Do you do immigration business yourself? If so why?

[likerdup1]

I've done my immigration business for the last 11 years myself.

 

I am on my fourth Non-O Visa with a 1 year extension of stay. Three times before in Chonburi (first time in 2012) and this last time in Bangkok done at Chang Wattana Division 1 completed yesterday.

 

Why do others do immigration business themselves? I do it because I don't want to be involved in graft, be attached to an agent and pay a lot of extra money for what amounts to about $100 an hour for my time if I paid an agent.

 

Why do you do your immigration business yourself?

Edited December 27, 2023 by likerdup1

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

Why do you do your immigration business yourself?

For most it's one of 4.

 

Firstly... inadequate funds.

 

Second.. have funds but prefer to not have it in Thai bank account as can earn ~8% elsewhere.

 

Third....don't want to deal with immigration.

 

Other.... immobility or other health issues. 

 

But you have known that already. 

[Mike Lister]

I'm now on my 21st extension. I used to do my own but I finally grew tired of the run around that Immi used to give me, every time I went to extend. There were never enough copies, there was always always something that had to be copied. One year they asked to see my lease, without any warning and when I mentioned it on here, everyone said I was lying or crazy. Pretty soon, everyone had to produce a lease or similar. One year in Phuket the IO didn't like the fact my bank letter was one day old and since my bank was HSBC in Bangkok, that  meant a new return trip to Bangkok, a new letter and another immi appointment. In another year, my bank letter showed my total assets with the bank in Thailand, rather than just 800k, it had never been a problem before. That year the IO wanted me to reconcile all my bank books and accounts, back to the letter, it was like teaching accounting 101 to a kid. There were numerous other things also.

 

Eventually, things got to a point where we were required to start queuing for a queue number, in the parking lot of Immi, at 4 am and I finally said borrocks to that. That was when I started to use a well regarded legit agent and now they do everything Immi related for me and I only ever set foot inside an Immi office, once a year, for five minutes, to get my picture taken. Best investment I ever made.

Edited December 27, 2023 by Mike Lister

[jerrymahoney]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Other

Other (b) No problem being involved in graft, be attached to an agent 

[DudleySquat]

13 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

I've done my immigration business for the last 11 years myself.

 

I am on my fourth Non-O Visa with a 1 year extension of stay. Three times before in Chonburi (first time in 2012) and this last time in Bangkok done at Chang Wattana Division 1 completed yesterday.

 

Why do others do immigration business themselves? I do it because I don't want to be involved in graft, be attached to an agent and pay a lot of extra money for what amounts to about $100 an hour for my time if I paid an agent.

 

Why do you do your immigration business yourself?

 

I used an agent last year. I witnessed a complete disregard for my passport multiple times by these people. I will never do it again. 

 

 

[likerdup1]

7 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

I'm now on my 21st extension. I used to do my own but I finally grew tired of the run around that Immi used to give me, every time I went to extend. There were never enough copies, there was always always something that had to be copied. One year they asked to see my lease, without any warning and when I mentioned it on here, everyone said I was lying or crazy. Pretty soon, everyone had to produce a lease or similar. One year in Phuket the IO didn't like the fact my bank letter was one day old and since my bank was HSBC in Bangkok, that  meant a new return trip to Bangkok, a new letter and another immi appointment. In another year, my bank letter showed my total assets with the bank in Thailand, rather than just 800k, it had never been a problem before. That year the IO wanted me to reconcile all my bank books and accounts, back to the letter, it was like teaching accounting 101 to a kid. There were numerous other things also.

 

Eventually, things got to a point where we were required to start queuing for a queue number, in the parking lot of Immi, at 4 am a,d I finally said borrocks to that. That was when I started to use a well regarded legit agent and now they do everything Immi related for me and I only ever set foot inside an Immi office, once a year, for five minutes, to get my picture taken. Best investment I ever made.

I might consider, like yourself, using a well regarded legitimate agent whom I am paying to do most all the foot work. This I would consider for all the reasons you've mentioned. Especially after the run around I had a CW this past week. I enjoy knowing exactly how the process works but as I get older, a bit richer with my time being worth more to me I would do some research and find a good, legitimate, well regarded, well established agent to do the foot work.

Edited December 27, 2023 by likerdup1

[2baht]

14 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

Why do you do your immigration business yourself?

Because I can!

