Risky or not?

[jamden]

Hi Guys,

I'm an old man living in Thailand on my UK state pension with no savings left and in need of a visa, I have had most visa's and now running out of options and have been offered a retirement visa at a good price and want to know if anyone has used this company ''Express Visa'' and obtained a visa or if it's a scam or too risky, please help and advise.

[ubonjoe]

If they are going to do it without you needing to deposit funds in a bank yourself it would not be legal.

Anytime you use such a service it is risky because you cannot be sure the stamps in your passport are legit.

[asdecas]

I can see the temptation at your time of life but think on it for a second - having obtained such a visa knowing that it is likely not legitimate, will you be able to feel relaxed about your situation?

[johnsuma]

Say it is ok try to record the conversation then go with a police office. They just try to theft you.

[crazykopite]

Think you would be better off just not renewing your visa and playing dumb if you were caught it appears your options are very limited but having a stamp in your passport that may well be dodgy is something else as they say in Thailand " up to you " good luck with whatever decision you come up with !!!!

[marullia]

You can get your own retirement visa total cost would be aroun 2500 Baht if interested I can send you information on how to

do it directly with Thai Immigration If interested please send e-mail to me.<edit contact by PM>

[dddave]

Not a good idea...you will face the same problem year after year. Each time you try to renew, they will milk you.

[belg]

800.000 in the bank, 400.000 married...

or you just hide in some hole , hope you never get caught and if you want out, make it to the airport & pay the 20.000 baht fine ?

looooooooooooooooooooool

better stay legal and those crappy fake promises will take your money and that will be the end of it

[wayned]

A basic question: I know that if you use the income method the money has to come from overseas. If you use the 800k in the bank method, Iis there any reference in the law that states that there has to be proof that the money in the account has come from overseas, or only that it has been properly seasoned. If so please provide a link to the requirement. I keep reading that it is illegal to borrow money to put in your account to satisfy the requirement but can't find any reference that says that it is..

[Jip99]

If they are going to do it without you needing to deposit funds in a bank yourself it would not be legal.

Anytime you use such a service it is risky because you cannot be sure the stamps in your passport are legit.

I agree with that, but you would also accept that there are thousands of expats doing just that every year.

The simple answer would be to say that if you cannot show the required financial support then "go home" - you can't afford to live here.

However, we are talking about peoples lives here and "going home" may not be financially viable either.

Whilst such visas can be bought for the price of 2 weeks State Pension the practice will continue.

I have never heard of anyone having a problem with these visas and I seriously doubt that immigration would ever wish to kill such a golden goose.

[4u2mad]

If you are an OAP, all you need is a letter from the DWP to show you are receiving the state pension, you will get a retirement extension. Mate from UK has just cone so through the Thai embassy London.

[Satcommlee]

This is very common, I know several Retirees that do it (one at the service provider you mentioned)..

Basically they forge the income requirements with a bogus deposit into a bank account, colluding immigration officials turn a blind eye.

Retirement visa's are still decided locally, whereas family visa's have to be sent to Bangkok, hence this is not possible for a marriage visa.

With the Hospitals complaining very publicly about being put under pressure by expats/tourists with no money to pay their bills, this is one loophole that may be closed soon. I would imagine by central processing of retirement visas (just like marriage visas)

There is a reason for needing the 800K in the bank, Thailand only wants spenders and people that can support themselves without recourse to public funds. They do not want Thailand to become a sanctuary for people here simply to make their state pensions go a little further and in their eyes contributing very little to the country.

But the scam you have stumbled onto has been going on for years (at least 10, I can remember)

[dotpoom]

A basic question: I know that if you use the income method the money has to come from overseas. If you use the 800k in the bank method, Iis there any reference in the law that states that there has to be proof that the money in the account has come from overseas, or only that it has been properly seasoned. If so please provide a link to the requirement. I keep reading that it is illegal to borrow money to put in your account to satisfy the requirement but can't find any reference that says that it is..

Hi Wayned. ....It has been my experience over the past 12 years that the 800K just had to be seasoned......After initally bringing in my money when I first arrived here.....I just kept that amount either in my bank or from selling a condo.....hope this helps and good luck.

[moe666]

It would appear we have a troll as no response to the many relies. I wonder what enjoyment people get from trolling.

