What does working with a visa agent look like?

[ThLT]

I have no experience with visa agents. If you work with an agent, do they go to immigration in place of you? 

 

Or do you have to go to immigration yourself, and they simply prepare the documents with you, and then sit/stand next to you? If yes, what are the benefits of working with a visa agent?

 

[Lite Beer]

No benefits at all.

Do it yourself and save a load of cash.

[CharlieH]

Depends entirely what you need/expect them to do. Different agents offer different services.

 

The more information you can give the more accurate and relevant the feedback could be.

[DrJack54]

15 minutes ago, ThLT said:

I have no experience with visa agents. If you work with an agent, do they go to immigration in place of you? 

First up there are 2 levels of service.

If you qualify for the financials and just want assistance with organization of paperwork and dealing with immigration then that service is available. 

You would need to attend immigration. 

 

The "other" level of service is to assist those that cannot/not want,

to have funds in the bank.

In that case you would not be attending immigration. 

Big difference in price.

 

If the funds are not difficult, doing it yourself is easy especially if using money in bank method

 

[vinci]

why do we always talk about agent over and over, either you can afford to use them or you don't, you gave them a few document need and sit back and relax, they will do all the walking, talking to get the job done.

[ThLT]

1 hour ago, CharlieH said:

Depends entirely what you need/expect them to do. Different agents offer different services.

 

The more information you can give the more accurate and relevant the feedback could be.

I've been doing my visa changes/renewals for some time. Basic things, especially extensions (tourist, ED, and now B once I start working). When there were no tourists because of COVID, it would take 45 minutes at the most. Now that things are picking back up again, I don't want to go back to spending hours, or using a whole afternoon to go to immigration. If the price is decent, for a visa agent to do everything instead, and you just have to relax at home, that could be a good investment. 

 

[Pmbkk]

18 minutes ago, ThLT said:

I've been doing my visa changes/renewals for some time. Basic things, especially extensions (tourist, ED, and now B once I start working). When there were no tourists because of COVID, it would take 45 minutes at the most. Now that things are picking back up again, I don't want to go back to spending hours, or using a whole afternoon to go to immigration. If the price is decent, for a visa agent to do everything instead, and you just have to relax at home, that could be a good investment. 

 

 

Don't pick any agent that doesn't specify pickup/drop-off by Mercedes S class ????

[FriendlyFarang]

The visa agent takes the relevant copies for you, completes the forms for you (you just sign them), and if they can get certain documents that you require, they do this as well.

Then they meet you at the immigration office and let you skip the queue. All you have to do is let the IO take the picture and you are done, no talking required, you know your documents are in order.

That's what they do if you qualify for a legit extension, basically just saves you a bit of time, maybe between 1 hour and a few hours, depending on how long the queue at your immigration office usually is.

I think paying 10k+ THB for a few hours of saved time is not worth it, but this is of course my personal opinion, everybody is free to have another opinion.

 

If you don't qualify for a legit extension, they can maybe still facilitate one for you (for example money in bank requirement), this does of course cost quite a bit more.

[BritTim]

It depends what you are asking the agent to do. With extensions of permission to stay and with "conversion" visas, you are supposed to attend immigration, but a good agent will ferry you there and back from your home, and arrange VIP queuing which greatly reduces the time you must spend at immigration. Excluding visas and extensions, agents will usually arrange everything without any need for you to attend immigration. One way to grade agents is how long the process takes. Overnight or even same day service is possible with the very best agents at some immigration offices.

 

Most agents provide options to circumvent some of the requirements for visas/extensions (notably the financial proof). This service is shady, but legal if the agent and officials are careful. Whether to avail yourself of these special options would depend mainly on your attitude towards corruption. Many agents arrange cut price extensions at remote provinces where you do not need to make the immigration office appearance. For various reasons, I personally consider these stealth extensions a bit dubious.

[OneMoreFarang]

I work for a company and have a work permit and we use a visa agent. The only thing I have to do is one time a year show up at immigration about 9am. The agent was there since maybe 6am. I walk in with the agent, wait maybe 5 minutes, then I sit in front of the immigration officer. They take one picture. Thanks and have a nice day.

