i'm trying to bring my gf here on a student visa, the education re-seller here has an agent they use in thailand to get the visa, free of charge to us.

basically, the agent has told my gf we can't apply for 3 more months due to the money in her bank a/c only being there 3 months so far.

the agent has held on to her passport till the visa is applied for. i've asked my gf to get it back and give them a photocopy but my gf can't go there for several days. i'm very worried about her cleaning out my gf's bank a/c or running up debts in her name.

firstly, has anyone experienced this? can anyone think of a reason she would need to hold onto it? if something were to happen would be my gf be liable for everything?

could the agent be liable for criminal actions if they did anything fraudulent?

thanks

Damo

It depends what sort of agent it is. If it's a properly run, professional outfit, registered with the relevant professional bodies, and there's good reason for them to have the passport, then I wouldn't worry about it. Certainly, however, ask for a receipt.

If it's a back street shop, then I'd ask for the passport back.

Scouse.

that's my problem, i don't know how professional they are as i'm not in bangkok. i just don't see why she needs it if she isn't applying for the visa for 3 months. i think i'll see if my gf can add a signatory to her bank account that must be there when she withdraws money.