What are the best visa agency recommendations for obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand?

Jan 26, 2025
4 days ago
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for accepting me into this group. I'm starting to look into applying for a retirement visa and want to go the route of paying an agency to do all the hard work. I have quotes from 2 agencies so far and would like to ask for recommendations of visa agencies that members here have used.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the application process for a retirement visa in Thailand, with many participants sharing their experiences. Some recommend using visa agencies for convenience, while others advocate for self-application to save costs. Key points include the necessity of maintaining a minimum balance in a Thai bank account, the challenges of working with agents, and differing opinions on the ease of the application process. Recommendations for specific agencies are also shared, highlighting various price points and service levels.
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.
Carey *********
Fuel pressure?
Carey *********
Fuel pressure?
Chang *****
Thai Ambassy can help you my Child
Noel ***********************
The Visa Centre. Not the cheapest but the best. They stay in contact with you through the whole process. If course you can do it yourself if you have
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0 , but only do it with a mainland and not an island immigration office.
Matthew *********
I used A&S. It was a bit expensive but who else going to get you retirement visa with non O 90 days and one year extension, 2 stamps in less than 4 hours. Well worth the money. They deposit the
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0 for you and straight to the head of line at immigration. And we'll open bank acct for you and you can get a sim card at airport for 30 days to use for immigration and than get a phone acct anywhere after your stamps. Easy peezy
Dirk **************
Hard work? What are you talking about?
Tirthendu ********
Steve ***********
It’s not easy and it takes time and language can be a problem. If I had to do over I would use an attorney in BKK and have retirement visa in 24hours.
Randy ******
For y’all anti agents dudes: You still need an agent to open a bank account and deposit the 800 k…. Then you come here patronizing the rest of us and preaching against fueling corruption in Thailand… you are full of … 5555
Matthew *********
@Randy *****
amen to that.
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok, I'm more than a little interested in trying to do this myself if it's as easy as some of you say. Would someone like to give a bullet point list of what I need and hopefully I can decide if I can attempt it alone?
Jerry ********
@Nelson *****
my understanding is that the transfer of funds has to be in your account for 60 days before you can apply for the extension , is that correct?
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jerry *******
that is my understanding too and the ฿800k must remain in the account for a further 90 days after application.
Kelly ********
@Nelson *****
start the Non-O process in your home country. Come to Thailand and open a bank account. Transfer 800,000baht into that account from your bank in your home country. Then apply for the 1 year extension of your Non-O based on retirement. It's easy enough to do on your own.
Mats **********
Thailand 🇹🇭 so many questions and issues and changes all the time of visas. Philippines, just do your extension once a month and you can stay forever. It’s just getting a good contact at the local immigration office. Extension is around USD 50 a month. Rental in the province another USD 300 plus utilities and food. Living comfortably for around USD 600 a month. No deposit in the bank, all paperwork done by yourself. And if you an US ex-army there’s a special agreement that makes your life in Philippines easier, check on Google
Matthew *********
@Mats *********
phillipines is nasty compared to Thailand. I live in both. Infrastructure of Thailand is 1000perxent more advanced and crome in Philippines is a major problem. Won't have that problem in Thailand. You can't even put phillipines as a developing country.
Vince *********
Don't use knight visa
Martin *********
PM sent
Glenn *********
Meenderat soi post office 2nd road Pattaya directly opposite the post office..
Malcolm *****
People who use visa agents have more dollars than sense 🙊
Kirill **********
Any in HuaHin????
Adam ******
What is this 'hard work' you speak of?
Robert *******
@Adam *****
if you think about it your paying some between 2000 baht to 3000 baht per hour to do something that is not that hard. That's alot of bar fines
Robert *******
If you have the money in bank do it yourself. Go to bank first thing in the morning get a letter and update pass book. Then go immigration get the form. The office to the left hand side of immigration will fill the form in for you if you have difficulty with it. They also make sure you have all the right copys of passport stamp from when you entered and front page and a passports size photo of yourself. Cost about 500 baht 1900. Baht total 2400 baht. Real cost including taxis would be about 3000baht . First. Some agents charge
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baht so total savings on that 9000baht
Greg ***********
I do not support corruption, I'd rather have the 800,000 THB in my Thai bank account, I don't give a royal f...t for the interest lost, I simply can afford to loose it. But I sleep well, knowing I did it the legal route and haven't paid any bribes to a corrupt immigration. The bank letter takes 20 minutes, my Immigration takes 25 minutes and 1900.- THB and 1000.- for a single re-entry permit, thank you mesdames et messieurs, see you next year!
Tim *******
@Greg **********
OP did not say they wanted agent to fake the 800k. but good point
Andy *********
Best advice Is come here for a 60 /90 days you will get bored after 14 days I am here for 21 days can't wait to get back home unless you have a business here to keep you occupied you will be bored out of your head
Dave **********
@Andy ********
I've been here 8 years, haven't been board yet. Might want to look into a mental health care provider, 🙂 or learn meditation 🧘‍♂️
Fąndn *******
@Andy ********
which part of Thailand did u go to, r u still there ?
Andy *********
@Fąndn ******
koh samui yes in my room.with a fever
Fąndn *******
@Andy ********
I thought Koh Samui seemed be more interesting than Hua Hin, I shortlisted these 2 places , and now I hear u commented on how boring it is 😆

