patient37

8 hours ago, JacksSmirkingRevenge said:

Probably about 70,000 now.  That's a hefty bit of money.   

That price sounds about right from what i have been hearing, I mean you do have like only 5 days until your visa expires! People are lucky its even still an option this late in the game. I expected it to not be possible a few weeks ago, which is why i pulled the trigger last month to avoid the surge.

Back in Jan before any of this covid stuff was confirmed I got a quote from TVC for the 15 month for 60,000.

The prices started to go up after the 15th of Sept. So it would seem that prices only went up recently because of how late everyone is, and some agents can't even submit for the 3 month volunteer and only a yearly extension.

Also before this whole amnesty thing you would usually need 20 days on your existing visa to even apply for the 3 month non-immigrant visa, no exceptions. So amnesty does allow some additional flexibility, but if you leave an agent 4-10 days to complete something that is supposed to take 15 days min... Expect to be charged for it.

RapidVisa24 is indeed a scam.

There have been multiple topics on Bangkok Expats groups about how they were scammed, and the website, and facebook have been removed.

Was any member here impacted by this?

38 minutes ago, CorpusChristie said:

Flights out of Thailand and long term visas are available for everyone currently inside Thailand 

Kind of funny how so many people tend to ignore this, or not do any research.

This will be an interesting two weeks that is for sure ????

9 minutes ago, scotsman said:

I am sure the OP has fixed this problem by changing to marriage extension, but If he had used the visa Agent to fix it, then he would have been stuck with a visa Agent the next time if the borders are not open by then.  My reasoning for this is that you get a retirement extension only from using the visa Agent you don't have to go back in 3 or 4 months to prove you have the 400k left or anything like that. But come the next year's extension and you try to do it by yourself they will also refuse you as you can't show the money was in your bank for the one you got from the visa Agent the year before, that will go for the Marriage one as well.  As they will want to see the money did not dip below the 800k and you had 400k at that time. 

So you would have to always use a Visa Agent until the Borders are open again to go and get a new Category O from outside Thailand to start again.    

Correct me if my thinking is wrong.

regards 

Scotsman 

That's correct..

But if you are using an agent like TVC its only 14,000 THB we are talking about.

This is much cheaper than having to leave the country, and reentering on whatever the new conditions will be (insurance, quarantine...).

1 hour ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

I'm dragged into the extension visa now after always being on a non o.

 

Ok, so I'm 50 and going onto a retirement visa. I'm going to be using an agent. 

 

I plan to get this visa in Nov, but by April/May I could well be moving province. I assume I should tell the agent this. will it effect things in any way? I understand the agent also does the 90 day report (whatever that is) will it matter to the agent if I am no longer in the same area as the agent? Assume I would post it to the agent for this??

 

Thanks for any help.  A lot of hassle for living in a country where I don't even want to be any longer!

You should ask the agent this, not all operate the same.

16 minutes ago, Dart12 said:

Each agent is telling NO (I cannot get the normal extension and then get a volunteer visa later).  That may just be a sales tactic though, to get me to buy one of the higher priced volunteer visas immediately.

They are saying I have to get the volunteer visa NOW. (by tuesday have it submitted).

Did Thai Visa Center say you CAN do that?  That also might be the trick:  Getting an "extension" based on your availability of them still.  I just don't know if they are recognizing those extensions after the amnesty.  I'm afraid they'll stamp mine "covid" regardless.

I asked them about the "15th", and they said that it may be possible but after that date price might be higher ????.

So I don't think the other agents are lying to you, it could be true that some of them really cant submission after the 15th. But not all agents are the same, so some may still be able to do it.

4 minutes ago, Dart12 said:

if you don't mind sharing, what was your total cost?  and yes. what you are saying process wise is similar to what I'm hearing.  

I paid 60,000 THB for 15 month volunteer visa from 30 day exempt entry.

Later I may get multiple entry for 4,000 THB if they decide to make coming back into Thailand a little easier/cheaper, if not I guess I wont be traveling outside of Thailand for a while.

