Visa And Work Permit Renewal Fees / Rates

[Godot]

My Visa and Work Permit is up for renewal. I have a 1 year visa and the WP is valid for 6 months. The price / fee quoted by my lawyer was 45.000 BHT for the two (20.000 for renewing the 1 year Visa and 25.000 for renewing the WP). Can anyone confirm (or not) that these are “standard” rates?

[Tywais]

My Visa and Work Permit is up for renewal. I have a 1 year visa and the WP is valid for 6 months. The price / fee quoted by my lawyer was 45.000 BHT for the two (20.000 for renewing the 1 year Visa and 25.000 for renewing the WP). Can anyone confirm (or not) that these are “standard” rates?

Can't you just do it yourself? The 1-year visa extension for purpose of work is 1900.00 Baht and a 1-year wp is 3000.00 baht.

[Neeranam]

My Visa and Work Permit is up for renewal. I have a 1 year visa and the WP is valid for 6 months. The price / fee quoted by my lawyer was 45.000 BHT for the two (20.000 for renewing the 1 year Visa and 25.000 for renewing the WP). Can anyone confirm (or not) that these are “standard” rates?

Ripped off big time IMHO.

I'll do them for you for half of that.

[nongsau genie]

My Visa and Work Permit is up for renewal. I have a 1 year visa and the WP is valid for 6 months. The price / fee quoted by my lawyer was 45.000 BHT for the two (20.000 for renewing the 1 year Visa and 25.000 for renewing the WP). Can anyone confirm (or not) that these are “standard” rates?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just renew my visa yesterday 1,900.00b (1 year), work permit 3,000.00b (1 year) and application form for work permit 100.00b, overall cost 5,000.00b

[meadish_sweetball]

Can only agree with previous posters. If your papers are in good order you wont need to spend more than about 5000 baht.

Unless you're trolling, you might want to consider changing lawyers as well.

[Indo-Siam]

Godot -

There are some misleading replies above. There is no way anyone can simply go renew a one-year Class B entry permit, and a matching one-year work permit in one go.

The process is: go to Immigratuon with all the correct papers (mostly company and personal tax forms - and most farnag haven't got the faintest clue what they need - if you are missing one form, or one page isn't stamped/signed by a director, then they make you come back with the missing form).

Once all is satisfactory, they then give you a 30 day "renewal under consideration" stamp - which MUST - by definition of when you are eligible to apply for entry permit renewal - extend past your work permit expiration date. This means - you will need to go revalidate your work permit for somewhere between 29 days and one day - to keep it valid.

At the end of 30 days, your passport goes back to Immigration - and probably gets another "under consideration stamp." You then go through the "stutter-step" work permit revalidation drill again. Usually, during the second 30-day "under consideration" extension, they contact you and tell you to send your passport down to receive your "one year" extension stamp. But - sometimes it takes yet another cycle - particularly over the year-end holidays.

Then, once you have long-term entry permit extension, your passport and work permit go back to the work permit office to obtain the long-term work permit.

The same guys who gave you the bad advice up above are probably bums who have nothing better to do than shuttle around themselves, waiting in lines at the permitting offices - and in traffic between them. Some of us - and perhaps you -may have better, more profitable things to do with your time - a total of perhaps 12-14 hours, spread over about six different days - and that's only if you know exactly what you are doing, and exactly where to go. More likely, 18-20 hours of prime work time.

The only time you personally have to appear is once - at Immigration, at the start of the proces. After that, just your passport and work permit booklet have to move around. Anyone whose time is valuable will NOT want to be making these multiple trips, through Bangkok traffic.

With all that said, your lawyer's fees are still a bit high. Government fees for two short work permit revalidations and one long validation total 4,800 baht. Government fee for the entry permit extension is 1,900 baht. For the three or four required trips to Immigration, and the three or four trips to work permit office, we typically charge 7,000 to 9,000 baht professional services fee for each process (including multiple trips/steps) - depending on how much effort must be spent dragging correct tax documents out of your employer - and how many trips are involved.

Except for the initial day that our employee escorts you to Immigration, for all the rest of the processing with my company, your documents move via a motorcycle courier who on my staff - so they don't spend too much time out of your hands.

