Ayuthaya Immigration - Visa Agents

[John9]

Does any one know or recommend reliable Agent in Ayutthaya who can extend retirement visa for my friend. He holds Fiji Passport although resident of New Zealand got 1 year retirement visa from Ayutthaya first time, he lives here in pattaya  but have

boon told only office that can give extension is Ayutthaya. One problem he has is he was not aware of three month 800K deadline so he has missed it and visa expires on October 12. Only other alternative is to go back home and start fresh with new visa ? All suggestion advice appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[jackdd]

Just go to an agent in Pattaya if he is staying there

[John9]

Agent in Pattaya asked for 80k in fees to do work ? He can go back home and come with fresh visa much less expense.

[ubonjoe]

Has he formally changed his address to Pattaya. He should be able to apply at the immigration office in Jomtien.

He could apply for a visa at a nearby embassy or consulate. He could apply for a non-o visa and apply for the extension when the money has been in the bank for 60 days. Or get a tourist visa and then apply for a change of visa status at immigration to get a 90 day non immigrant visa (category O) entry and then apply for the extension.

[jackdd]

7 minutes ago, John9 said:

Agent in Pattaya asked for 80k in fees to do work ? He can go back home and come with fresh visa much less expense.

Then ask arround until you find somebody who does it cheaper or do one of the things ubonjoe suggested

[JackThompson]

2 hours ago, John9 said:

One problem he has is he was not aware of three month 800K deadline so he has missed it and visa expires on October 12

1 hour ago, John9 said:

Agent in Pattaya asked for 80k in fees to do work ? He can go back home and come with fresh visa much less expense.

The agent-cost should be closer to 15K Baht - 25K max.  Only a few overpriced lawyers ask for 80K - maybe the place next-door.  Shop around.  An agent-submitted application requires no seasoning on the money, thanks to part of the agent-fee being used to get this waived.  Since he has his own 800K, a lower fee than 15K might be possible (others without the money at all get short-term loans from the agents).

 

If he does decide to "start over" - it is difficult to do the Non-O stamp in Pattaya - and they will demand seasoning on the money (even though this directly contradicts the rules).  So, from this point, there are 2 viable options:

• Go to the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet for a Non-O Visa, then do the extension from that in Jomtien.  The retirement-desk in Jomtien has a good reputation for not causing problems for applicants (unlike some of the other desks, including the Non-O "conversion" desk and marriage-based desk).  He will need an embassy-letter showing some income for this (does not have to be much) to "prove he is retired."  No medical/police junk in Savannakhet (unlike Vientiane).
• Go out and back for a ( Edit - not "Visa-Exempt entry" - thanks UJ) Tourist Visa, then move to Bangkok temporarily, and do the a Non-O conversion process there (they will not do it unless you live in their jurisdiction) - then move back to Pattaya and do the retirement-extension. 

Either of these is easier than dealing with Jomtien's Non-O "conversion" desk.

[ubonjoe]

11 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

Go out and back for a Visa-Exempt entry, then move to Bangkok temporarily,

He does not qualify for a visa exempt entry since he is from Fiji. He can only get a 15 day visa on arrival.

That is why I suggested getting a tourist visa.