Visa Agencies Offering Extensions Without Leaving Country?

[Sammy80]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, and I'm sure this will have been discussed before, but any advice appreciated.

Everytime I go to a visa agency to discuss a visa run, I am told there is no need if I don't wish to actually travel, as I can extend my 30 day visa exempt stamp.

They say this can be for 30,60 or 90 days , and arranged, within a coule of hours, for set fees.

I then enquire about the validity of this extension, and about any potential problems when eventually leaving through airport, and am always told they are perfectly legal, as they are submitted at the Jomtien immigration.

Many of them go on to explain that they have been in business here for many years, or decades, and would not be risking their reputation/ licience etc for any kind of fraudulent practice.

This seems a very reasonable argument, and I have checked their history on the net, so if true it is very convenient, if a bit expensive.

It just seems at odds with other info I read, Is it possible I would be entering a world of pain by taking this route?

Does anyone know the facts about this, and are there examples of people being detained at immigration when exiting on such an extension?

Thanks in advance

[overherebc]

Stick to the rules and do your own runs extensions renewals yourself.

[digitalchromakey]

What are your circumstances?

e.g. nationality, age, marital status, Thai children, Work Permit, etc.

[beano2274]

Years ago I had no time to leave the country but needed to do a visa run, I gave a company offering visa runs my passport, and went to do the things I had to do, I got my passport the following week, stamped out from another International airport and stamped back in.

I know it was wrong, and have since got myself a new passport, the stamp looked good, maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but I was naive and stupid. I had sleepless nights wondering if I could get caught out by someone when showing them my passport.

As others say the best way is to do it yourself and then you know you are above board.

[Sammy80]

Thanks for the quick reply !

This is where, I must admit, I'm not sure of the rules..though your direct response already has my alarm bells ringing, so appreciate it!

As these agencies exist, (and many of them) some right on the gates of the immigration building, it surely can only to be to assist people who don't want to go through the papaerwork themselves etc,

If they take you on a run to Loas or wherever, they submit the paperwork for you I believe, so is it that different from doing it here for you?

I can't imagine all these agencies are illegal entities, (??) but maybe the services they offer are 'grey areas' ..

confused

[bangkokburning]

Wind up.

Everytime I go to a visa agency to discuss a visa run, I am told there is no need if I don't wish to actually travel,

I can extend my 30 day visa exempt stamp.

for 30,60 or 90 days , and arranged, within a coule of hours

IF this is not a wind up, my hunch is that the agencies you are visiting are the ones on 2nd road and the ones in the core of tourist zones. They may be very well promising you anything and may or may not be able to deliver - Jomtien does have well worn backchannel.

No legitimate visa company was promising this when I lived in Pattaya. They all required you to go out to the border although I am very much aware there was quite a side business for companies at the time manufacturing stamps.

Bear in mind that that you and you alone will bea all responsibility for any irregularities and after the blow up on this very matter about 5-7 years ago, you could actually be looking at jail.

[overherebc]

Years ago I had no time to leave the country but needed to do a visa run, I gave a company offering visa runs my passport, and went to do the things I had to do, I got my passport the following week, stamped out from another International airport and stamped back in.

I know it was wrong, and have since got myself a new passport, the stamp looked good, maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but I was naive and stupid. I had sleepless nights wondering if I could get caught out by someone when showing them my passport.

As others say the best way is to do it yourself and then you know you are above board.

I know a couple of people who a few years ago did the same thing but were not as lucky as you. They ended up , when going for next extension, being fined and banged up until they could arrange a flight home. Some were also blacklisted. Early 90's I believe.

Edit, sorry around 2003. Not nineties

[Semper]

If they take you on a run to Loas or wherever, they submit the paperwork for you I believe, so is it that different from doing it here for you

Yes it is. You (your body) must pass the border, not only your passport.

[Sammy80]

What are your circumstances?

e.g. nationality, age, marital status, Thai children, Work Permit, etc.

Hi,

I'm Australian national, just simply visiting with no ties here regarding children, business etc..

Just found out that friends will be also visiting here soon, so would like to stay another 30 days.

Bangkokburning, I assure you I haven't joined a forum and posted for 1st time as a wind-up ! I'm not that sad,.. yet!!

I am just confused as to how they offer what they're offering, but it is definitely as I explained

The agencies I mentioned are not on 2nd road, some actually within very short walking distance to immigration office,

Anyway, from the quick reponses from experienced members on here, I'm getting the distinct impression to forget this idea..but still not clear why

I think I'll jst fly down to KL and either do a same day return for 30 days again,or actually go to the embassy and get a 60 day visa,

Anyone know how long I would need to actually be in the country, is it submit papers one day, collect the next??

Any tips or potential delays or problems with that route?

