I asked a question about when I can renew my retirement visa, which is due 2.7.25.

I didn't get a chance to get back on the forum till tonight, and I saw the thread was shut down, some crappy comments from some here, and a snotty mod.

 

So thanks to those who replied with some good info. 

I did use an agent to get the visa, so I will go to an agent to renew, probably in June.

In June, but posted in December?

1 hour ago, Bangkok Black said:

So thanks to those who replied with some good info. 

Yeh, I'm not sure what happened to that thread, I mentioned an agent, then I got hostile replies from a couple of grumpy guys. One guy said I gave terrible advice. 

 

Really Weird 

 

 

1 hour ago, Bangkok Black said:

I asked a question about when I can renew my retirement visa, which is due 2.7.25.

I didn't get a chance to get back on the forum till tonight, and I saw the thread was shut down, some crappy comments from some here, and a snotty mod.

 

So thanks to those who replied with some good info. 

I did use an agent to get the visa, so I will go to an agent to renew, probably in June.

Welcome back after 5 months

I think the reason the thread went sideways, was because you used an agent, that probably banked the money for you for your extension last year, 

Which means you are unable to get your own extension this year even if you banked your own money 2 months before your next extension would be due. 

That is because you have to provide a year detail transaction report which shows the balance of the account from when you got the extension last year right up until when you're applying for the extension this coming year. 

And if indeed the agent did Bank the money for you it would show the money was in and out in a matter of minutes and you failed to follow the seasoning requirements which is keep the 800k in the account for 3 months after the extension was granted and then never let the balance go below 400k the rest of the year until you bring it back up to 800k 2 months before your next extension application. 

Just a tip, I'd probably have a little thicker skin if you're going to ask questions on here..

 

Seems like you have it sorted out and you will use an agent again to get your upcoming extension, best of luck with it. 

 

4 hours ago, Bangkok Black said:

I did use an agent to get the visa, so I will go to an agent to renew, probably in June.

Suggest next time you start a thread at the very least provide details. 

 

For extensions without having used an agent you can renew 30 days prior at most offices and 45 days at few larger offices. 

Simple answer to simple question. 

 

If using an agent (which you needed to state) then the extension can be obtained up to 3 months early however that's more normal for first extension. 

Having used an agent previously (financials) you would need to continue with agent. 

On 12/3/2025 at 7:20 AM, DrJack54 said:

If using an agent (which you needed to state) then the extension can be obtained up to 3 months early however that's more normal for first extension. 

Having used an agent previously (financials) you would need to continue with agent. 

 

My understanding is that, even if you have used an agent previously, it is possible to deposit the 800k, season it properly, and move away from agent money.

 

Are you sure that "having used an agent previously (financials), you would need to continue with an agent"?  If so, could you please share a source of that info if you have it? Thanks.

 

 

20 minutes ago, Wuvu2 said:

My understanding is that, even if you have used an agent previously, it is possible to deposit the 800k, season it properly, and move away from agent money.

You'd have to deposit that 800K just prior to applying for the extension, in order to move away from an agent the following year.

Only the very first extension is based on 2 months funds, thereafter it's 12 months evidence.

25 minutes ago, Wuvu2 said:

My understanding is that, even if you have used an agent previously, it is possible to deposit the 800k, season it properly, and move away from agent money.

"Season it properly " ? 

Financials are checked retrospectively. 

So from date of application for extension immigration will look back at banking records till previous extension and in fact 2 months prior to previous extension. 

If stamps were issued months prior to expiry they would also be aware of use of agent. 

In addition some stamps are issues out of province (up country). 

 

Extension DIY would be problematic after having used an agent. 

Possible Bullet proof way is to start over. 

Exit Thailand and obtain new Non O eVisa or border bounce enter visa, exempt and obtain Non O at local immigration

 

Note: for Non O obtained in Thailand the 800k would need to be shown as international transfer

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

27 minutes ago, Wuvu2 said:

My understanding is that, even if you have used an agent previously, it is possible to deposit the 800k, season it properly, and move away from agent money.

