What is the cost of a 1-year visa in Thailand for someone who doesn't work?

@Bobby *******

55k is never legit, it's way too expensive. But the way you worded it is "every agent and visa obtain with agent is bogus", which is factually incorrect. A lot of people are married but they don't have the 400k in bank, this is why they use an agent to get marriage visa. To get a marriage visa with an agent, you need to met every requirement except the financial one (this is why many use an agent). So the marriage certificate need to be valid and everything else.

@Maxim **********

. So you believe paying a bribe to avoid having the 400k in the bank is legit? Are you serious?

@Bobby *******

Yes, a visa obtained with an agent is legit, as long as it's a real agent and not a scam. A real agent will provide the payment slip, real stamp done by real immigration officer, and everything will be registered as if it was done without an agent. But yes, you do pay more to avoid one of the requirement. To me, it's the equivalent of black market lotto tickets in Thailand. If you win, you get paid, many buy such lotto tickets including cops. Is it legal? Not technically, but it's legit in the sense that they are delivering exactly what they are claiming to, and every stamps, etc, are all delivered the way it would the other way. Same with lotto tickets... you get paid with real Thai baht if you win, not fake ones.

@Maxim **********

. Of course you get the real stamp! Because the immigration officer has been bribed to give it. If a spot check is carried out it brings you undone.

@Bobby *******

You implied that the stamp and the visa were not real or fake, its real and legit. Maybe we just dont have the same definition of what is a scam, fake and not legit.

Maxim Thibodeau. Yes the stamp is genuine. The process to get it is not. Bribery is actually illegal in Thailand (although we know it goes on). I know one case with a retirement visa, same story 800k. Got a visit from immigration police. Couldn't produce bankbook. Arrested. Sent to IDC. 20,000 baht overstay fee. Deported. Five year ban. I wouldn't risk that, but I'm not a Cheap Charlie

@Bobby *******

Such anecdote are very rare, I'm sure you know it. There is usually more to these stories. p.s: You could go to Savannakhet to get Non-O based on marriage pre-covid without the 400k financial requirement. It was even possible in Penang for a while. This particular requirement is there so that some can profit from it (agent, officer, etc). It doesn't make a whole lot of sense. It's different from volunteer work where not going defeat the purpose of it, or not going to school on ed visa. It would be the equivalent of having a marriage visa without being legally married (not having marriage certificate).

Maxim Thibodeau. The marriage visa is accomplished easily in-country with a transfer of 40k baht each month. That's about US $1200 per month. Are you telling me there are people out there cannot afford that? I can see where the term "Cheap Charlie" comes from.

@Maxim **********

hi Maxim. This is personal but ok we’ve given a thought of that already obviously. So can I apply for a visa as fiance or do we really need to be wed before applying? The reason of this question is we haven’t given it a real time to discuss until recently but given the time before my next visa expiry; it’s too short

@Royce ***********************

For marriage visa you need the marriage certificate, so yes you need to be married. You first need the affidavit from your embassy, then having it translated and certified by ministry of foreign affair (there is one in Bangkok and Chiang Mai), then you go to district office to get married and get marriage certificate. The whole process is no more then a week. After that to get the marriage visa you need to have had 400k baht in the bank for months or proof of 40k baht per month income. If you do not met the financial requirement, you can use an agent, they still do marriage visa.

Doing volunteer or ed visa the "normal way" imply that you will need to volunteer or go to school. If it's something that you want then do it the "normal way".

@Shayne *********

this is great! Thank you for your help!

@Shayne *********

good to know! I am going to look at possible foundations. I am passionate about environment or like back home I am keen to humanitarian assistance, or about dogs. Any leads?

@Bobby *******

still prefer just one that allows me stay longer 60 days without border-hopping and doesn’t require much of my scarce free time. 😉

@Miguel ************

Easy, 60 day visa + 1 extension.

No agent required.

@Miguel ************

. Elite visa is good for five years. Don't have to leave.

@Bobby *******

I know about the Thai Elite Visa, but it’s expensive. I’m looking at my other options.

@Miguel ************

. Ok. I thought you had money!

@Bobby *******

I have money, I’m just not rich or like to throw it away.

@Miguel ************

. Plenty have been throwing away 50,000+ for a visa which is not even legitimate! Elite Visa works out at about US$10 a day. It worked well for me when I was working in the mines in Western Australia. I'd work three full months and make enough money to then take nine months off. The Elite Visa meant I just come and go without even thinking about it. For a miserable $10 a day it's a no-brainer. I laugh when I see these digital whackpackers scrambling and scampering for their pissant visas!

@Bobby *******

$300 a month is about th of my salary and more than many Thais make per month. My salary is pretty decent even for European standards, but I reserve the right to decide what I consider reasonable, and paying $18k or so for a 5-year visa when I would stay no longer than a year is not a reasonable solution even if I made 3x as much.

Also, if you’re coming to a forum to laugh at people because they don’t meet your standards, besides being no more than a troll, you clearly need to find a better hobby.

@Miguel ************

. Sorry if you got offended. I just tell it as it is, but understand in our modern world we can no longer say it this way, because so many get "offended". I give options. If people have money they take it. There's plenty of people with Elite Visas. I mentioned how it worked for me. I hate immigration with a passion and do whatever I can to stay away from it and refuse point-blank to pay dirty money to an agent in order to pay a bribe. Those are my standards.

@Bobby *******

I’m not a backpacker nor is it the case that I “cannot afford it”, I just find it despicable that you would refer to people struggling in those terms because they don’t have options. That’s not telling it like it is, that’s being what you know you were.

And I wouldn’t get offended because someone makes a proposition as if it’s really good when he doesn’t know my circumstances.

There are plenty of Thai Visas, sure, there is a market for it and there’s good cost/benefit for a lot of people, I’m very much aware of that.

Miguel da Fonseca. Wow! Hit a nerve. I think we all need a group hug to repair any hurt feelings!

@Paul ****

no clue, really. But pretty sure you can Google and find a few foundations ready to hire someone. Good luck bud