Use Of Agents

[liveforever]

its just really a thought and topic of interest on the use of agents; we have not used one in our application, but how do you think the use of them is interpritated by the eco within the decision for the visa? maybe visaplus, thai visa express or some better informed people could shed some light.

cheers

Edited September 29, 2010 by liveforever

[VisasPlus]

That is a very good question, liveforever. I hope you have had read 7x7's pinned post on the subject of agents ? He is quite right that most people should be able to submit a visa application without the assistance of an agent. But, we all know of cases where people are either unable, uncertain or unsure of how to go about it. This forum is a great help in those cases. Then there are the people who have been refused, who are actually scared of being refused, etc, and they also use an agent. Bear in mind that most agents do not just deal with visa applications for the UK or USA, or wherever, but are dealing with a whole spectrum of services from visa advice, marriage advice and arrangements, translations, Thai visa extensions, etc, so what we read about in this forum is only a part of the agent's daily business. But let's not forget that it is a business. Hopefully most agents in this business are in it to provide a service and make money, not just to make money. Certainly, Thai Visa Express and ourselves ( Visas Plus ) make no money from this forum, but we do hope that by advertising here and giving free advice we may attract business. I don't, by the way, own any business. I am a paid employee.

Your question - how are we seen by ECOs ? It's interesting for me as I was an ECO at one time, and I have recently retired from working in a British High Commission. When I did visa work we viewed agents in two ways: those we knew to be ok, and those we knew who weren't. ECOs and Visa Sections soon get to learn which agents can be " trusted " and which can't. The VAF includes a question on whether an agent was used. We ( Visas Plus ) have no reason not to fill this in, but some agents ( speaking from experience ), do not ). However, ECOs soon learn to recognise similarities in applications, or application styles, and can usually tell if the application was completed by a particular agent. In addition, most UK Embassies now have an intel section or verification unit which collates information, such as which applications contain false documentation, which addresses or telephone numbers are used often, etc. To sum up, some ECOs actually like applications from agents they know, as they are likely to be well prepared, complete, and hopefully, honest.

I hope I haven't spoken for TVE, and I'm sure Paul will add something.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

You have a choice either do the application yourself or instruct a consultant who has demonstrated proven ability with applications. You are paying for a service most good consultants will prepare and take the applicant to UK/VAC and for any X rays included in the fee. I know in our case the documents are posted back to our office also saving the applicant a trip to collect them in Bangkok.

Visa Plus just about covered everything & i agree totally agree, we also offer a translation/Marriage/ service and offer visas to other countries.

[norrona]

Without an agent located in Thailand I don't know what we would have done at times, money well spent if you haven't got the time in your everyday life as far as I am concerned....

not everyones partners are that confident in going for x-rays, knowing where to go to hand the paperwork in and practical advice in general which is something anyone should think about if you are not located in Thailand.

Peace of mind at the end of the day is worth the price in my opinion.

[liveforever]

thanks alot for your replys guys; most interesting from visaplus as he has the view from both angles, both as agent and ex eco.

i totally understand that a well prepared applicaion from a good agent is easy for the eco to look through, and a bad one must also have the opposite effect. its obvious that a good, well respected agent is worth his weight in gold, especially if the applicant does not have the time or experience to complete all the areas surrounding the application.

kind regards.

[Thongkorn]

Lets be Honest . it takes about 2 days to get your chest x-rays and paperwork sorted out to get married and submit your visa application, and it s not hard to find the places that are recomended to you , You get maps and directions, given to you by the Imo, You get your x-ray resultsa the same day, so no need for posting them, you never hear of how many agents get refused visa applications. And as it states , all visas are juged on there own merrit, not because a visa agent is preparing them.