So I've made a few mistakes with switching visas from an elite visa I didn't renew in time (had to be renewed 90 days prior to expiring) due to awaiting a decision on an LTR visa which was then rejected.  The elite visa expired on 23 September so I am currently on a 60 day entry tourist stamp from when I got back to Thailand on 12 September.  My last resort option is to apply for retirement visa but due to aforementioned mistakes I thought I would just use an agent for this after regretting not using one for the LTR visa.   I know the requirements and I have the required 800,000 in my Thai bank account, but due to not expecting to need to have 800K in my account as I felt sure I would get one of the other visas I only added the extra funds a week ago.   My understanding it would need to be in the bank for 2 months prior to applying.   

 

Anyway, my initial goal was to get a 3 month tourist visa, then swap it for retirement visa.   I went into one of the recommended agents in the area to enquire and maybe I went in at a bad time as the office was kind of empty apart from one Thai woman who seemed to be engrossed in her phone when I went in and I had to get her attention as she didn't seem to hear the bell when I entered the office.   Anyway the long and the short of it is that:

 

1.  She said I needed the 800K in my account for 6 months, not 2 months.

2.  She said I needed a 12 month rental contract (which I have but expires on 6 November as I am moving to new place on 16 October).   She said my current contract is no good as it needs at least 2 months remaining. 

3.  She said this visa would cost me 29,500 Bahts as she needed to do it "under the table".   She refused to tell me how much was agent fee vs cost of visa when I asked.

 

I didn't think my situation would require any under the table shenanigans so I said no thanks, but I am loath to do this without an agent after previous mistakes.   Is the information she gave me correct and am I going to need to get an "under the table visa" here?   

Simply extend your tourist visa, then apply for ret. visa before that extension expires, as the 800k would have been in bank long enough.

 

You don't need an agent.

47 minutes ago, James105 said:

My understanding it would need to be in the bank for 2 months prior to applying.   

I will just pick one incorrect point. 

You currently have a visa exempt entry stamp (60 days) 

Next step is to apply for Non O based on retirement. 

The 800k does not require seasoning. 

However unless it has been in the bank for some time then needs to be shown as transferred from abroad. 

 

Note if you obtain a Non O eVisa in nearby country the proof of transfer is from abroad is not required. 

 

Where are you located. 

 

You went on to state that you intend to use an agent. 

It's a two step process when you do it yourself. 

1. Obtain the Non O from visa exempt or tourist visa entry. 

2. Obtain a 12 month extension. 

 

Agents can do that in one step. 

What was the agent actually doing for the 30k 

I've spoken to 3 Pattaya agents in the last week, and strange things are afoot. 

 

All three said that people who are here on tourist visas won't be able to get bank accounts. 2 of the 3 no longer provide bank account procurement services.  An English native speaker said it's temporary whilst the Thai agents see the visa situation as serious and longer term. 

 

Sorry to be so cryptic.  My extension is up in a few months and I'm trying to get the new lay of the land. 

12 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

My extension is up in a few months and I'm trying to get the new lay of the land. 

Seems you are located Pattaya

Do you bank with BBL 

Do you use money in bank method

25 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Seems you are located Pattaya

Do you bank with BBL 

Do you use money in bank method

 

I've used an agent.  Bangkok Bank, which I've just been informed no longer handles the agent deposits.  I'm going to start a thread about switching to a Non O-A. 

7 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

 

I've used an agent.  Bangkok Bank, which I've just been informed no longer handles the agent deposits.  I'm going to start a thread about switching to a Non O-A. 

 

 

I think you will probably find that there already is one

7 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

I'm going to start a thread about switching to a Non O-A. 

How is going to help. 

Extensions from a Non O-A have same financial requirements as extensions from a Non O along with added health insurance requirement. 

While the agent you previously isn't covering the financials other agents do. 

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

How is going to help. 

Extensions from a Non O-A have same financial requirements as extensions from a Non O along with added health insurance requirement. 

While the agent you previously isn't covering the financials other agents do. 

 

I can use my income letters that the corrupt offices here won't accept. Barring that, I'll transfer the money from my investment account to my savings account to satisfy the requirement, then transfer it back.  I don't trust the institutions here in Thailand. I'm only here for half of the year. 

 

The funny part is that the cost of the (high deductible) health insurance is almost identical to the cost of using an agent. 

8 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

I can use my income letters that the corrupt offices here won't accept.

