Retirement visa renewal at immigration without using an agent

[brianthainess]

12 hours ago, stargazer9999 said:

I've decided to fly solo this year and see how it goes.

Good on you, treat it as a Quest or going on a mission, get the list from your IO and follow it, treat it like a treasure hunt 

[Moonlover]

10 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

Sorry but I think you have that wrong!

Those with a full brain use an agent and enjoy all the hassle free time elsewhere!

And where would that be, In some bar pickling that 'brilliant' brain of yours?

[brianthainess]

6 minutes ago, pjuk said:

I've done my own here in Samui for many years now.

As long as your paperwork is in order it a doddle.

If you haven't got the necessary money in the bank, use an agent and keep your fingers crossed the new government doesn't clamp down on this practice.

I guess even BKB could stop these agents if they had to clamp down on IMO illegal activities. 

[jaideedave]

12 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

PM me if you want the contacts of a very reliable and totally legit agent that I have been using for many years in CM. 

 

I have never had a problem and the price I seem to remember has been constant the whole time I have used them! Never any "addons"!

I spend 5 mins per year at IO and about 10 mins at the Agent's office.  The Visa Company do everything (including 90day reports if required) for 7500Baht/year! 

 

They have all my paperwork on file and all I do is arrive with the bank letter & Pass Book (fixed Deposit) and sign their pre printed forms.

 

The time I save (not money) I enjoy in my local bar! The money, even as a Scotsman, is well spent on piece of mind and lack of hassle!

My sentiments exactly.Money well spent. I haven't been in an immigration office in years.They like the arrangement and so do I.

[bigt3116]

3 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

While one should never say never -- as an American, I go along in spirit with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA 1977) against the bribing of non-US government officials.

"The FCPA is applicable worldwide and extends specifically to publicly traded companies and their personnel, including officers, directors, employees, shareholders, and agents."

 

[terryq]

For those that fully satisfy the requirements for an extension the use of an agent is surely personal choice and does not in any way signify the size of ones brain.

 

Reading this sub forum for even a few times it is obvious that not all immigration offices are equal.

For those that get hassled and spend a whole day, or more, for a simple extension then use of an agent makes sense. For those that live relatively near an Immigration office and are in and out in 30 mins then an agent, IMHO, is unnecessary.

 

Personally, I drive within 2Km of Immigration once or twice a month anyway so not a problem  I did my 'one year' this week, took just under 30 mins. No agent. In all the years doing extensions have never been asked for money or additional forms (not saying it does not happen to some.

 

Full disclosure... yes I have used an agent in the past. First ever Marriage extension, 'agent' cost 500 baht, extension cost 500 baht. Money well spent. After getting extension agent said 'now you know you can do it yourself next year'

 

[novacova]

Agents are a waste of time and money, unless of course one is mentally disabled, disabled fingers and hands or illiterate or just brain dead lazy. Never used one and never will. If going in prepared and organized you’ll be out in no time, probably less time than fussing with an agent.

[Saddic]

To each his own...  Just did mine...  1hour 20 min total time...  (fastest time was 45 min last year during covid... lol)

Started at 8:30 Bangkok Bank 2nd rd Pattaya... got bank letter, zipped to immigration... Filled out paperwork, got copies... Stood in line @ immigration... got number for retirement extension desk (4 ppl ahead of me)... Done.. and out for another year...  Come back next day to pick up passport...

 

Will be back for 90 day... lol

Edited May 30, 2023 by Saddic

[jerrymahoney]

26 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

"The FCPA is applicable worldwide and extends specifically to publicly traded companies and their personnel, including officers, directors, employees, shareholders, and agents."

 

As I said, "I go along in spirit" with the FCPA in that I prefer not to get involved in bribing foreign government officials.

[Jeff the Chef]

8 minutes ago, Lamphen said:

There seems to be different experiences in different areas of Thailand.

I must be one of the lucky ones, I do my extensions in Buriram and I have only good experiences.

Not more than 30 minutes ever spent in the immigration office.

Also, never booked an appointment, just drop-in.

 

 

My experience at Phisanulok I.O. Booked an appointment the first time I went, which was for a change of residence, my partner did all the talking to be fair, signed a few forms, done and dusted in 10 minutes. I was then asked if he could do anything else for me in English to which I replied can I get an extension to my current on arrival Visa. Another look at my Passport and yes certainly, it will be 1900baht and I can do it now. All very pleasant, even had a laugh with his boss and another colleague about me trying to talk Thai.

