Hi guys!

Finally I've got my best friend to join my retirement in Thailand, but we do have one question:

 

Has anyone experienced applying for a visa based on retirement after a previous overstay and entry ban?

My friend overstayed 8 years ago, by 13 months. Paid his 20k fine at the airport, and got a 3 year ban from entering Thailand stamped in his passport. Hasn't been in Thailand since.

 

Now he's back here on a 60 days visa exemption, and wants to convert to a 90 days non imm. O visa, based on retirement. With subsequently 12 months extensions, to his fully retirement.

 

I believe a visa agent will do that without a problem, but will he have any issues doing it himself? He's got the money in bank option covered.

Anyone with similar experience? 

 

Thanks 🙏

Mate did same... ok but via agent, crazy to do yourself, they have the whip ready for you! 

Just now, Olmate said:

Mate did same... ok but via agent, crazy to do yourself, they have the whip ready for you! 

My thoughts and advice too.

Why take the chance?

Thank you for your input.

He's paid the fine and does his time. Why should he have a problem?

OP, I don't see need for agent.

He was admitted into Thailand. 

He can obtain a non O retirement and 2 months later obtain 12 month extension. 

Which immigration office?

When did he transfer the 800k from abroad to his Thai bank account in his name only. 

 

1 minute ago, Moonlover said:

He's paid the fine and does his time. Why should he have a problem?

He has been in contact with a law firm based in Thailand, with 22 years experience, who claims to be experts in these cases, who also claims that a previous overstay ban will be on his criminal record, consequently he will not be granted a longer stay visa. 

They charge a huge amount (150k baht) to settle this with immigration...

 

I told him that a visa agent most likely would settle this for him.

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, I don't see need for agent.

He was admitted into Thailand. 

He can obtain a non O retirement and 2 months later obtain 12 month extension. 

Which immigration office?

When did he transfer the 800k from abroad to his Thai bank account in his name only. 

 

Thanks, I was hoping you would answer. Jomtien office, he has just arrived, he will use an agent to open a bank account next week, and wire 800k. I can't imagine he will need an agent for the visa, but he wants to be sure, after he's gotten a really bad advice from a law firm.

 

3 minutes ago, thaibreaker said:

They charge a huge amount (150k baht) to settle this with immigration...

 

And that's why they told him that <deleted>. He'll have no problem doing it on his own.

1 minute ago, Caldera said:

 

And that's why they told him that <deleted>. He'll have no problem doing it on his own.

Yes, it's insane.

I thought he would have no problem too, but who knows. If he wants the security, I recommended using an agent.

10 minutes ago, thaibreaker said:

Thanks, I was hoping you would answer. Jomtien office, he has just arrived, he will use an agent to open a bank account next week, and wire 800k

Some agents will only assist with bank account if you obtain the non O and subsequent 12 month extension with them.

Surprisingly (to me) is that it's not that much cheaper if you provide your own financials. 

 

Fortunately Pattaya/Jomitien have some very good agents at cheap price compared to eg Bangkok.

The agent in Pattaya eg Maneerat will charge 4k- 5k. 

That will be with BBL.

 

EDIT: He will need an agent as Jomitien are (were previously) requiring funds in bank for 2 months prior to application for non O.

That is wrong as it's only required in bank on day of application (no seasoning) 

An agent can avoid that issue. 

If he is handy to Soi post office 13/2 he can just drop in for chat. 

I was there recently (unrelated matter) and seen straight away. 

 

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Some agents will only assist with bank account if you obtain the non O and subsequent 12 month extension with them.

Fortunately Pattaya/Jomitien have some very good agents at cheap price compared to eg Bangkok.

The agent in Pattaya eg Maneerat will charge 4k- 5k. 

That will be with BBL.

 

Thanks. He had an account before with Bangkok Bank, but it was closed after this long time. They charge a yearly fee if it's not in use, and when it's empty, they just close it.

 

Yes, Maneerat is one of the best in Pattaya. Good recommendation.

12 minutes ago, thaibreaker said:

Yes, Maneerat is one of the best in Pattaya. Good recommendation.

Given your friends concern due to past ban, he could request to chat with Nan (senior advisor) 

 

All agents can discuss options using social such as Line, Whatsapp etc

21 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

EDIT: He will need an agent as Jomitien are (were previously) requiring funds in bank for 2 months prior to application for non O.

That is wrong as it's only required in bank on day of application (no seasoning) 

An agent can avoid that issue. 

