Jomtien immigration: retirement extension without 800k (went today) with agent.

[ExpatDraco]

Hi all,

 

Jomtien immigration, retirement extension, 1y (inc multi entry) *without* 800k in the bank (3 month application before the yearly renewal date with popular visa agent in Soi Post Office, Pattaya).

Price: 16500 + 3000 = 19500THB.

 

The extra 3000 fee is needed for the Bangkok Bank paperwork. This changed from last year because nowadays the Pattaya branch can not provide it anymore and the paperwork has to go to Bangkok Bank in BKK and they ask for the extra fee.

 

Warning: turn around time now 3 weeks to get your passport back although you can get it back in +- 1.5-2 weeks if you fancy a day trip to BKK!

 

Also you have to do a short trip to Jomtien immigration to get your picture taken.

 

Things needed:

 

Valid passport, watch expiry date.
Updated bankbook: deposit and withdraw some money on application day and update your book afterwards.
Bangkok Bank account/app needs to be updated by Bangkok Bank and daily transfer limit upgraded to 1m THB. You need a document from your mobile provider for this. (For True go to the Pattaya Tai branch near Tukcom instead of the busy Central Festival branch.)
Photo's (I think 2)

 

Not sure about these documents but I had them with me:

 

TM30
Copy of Rental contract
Copy of house book
Copy of ID card houselord

 

Hope this info was useful.
 

[NickyLouie]

Getting expensive .....

 

 

[scubascuba3]

28 minutes ago, ExpatDraco said:

Hi all,

 

Jomtien immigration, retirement extension, 1y (inc multi entry) *without* 800k in the bank (3 month application before the yearly renewal date with popular visa agent in Soi Post Office, Pattaya).

Price: 16500 + 3000 = 19500THB.

 

The extra 3000 fee is needed for the Bangkok Bank paperwork. This changed from last year because nowadays the Pattaya branch can not provide it anymore and the paperwork has to go to Bangkok Bank in BKK and they ask for the extra fee.

 

Warning: turn around time now 3 weeks to get your passport back although you can get it back in +- 1.5-2 weeks if you fancy a day trip to BKK!

 

Also you have to do a short trip to Jomtien immigration to get your picture taken.

 

Things needed:

 

Valid passport, watch expiry date.
Updated bankbook: deposit and withdraw some money on application day and update your book afterwards.
Bangkok Bank account/app needs to be updated by Bangkok Bank and daily transfer limit upgraded to 1m THB. You need a document from your mobile provider for this. (For True go to the Pattaya Tai branch near Tukcom instead of the busy Central Festival branch.)
Photo's (I think 2)

 

Not sure about these documents but I had them with me:

 

TM30
Copy of Rental contract
Copy of house book
Copy of ID card houselord

 

Hope this info was useful.
 

Can the agent still open bank accounts for non imm O no financial? I haven't heard any reports yet whether still possible. 

 

I keep reading visa exempts, tourist visas, DTVs can't open accounts 

[KhunBENQ]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Can the agent still open bank accounts for non imm O no financial? I haven't heard any reports yet whether still possible. 

 

I keep reading visa exempts, tourist visas, DTVs can't open accounts 

That's what I understand from the OP?

Just that THIS Bangkok Bank in Pattaya is out of the business.

Instead they found a solution via Bangkok.

 

Sure, I am in the situation that I don't need such "workarounds" but on the other hand I can understand reasons why people choose to.

 

[DrJack54]

Couple of off topic posts regarding legality of agents removed.

 

[scubascuba3]

58 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

That's what I understand from the OP?

Just that THIS Bangkok Bank in Pattaya is out of the business.

Instead they found a solution via Bangkok.

 

Sure, I am in the situation that I don't need such "workarounds" but on the other hand I can understand reasons why people choose to.

 

He may have already had a bank account, so wasn't clear either way. Usually they charge 6k+ if a new bank account is needed and that wasn't in his figures

[ExpatDraco]

38 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

He may have already had a bank account, so wasn't clear either way. Usually they charge 6k+ if a new bank account is needed and that wasn't in his figures

 

Correct, I already had/have an account with Bangkok Bank.

 

Not sure what the options are for opening an account nowadays.

[CanadaSam]

On 6/13/2025 at 11:54 AM, NickyLouie said:

Getting expensive .....

 

?  One year extension including multiple entry @ 16.5 k?  I would say cheap!

[DrJack54]

Post criticizing moderation removed. 

Also off topic post regarding legality of agents removed. 

[DrJack54]

Off topic post removed

[Mark Hopkins]

On 6/13/2025 at 11:42 AM, ExpatDraco said:

Hi all,

 

Jomtien immigration, retirement extension, 1y (inc multi entry) *without* 800k in the bank (3 month application before the yearly renewal date with popular visa agent in Soi Post Office, Pattaya).

Price: 16500 + 3000 = 19500THB.

