Answered8 months ago
What are the current visa renewal costs and requirements for retirement visas in Pattaya, especially concerning Bangkok Bank?
It is time for me to consider renewing my retirement visa.
Today when I went to ask the Agent about the requirements she told me Bangkok Bank no longer issues the paperwork necessary for the visa. She said if I want to use Bangkok Bank the cost would be 23,000. If I open an account at a different bank and use that, cost is only 18,000. I would like to use the 65,000/month method. I have made monthly deposits of 65,000 for the past 2 years. At no time have I had a balance greater than 800K but I have made several 400K deposits over the past year.
A) What are agents charging these days to renew a visa in the Pattaya area, without 800K in the bank
B) Any truth to what the agent was saying about Bangkok Bank no longer issuing the paperwork?
C) Any reasons not to open an account with SCB?
Today when I went to ask the Agent about the requirements she told me Bangkok Bank no longer issues the paperwork necessary for the visa. She said if I want to use Bangkok Bank the cost would be 23,000. If I open an account at a different bank and use that, cost is only 18,000. I would like to use the 65,000/month method. I have made monthly deposits of 65,000 for the past 2 years. At no time have I had a balance greater than 800K but I have made several 400K deposits over the past year.
A) What are agents charging these days to renew a visa in the Pattaya area, without 800K in the bank
B) Any truth to what the agent was saying about Bangkok Bank no longer issuing the paperwork?
C) Any reasons not to open an account with SCB?
Answer summary
The user is seeking advice on renewing their retirement visa in Thailand, as they were informed of changes regarding Bangkok Bank's requirements for issuing necessary paperwork. They compare costs between Bangkok Bank and another bank while expressing a preference for the 65,000 baht a month income method. Commenters suggest that many expatriates have successfully renewed visas using the 65k method without an agent and offer various insights about their experiences with Bangkok Bank, with mixed reviews on its current efficiency and service.
56 repliesnewest first
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GLynn **********
WTF are you using an agent?
Jean-Pierre **************************
I am concerned about your statement regarding the Bangkok Bank. All I required to renew my retirement visa last month was my Bangkok Bank savings book showing the balance of at least 800,000 baht plus photocopy of title page and of the balance going back at least 3 months - + a letter from the bank which authenticates you as a customer and which cost me 100 baht - but the date on the letter should correspond to the last update shown and ought to be within 2 days of application/submission. Of course there are all the other bits and pieces - residency form, back copies of recent visas, last exit stamp plus the forms accepting liability and punishment etc. There was no problem at all. I hope this helps
Terary **********
OP@Jean-Pierre *************************
I am doing the 65K method so it's not exactly the same but I am glad to know BBK Bank wasn't a problem for you. Did you do your visa in Pattaya?Jean-Pierre **************************
Terary Apellido No, here in Chiang Mai
Terary **********
OP@Jean-Pierre *************************
Pattaya Immigration is a bunch of crooks.
Eugene *************
Any reason not to do it yourself ...lazy git
Craig ********
I have been denied by immigration and the US embassy to verify the ฿65,000 monthly income method for a retirement visa. As a US passport holder, it is no longer an option for me.
Peter *******
I have done what I recommended three times helping different expats.
Peter *******
When you have any such problem at a Bangkok Bank branch, email to Bangkok Bank corporate office giving them all the details. They will either call the branch and clarify the issue OR send you the info you need to get the paperwork.
Gavin *****
Looking at your situation,you don't need an agent.
It's easy to do yourself .
It's easy to do yourself .
THAI ******************************
We charge 16,000 even if you have Bangkok Bank.
LINE:
LINE:
**********************
Wannikea *********
As mentioned the real question is, to decide where you actually need to begin is whether or not you used an agent for the funding requirement of your previous extension and possibly any extensions before that?
Michael ********
What agent was charging those amounts, I would shop around better deals from reputable agents.
Phil ********
Just make sure the 65K is deposited each and every month for 12 consecutive months.
Tony *********
Dont trust agents or solicitors l got scammed by both robbing bastards, do it yourself, once you do the 1st one and season your funds correctly next time should be easier and less cost
Michael ***********
I've read nothing but negative comments about Bangkok Bank in many different posts. Sounds like it USED to be the go to bank but is NOW the bank to avoid.
Alan *********
Michael A DeWalt Disagree. They froze my account but I understand why. Otherwise I have found them excellent. Renewed my visa using the 65k method with no issues with their help.
