What is a reasonable fee for an agent to organize a Non-Immigrant O retirement visa in Thailand?

Apr 23, 2024
7 months ago
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
What would be a reasonable amount for an agent to charge to organise an non-immigrant O retirement visa, including opening bank account? Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The community discussion centers on the reasonable fees charged by agents to assist in obtaining a Non-Immigrant O retirement visa, which typically includes opening a bank account. Fees mentioned range from 20,000 to 65,000 baht, with varying opinions on whether hiring an agent is necessary. Many users claim that applying for this visa can be done independently for significantly less (around 15,000 to 36,000 baht) if one meets financial requirements, while others suggest that an agent may be helpful in complex situations or for bank account opening.
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.
Henrik *****
Never ever use agent, you have to do most of the work yourself ( providing documentation ) and pay the agent to do the easy part.
Geoff ********
I did it myself... Go to the province immigration office and ask for a printout of their requirements
John-Paul ******
65k I am sure it was for faster service.
Dale ********
@John-Paul *****
Perhaps - although the quote said nothing about expedited or rush service - which I don't need. Just need some basic help but 65,000 seems a bit excessive.
John-Paul ******
@Dale *******
depends upon what services you need. Non O + Multi entry permit + 90 Day Reports + whatever " help".... could be right. All depends upon requests made. I know they are a great firm.
Dale ********
@John-Paul *****
so far they've been the most responsive of all that I've messaged with. Very good about follow-up and response time.
John-Paul ******
Greg *********
Around $1000 wouldn't spend anymore
Russell *******
1000 baht to organize the paperwork
Simon **********
@Ro***
you might be better asking on one of the Hua Hin group pages for local advice. The agent I use is in Pattaya.
Greg ***********
@Robin *******
if you use your own money, it should cost about 15.000.- THB for opening bank account, get the 90 days visa and the subsequent 1-year extension, plus a single re-entry permit

if the agent has to front the money, then of course it might come at a cost of 30.000.- to 36.000.- THB

You mentioned you got the 800.000.- THB. Then why would you need an agent for anything else but opening a bank account for you? In Pattaya you pay around 5000.- THB for this service.

The “change” to the 90-days Non-Imm-O visa you can do yourself, it costs 2000.- THB.

The application to the 1-year Extension of Stay costs another 1900.- THB fee. Plus you buy a single re-entry permit for 1000.- THB
Pete *******
@Greg **********
correct info
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
Thanks Greg. Valuable information
Greg ***********
keep in mind you need a minimum of 15 days left on your recent stay permit, to be able to apply for the change
Greg ***********
@Robin *******
visit this site if you do the "change" from a tourist visa to a 90-days Non-Imm-O visa. Your case is "retirement", it's number 9 you need to click
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Fatih ********
What about for a 30 days extension?
Greg *********
@Fatih *******
do a border run and return. That gives you another 30 days
Barry ********
Whatever they can squeeze out of you
Jan ******************
@Robin *******
when you say “organise”, I guess you mean just help you with papers and you have the needed amount of money to apply for a Non O in country yourself. In that case it’s quite straightforward and shouldn’t cost so much. More than 15K seems quite expensive.
Andrew ********
I paid 54k. Excellent value for money.
Pete *******
@Andrew *******
I’m a mug and paid 54k….
Andrew ********
@Pete ******
a
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m8
Lloyd *********
@Andrew *******
😩😩😩
Kevin ***********
Can anyone clear for me please, I want to come pattaya for 5 months from UK, what's the best way to do this without having to leave after entering. Or do I need 60+30, fly out return get 30+30
Nigel ********
@Kevin **********
60+30 leave 30+30 you could do a land crossing but it is worth it
Kevin ***********
@Nigel *******
thanks Nigel I have that in mind but is there a way to avoid this at all
Andi ***********
@Kevin **********
METV gives up to 9 mths stay but you'd have to leave once to cover your 5 mths.
Kevin ***********
@Andrew ********
yes but do you need to leave and re-enter after 3 months
Andi ***********
Kevin O'donnell You would one time...you could leave some where close in one day. No leaving then you would need a ED visa or more expensive long term options which are not worth it for just 5mths, i think.
Jan ******************
@Kevin **********
Yes, you’ll need to do one border crossing anyway and a single entry tv is sufficient. Gives you 60+30. A border bounce gives you 30(+30) visa exemption.
Kevin ***********
@Jan *****************
ye sound best way thanx for info
Nigel ********
Kevin ***********
@Nigel *******
ok cheers Nige
David ******
20-25k
Michael *******
Use an agent and you are stuck with that process every year, hard to normalize (do yourself) without leaving country , use agent for bank account and do the visa yourself
Tim *********
@Michael ******
you can use an agent but just be clear they use your local Immigration office
Jay ****
@Michael ******
can you give more info plz? I don't meet financial so I want to use agent for O, multiple entry, funds, etc, but will have financial req after the 1st year, 18 months. 🙏🙏
Michael *******
If you don’t meet the financial requirements you have no choice other than to use an agent who will pay a bribe to immigration to get your application approved you will then be beholden to the agent every year
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael ******
Thanks Michael. Makes sense
Chris *******
Anywhere from 20-50k depends on where and the situation you are in.
Jon ********
@Chris ******
and what country you are from.
Chris *******
@Jon *******
what's your point?
Jon ********
@Chris ******
I know some pinoys that are charged 35 k and 18k for renewal by their “wonderful agent” and refuse to switch.
Chris *******
@Jon *******
so?

Whatever the market will bear, the agents will charge.