[KhunBENQ]

Yes and why not: because a provincial office like ours does not cause hours of queuing and paperwork is easy if you fulfill the requirements (may differ as some offices seem to invent own rules to harras people).

I hardly need more than an hour waiting included to do extension. Out before 11 AM and plenty of time to shop and dine.

[Real Name Hidden]

I just received my 13th retirement extension, never used an agent.  Sometimes something comes up, not always.  I deal with it.  Why pay more than 1900? (Plus a few extra hundred for bank statements, because some people use agents to circumvent the rules).

[MJCM]

1 minute ago, KhunBENQ said:

Yes and why not: because a provincial office like ours does not cause hours of queuing and paperwork is easy if you fulfill the requirements (may differ as some offices seem to invent own rules to harras people).

I hardly need more than an hour waiting included to do extension. Out before 11 AM and plenty of time to shop and dine.

the longest wait for us is to get the bank letter and the 6 month statement at the bank, that usually is at approx an hour in the bank, immigration was a breeze, arrived at 12:55 left 13:20 with a new 1 year extension (retirement)

[Tropicalevo]

27 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

Why do you do your immigration business yourself?

I don't

[KhunBENQ]

5 minutes ago, MJCM said:

the longest wait for us is to get the bank letter and the 6 month statement at the bank, that usually is at approx an hour in the bank, immigration was a breeze, arrived at 12:55 left 13:20 with a new 1 year extension (retirement)

I always did bank letter a day before. Was told that only book update is needed same day.

(at KK, CW has own rules).

 

12 month statement at Bangkok Bank seems annoying? Order days ahead.

Will see next year.

Edited December 27, 2023 by KhunBENQ

[Mike Lister]

Two other incidents were the catalyst for me to change. The first was when an IO opened my passport and stamped my new visa and skipped several blank pages,. I looked at him in amazement and asked him why he did that. He didn't answer, just tossed my passport across the desk, at me. The second was when an IO at Swampy miss dated my stay until date and tried to correct it with a pen but I didn't notice until much later. When I went to Immi to try and correct the problem, the officer made a very big and loud deal about me making changes to my visa and that was fraudulent and I could go to jail. This was in a room of some 50 or so people waiting to extend their visa's. There was nothing I could do or say except that I hadn't made the changes, he obviously thought  it was funny to intimidate a farang publically.... f'wit.

Edited December 27, 2023 by Mike Lister

[quake]

Do it all myself for years.

So they get only the cost of an extension from me.

and a smug grin, at them all,  on the way out. 

 

[BE88]

 

Yes. Because I think that going around the rules one day or another will pay dearly.

 

Edited December 27, 2023 by BE88

[lordgrinz]

I like being in full control of my life, I want to know all the parts of the process, and I want to have all the proper paperwork/licenses/etc in my possession. I also want to follow all the rules, and the only way to make sure everything was done properly, is to do it myself.

[The Cyclist]

25 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

Why do you do your immigration business yourself?

 

1. It is a simple process

 

2.  Because I have never had a problem with immigration.

 

3.  I do my 90 reports / annual extension in person, nearest Friday to report date and spend Friday and Saturday in a hotel.

 

4. When I get to an age where it is no longer a pleasant experience, I will probably seek ou t an agent to do the donkey work for me.

 

 

[MJCM]

7 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

I always did bank letter a day before. Was told that only book update is needed same day.

 

12 month statement at Bangkok Bank seems annoying? Order days ahead.

Will see next year.

i asked them when I did my extension (2 weeks ago) and they said (and I quote) “They prefer the bank letter and book update to be done on the same day”. (Ymmv)

 

My bank branch only opens at 10:30, I could go to the one in town (which opens earlier) but parking there is very difficult.

 

This is Buriram IO

 

ps: i had the 12 month statement also (approx 4 weeks old) but they did not ask for it, only the 6 month statement (but must say it’s a FD deposit with the money in there many years already, I am already on my 2 book, which they both wanted to look at)

Edited December 27, 2023 by MJCM

[Lacessit]

When I do it myself, I am saving about 7000 baht for about 2 hours work in getting all my ducks in a row. Effectively, I am paying myself 3500 baht/hour.

[mfd101]

I do it all myself because (1) I'm a well-organized type and can assemble the papers without difficulty (2) I HATE the thought of paying them bribes (3) I'm not rich enough that I like throwing money away.