I have no idea why the other posters painted a bogus picture for you. There is NO WAY that anyone who has been through the long-term permit renewal process can overlook the inefficient multiple repetitive steps - so they are either not familiar with the process, or they were deliberately misleading you. Actually - I do know - from the way they wrote their responses - they don't know ANYTHING about renewing long-term extensions. All they know about is living in the 90-day-at a time world - because their answers match that pattern. This means that they are low-level types, working for an employer- or in positions - which are unable to even qualify for a long-term extension.

Anyone whose time is valuable, and who interested in having the above long-term process efficiently and competently handled, please contact Khun Ratchadaporn (aka "Beer") at our offices - tel: 02-260-3914.

Good luck!

Steve Sykes

Managing Director

Indo-Siam Group

Bangkok

[email protected]

www.thaistartup.com

[dr_Pat_Pong]

My Visa and Work Permit is up for renewal. I have a 1 year visa and the WP is valid for 6 months. The price / fee quoted by my lawyer was 45.000 BHT for the two (20.000 for renewing the 1 year Visa and 25.000 for renewing the WP). Can anyone confirm (or not) that these are “standard” rates?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A rip off. A B I G rip off.

[Godot]

Oh boy. Seems I’m either getting screwed or have misunderstood big time. Thing is, I “inherited” this lawyer from someone who got me a long-term contract with an overseas company. And I’m not paying for this myself, my overseas “employer” does. But I still have to sell it to them.

Thank you Indo-Siam for your very detailed response. I suspected it was not as simple as some here may have depicted. As I do have a job to attend to, I’d rather not spend too much time dealing with immigration issues, and the lawyer handles all my company’s issues. That said, it seems to be the consensus that this lawyer is charging too much. Maybe it’s time to consider a change of lawyer.

Can anyone give me a lawyer-handle-it-all estimate for the above processes?

[mijan24]

Godot -

I have no idea why the other posters painted a bogus picture for you. There is NO WAY that anyone who has been through the long-term permit renewal process can overlook the inefficient multiple repetitive steps - so they are either not familiar with the process, or they were deliberately misleading you. Actually - I do know - from the way they wrote their responses - they don't know ANYTHING about renewing long-term extensions. All they know about is living in the 90-day-at a time world - because their answers match that pattern. This means that they are low-level types, working for an employer- or in positions - which are unable to even qualify for a long-term extension.

Good luck!

Steve Sykes - If this is your post and not an employee using your name - in my opinion you have in a few paragraphs flushed your reputation down the drain. I am not talking about the actual advice provided but the TONE -Customers or Potential customers do not appreciate being labelled "bums" - "low-level types".

Godot the advice is good but try Sunbelt Asia they are a sponsor of TV and their costs are within a few baht of SS's company but they have a civil tongue and a good reputation too.

[Neeranam]

Can anyone give me a lawyer-handle-it-all estimate for the above processes?

I'm not sure but these lawyers charge thousands of baht for a trip to the immigration and pay their Thai employees about 200 baht, where do you think the rest goes? This is a very routine job for them.

I have no idea why the other posters painted a bogus picture for you. There is NO WAY that anyone who has been through the long-term permit renewal process can overlook the inefficient multiple repetitive steps - so they are either not familiar with the process, or they were deliberately misleading you. Actually - I do know - from the way they wrote their responses - they don't know ANYTHING about renewing long-term extensions. All they know about is living in the 90-day-at a time world - because their answers match that pattern. This means that they are low-level types, working for an employer- or in positions - which are unable to even qualify for a long-term extension.

mmmmm, there is a conflict of interest here. Some posters want to help a fellow expat no get ripped off, another wants to make money off of them.

I am very familiar with the process of visa and wp renewal, having done it for umpteen times. 1 year at a time, not 90 days.

I am a low-level type as I work for an employer

Do you think all of your employees are low-level types?

I am sharing my experience(13 years working in Thailand) to try and help.

Now I work for the government which makes my extensions very easy, but I've been there, as I'm sure the other posters who were trying to help have.

[Tywais]

Steve, I have the highest respect for your knowledgeable posts but in this case you are being both myoptic and unprofessional by invoking name calling and stating what you think is an absolute.

First the poster did not state Class B though easy enough to make a conclusion on and 2nd did not state from Bangkok where things may well be slower in happening.

