@Brandon ***********

Yes, you’ve made similar posts several times at least. I repeat, I’ve yet to see any first hand accounts of anyone this has happened to.

Just to be clear, I am not saying there won’t be problems and I’m not recommending that people use agents. However, in 37 years of going to Thailand I am well aware that there are ways around most ‘problems’.

@John *********

that is frequently said on here but I’ve yet to hear any first hand reports from someone who has actually been refused when switching from an agent to doing it themselves.

@Steve ******

NON-IMMIGRANT VISA TYPE O Retirement (Single entry)

Retirement (pensioner aged 50 or above with state pension who wishes to stay in Thailand for no longer than 90 days)

Biodata page of Passport or Travel Document

Photograph taken within the last six months

- If the photograph does not reflect your current appearance you may be refused to enter the Kingdom of Thailand.

Document indicating current location

- Applicant’s local utility bills (shows your name and address) e.g. electricity bill/ gas / mobile phone / rental agreement.

Financial evidence showing monthly income of no less than 65,000 THB (£1,500) or having the current balance of 800,000 THB (£18,000), e.g. bank statements, proof of earnings

- Applicant’s recent official UK/Ireland bank statement shows your name, address (Screenshots are not accepted). For monthly income of last 3 months no less than £1,500/ month.

@Steve ******

he has a largish pension and he obviously gets the State Pension. That’s enough. It’s pension OR bank balance.

1. Get a Non O ‘for Retirement’ from the Thai Embassy in London online, assuming you are still in the U.K. This gives you 90 days.

2. You will need to use an agent for the 12-month Extension in Thailand as you don’t have the 800k baht to put into a Thai bank account. I can recommend one in Pattaya but not in Udon.

3. If you are willing to send at least baht from the uk to Thailand each month then you can use this method for future Extensions but will need an agent for at least one more year. You might find it easier to just use one anyway.

4. You can get a Multiple Re-Entry Permit with your Extension each year which will allow you to travel to the U.K. and back as often as you like.

You’ll need an IDP (1968 version) and a photo driving licence from your own country. Also check the car is fully insured.

@Stephen ******************

The agent will be able to get the extension early anyway - the one I use can get it up to 3 months ahead of time! Yes 3 working days plenty.

Again, this is in Pattaya with a well known and reliable agent.

It will depend where you are.

In Pattaya timescale for a ‘Retirement Extension’ is usually 2 or 3 working days max.

Visit agent with passport, photos, bank book (must be Bangkok Bank if you are using agent for the financial proof), proof of address etc.

Visit bank.

Visit immigration just to have photo taken by agent staff.

Collect passport from agent when ready.

@Tim ********

it’s just under 2 years since I got my Non O from London and it was required then. Good if it’s been dropped. It didn’t cost me too much anyway. I used a Thai agent who gave me the one-page summary I needed to upload and the policy was just a 90-day travel insurance policy.

Apply online for the Non O visa for over 50s. London Embassy is easy to deal with. This gives you 3 months then you can get 12-month Extensions of Stay each year.

You’ll need a Thai bank account with 800k baht. No insurance needed for each Extension but you will need insurance for 3 months for the initial visa.