Anyone Have Experience With The Solicitors Outside The Embassy?

[huajaidee]

My girlfriend was at the embassy and researching information on getting a visa. This guy approached her outside of the embassy and took her to the 19th floor of some building. Offers to help get any visa, if she doesn't get it, she doesn't pay.

He wants 30,000 baht if successful. Sounds like a scam to me but just wondering if anyone has any information about this guy.

Thanks!

[GU22]

First, I doubt very much that he is a solicitor or any type of lawyer, just ask yourself if a professional, qualified adviser would hang around outside an embassy touting for business.

See this thread for a discussion on the use of agents.

[p_brownstone]

First, I doubt very much that he is a solicitor or any type of lawyer, just ask yourself if a professional, qualified adviser would hang around outside an embassy touting for business.

See this thread for a discussion on the use of agents.

I rather imagine that response was “tongue in cheek” as we say, however just in case it was not!

I believe the OP is referring to solicitors – as in persons who importune or beg for business, not Solicitors – as in qualified Lawyers.

Patrick

[huajaidee]

I rather imagine that response was “tongue in cheek” as we say, however just in case it was not!

I believe the OP is referring to solicitors – as in persons who importune or beg for business, not Solicitors – as in qualified Lawyers.

Patrick

Patrick, you are correct. That's pretty funny as I never have used the word in the sense meaning lawyer. English is such a funny language.

At any rate, I found out more. The company that was "soliciting" my girlfriend is International Immigration & Travel Co.,Ltd. The lady on the phone gave me their name as being International Migration (not immigration) and a search on these forums have uncovered the business name International Migration & Travel Co.,Ltd. The address matches what my girlfriend was telling me, they are on the 19th floor.

130/132 Sindhorn Bldg., 19 Floor, Tower3

Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan

Bangkok 10330 Thailand.

Today the I20, my bank accounts 250k USD, and sponsor were mailed out to my girlfriend and I have enrolled her into a school here in the US. All that is left now is for my girlfriend to prepare the docs for the embassy and go through the interview. I guess this company talks a good talk because they made her feel like they could help out alot but all I can imagine them doing is making sure the paperwork is in good shape and maybe coach her through an interview. I'm not sure that's worth 30,000 baht.

The affidavit of support the school had me submit was pretty indescript. It basically just stated my name, relation (they asked me not to indicate boyfriend), and that I would support her financially. What do you guys think? Should I submit an additional letter of sponsorship? Any other tips?

Thanks

[lopburi3]

Be aware:

1. First of all they are not needed - and the guarantee is meaningless - if she fails to obtain visa she fails on her own and they are out the cost of filling out a couple of forms and some photo copies. Not a bad business for those looking for the fast baht.

2. They have been known to falsify documentation to increase the likelihood they will receive there pay. The applicant is the one to pay the price if this is ever discovered.

3. Most Thai still believe "you must have someone help you" when dealing with government so are ripe for the picking.

If this is just to have her enter the country believe you should be looking at fiancee type visa; but understand that was not your question.

[huajaidee]

Thank you Lopburi3 for the information, I agree with you. My girlfriend does want to study here and return. She has a good reputation at her company and will probably return to a better position later as an MBA degree here would assist her in doing so.

I'm hoping that an honest application will result in visa. She will return, I will sponsor her while she is here. Just wondering now if I need to write another letter to them explaining why I think this is good for her.

[GuestHouse]

If the purpose of her visa application is to go overseas as a student, then I don't see what a letter from a Fiance would do, other than cloud the reasons for the visa.

As for an overseas MBA. I think she might be best advised to first look into how an overseas MBA is going to be accepted in Thailand. I know from personal experience that Thais who return with overseas qualifications often do not get the recognition they deserve - The exception being those who graduate from internationally "recognized" schools 'Imperial College, LSE, Columbia etc'.