My response to him was in the form of a question "why not do it yourself?" and not a de-facto "do it yourself". If anyone is misleading it is you and you have personal reasons to do so but that is not usually the case with you and don't know why it is in this rather hostile post.

I have been a research scientist at Chiangmai University for 14 years now and no one here would dream of calling me a 'bum'. Never been a 90 day runner and actually have not even been out of the country for these 14 years. For the last few years it has taken me between 2-3 hours to get my 1-year on-the-spot visa extension and my work permit stamp. No 30-day waiting which was true more then 10 years ago and is true for the first time wp process.

So stating "There is no way anyone can simply go renew a one-year Class B entry permit, and a matching one-year work permit in one go" is in itself misleading. And accusing me of having "painted a bogus picture" is out of line and itself painting a bogus picture.

Please be more professional in your responses and get your facts straight and not generalize. For many of us a one day process is the norm not the exception.

Godot -

There are some misleading replies above.  There is no way anyone can simply go renew a one-year Class B entry permit, and a matching one-year work permit in one go.

The process is:  go to Immigratuon with all the correct papers (mostly company and personal tax forms - and most farnag haven't got the faintest clue what they need - if you are missing one form, or one page isn't stamped/signed by a director, then they make you come back with the missing form).

Once all is satisfactory, they then give you a 30 day "renewal under consideration" stamp - which MUST - by definition of when you are eligible to apply for entry permit renewal - extend past your work permit expiration date.  This means - you will need to go revalidate your work permit for somewhere between 29 days and one day - to keep it valid.

At the end of 30 days, your passport goes back to Immigration - and probably gets another "under consideration stamp."    You then go through the "stutter-step" work permit revalidation drill again.  Usually, during the second 30-day "under consideration" extension, they contact you and tell you to send your passport down to receive your "one year" extension stamp.  But - sometimes it takes yet another cycle - particularly over the year-end holidays.

Then, once you have long-term entry permit extension, your passport and work permit go back to the work permit office to obtain the long-term work permit.

The same guys who gave you the bad advice up above are probably bums who have nothing better to do than shuttle around themselves, waiting in lines at the permitting offices - and in traffic between them.  Some of us - and perhaps you -may have better, more profitable things to do with your time - a total of perhaps 12-14 hours, spread over about six different days - and that's only if you know exactly what you are doing, and exactly where to go.  More likely, 18-20 hours of prime work time.

The only time you personally have to appear is once - at Immigration, at the start of the proces.  After that, just your passport and work permit booklet have to move around.  Anyone whose time is valuable will NOT want to be making these multiple trips, through Bangkok traffic.

With all that said, your lawyer's fees are still a bit high.  Government fees for two short work permit revalidations and one long validation total 4,800 baht.  Government fee for the entry permit extension is 1,900 baht.  For the three or four required trips to Immigration, and the three or four trips to work permit office, we typically charge 7,000 to 9,000 baht professional services fee for each process (including multiple trips/steps) - depending on h

ow much effort must be spent dragging correct tax documents out of your employer - and how many trips are involved.

Except for the initial day that our employee escorts you to Immigration, for all the rest of the processing with my company, your documents move via a motorcycle courier who on my staff - so they don't spend too much time out of your hands.

I have no idea why the other posters painted a bogus picture for you.  There is NO WAY that anyone who has been through the long-term permit renewal process can overlook the inefficient multiple repetitive steps - so they are either not familiar with the process, or they were deliberately misleading you.  Actually - I do know - from the way they wrote their responses - they don't know ANYTHING about renewing long-term extensions.  All they know about is living in the 90-day-at a time world - because their answers match that pattern.  This means that they are low-level types, working for an employer- or in positions - which are unable to even qualify for a long-term extension.

Anyone whose time is valuable, and who interested in having the above long-term process efficiently and competently handled, please contact Khun Ratchadaporn (aka "Beer") at our offices - tel: 02-260-3914.

Good luck!

Steve Sykes

Managing Director

Indo-Siam Group

Bangkok

[email protected]

www.thaistartup.com

[Neeranam]

Steve Sykes - If this is your post and not an employee using your name - in my opinion you have in a few paragraphs flushed your reputation down the drain. I am not talking about the actual advice provided but the TONE -Customers or Potential customers do not appreciate being labelled "bums" - "low-level types".