This was all back in February, since then, I've made the decision that I like it here so much that I want to stay, so made a visa run to Vietnam overnight and on return went back to same I.O. to renew the residence permit and to find out what my options were, I was then given two options of either Marriage or a Retirement Visa, the I.O. gave me a form explaining the rules for both in English. 

I opted for the Retirement Visa after reading on here some problems with the Marriage Visa, I also needed a Thai driving License as I had lost my International driving license somewhere on my travels, I also said about having a problem getting a Thai bank account to deposit the 800k. No problem says him and his boss, 20 minutes later I have 2 official letters for both. 

Took the driving test, took a week and opened a Bangkok Bank account and deposited the monies from my UK bank.

Took a fortnights holiday with friends down to Bangkok, Hua Hin, Ranong and Ko Phayam, did a day trip to Myanmar where I had a small problem with a Lady I. O. on the return leg, something about a small slip that was missing but SWMBO soon put her right as the part she was after had been kept by her colleague, so got a fresh 30 days.

 On returning to home went back to Phisanulok I.O. to renew Residence permit and to show my bank book, mainly out of curtesy to show we were getting on with sorting things out. This was all at the beginning of May, I did have to go to the Bangkok Bank for an updated balance letter, took 20 minutes and cost 100 baht, returned to I.O. to be told to come back on the 25th May to change to a Non-Immigration "O" Visa with a view to getting the Retirement Visa, he did say before that that I might have to go to Vientiane to do this but as we were leaving he came out and stopped us to say his boss thinks he can save us the trouble of doing that, can we wait a minute certainly said I so we went out for some food and went back. Signed some more paperwork and was told to come back on the 25th May, this all happened on the 10th May 23.

About a week later SWMBO had a call say Immigration wanted to visit us at home, Ok she says and along came 2 I.O.'s we hadn't met before, met them on the drive, invited them in where we had a chat and they spoke to our neighbors, Swimbo;s older sister, lovely lady but she cannot read or write, she is a big noise in the local Temple though, chatted with the older guy a lot. Had a few photos taken around the place signed some more bits of paper and generally had a few laughs, banter etc etc. The older chap smoked those slim fruit/menthal slim smokes same as my mrs so they swopped cigs, turns out he gets his from Mae Sot, 200baht cheaper than she pays so they agreed that next time we go in to Phisanulok I.O. he would get her 3 packs as he was going there soon, few more photo's and off they go, all very pleasant.

Bright and early on the 25th May back to Phisanulok I.O. where I received a Non O Visa Stamp, a Retirement pending stamp and a extension of stay stamp till Aug 21st 23.

So from my understanding, once the 60 days of over 800k in my bank comes round I should get my Retirement Visa, that will be after June the 18th.

Just as we are leaving I said what about your cigs that the guy said he'd sort out for you after the visit, so she has a word in Thai and it turns out the older guy is a big boss, and the young girl I.O. says she'll try and get hold of him, 10 mins later in he comes with said cigs and it took 20 mins to get away but the looks on the other I.O.'s faces was priceless. It was as if we were all now all good friends, we'll see how it goes but to me it always pays to be nice with everybody.

[NoshowJones]

On 5/29/2023 at 10:40 PM, it is what it is said:

 just do it, it's not difficult, the IOs are generally helpful. i don't understand why anyone with half a brain needs to use an agent.

I don't know why anyone  leaves 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account in a Banana Republic like Thailand, who time after time have Military Academy educated unelected soldiers attempting to run the country, a country which has reduced it's financial responsibility from 5 million Bt to 1 million Bt.

There must have been a reason for doing that.

[jerrymahoney]

20 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

I don't know why anyone leaves 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account

 I don't leave 800K in a Thai bank account. I just transfer 65K+ every month.

[Pedrogaz]

Agents are a tax on the very poor and the government should stamp them out. People who don't have the 800K for the deposited to shell out 25000 to an agent for a 1900 baht visa extension. Ridiculous, risible and tantamount to theft. 

Basically, if you can't afford to live honestly in Thailand and abide by the rules, go home. I doubt it's much fun being poor in Thailand...then of course, what happens when you get sick and wind up in a dirty hospital because its cheap....go home, only those who have the money should be here.

[NanLaew]

5 hours ago, PeachCH said:

Why put any money into a bank account, when using an agent? 

I love a newbie.

 

Here are the TWO different types that use agents.

 

1 - They HAVE the money but don't want to do the application in person because they value their time.

2 - They do NOT have the money but also don't want to do the application in person because they value their time.