Have no idea what you are referring to. 

9 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

I'll transfer the money from my investment account to my savings account to satisfy the requirement, then transfer it back. 

Makes zero sense as you require money to live on. The income method requires 12 monthly transfers of min 65k 

 

11 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

 I don't trust the institutions here in Thailand. I'm only here for half of the year. 

In that case either use an agent or look for other options eg DTV. 

 

In any event your plans are off topic to the OP. 

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I will just pick one incorrect point. 

You currently have a visa exempt entry stamp (60 days) 

Next step is to apply for Non O based on retirement. 

The 800k does not require seasoning. 

However unless it has been in the bank for some time then needs to be shown as transferred from abroad. 

 

Note if you obtain a Non O eVisa in nearby country the proof of transfer is from abroad is not required. 

 

Where are you located. 

 

You went on to state that you intend to use an agent. 

It's a two step process when you do it yourself. 

1. Obtain the Non O from visa exempt or tourist visa entry. 

2. Obtain a 12 month extension. 

 

Agents can do that in one step. 

What was the agent actually doing for the 30k 

 

Ah, I was under the impression that the 800K needed to be in my Thai bank account for at least 2 months.  I transferred it from my own UK bank account 1 week ago and can prove the funds and the transfer from there - is that what you are suggesting is all I need to do to meet this requirement?   

 

I'm in Pattaya and received the 60 day entry stamp when I got back from a holiday in the UK earlier this month, so is that is step 1 complete?   So I can just pop to immigration and obtain a 12 month retirement extension and I don't need to have a 12 month rental contract that has at least 2 months to run or anything?   

 

Honestly no idea what the agent was doing for 30K.  She mentioned it had to be done "under the table" with immigration so presume that includes some kind of bribe to immigration and part of it was to sell me a fake rental contract for 3K(!)   She completely ignored my request to do everything legitimately and refused to tell me how much the visa would cost minus the agent fee so I left at that point never to return.   

31 minutes ago, James105 said:

I'm in Pattaya and received the 60 day entry stamp when I got back from a holiday in the UK earlier this month, so is that is step 1 complete?   So I can just pop to immigration and obtain a 12 month retirement extension and I don't need to have a 12 month rental contract that has at least 2 months to run or anything?   

You might be able to pop in and get a Non-O 90-day visa, and then after 60 days or so, go back to get your 12 month extension of stay.

I don't believe you can go straight from 60-day visa exempt to a 12 month extension.

Someone may know better than me.

35 minutes ago, James105 said:

Ah, I was under the impression that the 800K needed to be in my Thai bank account for at least 2 months.  I transferred it from my own UK bank account 1 week ago and can prove the funds and the transfer from there - is that what you are suggesting is all I need to do to meet this requirement?   

The actual rule is 800k in Thai bank account on day of application for Non O. 

However Jomtien are rogue on this and require two month seasoning.. 

35 minutes ago, James105 said:

So I can just pop to immigration and obtain a 12 month retirement extension and I don't need to have a 12 month rental contract that has at least 2 months to run or anything?   

 

You are not understanding the process. It's two steps. 

From your visa exempt entry you apply for a Non O. 

That requires 800k in Thai bank on day of application. No seasoning required..... EXCEPT for Jomtien. 

That Non O provides a 90 day stamp. 

After 60 days with the funds seasoned for 2 months you can apply for 12 month extension. 

After that every year ongoing you will renew your 12 month permission of stay. 

That has financial requirements. 

800k maintained for 3 months after extension approved and not less than 400k for following months and back up to 800k two months prior to next application. 

 

The issue is Jomtien. 

You could obtain a 30 day extension to buy time. 

Note you need to apply for the Non O with minimum 15 days remaining on permission of stay. 

Ask immigration about the two month nonsense. 

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The actual rule is 800k in Thai bank account on day of application for Non O. 

However Jomtien are rogue on this and require two month seasoning.. 

 

You are not understanding the process. It's two steps. 

From your visa exempt entry you apply for a Non O. 

That requires 800k in Thai bank on day of application. No seasoning required..... EXCEPT for Jomtien. 

That Non O provides a 90 day stamp. 

After 60 days with the funds seasoned for 2 months you can apply for 12 month extension. 

After that every year ongoing you will renew your 12 month permission of stay. 

That has financial requirements. 

