Visa agent recommendation

[Cat ji]

Quote

If you have all the paperwork why would you need a VISA agent ?

 

????  It's been explained here well enough, several times, repeated. Not need, want. Want as in prefer. Including ensuring that you do have all the correct paperwork etc., and for the specific place/person/s.

Edited April 12, 2019 by Cat ji

[Kadilo]

10 minutes ago, Cat ji said:

 

????  It's been explained here well enough, several times, repeated. Not need, want. Want as in prefer. Including ensuring that you do have all the correct paperwork etc., and for the specific place/person/s.

I never thought I would ever use an agent. I went to get my first extension of Stay last month and had meticulously prepared and had everything in place including copies of copies and spare everything. 

Maybe I caught them on a bad day but if I can avoid having to go through that experience again by paying someone to sort it then I will. For me it was nothing about the time, just the whole unpleasant and condescending experience. 

Like I say I’m not for one minute saying it was typical, but enough for me to look for an alternative whatever the cost. 

[CharlieH]

Troll comments removed.

[SheungWan]

3 hours ago, Kadilo said:

I never thought I would ever use an agent. I went to get my first extension of Stay last month and had meticulously prepared and had everything in place including copies of copies and spare everything. 

Maybe I caught them on a bad day but if I can avoid having to go through that experience again by paying someone to sort it then I will. For me it was nothing about the time, just the whole unpleasant and condescending experience. 

Like I say I’m not for one minute saying it was typical, but enough for me to look for an alternative whatever the cost. 

 

1 hour ago, Thailand Outcast said:

So, you fell for their marketing ploy?  ????

Is that any worse than using fast track at airport immigration?

[Gweiloman]

For 15k, I get picked up, chauffeured to IM at CW in Bangkok, escorted inside (no ticket, no waiting in line) to take pic with IM officer, then chauffeured back home with my new yearly extension in hand. Don't know what you're talking about filling in form and getting a wait ticket. I really enjoy the VIP treatment and it's one of the many perks I enjoy and treat myself to in retirement. It's very nice for me not having to worry about anything and since I have the money to spend, I enjoy spending it.

Depends on where you stay in Bkk. I lived in Ramkhamhaeng, a round trip (chauffeured vehicle or not) would take me the best part of 2 hours at least. Not forgetting that I would tip the driver about Thb500 baht each time.


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[impulse]

My only recommendation is to contact the agent now, before your status changes from working to a different visa status.  I made the mistake of waiting until my work was finished and WP expired before contacting an agent.  Big mistake. 

 

I'll let the agent tell you why.   I don't claim to know the rules.  I just know what happened to me.

 

Edit:  And even there, some of the details leak from my brain when I sleep.

 

Edited April 12, 2019 by impulse

[hgma]

do it yourself, i don't know which Immigration point your using but in NongKhai I.O will navigate you quickly to the point that after a few copy's and statement you're done with your visa.

Sometimes some of the officers take time to explain the whole procedure added on the tables to read for anyone.

[JackThompson]

19 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Well, that would be a bargain.

I know people that have used agents for years and 35 k++ is mostly being quoted.

Depends on which area.  That sounds like a Phuket/CM price.  Bangkok is generally reported at 25K Baht. 

I checked before going out for my last Non-O-ME Visa, and was quoted 12.5K in Pattaya.  All I needed was that amount of money, plus a bank-account at one of 3 banks (the agent uses) to "flash" the 800K in/out of.   This was shortly before the "new rules" were to go into effect.  Someone posted recently the price went up to 15K, and a possible extra fee (said 500 Baht) for the 90-day "bank book report".  They will also do your 90-day reports for you (~500 Baht each).

I didn't take the agent-offer - even though it would have been cheaper and saved me hassles - because I don't see how the agent can file a "legal" 90-day report for a location where I don't live.  The last thing I want to do is give immigration the rope to hang me, so I stuck with the 100% legal "Visa from a Consulate" method of stay, and doing border-runs like a backpacker, to stay and support my Thai wife.

 

17 hours ago, notamember said:

no price increase have been made by immigration to agents

Are you sure about that?  Could be true, but I'd be surprised if the IOs didn't realize a financial-gain from this.

Edited April 13, 2019 by JackThompson

[frodo77]

17 hours ago, Kadilo said:

I never thought I would ever use an agent. I went to get my first extension of Stay last month and had meticulously prepared and had everything in place including copies of copies and spare everything. 

Maybe I caught them on a bad day but if I can avoid having to go through that experience again by paying someone to sort it then I will. For me it was nothing about the time, just the whole unpleasant and condescending experience. 

Like I say I’m not for one minute saying it was typical, but enough for me to look for an alternative whatever the cost. 