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, Mickeymaus said:

Most of the people I know who use an agent don't meet the financial or other requirements to get the extensions. I go to the immigration myself to be legally on the safe side and not to waste money for nothing. Perhaps for some it might be easier to use an agent because of the distance to the immigration or because of age.

I use an agent, and can afford to meet the financial requirements to get the extensions. As I have said before, I do not trust a country which spends most of it's time being run by unelected, poorly educated soldiers with the average IQ of the Somchai in the street to put 1000's of Baht in it's banks.

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, pjuk said:

I've done my own here in Samui for many years now.

As long as your paperwork is in order it a doddle.

If you haven't got the necessary money in the bank, use an agent and keep your fingers crossed the new government doesn't clamp down on this practice.

If any government could clamp down on what you are referring to it would have been done by the unelected soldiers years ago.

[Mickeymaus]

6 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

I use an agent, and can afford to meet the financial requirements to get the extensions. As I have said before, I do not trust a country which spends most of it's time being run by unelected, poorly educated soldiers with the average IQ of the Somchai in the street to put 1000's of Baht in it's banks.

Of course we are only tourists here with a yearly extension and just can hope that we will be granted one again next year. Everything else is an illusion. 

[Seeall]

13 hours ago, Moonlover said:

You're over thinking it. If you're confident that that your paperwork's in order, just get yourself in there and go with the flow. Nothing could be simpler than a retirement extension.

 

You'll probably coming skipping out in half an hour wondering why on earth you wasted all that money on agents all those years.

 

Good luck.

 

Yes, like everything these days you should know your stuff.  Others dont care as much as you do as you are the one responsible.  Like the Edu visa school messed up some days = asking me to pay the 5 day fine, blackmarked in my passport and never payed me back as usual here, "no hab money today" that was years ago, still no hab money.  Chalong school near the sea...

So yes, the Extention is easy, even though they try to trip you up, I wont metion the topic here as I am sure they read it and adapt.  Yeah, 5 copies of everything, carry with you..

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, pjuk said:

I've done my own here in Samui for many years now.

As long as your paperwork is in order it a doddle.

If you haven't got the necessary money in the bank, use an agent and keep your fingers crossed the new government doesn't clamp down on this practice.

"As long as your paperwork is in order it a doddle."

Even with the dragon lady at Samet Prakan IO??

[Seeall]

13 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

What flow at CM IO.

It is not a flow just a stagnant cesspit of people wasting hours of their lives in endless queues being sent round in circles by dumb "Officials"!

yes, not just D, bordering on lunacy!  Like the chimp pinting out wrong dates on my TM30 printout, he was reading the searchdates you enter to retrive the entry = not a clue.  Must be a brother of D2 at the airport spot check my passport stating my Passport is expired pinting at the issue date.  Yes that sums it up.. Must be an amazing immi accademy with great instructors...

[Seeall]

1 hour ago, brianthainess said:

I guess even BKB could stop these agents if they had to clamp down on IMO illegal activities. 

Wrong, its been addmitted that they need to think up ways to trip us up every year...  its there job it seems..

[Moonlover]

2 hours ago, novacova said:

Agents are a waste of time and money, unless of course one is mentally disabled, disabled fingers and hands or illiterate or just brain dead lazy. Never used one and never will. If going in prepared and organized you’ll be out in no time, probably less time than fussing with an agent.

An agent should not be necessary even then. A disabled person must have a carer obviously, be they personal, such as wife or a professional carer. Immigration will accept an application by proxy in these circumstances. 

 

If you look below the signature on the second page of a TM7 you will see that there is a provision for that.

[brianthainess]

1 hour ago, Seeall said:

Wrong, its been addmitted that they need to think up ways to trip us up every year...  its there job it seems..

Why is it the job of Bang Kok Bank to 'trip' us up ?

[worgeordie]

3 hours ago, ConnectionNotGuaranteed said:

Do you have a link for the online booking appointment please? I'm on marriage extension at the moment but changing to retirement. I'd like to get an early appointment so that if I have missed something out I have time to sort it on the day, rather than have to return next day

https://www.immigration.go.th/?page_id=19958  Thats only for the Northern region , good luck

regards Worgeordie

[Presnock]

Not sure where you are doing your report but, for info on Chiang Mai, I did mine this morning.

I arrived at immigration (near airport) at 8AM and they begin checking documents outside by

8:20 AM.  They continually announce what is available there TM 7, plus two acknowledgements

of overstay and visa and all must do these two acknowledgements (they announce that all the

time).  At 8:20, they began checking documents.  When one arrives, they are given a queue number,

mine was 13 and I waited 10 minutes and was called and presented my document What is needed?

