800,000 in my Thai bank account, yes.

Valid passport, plus yellow house book and pink Thai ID card, yes.

Wife that doesn't live with me, yes. So won't bother with a spouse extension. 

 

Is it better to enter the country with a visa extension and go straight to the immigration office and apply to change it to a Non Immigrant visa based on retirement, then also a 12 month extension.

 

Or apply for a non immigrant visa based on retirement outside of Thailand, enter on that and then go to the immigration office to apply for a 12 month extension? 

 

One of those requires insurance? 

 

Which could be okay. Do they have a partner insurance company that offers a decent competitive package? Or are you on your own to get your own insurance?

 

I was told that agents in Pattaya offer retirement extensions for maybe 28,000 BAHT for the first year then 15000 BAHT every year after? And you don't need to keep 800,000 BAHT in the bank? Is that true?

 

I can buy a small studio apartment for 800,000THB that would rent for 5,000 BAHT per month, even if unrented for 4 months every year it's still 40,000 BAHT which covers the agent fees plus some change.

 

But the main question is about which is better, arrive with no visa or arrive with a non immigrant visa for retirement? And insurance. Which one requires it? Do they have an insurance package set up that is used for it? 

Neither option requires insurance. Getting the non O before arriving avoids one extra trip to immigration.

.

35 minutes ago, Packer said:

But the main question is about which is better, arrive with no visa or arrive with a non immigrant visa for retirement? And insurance

Obtain a Non O e-Visa outside of Thailand is a good option.

Avoids any concern for "onward flight" requirement from airline flying visa exempt.

Also saves one trip to immigration.

I assume that you have a Thai bank account in your name only.

Insurance is only required for a Non O-A visa and you do not want that visa.

Alternatively....

You can enter Thailand visa exempt and obtain a Non O retirement+ subsequent annual extensions.

In this attached thread my first post has links to 3 threads that outlines that process.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1331945-documents-for-changing-visa-exempt-to-non-immig-o-at-cw/

 

In regard to use of agent that's up to you. 

Agent can obtain extension to the Non O you obtain outside of Thailand or can obtain both the Non O + extension. Cost approx 14k if you provide the Non O or ~ 28k from visa exempt entry. 

Will you be based in Pattaya? 

 

50 minutes ago, Packer said:

800,000 in my Thai bank account, yes.

Valid passport, plus yellow house book and pink Thai ID card, yes.

Wife that doesn't live with me, yes. So won't bother with a spouse extension. 

 

Is it better to enter the country with a visa extension and go straight to the immigration office and apply to change it to a Non Immigrant visa based on retirement, then also a 12 month extension.

 

Or apply for a non immigrant visa based on retirement outside of Thailand, enter on that and then go to the immigration office to apply for a 12 month extension? 

 

One of those requires insurance? 

 

Which could be okay. Do they have a partner insurance company that offers a decent competitive package? Or are you on your own to get your own insurance?

 

I was told that agents in Pattaya offer retirement extensions for maybe 28,000 BAHT for the first year then 15000 BAHT every year after? And you don't need to keep 800,000 BAHT in the bank? Is that true?

 

I can buy a small studio apartment for 800,000THB that would rent for 5,000 BAHT per month, even if unrented for 4 months every year it's still 40,000 BAHT which covers the agent fees plus some change.

 

But the main question is about which is better, arrive with no visa or arrive with a non immigrant visa for retirement? And insurance. Which one requires it? Do they have an insurance package set up that is used for it? 

 

Do you mean health insurance or... what?

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Agent can obtain extension to the Non O you obtain outside of Thailand or can obtain both the Non O + extension. Cost approx 14k if you provide the Non O or ~ 28k from visa exempt entry. 

 

That is interesting. 

 

So I can put 800,000 into my Thai bank account.

Get a non immigrant visa based on retirement outside of Thailand showing my bank book.

Arrive in Thailand, get a 12 month extension.

Then take out the 800,000 and invest it.

Use an agent for all further extensions at 14,000 per year with no need to keep the funds in a low % interest Thai bank account. 

 

If I am reading it correctly. 

5 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Do you mean health insurance or... what?

 

Pet insurance. For my pet iguana. 

1 minute ago, Packer said:

 

Pet insurance. For my pet iguana. 

 

Who is the pet? You or the iguana?

37 minutes ago, Packer said:

So I can put 800,000 into my Thai bank account.

Get a non immigrant visa based on retirement outside of Thailand showing my bank book

You would need to show the 800 seasoned for 2 months to obtain the 12 month extension. 

Also for the Non O outside of Thailand the funds do not have to be in a Thai bank. 

For the extension yes it does. 

 

All this is outlined in the thread I posted and links to other threads.

 

Rather than play hypothetical, best to decide if you want to use agent or DIY for best advice. 

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Rather than play hypothetical, best to decide if you want to use agent or DIY

 

That will be decided after researching the facts of the options. 

 

Obtaining the visa outside of Thailand then entering and using the seasoned funds for the first extension, before removing the funds to invest elsewhere, then paying 14,000 for further annual extensions without showing the funds seems to be the best option. Thank you for the information. 

1 hour ago, Packer said:

That will be decided after researching the facts of the options. 

Research....yes MANY threads advising on options.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1329426-when-can-someone-withdraw-money-out-of-the-800k-deposit-after-a-retirement-extension/

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Research....yes MANY threads advising on options.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1329426-when-can-someone-withdraw-money-out-of-the-800k-deposit-after-a-retirement-extension/

 

Almost a one year old thread. Almost one year old information. Anything COULD have changed since then, Jack. 🙂 

12 minutes ago, Packer said:

 

Almost a one year old thread. Almost one year old information. Anything COULD have changed since then, Jack. 🙂 

Nothing has changed.

 

I asked earlier where would you be located. 

That had a reason. At Jomtien for example they are not doing visa exempt to Non O retirement.

They require 2 months seasoning which is not the correct rule. 

17 minutes ago, Packer said:

Anything COULD have changed since then

 

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Nothing has changed.

 

You're missing the word COULD, Jack. 🙂 

 

Up to date information is always best with reference to visas and extensions. 🙂 

9 minutes ago, Packer said:

Up to date information is always best with reference to visas and extensions

Geez. I'm telling you nothing has changed in regards to the questions you are asking.

 

Changes occur in a general sense eg in recent times there is necessity to do 90 report in person after trip abroad. 

These "changes" are posted in various threads. 

 

Your questions have been answered. 

 

Off topic posts and reply have been removed. 

Separate topic has been started in business finance forum 

On 3/17/2025 at 12:40 PM, Packer said:

 

That is interesting. 

 

So I can put 800,000 into my Thai bank account.

Get a non immigrant visa based on retirement outside of Thailand showing my bank book.

Arrive in Thailand, get a 12 month extension.

Then take out the 800,000 and invest it.

Use an agent for all further extensions at 14,000 per year with no need to keep the funds in a low % interest Thai bank account. 

 

If I am reading it correctly. 

if you arrive on a Non-O, you could go straight to the agent for your 1st extension, with the lower fee (12.5K and up, depending on area).  You only have to pay the higher fee the first year if you arrive on Visa-Exempt or TR-Visa, because that involves changing to a "Non-O" in Thailand, as part of the package.