23 minutes ago, stranded81 said:

Thanks for your feedback - I will certainly clarify this point with them.

May I ask where you are in this similar process? Assuming you are pursing this route too -
were you able to/ are/ have already gotten the 3 month visa while under amnesty?
and thereafter are applying for/ already applied for the 12 month volunteer visa?

Also, since we already obtained 2 extensions - one 7 day extension prior to amnesty and a second "30 day under consideration" extension which allowed us to stay well into when the amnesty kicked in, would we qualify for the 30 day extension with embassy letter now even?

And if we do, then the added hurdle of the 3 month visa + 12 month volunteer thereafter
seems like a lot of stamps we would have to get which immigration wouldn't be happy yo dole out, regardless of whose getting "compensated" Just being realistic about my chances here 

Any more insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
 

I started my 15 month process last month, and it took 2.5 weeks (done now).

If anyone can help you it would be TVC, even with your current situation, just show them your stamps, and they will confirm approval if they can, or not.

The only think i see that could cause an issue is the "under consideration" stamp, as long as you had them complete that stamp then it should be fine. If not then TVC may say they can't, or add an additional step.

53 minutes ago, stranded81 said:

Hi Everyone,
Grateful for some feedback on the below.

BACKGROUND - Arrived in Thailand on VOA, March 2nd. Received single 7 day extension till March 23 and then a "under consideration" stamp til April 22 from Bangkok immigration after obtaining a letter from our embassy.
We moved to Hua Hin In April owing to possibility of covid cases rising in Bangkok and were told we were covered under amnesty anyway till July 31. Then till Sep 26th.
When we went to update our stamp at hua hin immigration we were refused one as the IO told us that we could obtain the stamp only at the original immigration center (bangkok) but there was no need to worry as we were technically covered by amnesty till Sep 26th, and our permission to stay was technically in the window period (April 22 and amnesty kicked in march 26th).

NEW EMBASSY LETTER -
Now, My family and I (wife + 18 month old baby) have after a lot of groveling managed to obtain a letter from our Embassy for a 30 day extension request.
However, when we went to immigration at hUA Hin with the extension request, they said we first had to go to the bangkok immigration office where we originally received the "under consideration till april 22nd" stamp, have that updated and then we can apply for the 30 day extension either at bangkok or hua hin - does this seem accurate?
We don't mind taking the day trip and heading over to Bangkok for 2 days to get our "under consideration" stamp updated on Monday, Sep 14th.
My question is - what will bangkok immigration office do exactly? update the stamp to permitted to stay till sep 26th?
And then at the same time update that to October 25th with the embassy letter?

Or is this one immigration office just passing the ball to the other in the hopes of discouraging us to apply for the 30 day extension?

12 MONTH VOLUNTEER VISA
If we are successfully granted the 30 day extension, I have been informed by the THAI VISA CENTER AGENT (I believe lot of folks using their services here), we can apply for a 12 month volunteer visa and they will take care of the entire process . Naturally, they are charging a heft amount (35K per applicant)

Summary of my inquiries -
1. Will we be able to successfully get our "under consideration till april 22nd" stamp updated at the original immigration office next week? Considering it is so close to the end of the amnesty period anyway.

2. Following that, will the immigration office in Bangkok right there and then approve and update the 30 day extension as well till October 25th since we have an embassy letter? (i understand thai immigration is under no obligation to do so, but considering that they may, can the process of updating 2 things , first the permission to stay till sep 26th and thereafter, permission to / another consideration till oct 25th with embassy letter be achieved within a single visit to the immigration office? Trying to ascertain the process flow here. I'll even have an updated hotel booking in bangkok to show the immigration office in bangkok.

3. Will the agent be able to obtain a volunteer visa so long as we are given permission to stay till October 25th? (even if the new stamp states " under consideration till october 25th"

Any feedback on the above would be greatly appreciated.
thank you very much





 

I actually asked TVC this same question.