Mmm good point. This is not a good way to do business. I for one will not be recommending any of my friends to use this service. I told 3 multi-national low-level businessmen who I know in Bangkok already to try this service, and they did - maybe I'll give them a call if we don't get an apology from Steve.

Edited October 25, 2005 by Neeranam

[Neeranam]

Steve Sykes - If this is your post and not an employee using your name - in my opinion you have in a few paragraphs flushed your reputation down the drain. I am not talking about the actual advice provided but the TONE -Customers or Potential customers do not appreciate being labelled "bums" - "low-level types".

Godot the advice is good but try Sunbelt Asia they are a sponsor of TV and their costs are within a few baht of SS's company but they have a civil tongue and a good reputation too.

Oops, I thought this guy was Sunbelt Asia, that's why I toned down my last posts.

I couldn't understand why someone would advertise then come out with this drivel.

Steve, just how much do you charge the unknowing?

10,000 baht? How much does "Beer" get a month?

Edited October 25, 2005 by Neeranam

[Indo-Siam]

I'll be happy to address the issues right from the top - and, by the way, I am a paying sponsor of this board, and have been so for more than a year.

1) I know intimately the details of the process of renewing a one year entry permit and work permit. It involves many trips back and forth - and between - Immigration and Work Permit office. Not one or two - but at least six. The process takes a LOT of time. If you do the process yourself - in Bangkok - and if you go by motorcycle - your total elapsed time away from your job (assuming it is daytime work) is going to be 12-15 hours - minimum. If you take a car or taxi - 18-20 hours - minimum. For most people it will probably take at least half of a workday, on at lesat six different days.

2) The people on this board that come on and tell someone else to "go do it yourself, and save money" cannot possibly be employed in any significant position - if they can afford to waste the equivalent of two or three work days off work, to process papers at and between ministries.

3) Guys who are on the 90 day program - and have no experience with the one year renewal program - should not be incorrectly advising someone who asks questions. The answers were flat wrong - for a one-year extension. People who have just completed a renewal on the "90-day program" are - in fact - generally employees of companies or in positions that cannot qualify for long-term permits. These are, in fact, positions that are not sufficient in stature to qualify for long-term permits - under the Thai system. I did not make the rules - Thaikand mkse the rules. They set a threshhold, and if you fall below the line, you are in a less-qualified status.

4) Experiences with the 90 day program - return from border hop with 90 day entry permit, run down to work permit office for revalidation - and it is all over - are not transferable to the long-term permit process. Also - remember - in that program , you have to spend for four visa runs, and four work permit processes each year - so the numbers per year total about 10 times what was written.

People who operate via the 90 day process are not "bums". People who have the time to execute the one year permit renewal process themselves - well, if they are not bums, then they certainly are people whose time is not very valuable.

I am very critical of people who do not know what they are talking about, giving incorrect and damaging advice to other people - in a field where multiple sponosrs of this board do know what they are doing.

I am unaware of any customer of my company ever switching services from my company to Sunbelt. I am aware of several who switched from Sunbelt to my company. Both companies can do the job.

Steve

Indo-Siam

[Indo-Siam]

I have no doubt that the Chiang Mai University instructor is telling a straight story - in his situation.

Anyone else who is eligible to use the BOI One-Stop center in Bangkok can also get one-day service.

To the Average Joe" reading this board - hey, you can go try and do things their way - good luck!

Steve

Indo-Siam

[Godot]

Well, for me, I do NOT consider it an option to "do it myself". Having signed the 30 odd papers the other day, I realize that it would be too time-consuming to gather all the relevant papers. And do the trips myself.

On a different note, some of the other posters have said they obtained 1 year WPs. I was told that I could only get a WP valid for 6 months (new rules). Or was it a 1 year WP that had to be RENEWED every 6 months?

[Khutan]

<snip>Anyone else who is eligible to use the BOI One-Stop center in Bangkok can also get one-day service.<snip>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just to add a bit more to the One-Stop center, My WP, Visa Extension and then WP extension took about 2 hours. (BTW it was 1 year on a NON-O)

My Visa agent turned up with a folio of paperwork that would have been 20cm thick. I signed things for about 10 minutes and mostly spent the rest of the 2 hours in the coffee shop.