Again, thanks for the responses, I'm amazed how quick and helpful this forum is !!

[NancyL]

You can extend 30 day visa exempt permission to stay into a 90-day O visa without leaving the country (at some immigration offices) and then extend that 90-day O visa for 12 months, also without leaving the country (at all immigration offices). It's commonly called a "retirement visa". It's amusing that people who have the most time available for visa runs aren't required to do them!

[lopburi3]

The 'why' is because unless you have a valid reason for extension it would be illegal and you would be the person held responsible. They are either paying under the counter or submitting false paperwork under your name (which is an extremely serious crime in Thailand). It will be the user who pays the piper if found out.

There are valid reasons for extensions such as Thai wife/child, medical and such but you can do that yourself for the normal 1,900 baht.

[IMA_FARANG]

First point: Yes they can do it.

Second point: it's not a "grey area", it's decidedly "black."

In fact they have "contacts" inside the immigration system that allows them to provide the service to you...for a suitable "consideration". That's why the agencies fee is so high for their "service".

None of it is legal, but the documents will be signed by someone with the authority to issue an extension and what appears to be a valid reason for that extension.

The only problem is that under direct scrutiny, that apparently valid reason will turn out to be false.

And, if push comes to shove, and someone has to take the fall for that illegal document...you can be sure it won't be the agency.

After all, they only acted on the information YOU provided them...they were innocent bystanders.

At least what they will say...and you will have no way to disprove that.

So be warned...you may get away with it and gain a couple of months in Thailand.

Or you may lose...and lose a lot more than you ever gained.

But as the Thai bargirls say, "Up to you!"

[IMA_FARANG]

You can extend 30 day visa exempt permission to stay into a 90-day O visa without leaving the country (at some immigration offices) and then extend that 90-day O visa for 12 months, also without leaving the country (at all immigration offices). It's commonly called a "retirement visa". It's amusing that people who have the most time available for visa runs aren't required to do them!

-----------------------

Yes, that's absolutely true....but ONLY if you meet the requirements.

And the first requirement is being 50 years old or more..isn't it?

I bet, that at a minimum, half the people reading this topic are not qualified by reason of that first age requirement.

[Mario2008]

What sometimes is offered is an extension based on being unfit to travel. That would be a bogus claim and application and if found out can land one in very hot water. It is illegal.

[lazygourmet]

Years ago I had no time to leave the country but needed to do a visa run, I gave a company offering visa runs my passport, and went to do the things I had to do, I got my passport the following week, stamped out from another International airport and stamped back in.

I know it was wrong, and have since got myself a new passport, the stamp looked good, maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but I was naive and stupid. I had sleepless nights wondering if I could get caught out by someone when showing them my passport.

As others say the best way is to do it yourself and then you know you are above board.

I know a couple of people who a few years ago did the same thing but were not as lucky as you. They ended up , when going for next extension, being fined and banged up until they could arrange a flight home. Some were also blacklisted. Early 90's I believe.

Edit, sorry around 2003. Not nineties

A few hundred people got into trouble at that time.

They all had -good looking potato- stamps on their passport but were not registered on the immigration computers.

Thai government took very seriously each cases as forgery.

Some European embassies even suggested to their citizen -caught into that scam- to apply for a new passport and just pay the maximum overstay fine to avoid further legal trouble...

[Sammy80]

Well,

I'd be mad to request advice and then ignore it, so thanks for your replies, and I'll be avoiding the option like the plague !

Nancy.L & Ima_Farang,

As it happens , I am over 50, so is it really a possibility to walk into Jomtien immigration and get the visa exempt converted to a 90 day 'O' visa?

I wouldn't need the following year conversion, 90 days would be fine.

If it's age related, are you not also required to have a substantial amount in a bank account ?

Thanks.

[lopburi3]

You must meet the requirements for extension of stay to convert as it is only done as the first step in that process. So for retirement 800k in bank or 65k income or combination to meet 800k would have to be shown in Thailand.

[Sammy80]

Ok thanks,

Thought there must be conditions to it.

Will be a consideration for the future, but not possible for this current situation.

[NancyL]

Ok thanks,

Thought there must be conditions to it.

Will be a consideration for the future, but not possible for this current situation.

The 65,000 baht/month minimum income doesn't have to come into Thailand. You get an income letter from your embassy/consulate. Unfortunately, if not using the income method, then the 800,000 baht bank account does have to be in a Thai bank.

[Jessi]

Years ago I had no time to leave the country but needed to do a visa run, I gave a company offering visa runs my passport, and went to do the things I had to do, I got my passport the following week, stamped out from another International airport and stamped back in.

I know it was wrong, and have since got myself a new passport, the stamp looked good, maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but I was naive and stupid. I had sleepless nights wondering if I could get caught out by someone when showing them my passport.

