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What are the best options for securing retirement visas in Ko Samui?

Thailand Retirement VisaNon-O VisaVisa Agents ThailandThai ImmigrationExpat Visa AdviceKo Samui LivingLong-Term Stay in Thailand
Jun 3, 2024
6 months ago
Su ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can anyone recommend the best UK agent to help us get 2 retirement visas for Ko Samui

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion provides insights into obtaining retirement visas in Ko Samui, highlighting the importance of using a local visa agent over one based in the UK. Various comments suggest DIY approaches to the visa application via the Thai e-visa website, emphasizing that initial visa applications, like the Non-O visa, can be straightforward. Recommendations for local agents, like the Thai Visa Centre in Bangkok, are shared. The community appears divided, with some advocating for the use of agents and others preferring to handle the process independently to save costs.
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.
Richard ********
@Lawyers *******************
6 months ago
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Su ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok. Thanks for all of this.
6 months ago
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Su ***********
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Charlie ******
Do it yourself no needs to use agent at all sir
6 months ago
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Sophie *********
@Charlie *****
 That's not what this person wants to do.
6 months ago
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Sophie *********
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Charlie ******
Probably Mr bean can help sorry 😞
6 months ago
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Ian **********
Assist thai visa
6 months ago
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Danny *******
Be sure and get your visa advice here on FB where it's total free and worth what you paid for it!😄
6 months ago
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Su ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Andy, e were planning to go for the 60 day visa on arrival and then start the process for a 90 or a year retirement but there's so many opinions around. Now it seems immigration has moved the goalposts from June 1st
6 months ago
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Su ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for all the responses! Not sure I'm any wiser...yet.

We're coming November. Staying somewhere cheap n cheerful for a month while we get a long term property lined up, contracts, car, bank accounts,retirement visas set up. Apparently much cheaper from within KS

Yes We know it's high season but hope to have a rental in hand before we come.
6 months ago
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Andy **********
@Su **********
 when are you planning on coming to Thailand??
6 months ago
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Jim ********
@Su **********
 No such thing as 60 days visa on arrival. I think you mean tourist visa. You apply for this through a Thai Embassy
6 months ago
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Ken *******
@Jim *******
 the Thai government are introducing 60 day on arrival for certain countries supposed to have started 1st June its now delayed until the end of the month.
6 months ago
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Jim ********
@Ken ******
 That's a 60-day free entry stamp, not a Visa-on-arrival
6 months ago
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Ken *******
@Jim *******
 sorry
6 months ago
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Henrik *****
But still nobody knows for sure when, until the proposals has been voted through Parlament.

September and december has also been mentioned, if one believes in rumors.

Until then, the 60 day touristvisa (1300 baht) is an option.

Apply online

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6 months ago
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Henrik *****
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Andy **********
An agent in the UK can only apply for the initial non Immigrant O visa, which is very simple to do yourself on the Thai e-visa website, providing you can show the required documents, I recently heard a UK agent quoting £250+vat, it's £60 for the initial non O, do it yourself, then when you arrive in Thailand you will be given a 90 day stamp, then go to the immigration office you will be using and get a list of requirements for a 12 month extension based on retirement, you have then got plenty of time to get all the required documents together, either that or get a 60 day tourist visa, from the Thai e-visa site, and contact a visa agent as soon as you arrive in Thailand, and they will assist you with the whole process.
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6 months ago
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Henrik *****
Take control of your new life, and do it yourself, or it will cost you a fortune using agents again and again.
6 months ago
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Amir ******
Do it yourself

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6 months ago
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Todd *********
@Amir *****
 lol, you won't be a retirement e-visa anywhere
6 months ago
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Todd *********
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Geo ******
Get yourself to Thailand and do it here.........lots of agents can sort it for you hassle free..........none better than Thai Visa Centre Bang Na Bangkok
6 months ago
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Jim ********
@Geo *****
 At a price!
6 months ago
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Jim ********
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Lisa ********************
@THAI *****************************
6 months ago
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Bob ******
UK Agent or Visa Agent?
6 months ago
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Bob ******
Do you have 800,000baht to deposit in a bank?
6 months ago
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Wynton *********
@Bob *****
 if I do have that much to deposit does it make it easier. Just asking.
6 months ago
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Bob ******
@Wynton ********
 whether you deposit the money yourself or get an agent to do your visa it's still relatively easy as long as you meet the criteria.
6 months ago
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Bob ******
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Nigel **************
You need an agent in Thailand not the UK
6 months ago
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Judy *******
If you use an agent you are stuck with an agent forever. Better to do it yourself
6 months ago
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Nick ************
The other issue with agent obtained extensions is that your home immigration office will know and possibly make things difficult for you. That was the case for me though I did get most of what I wanted with a lot of patience and perseverance. I had to fly to Bangkok to et my stamp put into new passport. Bit of a pain.

