@Jeff *******

There are fo many in Pattaya.

@Jay ******

The do-it-yourself costs are the same as were in 2018, when I renewed my O Visa at the Chiang Wattana office. At that time, all was neeed was an affidavit from the U.S. Embassy, in which I stated in writing that my monthly income was more than 65k per/month. I paid 1900 Baht for the 12. But in 2019, the law changed, and affidavits from most embassies were no longer accepted by immigration. Reasoning is I guess is that immigration finally caught onto the fact that embassies (except the German Embassy) do not verify income. I knew some retirees who lied on those affidavits about their true income. So now, for 1900 Baht, plus around 3-4k Baht for the multisple entry, you can do yourself, in person at immigration. But if first time applying for the O visa, you'll still need to pay 18k Baht for the conversion from tourist to Non-immigrant 90-day visa. If you have already transferred 800k Baht from your home country, electronically via international wire transfter into your Thai bank account, then you can do on your own for a mere 1,900 Baht plus 3-4k for the multiple entry permit stamp in your passport. Here is the catch 22 that forced me to go to an agent nowadays. If your application is based on monthly income, you will have to present to immigration 12 consecutive Thai bank statements, showing that you have had deposited by international wire trasnfer at least 65k Baht each month. Well, for first time applicants, you don't even have a Thai bank account. In my case, I had an account, but I didn't want to wait in Cambodia or Philippines for 12 months, while I had my pensions going into a my Thai bank account. Rather awkward. That is why, in 2019, I decided not to pursue a Thai extension based on retirement. I could have gone to an agency, but I decided to move to the Philippines at the time. The way this is set up I believe is a major reason most expats have to use an agency. Using an agency brings in more revenue for immigration district offices, that is, unofffdical money that isnt' included in the official accounting books for general revenue record keeping. Baht. The high demand for extensions here in Thailand allows for such policy. People are more willing to pay a higher fee to stay in Thaialand. If the demand wasn't so high, visa agencies would be out of business, and immigration officials would have to live within their government salaries.

@Jay ******

The fee varies. But for your initial application for a 12 month extension based on retirement (the O Visa), you have to convert from your visa-exempt or tourist visa status to that of a 90-day Non-Immigrant Visa. This is the biggest expense and the fee hasn't changed much since I first did this back in 2016. It's about 18k Baht. The Chaing Wattana immigration office is the place where this is processed. So for example: Your visa service agency is in Pattaya. Your total cost (Initially) may be around 36-46k Baht. This includes all fees/costs, including the 5k Baht to open a Bangkok Bank account and for a multiple entry permit. All this is done by walking you through the whole process in one day, morning or afternoon. Your passport is sent from Jomtien Immigration to Chiang Wattana for processing of the Non-O. Then back to Jomtien, where your 12 month extension + 3 months = for total of 15 months extension. At the end of 15 months, you go back to your visa service and the cost will be much less. No need to deposit 5k in Bangkok Bank, no need to convert to a Non-O. Last December, after returning to Thailand (Jomtien) I paid 36k for all. Took about 2 weeks to process. In March, I will go back and apply for a 12 month extension. Cost- 15k Baht. This will include the cost for the multiple entry permit.

Less expensive for qualifty housing, food, public transportation, and set costs wtih medical. Doctors work in the hospitals and their fees are set by law. In Philppines, their fees are unknown until you seek service, and most don't take credit/debit cards. Unlike in Thailand, their fees are separate from the hospital bill. They don't bill directly with insurance companies. You pay up front. You pay for medicines as an outpatient before the nurse will administer them such as injections, IV treatment. An abundance of ATMs, always working, never empty. Security is such an issue in the Philippines in that anyplace which has cash transactions of any great value, has armed guards. Banks, shopping malls inspect bags, When was the last time your bag was checked in Thailand. When was the last time you were questioned at the entrance door to a bank as to what your purpose was of entering the bank?

Use a visa agency service. No need to hsve 800k in the bank.

It's the form for any U.S. Citizen living abroad and receiviing S.S. benefits, whether or not you have or have no other income or employed, change of dependents, marital status, etc. All that is on the form for you to complete and sign. One way of not having to deal with this is to have a U.S. address on file with the SSA. I have had a mail forwarding service address on file since 2016.

I used to have a retirement visa back in 2016-17, and at that time, they were still accepting the affidavits from the U.S. Embassy. By 2019, policy changed and I had to show 12 consecutive months of my pension going into my Thai bank account. I didn't want this, so I didn't renew it. I have 5k per/mo pension, plus savings. I feel that I don't need 800k (I have 400k) in the bank, and have medical insurance. Yes, you are right, the easiest way is to apply in the U.S.A. All that is required to show imcome is a recent bank statement from your U.S. bank. As of now, Thai immigration here in Jomtien, Chonburi accepts Thai bank statements if applying based on monthly income. I've had my bank account with Kasikorn since 2010 as a result of previous employment/direct deposit payment of salary, But I prefer to use an agency here and keep my pensions going to my U.S. bank accounts. I'm never in the U.S.A. long enough to get the FBI clearance, medical, etc. to apply to a consulate like in Chacago. The FATCA- Foreign Assets and Tax Control Act of 2012 make it difficult for Americans to open foreign accounts..

Maneerat Visa Service in Pattaya, soi (sometimes called- soi Post Office

@John *********

But most retirees don't have 800k to deposit into the bank. And they can't wire transfer to a Thai bank account until they have their own account. So, it's a catch 22 situation. Also, if applying bassed on monthly income, it takes 12 consecutive months of direct deposit via international wire transfer into your Thai bank account to submit to immigration when applying yourself. Again, catch 22. How do you wait 12 months, where do you wait? Immigration actually prefers you go through an agent or visa service office because there's more money being paid out on top of the 1900 Baht for the 12 month extension based on retirement. That 1900 Baht doesn't go into any tea money fund. Instead, it's recorded into the department revenue ledger. The 14-28k Baht you pay to an agent or agency, enables all players in the scheme to get some commision- bankers, agents, and immigration district office staff. The policies in place are set up to make it much more convenient to go through an agent or agency.

4000 Baht Accident insurance premium at Bangkok Bank on Beach Road near Walking Street, Pattaya.