As others say the best way is to do it yourself and then you know you are above board.

I know a couple of people who a few years ago did the same thing but were not as lucky as you. They ended up , when going for next extension, being fined and banged up until they could arrange a flight home. Some were also blacklisted. Early 90's I believe.

Edit, sorry around 2003. Not nineties

I remember that agents in 2nd road Pattaya were sending passports back to the UK and got caught.

[lopburi3]

Nonsense post removed.

[moe666]

I believe a few agencies where raided and many people were left with out passports as immigration police had confiscated them. Just make a quick trip to some place and get a 30 day permission to stay if by air and 15 days if by land.

[rizla]

Years ago I had no time to leave the country but needed to do a visa run, I gave a company offering visa runs my passport, and went to do the things I had to do, I got my passport the following week, stamped out from another International airport and stamped back in.

I know it was wrong, and have since got myself a new passport, the stamp looked good, maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but I was naive and stupid. I had sleepless nights wondering if I could get caught out by someone when showing them my passport.

As others say the best way is to do it yourself and then you know you are above board.

I know a couple of people who a few years ago did the same thing but were not as lucky as you. They ended up , when going for next extension, being fined and banged up until they could arrange a flight home. Some were also blacklisted. Early 90's I believe.

Edit, sorry around 2003. Not nineties

A few hundred people got into trouble at that time.

They all had -good looking potato- stamps on their passport but were not registered on the immigration computers.

Thai government took very seriously each cases as forgery.

Some European embassies even suggested to their citizen -caught into that scam- to apply for a new passport and just pay the maximum overstay fine to avoid further legal trouble...

BINGO, spot on my friend, thats exactly why you shouldn`t do it (to the op), you will get all the good looking stamps in and out etc, BUT it wont be on the computer system....DONT DO IT......

[ignis]

No I would not do it........... but if one searches there are websites clearly stating the money is deposited in an account in your name, paperwork done and all legal and entered on Computer + yearly extension stamps, they then give the fees, loan of money, and the different types of extension total fees. eg: converting a VOA to non Imm + to 1 year extension, appears to range from 32 - 50,000 baht depending on Company.. even found last year a BKK Bank offering the service

I am sure people must do it, but I still would rather go to Immigration or a Thai Embassy myself, at least I would sleep well and be 100% sure.

[lopburi3]

There is a legal process to convert/extend in country and you can do it yourself very easily for a total of 3,900 baht in fees - but you must qualify. If you do not qualify and get a stamp anyhow, regardless of how many computers it is in it is fraud and if found out it will be you who takes the fall, with likely a transfer of officer signing off and a close check of all other extensions approved by that officer (and again it will be the recipiant taking the heat).

Extension of stay is a very easy process - there may be a bunch of paperwork required but almost all are just copies that you must sign doing yourself or using a service. And most immigration officers will try to be helpful to those not using a service if you forget someting and allow you time to get it.

If you qualify do it yourself and if you do not qualify do not even try. Read police order 777/2551 for current extension types and requirements.

[Sammy80]

I get the picture !! I'm convinced !! Honestly !

I'm glad I started this thread, didn't realise the type of hot water I could be getting into, some very useful info here, thanks again..

I've just booked a quick return to KL, same day round trip to give me 30 days. only 6,200 baht with Airasia.

Should be enough for me, but if not I'll either apply fot the (very legal) 7-day extension, or a quick day out to cambodia for 15 days.

I do qualify for retirement visa, I'm well over 50, and have just opened a bank account here for future use.

Is it best to apply for that here in Thailand, or from back in Aussie, or no great difference ??

[Mario2008]

How much many is in the bankaccount in Thailand?

If over 800,000 or if your yearly income combined with the money in the bank in Thailand is at least 800,000 you can apply for a conversion to a non-immigrant visa, giving you 90 days or even 15 months if they do it all at once.

[Sammy80]

How much many is in the bankaccount in Thailand?

If over 800,000 or if your yearly income combined with the money in the bank in Thailand is at least 800,000 you can apply for a conversion to a non-immigrant visa, giving you 90 days or even 15 months if they do it all at once.

Well put it this way, I'm exactly 799,000 short of the target at the moment !!

I just put the nominal amount in to get the account opened.

My visa runs out in about a week, so I wouldn't risk trying to get the funds transferred and get visa application going in that time frame, but could certainly be an option for when I return with a new 30 days .

There's a point though, hypothetically, if someone applied for a new type visa (such as this) and the current visa, (or visa exempt stamp) expired while going thru the process, would they instantly become illegal alien, or would the processing of a new application cover them?

[lopburi3]

You either obtain at the same time you apply - or in the case of some extensions after a review period and that period is entered in your passport and allows your stay.