a friend of mine is paying ฿12,500/year.THAI ******************************
@Max ************
When did they receive that quote?THAI ******************************
@Max ************
We are referring to all price quotes we have received from Pattaya, based on our quarterly checks with the actual agents.Max *************
@THAI *****************************
Then you're working with wrong bank.THAI ******************************
@Max ************
We have seen ~10-20% increases after the recent banking issues in Pattaya.Max *************
@THAI *****************************
He's been doing it for years in Pattaya. Long time customer.Sam ******
OP@Brook *******
where is he located?Sam ******
OPDoi need to leave the country to finalize it.
Brook ********
@Sam *****
Chiang Mai
Chris *******
Depending on where you are and the entire situation, which is unknown, it's possibly realistic.
Phuket for example it is getting quite expensive.
Questions would be, whats really included:
Bank account?
Money "fix"?
90 day visa?
1 year extension?
Multi reentry permit?
Visa/entry history, will you be denied entry if you leave again?
Are they fixing some other issues, rental contracts/TM30?
There are variables that will drive the price up and simply some agents are more expensive than others.
Bottom line if you can't because you don't qualify or won't because you don't want too, then you have to pay someone.
We see prices anywhere from 14K and up depending where and level of assistance needed.
I personally prefer my 1900b/yr and a little running around.
Maybe another 500b in fuel, copies and bank docs.
Phuket for example it is getting quite expensive.
Questions would be, whats really included:
Bank account?
Money "fix"?
90 day visa?
1 year extension?
Multi reentry permit?
Visa/entry history, will you be denied entry if you leave again?
Are they fixing some other issues, rental contracts/TM30?
There are variables that will drive the price up and simply some agents are more expensive than others.
Bottom line if you can't because you don't qualify or won't because you don't want too, then you have to pay someone.
We see prices anywhere from 14K and up depending where and level of assistance needed.
I personally prefer my 1900b/yr and a little running around.
Maybe another 500b in fuel, copies and bank docs.
THAI ******************************
@Sam *****
For that price are they opening a bank account for your as well from TR, or Exempt?If not you are bing massively overcharged, it seems like you need the following:
▪️ Initial bank account opening on a TR
▪️ 3-month Non-O visa
▪️ 12-month retirement extension
If you do not need the bank account opening we charge ฿37,000 for the initial non-o, and yearly extension. If the bank account opening is needed on a TR visa then we charge ฿60,000
Sander ************
Even the VAT calc is wrong 😃
Pete *******
@Sander ***********
the VAT calculation is correct....
Wannikea *********
Buffalo Visa Services
Michael ********
If you want to do it through an agent I suggest you shop around, thats very expensive
Max *************
"A little expensive"? That's an understatement.
Sean **********
Ridiculous find another agent or better yet do it yourself
Ronny *****
Highway robbery
Pete *******
Provided you meet the financial requirements for a Non-O visa the cost to convert from a TR is 2000 baht.
Jan ******************
@Pete ******
Seems like it’s also include the one year extension of stay at a standard fee 1900 baht. The regular 15 months "package".
Brandon ************
Seems ludicrous to me. They're charging 10k just for the changing of tourist to non-O (this costs 2000 baht at immigration) but then ALSO charging 25k for "extra payment for changing visa in Thailand". So they're charging 35k for something that costs 2k. The total should be less than just what they're charging for the retirement visa which is 35k. Honestly this invoice doesn't even make sense because it feels like they're charging for the same thing 5 times.
Mark ********
@Brandon ***********
They also don't understand the difference between "fee" and "disbursement". Basic fail. 🫣🤤
David *******
As we say in England "at least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask"!
David *******
@Mark *******
no but they're "shit hot" on getting of fuckin big TOTAL due!Mark ********
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