Thai Visa agent legit?

[Gman1992]

Hello!

I found a Thai Visa agent that says they can offer me a volunteer visa for 1 year for 38,000 THB. No actual volunteering needed and I just need to report every 90 days.

This seems like the perfect option for me to able to stay here in Bangkok and continue living as a digital nomad (working remotely for my company in my home country).

 

How legit is this service though? It feels like of "too good", but then again Thailand is the land of flexibility.

 

Any and all help and input is greatly appreciated!

[DrJack54]

It's 100% legit. Your stamps are all in order.

Ignore the usual suspects that will be along to state otherwise. 

Just one recommendation. Always deal with an established agent. Some have many reviews along with established offices. 

Your last entry into Thailand was tourist visa, visa exempt,.....?

Edited March 27, 2021 by DrJack54

[jackdd]

11 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

It's 100% legit.

Depends on what exactly you refer to. The stamps are legit (assuming the agent doesn't scam you), issued by Thai immigration and the correct data is in their system, but that's about everything that's legit.

I don't know for certain what paper trail it causes, but I assume the agent is providing fake documents (that show that you are volunteering somewhere, because you can only get a volunteer extension if you are actually volunteering), and the IO doesn't care about it.

Imho this is about on the same level as people who pay an agent to get a retirement extension without having the financials.

The chance that you will have problems with it is close to zero. But a crackdown could theoretically happen.

 

 

Edited March 27, 2021 by jackdd

[Jack Walker]

@Gman1992 could you please share the agent's contact information to me? I have some other questions to ask. 

[tonray]

1 hour ago, Gman1992 said:

No actual volunteering needed

????

[Gman1992]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

It's 100% legit. Your stamps are all in order.

Ignore the usual suspects that will be along to state otherwise. 

Just one recommendation. Always deal with an established agent. Some have many reviews along with established offices. 

Your last entry into Thailand was tourist visa, visa exempt,.....?

 

I'm currently on a normal tourist visa and on extension of it. Does it matter?

 

1 hour ago, jackdd said:

Depends on what exactly you refer to. The stamps are legit (assuming the agent doesn't scam you), issued by Thai immigration and the correct data is in their system, but that's about everything that's legit.

I don't know for certain what paper trail it causes, but I assume the agent is providing fake documents (that show that you are volunteering somewhere, because you can only get a volunteer extension if you are actually volunteering), and the IO doesn't care about it.

Imho this is about on the same level as people who pay an agent to get a retirement extension without having the financials.

The chance that you will have problems with it is close to zero. But a crackdown could theoretically happen.

 

 

 

I see. So it's most likely legit and the "gray area" is with regards to the paperwork that handles and shows if I've actually done the volunteering that I should have?

How common is this practice? Are they more or less strict during Covid?

 

59 minutes ago, tonray said:

????

 

It's funny because you believe there is no such thing or because you think it's stupid I'm believing in it?

[Jingthing]

I'm wondering about people's moral compass and grasp on reality if they even begin to think getting a favor from a government for volunteering by paying someone to submit fraudulent documents when they are not volunteering is legit?

Omg.

The honest question is will I be caught for my intentional participation in corruption and fraud.

Probably not but you could.

Edited March 27, 2021 by Jingthing

[tonray]

29 minutes ago, Gman1992 said:

 

I'm currently on a normal tourist visa and on extension of it. Does it matter?

 

 

I see. So it's most likely legit and the "gray area" is with regards to the paperwork that handles and shows if I've actually done the volunteering that I should have?

How common is this practice? Are they more or less strict during Covid?

 

 

It's funny because you believe there is no such thing or because you think it's stupid I'm believing in it?

It's funny because of the comic irony of someone elated because applying for a Volunteer visa actually requires no real volunteering.

[DrJack54]

21 minutes ago, Gman1992 said:

I'm currently on a normal tourist visa and on extension of it. Does it matter?

First up I warned you of all the kankers that will get on their pulpit re agent assisted extensions etc. Ignore them.

The reason I asked about your entry to Thailand is that as you entered on tourist visa the agent will be able to obtain a non O (volunteering) and subsequent 12 month extension.

Sounds like you have 60 days tv and obtained the standard 30 day extension.

Be aware that almost certainly the 60 day covid extensions will be issued in April, May. That would enable a stay untill ~ end July. If you obtain those it would not preclude you from obtaining non o (volunteering) in the future.

Having said that, if I was in your shoes I would use and agent. Less stuffing around. 

Good luck

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, tonray said:

It's funny because of the comic irony of someone elated because applying for a Volunteer visa actually requires no real volunteering.

Not a lot different than all those that used to obtain non o (ed) and  never attended class. Same same but same

[tonray]

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Not a lot different than all those that used to obtain non o (ed) and  never attended class. Same same but same

Ahh..I see using the multiple wrongs make it right theory. 

[Jingthing]

A recent video on a closely related topic of extensions obtained via fraudulent documents. It kind of refutes the party line that participant expats are never punished.

 

 

[Gman1992]

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

First up I warned you of all the kankers that will get on their pulpit re agent assisted extensions etc. Ignore them.

The reason I asked about your entry to Thailand is that as you entered on tourist visa the agent will be able to obtain a non O (volunteering) and subsequent 12 month extension.

Sounds like you have 60 days tv and obtained the standard 30 day extension.

Be aware that almost certainly the 60 day covid extensions will be issued in April, May. That would enable a stay untill ~ end July. If you obtain those it would not preclude you from obtaining non o (volunteering) in the future.