Ray ********
Alan Francis I agree, they have frozen my account up to 800,000thb. Anything over that I can use. They also gave me a letter for immigration.. this was 2 weeks ago.. I also understand why they are doing what they are doing
Michael ***********
Alan Francis I understand. But that phrase 'froze my account' doesn't sit well with me even if you understand why. 'NEVER froze my account' sounds a lot better to me. But good to hear you got your Visa through the 65k/monthly method.
Russell ***********
B ... total bollocks, always lying, i've just got everything from BKK Bank in Ubon ok
Tom *******
DIY
Tom ********
I went to BKK Bank on Monday and got all the paperwork I needed within 20 minutes, change your agent or do it yourself and save money.
Greg *************
Tom Jarvis Save money for what?
Tom ********
Greg Dake Dakin Well just give it away then if you have that much to waste.
Joann ********************
Bangkok Bank will give you a year of your statements but they now refuse to give you a letter that Jomtien immigration wants because they are too lazy to check your deposits on your statement or bank book
Alan *********
Joann Bruton Tarkington no problems in Hua Hin.... and my account is in Bangkok Bank Chiang Mai!
Joann ********************
Alan Francis well my bank in Pattaya has refused to do it. All the banks are not alike. We changed banks
David **********
Just got my letter from Bangkok Bank no problems at all
Joann ********************
David Tildsley I think it depends which branch. Ours will gives us a statement for a year but not a letter of our international transfers
Raymond *********
It's incredible what 500thb or 1000thb will do
David *****
Joann Bruton Tarkington I did not have any trouble getting that letter for Jomtien Immigration
Pete ********
Which banks DO provide the cover letters?
Bangkok Bank refused to generate the letter, indicating it was BB's now current policy....It was an agent that found somebody to make the letter....
We were essentially road blocked from doing it ourselves due to this 3x refusal....
Bangkok Bank refused to generate the letter, indicating it was BB's now current policy....It was an agent that found somebody to make the letter....
We were essentially road blocked from doing it ourselves due to this 3x refusal....
Alan *********
I just renewed my Visa on 65k method with Bangkok Bank in Hua Hin. No issues and didn't need an agent. Very simple process.
This is a TOTAL rip off!!
This is a TOTAL rip off!!
Nongnuch ********
you are getting shafted by your agent
Jim ********
If you're making an international transfer of
*****
or in excess for 12 straight months you can do your own Non O visa. Balance at any time doesn't matter
Avi ******
Jim Duggan thank you
Dan *******
This is why I never use an agent
Greg *************
@Dan ******
If you invested 800,000 in your own country what would your interest earnings be every year?Dan *******
Greg Dake Dakin well first you have to subtract the fee you pay to the agent. Second you are taking a chance doing something illegal where any investment you have in Thailand could be stripped and you could be banned from returning. So the 700 and something bhat I would keep in my country at a conservative 10% would bet about $2000 and of course it would be taxed at my rate of 28% so reduced by $460 so to net $1540 just not worth the chance to me. Best advice is always do the right thing.
Hayes *******
Just received last week, 20 minutes and out no problem.
Peter *******
If the monthly 65k come from abroad then do it yourself, 1900 baht for extension, agent isn't telling you that option
Mark *********
I have an account at Bangkok Bank Chiang Mai and they were completely cooperative. The only improvement would be to eliminate the 4-day gap between request and the actual delivery of a year's worth of statements.
David *****
Mark Schultz print it yourself. You can request it in the app
Brandon ************
@David ****
Immigration will not accept that. It could be easily forged.Mark *********
Peter Scuba yeah, but it takes all day
Peter *******
Mark Schultz Took me about 30 mins to queue for number, then 30 mins wait to be called and see IO, so 1 hour easy
Peter *******
Greg Dake Dakin Jomtien
Greg *************
Peter Scuba Where?
Donna ******
We requested a years credit advice statement from Bangkok Bank last week, for extension of stay for a year. Using the 65,000 baht a month. They did it, no problem, 500 baht on the day
Russell ***********
Donna BiBi they charged you ?
Donna ******
@Russell **********
yes! They charge for everything! 😫David *****
Donna BiBi you can create the report from your app, take it to the bank and get the letter from them
Bob **********
I would attempt it yourself if you have the monthly transfers
Max *******
I just got a statement from bangkok bank
Richard ******
I have never had a problem with Bangkok Bank. Just order your annual statements a few days before you need them and there is never a problem. I think it’s just that agents don’t like Bangkok Bank because they have closed the loopholes for illegal activity.
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