I should clarify that 'personal experience'. I have recommended Thais for positions and promotions and have attended reviews of Thais with overseas qualifications. I have been told on more than one occassion that 'Candidate A' is better than 'Candidate B' becase 'A' studdied in Thailand whereas 'B studdied overseas.

Edited May 9, 2006 by GuestHouse

[GU22]

First, I doubt very much that he is a solicitor or any type of lawyer, just ask yourself if a professional, qualified adviser would hang around outside an embassy touting for business.

See this thread for a discussion on the use of agents.

I rather imagine that response was “tongue in cheek” as we say, however just in case it was not!

I believe the OP is referring to solicitors – as in persons who importune or beg for business, not Solicitors – as in qualified Lawyers.

Patrick

Ooops!

I think it was Oscar Wilde who said "All Americans should learn a second language; preferably English!"

[dereklev]

First, I doubt very much that he is a solicitor or any type of lawyer, just ask yourself if a professional, qualified adviser would hang around outside an embassy touting for business.

See this thread for a discussion on the use of agents.

I rather imagine that response was “tongue in cheek” as we say, however just in case it was not!

I believe the OP is referring to solicitors – as in persons who importune or beg for business, not Solicitors – as in qualified Lawyers.

Patrick

Ooops!

I think it was Oscar Wilde who said "All Americans should learn a second language; preferably English!"

It was nice to be reminded of that.

[p_brownstone]

UK English can certainly be a confusing language.

To be a Solicitor is a respected profession, but to “Solicit” is a criminal offence.

Plus I am sure we have all heard of the foreign student in London who finally thought he was getting a grip on the language - until he saw a sign in the West End Theater district.

“Pygmalion – pronounced success”

Poor chap just gave up and went home.

Sorry!!

Patrick

[the scouser]

Or in my immigration days, the Japanese student who proudly informed me that he was attending Hairy <deleted> university. Only after reading his letter of enrolment did it become clear that he meant Heriot Watt.

Scouse.

[lamonster]

Another thing for others to consider if they use an agent in Thailand - That some of these agents have a certain reputation with the embassy staff, as mentioned in other posts - agencies have been known to amend the truth and make up stories on the application without informing anyone what they are doing. I have seen at least one forum member that came a cropper of this and then had a hard time explaining to the ECO that they weren't the ones telling porky pies.

I always wanted to know what the act of being a solicitor was - i.e. if a plumber does plumbing - why doesn't a solicitor do soliciting? No wonder people say English has it's quirks.

If you do want help with your application there are plenty of qualified people in the UK that can assist - at least you know that they have passed the right exams, and aren't some cowboy outft in wireless road - but they will cost you.

[siddv]

I'm not sure why you are going this route. She stands very little if any chance obtaining a US tourist visa. That's just the way it is right now. Why are you then going through the expense of trying to get her in on a student visa? If you love this girl marry her. The finance visa is just about the only realistic chance you have to enter the US. If she isn't worth that then I suppose you should reevaluate the whol situation, no?

[GU22]

If you do want help with your application there are plenty of qualified people in the UK that can assist - at least you know that they have passed the right exams, and aren't some cowboy outft in wireless road - but they will cost you.

Or you could ask on here and get all the help you need for free.

[lamonster]

If you do want help with your application there are plenty of qualified people in the UK that can assist - at least you know that they have passed the right exams, and aren't some cowboy outft in wireless road - but they will cost you.

Or you could ask on here and get all the help you need for free.

Well I assumed that the OP had the intelligence to know that that option was already available to them, my point was if you want to get a lawyer surely you would be better getting one who specialises immigration for you particular country, instead of someone in Bangkok that thinks they know what the embassy in question likes to see, therefore, bends the truth to that perspective.

I should also say that my post I said UK - but same goes for the US to I would have thought?

There are a lot of things people can do for themselves, but if you have the money why not get someone to sort things out for you?

AGREED though - the advice on this forum is spot on and most people are talking directly from experience.