Answered6 years ago
Is it easier to hire a visa agent or do the paperwork myself when changing from a work permit to a retirement visa in Thailand?
Easier to get a visa agent or do paperwork myself? I’m on work permit now but want to change to retirement visa.
Thanks
Thanks
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around whether to use a visa agent or handle the paperwork independently when transitioning from a work permit to a retirement visa in Thailand. Opinions vary: some suggest it depends on individual savvy and financial considerations, while others recommend preparing documentation neatly and seeking local assistance during the immigration process. Key points include the financial requirements for retirement visas, such as maintaining 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account or depositing 65,000 THB monthly, and the ease of obtaining documentation, with differing experiences shared about the process.
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Wong ********
I am in the exact same position as you. And i was exploring the option of doing it myself. Called the Immigration hotline, was told I cannot change from Non-b to retirement extension of stay. The officer told me to go and get a letter from my embassy saying that I cannot return to my home country and get a covid extension instead.
Rather than running the risk of not getting my reason for extension changed and extended, I opt for the agent route.
Rather than running the risk of not getting my reason for extension changed and extended, I opt for the agent route.
Bobby ********
Wong Chunli. Rather than risk doing it legally, do it illegally! 🤣
Philip **********
I did it myself. Took about 40 minutes. I just had to get an affidavit from my embassy to prove I make more than 65k a year.
Bobby ********
Philip Houghton. Which nationality are you?
Philip **********
@Bobby *******
Canadian Philip **********
@Bobby *******
Ya I heard. Bobby ********
Philip Houghton. Yes Canadian Embassy still give the affidavit! Lucky bastard! Sadly, UK, US and Australia don't! Arseholes! 🤣🤣🤣
Phil **********
If you transfer the 65K how do you stay for the first year to show a years income, and do they need proof it's come from a pension etc and not just being withdrawn from savings? You could send the surplus back to the UK and reinvest each year?
Phil **********
Thanks...looks a more efficient way of using ones funds especially if travel eases and can get through the first year to show 12 months inc...thanks again.
Bobby ********
Phil Spearing. With quarantine the first year is difficult, as it's a close shave to get 12 monthly transfers. I haven't done the calculation, but it might still be possible. If you're UK, US or Australian you do the bank transfer. Don't have to show where the money comes from, and yes you're right, you can return the money and in theory re-use it.
Glenn ******
OPThanks for the info!
Andrew ********
Retirement visa is very easy to get if you have the money in the bank.
Simon **********
Aside from the cost saving of doing it yourself, there is also the consideration of tying up your cash in a bank account for five months etc, unless you can show the 65k a month method. Agent route can make those issues disappear
Bobby ********
Simon Robinson. Some people like to stay legal! You need money to live on, so transferring 65k a month makes sense. Any surplus you put in a higher interest account or return it to your own country. Sure beats the shit out of paying an agent to pay a bribe, with the possibility of getting caught out! 🤣
Simon **********
@Bo***
quite correct. Equally as correct is that this is Thailand and there are many ways to skin a cat, I am just pointing out one of the considerations. Once you have the visa transferring in the 65k monthly is certainly a sensible option. Keep large sums of money in a bank account long term is not how I like to manage my money.Bobby ********
Simon Robinson. The idea of having 800k earning at best 0.5% tied up in a Thai bank account for the rest of my life (should I decide to remain in Thailand) is enough to give me the worst nightmares. I use on average around 45-50k per month, so moving 65k a month over is no big deal. Surplus funds I let build up in another (almost useless 1.5%) fixed account, and monitoring exchange rates, if there's a good rate back to Australia, I'll send it back. In the last 12 months transfer fees have cost me around $170, which is a lot cheaper than paying an agent just so I can skip transferring that extra 15,000 baht a month. That's how I juggle it. I prefer to pay the "agent" money to an insurance company so I'm covered for any mishaps!
David *********
Phil Rose The man does not want an extension of stay. He wants a retirement visa
Steve *******
@David ********
He DOES want an extention of stay. He doesnt need a visa, he can change the reason for his extention of stay from work to retirement.
Phill ******
you can get a one year extension based on retirment ,and dont need to have any money in the bank .
Paul *******
@Phill *****
Correct if using an agent.Steve *******
@Phill *****
You need 800,000bt in a Thai bank or an income of not less than 65,000bt per month to get an extention of stay based on being over 50(retirement)David *********
Easy to do yourself. Just get all required documents and photocopies, sign each copy and meet the financial requirements. If you go for 800,000 THB it has to be in a Thai bank account for 2 months. Cost 1,900 THB for O retirement visa
Phill ******
@David ********
, no , its an extension of stay based on retirment ,and no money required .Steve *******
@Phill *****
The yearly extention of stay costs 1900bt at ALL Immigration offices. Bobby ********
Phill Rose. You can use the 65k per month method. It's the best. You can spend the money as soon as you get it. No need to have 800k dead money sitting in the bank
Bobby ********
Linda Cartlidge. That's correct. And as soon as it lands in your bank account you can spend it, unlike the 800k deposit!
Linda ***********
@Bobby *******
the 65k/month for 1 year must be current and show in Bank book it is deposited to your account from another country.David *********
You have to have the money in a Thai Bank. It is the Thai bank that gives you a letter verifying the account an funds. You have to show your bank book and provide an updated book up until the day you apply for the visa. Otherwise spend up to 30,000 THB for an agency to do for you. I personally like the cheaper option
Glenn ******
OP@David ********
what other options are available besides 800,000 for 2 months, embassy won’t verify retirement accounts anymore?Bobby ********
Glenn Bell. You can transfer 65k baht each month into your Thai bank account in lieu of the pension statements.
Bobby ********
Get all your ducks in a row first, fill in the form, and when you go to immigration take a Thai with you. Works wonders.
Glenn ******
OPThank you🤗
Steve *********
That really depends on how savvy you are. Personally, I'd do everything myself rather than waste my money.
Having said that, I'd start working on getting everything in order pretty early and checking things over and over again.
Having said that, I'd start working on getting everything in order pretty early and checking things over and over again.
Bobby ********
Steve Mathers. Good reply
Steve *********
@Bobby *******
thanks. When my Thai partner moved to the UK we did all the stages ourselves. Each visa, leave to remain, indefinite leave, citizenship: all done from home. But all started months before the date. Forms printed multiple times - done - redone - etc. Supporting documents all collated, photocopied, placed in carefully labelled files, organised, reorganised. Now that I'm on the verge of making the thai move, I'm starting to organise things and reorganise them - reading the advice given in diverse forums and gradually getting everything ready.
Bobby ********
Steve Mathers. I'm a bit anal when it comes to paperwork for Thai immigration. I've got multiple copies of everything. Always get a few new photos. Every IO seems to ask for something different, so I like to be well prepared, because I've heard the endless stories of rejections! So far, after almost 12 years in Thailand on various visas and various durations of stay, I've never paid one baht to an agent, and yet some expats are happy to fork out tens of thousands of baht every year for something they can do themselves. It does help taking a Thai with you when you go to immigration.
Bobby ********
It depends on two things (1) How much money you've got to throw down the toilet? (2) How brain dead you are? 🤣🤣🤣
Glenn ******
OP@Bobby *******
all new to me, seems easy enough but have read a lot of negatives about doing it yourself Bobby ********
Glenn Bell. Don't believe everything you read. There's a lot of brain dead expats out there with more money than sense!
Glenn ******
OP@Bobby *******
not brain dead yet, hate to waste money.Bobby ********
Glenn Bell. So you've answered your question. Do it yourself!
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