Visa Extension At An Agency

[tongoy]

I have a visa on arrival for 30 days. I need to 20 days longer which would result in 2 visa runs. I have asked in several visa agencies (bigger agencies which all handle all kind of visa problems), if there is another possibility. In all I got the same answer that is it possi9ble, if I pay a bit more.. just the prices were different in the different agencies.. All offered me a 30, 60 or 90 days visa without moving out of the town. I only have to handover my passport with a photo. I'm only afraid that the visa stamp I will receive is a kind of illegal and I might get problems in the airport when leaving Thailand. Has anybody experience with this agencies?

[Lite Beer]

Unless you qualify by working or having a Thai spouse etc. all you are entitled to is 7 days.

[bobo42]

I'm guessing you probably mean you have a "visa exempt" stamp for 30 days, rather than a visa on arrival. If you come from the US, UK, or a lot of other western countries and you didn't specifically apply for a visa, most people just get stamped in for 30-days at immigration without having applied for a visa. I'm going to assume this is your situation.

As far as I know, you can't get an extra 20 days extension on this type of permission to stay. I think you can get a 7-day extension, as I recall.

Also, what do you mean by "result in 2 visa runs"? What kind of stay are you planning? Watch out for those visa agents, they often give wrong/bad advice to get your money first, and then let you know the "actual deal" after (not all of them, but a lot).

[tongoy]

As far as I know, you can't get an extra 20 days extension on this type of permission to stay. I think you can get a 7-day extension, as I recall.

Also, what do you mean by "result in 2 visa runs"? What kind of stay are you planning? Watch out for those visa agents, they often give wrong/bad advice to get your money first, and then let you know the "actual deal" after (not all of them, but a lot).

As far as I got informed I can do a visa run, offered by many agencies in Pattaya and get a stamp for 15 days at the Cambodian border. The agencies I have visited were agencies mentioned as serious and good in this forum.

[Lite Beer]

A border run will get you another 15 days if you return at a land border.

Returning by plane will get you 30 days.

A visit to Immigration will get you 7 days to sort your stuff out and leave.

[lopburi3]

But with one border run for 15 days plus extending that for the allowed 7 days to exit would more than make your 20 days requirement and be fully legal.

[bobo42]

As far as I know, you can't get an extra 20 days extension on this type of permission to stay. I think you can get a 7-day extension, as I recall.

Also, what do you mean by "result in 2 visa runs"? What kind of stay are you planning? Watch out for those visa agents, they often give wrong/bad advice to get your money first, and then let you know the "actual deal" after (not all of them, but a lot).

As far as I got informed I can do a visa run, offered by many agencies in Pattaya and get a stamp for 15 days at the Cambodian border. The agencies I have visited were agencies mentioned as serious and good in this forum.

Sorry, I misunderstood your statement. I thought you meant that an agent told you he could get you 20 days extra without leaving the country (which I'm pretty certain is not possible). If the agents are just selling you a visa run package, then I'm sure they are probably fine.

If you have the extra funds, why not consider a quick overnight stay or short trop to Phnom Pehn? By plane, that would get you a new 30 day stamp when you arrive back in BKK. Othewise, you could try for the 7-day extension (1900thb), then do the single visa run to Laos.

[tongoy]

But with one border run for 15 days plus extending that for the allowed 7 days to exit would more than make your 20 days requirement and be fully legal.

Thanks, I think that is the better way.

[tongoy]

Sorry, I misunderstood your statement. I thought you meant that an agent told you he could get you 20 days extra without leaving the country (which I'm pretty certain is not possible). If the agents are just selling you a visa run package, then I'm sure they are probably fine.

Actually that is what all agancies offered me. They offered me to get a 30, 60 or 90 days visa stamp without leaving the country. I have to leave my passport together with a photo at the agency one or 2 days before my actual visa expires and get it with a new 30 days visa back next day.

[beano2274]

Some of these visa agents sell visa runs, but often the person does not actually go on the run, but their passport is taken and they go to the Consulates in neighbouring countries.

[lopburi3]

Such activity would be totally illegal. Believe they would likely obtain medical certificates to allow immigration extension of stay for the mentioned periods. Still illegal if not actual medical reasons.

[bobo42]

Sorry, I misunderstood your statement. I thought you meant that an agent told you he could get you 20 days extra without leaving the country (which I'm pretty certain is not possible). If the agents are just selling you a visa run package, then I'm sure they are probably fine.

Actually that is what all agancies offered me. They offered me to get a 30, 60 or 90 days visa stamp without leaving the country. I have to leave my passport together with a photo at the agency one or 2 days before my actual visa expires and get it with a new 30 days visa back next day.

Some of these visa agents sell visa runs, but often the person does not actually go on the run, but their passport is taken and they go to the Consulates in neighbouring countries.

Sounds like that's what they are doing. Just carrying passports and getting stamps done sans-passport-holder. All well and good if everybody gets paid-off and nobody asks questions, but quite illegal. Personally, I'd give that method a pass, but it probably works most of the time - I just wouldn't want to get caught. You can bet your ass that the agency wouldn't be taking the fall for you.

[beano2274]

These people who give their passports to an agent and do not go on the visa run, might find their passport has been copied, there is a growing market for counterfeit passports.

[tongoy]

If you have the extra funds, why not consider a quick overnight stay or short trop to Phnom Pehn? By plane, that would get you a new 30 day stamp when you arrive back in BKK.

just one night stay would be sufficient already? That would be a good alternative to receive a 30 days visa.

[lopburi3]

No stay would be required on a return air trip if flight schedules allow (as they often do to Malaysia).

[BuckBee]

Indeed a short & quick round trip to Kuala Lumper (very cheap flights can be found) would give you 30 day stamp & all legal & less expensive than dodgy agents, quality of service they offer is poor as usual thus highly iffy & only used by the stupid/desparate in general as many better options are available for short periods.

Easy to obtain a single tourist for 60days (if current passport not already full of them & you here on 30 day visa/excempt visa) if more time needed ...