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

retirement visaNON-O visaDIY vs agentThailand immigrationThai bank accountexpat adviceThailand visa process
Jun 24, 2024
a year ago
Alan *******
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.
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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.
a year ago
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Andrew ********
Use an agent. Its not a straightforward process when you do it for the first time. I'm by no means unintelligent but I found it quite daunting. Agent took all the stress away and it was all done in one day. 3 month extension, 12 month extension, 15 months in all, bank account opened, ATM card, still using today and agent supplied the
*****
0thb. A stress free pleasant day. Good luck in whichever rote you choose.
a year ago
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Yvan **********
All of that cost me 2500 THB as a DIM M=Myself 😊😊😊
a year ago
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Marty *********
I would suggest using an agent to get a Thai bank account. The rest you can do yourself if you are patient, organized, and give yourself time to to make a mistake or two
a year ago
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Bob **********
25k for the first 15 months
a year ago
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Jean-Michel *********
As you will never obtain a life time residence permit, keep something in your home country in case you'll have to set back.
a year ago
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Peter **********
@Alan ******
. You have a PM from me. I could use contact details of an agent in Bangkok for assistance with opening a bank account.
a year ago
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Khun *****
My recommendations: 1) Apply for the 90-day Non-O "retirement" visa from home. Cost is ~THB 3,000 vice THB 14,000. It very easy to do yourself if you can follow simple instructions. Not sure if they still require health insurance now, so that may make the price difference less. 2) The 1-year extension will cost you THB 1,900 vice THB 19,000 to do yourself. Sure, there is more work to do but will you really be that busy in retirement that you can't set aside 2 days of your time once a year to do it yourself? 3) Using an agent to setup a bank account is worth the cost. Thai banks have become even more fickle about opening accounts for foreigners, so save the hassle of going to Immigration for a Residency Certificate and trying to find a bank that wants to deal with you. Do this as soon as you get here so you can have your THB 800,000 in the bank 60 days prior to your extension. I used an agent for one of my accounts and I was done 3 hours after walking in their office. IF you don't have the required funds to deposit then go the agent route.
a year ago
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Mac *********
@Khun ****
 You "should not" say/publish or encourage this. Permanent deportation from the country can result. "It's called breaking the law!" and aiding in such
a year ago
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Naing ******
@Mac ********
 khun Ron was right
a year ago
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Gregor **********
@Mac ********
 Khun Ron actually recommended the fully (!!) legal route to a 90-days Non-O visa and from there to the 1-year extension. If you want to find people promoting something illegal, go to those who have proposed to use an agent without having to show own funds
a year ago
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Mac *********
@Gregor *********
 Maybe I misunderstood: "IF you don't have the required funds to deposit then go the agent route." I'm not familiar with that route?
a year ago
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Gregor **********
@Mac ********
 of course one could say, since the agent route is considered illegal by many, that Khun Ron proposed to do something illegal by going the agent route if you don't have the funds on your own. Yet, nowhere in the police order it's stated that it is forbidden to borrow the money you need in your Thai bank account
a year ago
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Gregor **********
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Khun *****
Whatever! You must be really bored if you felt the need to nitpick my comment. But if you can actually provide the Thai law that says that using an agent to open an account is illegal then I'll send you a beer via Thai Post.
a year ago
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Mac *********
@Khun ****
 What does this mean" "IF you don't have the required funds to deposit then go the agent route." I might have interpreted it wrongly?
a year ago
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Mac *********
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Mark **********
@Mac ********
 Specifically what did Ron write that is in violation of Thai law? Not trolling, seriously interested as the OP's questions are mine as well.
a year ago
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Mac *********
See if you can figure it out; I would prefer not to republish the suggestion
a year ago
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Mac *********
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Carsten **********
Except for the visa question, my advice would be to rethink to settle down in Bangkok. As exciting it might be at a first visit, it is not necessarily the greatest and most convenient place to retire, when there are so many other great places to start a new life with new friends.
a year ago
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Chris *******
Retirement is one of the simplest visas to obtain providing you qualify.

Obtain the evisa 90 day non-o based on being over 50/retirement.

When you arrive you will need a home anyway, even for a few months.

** this is where using an agent may be easier for JUST the bank account.

Get the money transferred and seasoned for 60 days, the rest is easy.

Go to local immigration obtain the requirements list, follow it and it's done.

The 2 critical factors:

Bank account with funds

Accommodation
a year ago
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Alan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ******
 thank you. This is the most succinct description that confirms what I have understood needs to happen, and assistance with bank account seems to be confirmed as helpful the most often. The first step evisa application seems the easiest, but it was the bank and the extension approval within the first three months I hope will go well.
a year ago
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Reply to
Alan *******
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Terary **********
You'll likely want a driver's license.

If you're retired and have an abundance of time you may want to try to do some of the things you need to do, without the agent. Then you'll have a better idea of what value they provided.