In addition, on entry with my second agent obtained extension I was told in no uncertain terms to get my next one myself so I did. My local Iffuce has been much more helpful since. Just my experience. Get a visa your self if at all possible.
6 months ago
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Peter ********
@Judy ******
 And then you are stuck with doing this shit yourself forever. Personally I come from the management sector myself. I get my staff to do the trivial tasks. They are better at it too. But one can instead act like a grunt. Forever. I have better things to do with my time personally.
6 months ago
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Nick ************
@Peter *******
 I have better things to do with my money.
6 months ago
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Peter ********
@Nick ***********
 Your choice my friend. I like your assertiveness by the way. It’s refreshing. I suspect we are basically the same but just come to different conclusions. I have a good friend who concludes the same as you. We laugh about it over coffee. Of course I’m right and he’s wrong
*****
555. PS your Dad was about the same age as mine. A good Dad is always with us. Mine would have told me not to waste time on FB. And he never knew what FB was. 😆
6 months ago
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Peter ********
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Todd *********
@Judy ******
 being ‘stuck’ with an agent is dubious at best. But so what? Who wants to waste their days in line at the bank and immigration. That’s being stuck… year after year
6 months ago
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Nick ************
@Todd ********
 last time it took me an hour and a half. Nit bad for saving upwards of
*****
baht.
6 months ago
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Todd *********
@Nick ***********
 if using 800k method, you lost money. At least 24k net opportunity cost plus 1900 baht. That's just a choice. And agent renewals cost about 16kl not 20k. So ya, that's pretty bad from a financial perspective.
6 months ago
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Nick ************
@Todd ********
 I find the use of money to simplify my life quite an inviting form of investment. Thailand is the ideal place for that.
6 months ago
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Todd *********
@Nick ***********
 indeed, thailand is quite inviting for simpliciity. However, there is no correlation between simplicity and standing in line at government offices to comply with regulatory minutiae
6 months ago
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Nick ************
@Todd ********
 my first extension took two visits and about 9 hours. If it was like that all the time I would definitely use an agent. My last one took two hours tops as I knew exactly what was required. My local office has been far more helpful since I got the stamp from them.
6 months ago
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Todd *********
@Nick ***********
 understood, same for many people. That's not exactly in the spirit of simplifying one's life tho. I agree that for some, it can make sense. And once you know the requirements and system you can make it all happen fairly quickly. Although if you value your time, the agent can be a great assist. Overall, there are some compelling arguments for using or avoiding agents depending on your circumstances
6 months ago
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Nick ************
@Todd ********
 I used an agent to get me a new passport. Saved me 2 flights to Bangkok plus hotel fees. They charged 4000baht which was excellent value.
6 months ago
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Nick ************
Nothing like a good laugh and plenty of those here in Thailand. If I hadn't had facebook advice from some very helpful people I would probably be in jail for overstay or some other thing I failed to understand. Good luck.
6 months ago
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Nick ************
@Todd ********
 well the charge from agents must have come down a lot since I used one last in 2022.
6 months ago
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Todd *********
@Nick ***********
 true - the agent costs do seem to go wildly up and down at times. Unpredictably, which could cause issues. Not sure what is driving that. If it helps someone leaving 800k elsewhere, it's a pretty good move, otherwise, going it on your own (especially if you embassy supports the 65k method) is a solid plan.
6 months ago
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Todd *********
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Nick ************
@Judy ******
 totally wrong. Why comment if you dont know what you are talking about?
6 months ago
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Peter ********
@Nick ***********
 Because like most people on FB she doesn’t know. It’s almost a waste of time reading stuff like this on FB. Pseudo experts predominate.
6 months ago
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Kim *********
@Peter *******
 are you one of them? what Judy said has been said many times and violating the funding requirements - 2 months before and 3 months after - can be very serious
6 months ago
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Kim *********
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Ken ***********
@Nick ***********
 I believe she is referring to using an agent who illegally funds the THB 800,000.
6 months ago
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Peter ********
@Ken ******
 And you spend every waking hour praying in church too I assume? Last time I went to immigration they wanted a bribe for a letter to the bank. Of course I paid. And of course they’d say it was a fee. Just no receipt. I’m not stupid.
6 months ago
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Ken ***********
@Peter *******
 I am an atheist. I understand there are situations where there is just no way of beating the corrupt system; however, many people manage to get a Non O yearly extension without an agent. What people choose is up to them. Live and let live.
6 months ago
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Peter ********
@Ken ******
 My mother would agree with you. 555
6 months ago
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Nick ************
@Ken ******
 thats wrong too.
6 months ago
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Peter ********
@Nick ***********
 I totally agree with you. These people just make shit up and pretend it’s fact.
6 months ago
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Nigel **************
@Nick ***********
 no it's not. Where the hell do u get your info?
6 months ago
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Nick ************
@Nigel *************
 see below. You are wrong.
6 months ago
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Nick ************
I do know or i would not have commented. I know through personal experience because I have done it. Last time I did my extension I was in and out of the bank in 20 minutes and in and out of immigration office in 1 hour. If people want to throw away upwards of
*****
baht for a couple of hours effort that is entirely up to them.
6 months ago
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Peter ********
@Nick ***********
 By the way it’s not actually 20k+, not for me anyway. If it were I’d be tempted to do myself too.
6 months ago
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Ken ***********
@Nick ***********
 whatever
6 months ago
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Ken ***********
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James *******
Probably James Bond.
6 months ago
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James *******
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