 

They have tried it on a few times but I just smile blandly through my facemask and carry on as though nothing had happened. Once they made me wait 3 hours as a result but it was worth it when the female I was dealing with came out to deliver my stamped p/p (having said earlier that it would take 2 weeks unless I paid an extra fee). She obviously thought she was about to receive her extras but I just took the p/p, smiled & wai'd and turned & walked to the car ...

[CharlieH]

At my immigration office there is a nice young lady sat in the corner, if you give her the forms and all supporting documents to her, she completes them, collates them, takes whatever copies are needed and creates a complete bundle all clipped together, just sign where needed and hand it in. So easy, no frustration, no hassle. Cost 200bt. That works for me.

[BigStar]

Trivial to do. Forms are all neatly completed, typewritten, on my computer. All I do is change the dates and run off a set. Affix photo, signing takes a few minutes. Stop by the bank, head to Immigration at a likely less busy time, and I'm in and out pretty quickly. Never any problems. Cold one at one of my fave bars tastes great on the way home. 

[KhunLA]

Why not, it's simply too easy to do.

 

Same as OP, not paying someone to submit my paperwork, when I can do it myself, usually less than 1 hr ... 2 hrs max.

 

Spend that 'fee' on something I actually want.   Don't need to spend it on saving time, as I have plenty of that.

Edited December 27, 2023 by KhunLA

[noobexpat]

No choice really.

Had to travel pattaya to chaeng wattana to get it setup.

My 1 year extension took longer than everyone else's extension because 'big boss have to sign'.

 

 

[brianthainess]

Do everything myself marriage extension, it's one day a year of stress but I get over that, what annoyed me this year was the officer trying to get me to do the retirement extension, yet again, and complains to ME it too much paperwork for the married one, I told her it's you and your office that makes that problem not me!

Is there actually any other office with so many rules in Thailand than TRAT? everything must be dated the same day and must take your witness along. I may add photos have to be glossy.

And then to cap it off the TM47 x 2 that wants all the same info on your PP copies and you must write your age 'coz their to dumb to work it out. with exactly the same questions top and bottom. 

 

Edited December 27, 2023 by brianthainess

[Sheryl]

I do it all myself because I have no choice.

 

My IO is highly unpleasant (in fact downright abusive) and I would gladly pay for someone else to do this on my behalf.

 

But cannot find a single agent willing to come out to my province (there are none in it) and do not want to get an extension from a province where I don't live with all the attendant risks that can carry and issues for 90 day reporting etc.

[PJ71]

34 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

At my immigration office there is a nice young lady sat in the corner, if you give her the forms and all supporting documents to her, she completes them, collates them, takes whatever copies are needed and creates a complete bundle all clipped together, just sign where needed and hand it in. So easy, no frustration, no hassle. Cost 200bt. That works for me.

House visit?

[Morch]

Mrs. Morch handles all the paperwork, copies, and even talk with the IM officers.

I fill my details, sign where needed, post for the pics and generally being charming me.

 

Most agents here deal with Myanmar workers and factories hiring them.

Wouldn't be so trusting letting them hang on to my passport, information and so on.

 

It's not a busy office, we rarely wait long, and the new location got a nice restaurant/coffee shop/garden nearby.

[likerdup1]

48 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

When I do it myself, I am saving about 7000 baht for about 2 hours work in getting all my ducks in a row. Effectively, I am paying myself 3500 baht/hour.

That's the way I look at it. Although some of the agents that I spoke to wanted considerably more. I was getting quotes well above 20,000 just to "fix" my problem with my retirement extension and NOT ONE of them would describe to me exactly how they were gonna fix it. (those who say it's a "payment" to the immigration officials need not respond)

[mokwit]

1 hour ago, DudleySquat said:

 

I used an agent last year. I witnessed a complete disregard for my passport multiple times by these people. I will never do it again. 

 

 

You have a point, there is always the risk the messenger might decide he has had enough of Bangkok and go back upcountry with the passports still under the seat of his motocy.

 

Another risk is power struggles between factions within a certain Bureau or a new boss halting things to make it clear where the "appreciation" has to flow (Lars told me that happens with every change). You could be caught up in that with not enough time left. Recently at CW things were very difficult for agents - whether that was all agents or those not in a favoured subgroup was not clear.