Agent discount for legit extension?

[Alain Folly]

Folks, this long time lurker and DIY visa holder (non o retirement) has finally reached his limit. I'm financially able to comply (and have always complied) with all the rules.  But I am now exploring the cost/benefit trade-offs of engaging an agent.

 

Now my first question is this: is any agent willing to provide a discount for 100% legit (฿800k year round) yearly extension based on retirement?  And if so, what should I expect to pay for the "no-workaround" by the book extension?  Any quality referrals?  DMs welcome.

 

Before the derailing of the thread, let me anticipate the common comments (lurker here so I've read hundreds of these comments):

 

1. "It's easy for me, five minutes each year.  You're doing something wrong."  I know this comment very well and have myself tried to dicipher the root cause when applicants have had trouble.  Most of the time there is a well understood mistake, I'll concede.  But not always and not for me.  Off Topic.

 

2.  "Province X is easier than Y."  I'm not interested in province-shopping.  I want to choose where to live, then solve the problem of how best to achieve that.  Off Topic.

 

3. "If you use an agent once, you'll be trapped in the agent bucket forever.  Then if they are found to be breaking the law, you'll get caught up in it, detained, deported.  How dreary".   A month ago this was my main concern, but now my gut reaction is, oh well there's always Cambodia, Iraq or sunny Kharkov.  Off Topic.

 

For the ironically impaired, 1-3 are snarky ways to say I already thought of that.  In truth I don't own my thread and insightful comments would probably help someone someday.

[blackcab]

Whereabouts are you in Thailand?

[Alain Folly]

1 minute ago, blackcab said:

Whereabouts are you in Thailand?

Complication here because I really enjoy slow traveling mainly between Bkk an Chonburi (satthahip now)

[blackcab]

1 minute ago, Alain Folly said:

Complication here because I really enjoy slow traveling mainly between Bkk an Chonburi (satthahip now)

 

Whereabouts would you like to get your extension? It's no good someone recommending an agent in Bangkok if you want an extension in Pattaya.

[Alain Folly]

3 minutes ago, blackcab said:

 

Whereabouts would you like to get your extension? It's no good someone recommending an agent in Bangkok if you want an extension in Pattaya.

Let's say I'll be using Jomtien immigration office as home base. That's very possible, and a recommendation there would be very appreciated.  But my next renewal is 10 months away ..

 

At the heart of my question is the touchy business of bribes and fake bank balances (still perhaps legal because the IO has some ultimate authority, as I've read 100 times).

 

There is presumably a premium paid for that "workaround" service, SO I'm eager to pay for the convenience LESS that premium...

[proton]

why pay an agent for a legit extension that takes a few minutes and costs 1.900 baht?

[Alain Folly]

13 minutes ago, proton said:

why pay an agent for a legit extension that takes a few minutes and costs 1.900 baht?

Like I said, I know this comment well having read it many times. 

 

I'm jealous of you my brother!  My last extension was two trips for a combined door to door wall clock total of 14 hours.  6 cabs refused the SRT lak si to/from CW (they reportedly want that big mo chit money), and the officer accused me cheating on the PREVIOUS extension (I which I did not, so the weekend spent plotting my bank account sums against the oscillating 800/400 minimum.... Over 2 years)

 

Oh but I stray off topic, forgive me.

[proton]

6 minutes ago, Alain Folly said:

Like I said, I know this comment well having read it many times. 

 

I'm jealous of you my brother!  My last extension was two trips for a combined door to door wall clock total of 14 hours.  6 cabs refused the SRT lak si to/from CW (they reportedly want that big mo chit money), and the officer accused me cheating on the PREVIOUS extension (I which I did not, so the weekend spent plotting my bank account sums against the oscillating 800/400 minimum.... Over 2 years)

 

Oh but I stray off topic, forgive me.