If he is handy to Soi post office 13/2 he can just drop in for chat. 

I was there recently (unrelated matter) and seen straight away. 

I read that too. Why Jomtien has their own rules in this matter, only god knows. But 2 months will pass if he gets his extension as well. 

But yes, i would recommend an agent, and Maneerat is a good one. I can show him where, I have used them before.

Thanks, DrJack 🙏

No issue at all but the airport check-in might still see him as flagged, you can say you go on your own risk, will be taken separate maybe for asking it is sure to not happen again and welcome back. I had it myself for 1year

5 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

No issue at all but the airport check-in might still see him as flagged,........

The OP stated ......"Now he's back here on a 60 days visa exemption,.." 

 

The friend was admitted into Thailand visa exempt. 

9 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

No issue at all but the airport check-in might still see him as flagged, you can say you go on your own risk, will be taken separate maybe for asking it is sure to not happen again and welcome back. I had it myself for 1year

He had no issues. Wasn't asked. So all is good. Maybe the 5 years since his ban was over, made a difference. 

1 hour ago, thaibreaker said:

who also claims that a previous overstay ban will be on his criminal record,

 

Overstay, even if caught and deported does not normally end up with a criminal record, unless there were other associated crimes. 

 

That law firm is lying

2 hours ago, thaibreaker said:

Thanks, I was hoping you would answer. Jomtien office, he has just arrived, he will use an agent to open a bank account next week, and wire 800k. I can't imagine he will need an agent for the visa, but he wants to be sure, after he's gotten a really bad advice from a law firm.

He served his ban and had no problem entering Thailand so why would there be any issue?

 

Why not just apply himself as he has nothing to lose as you don't pay until everything is checked and ready for the stamp. If there is any problem just walk away and then go to an agent if needed.

 

9 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

He served his ban and had no problem entering Thailand so why would there be any issue?

 

Why not just apply himself as he has nothing to lose as you don't pay until everything is checked and ready for the stamp. If there is any problem just walk away and then go to an agent if needed.

I'm just thinking if he is refused doing it by himself, it might not be as easy to use an agent afterwards. 

But maybe you're right. 

 

The issue here is that the firm he contacted has really scared him, so he wants to be on the secure side.

15 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

 

Overstay, even if caught and deported does not normally end up with a criminal record, unless there were other associated crimes. 

 

That law firm is lying

Yes, I think so too. 

 

I admit I did have overstay myself back around 2008 or so. I spent 13 days at IDC in Bangkok. A real hell- hole. I made a topic out of it back then. But I wasn't banned, and entered Thailand again shortly after. Have had no problem getting a visa based on retirement.

 

This however is different, after the new rules of bans for overstay came in 2016, if I remember correct. But I very much doubt an overstay ban gets into your criminal record.

2 minutes ago, thaibreaker said:

I'm just thinking if he is refused doing it by himself, it might not be as easy to use an agent afterwards. 

But maybe you're right. 

 

The issue here is that the firm he contacted has really scared him, so he wants to be on the secure side.

 

Something else to bare in mind.

 

Jomtien has the rogue requirement of needing 800k in bank for 2 months for non-imm O and you have to apply with at least 15 days remaining on permission of stay. This means even with the 60 day visa exempt and 30 day extension he doesn't have much time to play with since he's already here and you said he won't get bank account until next week?

 

An agent can obviously bypass this 2 month bank requirement and also does the 90 day non-imm O and 12 month extension in one step so giving your friend peace of mind with a 15 month stay granted (also no need to spend 1900 on 30 day extension)

 

3 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

 

Something else to bare in mind.

 

Jomtien has the rogue requirement of needing 800k in bank for 2 months for non-imm O and you have to apply with at least 15 days remaining on permission of stay. This means even with the 60 day visa exempt and 30 day extension he doesn't have much time to play with since he's already here and you said he won't get bank account until next week?

 

An agent can obviously bypass this 2 month bank requirement and also does the 90 day non-imm O and 12 month extension in one step so giving your friend peace of mind with a 15 month stay granted (also no need to spend 1900 on 30 day extension)

 

Yes, thanks, we are aware. DrJack mentioned it too.

It's still time for all that from this or even next week, he just arrived.

16 minutes ago, thaibreaker said:

I'm just thinking if he is refused doing it by himself, it might not be as easy to use an agent afterwards. 

You are over thinking it.

In any other immigration office he could obtain a non O retirement with 800k in bank on day of application.

