Should I use an agent or go DIY for my retirement visa in Thailand?

retirement visa NON-O visa DIY vs agent Thailand immigration Thai bank account expat advice Thailand visa process

Jun 24, 2024

6 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Seeking advice on using an agent vs DIY for a retirement visa, coming from the US.

I was in Bangkok last month looking at neighborhoods and making plans to retire this November.

However, my company closed and I am now unexpectedly retired upon returning home. So now I have to move quickly, and a lot of work to do with clearing out my current home.

While I was still in Bangkok, I met in person with some legal services to learn more about what they provide. As I understand it, basically all documents go from me through them and they facilitate the applications. One quote was 14K baht for the 90 day non-immigrant O, 19K baht for the 1-year extension and 5K baht for opening a Thai bank account (Total 38K).

I have read a lot about the process to do it yourself, and I feel confident I could achieve it. The cost is not so much a concern as much as knowing everything will go smoothly - and the idea of avoiding long waits or delays due to form errors is appealing to me with so many other concerns about loose ends still in the US.

I would appreciate any advice from folks that used a service and whether you felt it was worth it, or if I might opt for one or 2 of the services while doing others myself, or if the process and potential for setbacks when doing it yourself is really a lot easier than we often see online accounts of.

Thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses whether to use an agent or pursue a DIY approach for obtaining a retirement visa (NON-O) in Thailand. The user expresses concerns about navigating the visa process amidst relocating to Thailand after an unexpected retirement. Comments from others suggest that applying for the initial 90-day NON-O visa from the U.S. creates less paperwork in Thailand, with DIY options generally seen as feasible. Many recommend using an agent primarily for opening a Thai bank account, while the remaining visa processes can be managed independently if the person is organized and patient. There are mixed opinions on the necessity of an agent, highlighting individual comfort with bureaucracy and the specifics of their situation.

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.
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Doug ********

I plan to it DIY, but Ive lived there under work permits for 9 years and speak Thai. If you are patient, it can work even without speaking Thai. If on the other hand, buracracy frustrates you, be aware, Thai buracracy is daunting, unpredictable and can seem illogical. Then an agent is worth the hassle.