Visa Agencies in Thailand: Balancing Immigration Assistance with Challenges

[Presnock]

1 minute ago, MikeandDow said:

Does not matter what other countries Immigration policys are !! this is about Thailand, in a Thai forum

Funny, I seem to hear about other countries all the time.  If you are upset about it just ignore it like I do for most stories.

 

[MikeandDow]

2 minutes ago, Presnock said:

Funny, I seem to hear about other countries all the time.  If you are upset about it just ignore it like I do for most stories.

 

its off topic the mods will delet it and so they should

[sandyf]

4 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

 

The only ban is on mule accounts used for facilitating scams, not legitimate new bank accounts opened with the assistance of an agent.

Whether you like it or not, therein lies the problem, how do the banks know if funds from an an agent are legitimate or are going to be used legitimately or not.

Only those with their head in sand would think that every agent application is from people with sufficient funds to make the application.

This time last year my under consideration was about a week over. My wife was told to ring up every day and see if it had come back. After a couple of day she asked the IO why the delay and was told Immigration was backed up because they had to scrutinise agent applications more thoroughly for the financial    requirements.

Take that as read no need for some BS comment.

[hotandsticky]

7 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Meaning more corruption for the Immigration, with help from said agencies  and corrupt corrupt banks to produce visas  to people who doesn't qualify.

 

 

What?

 

 

You want to save Thailand from corruption?

 

 

 

I think that you might have missed the bus on that one.

[Daniel 2]

3 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I am glad I paid 8,000 Baht for the relief of not standing in line.

8000, where? in Pattaya? 

[Daniel 2]

3 hours ago, JB300 said:

Same here, 8000b (+ 4000b for the multi re-entry permit) & I believe it’s worth it.
 

Others may see it as a waste of money & I’m sure if looked at the way they spend their money I would see things that I think are a waste of money. 
 

Different folks, different strokes. 

 

 

May I ask you, where? in Pattaya? 

[hotandsticky]

4 minutes ago, Daniel 2 said:

8000, where? in Pattaya? 

 

 

Yes. Soi Post Office

[Daniel 2]

Just now, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Yes. Soi Post Office

Thanks 🙏

[Daniel 2]

2 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Yes. Soi Post Office

Thanks 🙏

[Presnock]

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

Does not matter what other countries Immigration policys are !! this is about Thailand, in a Thai forum

yeah, and I was asking what the Thai rd is doing with those countries - I know people and news talk about certain other nationalities other than westerners here.  I couldn't possibly care more about those countries' tax systems, just how their expats here are being treated.  As a matter of fact, I usually skip the westerners here too as they have really complicated financial systems and getting all kinds of guesses on how to proceed from the Experts on this forum.

[MikeandDow]

20 minutes ago, Daniel 2 said:

Thanks 🙏

There is one born every minute  he is joking !!! duh!!

[Andre0720]

8 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

From police order

5. In the case where an alien applicant does not meet the full qualifications stipulated by the criteria herein or in other cases not specified in this Order but a competent officer equivalent to or higher than inspector is of the opinion that the alien has legitimate reason for staying in the Kingdom of Thailand, the application shall be forwarded to the Commander of the Royal Thai Police or an authorized competent officer for further consideration of the alien's application. 

If, maybe, perhaps...

If an Agent is used...

[Andre0720]

9 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

By not having the "money in the Bank"

But what if they did have money in the bank, let's say for 5 years in a row,  but one money transfer was late for a given month, and visa renewal was rejected at all levels.......

[JB300]

3 hours ago, Daniel 2 said:

May I ask you, where? in Pattaya? 

Maneerat, Soi Post Office (Soi 13/2 Beach Road)

[stevenl]

13 hours ago, Andre0720 said:

But what if they did have money in the bank, let's say for 5 years in a row,  but one money transfer was late for a given month, and visa renewal was rejected at all levels.......

That's not money in the bank then.

[NoshowJones]

21 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I know many people who use agents that do qualify they just don't want to waste time at immigration. 

And, there are a lot of businesses here that employ legal foreigners who use the agents to process them.  

I opened a new account with another Thai bank about a year ago, (I was very unhappy with my present bank,) sending money from my UK bank because I wanted to go on the the marriage extensions.

 

I was told by two visa experts on this forum that because I was on retirement extensions with an agent it could be problematic.

 

It was mentioned that when I went to my local IO they would notice there was no 800,000 Bt in my Thai bankbook and that could cause problems. I am now left with dealing with my agent who is providing an excellent service, when I should be able to go to my local IO for marriage extensions.

[hotandsticky]

2 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

I opened a new account with another Thai bank about a year ago, (I was very unhappy with my present bank,) sending money from my UK bank because I wanted to go on the the marriage extensions.

 

I was told by two visa experts on this forum that because I was on retirement extensions with an agent it could be problematic.

 

It was mentioned that when I went to my local IO they would notice there was no 800,000 Bt in my Thai bankbook and that could cause problems. I am now left with dealing with my agent who is providing an excellent service, when I should be able to go to my local IO for marriage extensions.

 

 

The issue is that only retirement extensions can be approved locally, at the discretion of the IO  -  marriage extensions are sent up the line for sign off. Coupled with fact that you first have to evidence adherence to the last terms of approval (you can't) it forces you back to the agent.

 

I imagine that the only way you could do this is to let the current approval lapse and then start over again, on a marriage basis, with 400k in your bank.

[Gobbler]

They are all sworn police officers. That's #1

 

Did you ever wonder why they are such douches to all of us? 

 

Following the rules doesn't bring them dosh, dough, or money.  Driving you into the "system" makes them good swag. 

 

It's so simple and easy to figure out.

