Dodgy Advisors.

[Bird on the Wire]

A pal of mine has a Thai girlfriend in Pattaya. She recently applied for a UK visit visa and used an agency to prepare her papers. Her visa request was turned down because it seems that this agency included a job reference saying that she works for them, which she has never done, and the British embassy cottoned on to this.

What, if any, legal recourse does me mate have?

[the scouser]

In relation to advisers in Thailand, probably none whatsoever. If you wish to engage a representative in Thailand, use a reputable law firm. Don't go to one of the fly-by-nights who has no qualification whatsoever to be an adviser.

As you may know, representatives in the UK are regulated, principally by either the Law Society or the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). There was some talk about the requirement to be regulated being extended to those who operate abroad, but I've heard nothing of it recently, and would be largely unworkable. However, if you look at the new visa applications forms you will see that if the preparation has been done by a representative, this has to be acknowledged on the form itself. Of course, for the cowboys this raises an awkward dilemma: to enter their details and let the embassy know, or not to do so and risk the client asking why. If they enter their details and have been involved in previous dodginess, then one would presume that the embassy is going to refuse without consideration all applications which are prepared by such an outfit.

As already mentioned, anyone in the UK who offers immigration advice/services must be registered. It doesn't matter if the company they work for is based abroad, if they themselves are in the UK, they are bound by the requirement to register. The penalty for not being registered is up to two years inside, plus the preliminary knock on the door at six in the morning to have their computers carried away.

If your friend wants to engage a representative for a second visa application for his girlfriend, I'd suggest he gets one in the UK which is registered either with the Law Society or the OISC.

Scouse.

[Bird on the Wire]

Just as I thought.

Ta.

[david96]

For Australians here is a link to advise you. You can obtain information from DIAC

http://www.immi.gov.au/students/migration_agents/index.htm#c

Possibly similar to the UK? Australia has probably the best immigration system in the World.

[peter991]

Australia has probably the best immigration system in the World.

I would not say the Oz system is the best, but it is certainly one of the toughest. Perhaps too tough - with very little recourse to an appeal. That's if you try to come to Australia as a legitimate tourist. I won't even get started on one of my pet peeves - 'boat people.'

Peter

[GBK]

There is a firm in BKK that I have heard good things about - CVS. I have no details other than that - sorry. The guy is an ex-visa-issuer, or whatever they are called at the Home Office.

HTH

[Lancashirelad]

There is a firm in BKK that I have heard good things about - CVS. I have no details other than that - sorry. The guy is an ex-visa-issuer, or whatever they are called at the Home Office.

HTH

The MD is a Mr John Collins. Doesn't take much of a search in Google to find this. Looks an ok outfit, though specialising in what the company's initials stand for Corporate Visa Services.

edited for typos

Edited December 2, 2007 by Lancashirelad

[the scouser]

The MD is a Mr John Collins. Doesn't take much of a search in Google to find this. Looks an ok outfit, though specialising in what the company's initials stand for Corporate Visa Services.

Another ex-immigration officer earning his crust through honest toil...

Scouse.