 

The extra 3000 fee is needed for the Bangkok Bank paperwork. This changed from last year because nowadays the Pattaya branch can not provide it anymore and the paperwork has to go to Bangkok Bank in BKK and they ask for the extra fee.

 

Warning: turn around time now 3 weeks to get your passport back although you can get it back in +- 1.5-2 weeks if you fancy a day trip to BKK!

 

Also you have to do a short trip to Jomtien immigration to get your picture taken.

 

Things needed:

 

Valid passport, watch expiry date.
Updated bankbook: deposit and withdraw some money on application day and update your book afterwards.
Bangkok Bank account/app needs to be updated by Bangkok Bank and daily transfer limit upgraded to 1m THB. You need a document from your mobile provider for this. (For True go to the Pattaya Tai branch near Tukcom instead of the busy Central Festival branch.)
Photo's (I think 2)

 

Not sure about these documents but I had them with me:

 

TM30
Copy of Rental contract
Copy of house book
Copy of ID card houselord

 

Hope this info was useful.
 

 

[Mark Hopkins]

Is this same process (and costs) repeated every year?

Also the bank requirement is due to be raised, will this affect the cost do you think?

[OJAS]

24 minutes ago, Mark Hopkins said:

Also the bank requirement is due to be raised

 

Unfounded barstool gossip, I think.

 

[digger70]

On 6/13/2025 at 2:35 PM, DrJack54 said:

Couple of off topic posts regarding legality of agents removed.

 

I like to Know if this procedure is Legal  By Law or Legal By IMM or Not Or only Legal for Certain People /Imm Officers  .

If one wants to use an Agent  for one reason or an other and IMM decides to Refuse the Application because they had a Bad day one could be  in some trouble if one hasn't got the 800K Right. 

So you being one of the  MODS  you should look into this and make this Clear for Everyone to know .

Thank you .

[TimBKK]

On 6/13/2025 at 11:42 AM, ExpatDraco said:

Hi all,

 

Jomtien immigration, retirement extension, 1y (inc multi entry) *without* 800k in the bank (3 month application before the yearly renewal date with popular visa agent in Soi Post Office, Pattaya).

Price: 16500 + 3000 = 19500THB.

 

The extra 3000 fee is needed for the Bangkok Bank paperwork. This changed from last year because nowadays the Pattaya branch can not provide it anymore and the paperwork has to go to Bangkok Bank in BKK and they ask for the extra fee.

 

Warning: turn around time now 3 weeks to get your passport back although you can get it back in +- 1.5-2 weeks if you fancy a day trip to BKK!

 

Also you have to do a short trip to Jomtien immigration to get your picture taken.

 

Things needed:

 

Valid passport, watch expiry date.
Updated bankbook: deposit and withdraw some money on application day and update your book afterwards.
Bangkok Bank account/app needs to be updated by Bangkok Bank and daily transfer limit upgraded to 1m THB. You need a document from your mobile provider for this. (For True go to the Pattaya Tai branch near Tukcom instead of the busy Central Festival branch.)
Photo's (I think 2)

 

Not sure about these documents but I had them with me:

 

TM30
Copy of Rental contract
Copy of house book
Copy of ID card houselord

 

Hope this info was useful.
 

Does the price include a reentry permit or cheap/throwaway health insurance?
 

[zepplin]

2 minutes ago, digger70 said:

I like to Know if this procedure is Legal  By Law or Legal By IMM or Not Or only Legal for Certain People /Imm Officers  .

If one wants to use an Agent  for one reason or an other and IMM decides to Refuse the Application because they had a Bad day one could be  in some trouble if one hasn't got the 800K Right. 

So you being one of the  MODS  you should look into this and make this Clear for Everyone to know .

Thank you .

The agent and bank collude, and the 800 k is deposited, and taken out 5 min later, done it this way for 6 years now , no problem, before didn’t have to leave home, now they want a 1 sec photo at immigration, but it’s still an easy efficient process, im building 2 villas and 800 k buys a lot of concrete and bricks….

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, TimBKK said:

Does the price include a reentry permit or cheap/throwaway health insurance?
 

The reentry permit from agent for 4k is a multi entry. 

Same price you pay at airport if you use 200b optional service fee. 

[ThreeCardMonte]

Retiring in Thailand and in possession of amounts greater than 800,000 Baht is good advice.

[TimBKK]

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The reentry permit from agent for 4k is a multi entry. 

Same price you pay at airport if you use 200b optional service fee. 

Got that - is it included in Maneerat’s fee, or not?  That’s why I asked the OP directly.

[ExpatDraco]

10 minutes ago, TimBKK said:

Does the price include a reentry permit or cheap/throwaway health insurance?
 

 

Yes, multi-entry included. Without it it is 4k cheaper as DrJack54 says. No need for (extra) health insurance, that's only with Non O-A I think (the one you do abroad, not in country)? DrJack54 will know.