This service cost my company 50,000 Baht to have me out of the office for only half a day in total, rather than days. To get this stuff done fast and with no fuss to the person applying for the WP and Extension, it does cost alot of money.

[Firefan]

I arrived on a 3 month multiple entry non-em B visa. I am currently "under consideration" for my first 1 year extension based on "investments in the Kingdom above 3M Baht" and reading this thread made me wonder whether I should expect same hassle mentioned EVERY year I apply for/get a new 1 year extension?

Or is the added complications of obtaining/using/re-newing the work-permit one of the reasons that the process is so complicated?

In other words; should I expect the "under consideration" to happen to me again when I go up to emmigration in 30 days again?

Further; should I expect a couple of "under consideration" extensions EVERY year I apply?

Why all these "under consideration" periods? More money? Too busy?

Cheers!

[Indo-Siam]

I see the call for an apology. So, to clear the air a bit, let me separately address the various collections of populations represented here. Note: If you are not in the population addressed by a specific comment, then what I write to that population is of no concern to you, so you shouldn’t get bent out of shape.

1. To Mr./Ms. Godot - I tried to step in and give you the correct information. I thought then – and still feel now – that if you believe that you can get both your annual work permit and entry permit renewals in half of one day, or in one trip to each department, then you are going to erroneously misjudge your current lawyer’s fees – and you are going to get screwed up trying to carry out the processes. I gave you generally correct information about the actual process, and a basis of price comparison. ‘Hope it helped.

2. To anyone who deliberately and knowingly fed Godot bad information. All my negative comments were directed to you. My comments stand in relation to you.

3. To anyone passing through who is a ”bum”, but doesn’t like to be reminded – ‘sorry to touch a bare nerve – but my comments weren’t directed at you.

4. To anyone in a start-up mode, or in a position that does not qualify for extended status – good luck to you! Everyone has to start somewhere. You do need to realize that the processes that apply to you are not particularly representative of the renewal processes that apply to people in jobs that do qualify for long-term extensions.

5. To people who aren’t bums or in non-qualifying jobs – but thought that those terms were being unfairly applied to your situation – hey, you can relax – I wasn’t talking about you – ‘sorry for the misunderstanding.

6. To philosophers – The way this board tends to work is that someone wanting to know something poses a question here. If – as sometimes happens – one person posts an incorrect answer, and then six more people reinforce that wrong answer, then there is a lot of hesitation by a lot of people to step up – as the lone voice in the wilderness – and take an opposing stand representing the correct information. And thus, the bad information gets institutionalized. This board is poorer for that tendency. This is an archetypical situation – recall “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Anderson. At its worst, this effect plays out in the real world – as Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Well, I guess I am one of a handful who will rise up against a tide of bad information, and take an opposing stand. I guess sometimes I do so too gruffly. I pay the price – and I suppose its is an acceptable one.

7. To newcomers to this thread – Welcome! ‘Hope your learned something. If you happen to be someone who has recently renewed a long-term entry permit extension and work permit in Thailand, we would all appreciate hearing your experiences. We all want to know whether the annual long-term renewal process really does take just 3-4 hours on one day, or involves just one trip to Immigration and Work Permit office. If either of these answers are correct, then I will indeed have to make a broad apology for giving incorrect information. But – I will not castigate you – I will welcome that you provided recent, accurate information – and I’ll let the chips fall where they may.

8. To anyone who has ever referred people to my company’s services – I certainly hope that we reflected well on your referral. If not, I’d like to know the specific details of any shortcomings.

Cheers!

Steve Sykes

Managing Director

Indo-Siam Group

Bangkok

[email protected]

www.thaistartup.com

[Tywais]

I see the call for an apology.  So, to clear the air a bit, let me separately address the  various collections of populations represented here.  Note:  If you are not in the population addressed by a specific comment, then what I write to that population is of no concern to you, so you shouldn’t get bent out of shape.

This post is more in line with how you usually reply to questions, professional. I got bent out of shape because there were only four posts between yours and the OP's original request and you immediately bundled us all together without knowing each individual's case. I had to step away from the computer to compose myself or my original reply would have probably got me banned. I think the majority do try to help as best as they can with the experience they have. I usually put a disclaimer or make it clear if I'm not 100% sure about a topic answer, in this case I posed it as a question because there are so many variables and situations. In my case and my colleagues cases it has always been quick turn around to obtain the two items.

