Answered2 years ago
What are the best options for securing retirement visas in Ko Samui?
Can anyone recommend the best UK agent to help us get 2 retirement visas for Ko Samui
Thanks
Thanks
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.
58 repliesnewest first
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Richard ********
Su ***********
OPOk. Thanks for all of this.
Charlie ******
Do it yourself no needs to use agent at all sir
Sophie *********
@Charlie *****
That's not what this person wants to do.Charlie ******
Probably Mr bean can help sorry 😞
Ian **********
Assist thai visa
Danny *******
Be sure and get your visa advice here on FB where it's total free and worth what you paid for it!😄
Su ***********
OPThanks 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
Su ***********
OPThanks 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.
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.
Andy **********
@Su **********
when are you planning on coming to Thailand??
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
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.Ken *******
@Jim *******
sorryJim ********
@Ken ******
That's a 60-day free entry stamp, not a Visa-on-arrival
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
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
***********************
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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Henrik *****
Take control of your new life, and do it yourself, or it will cost you a fortune using agents again and again.
Amir ******
Do it yourself
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Todd *********
@Amir *****
lol, you won't be a retirement e-visa anywhere
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
Jim ********
@Geo *****
At a price!
Lisa ********************
Bob ******
UK Agent or Visa Agent?
Bob ******
Do you have 800,000baht to deposit in a bank?
Wynton *********
@Bob *****
if I do have that much to deposit does it make it easier. Just asking.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.
Nigel **************
You need an agent in Thailand not the UK
Judy *******
If you use an agent you are stuck with an agent forever. Better to do it yourself
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.
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.
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.Nick ************
@Peter *******
I have better things to do with my money.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. 😆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 yearNick ************
@Todd ********
last time it took me an hour and a half. Nit bad for saving upwards of *****
baht.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.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 circumstancesNick ************
@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.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 minutiaeNick ************
@Todd ********
I find the use of money to simplify my life quite an inviting form of investment. Thailand is the ideal place for that.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.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.
Nick ************
@Todd ********
well the charge from agents must have come down a lot since I used one last in 2022.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.Nick ************
@Judy ******
totally wrong. Why comment if you dont know what you are talking about?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.
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
Ken ***********
@Nick ***********
I believe she is referring to using an agent who illegally funds the THB 800,000.Peter ********
@Ken ******
My mother would agree with you. 555Ken ***********
@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.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.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.Peter ********
@Nick ***********
I totally agree with you. These people just make shit up and pretend it’s fact.Nick ************
@Nigel *************
see below. You are wrong.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.Nigel **************
@Nick ***********
no it's not. Where the hell do u get your info?Ken ***********
@Nick ***********
whateverNick ************
@Ken ******
thats wrong too.
James *******
Probably James Bond.
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