One thing to keep in mind is that many things are different here. When you use an agent you'll blame them for some of Thailand's oddities. It's rumored that once you use an agent you'll always have to use an agent.

Agents can get almost anything done which is nice. If you do all your things on your own it could take a a couple of weeks, if you use an agent, it may just be a couple of days.
a year ago
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Rok ********
Applying non-o visa in home country before arrival is much easier (using cash deposit or prove of income based on home country bank statements). Possible to open a bank account with a 90 day visa and “season” 800k deposit for 60 days before 1 year extension. Probably a property rental agreement needed (for the duration of the extension? Or OK shorter? and TM30 registration. The 800k deposit is most important. I assume gets easier with further extensions but i was surprised how easy it was to obtain the non-o initial 90 day visa (London embassy but applied all online).
a year ago
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Steven *********
@Rok *******
 thanks for this post , I've been thinking about the pros and cons from applying from home (UK) v applying in Thailand.. and sounds like you would recommend applying online from home ...can I ask how long it took to be approved? thank you.🙏🏻
a year ago
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Rok ********
@Steven ********
 they responded within a day with the query but than approved few days before i left … as i assume the date of approval starts eating into the 60 days within which you need to present at the immigration entering Thailand. I would say 2 weeks ahead of departure plenty of time. I did try to apply in-country during a previous visit and unless you do it through the agent (starting 35,000 for non-o + extension) it was quite demanding on the documents to provide. Applying non-o in home country is much easier (£60) as is the extension thereafter (1900 baht/ £40).
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Rok *******
 a single entry visa is valid for 90 days. That has nothing to do with how long you'll receive when you arrive in Thailand. As long as you enter before the visa expires, you receive the full amount of days that visa provides.
a year ago
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Rok ********
@Brandon ***********
 is believe you still have to enter within 90 days of approval or visa lapses.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Rok *******
 yes but you said it eats away at the time. It does not.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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Steve *******
Get the Non Imm O in the US. The rest will be a breeze and only cost you 1900bt rather than 38k 👍
a year ago
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Tony **********
So much easier to apply/get the non-o visa while you're still in your home country. Come to Thailand, sign a conditional lease (on your getting your extension} and take that to immigration to get a letter of residency. Take all that to the bank and you should have little problem. IMHO 40k bath is really overkill for the work involved. You have a month to get it together after you arrive.
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Tony *********
 90 days to get it together if the OP gets the Non Imm O in the US
a year ago
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Tony **********
@Steve ******
 30 from arrival in order for the 800K to be seasoned 2 months before extension.
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Tony *********
 Minimum of 2 months, doesn't have to be exactly 2 months. The more time you have the better
a year ago
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Tony **********
@Steve ******
 can you show me in the list of requirements where the two months of seasoning is not really 2 months?
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Tony *********
 You've lost the plot, who said it's not really 2 months?
a year ago
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Tony **********
@Steve ******
 sorry, I missed your "minimum". But that still leaves 30 days to get it together on a90 non-o visa.
a year ago
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Tony **********
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Brandon ************
@Tony *********
 each immigration office has different requirements to get a residence certificate. For example in Bangkok the EARLIEST you can get a residence certificate is after about 5 months, and that's under ideal circumstances.

But strictly speaking, a retirement visa should be able to open a bank account without the residence certificate, but might require a few tries.
a year ago
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Alan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I had not yet heard of the idea of a conditional lease - thanks Brandon. Although that is my biggest concern is that I somehow end up not receiving the retirement visa extension because I mess up some step - hopefully not!
a year ago
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Alan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I did not know this about wait time for residency certificate, and I had been under the impression residency documentation was necessary for a new bank account. The 90-day non-imm O visa should be sufficient?
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Alan ******
 some immigration offices will do it immediately, but Bangkok requires that you have filed a 90 day report before you can get a residence certificate. And you cannot file a 90 day report until 90 days after you are on a 1-year extension. So that's about 5 months after you're in Thailand
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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Henrik *****
Take control over your future life, and do everything yourself.

Then you know excactly what you have signed up for.

It’s not rocketscience.
a year ago
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Ken *******
This is not an issue. You can get an electronic Visa in America. It is not that hard to do. All of the requirements are listed and it is not that difficult.

****************************
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Alan ******
 If you are confident to do it yourself and have time then go for it.
a year ago
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Ning ******
just go google what the thai embassy in your country need for a 90 days retirement visa. After you arrive, use the stamp in your passport to open a account that you will need to transfer 800k baht into. Not that hard... After that, go immigration to get the 1 year.
a year ago
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Rok ********
@Ning *****
 … do you need annual lease agreement or any current TM30 is sufficient for annual extension? What about shorter rental agreements like 1 or 3 months?
a year ago
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Ning ******
@Rok *******
 it depends on your luck, some officer might ask for more documents 🙂 just go early and try your luck.
a year ago
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John **********
@Rok *******
 you do need a long term residence but can be a hotel or whatever as long as you have a written agreement
a year ago
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John **********
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