What is the process for obtaining a Retirement Visa in Thailand as an expat, and should I hire an agent?

Thai Visa Centre is very helpful.

Be aware of the new taxation laws coming in effect in Thailand.

Just do it by yourself like other said above sir,

1,900 fee can become 19,000++ with agent

Easy as, do it yourself

Why use an agent …. Also because the rules on tax on transfers into the country remain vague , I would advise you sent your 0 in this years tax year , then provided you are not staying more that 179 days in Thailand this year it could not be assessed for tax .

Contact the nearest Thai Consulate where you live and they can help you get started

I did it by myself. But using an agent the first time is ok. Pay attention and diy the next time

Do you mean the extension of stay ? Because the visa you get in your own country. And the annual extension of stay that you get at the immigration office is very easy if you have 800.000 baht in your thai account.

Ok, call PDC Visa. They offer a great service at a very competitive rate. They have 5 offices nationwide and have been in business for 19 years. Otherwise, you can do it yourself.

Congratulations .

Do it yourself. Not so hard. Save the $20 K for beer!🍺

there might not be any agents in Supan Buri, because this is not a very touristic area or an area used by many Expats. I recommend you take accomodation in either Hua Hin, Pattaya, or Bangkok, and proceed from there. After you got issued your 1-year Extended Stay Permit, you can register your accomodation in Supan Buri and use their Immigration for all future extensions

Better to do it yourself with the officers. If you are fully on the upandup just go in and let them help you.

When someone states they wish to hire an agent, to make things easier for them, why do 100 numbnuts need to and say “do it yourself.” News flash! He doesn’t want to.

VIP Visa in Jomtien are excellent

Take control over your future life, and do everything yourself.

Then you know excactly what you have signed up for.

It’s not rocketscience.

John Patton . . You can do everything by yourself, no agent needed

Do step-by-step

You apply for a single entry 90 days Non-Imm-O retirement visa in your home country.

You enter Thailand on this visa and will get stamped a 90-days stay permit.

From up to 30 days before the 90-days stay permit expires, you can apply for the “1-year extension of the stay permit based on retirement”.

Thai Immigration calls this process “visa extension”, however this is just bad English – they are extending a stay permit. A “visa” cannot get extended.

On the day of your application to the 1-year extension, a minimum of 800.000.- THB must have seasoned in your Thai bank account for two months, and you need the “bank letter of guarantee” (in Thai: rab roong thanakan) to prove it.

After being issued the “1-year Extension of Stay based on retirement”, a minimum of 800.000.- THB must remain in your account for at least three months.

After this, you could theoretically take out some of the deposited money, but it cannot go under 400.000 THB in the remainder of the year.

Two months before your next application to a new 1-year Extension of Stay Permit, a minimum of 800.000.- THB must be back in your account

Every year, you will need to apply for the next “1-year Extension of Stay”

NOTE:

When Immigration issues your extension, always buy a single re-entry permit for 1000.- THB on top of it. Bring at least two passport pictures for the application to the re-entry permit.

A re-entry permit keeps your stay permit alive, should you exit and re-enter Thailand during the validity of your stay permit.

Should you plan to exit Thailand more often than three times, buy a multi re-entry permit for 3800.- THB. It allows you unlimited re-entries into Thailand during the stay permit validity.

For the application to the “1-year extension of stay permit”, the following is required:

*** your passport

*** a copy of the passport detail page and a copy of the entry stamp

*** a copy of the previous extension of stay stamp

*** you need to sign all copies in blue ink

*** a few passport-size pictures

*** the “bank letter of guarantee”

*** an ATM receipt of a same-day withdrawal of a small amount of Thai Baht

*** your updated bankbook

*** 1900.- THB fee for the application to the extension

*** you will need a screenshot or printout of your up-to-date TM30 accommodation registration

*** forms to fill out are available at the Immigration office

This list of required documents might not be complete for your specific Immigration. It is strongly advised to visit Immigration early, and ask them for the handout list of requirements regarding the “retirement visa extension”

John Patton. I am an American. Been retired for 9 years. Things are not always the same with each immigration office, so check the one where you intend to live. Don't recommend using an agent. Some say if you use an agent, you must always use one. Don't know this to be true or not. Easy to do yourself. Get a Non-O visa, Not Non-OA, as the OA requires insurance, which can become a tad pricey the older you get. You can apply for the visa through Thai embassy in the states. I got mine in Seoul Korea. Dropped paperwork off one day, next day picked up the visa. Cose was $80. My wife was with me. Visa was 90 days. Flew into Thailand 16 Nov2015. Visa was good till 14 Feb 2016. Went to immigration and they told me to come back when I had 30 days left on the visa and apply for a one year extension to stay. That is what I did, and have been doing annually every year since. Never an issue. Used the same IO every year. Give her a little coffee money. Cost of one year extension is 1900 baht. If you want a multiple reentry, you will pay 3800 baht. Single is 1000. Very easy. Best of luck.

The Thai visa centre

If you are 54 and have the 800k, you are intelligent enough to do what is necessary without an agent. You got this.

I am a Thai-American have seen many of my Americans friends and families do it by themselves without any hassle. It’s transparent process , no need of agent. Just an FYI.

If you do at Suphanburi I think no agent there.

What type of retirement visa you need?

Just be sure to send the money in a year when you stay less than 180 days if you can, to avoid any potential taxes given the evolving situation here.

I used a agent in pattaya simple minaret in soi post office pattaya

It is a straightforward process.

If you have the money and somewhere to live.

Go to the local immigration, get the list.

Follow it and it's done.

2000b 90 day

1900b 1 yr extension

Ask Immigration what they want, you dont need an Agent when you have the money. Its easy !!

I messaged one ( twice) that was recommended but they have not replied. Hope you get the help.