Stay in a hotel near the office then, cheaper than an agent, you have either been unlucky, look odd or annoyed people. How can you be 14 hours away from CW round trip in Bkk? I used to leave at 6am got back about 3pm and that was as far as possible from CW

[Neeranam]

20 minutes ago, proton said:

why pay an agent for a legit extension that takes a few minutes and costs 1.900 baht?

Probably doesn't have the money. 

[proton]

1 minute ago, Neeranam said:

Probably doesn't have the money. 

Seems. to say he has, but begging for an agent discount ????

[Lemsta69]

why pay an agent when...

 

nah just kidding. yes it should be cheaper for an agent to provide the "non-workaround" extension service.

 

Maneerat on Soi Post in Pattaya have a very good reputation and quite reasonable prices for the "full Monty" (12.5k-14k) but I don't know what their discount is for a non-workaround extension.

 

https://m.facebook.com/maneerat.fon.0818630320/

[Lemsta69]

Other agents that get mentioned quite often on here are:

 

Key Visa - Pattaya

Thai Visa Centre - Bangkok

[Lemsta69]

Other recommendations for Pattaya-based agents in this thread, but you'll have to wade through a lot of "agents are bad mmkay?" comments to find the info ????

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1264956-pattaya-visa-agent-recommendation/

[NoDisplayName]

There was a recent thread referencing a YouTuber named "Chocolate Man" recommending a visa agent in Pattaya doing cash-in-the-bank O-visas for 5000 baht.  Not sure about the charge for extensions.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cua_Pr79H_Q&ab_channel=ChocolateManInThailand

 

 

 

[zzzzz]

two friend of mine in phuket just cant stand going to Immigration as once both had problems years ago, both have the 800,000 in the bank

Both use an agent every year for a LONG time 8,000/year

[proton]

24 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

two friend of mine in phuket just cant stand going to Immigration as once both had problems years ago, both have the 800,000 in the bank

Both use an agent every year for a LONG time 8,000/year

If you can't negotiate the inconsistencies and the odd frustration of an immigration office you really have no chance living here long term. First time I tried to get an extension I was told the office did not really do them and to get one in Bkk, though I lived in Samut Prakan and was at the right place, the officer hated foreigners, as I found out on here. Persistence and patience is what you need, not wasting 8k on having your hand held. 

[Lemsta69]

8 minutes ago, proton said:

not wasting 8k on having your hand held. 

that's what poor people say.

[Tuvoc]

Using an agent doesn't necessarily lock you in. I got a retirement extension from an agent in a different province, and then the following year I did it myself in our home province. No questions asked, went smoothly. Your mileage may vary..

[1FinickyOne]

I have the money in the bank and I use an agent because I am tired of filling out forms. It's not difficult as I did it for years w/o an agent as I lived in a Province w/few farang and no agents. 

 

Now, I get the bank letter and the agent does the rest other than 5 minutes in their office where they flip the pages and say sign here. - they make the appointment at Imm and I meet them there. I am out in less than five minutes as the agent has done all the paperwork properly. I smile for the photo and leave w/my visa... 

 

They charge about 5,000 baht for the VIP service - it is legal. That is their fee and I would not think to ask for a discount? They don't do illegal visas there. 

[zzzzz]

don't know why so many are set against agents,
why use a tax accountant?
Why use a auto mechanic?

why use a bricklayer

There you tube videos on all of the above

if you have the $$$ why bother with things that upset you?  Life is short

[1FinickyOne]

29 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

don't know why so many are set against agents,
why use a tax accountant?
Why use a auto mechanic?

why use a bricklayer

There you tube videos on all of the above

if you have the $$$ why bother with things that upset you?  Life is short

to do my taxes which at one point were quite complicated... 

to change my oil and I don't get greasy

to lay my bricks - [as I prefer women] 

 

And, as I was always better off using my time to make money... 

 

I agree w/you 100% - - 

[mrmicbkktxl]

13 hours ago, proton said:

why pay an agent for a legit extension that takes a few minutes and costs 1.900 baht?

because it never takes only minutes,never

[Tuvoc]

5 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

I have the money in the bank and I use an agent because I am tired of filling out forms. It's not difficult as I did it for years w/o an agent as I lived in a Province w/few farang and no agents. 