[paulyd2k]

Loads of people I know do it through dodgy channels and have no problems, I was once in immigration and the chap at the desk infront blatantly asked me do I want one for 20,000bht out loud I couldn't believe it, it must be so easy to make a fortune if you worked in immigration, I always said aswell how can they have your bank book put 800k in and take it straight out, there`s no way it`s just corrupt all the way, but they do many times weekly I bet

[MMarlow]

This is very common, I know several Retirees that do it (one at the service provider you mentioned)..

Basically they forge the income requirements with a bogus deposit into a bank account, colluding immigration officials turn a blind eye.

Retirement visa's are still decided locally, whereas family visa's have to be sent to Bangkok, hence this is not possible for a marriage visa.

With the Hospitals complaining very publicly about being put under pressure by expats/tourists with no money to pay their bills, this is one loophole that may be closed soon. I would imagine by central processing of retirement visas (just like marriage visas)

There is a reason for needing the 800K in the bank, Thailand only wants spenders and people that can support themselves without recourse to public funds. They do not want Thailand to become a sanctuary for people here simply to make their state pensions go a little further and in their eyes contributing very little to the country.

But the scam you have stumbled onto has been going on for years (at least 10, I can remember)

There are a number of agencies that can assist with obtaining retirement (and marriage) "visas" for those who do not have the required funds by using loopholes or corrupt officials. Whilst strictly speaking this is not a legitimate way to obtain permission to stay here the well-known companies that offer the service are not scams.

[ubonjoe]

A basic question: I know that if you use the income method the money has to come from overseas. If you use the 800k in the bank method, Iis there any reference in the law that states that there has to be proof that the money in the account has come from overseas, or only that it has been properly seasoned. If so please provide a link to the requirement. I keep reading that it is illegal to borrow money to put in your account to satisfy the requirement but can't find any reference that says that it is..

The only time proof of it coming from outside the country is to do a conversion from a tourist visa or exempt entry to a non immigrant visa entry based upon retirement.

They started the seasoning requirement to prevent or at least make it a lot more costly for somebody to borrow the money.

The reports for the extension mentioned by the OP were that they were taken to a bank and opened an account and somehow the bank book showed money being in the bank long enough.and a letter stating money was in the bank.. Then the agent took the passport and etc. to immigration and got the extension done.

Perhaps not exactly illegal but very close to it and at the least very questionable.

[MMarlow]

You can get your own retirement visa total cost would be aroun 2500 Baht if interested I can send you information on how to

do it directly with Thai Immigration If interested please send e-mail to me.<edit contact by PM>

Now for 2500 baht I would say that is almost definitely a scam. Be very careful.

[mogo51]

If you are up in Issan be careful friend of mine got a visa the way you are suggesting, got questoned at the airport and was required to obtain another visa before he could return to Thailand it was a bodgy stamp. Down on the tourist scene, they are ok, one right next door to Immigration, at least they have not far to go to attend to client's needs.

[khwaibah]

You can get your own retirement visa total cost would be aroun 2500 Baht if interested I can send you information on how to

do it directly with Thai Immigration If interested please send e-mail to me.<edit contact by PM>

Now for 2500 baht I would say that is almost definitely a scam. Be very careful.

For that amount the stamp was made from a potato bought from Koh San Road.

[wayned]

A basic question: I know that if you use the income method the money has to come from overseas. If you use the 800k in the bank method, Iis there any reference in the law that states that there has to be proof that the money in the account has come from overseas, or only that it has been properly seasoned. If so please provide a link to the requirement. I keep reading that it is illegal to borrow money to put in your account to satisfy the requirement but can't find any reference that says that it is..

The only time proof of it coming from outside the country is to do a conversion from a tourist visa or exempt entry to a non immigrant visa entry based upon retirement.

They started the seasoning requirement to prevent or at least make it a lot more costly for somebody to borrow the money.

The reports for the extension mentioned by the OP were that they were taken to a bank and opened an account and somehow the bank book showed money being in the bank long enough.and a letter stating money was in the bank.. Then the agent took the passport and etc. to immigration and got the extension done.

Perhaps not exactly illegal but very close to it and at the least very questionable.

I'm sorry but after reviewing the 18 posts on this thread I do not see any such statement! And review of the "Visa Express" website does not state this it says "We provide the finances to support your visa application". So if the OP is willing to pay the 18000 baht why is it illegal. It might be stupid but I don't think that is illegal unlike working without a work permit!