I was researching for rental for 3 or 6 months for the past week

Seems like really ZERO Chinese ppl interested 🤔 they are all worried about being kidnap , most ppl inquiring on the DTV are all from Europe , Australia...
Edmund ********
Don't put the cart before the horse, use the 60 day exempt visa, then check out Vietnam, Cambodia, Phil's etc, then circle back for another 60 Day exempt visa, and if it still feels a good fit and vibe for you, then proceed with applying for retirement Visa.

Pay yourself, by doing it yourself, not rocket science
Tony **********
What hard work?
Anthony ******************
Your location and country of passport?
Kirill **********
Robby ************
Mots services they advertise 12.5 k full services
Robby ************
I don’t know I do and did it by myself for many years and have used Mots Services for what I needed and very happy with them
Gordon *******
@Robby ***********
That's the price for the second year renewal visa
Michael ********
Maneerat Soi
****
, Pattaya.....29,000bahts for a multi entry.
Lloyd *********
@Michael *******
is that for the initial visa? as renewal is 12,500 (plus re entry if required)
Michael ********
@Lloyd ********
yes the initial Visa
Liam ***********
Is it right you have to forever leave 400 k out of the 800 k in the bank as long as you want you retirement visa

Dead money?

Maybe that’s why many retirees use an agent
Graham ******
@Liam **********
Part of the 800k is only "dead money" for the first year as, for the second and all subsequent extensions, the 65k income transfer method can be used. A small price to pay for indepencence and legal status.
Liam ***********
@Graham *****
ok thanks
Colin *********
@Liam **********
why is it "Dead money"? Maybe it's not earning 4-5% interest like it would in an Australian bank account, but if you don't have it in a Thai bank, then there's potentially a big risk you're taking... see my other comments.

As for 400k Baht, yes that's the minimum balance the account has to be with the retirement visa. 800k has to be in the account for 2 months prior to applying for an Extension of Stay, then has to be kept in the account for 3 months after an Extension is stamped in your passport.
David ********
@Colin ********
or if married
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a month paid in to account.
Colin *********
@David *******
my understanding that 40k Baht monthly income is not accepted for the initial visa, nor the first extension with most, if not all Immigration Offices. The way I've understood it explained by those that have a good grasp of all the rules/requirements, in this and/or Thai Visa related groups, is that one has to show 800k in their account for their first Retirement visa and extension. Then just before approval of the first Extension, or straight after, start transferring from overseas, 65k each and every month leading up to the second Extension for the'Income method'. With A Marriage Visa it's same rules, except the amounts are 400k and 40k Baht.
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ********
is one allowed to spend the 65k coming into the account?
Colin *********
@Nelson *****
my understanding is that you can spend the 65k monthly deposit as soon as it's in your Thai bank account, you can use any or all of it, whereas the 800k proof of funds, as you would be aware, has to be in your account for two months before applying for an Extension and 3 months after, the rest of the year, not falling below 400k.
David ********
@Colin ********
I was thinking marraige visa
Liam ***********
@Colin ********
ok thanks
Brandon ************
@Liam **********
it's not dead money. That's how you prove to the Thai government that you won't become their problem if something happens to you. That you have an emergency fund. It's your "insurance"
Liam ***********
Lloyd *********
@Brandon ***********
please explain how those who are on the 65k income method, or those that can still get an embassy letter, have "insurance". Screwed Thai logic?
Roberto *********
@Lloyd ********
Not really. It shows a solid cashflow
Dave **********
@Lloyd ********
because they have shown a proven steady cash flow.
Lloyd *********
@Dave *********
cash flow doesn't answer my query, which was "insurance"