Several years ago that wasn't the case but the government began a stream lining process to speed up the applications and has worked out very well for me and my circle.

Well I feel better now.

[mijan24]

I see the call for an apology.  So, to clear the air a bit, let me separately address the  various collections of populations represented here.  Note:  If you are not in the population addressed by a specific comment, then what I write to that population is of no concern to you, so you shouldn’t get bent out of shape.

This post is more in line with how you usually reply to questions, professional.

Steve - tywais made a very valid point your original post contained very good advice as one has come to expect but I for one was shocked by the tone and several comments hence my post:

Steve Sykes - If this is your post and not an employee using your name - in my opinion you have in a few paragraphs flushed your reputation down the drain. I am not talking about the actual advice provided but the TONE -Customers or Potential customers do not appreciate being labelled "bums" - "low-level types".

In the latter part of my post I suggested Godot use Sunbelt Asia I would now modify this and suggest Godot use either Sunbelt Asia or Indo-Siam Group to the best of my knowledge they have both provided reliable services in the past.

General comment when in business it can take a long time - to win a customer but only a short time to lose them - and without them (customers) life becomes difficult.

[Neeranam]

I am none the wiser really after reading this whole thread.

How much is an extension for WP and visa?

Many people have said under 5,000 baht for both.

I was 850 baht for my WP until January when my visa is due for renewal, which will cost me 1900 for the year.

Steve Sykes - how much did you pay for your WP renewal?

I like to go on hearing people's experiences. So far 6 or so say under 5,000 and one says 50,000.

How much is it to renew your WP and visa?

How long does it take?

Let's hear some experiences.

[Indo-Siam]

The fees collected by the Work Permit office are:

100 baht at application, for any duration of permit

Then, at approval:

750 baht for a 90-day permit (anything less than 90 days)

1,500 baht for a six month permit (91-183 days)

3,000 baht for a one-year permit (184 days or longer)

That is the story. But - the validity of the work permit is based on how long your present entry permit is still valid - and that is where the complexity lies.

In Bangkok, for most situations, the process of issuing entry permits and renewals of same frequently involves several 30- or 40-day "(application) under consideration" stamps - which are in effect 30-day (or 40 day) mini-extensions - and for each such extension - if you want to keep your work permit valid, you need to obtain one of the "90-day" work permit revalidations.

At its worst, the process can involve an initial WP, four 30-day work permit revalidations, and a final long-term validation. Each iteration involves your passport traveling to Immigration, and you work permit and passport traveling to work permit office.

Evidently, some people think that "in order to save money," it is a good idea to make all the trips themselves - carrying their own pasports and work permits. I guess it all depends on what the "opportunity cost" is of an applicant's time.

Similarly, I suppose one can save the cost of a postage stamp, by carrying an envelope to its destination oneself.

Steve

Indo-Siam

[autonomous_unit]

I have never used either of the sponsoring services here, but I can appreciate what Steve is saying.

We did use a Thai lawyer for my initial work permit last year which coincided with my application for 1-year extension. My wife and I were handling my visa extension ourselves because we wanted to see what was involved, as we will be keeping at it for a few decades. Also, many of the supposedly knowledgeable lawyers we chatted with did not seem to grasp the idea of a work permit with an "O"-type visa extension... they just wanted to pigeonhole me into their standard "B" visa service package with no thought or deviation. I'm afraid we've been developing a DIY ethic here, the more we see the quality of most local "professional" services... we'll have to see if this persists or we start lowering our standards with time...

The government fees for the work permit are on the order of a few thousand baht for the work permit extensions (the short "hiccups" Steve mentions and eventual extension for the rest of the year). I think the visa extension costs are comparable, though I forget the details. The majority of the cost is the time spent and service fees to the non-governmental help, and there is obviously a lot of variation here.

The Thai lawyer we used charged about 12000 baht of professional fees for the entire process of getting our initial application in order, escorting me to receive the work permit, and making the courier runs to get it restamped each time the Immigration Police made a new stamp in my passport. This was a fraction of the cost quoted by one of the multi-national accounting/legal firms in BKK, so the original poster's quote doesn't surprise me if this is being handled by one of those big firms. I will add that we used the same multinational accounting firm to help start our company and were disgusted by the poor level of service for the cost. It seems they are selling 80% name and reputation, while still tasking the same scattered and junior staff with our small case and slicing off a large chunk to the corporate overheads. Maybe they are more responsive to clients with 10-100x our annual budget...