I do the monthly deposit method for retirement O so I need a statement from my bank (3-5 days

normally) updated bankbook (mine was updated night before) available with copy of every page

made, plus the bank letter stating each of my monthly Foreign transfers of at least 65000 baht, copy of tm30, copy of latest tm47, and copy of my landing card.  I realized several weeks ago that I would

be doing my extension of stay so went to the immigration site to make an appointment which they

indicates will mean about half an hour at immigration) however, the earliest I could book an

appointment was over a month in advance and I would have only 1 day remaining just in case

I had any problems so. I went to the bank, got the monthly FT, and updated bank book the night

before I would go to immigration and requested the bank to provide a "bank statement", usually has

to be done at the main branch, not where ever one might have an account.  So Although I had the other

documents I had to wait 3 days to get the bank statement and then went to immigration office.  The

bank deposit letter, is good for 7 days according to the immigration officer.  One my documents were

checked outside immigration, (2 minutes, they pass it to a senior guy/girl who checks again and then

5 minutes waiting, then he directed me to go inside and get in the queue line for the O windows, which

I had to wait another 10 minutes for as several others were already there.  Then the IO checked my

documents again, gave me a queue number (17) and said go wait down there (windows 7 and 8).  I

did so, and only had to wait 10 minutes or so and my number was called.  They took my documents

and 1900 Baht and told me to sit down and wait.  I waited about 20 minutes, and had my picture taken and then within 5 minutes I had my passport with the extension approved.  All in all, I spent about a

total of 90 minutes at immigration without an appointment and there were a lot of people there so

no problems for me.  Sure seems a lot easier than it used to be as I have been doing this in some

form since 2005 when I retired.  Again, this was Chiang Mai and the monthly deposit retirement o

type.  Good luck to all.

 

[kimjohansen]

I have renewed my retirement visa myself for the past 19 years.  Never a problem !!  Previously it took about an hour, but now with the online appointment system, it takes less than 30 minutes.  Fill in the application, attach your photo, update your bank book and obtain the bank verification letter the day before, attach all the required documentation copies and pay the fee .  Once you get your passport back, get your re-entry stamp (last few years less than 15 minutes of time) and you are done.  Since you can now do 90 reporting online, no need to see immigration until next year.  Why pay an agent 7,500 + Baht ?  I would rather spend the money on a nice getaway weekend with the girlfriend !!

[scottiejohn]

5 hours ago, Moonlover said:

As it appears from your posts, you never go there, how do you know?

I suggest you re-read my first post!

I have to attend for 5 Minutes every year to get the photo taken.  I get escorted by my agent's staff thru a back door so don't actually have to mingle with the throng but can see the crush of people queuing all over the place as the agent's staff drives me past them all. 

No thanks to the idea of hanging around to appease some jumped up pipsqueak show off his power by demanding you jump over yet  another undeclared hurdle!

I can easily afford the 7500Baht and enjoy my leisure time as I see fit.

 

Edited May 30, 2023 by scottiejohn

[Moonlover]

10 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

5 hours ago, Moonlover said:

As it appears from your posts, you never go there, how do you know?

 

10 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

I suggest you re-read my first post!

I have to attend for 5 Minutes every year to get the photo taken.  I get escorted by my agent's staff thru a back door so don't actually have to mingle with the throng but can see the crush of people queuing all over the place as the agent's staff drives me past them all. 

No thanks! I can easily afford the 7500Baht and enjoy my leisure time as I see fit.

 

Many other posters have given us completely different accounts of their experience at this office. Those being folks who have not been hand held through the process, nor paid a stupid amount of money for the experience, I'll accept their accounts not yours.

 

If you want to waste your money, that's your concern, but don't come on here deriding an office of which you have no real experience.

[scottiejohn]

41 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

don't come on here deriding an office of which you have no real experience.

I suggest you stop jumping to conclusions!

 

I have had real experience of that God awful place, both before and after it was rebuilt and during it's Promenada sojourn which is why I now use an agent.

To me it is like either riding in a crowded smelly slow moving uncomfortable bus which I have to go and find and then walk to my final destination or sitting back in a smooth riding private hire limousine which picks me from my location and takes me directly to my destination! (which is actually what my agent's staff do!)

A "no brainer" as far as I am concerned.

The choice is yours!

 

I prefer the comfortable option.

 

Edited May 30, 2023 by scottiejohn

[brianthainess]

2 hours ago, kimjohansen said:

I would rather spend the money on a nice getaway weekend with the girlfriend !!

So would I but the wife wouldn't approve.