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?

Philip Houghton. Yes Canadian Embassy still give the affidavit! Lucky bastard! Sadly, UK, US and Australia don't! Arseholes! 🤣🤣🤣

@Bobby *******

Ya I heard.

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!

@Bobby *******

the 65k/month for 1 year must be current and show in Bank book it is deposited to your account from another country.

Linda Cartlidge. That's correct. And as soon as it lands in your bank account you can spend it, unlike the 800k deposit!

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.