 

Now, I get the bank letter and the agent does the rest other than 5 minutes in their office where they flip the pages and say sign here. - they make the appointment at Imm and I meet them there. I am out in less than five minutes as the agent has done all the paperwork properly. I smile for the photo and leave w/my visa... 

 

They charge about 5,000 baht for the VIP service - it is legal. That is their fee and I would not think to ask for a discount? They don't do illegal visas there. 

I'd like to do the same, but to my knowledge there are no such agents in Chiang Rai / Mae Sai who do it properly at the right office. It was easy enough to do the one time I've done it, but it does take a few hours.

[PaoloR]

The location you do your extension in is key. Used to use an agent in Phuket when I lived there, as it took so long and was a hassle.

Did mine yesterday in Krabi - in and out in 18 minutes without an agent. Took me longer to get the form from the bank who, despite my showing them a copy of the form they gave me last year at that branch, did not know how to fill in the form and had to phone Head Office.

As for doing the paperwork it is simple.

Copy of relevant passport pages every page signed.

2 photos.

Bank letter.

TM7 form filled in and signed.

Hand drawn map of residence location.

Photos of me in front of house (use the same ones every year).

 

5K is the standard rate here for a clean extension, all the agents know each other as they meet every day so don't look likely to give a reduction.

 

5K for what takes me less than an hour (time to prepare papers and time at Immigration)

I'll keep the money!

[1FinickyOne]

37 minutes ago, Tuvoc said:

I'd like to do the same, but to my knowledge there are no such agents in Chiang Rai / Mae Sai who do it properly at the right office. It was easy enough to do the one time I've done it, but it does take a few hours.

Yes, and I am sure that part of the reason it goes so easily is that Imm knows the agent and sees them everyday and knows that all forms are filled out properly... 

[Tuvoc]

6 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

Yes, and I am sure that part of the reason it goes so easily is that Imm knows the agent and sees them everyday and knows that all forms are filled out properly... 

I meant easy enough to do myself, but it takes several hours. I'd rather pay an agent the 5k but there are none in my area. 

[chilly07]

You aren't locked in to an agent  if you follow the  financial  rules in full and can prove it.  I use the monthly FTT as evidence but my agent only wants to see my bankbook- no discount  offered.  With mobility problems I just can't manage the trips to the bank with covid queuing in the sun outside plus covid queuing outside and then inside Immigration exposing me to infection and considerable discomfort. With my agent I don't even have to go anywhere  near Immigration!

[problemfarang]

i dont know this will help you or not.

 

i had non-o marriage. i extended with the same agency. used her for 2 years. First time she asked 27K and the next year 18K 

just to be sure or get some other options i contacted thaivisa agency (famous in bkk and well known by this website too). I told them i have everything legit and enough including money and whatever. just lazy to go to IO same as you. They told me 35K (1.5 year ago). i didnt ask too many questions why so expensive or else. 

 

well i left the country, get another non-o and get back. Went to the IO changwattana it took literally 15-20 min to get my extension and i paid 1900 baht for it instead of from 18K to 35K 

 

i know your feeling about IOs and i agree. But trust me its the best way and trust me its so easy. When you use an agency you will feel not ok 100%, trust me. there will be this feeling you know you are doing something illegal (bribing IO) plus you will be always with agency.. 

 

please trust me and go by yourself. you did in 2 days, 2 times.. so what?! at least when you go out from the IO you will say.... ohhhh.. i feel gooodd.. trust me

[blackshadow]

On 11/22/2022 at 9:06 PM, blackcab said:

Whereabouts are you in Thailand?

would be a good idea to know ????!!!

[BritTim]

This is an agent who only deals with visa conversions and extensions when all the requirements are met: https://www.facebook.com/asiavisaconsulting/. If in Bangkok, ask them for a quote. It has been a long time since I last heard their pricing.