How much should I expect to pay an agent to open a bank account and obtain a retirement visa. I am currently living in Santa Monica and have no visa at all. TIA !
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Expect to pay between 5,000 and 40,000 baht for an agent to help with opening a bank account and obtaining a retirement visa in Thailand. Costs vary based on the agent and the services provided. Some users report specific figures: approximately 30,000 baht for the retirement visa and bank account, while others mention 12,000 to 35,000 baht as common fees. It's noted that if you have 800,000 baht ready, the bank account opening fees might be lower, around 4,000 to 5,000 baht.
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.
An appeal must be submitted to the competent official within forty-eight hours from the time the official's order is known. and follow the form and pay the fee as specified in the ministerial regulations. When the foreigner files an appeal The competent official shall wait to deport the foreigner out of the Kingdom until there is an order from the Minister in that case.
Reply to
Tichy ***********
Reply
Michael *******
If I arrive in Thailand with visa exempt,can I open a bank account and then apply for a retirement visa.
Why don't you get your retirement Visa (Non-OA or Non-O) before travelling as that makes opening a bank account (needed for an in country issued Non-O and your extension) much easier.
Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Kevin ********
I just paid 37. 500 baht for a retirement pension
Terary **********
I paid 8,000 for "insurance" at Bangkok Bank, no agent.
I assume SM California? If you have no visa you can get most any kind of visa come here, get your retirement visa. It may be a little easier. I have a buddy that prefers to get their retirement visa in Thailand for insurance reasons.
David ********
800,000 bath is acceptable
Ronald *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have just submitted a e visa through Thai consulate in Los Angeles. Will know in about 2 weeks. Then I'll be in Khon Kaen August 25th and hopefully open a bank account.
Jeff ********
I just did mine this week and cost me 38,500 baht.....about $1100 usd
Jamie *********
Mark *******
I paid 30,000
Peter ********
No more than 20k. Approx $500
Jeffrey *******
Agent for bank account and do your own visa.
Nongnuch ********
Ronald Brown . . . . *** in Pattaya for opening Bangkok Bank account: 5500.- THB on any visa, even on visa-exempt.
*** application for 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa: 3500.- THB
*** application “1-year extension of stay based on retirement”: 7500.- THB, 90-days report included!
*** “change of visa type” from tourist visa or exempt entry to a 90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa, and the subsequent application to the “1-year Extension of Stay” from 19.000.- THB up (with own financial proof)
What's this thing some expats have! Why can't you do it yourself. Only two reasons, they aren't hard up enough to be bothered about paying an agent, or they don't have the required money, 800k and even if they do, why would anyone want that amount of money just sitting year in year out earning nothing.
Shop around. One agent in Pattaya quotes 37,500 all in, and another quotes 12,500 for visa only, or 17,500 if you need visa and bank account (so I deduce 5k for the bank account)
Ronald *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sounds like I should apply for Non O first.. thanks for the replies.
Alan *********
Contact me and I will provide you with the name of a really good agent. I've just completed exactly what you are after. The price is in the ballpark of what others are quoting here.
What do you mean, if you are clean? You mean don't smell of B.O when you go to immigration? 😂
Ronald *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm just lazy
Reply to
Ronald *******
Reply
Graham ******
Arriving with your Retirement Visa (either Non-OA or Non-O) makes opening a bank account much easier.
Peter **********
If you have 800,000 thb in your bank then only a few thousands to assist you with opening the bank account.
You can easily get a 90-day non-O visa while in the USA. Diy.
Open a bank account in Pattaya upon arrival. Assistance from an agent might save you some agony. They charge some 5,000 baht for the service.
Then transfer your 800,000 asap, from USA bank straight into the Thai bank account.
Wait two months and extend your visa yourself. You will have two months time to ask the IO for the requirements and prepare all necessary documentation.
Done. Enjoy life in Thailand.
Brett **********
If over 50, get yourself an o-a visa in the states and then you can open an account with no problems when you get here and you don't have to put money in a thai bank. However, if you are way past 50 you may find the health insurance you have to buy not to your liking but worth weighing up the pros and cons before engaging an agent
the issue was it had to be from particular approved suppliers and those on offer were not the best coverage for the price. Has been a couple of years since I last looked closely though so may have improved
I'd hazard a guess that as long as it's a Thai Insurance company because of the relaxation after COVID, they'd accept any company, but the internet is the place to find out for sure.
I guess there are good ones and bad ones and well connected ones unless well connected ones and hey everybody does what they have to do at the right time.
don't forget, subsequent renewals you can use the income method. Instead of the 800,000 baht, you need to show "steady income" of at least 65,000 every month (confirmed at Chonburi Immigration in Jomtien yesterday - other offices may differ)
it needs to be transferred from overseas each month (and clearly identifiable as from overseas) and it must be at least 65k every single month without fail.
I’ve heard of some offices also insisting on proof it’s from a pension, but I think it’s a minority.
You can’t use it for the first year only subsequent years. You’ll need to be able to transfer 800k into your Thai bank account immediately when you open it for the first year, or pay extra to the agent if you use one - but that ‘might’ complicate it for the second year.
I'm a little confused David ! Instead of the 800,000 baht, you need to show "steady income" of at least 65,000 every month...I thought one or the other ?
you can’t use the income method for the first year because you won’t have 12 month history of transfer from overseas each month. After that it’s one method or the other.