I was just wondering what fees these agents charge for assisting people in getting visas for their Thai partners, wives or friends to come to their country ?

I know that when my missus went to see her sister in Holland a couple of months after we met, she used an agent who royally ripped her off for the flight price and everything else I could think of.

Whilst I understand that professional advice usually comes with a charge, is it really necessary for a visa application considering all the other resources out there. I ask this not from the standpoint of someone who is prepared to pay to do all the running around and simplify the process for him but whether your average guy can do it ? My take on it is that a guy who can navigate the web and make his way from Bangkok to Pattaya unaided is probably able to sort it out himslef but the guy who works in the factory for 40 years putting square pegs in square holes and round pegs in round holes would probably need their assistance.

If anyone has used such a service, do you feel it was money well spent ?

Obtain visa information and documents required from the Embassy of the country you wish to visit.

Visa agents can assist in translating documents and help you submit them to the embassy but they can not obtain a visa for an applicant. 3000 TO 4000THB would be a reasonable amont to pay for their services.

People will persist in the belief that obtaining a visa is all to do with submitting various documents, but that is so ill-informed. However, you're right that the soi-disant experts in Thailand don't know their a*se from their elbow.

Scouse.

Torrenova, some people (but certainly not all), who take the time to prepare and put together a good case, will p1ss the process.

Many others will try and fail...repeatedly.

I once fitted my own central heating. Studied from a book, it worked first time but took me about a month to install. My next house, i had a plumber install it. Worked first time but took only 4 days. My time was better spent doing other jobs and i have always had a plumber fit central heating since.

It's down to the individual really. I consider myself quite intelligent but i have little experience with applying for Visa's, so the Scouser helped me with an application and his services where well worth it.

Obtain visa information and documents required from the Embassy of the country you wish to visit.

Visa agents can assist in translating documents and help you submit them to the embassy but they can not obtain a visa for an applicant. 3000 TO 4000THB would be a reasonable amont to pay for their services.

Fanciful drivel.

A reputable, qualified company in Bangkok will probably charge fees in the region of 16,000 - 20,000bt for a visit visa application and possibly 50% more for something more complex such as a fiancee or other settlement application.

Retaining an established law firm would involve considerably more commensurate with their standing but might not achieve an outcome with any more certainty than others less august.

Any OISC registered company in the UK would charge a minimum of say 42,000bt but expect to pay considerably more than that if a practicing solicitor is instructed.

However, cowboys working out of travel and/or dating agencies abound in Bangkok and elsewhere who think nothing of conning the naive that 70,000 for a visit visa is appropriate. As ever caveat emptor but do expect to pay something rather more than a night in a decent hotel.