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What are my best options for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand given my current situation?

Retirement VisaVisa OptionsThailand ImmigrationBank RequirementsTourist Visa ExtensionExpats in ThailandVisa Agents
Apr 22, 2024
8 months ago
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Request wisdom..1 week left in Pattaya!

Which is the smart choice??

Facts: USA// I have thai bank acct. already-NOT full 850k// /came by tourist visa 60 days-extended 30 already- ends may6//

Getting retire visa..plan to come back in sept or Oct...6-7mos stay every year is plan. Single entry annual is all I require.

Wisdom???! Asap please?

1.a.Pay agent- to get retire visa done while here/ in a week?? (before me to bangkok on 28th for 3 days then USAhome-)

b. Agent takes care of all bank requirements..to get visa completed-approved/ in hand to me.

2. Go back to USA...complete EVisa process for retire visa...

Is it more complex and tie up full 850k annually?

3. Another type of Visa??...easier and/ or less cost. That would allow for my single entry...and my 6-7 month annual stay?

Or suggest option?

on current tourist visa/ extended.already... Can request 12 or 15 mos. Extend whilenhere on my extended visa @ pattaya immigration office?

If anyone PM me if any close discussion or can exchange LINE for timely q and a for answers and assist!

THANK ALL FOR ASSISTING ME..AND EVERYONE!

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on the best path to securing a retirement visa in Thailand before returning to the USA. Currently, they are in Pattaya on a tourist visa (60 days + 30-day extension), with plans for 6-7 months of annual stays. The discussion involves comparing options such as using an agent for the retirement visa in Thailand, returning to the USA to process an e-visa, or alternative visa types. Key considerations include the necessity of having 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account, timeline constraints, and strategies for extending their stay.
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.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks from all... What agent/ agency take care for 25k-baht? Lowest price i found is 29k...and they take care of bank deposit..amount..timing all...

So i dont have to tie up my money ( rather put in portfolio to grow)...

To make sure i get this right.. With agant i can pay 25-29k baht..they take care of all....bank amt/ immg. Trips/ no lines/etc....OR. I can tie up the 800kbaht annually and do immg. Visits etc.myself... And still have some of the immg. related fees but small. Is that sorta in a nutshell? ?? Thanks

And agent suggested...go home..when return in september...just come to agent soon if 30 day and they take care of retire visa. Solid plan??

1. I came on Tvisa now for 60day. and did get 30 day extend while here.

Can i come back in sept. Just on my passport for a 30 day this Sept. ...same year? Or do i need tonget new Evisa before Sept.?
8 months ago
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Greg *********
@Mark *******
 Nan service
8 months ago
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Greg *********
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Chuck *********
Used an agent in Pattaya last year. It took 30 days. Already had my 8k in bank seasoned. If applying in Thailand, do not need insurance & police check.
8 months ago
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Chuck *********
Sorry I meant 800k
8 months ago
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Chuck *********
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Graham ******
You do not need to "tie up" 800k annually. You need 800k for 2 months before applying for the first extension and for 3 months after the extension is granted. 400k is then required for the remaining 9 months of the extension while you are transferring 65k per month for the 12 months prior to applying for your second extension. Then the 400k can be released.
8 months ago
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Steven *******
It’s 800K baht, not 850K.
8 months ago
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Kool *******
Get your Thai bank account, then when you come back next time on a visa exempt 30 day stamp, immediately transfer in the bt800,000, although the extra bt50,000 is nice security, and apply for your first 90 day type O visa extension based on retirement. Leave the money in your account. When you've got less than 30 days apply for your one year extension. Immigration will give you a list of what you need. If you stay in Thailand during the same basic times each year this way will put you into Thailand each year with no hassle as it is months before it expires, with a re-entry permit of course, and then one day extending it for the next year. This is the easiest, and cheapest, unless you don't have the money.
8 months ago
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Kool *******
I might add concerning the bt800,000 required for the extension. It must be at bt800,000 at least two months before you apply, and stay in the account for at least three months after you get your yearly stamp. After those five months the amount can never drop below bt400,000, and brought back up to the bt800,000 two months to qualify for the next yearly extension, so it is much less hassle just to leave the full amount in your Thai bank.
8 months ago
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Kool *******
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Bob **********
I don’t think you’ll have time to use an agent go home and get a non-o get your bank loaded up with 800k come back and apply you’ll need the money in your Thai bank for two months
8 months ago
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Chuck *********
@Bob *********
 true. It took 30 days to get my visa approved using an agent.
8 months ago
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Chuck *********
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Terary **********
I have a buddy that says its better to get the retirement visa in-country, due to insurance reasons. I don't think you have time to get the visa all squared away before you leave, hence if you did get a retirement visa, it would likely expire in 3 months and you will have to do it all over again (you won't have time to get the extension).

I recommend, enjoy your last week in Pattaya. Go home, come back, then worry about the retirement visa.
8 months ago
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Tony **********
It, you can maybe do the following....

60 day tv multi-entry, extend 30

Leave on day 88, renter

You should get another 60day stamp which you can extend

At the of that 90, re-enter with 30 day exempt, then extend that by 30.

Should get your about 8 months.

If you do this each year, you should be okay BUT individual IO may ask you a lot of questions on re-entries. But multi-entry will help.
8 months ago
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Bart **************
Are you saying you don't have 850k in either country? If you have it in the US, get your visa there. Then either start transferring to Thailand regularly or move the money to Thailand.
8 months ago
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Phil ******
Pay agent ฿
*****
฿-฿
*****
@Mark *******
8 months ago
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Aake **********
@Phil *****
 cant trust a agent
8 months ago
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Phil ******
@Aake *********
 wrong. Some very good agents. But my comment was directed to
@Mark *******
 not you so stop please
8 months ago
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Peter **********
@Phil *****
 There is no ‘private area’ in a public forum, so live with it please.
8 months ago
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Phil ******
@Peter *********
 but I post to OP not aake. If he has an opinion he should post to OP not me. Agents I have met have been fine
8 months ago
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Aake **********
@Phil *****
 If you pay an agent, he/she will go to emigration somewhere you don't know. Next time, you can't handle it yourself, you're stuck with the agent
8 months ago
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Bob **********
@Aake *********
 a bad agent but there good agents with more business than they can handle
8 months ago
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Phil ******
@Aake *********
 not correct
8 months ago
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Aake **********
@Phil *****
 Maybe you are an agent yourself or have a connection to agents. I have lived in Thailand for a long time and know what traps there are
8 months ago
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Phil ******
@Aake *********
 no agent mate and yes lived her 13+ years
8 months ago
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Aake **********
@Phil *****
 its true
8 months ago
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Aake **********
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