Which office was this?

[bigginhill]

If after extension you are not in Thailand for more than 90 days, therefore no reporting done, can you go to any immigration office for the next extension? (Tm30 for that area in hand i presume needed). 

If so would it feasibly be possible if refused in one immigration office to stay in a hotel in another area and try the immigration office there?

[notamember]

4 hours ago, JackThompson said:

Depends on which area.  That sounds like a Phuket/CM price.  Bangkok is generally reported at 25K Baht. 

I checked before going out for my last Non-O-ME Visa, and was quoted 12.5K in Pattaya.  All I needed was that amount of money, plus a bank-account at one of 3 banks (the agent uses) to "flash" the 800K in/out of.   This was shortly before the "new rules" were to go into effect.  Someone posted recently the price went up to 15K, and a possible extra fee (said 500 Baht) for the 90-day "bank book report".  They will also do your 90-day reports for you (~500 Baht each).

I didn't take the agent-offer - even though it would have been cheaper and saved me hassles - because I don't see how the agent can file a "legal" 90-day report for a location where I don't live.  The last thing I want to do is give immigration the rope to hang me, so I stuck with the 100% legal "Visa from a Consulate" method of stay, and doing border-runs like a backpacker, to stay and support my Thai wife.

 

Are you sure about that?  Could be true, but I'd be surprised if the IOs didn't realize a financial-gain from this.

yes i am 100% sure

That may well come later when the dust settles but there has been no increase in costs for over 3 years to major agents

so anyone that tells you it has, is profiteering and you should treat them with the contempt they deserve

Edited April 13, 2019 by notamember

[Cat ji]

8 hours ago, hgma said:

do it yourself, i don't know which Immigration point your using but in NongKhai I.O will navigate you quickly to the point that after a few copy's and statement you're done with your visa.

Sometimes some of the officers take time to explain the whole procedure added on the tables to read for anyone.

Check the thread title and the original post.
_Recommendations for good visa agents_, not whether or not to use an agent. The choice has been made and the reasons given.

[seasia]

3 hours ago, JackThompson said:

Depends on which area.  That sounds like a Phuket/CM price.  Bangkok is generally reported at 25K Baht. 

I checked before going out for my last Non-O-ME Visa, and was quoted 12.5K in Pattaya.  All I needed was that amount of money, plus a bank-account at one of 3 banks (the agent uses) to "flash" the 800K in/out of.   This was shortly before the "new rules" were to go into effect.  Someone posted recently the price went up to 15K, and a possible extra fee (said 500 Baht) for the 90-day "bank book report".  They will also do your 90-day reports for you (~500 Baht each).

I didn't take the agent-offer - even though it would have been cheaper and saved me hassles - because I don't see how the agent can file a "legal" 90-day report for a location where I don't live.  The last thing I want to do is give immigration the rope to hang me, so I stuck with the 100% legal "Visa from a Consulate" method of stay, and doing border-runs like a backpacker, to stay and support my Thai wife.

 

Are you sure about that?  Could be true, but I'd be surprised if the IOs didn't realize a financial-gain from this.

Yes

That is about right for Pattaya

I have several friends who use an agent , 12.5 K baht, do everything.

One asked if there would be any cost change due to the new seasoning requirements, answer was maybe an extra 500 baht, fits exactly with your post.

90 day reports free though.

 

Also there are favoured bank accounts, as you have said.

 

The well connected agents will not be going out of business anytime soon.

 

It seems to appear that some might even be owned/part owned by senior IO .

[JackThompson]

7 hours ago, bigginhill said:

If after extension you are not in Thailand for more than 90 days, therefore no reporting done, can you go to any immigration office for the next extension? (Tm30 for that area in hand i presume needed). 

If so would it feasibly be possible if refused in one immigration office to stay in a hotel in another area and try the immigration office there?

If on an extension, and wishing to file the next extension at a different office, one would need to first file a TM-28 at the new office, notifying them of your move.  Also, likely a TM-30 (could involve the landlord or would be done by a hotel - but get a receipt/proof).   At that point, you could file your extension at the new office - but would likely be asked for proof your new location was longer-term, per a rental-contract of some sort.

[SiamRose]

On ‎4‎/‎12‎/‎2019 at 11:39 AM, BertM said:

For 15k, I get picked up, chauffeured to IM at CW in Bangkok, escorted inside (no ticket, no waiting in line) to take pic with IM officer, then chauffeured back home with my new yearly extension in hand. Don't know what you're talking about filling in form and getting a wait ticket. I really enjoy the VIP treatment and it's one of the many perks I enjoy and treat myself to in retirement. It's very nice for me not having to worry about anything and since I have the money to spend, I enjoy spending it.