[NoshowJones]

9 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

The issue is that only retirement extensions can be approved locally, at the discretion of the IO  -  marriage extensions are sent up the line for sign off. Coupled with fact that you first have to evidence adherence to the last terms of approval (you can't) it forces you back to the agent.

 

I imagine that the only way you could do this is to let the current approval lapse and then start over again, on a marriage basis, with 400k in your bank.

I understand what  you are saying in your first paragraph. You mean when my present retirement extensions  finish, I should just go to my local IO, and they will just automatically send my marriage application up the line for sign off and it will make no difference that I was on retirement extensions for years with an agent, and then I go through all the formalities, bank account, house visits etc.

[hotandsticky]

7 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

I understand what  you are saying in your first paragraph. You mean when my present retirement extensions  finish, I should just go to my local IO, and they will just automatically send my marriage application up the line for sign off and it will make no difference that I was on retirement extensions for years with an agent, and then I go through all the formalities, bank account, house visits etc.

 

 

Not quite. 

 

Whilst you will no doubt be able to satisfy the requirements for the 'new' extension based on marriage, your problem is not being able to evidence adherence to the terms of approval LAST year....ie 800k 2 month prior to approval, 800k for 3 months after approval and then not falling below 400k.

 

I think that it would do no harm to talk to your local IO as practices do vary from office to office.

[NoshowJones]

48 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Not quite. 

 

Whilst you will no doubt be able to satisfy the requirements for the 'new' extension based on marriage, your problem is not being able to evidence adherence to the terms of approval LAST year....ie 800k 2 month prior to approval, 800k for 3 months after approval and then not falling below 400k.

 

I think that it would do no harm to talk to your local IO as practices do vary from office to office.

I might just do that but I have nearly a year. Thanks for your output.

[pomchop]

17 hours ago, JB300 said:

Maneerat, Soi Post Office (Soi 13/2 Beach Road)

8000 thb for exactly what services....

[hotandsticky]

2 hours ago, pomchop said:

8000 thb for exactly what services....

 

In my case it covered processing the extension application with me evidencing the financial requirements.

 

This year I want to do it without my funds so it will be 12,500 Baht.

[jmd8800]

On 2/22/2025 at 1:21 PM, jerrymahoney said:

And then according to Jack:

 

I left out one word... Should have stated "MOST Folk using agents don't have the 800k

and the rest need hand holding

[zzzzz]

got this far,  "...Today, the golden era for Thai visa agencies appears to be waning. The ease of obtaining 60-day tourist visas on arrival reduces the necessity for border runs, "

and realized whoever wrote it doesn't know S#@T

[jmd8800]

On 2/22/2025 at 1:59 PM, riverhigh said:

"During the 1990s, the introduction of retirement visas and non-immigrant visas for specialised groups bolstered the necessity of visa agencies. They offered relief from lengthy queues and cumbersome paperwork through services such as address verifications and residency certificates."

 

Silly me I always thought it was for those who didn't have the 800,000 baht and/or medical insurance, depending on the visa. If memory serves me right, I never heard any of my friends say  "I'm glad I  paid the 19,000 baht for the relief of not standing in line".

I'm glad I paid 2000 baht for not standing in line year. However, last year I paid 5900 and was in and out in 10 minutes. This year was 30 minutes.

 

On top of that, it was nice to support a husband and wife Thai business.

[sabai-dee-man]

On 2/22/2025 at 4:41 AM, CapatainbeefheartB4 said:

Well then... More difficulties for Farangs in Thailand, immigration, tax burdens, toxic air, over tourism, sullen and sour locals, drunk tourists, road rage on dangerous roads, delivery scooters riding like bats out of hell. Remind me again why it's a nice place to retire?

 

It's hot and sunny 10 months of the year, and mangos are cheap! 🤣🤣🤣

[lordgrinz]

On 2/22/2025 at 10:25 AM, MikeandDow said:

read my post !!!!   granting of a visa is at the discretion of the immigration officer  irrespective of money its called sin nam jai,

 

aka Corruption.

[MikeandDow]

25 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

aka Corruption.

in the eyes of western culture yes !!!  but Thais see it different ,

In traditional Thai value system merit is derived from power and in this way forms a basis for patron- client relationship in the political society. There is also a tradition of presenting gifts to high officials. In this context you see that some things used to be legitimate under the traditional patronage system but are clearly to be considered problematic in modern legal
system.

 A survey concerning people’s attitudes towards corruption. This study showed that many Thais still accept paying fees to officials as sin nam jai, the 'gifts of good will' and do not see that as a form of corruption. Much more they see taking
things, even small ones like pencils, home from office corrupt. An other thing they found out was that there is a growing group of middle class people who oppose the corruption in its all forms. Still people expected the corruption even grow rather than disappear.

Corruption in Thailand is entreched in The culture of the place ! so its not so simple in saying That is Corrupt by give a IO money it goes deeper !!

 

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, MikeandDow said:

in the eyes of western culture yes !!!  but Thais see it different ,

In traditional Thai value system merit is derived from power and in this way forms a basis for patron- client relationship in the political society. There is also a tradition of presenting gifts to high officials. In this context you see that some things used to be legitimate under the traditional patronage system but are clearly to be considered problematic in modern legal
system.

 A survey concerning people’s attitudes towards corruption. This study showed that many Thais still accept paying fees to officials as sin nam jai, the 'gifts of good will' and do not see that as a form of corruption. Much more they see taking
things, even small ones like pencils, home from office corrupt. An other thing they found out was that there is a growing group of middle class people who oppose the corruption in its all forms. Still people expected the corruption even grow rather than disappear.

Corruption in Thailand is entreched in The culture of the place ! so its not so simple in saying That is Corrupt by give a IO money it goes deeper !!

 

 

I don't care how they see it, it's the pure definition of "corruption"