800k maintained for 3 months after extension approved and not less than 400k for following months and back up to 800k two months prior to next application. 

 

The issue is Jomtien. 

You could obtain a 30 day extension to buy time. 

Note you need to apply for the Non O with minimum 15 days remaining on permission of stay. 

Ask immigration about the two month nonsense. 

 

Ok got it thank you.   So this means it will be tight as my bank is at 800K+ as at 25 September so 2 months from that is 25 November and extending 30 days will mean my permission of stay expires 9 December, just about exactly 15 days remaining.  Bit too close for comfort.   If Jomtien is the only one that requires 2 months seasoning then can I just pop to Bangkok immigration and do the first part there for the 90 day stamp or am I obliged to use the local immigration?

1 hour ago, James105 said:

 If Jomtien is the only one that requires 2 months seasoning then can I just pop to Bangkok immigration and do the first part there for the 90 day stamp or am I obliged to use the local immigration?

For the Non O you can pretty much apply anywhere where you have filed a TM30. 

The lease requirement is problematic.

One immigration office might require one and another not. 

 

There is also a catch. ... for the first extension you need to obtain extension from same office where you obtained the Non O. 

After the first extension you can change in future. 

 

Since you are located in Pattaya you could check the two month requirement for the Non O. 

They may have stopped their nonsense. 

Alternatively you could drop into Maneerat Soi 13/2 and have a chat about your situation. 

You could use them for first year Non O + extension and provide your own money in your account and then eventually DIY. 

 

In hindsight you may have been better off obtaining Non O eVisa out side of Thailand. 

 

11 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

For the Non O you can pretty much apply anywhere where you have filed a TM30. 

The lease requirement is problematic.

One immigration office might require one and another not. 

 

There is also a catch. ... for the first extension you need to obtain extension from same office where you obtained the Non O. 

After the first extension you can change in future. 

 

Since you are located in Pattaya you could check the two month requirement for the Non O. 

They may have stopped their nonsense. 

Alternatively you could drop into Maneerat Soi 13/2 and have a chat about your situation. 

You could use them for first year Non O + extension and provide your own money in your account and then eventually DIY. 

 

In hindsight you may have been better off obtaining Non O eVisa out side of Thailand. 

 

 

Ok, guess that idea is scuppered as well as TM30 will be filed at Jomtien!  Thanks for your help, I'll give it a few more weeks when I will have a new lease agreement and go see immigration at Jomtien and see if they will let me do it, otherwise I'll go see Maneerat.  

@James105

As Dr Jack advised.
Step 1 apply for Non Imm O visa.
Step 2 apply for 1 year extension.

 

Procedure for Non O at Immigration.

https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/issuing-and-changing-type-of-visa/

Number 9 on the list > download PDF.

Pattaya has been rouge in the past with the financial requirement requiring the 800K to be season for 2 months for the Non O application and of course you must have at least 15 days of permission remaining.

You can only apply at the local Immigration to where your residence is registered.

 

Contact Maneerat as DrJack suggests, although any stamps could be from a different Immigration office, so you'd have to file a new TM30 with Pattaya to use that IO in the future.

 

Alternatively, apply for the Non O at a nearby Thai Embassy, such as Vientiane.
You can then apply for the 1 year extension yourself at Pattaya.

 

6 minutes ago, James105 said:

I'll give it a few more weeks when I will have a new lease agreement and go see immigration at Jomtien and see if they will let me do it, otherwise I'll go see Maneerat. 

Personally, as you have the 800K banked, I'd just see if Maneerat can just obtain the Non O on your behalf.
If it's issued by a different IO, file a new TM30 at Pattaya then do the 1 year extension yourself.

 

If an agent obtains the Non O + extension, it's pretty obvious to any IO you used an agent, and if they weren't in on the 'cut' they can make life difficult, unless you continue to use that agent in the future.

16 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Personally, as you have the 800K banked, I'd just see if Maneerat can just obtain the Non O on your behalf.
If it's issued by a different IO, file a new TM30 at Pattaya then do the 1 year extension yourself.

 

If an agent obtains the Non O + extension, it's pretty obvious to any IO you used an agent, and if they weren't in on the 'cut' they can make life difficult, unless you continue to use that agent in the future.

