What are the costs of using a visa service for extending a retirement visa in Thailand?

Question

Hello folks, I need to extend my retirement visa this month(US Citizen), what are roughly the charges if I opt to use a visa service company? Just checking to see what others are paying as I rather use a company to take some of the stress out or is it worth it to go in-person?

Ask Thailand · Answer

Users shared various experiences and costs associated with using visa service companies for extending retirement visas in Thailand. Prices mentioned ranged from 8,000 to over 20,000 baht depending on the service and circumstances. Many contributors suggested that while agencies can help, doing the process personally can save money, with costs being as low as 1,900 baht if the requirements are met. A common sentiment was that many individuals who use agents do so because they cannot meet the financial requirements independently.

Ralph *********** · Answer

In any case, you must appear personally at the immigration. An agency will only help you with the documents you need, and the only advantage is that the agency employee who accompanies you can take the fast lane at the immigration.

I used the help of an agency for my very first one-year visa, about 12,000 THB. Since then I have always done it myself.

I used the help of an agency for my very first one-year visa, about 12,000 THB. Since then I have always done it myself.

Chulala ********** · Answer

Only exten 2 month? Not that expensive

Philip ********** · Answer

I used a visa service for a 90 day non o. Volunteer I believe. In Khon Kean. I then went to Khon Kean immigration to apply for a retirement visa. No problem getting one but they want the same amount of money I paid agent. Next year it will be regular price. I don’t need to have 800k in bank as I make over 65k a month. I just needed verification from my embassy.

It’s actually very easy to do it yourself. My advice is to stay away from visa agents.

It’s actually very easy to do it yourself. My advice is to stay away from visa agents.

Vance ******** · Answer

I have used Thai Visa Centre for a couple of years.

Extension for an O-A with insurance last month was 14,000 baht

I highly recommend them if you don't want to deal with it yourself.

I was initially concerned that their extensions might not be valid. The process seemed too easy.

But I have been in and out of Thailand, stranded in the US, received a COE from the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington DC and am now back in Bangkok having finished quarantine and had no trouble anywhere in the processes.

To me it's just a question of how you want to spend your time. It's almost always cheaper to do it yourself - I have found plumbing to be an exception to that rule.

Kool ******* · Answer

A ligitimate agency will cost you about bt3000-bt10,000, if you meet all the requirements, including the financial requirement. You can do it yourself for bt1900. In both cases you must be there. If you can not meet the financial requirement then questionable agencies will charge you between bt14500-bt60,000, and you don't have to be there, just your passport.

David ********* · Answer

Agencies can charge you over 10,000 BHT to do. Do it yourself. Here is what you need. Passport and photo copy. Photocopy of Visa in your Passport. Application Form TM7. Proof of Residency. Bank Book

with it updated on the day you go to Immigration. You need a photocopy of front and last pages of you bank book. Letter from you bank   A passport size photo. Best to have photocopies of everything and you need to sign all photocopies.

Tod ********* · Answer

[mention redacted] as people pointed out. MOST people who use agencies to get their yearly extension do it because they are unable to meet the financial requirements on their own.

BUT

Keep in mind once you use an agent/agency to "push paper" <- meaning you hand your passport and a pile of baht to them and they go to a province you don't live in, use an immigration office you don't use and get an extension for you, you're pretty much saddled to using an agency from then on because it's a super slippery slope once you start down that road.

Siam ***** · Answer

Around 15000 baht to 20000

Dzung *********** · Answer

Ib me please

Garrett *********** · Answer

Most people that use an agency do so because they can't meet the requirements (usually financial) so they need an agent to facilitate something otherwise not permitted.