What are some recommended visa agencies for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand?

Oct 14, 2024
a month ago
Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good visa agency for retirement visa ? I will be returning to Benchalak in 6 weeks and would like to start the process. Was going to try to open Bank account in kantharlak myself , but I’m hearing it’s hard to do. TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking recommendations for a reliable visa agency to assist with obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand, as they plan to return to Benchalak in six weeks. Discussion in the comments includes various suggestions for agencies, experiences with opening bank accounts, and advice on handling visa applications personally to avoid dependency on agents. Several users share insights on the ease of opening a bank account with certain visas and discuss the challenges often faced.
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.
Kuu *****
Shared the info at your inbox. Hope these info will help you
Henrik *****
Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so even depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.

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9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?
Henrik *****
Not such a thing as a good visa agent.

Take control or your life, and apply yourself, you have to get all the documents yourself in any way.
Vince *********
Don't use knight visa in Bangkok or in pattaya crooks take your money and do nothing
Mai ********
I have excellent experiences with this agency
@M ***********
They will can help you both open a bank account and obtain visas, and they can arrange it in Bangkok or Pattaya depend your address.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Christian *******
I have my home in ban nong hang 8 km from bencharak. I’m retirering next year and moving with my wife to Thailand permently. I’ll be there next month until march like every year. I would like to meet up with you there and talk about all this. Looks like are both in the same situation. Kind regards
@Christian ******
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Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Beautiful home!I’ll try to message you around then?
Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Christian ******
sounds good I was there for 4 months starting in April and never met any farangs other than head nods at Tesco. Be nice to talk to someone going through the same type experience
Christian *******
@Joe ******
ok great I’ll be in ban nong hang bencherak district from 23 November until 3 march I’ll hope to meet you. This is my home there…….
Eric ******
If you use an agent…One Stop Visa Pattaya.
Frankie *******
Union space visa
Marty *********
I would apply for the visa yourself either in your home country or in Thailand. From what I hear, opening a bank account has been increasingly difficult. You might want to look for an agent just to open the bank account which is a one time thing. After that you would be free of the agent.
Ian ********
Apply for the Non O in your country before you travel, problem solved!

Makes opening a bank account easy also
Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian *******
I’m in Vietnam right now and won’t be back to US for awhile
Graham ******
@Joe ******
You can get a Non-O retirement visa there too, check the Embassy website for requirements and timescales
Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian *******
Thanks , I’ll give it a try on my own and if I can’t get it I’ll try an agent in Ubon . Someone just sent me the name of one 🙏🏻
Ian ********
@Joe ******
you can convert your TR visa to a non O but you will need a bank account first, maybe use an agent to open one for you
Mark ********
Opening a bank account really is easy. You will need an O or an OA visa though.
Marty *********
I opened a Bangkok Bank account in Kantharalak last month. It was easy but I had a yellow house book which might have made a difference. It took less than an hour and they were very friendly. I’ve got an American passport which usually deters banks but it wasn’t a problem for me.

The Sisaket immigration office has a reputation for being very helpful.
Joe *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marty ********
you’re right Sisaket immigration is very helpful I was there about 6 months ago. I will be living with my girlfriend in Benchalak . Will that make a difference on visa ? Should I just go directly to Sisaket when I return and talk with them? Just made up

My mind to move permanently 🙏🏻
Marty *********
@Joe ******
The standard advice is to get an O in your home country. That gives you more time to open a bank account. Otherwise I would think that is best to use the immigration office where you plan to live long term. Bangkok immigration is big but professional. That is where I started. The same time I moved to Kantharalak I switched from my OA visa to an LTR visa so I don’t have any direct experience getting an O at the Sisaket office. I have been there for other things though.
Pascal ********
Do it yourself otherwise you will always be dependent on an (illegal) agency
Jan ************
Lanta conciërge - Koh Lanta
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