All the paperwork is done by the agent, questions are answered by the agent, and the waiting is done by the agent. And obviously having such an agent makes life better because no stress, no hassle, no complications.

 

A long time ago I did visa runs with a company. All organized and straightforward. No hassle. It makes life just easier.

[Onerak]

I did it for two years (2020/2021). I did not give them anything except my passport, my bankbook, and lease agreement for my condo. They picked me up using a limo (Kidding though they call it a limo but it was a Honda civic). I signed a form and went to immigration office and straight went inside  (noticed lots of people standing outside in Jomtien office). They took the pic. and immediately I came back to the car waiting outside. The next day I collected my passport with proper stamp. No TM 30, running around for bank statements, lining up to take pics, and taking a queue number in the immigration office and waiting in in lines. All these for 15K while my 800K parked in US stock market earned 10% (this year I am in the USA and stock market is down). I brought 500 USD/month into Thailand like a clock work without worrying about if my bank book is stamped foreign sourced or not (I use wise). No update of bank books often. In fact never updated my bank book in the last two years. I felt good knowing that I spread a fraction of my market gains of 10%/year to the agents, their stuff, and some to the IOs because those unfortunate fellows are not lucky enough to be born in a Western country. 

[asiacurious]

3 hours ago, vinci said:

why do we always talk about agent over and over, either you can afford to use them or you don't, you gave them a few document need and sit back and relax, they will do all the walking, talking to get the job done.

So it comes down to money for you?  If you got it, spend it?

 

Pft.

 

Lots of people who can afford to use agents choose to do it themselves because they prefer to be self-reliant.  A lot of people eschew the "throw money at it" attitude towards the little inconveniences of life.

 

Of course, there must be enough people who don't share in this view as there is no shortage of agents who are happy to relieve them of their "burdens" and baht.

 

That said, if you're working 40+ hours a week then taking the time off to deal with immigration may not be a luxury you can really afford and using an agent might simply be the right thing to do (for you and the company).

[bobandyson]

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

The "other" level of service is to assist those that cannot/not want,

to have funds in the bank.

In that case you would not be attending immigration. 

You would have to attend immigration to sign any documents especially if agent has just opened a bank account for you with 'suddenly required' finances. Plus a photo taken for their data base?  

[scubascuba3]

Sometimes agents take you to Immigration other times they don't, you need to go for the photo (Retirement). Immigration are much more pragmatic when using agents, Immigration aren't difficult and are very relaxed on paperwork, less required

[DrJack54]

3 hours ago, bobandyson said:

You would have to attend immigration to sign any documents especially if agent has just opened a bank account for you with 'suddenly required' finances. Plus a photo taken for their data base?  

Opening Bank account would not be done at immigration. 

You would not attend immigration. The process would not be done for example Bangkok if you lived there..

Most agents use Bangkok Bank and yes if the additional service of opening a bank account you would need to attend bank. 

That "extra" is 4.5-5k 

 

[In Full Agreement]

3 hours ago, asiacurious said:

Lots of people who can afford to use agents choose to do it themselves because they prefer to be self-reliant.  A lot of people eschew the "throw money at it" attitude towards the little inconveniences of life.

 

Now I've heard everything.

 

 

[flipper2222222]

approximately, what are people paying or what should they be paying for these agent services?

[hereforgood]

49 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Sometimes agents take you to Immigration other times they don't, you need to go for the photo (Retirement). Immigration are much more pragmatic when using agents, Immigration aren't difficult and are very relaxed on paperwork, less required

Yesterday I renewed my Retirement extension at the agent I use and was very happy as was told no longer had to go to Immigration for the photo as it was taken in the agents office. I have the money in the bank so do not need to use a agent if I do it my self so why pay an agent ? Because I just do not want to deal with it just that simple. Stupid ? Maybe others will see it that way but with the agent fast easy no muss no fuss NEVER an issue. Time is money sure I have more time than money but just do not wish to be bothered. The cost 6900 baht and IMO worth every baht. They also do the 90 day report free if you like but I do mine online so not needed. 