"Season it properly " ? 

Financials are checked retrospectively. 

So from date of application for extension immigration will look back at banking records till previous extension and in fact 2 months prior to previous extension. 

If stamps were issued months prior to expiry they would also be aware of use of agent. 

In addition some stamps are issues out of province (up country). 

 

Extension DIY would be problematic after having used an agent. 

Possible Bullet proof way is to start over. 

Exit Thailand and obtain new Non O eVisa or border bounce enter visa, exempt and obtain Non O at local immigration

 

My agent's advice was to check 4 months before my renewal, so that I could deposit and season for 3 months if they were no longer able to use "their money" for a renewal. Perhaps I'd still need to pay them a fee to get it done. 

 

That said, there's so much money being made by agents and their counterparts at immigration, I doubt the agent-financed renewals will stop any time soon.

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

 

My understanding is that, even if you have used an agent previously, it is possible to deposit the 800k, season it properly, and move away from agent money.

 

Are you sure that "having used an agent previously (financials), you would need to continue with an agent"?  If so, could you please share a source of that info if you have it? Thanks.

 

 

 

The financial proof is not the only thing that can prevent you from getting off the agent merry-go-round.

If you received your previous extension at an impossible time, then you will be denied and told to go to an agent.  You can get your own extension 30 days early at most offices, and 45 days at a few.  Agents can get an extension up to 3 months early.  If the immigration office sees your stamp is outside of the normal period, you'll be turned away.
Or if the previous extension was your first after an agent converted your tourist entry to a non-O and then an extension, and did it all at the same time and all of the stamps have the same date, you'll be turned away as well because that is also impossible.

 

If your extension is from Nakon Nowhere, hundreds of km away, from an office that is known for agent extensions, you'll also be turned away and told to use an agent again.

49 minutes ago, Wuvu2 said:

My agent's advice was to check 4 months before my renewal, so that I could deposit and season for 3 months if they were no longer able to use "their money" for a renewal.

Your agents' advice is misleading and incorrect.

Only the very first extension requires 800K funds seasoning for 2 months.

The condition of issuing that first extension is that you will keep the 800K in the account for 3 months afterwards, then no less than 400K for the next 7 months, before topping up to 800K again 2 months prior to submitting the next extension application.
Second and subsequent extensions require a 12-month bank statement.

 

On 12/3/2025 at 3:25 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Yeh, I'm not sure what happened to that thread, I mentioned an agent, then I got hostile replies from a couple of grumpy guys. One guy said I gave terrible advice. 

 

Really Weird 

 

 

Yes same as me when I opened a thread about making a will without a lawyer at your local amphur, it just disappeared, I had to open it again, and I received no answer when I contacted AN same as when I asked why I can't open 'Messages' no answer from Support. On a side note I just found out today Yes you can make a will there without a lawyer both witnesses must speak Thai and English and it can take 2 hrs. go afternoon not morning we were told also to phone first...maybe a conspiracy between lawyers and agents that are not AN .... bye bye....

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

My agent's advice was to check 4 months before my renewal, so that I could deposit and season for 3 months if they were no longer able to use "their money" for a renewal. Perhaps I'd still need to pay them a fee to get it done.

Yes, the agent would still be involved and you would be paying agent

6 minutes ago, brian69 said:

Yes you can make a will there without a lawyer both witnesses must speak Thai and English and it can take 2 hrs. go afternoon not morning we were told also to phone first...maybe a conspiracy between lawyers and agents that are not AN .... bye bye....

As with all things, how to do, is Amphur specific.  Filed a couple wills, and English was not required, nor did it take more than 15 mins, once in front of Amphur rep.   Both at Udon Thani and Prachuap KK.

 

Was asked, if I understood completely what I'm signing 🙄