However Jomitien (as mentioned earlier were requesting 2 month seasoning) 

Also your friend needs to open a bank account.

Will need an agent.

Also need agent that is prepared to do that as stand alone service.

 

The stuff from legal firm is nonsense.

He is currently in Thailand with valid permit. 

He can obtain a non O .

Should be aware that if he uses agent he can do that with providing financials himself OR agent does all.

Note if second option is chosen then in future if he wants to do extensions himself he would need start over after border bounce and obtain new non O

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You are over thinking it.

In any other immigration office he could obtain a non O retirement with 800k in bank on day of application.

However Jomitien (as mentioned earlier were requesting 2 month seasoning) 

Also your friend needs to open a bank account.

Will need an agent.

Also need agent that is prepared to do that as stand alone service.

 

The stuff from legal firm is nonsense.

He is currently in Thailand with valid permit. 

He can obtain a non O .

Should be aware that if he uses agent he can do that with providing financials himself OR agent does all.

Note if second option is chosen then in future if he wants to do extensions himself he would need start over after border bounce and obtain new non O

Yes, thank you, I am aware, and I will give him all relevant information. Financially there is no issue. He was even considering the LTR visa.

 

I think we have it all covered now, thank you all for your help and input.

 

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Some agents will only assist with bank account if you obtain the non O and subsequent 12 month extension with them.

 

Maneerat has already been mentioned but MOTS also offers a stand alone bank account service for 4500 baht with door to door pick-up (obviously they also do the visa if needed)

 

https://www.mots-services.com/

 

3 hours ago, thaibreaker said:

I read that too. Why Jomtien has their own rules in this matter, only god knows. But 2 months will pass if he gets his extension as well. 

But yes, i would recommend an agent, and Maneerat is a good one. I can show him where, I have used them before.

Thanks, DrJack 🙏

 

Just so you know, I went to Maneerat and they quoted me 25k for non-imm O + 12 month extension with no money in bank. When I told them I have 800k in bank already they quoted 24k but said I needed to have had it deposited for 3 months. 

 

This made no sense as only 1k baht cheaper and 3 month seeding actually made it impossible as I'd only planned on the 2 month deposit required by Jomtien immigration (was on a 60 day tourist visa at the time). Your friend likely to have the same issue with them (or just pay the 25k without money in bank)

 

31 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

This made no sense as only 1k baht cheaper and 3 month seeding actually made it impossible as I'd only planned on the 2 month deposit required by Jomtien immigration (was on a 60 day tourist visa at the time)

I think there was a "lost in translation"

Agents state that they can obtain extension from the non O straight away.

Meaning 3 months early unlike the actual rules extension 30 days earlier.

No agent requires seasoning for non O or extension. Including Jomitien.

 

The slight discount in providing your own financials has already been mentioned 

 

 

 

23 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I think there was a "lost in translation"

Agents state that they can obtain extension from the non O straight away.

Meaning 3 months early unlike the actual rules extension 30 days earlier.

No agent requires seasoning for non O or extension. Including Jomitien.

 

No translation problem as they speak good English at Maneerat. She said if I wanted to use my own 800k baht in bank it has to be deposited for 3 months already (I explained Jomtien only required 2 months, she didnt care and re-stated 3 months). Pretty much they didn't seem interested in dealing with people that had their own 800k. They also refused to do just the non-imm O by itself. Said it's the whole package of 15 months or nothing.

 

My mate also had same response as he had 800k in bank but only just deposited. He paid the full 25k as if he had no money in bank and got the 15 month stamps

19 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

Pretty much they didn't seem interested in dealing with people that had their own 800k. They also refused to do just the non-imm O by itself. Said it's the whole package of 15 months or nothing.

Of course they did not want your business. Why are you surprised.

Does not require a reply. 

As posted earlier some agents will not even service bank account without  non O + extension as typical reply attached for agent. 

 

 

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Of course they did not want your business. Why are you surprised.

Does not require a reply. 

As posted earlier some agents will not even service bank account with non O + extension

 

I'm confused. OP asked about agent and you recommended Maneerat. OP also said his friend would already have 800k in bank, just like my example. I explained Maneerat didn't want to deal with me having 800k in bank already and you say of course Maneerat didn't want my business and my post is not worth a reply.

 

So which is it, are you recommending Maneerat to OP when he will already have 800k in bank, or are you saying of course they will not want his business as he already has 800k in bank?