[hereforgood]

Sorry should say 6100 to agent total 8K as visa cost 1900

 

[RichardColeman]

7 hours ago, FriendlyFarang said:

All you have to do is let the IO take the picture and you are done, no talking required, you know your documents are in order.

Think that is an important clue as to the validity of a good agent.  Initially the agent will take you into the immigration office to sit and have the photo done in the immigration office by immigration. If an agent is not saying this and doing this, I'd have serious worries about them.

[VocalNeal]

7 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

show up at immigration about 9am. The agent was there since maybe 6am. I walk in with the agent, wait maybe 5 minutes, then I sit in front of the immigration officer. They take one picture. Thanks and have a nice day.

This is the reason to use an agent. 

[hereforgood]

1 minute ago, VocalNeal said:

This is the reason to use an agent. 

That used to be my experience also but the other day I was told the photo can be taken by the agent in their office so it's saved a trip even going to immigration

[VocalNeal]

If one lives upcountry and the immigration office is close and usually empty then return visits are easy, if you are "missing" something. If one needs to visit a busy overcrowded office such as in Bangkok then using an agent saves a day of reading and getting there before the office opens.

[brianthainess]

It depends on what your visa/extension is for, if it's just a retirement visa my friend just gives his agent, Passport, one photo, BBK bank book (with small amount of funds) , and fee 20-15K. Doesn't sign anything. 

[jimn]

9 hours ago, FriendlyFarang said:

The visa agent takes the relevant copies for you, completes the forms for you (you just sign them), and if they can get certain documents that you require, they do this as well.

Then they meet you at the immigration office and let you skip the queue. All you have to do is let the IO take the picture and you are done, no talking required, you know your documents are in order.

That's what they do if you qualify for a legit extension, basically just saves you a bit of time, maybe between 1 hour and a few hours, depending on how long the queue at your immigration office usually is.

I think paying 10k+ THB for a few hours of saved time is not worth it, but this is of course my personal opinion, everybody is free to have another opinion.

 

If you don't qualify for a legit extension, they can maybe still facilitate one for you (for example money in bank requirement), this does of course cost quite a bit more.

What makes you think extensions obtain via an agent are not legit. The extension is signed and stamped by exactly thr same person in all circumstances. Its 100% legit.

[Nemises]

Nothing worse than having 800k baht sitting in some Thai bank account doing sweet <deleted> all. 
 

I instead invested my 800k in my home country stock market’s “blue chips” and the profit pays my yearly agent fee … furthermore the 800k has increased in value to nearly 2M (see below). 
 

My agent does everything. I have never been inside an immigration office….and never want to. 

 

 

 

 

[jimn]

Lets cut to the chase here. The main reason people use an agent is to supply the funds. When the British embassy stopped issuing income letters I switched to this as I did not wish to leave 800k in my Thai bank or transfer over 65k each month. Now I give an agent 12.5k. I go to the bank with them, they put 800k on and out of my account and take a print out. Immigration have the authority to override any requurements for the money to be deposited for a length of time. A day later I get an official extension of stay stamped and signed by the same official as if I did it myself. Nothing illegal, all above board and everyone including immigration is happy. Why do you think Big Joke was moved out.

[NanLaew]

12 hours ago, ThLT said:

If you work with an agent, do they go to immigration in place of you? 

Some do and some don't.

 

12 hours ago, ThLT said:

Or do you have to go to immigration yourself, and they simply prepare the documents with you, and then sit/stand next to you?

Some do and some don't.

 

It largely depends on the immigration office.

[Dart12]

Tell us what type of visa or extension you looking for and then people can give you specific advice, or if you even need one at all.



 

[SAFETY FIRST]

12 hours ago, ThLT said:

If yes, what are the benefits of working with a visa agent?

I started using agents when covid arrived. I no longer have the anxiety experiences, it's a little bit of money for a huge relief for me. 

 

I've been going to immigration here in Pattaya since the office was located in Soi 8.

Its always been an unpleasant experience for me, I get annoyed quickly with their rules and regulations.

The long queues at immigration office are hot. I just go to my agent, air-conditioned office, they take care of my visa extensions and 90 day reports.