 

Thanks.   I am now also considering if I should just do what everyone else seems to do and use agent for initial visa + extensions on a permanent basis as keeping 800,000 locked in a bank account not doing anything makes the DIY option less cost effective than just investing that money.  Keeping that 800,000 (equivalent) as cash in a Trading212 account which yields 4% interest equates to 34,000 Bahts per year, which means the agent is actually the more cost effective option and they do the work.   Seems a bit of a no brainer to me unless I'm missing something here.  

4 minutes ago, James105 said:

Keeping that 800,000 (equivalent) as cash in a Trading212 account which yields 4% interest equates to 34,000 Bahts per year, which means the agent is actually the more cost effective option and they do the work.

Certainly how some view it. 

Also your 4% is very conservative. 

If you transfer funds to live off every month then in future you could consider "income method" 

In that way no funds a necessary to be held in bank account. 

Why would anyone pay and agent 29.500k to do it under the table when they have 800k in the bank? there would be no need. Sounds like the agent is ignorant or a scammer

On 10/2/2025 at 12:18 PM, James105 said:

   Anyway the long and the short of it is that:

 

1.  She said I needed the 800K in my account for 6 months, not 2 months.

2.  She said I needed a 12 month rental contract (which I have but expires on 6 November as I am moving to new place on 16 October).   She said my current contract is no good as it needs at least 2 months remaining. 

3.  She said this visa would cost me 29,500 Bahts as she needed to do it "under the table".   She refused to tell me how much was agent fee vs cost of visa when I asked.

 

So the agency does not handle the 800k side, nor the issue with the 12-months rental contract. What is the agency for then? I thought point 1 and 2 were precisely what any visa agency was for. Unless the agency took care of 1 and 2 provided you paid as per 3.

4 minutes ago, proton said:

Why would anyone pay and agent 29.500k to do it under the table when they have 800k in the bank? there would be no need. Sounds like the agent is ignorant or a scammer

When I was still on extensions, one year I wanted to go it alone for a change instead of using an agency like I had hitherto. I was sent packing by Immigration on the grounds I lacked a long-term rental contract. I had the 800k in the bank.

4 minutes ago, JackGats said:

When I was still on extensions, one year I wanted to go it alone for a change instead of using an agency like I had hitherto. I was sent packing by Immigration on the grounds I lacked a long-term rental contract. I had the 800k in the bank.

 

Had extensions for 19 years never been asked for a rental contract at all

I would go to your immigration office and verify they allow in country Non-O applications.  I was told no a few months back but if I paid 30k it was possible.  Similar to the price you were quoted but my quote came from IO (she sent an assistant over to relay the info).  I went to another office the same day and the process was easy enough.  I was warned at the end of the process (15 days after applying ) by the IO that I wouldn't be able to do this next year.  He told me in country apps are now only possible in certain situations.  Medical emergency is one of the reasons he gave me.

 

Odd, I've done this a couple times in the past and it was easy.

21 minutes ago, proton said:

 

Had extensions for 19 years never been asked for a rental contract at all

House book?

14 minutes ago, atpeace said:

House book?

 

Not got one never asked, no proof of address ever given to them

2 minutes ago, proton said:

 

Not got one never asked, no proof of address ever given to them

Strange but I never submitted an app without so don't know if my IO would accept.  A  poster on this thread basically called me a liar when I told them I never supplied a 12 month bank statement.  Just a bank book with usually 3 months of history.  Off topic but interesting how different IOs interpret what is required.

54 minutes ago, proton said:

Why would anyone pay and agent 29.500k to do it under the table when they have 800k in the bank? there would be no need. Sounds like the agent is ignorant or a scammer

 

Actually I'm warming to the idea of using an agent which I mention above based on the requirement to keep an (effectively) inaccessible 800,000 in the bank account:

 

From the sounds of things (although I've not been down to confirm this) it will cost ~26,000 for the initial OA and retirement extension with (for example) maneerat agent, then 12,500 each year afterwards.   Even if I keep the 800,000 Baht in a 4% savings account it comes out as this:

 

 

I've now got myself in a position why I'm wondering why anyone wouldn't use an agent who will do all the work, which means avoiding dealing with immigration and the numbers mean I save money on it too.  

2 minutes ago, James105 said:

I've now got myself in a position why I'm wondering why anyone wouldn't use an agent who will do all the work, which means avoiding dealing with immigration and the numbers mean I save money on it too.  

Some of us worry that we may face legal consequences in the future and other are ethically opposed.  I intend to be here for decades and the tiny risk isn't worth it in my case.