Having 65k pm living expenses income doesn't cover a medical emergency...

And those with 800k in the bank, if you have an emergency in the last 2 months of your extension of stay and need to withdraw some of that you're screwed for your next extension...

The logic is flawed.

Do away with the 800k. Keep proof of income to support yourself, and have compulsory medical/accident insurance.

My 2 cents worth 😊
Dave **********
@Lloyd ********
go to the LTR no bank account required.
Lloyd *********
@Dave *********
wtf, what's that got to do with insurance?
Dave **********
@Lloyd ********
use the LTR Visa

**********************
Colin *********
I haven't got to that point, but I've been following the Retirement and also Marriage Visa posts for two years now, read hundreds of posts & thousands of comments in three Facebook groups. There's always some that use agents, but I would say that there's just as many, if not more, that do it themselves. The reason: Agents charge tens of thousands of Baht for doing Visas, but the client, you, have to do most of the work yourself anyway, the Agent can't get the required documents for you, you have to do it yourself. Once you get the documents together, you hand them to the Agent and all he does is go into the Immigration Office and lodge the application. If you are retired, which means not working, surely a little time out of your day to go into the Immigration Office yourself can't be too much of an inconvenience.
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ********
maybe you're right but their fee is compensated by the interest I get on leaving my ฿800k (in AUD) in Australia.
Roberto *********
@Nelson *****
Why wouldn't you use the 65k per month transfer method? I mean, you need money to live on don't you?
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roberto ********
I always thought the ฿65k/month option had to be an income stream from an employer.
Kim *********
@Nelson *****
it's an retirement visa - not very likely to have an employer 😅😏 The Thai embassy in​ Denmark for example says it clearly : "being over 50 and retired"
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kim ********
so you're saying that I can transfer the ฿65k every month I to my Thai bank account myself?
Kim *********
@Nelson *****
probably different when applying from Thailand - I can't really say
Roberto *********
@Nelson *****
No. Actually it should be from a pension, but as some embassies now will not sign the affidavit which confirms the pension, it is necessary to transfer 65k each month from overseas into a Thai bank account. There are some countries which can still use the affidavit method, so it's not required to transfer the money to Thailand
Colin *********
@Nelson *****
are you aware that if you don't deposit YOUR OWN 800k Baht, instead having an agent deposit it, then withdraw it as soon as your Visa is approved, what is actually happening is the Agent is 'paying off' an individual to do what is illegal? If for any reason, the Immigration Officer is investigated and the 'bribe' is discovered, that Officer most likely will lose their job and your Visa, or Extension of Stay will be cancelled. From a few comments by Moderators in the Fb groups in, Immigration is starting to clamp down on this. Your choice, but your taking a risk, maybe a big one.
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ********
yes I know. I have also spoken with a Thai IO for the same deal.
Colin *********
@Nelson *****
do you mean that you've tried to bribe an Immigration Officer yourself?
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ********
no, her services were offered to me
Colin *********
@Nelson *****
haha, I bet there were some strings attached that she hasn't told you about.

