Visa Agents

[kawaiimomo]

Hello there,

I see people looking for and using visa agents to obtain their Thai visas. Just wondering what is the difference between that and doing it by yourself? Is there any real advantage?

[ballbreaker]

The only big difference I see is the fee you fork out for their service but some people need their hand held as they travel through life.

[ignis]

Some places it is easier and cheaper to use a Agent, they have the Forms, meet at your Hotel, drive to Embassy, next day collect your PP and deliver back to you at Hotel....

Edit: even places where the Thai Embassy/Consulate is in the same City an Agent will work out cheaper then going yourself... did it once myself a couple of years ago, Embassy was some 60 km away, if I had done it myself would have cost 4x Taxi rides and at least 1,500 baht more.......... Never been but believe even Penang Consulate cost more in Taxi fares that the Agents charge.

Edited April 9, 2012 by ignis

[CharlieH]

I wouldnt waste your money. Do it yourself, unless you like the adrenalin rush of giving your passport and only means of travel to a complete stranger and be left wondering whether they will return or not.

Edited April 9, 2012 by CharlieH

[lopburi3]

In most countries travel services routinely offer this type of service so it does not have to be suspect event - it is normal practice (but normally just for tourist visas). That said giving passport to a man on the street does not strike me as very prudent. But in places like Penang there were well established individuals and indeed it was cheaper that taking taxi and you had more free time for tourist travels.

But it is always safer to do yourself as any Consulate can make the decision to only issue with personal appearance of applicant at any moment (and I have seen this happen). It is just a simple one page paper and fill in a few blanks effort.

[BigRick]

I found the convenience and organization to be very helpful. The hand holding comment is retarded it completely negates using delegation in life to accomplish something with the minimal effort. Most of these companies are very efficient at what they do. You show up enjoy the van ride do a little duty free shopping and no hassle of being number 23323 because all the visa agents got the low numbers at 6am. They employ fixers so everything goes smoothly they dot the "I"'s and cross the "T"'s. I have taken both routes and I would go with a visa service every time much nicer to have free time.

[NancyL]

I think the OP would get more useful replies if he told us what type of visa he was seeking and which Immigration office and/or Thai consulate/embassy he plans to deal with.

[lopburi3]

Troll/flame and reply removed.

[rizenkroft]

I completely agree with BigRick, for me using a visa agent is much more efficient, cuts my travel time down, makes the journey completely enjoyable and at the end of the day is cheaper too. The pros outweigh the cons, why wouldn't you use one.

[kawaiimomo]

Thanks for your replies, I have a clear idea now.

I have to do a non-B but I will do by myself. I was just wondering if I missed something because I did not understand why somebody would use an agent when he/she can do it by him/herself. I guess the travel costs is a good explanation.