Penang Visa Agents

[eek]

Ok..im getting a tad frustrated hunting around the forum for this info...

I once read that often people used a visa agent in Penang. My questions are these please:

~Does anyone have the details of a reliable agent?

~Are they indeed reliable (and honest)?

~How much does the service usually cost?

(Any further tips would be appreciated. Inc personally recommended places to stay if you can).

Thank you!

[lopburi3]

Believe most have recommended several in front of Swiss Hotel on Chula in the backpacker area - many hotels and travel agencies also provide this service. Do not know of any funny business as they normally immediately submit and return and the cost is about the same as you would spend in taxi fare doing it yourself. There is no reason to use them other than your personal time savings - I would do myself if a first visit - if Consulate set up the same as years ago the guard will supply you the form and help you if you need it - a tip can be provided if his help is worth it (during heavy activity he can get you in/out faster) but never noticed any demands being made.

I linked the Continental Hotel which is on Penang about 2-300 meters from Chula. It is business hotel in the 1,000 + baht range. Cheaper would be Oriental (old but full hotel) or Waldorf (basic hotel). There are also many, many others but these are all in the popular area.

[ovenman]

Believe most have recommended several in front of Swiss Hotel on Chula in the backpacker area - many hotels and travel agencies also provide this service. Do not know of any funny business as they normally immediately submit and return and the cost is about the same as you would spend in taxi fare doing it yourself. There is no reason to use them other than your personal time savings - I would do myself if a first visit - if Consulate set up the same as years ago the guard will supply you the form and help you if you need it - a tip can be provided if his help is worth it (during heavy activity he can get you in/out faster) but never noticed any demands being made.

I linked the Continental Hotel which is on Penang about 2-300 meters from Chula. It is business hotel in the 1,000 + baht range. Cheaper would be Oriental (old but full hotel) or Waldorf (basic hotel). There are also many, many others but these are all in the popular area.

Patrick at the Hotel Continental can also assist you with visas, but I don't know whether he is as good as the guys on Chulia Street.

[bangkokgas]

sam at Sams bookshop on Chulia Street (leith st. end) is honest and reliable. I have used him a few times in the past ten years. He charges about 200 baht for the service.

[sniffdog]

In the past I've used several different visa agents (among them the one next to the Swiss Hotel). Service is comparable and satisfactory in all cases.

Common service charge is 20 ringgit (around 220 baht).

[torrenova]

I went last year but did it straight from asirport to consulate to hotel and then the reverse the following day. Didn't use or need an agent.

[jeebusjones]

I stayed at Mingood Hotel and used their service there. I just gave them my passport when I checked in on Monday night, two photos, 120 ringit and signed the form. I had it back on Wednesday afternoon with no hassles.

This was for a tourist visa. Rooms about 85 ringit per night with Wi-Fi and satellite tv.

[eek]

Thank you all for this info. I think you covered what i needed to know.

Much appreciated.

[eek]

bump:

After having to do a quick visa exempt run last month due to ill health, i am now finally booked to go on my first visit to penang

Would like to know more on suggestions of where to stay pIs....

jbj kindly suggested Mingoog Hotel..anyone else have experience of that hotel? Or of any others.

It doesnt have to be severely budgeted. I am looking for wifi access, clean, secure, and in a safe location (solo female traveller). If the hotel has a gym and visa agent facility, that would be a bonus.

Cheers all and tnx for your time!

[qualtrough]

Many years ago there was a Parvez bookstore across from the Swiss Hotel. Not sure if they are still around, but at that time they offered a reliable visa service. If they are still there they would be a good bet.