Since we ended up having to deal with so many details ourselves (I am managing director of my company so guess who generates the supporting docs...), we ended up feeling that the lawyer did not really save us that much time or stress. The morning taxi rides to Suan Phlu or Dindaeng are not the stressful part for me, since I am capable of relaxing and contemplating my work from just about anywhere. It is whirlwind of papers, copies, and signatures that irritates me! Your mileage may vary...

FWIW, we decided to buy a nice printer/copier for the home office to allow us to slap together the pile of documents at night along with the other housekeeping chores. That was a sound investment, in my opinion.

[Neeranam]

It seems that there has been a misunderstanding.

I appologise to the OP if I gave him false info.

Also to Indo-Siam, if I questioned your professionalism and indeed helpful attitude.

If you have your own business, it would be best to go to a lawyer such as Indo-Siam or Sunbelt. It really deepends on your ability to deal with the Thai red-tape(rá-bìap têe yŏom yĭm gern bpai), and if you can afford it or not.

I don't mind it, but I am not "the norm".

There are some well dodgy Thai lawyers out there which would probably give more of a headache just to save a few thousand baht.

The next ones up would be a better bet.

At the top of the ladder, I have a friend who went to Clifford Chance Wirot and paid a fortune. K.Wirot is probably the man to get anything done, again if you have the cash, especially since his newly found political leanings. I know a few lawyers at Allen Overy too, but believe me, they are expensive!

[Prudent_rabbit]

Just to add my two penneth worth, I use a firm that did my original WP and VISA (which cost 45,000 baht) and the renewal was 25,000 if I recall, took 30 mins of my time and probaly a ###### site more of the Thai man that did all the running about and got me to sign every document in the right place, and will use them again

[Seen all,learnt nothing]

Steve, Indo Siam.

Excellent original post -and I am NOT being snide.

I have never worked in Thailand but know many who do. And your original post highlights only to well the frustrations most have to face.

Perhaps you should have made reference in your original post to those fortunate few who can use BOI one stop office - but obviously OP company does not qualify.

The OP indicates his company will pay. Let them, but he should find a cheaper lawyer, and he doesn't need to look too far for a good one.

But never apologise, never explain, Steve. Your companys image hasn't suffered in my eyes. Exact opposite.

Your observations were a little too close to home for some. Shame.

[Firefan]

Who qualifies for BOI one stop service? I found this description:

"The BOI coordinated the establishment of a One-Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits. The center can process applications or renewals of visas and work permits within three hours, assuming all required documents are provided. In addition, the center handles many other transactions, including changing visa status (to non-immigrant status from tourist or transit), payment of fines, and processing of re-entry stamps, all within three hours or less.

Investors or experts granted privileges under the Investment Promotion Act of 1977 who are allowed to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand on a temporary basis to undertake investment or business activities can also have access to the services provided by the One-Stop Center.

The center is located on the 3rd floor of Krisda Plaza, 207 Rachadapisek Road, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10310. The telephone number is (662) 693-9333-9"

I presume that it has to be an official full blown BOI investment (I have no clue what the invstors promotion act of 1977 is?)? On the other hand it seems from http://www.thaivisa.com/275.0.html that the extension based on investments (be it big BOI approved project or not) is at least CONTROLLED by BOI also.

Wonder whether I should give it a shot next time based on my normal 3M + investment extension?

Cheers!

[sierra01]

Can anyone give me a lawyer-handle-it-all estimate for the above processes?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Indo-Siam perhaps?

[lopburi3]

I believe the current investment (3 million) is controlled by immigration only. There were several investment provisions with a limited life span but with the option that immigration could run them after the designated period (which has passed). At least that is what I recall from previous reading but admit I never checked into it carefully as had no personal interest.

As for question of under consideration believe that is due to only highest level being able to sign of extensions so they must await scheduled meetings for that action to take place. The retirement extension is an exception and can be approved by the local officer.

Edited October 26, 2005 by lopburi3