Visa Arranged By An Agency

[Zappadappa]

I have heard of Thai agencies arranging visa's for Thais (to go to Australia)

The process is apparently painless (or so the agencies say)

My question is, what is the word on the street about using agencies, are they trustworthy, reliable and safe?

Do they have hidden agenda's inside the contracts that an non street savvy Thai might become trapped in?

Cheers in advance for all and any reply

Edited May 25, 2008 by Zappadappa

[Farma]

Prior to marriage my wife successfully used an agency 3 times for her Oz tourist visas. It was all arranged through the travel agent where she purchased the ticket. It was only done for convenience as it saved her trips to Bangkok.

She still had to fill in all the paperwork and supply the necessary documents as if she applied in person. A couple of times the embassy had a query and called her direct. The agent did the running around, filed the application and collected the passport with the tourist visa, that was all, they had no influence as such.

[gburns57au]

I have heard of Thai agencies arranging visa's for Thais (to go to Australia)

The process is apparently painless (or so the agencies say)

My question is, what is the word on the street about using agencies, are they trustworthy, reliable and safe?

Do they have hidden agenda's inside the contracts that an non street savvy Thai might become trapped in?

Cheers in advance for all and any reply

Some are good and some are bad......

It is at the customers risk.

It is more important that the applicant meets the requirements for a visa rather that who completes the application.

[Zappadappa]

Cheers for your input guys

Highly appreciate it!

I guess now the question begs to be answered, can anyone list the good and bad agencies?

[funfun]

Cheers for your input guys

Highly appreciate it!

I guess now the question begs to be answered, can anyone list the good and bad agencies?

the good, he is on this forum and done a few of my friends with 100% results!

http://www.davieskhan.co.uk/

chris

[gburns57au]

the good, he is on this forum and done a few of my friends with 100% results!

http://www.davieskhan.co.uk/

chris

I believe that the OP is asking regards Oz visas for a Thai in Thailand...

[gburns57au]

Cheers for your input guys

Highly appreciate it!

I guess now the question begs to be answered, can anyone list the good and bad agencies?

That is like asking us to list good and bad cars....

Everyone will have an opinion and that opinion may not be the same as anothers.

You need to go and see a few and suss them out yourself.

[funfun]

Cheers for your input guys

Highly appreciate it!

I guess now the question begs to be answered, can anyone list the good and bad agencies?

That is like asking us to list good and bad cars....

Everyone will have an opinion and that opinion may not be the same as anothers.

You need to go and see a few and suss them out yourself.

"Everyone will have an opinion and that opinion may not be the same as anothers"

isnt that the whole idea of this forum? helpfull advice from people who may/ maynot have made a mistake or found somthing good?

if 10 people on here say xyz visas are a rip off and and 10 say abc visas are great, who do you think you would use?

"I believe that the OP is asking regards Oz visas for a Thai in Thailand..."

i belive they do visas for all over the world, i maybe wrong, but im sure the one i recomended would be in a better position than us to advise him!

chris

[MJo]

Australian embassy has outsourced their visa applications to VFS couple of years ago. Their application center is located in Sathorn. Staff there is helpful and can easily advice on documentation required. Also lot of information in their web page http://www.vfs-au.net/

No point using agents if you can make it to sathorn yourself...

[Zappadappa]

Yes apologies for not being specific

I did mean for a Thai visiting OZ or any other country for that matter.

Cheers heaps to those who have offered potential agencies:)

It is true that if the majority are happy with a particular agency then the odds are in your favour of being satisfied with their efforts, thus avoiding the pitfalls of the "hit and miss" method.

One reads of unscrupulous agencies "selling" hapless victims into what amounts to slave labour in countries that are otherwise considered modern and progressive. It is also true that some agencies entrap innocent victims leaving them with massive debts etc.

It is also true that there are many fine and reputable agencies who do a splendid and honest job helping those out who do not understand the language well (after all how many of us Farangs can read fluent Thai?) or who do not fully understand or are aware of the intricacies of obtaining visa's and perhaps, due to work constraints etc, cannot invest the appropriate time required to source and obtain a visa.

If we learn nothing from other peoples adventures then we are being foolish in ours.

[david96]

I have heard of Thai agencies arranging visa's for Thais (to go to Australia)

The process is apparently painless (or so the agencies say)

My question is, what is the word on the street about using agencies, are they trustworthy, reliable and safe?

Do they have hidden agenda's inside the contracts that an non street savvy Thai might become trapped in?

Cheers in advance for all and any reply

Some are good and some are bad......

It is at the customers risk.

It is more important that the applicant meets the requirements for a visa rather that who completes the application.

It should be remembered that the applicant and the sponsor (if applicable) are legally responsible for what they sign for in the documentation. One should make sure all information is correct before signing. It would be very difficult to hold an agency liable for errors or false information in Thailand. (If you have to use an migration agent use one that is registered with MARA for Australian visa applications.)

Or better still fill all forms in yourself if you use a Thai agent and they do the translating of Thai documents to English.

And remember Thai agencies are not subject to Australian legal requirements.

Edited May 27, 2008 by david96

[Zappadappa]

It should be remembered that the applicant and the sponsor (if applicable) are legally responsible for what they sign for in the documentation. One should make sure all information is correct before signing. It would be very difficult to hold an agency liable for errors or false information in Thailand. (If you have to use an migration agent use one that is registered with MARA for Australian visa applications.)

Or better still fill all forms in yourself if you use a Thai agent and they do the translating of Thai documents to English.

And remember Thai agencies are not subject to Australian legal requirements.

Cheers Dave

Because i'm dumb could you just let me know what MARA stands for ?

Thanx heaps

[david96]

MARA. Migration Agents Registration Authority.

http://www.themara.com.au/Online/default.asp

[Zappadappa]

MARA. Migration Agents Registration Authority.

http://www.themara.com.au/Online/default.asp

Ah cheers double heaps David

I'd never heard of that place before !