Having said that, if I was in your shoes I would use and agent. Less stuffing around. 

Good luck

Thank you for the information DrJack! I appreciate the help!

 

1 minute ago, tonray said:

Ahh..I see using the multiple wrongs make it right theory. 

 

If you want to discuss the moral ambiguity of this type of setup and solution I think there are better forums and/or threads about it. Please can we stay on topic.

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, Gman1992 said:

Thank you for the information DrJack! I appreciate the help!

 

 

If you want to discuss the moral ambiguity of this type of setup and solution I think there are better forums and/or threads about it. Please can we stay on topic.

What ambiguity? There isn't any.

 

To add I recall that it was forbidden  here to assist people with immigration matters using fraudulent methods. Has that changed?

Edited March 27, 2021 by Jingthing

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

A recent video on a closely related topic of extensions obtained via fraudulent documents. It kind of refutes the party line that participant expats are never punished.

 

 

I knew this rubbish would come along.

Also years back people (scammers) where providing FAKE STAMPS. 

Don't mislead by referring to scams.

Look at my first posts whenever this topic comes up. My first point is ALWAYS deal with a well established agency. With history etc etc. 

 

[fishtank]

Is it legit? Of course it is not.

Up to you if you want to chance it though.

Why not just find a legal way to stay?

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

What ambiguity? There isn't any.

 

To add I recall that it was forbidden  here to assist people with immigration matters using fraudulent methods.

Again rubbish. Perhaps take it up with some of the sponsors of Thaivisa.

Post fact not fiction

[fishtank]

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

What ambiguity? There isn't any.

 

To add I recall that it was forbidden  here to assist people with immigration matters using fraudulent methods.

It is against forum rules but rules are not being upheld anymore for some reason.

Edited March 27, 2021 by fishtank

[Jingthing]

Just now, fishtank said:

It is against forum rules but rules are not being upheld anymore.

Oh the humanity!

It was actually a serious question.

I recall people coming on here looking for referrals to agents that could get them retirement extensions without having the funds and that not being OK.

This topic seems similar.

[fishtank]

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Oh the humanity!

It was actually a serious question.

I recall people coming on here looking for referrals to agents that could get them retirement extensions without having the funds and that not being OK.

This topic seems similar.

I know it was a serious question  it is against forum rules to give illegal advise.

Edited March 27, 2021 by fishtank

[jackdd]

11 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

A recent video on a closely related topic of extensions obtained via fraudulent documents. It kind of refutes the party line that participant expats are never punished.

Stop watching this guy, in most of his videos he gives out wrong information.

The story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news/line-today-english-news-660104

These people offered faked documents for their clients to allow them to obtain an income statement from the Russian embassy, for a mere 2000 baht, not offering any share to immigration.

This is direct competition to the common agent scheme where Immigration gets most of the money, thus they were arrested.

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, jackdd said:

Stop watching this guy, in most of his videos he gives out wrong information.

The story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news/line-today-english-news-660104

These people offered faked documents for their clients to allow them to obtain an income statement from the Russian embassy, for a mere 2000 baht, not offering any share to immigration.

This is direct competition to the common agent scheme where Immigration gets most of the money, thus they were arrested.

Thank you for your expert analysis of which kinds of immigration fraud are Kosher and which are not.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Thank you for your expert analysis of which kinds of immigration fraud are Kosher and which are not.

Why pollute every topic where someone asks for advice re use of agents. 

The OP asked posters to stay on topic. 

If you have a crusade fine, however it's very boring. Also if you read OP posts above ...he is not interested.

[jackdd]

9 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Thank you for your expert analysis of which kinds of immigration fraud are Kosher and which are not.

You are welcome. In general it's very easy to decide, the question is "Does Immigration get a share?"

If they get their share it's quite safe. If they don't get a share you can expect that they will shut it down quickly.

[Jingthing]

11 minutes ago, jackdd said:

You are welcome. In general it's very easy to decide, the question is "Does Immigration get a share?"

If they get their share it's quite safe. If they don't get a share you can expect that they will shut it down quickly.

I am now reminded of the late great Bernard Trink's catchphrase:

Quote

MANURE (huMAN natURE)

Bernard Trink - Wikipedia

Edited March 27, 2021 by Jingthing

[fishtank]

8 minutes ago, jackdd said:

You are welcome. In general it's very easy to decide, the question is "Does Immigration get a share?"

If they get their share it's quite safe. If they don't get a share you can expect that they will shut it down quickly.

Just because Immigration are complient in the deciept does not make it legit.

[Jingthing]

Just now, fishtank said:

Just because Immigration are complient in the deciept does not make it legit.

Well as I said before the pertinent question is not whether it is is legit (of course it isn't), but can he get caught and punished.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Well as I said before the pertinent question is not whether it is is legit (of course it isn't), but can he get caught and punished.

Show me one and not the rubbish post about fake stamps earlier.

I don't want many. One will do. You won't find ONE.

You clearly don't approve of agents and that's fine. 

Fact is that if someone's starts a thread asking for advice, be aware that they are not asking for moral advice. 

[elliss]

57 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Not a lot different than all those that used to obtain non o (ed) and  never attended class. Same same but same

 

    Correct .. 

    Next ...

[BKKTRAVELER]

To the OP, volunteer visas work. Find a reputable agent and you will be fine. Both Dr Jack 54 and jackdd have a correct outlook.

 

Regarding moral compass... with the current situation grey areas have become whiter than usual I would believe.

Edited March 27, 2021 by BKKTRAVELER