If someone doesn't qualify to be here, it's gonna cost them.

Not a problem that affects me.
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ******
Thanks Chris
Geoffrey ******
A reasonable amount would be whatever you and the agent agree on.
Marc ********
@Geoffrey *****
Gratulation for the most useless comment I can see her.

Stupid AF
Geoffrey ******
@Marc *******
You can see her. Fo moron.
Marc ********
@Geoffrey *****
Here you🤡
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Geoffrey *****
Would you consider 43,000 Baht resonable?
Oleg ***********
@Robin *******
I do for
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everything included. But not HUa Hin. If you have bank account-
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Jon ********
@Robin *******
total rip-off
Geoffrey ******
@Robin *******
For Non O, Bank account and retirement, yes. I do all myself and have for years.
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Geoffrey ******
Pete *******
Depends on your circumstances, location, do you meet financial requirements, do you need agent to front the money, do you want the agent to get 15 months or just 3 months etc etc.
John ********
@Pete ******
He said he wants the retirement 'O' visa. It's not a visa but an extension of a three month non immigrant 'O' visa. If he gets the visa extension, you cannot extend it by three months to give you 15 months. You have to apply in your last month for a new 12 month extension. A 12 month non immigrant multiple entry 'O' visa is the only one that can be extended to give you 15 months.
Pete *******
@John *******
agents tout 15 month visas but the reality is they provide a 90 day visa plus the 12 month extension.
John ********
@Pete ******
ok, well that initial 90 day 'O', people can get that before they leave their own countries.
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hua Hin, I meet the financial requirements, the agent will open the bank account for me and get 15months Visa.
Graham ******
@Robin *******
If you don't have a Thai bank account with 800k in your name you do not meet the financial requirements (unless you are from a country whose Embassy still provides the income affadavit)
Sue **********
@Robin *******
we had an agent for beeing told we would need one to open a bank account but the agent just called a branch she knew the people there and told them to let us open one as we met all requirements, but we had to show up in person of course for the 2 hours it took until both accounts and cards were set up. Never heard of that an agent opened an account while you just sit at home. If we knew that before we would have done it ourselves.
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sue *********
Thanks. I would assume I would have to attend the bank in person
Pete *******
@Robin *******
if you meet the financials then there is no reason to employ an agent. This visa is the easiest one to apply for. Sorry don’t know Hua Hin prices. But DIY is 2000 baht for 3 month visa and 1900 baht for 12 month extension.
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Colin *********
@Robin *******
from everything said in this and similar groups over the past year, a Retirement Visa is pretty easy to do without an Agent. It might be a lot easier to use an agent to just open a Thai Bank Account though. Others with better knowledge, might chip in, but if you apply for the Retirement Visa before moving to Thailand, it's not so hard to open an account yourself, but if coming in on a Tourist Visa, then it's a lot harder and best use an agent to open an account for you
Christopher *************
Talk to the Thailand visa centre
Christopher *************
John **********
Where. It varies by city
John **********
Well, The other figure probably correct. Here in CM it’s
***
that. But shop around
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Simon **********
20k
Dennis ***********
@Simon *********
uh uh Baht 30-35.000 min
Ben ********
@Dennis **********
&
@Simon *********
Why is it that in all these Thai groups it’s always the old English blokes having pissing contests and arguing with each other ? Are all poms bitter and grumpy ?? Surely it can’t be lack of getting laid you’re in Thailand ? So really what’s the matter ? Are yas OK?
Simon **********
@Den***
well you’re paying 10-15k more than me.
Dennis ***********
@Simon *********
I'm not paying that it's what the average is for what he says he requires.
Simon **********
@Den***
so your information is anecdotal, and mine is firsthand. I wonder who’s right…..
Dennis ***********
@Simon *********
I never get into a trolling discussion.I have my facts,one of Pattaya's top agent is a good friend of mine. End of.
Simon **********
@Den***
so your friend charges 10-15k more than the agent I use. Great friend, no wonder you don't use him yourself.
Lloyd *********
@Simon *********
agree with you Simon , my agent charges the same as yours, but if others are happy at paying double that, then that's their choice, but shouldn't post saying that is the going rate when it obviously isn't..
Simon **********
@Ll***
he actually told me I was wrong and the “min” is 30-35k! Not sure which one is the actual “min” 30 or 35k.
Lloyd *********
@Simon *********
yes, mine is actually 12.5k, but happy with that. Less than an Aussie pint of beer a week, and no 800k tied up in a bank...and no extra paperwork involved..😊
Jon ********
@Simon *********
lowest I’ve heard is 25k and 12k for renewal.
Simon **********
@J**
I paid 20k last year
Ken ******
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*****
721
Ken ******
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*****
558
Ken ******
actually i.m more worry about air pollution

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Ken ******
but i.guess if you too mindful about paying too much, then need to do better preparation for the new tax law this year
Peter ********
@Ken *****
what new tax law??? I’m also planning for an asteroid to hit my real estate in Antarctica.
Ken ******
@Peter *******
its up to you

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Peter ********
@Ken *****
See you at the first class check in at BKK in 2015. Or you can walk down from the economy line.
Ken ******
@Simon *********
can you pm, thks
Lloyd *********
@Simon *********
was that for the initial visa or renewal? And where?
Simon **********
@Ll***
initial visa. Pattaya.
Neil *********
@Simon *********
What he said
Robin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks. I've been quoted twice that
Simon **********
@Ro***
sounds like a rip off, for 25-30k they will pass the cash through your account too.
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