This sounds like good value to me. Bert, which agent do you use?

 

[Enki]

On 4/10/2019 at 10:09 PM, marcusarelus said:

Go home and get an O-A for two years. 

I thought it was a one year one? (You are talking about "retirement visa"?)

[jacko45k]

10 hours ago, seasia said:

It seems to appear that some might even be owned/part owned by senior IO .

Well, someone owns someone else that's for sure. 

You highlight quite a lucrative conflict of interest. 

[Peterw42]

4 hours ago, Enki said:

I thought it was a one year one? (You are talking about "retirement visa"?)

An OA from home country can be stretched out to 2 years if you out/in just as the Visa expires.

[SEtonal]

8 hours ago, Enki said:

I thought it was a one year one? (You are talking about "retirement visa"?)

A Non-Immigrant O-A visa (retirement) lasts for one year, but can be stretched to two if you leave and reenter Thailand just before the one year expiration date.  You will receive permission to stay for another year.  If you wish to travel outside of Thailand during the second year of the O-A visa, you would need to get a reentry permit from Immigration prior to exiting the country.

[notamember]

4 hours ago, SEtonal said:

A Non-Immigrant O-A visa (retirement) lasts for one year, but can be stretched to two if you leave and reenter Thailand just before the one year expiration date.  You will receive permission to stay for another year.  If you wish to travel outside of Thailand during the second year of the O-A visa, you would need to get a reentry permit from Immigration prior to exiting the country.

An O-A visa is NOT a retirement visa

[marcusarelus]

23 minutes ago, notamember said:

An O-A visa is NOT a retirement visa

Non-Immigrant Visa-O-A may be granted to applicants who wish to retire in Thailand and possess the required qualifications. Sure it is.  I guess you are not a member of Thai Visa.  ????

[ubonjoe]

22 minutes ago, notamember said:

An O-A visa is NOT a retirement visa

It and the non-ox visa are the only visas that come close to being called a retirement visa.

Some embassies even show them as retirement visas.

 

[notamember]

41 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It and the non-ox visa are the only visas that come close to being called a retirement visa.

Some embassies even show them as retirement visas.

 

regardless of that ill informed embassy twaddle they peddle to punters, there is no such thing as a retirement visa, an O-A is not it, close or not and you well know it

[notamember]

46 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

Non-Immigrant Visa-O-A may be granted to applicants who wish to retire in Thailand and possess the required qualifications. Sure it is.  I guess you are not a member of Thai Visa.  ????

you still here?

[marcusarelus]

1 hour ago, notamember said:

you still here?

Got my O-A retirement visa in 2005 and still here. 

 

From Royal Thai Embassy "Non-Immigrant Visa-O-A may be granted to applicants who wish to retire in Thailand and possess the required qualifications."

Edited April 14, 2019 by marcusarelus

[Lacessit]

I use Assist Thai Visa in Chiang Mai. No glitches after 8 years, which is what I am paying for. All legal and above board.

[notamember]

31 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

Got my O-A retirement visa in 2005 and still here. 

 

From Royal Thai Embassy "Non-Immigrant Visa-O-A may be granted to applicants who wish to retire in Thailand and possess the required qualifications."

you got a  1 year extension of a non O-A visa for the purposes of retirement, which you have been renewing annually since 2005 

a non O-A visa is not a retirement visa and as there is no such animal as a retirement visa, you cannot possibly have it.

 

when i said ''still here'' i thought you would have been in Cambodia by now after that BJ storm in a teacup drama

[notamember]

27 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I use Assist Thai Visa in Chiang Mai. No glitches after 8 years, which is what I am paying for. All legal and above board.

your 800,000 or theirs?

 

[marcusarelus]

1 minute ago, notamember said:

you got a  1 year extension of a non O-A visa for the purposes of retirement, which you have been renewing annually since 2005 

a non O-A visa is not a retirement visa and as there is no such animal as a retirement visa, you cannot possibly have it.

 

when i said ''still here'' i thought you would have been in Cambodia by now after that BJ storm in a teacup drama

From Royal Thai Embassy "Non-Immigrant Visa-O-A may be granted to applicants who wish to retire in Thailand and possess the required qualifications."

 

It is a retirement visa says the embassy and immigration.  Maybe pendants don't agree but you are after all not the authority - the Thai embassy and Immigration are. 

 

Why would I leave.  Nothing has changed for me.  I put my money in a fixed deposit account and withdraw the interest every year.  I've never needed to use an agent because I can still write my name and have decent mobility. 

Edited April 14, 2019 by marcusarelus

[Lacessit]

1 minute ago, notamember said:

your 800,000 or theirs?

 

Mine. Why do you ask?