Is it possible to extend a 90-day NON-O retirement visa through an agency after obtaining it in Vietnam?

@Brandon ***********

Which some will do for a fee.

@Alan *********

the accountability is yours. You get the extension on the basis you agree to keep the funds in the bank as required. If you don't keep to the agreement you don't get the next extension. Simple as that really.

@Alan *********

the immigration law says that immigration officers have the discretion to overlook or alter financial requirements.

@Brandon ***********

Well, you're not wrong. I certainly don't totally understand the agent route.

So the agent does NOT front you the money for ANY period of time then, correct ? They just "arrange" for,,,,,,,,,,, the 1-year permission (stamp ?).

So then what happens if Immigration, for whatever reason, "audits" the foreigner and finds out that not only did he NOT have the 800 K in the bank for 2 months PRIOR to getting the permission, but s/he also did not KEEP it there for at least 3 months after, and obviously didn't keep at least 400K in the bank throughout the first year ? Not to mention the last 2 months again before renewing.

You seem to be suggesting that if the agent does this for someone, there is no accountability to anyone anywhere going forward.

And yes, I do remember hearing about being on the agent "hamster wheel" forever using the agent unless one leaves Thailand and starts over.

@Alan *********

Not sure you understand how agents work. You don't have their money more than 10 minutes. There's nothing to give them back, they already take it back immediately.

When you do your extension, you need to show a 12 month bank statement. That must show that you met LAST YEAR'S requirements. Those requirements are 800,000 baht in your bank account for 3 full months after the extension was issued, it can never drop below 400,000 baht after, and then must be back to 800,000 baht 2 months before you apply for the next extension. If he already had the 800,000 he wouldn't need an agent, so he clearly doesn't have it. And therefore he would not be able to show a 12 month bank statement that proved he met the requirements, and must use an agent again next year.

@John *********

, why does he have to start over ?

If he comes into his own money during the extension, can't he bring in his OWN 800K Baht and give the agent back the 800K Baht he put up ?

Or if the OP starts a monthly deposit of 65K Baht and keeps it going for 12 months, can't he then tell the agent to take his money back (once he gets his 1st extension via the 65K per month route) and use the 65K per method the rest of the way ?

all_is_mental💫 if I understand you want to use an agent for now as you don't currently have the funds. If an agent supplies the funds they get removed from your account again the moment you have the visa, so when it comes to applying again next year you can't possibly do it yourself as you haven't met the terms of the current extension. There are 2 ways round that, either continue using an agent or leave the country apply for a new Non-O visa and start over doing it all yourself