So, if you got an offer from an Immigration Officer, why are you asking about using an Agent here?
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ********
Simple, I would much rather deal with an agent proficient in English than a Thai IO with limited English.
Colin *********
@Nelson *****
ok, but I hope you don't mind dealing with Immigration Officers and Police if they knock on your door once day charging you with fraud. Don't forget... this is a public forum & you never know who is watching 👀
Greg ***********
@Colin ********
the mind boogles. Pattaya Immigration is the most corrupt of them all in the whole of Thailand. That's why to become the boss of the Pattaya Immigration costs 50 million Baht 😂
Colin *********
@Greg **********
yeah, the mind boggles alright... all those foreigners swarming to Pattaya, 'the most corrupt IO' & all those other 'full services' provided for the enjoyment of foreigners. Probably plenty of scammers there too. 😲
Greg ***********
@Colin ********
just one example, that German Rico C. who was arrested and sentenced for 5 years, for his involvement of the murder of Mr. Mack (the corpse parts in the freezer box on the hatch of a pickup) used to work illegally offering "visa servicees"
Colin *********
@Greg **********
why is that not a surprise, previously involved with illegal activities. Only surprise is that he only got 5 years 🙄
Robert *********
@Nelson *****
Agree this is an important consideration.
Roberto *********
Hard work? Are you serious? 😂😂😂
Ben *******
@Roberto ********
... I wouldn't like to do it myself. What with rule changes and they know people at immigration. There were four of us and we were not there no more than fifteen minutes.
Roberto *********
@Ben ******
Takes me an hour. 1900 baht. What rule changes?
Colin *********
@Roberto ********
right, how hard can it be... see my comment earlier, which although I haven't got to doing a long term visa yet, my understanding is correct?
Roberto *********
@Colin ********
I don't find it hard at all. It's a case of following a checklist of requirements and spending an hour each year at the immigration office. If people are paying
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baht a year to save getting a few documents together and an hour at immigration they must have a pretty skewed view of "my time is more valuable". No more than two hours "work" for 25,000 baht? That's a pretty useful hourly rate I'm paying myself, tax free. And I'm 100% legal
Graham ******
@Roberto ********
exactly, the agent would have the same checklist so you'd still have to assemble these documents anyway
Colin *********
@Roberto ********
totally agree. Someone living in southern Thailand told me it's even easy to do your own marriage visa and extensions, which have more requirements. I'd rather spend a couple of hours of my time to do it than spend 25k+ Baht to get someone else to do it. I reckon I could have a very good holiday in Thailand for that amount.
Roberto *********
@Colin ********
It's funny how some people are complaining that air fares are 10,000 baht more than this time last year, but have no hesitation in handing over more than double that amount for what is essentially a dodgy visa extension
Ben *******
One Stop Visa .. Soi 6 Pattaya. Bank Account, Retirement Visa and both car and bike licences was
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baht. Super easy to deal with. Super efficient and good friendly staff. The whole process was a breeze.
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ben ******
I have their prices and I don't know if you got a bulk deal but the retirement visa alone should be 26k.
Greg ***********
@Nelson *****
26,000 THB, and opening a bank account is another 5000 THB, and a multi re-entry permit for the 1-year extension sets you back another 3800 THB
Ben *******
@Nelson *****
... I can only say what I was charged.
Bill *********
You are absolutely on the right track to get an agent to take care of all this. I used an agent for my initial retirement visa as well as my renewal and the 90 day reporting. I place a high value on my time and convenience and this way it got done quickly. BTW, my agent is out on travel otherwise I'd pass along her info.
Michael *******
@Bill ********
except it fuels corruption……sadly !
Trevor *******
If you have the ฿800,000, do it yourself.

It's simple..

And another problem with agent retirements is that once you're on that slippery slope, it's difficult to change back to the norm I.e. doing it yourself...

And, also, using myself as an example, I'm on over twenty five yearly extensions...that's over ฿400,000 in agents' fees...$12,000US....
Sylvia ********
What province do you intend to live in? You need to have a bank account in that area. And therefore agent there too
Noel ***********************
@Sylvia *******
no true. You can use an agency anywhere. I'm in the far South. My agent is in Bsngkok
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sylvia *******
Chon Buri and yes I do.
Sylvia ********
@Nelson *****
so lucky as Chonburi have more agents than anywhere so very competitive, contact MOTS services they are the cheapest
Gayeeva ******
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Peter *********
Tik tok jontien very good 👍
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter ********
yes but much more expensive at ฿30k + re-entry permit
John ******
@Peter ********
i second that
Dave **********
If you are legally qualified it's very easy to do yourself.
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