They said that if I was no longer under Amnesty they would need me to come 20 days before my expiration date (I guess with amnesty they can be a little more flexible).

As for you saying they quoted you 35,000 for a 1 year visa from VOA, that doesn't make sense.

You would first need to get a 3 month non-immigrant visa first for 25,000 THB to be eligible for the 1 year extension (this is what I ended up doing).

You should confirm with them, seems like you may be misunderstanding something.

1 hour ago, Yahem said:

Well the gym has another meeting with the police today I got all my money refunded tho and applied for a volunteer visa in a visa company fingers crossed this one is legit 

Very happy to hear they actually refunded you! Wish you luck on your visa ????

1 hour ago, zzzzz said:

FYI:
best price

a 90 day non O from a visa exempt entry or tourist visa, 18,000

add another 1 year to that for 14,000

 

BUT if its your 1st 1 year extension and you have the 800,000 in the bank for 2 months do the 1 year on your own for 1,900 baht

OR
if you can show a few months of 65,000 transferred from outside Thailand.

 

i doubt you will find it cheaper

Sounds like TVC prices, but there are some smaller agents in Pattaya that are charging 1,000 less, but they make up the difference in 90 day reporting.

I'd stick with one of the big ones so you know they are properly handling everything.

Also always check how much they will charge you for 90 day reporting, or if they can help you file a change of address, so you can do that on your own.

6 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 Does anyone know where the passport goes and why it takes so long?

I am not sure but TVC did give me a application status link for my application and a few days after i start the process the timeline updated and showed an application receipt, and then 2 weeks later it showed the visa stamp, and a day later I got my passport back with the visa.

29 minutes ago, FlyingThai said:

Ok first hand experience report as of SEP 9 2020 because all this speculation and second hand info seems to rub people the wrong way.

 

Today I initiated long term visas for two people close to me

 

I contacted a multitude of agencies and also language/schools in BKK and Pattaya (the latter was recommended to me because apparently it's more liberal, read bribe receptive down there).

 

1) Language Schools don't take any more students for ED Visas since the process to get legit docs from MOE takes a long time. Legit universities just started their academic year and you can't get in anymore for this year.

 

2) Visa agents are a dime a dozen. There is always TVC in Bangkok and other big names but while I don't have reason to believe they provide bad services they wanted the passports for 6 weeks and that was a no go. I also didn't have any personal references for TVC. Eventually I settled on VIP Visa in Pattaya (Mods can delete the name of the agent if it's not permitted to post it) because I had at least one reference and they said everything will be done in 2-3 weeks.

 

3) Cost was secondary for us at the moment. Yes there might be more amnesties but I want this back and forth to be over, mostly because my gf being worried started to go on my nerves.

 

The agent quoted for a Volunteer Visa: 3 months 25,000 Baht, 12-months (only available if any Non-Imm visa is already in the passport 40,000 Baht), 15 months 55,000 Baht. Multiple Entry Option additional 4,000 Baht (I wanted that ME option, it's a deal breaker for me once borders reopen).

 

I was a bit miffed at first having to go down to PTY to hand the stuff over but had a nice day down there and the agent picked up at my hotel. Most of all: He was on time (I hate when deals start with people being late).

 

No matter which agent you use, take several GOOD copies of your passport and entry stamp especially if you plan to travel or check in at hotels. I don't like to part with a passport for too long hence why TVC wasn't an option for me.

 

Personally I still think there will be more amnesty options coming up but at this point I didn't care anymore. We were already able to squeeze 5 months out of the lemon.

I think TVC just advertises longer timelines, because my 15 month took less than 3 weeks, and they quoted me 5-6 weeks. ????

There price breakdown was 3 month for 25,000, and 1 year extensions for 35,000 (you did NOT have to do both at same time but it was an option, but you didn't get a discount for doing that).