[TorquayFan]

IMO it is extremely unwise to be posting about this on what is a public forum.

[Quentin Zen]

11 minutes ago, TorquayFan said:

IMO it is extremely unwise to be posting about this on what is a public forum.

How about a private forum?  lol

 

Look, I had an agent tell me IN FRONT OF an immigration agent they could do this, but I'm not on a retirement visa.   

 

Don't list your name, the province, and don't worry.  OK, you listed the place.  still no worries.   19.5 seems about right.

 

This won't change anything...

 

I've done the maths for myself.   I'll need around 15 million baht to retire from next year to death.    Of course this is minimum.  19.5k isn't some cheat code.  

[Kerryd]

About 2 months ago I had to go to the bank (Bangkok Bank) because I'd forgotten my card in an ATM and needed to cancel it in a hurry.

 

Get to the bank, get my number, only 1 number ahead of me !

 

Then I sat for 40 minutes as an "agent" opened accounts for 9 or 10 foreigners in a row.

 

Luckily she had most of the paperwork ready to go so it only took a few minutes for each one.

 

Had me scratching my head though because I thought they were cracking down on foreigners opening accounts.

 

And a Multi Re-entry permit costs 3,800 at Immigration.

 

My understanding was you could only get a single re-entry permit at the airport or a border crossing and that costs 1,000 each time.

 

And it's quite common for people to brag on this and other forums about how they scam Immigration.

 

And then one day Immigration changes the rules to get rid of that very loophole and everyone whines.

 

Because they assume Immigration is too stupid to ever have any English speaking staff check those very same forums for that very reason.

 

And that is how we went from needing 800k in the bank on the day you applied to having to have it in the bank for 3 months, then needing it in there for 2 months before and 3 months after.

And now having to keep 400k in the bank all year and 800k for 5 months.

 

Because people kept bragging about how they were scamming Immigration to get around the rules.

 

So Immigration keeps changing those rules to try and stop those scammers.

 

 

 

[proton]

The agents are not doing anything illegal, the immigration offices are. Everybody complains about the endemic corruption here- until it benefits them. If the law states you need 800k in the bank for 3 months and after. that is what you should have. Those without should not be getting extensions by paying bribes.

[Lacessit]

6 minutes ago, Kerryd said:

About 2 months ago I had to go to the bank (Bangkok Bank) because I'd forgotten my card in an ATM and needed to cancel it in a hurry.

 

Get to the bank, get my number, only 1 number ahead of me !

 

Then I sat for 40 minutes as an "agent" opened accounts for 9 or 10 foreigners in a row.

 

Luckily she had most of the paperwork ready to go so it only took a few minutes for each one.

 

Had me scratching my head though because I thought they were cracking down on foreigners opening accounts.

 

And a Multi Re-entry permit costs 3,800 at Immigration.

 

My understanding was you could only get a single re-entry permit at the airport or a border crossing and that costs 1,000 each time.

 

And it's quite common for people to brag on this and other forums about how they scam Immigration.

 

And then one day Immigration changes the rules to get rid of that very loophole and everyone whines.

 

Because they assume Immigration is too stupid to ever have any English speaking staff check those very same forums for that very reason.

 

And that is how we went from needing 800k in the bank on the day you applied to having to have it in the bank for 3 months, then needing it in there for 2 months before and 3 months after.

And now having to keep 400k in the bank all year and 800k for 5 months.

 

Because people kept bragging about how they were scamming Immigration to get around the rules.

 

So Immigration keeps changing those rules to try and stop those scammers.

 

 

 

Strictly speaking, it is the IO's who are breaking the rules by accepting bribes.

 

I play it straight, have the 800K, don't use an agent.

 

However, it seems Immigration is not interested in stamping out the practice, because it enables IO's to supplement their income.

[zz4096]

4 minutes ago, proton said:

Everybody complains about the endemic corruption here

 

I don't. Endemic corruption is why I moved here. Long may it reign.

[Caldera]

15 minutes ago, Kerryd said:

And then one day Immigration changes the rules to get rid of that very loophole and everyone whines.

 

It should be noted that among those who whine the loudest are the IOs who benefitted from allowing people to exploit the loopholes. They'll find new loopholes soon enough and the cycle just starts over again...

 

You're being very disingenuous if you picture this as an effort by outsiders to scam immigration. I don't recall ANY immigration scam in Thailand that didn't have IO involvement in one form or another. Education visas without attending classes, volunteer visas without volunteering anything other than money, retirement visas without meeting the financial requirements, out and in border runs, you name it.

[proton]

6 minutes ago, zz4096 said:

 

I don't. Endemic corruption is why I moved here. Long may it reign.

 

You are part of the problem then

[zz4096]

Just now, proton said:

 

You are part of the problem then

 

🤣🤣🤣

[hotandsticky]

I can't believe that 4 sanctimonious morons added a 'thumbs down' to this informative post.