[Jip99]

A basic question: I know that if you use the income method the money has to come from overseas. If you use the 800k in the bank method, Iis there any reference in the law that states that there has to be proof that the money in the account has come from overseas, or only that it has been properly seasoned. If so please provide a link to the requirement. I keep reading that it is illegal to borrow money to put in your account to satisfy the requirement but can't find any reference that says that it is..

The only time proof of it coming from outside the country is to do a conversion from a tourist visa or exempt entry to a non immigrant visa entry based upon retirement.

They started the seasoning requirement to prevent or at least make it a lot more costly for somebody to borrow the money.

The reports for the extension mentioned by the OP were that they were taken to a bank and opened an account and somehow the bank book showed money being in the bank long enough.and a letter stating money was in the bank.. Then the agent took the passport and etc. to immigration and got the extension done.

Perhaps not exactly illegal but very close to it and at the least very questionable.

Let's make no bones about it, it is corruption. The same as the fastrack entry at Poipet into Cambodia, same as Chong Chom charging 1,300 Baht for a visa run. Welcome to Thailand

We don't have to condone it - but we do need to be aware of it.

It is OK for people to sneer at these visa arrangements (that may cost as little as 12,000 Baht) but at the end of the day an entry stamp is an entry stamp and cannot be "illegal" even if it was stamped as part of a non-legitimate process.

[HooHaa]

It would appear we have a troll as no response to the many relies. I wonder what enjoyment people get from trolling.

it has been FOUR hours since the guy posted. FOUR hours.

what kind of person expects an immediate response on an internet forum?

the guy may be skint, but your expectations are just laughable.

[hkt83100]

You can get your own retirement visa total cost would be aroun 2500 Baht if interested I can send you information on how to

do it directly with Thai Immigration If interested please send e-mail to me.<edit contact by PM>

Now for 2500 baht I would say that is almost definitely a scam. Be very careful.

2500 sounds very realistic. This is for the Visa (1900 Baht), the Bank Statement (100 Baht), Photocopies (20-30 Baht), Photograph (50 Baht), Transport to the Immigration Office (50-200 Baht). Not included but still desirable: a meal around the corner while waiting (50 Baht) and some water (10 Baht). Add it up (2340 Baht), and there you are.

[Morakot]

You can get your own retirement visa total cost would be aroun 2500 Baht if interested I can send you information on how to

do it directly with Thai Immigration If interested please send e-mail to me.<edit contact by PM>

Now for 2500 baht I would say that is almost definitely a scam. Be very careful.

For that amount the stamp was made from a potato bought from Koh San Road.

Yes, this is what they look like:

[transam]

You can get your own retirement visa total cost would be aroun 2500 Baht if interested I can send you information on how to

do it directly with Thai Immigration If interested please send e-mail to me.<edit contact by PM>

Now for 2500 baht I would say that is almost definitely a scam. Be very careful.

I believe the ''service'' actually costs 25,000 bht.

[Tchooptip]

It would appear we have a troll as no response to the many relies. I wonder what enjoyment people get from trolling.

Do you realize what you say? OP is from this morning 6h37 .

3 hours later : Warning every body we have a troll as no response to the many (12) replies.

Welcome to ThaiVisa jamden

[Jip99]

It would appear we have a troll as no response to the many relies. I wonder what enjoyment people get from trolling.

Do you realize what you say? OP is from this morning 6h37 .

3 hours later : Warning every body we have a troll as no response to the many (12) replies.

Welcome to ThaiVisa jamden

Agree, but the subject is interesting and worthy of debate.

[Jip99]

You can get your own retirement visa total cost would be aroun 2500 Baht if interested I can send you information on how to

do it directly with Thai Immigration If interested please send e-mail to me.<edit contact by PM>

Now for 2500 baht I would say that is almost definitely a scam. Be very careful.

I believe the ''service'' actually costs 25,000 bht.

Those people are paying too much.

[sniffdog]

I believe Thailand Long Stay provides also a similar service without the need of the capital. And they are owned (or sponsored) by TAT.

Not only people without the money use those services, but also those who don't want to go through the procedure of transferring the money and have it sit in the account for 3 months.