Feels a lot better to have it all sorted out... I could care less if amnesty is extended, I have a long term solution to survive it until the borders reopen.

How much did VIP visa say 90 day reporting was? TVC quoted me 100THB, and then in 2021 goes up to 500THB each time.

4 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

so it involves fraud, then you are making a false statement by claiming you live elsewhere in able to facilitate an extension obtained by a bribe. You would need a false address, is that 'legal' as well?

I'm not 100% sure how it is done, I just know if i do a TM30 I can do 90 day reporting locally.

2 minutes ago, andy246 said:

Considering the three month volunteer is usually around 25k, sounds too good to be true.

Agree, I would be very wary.

Lowest price i saw for 3 month volunteer was 19,000 THB, but they wanted 46,000 THB for the yearly extension.

So 11,000 is very unbelievable

3 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

Obtaining an extension in a different province to which you live and only by paying a bribe is within the law is it, in la la land maybe, not in the real world with real laws.

From what i understand residence is moved to where the visa is being applied to.

Then later you can do a TM30, and move it back.

This has been going on for a long time, fortunately you are not an officer..

5 minutes ago, Longchop said:

Of course every country now has it's red light businesses but Thailand gained it's reputation way ahead of the rest and it stuck.  Now hi so Thais want to be able to brush any comments away with " oh that was in grandpa's time, we've moved on" .

As to cleaning up the activity take a look around pattaya or pat pong tonight, the clean up is well under way.

Could also be because of covid, and all the sexpats are broke now, and there has been no chance for them to be replenished. ????

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My long time mate had an METV. So discount from 57k to 49k (what he paid) was not due to entering Thailand on an non O or extension to one.

Was your 57k quote via phone or..?

In various threads I have read prices in the 45k+ up to 60k+. 

Think Thai Visa Centre is ~ 60k?

How much did you pay at TVC. How long did they suggest process would take.

Ta.

Key visa was over the phone.

I had a 30 day exempt entry, so that could be why (but who knows).

TVC/Thai Visa Centre was 60k for 15 month.

They told me originally it would take 4-5 weeks, but they did it in less than 3 weeks. They also said don't worry because if it takes longer I get a under consideration stamp which would prevent overstay during the process.

 

3 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

You don't know what your friend paid 49k for so why don't you send him an email and ask him rather than spreading this misleading information?

 

The 57k is nothing to do with a re-entry permit. This is the standard price for the 3-month visa plus 12-month extension. You clearly have absolutely no idea what your friend actually paid for so your constant posts are of no value unless you find out.

 

Add for the website the OP is enquiring about you would have to be out of your mind to transfer large sums of money to an unknown company in Thailand. There are too many scammers about. 

I contacted Key Visa, and they did NOT quote me 49k for 15 month visa.

I did get a quote for 57k like you mentioned, the only thing I can think his friend had was a existing non-immigrant visa like a non-b/ed, and transferred directly to a 1 year volunteer visa.

In the end I decided to go with TVC after reading both companies negative reviews.

2 hours ago, warcy said:

It's amazing how people can get all types of non-essential visa with the primary purpose of staying in Thailand. Ed visa muay thai, study thai, volunteer, even though half of the time nothing was learned.

 

Is Thailand really heaven where people don't want to leave the country?

Where else should we go? I am not going back to the US, that's for sure!

33 minutes ago, Smooth said:

To clarify, did you arrive on Visa on Arrival (15 days) or Visa exemption (30 days)? Thanks.

Sorry visa exempt 30 day stamp.

7 minutes ago, Longchop said:

Waived = overlooked the legal requirement so the visa is illegal. Will the other government department (not IO) tasked with double checking the visas overlook this requirement also ??

You're scaremongering, I have read many posts on this forum over the past few years.

Has this ever happened in the history of the whole bank requirements, and the hundreds of agents/lawyers that offer such services?

It doesn't matter how hard you pray, or how many times you comment about it.. It doesn't mean it will happen.

Some of these agents have been offering those services for over 15 years.