Visa agent denied me in Penang

[Dan5]

go across the Chula street and ask jim

sometimes he has an in, but it costs

From a previous post, I got the impression that the famous/ not so famous/ or infamous Jim doesn't have a clue and in general the Panang agents don't seem to know what they are doing. Why don't you just get the visa yourself and don't waste your time. Or get a visa somewhere else, maybe Thailand.

[JackThompson]

go across the Chula street and ask jim

sometimes he has an in, but it costs

From a previous post, I got the impression that the famous/ not so famous/ or infamous Jim doesn't have a clue and in general the Panang agents don't seem to know what they are doing. Why don't you just get the visa yourself and don't waste your time. Or get a visa somewhere else, maybe Thailand.

If he got the visa, the service was good. As to going direct to the consulate, this hapened recently when an applicant with no previous Penang TVs tried that:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915387-tourist-visa-in-thai-embassy-kuala-lumpur/#entry10821105

In any case, looks like "friendly" Penang has become less friendly. They did this back in 2009 for awhile, before returning to their "only 2 from us total" (per passport) rule.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/282580-penang-tourist-visa-rejected-if-have-3-tvisas-already/

[Shiver]

I go to a different place for my SETV, but in principle it should be the same (Officials on the day in a good mood effect notwithstanding):

First time I went for a SETV after years on various other types of 1 year visa, I did all the queuing and finding my way around myself (hot sunshine and long queues aren't my thing. After a couple of times I decided to use an agent outside the embassy and was quoted silly money. I'd already filled out the form and he said it was no good, and filled it all out again (same form, same details). Job got done though I had that horrible feeling you get when you know you're getting shafted and are embarrassed to say what it cost. I just wanted to buy my way out of the hassle.

Next time I went with gf and she started haggling and saved me a fair chunk. The next was the same but we got taxi costs to collect and submit and take back to border included in the price.

Next time he said "I think I will be able to do one more time, but then you should get a new visa because you have 8 entries already" I pointed out that although that was true, they weren't all consecutive and I'd been on other visas in the meantime for several years (this was around the time of Prayut coming onto the scene). I wondered how I could do that without doing anything illegal such as 'accidentally' getting water damage or something. Never comfortable with that kind of thing, so I thought I'd try one more time.

That next time went fine, and he even remembered our my face (or probably the gf's face), but something had changed. All the agents/touts had gone except one (the one I'd been using for the last several times). The sign in the Embassy was there that I don't remember seeing before, which was to the effect that "do so at your own risk, we are not they, but knock yourself out" kind of wording. After successfully completing yet another one, on the taxi back to the border I asked what I should be planning for next time around. He said "I can do for you same as this time, no problem".

I'm going next week so will see if that is the case, or if I get a red stamp, in which case I'll have to bite the bullet and get an Elite visa to get me to 50 years old, which narks me to pay out that, but I'm a low hassle person and don't mind paying a little extra for an easy life, but 500K extra is more than I would prefer. I would prefer it to going back to UK though, as there's nothing there for me and it would be an expensive stay since my house there is rented out I'd be a hotel and eating out, and my friends back home have moved on as well, so nothing there for me.

All of the above I'm talking about Vientienne, but I would expect something of a similar flavour elsewhere, and I suspect the guy is a trier seeing how much he can push you. I'd go in with a very low ball offer - not like I did, but as my gf later did. That found some semblance of balance with a win/win.

[Ronuk]

Sounds like the consulate is requesting more kickback fees, are the staff Thai or Malaysian and are they fasting?

It's more to do with Thai Immigration becoming stricter with issuing the correct Visas for long term stayers.

Immigrations don't issue visas.

I know they don't 'Issue' them. How many more times? It was said in context to immigration being involved in the process of the guideline.

[Fookhaht]

...So I went to Jim's Place, he said that he could get it done at no additional fee, but was very specific about me "not telling anyone about this"....

Would to God we all had trustworthy friends like you...

[Asiantravel]

I started a separate thread about how someone was telling me about the difficulty he experienced in getting a retirement visa last week in Penang.

that same person also mentioned when he went to pick up his passport from the agent many people (like about six)had received red stamps over their tourist visas which they were very unhappy about.

[recom273]

Maybe the OP should go to Kota Bahru next time, the consulate staff were always quite polite and helpful. There are no agency issues as there is no agency to deal with.

Things may have changed since, but there was no strict limit, but after a number of SETV's they talked face to face and asked why I was applying for tourist visa as I clearly wasn't. Once they worked out I was married, they advised me to get SE non-O which I knew nothing about.

While waiting, I have heard people being told that in the future they may not be able to issue the visa and to make alternative arrangements rather than leaving applicants wandering the streets of Malaysian cities bewildered.

[seancbk]

Sounds like the consulate is requesting more kickback fees, are the staff Thai or Malaysian and are they fasting?

It's more to do with Thai Immigration becoming stricter with issuing the correct Visas for long term stayers.

I flew into Bangkok a few days ago and entered without a visa (visa exempt).

I was asked by the immigration officer why I didn't have a visa and I politely pointed out that there is no Thai Consulate in Macau (where I had arrived from).

He was happy with that and gave me my 30 day visa exempt.

I have lived in Bangkok for 7+ years and have been on Tourist or Visa exempt entries for that entire time.

In 7 years this was only the 2nd time I've been asked anything whilst coming in (the last time I came in from Macau I was asked the same thing, but it was also no issue).

What do you base your comments that Thai immigration are getting stricter? My experience is that it is no different.

I've never been asked to show funds, never been questioned about my reason for staying in Thailand (I am under 50 but with an income from businesses overseas) and never been refused a visa.

I'm interested in this thread as I might try Penang (first time) as I'm sick of the van rides to Vientiane each time I need to get a real visa.

[Kaalle]

So I have three SETV in a row from Penang, getting a fourth one is not gonna happen I presume? Laos it is then? Or an extended holiday in Cambodia.

[elviajero]

So I have three SETV in a row from Penang, getting a fourth one is not gonna happen I presume? Laos it is then? Or an extended holiday in Cambodia.

• Penang reportedly have a 3 SETV limit of visas obtained through them so it's highly unlikely you'd get a forth unless using/paying an agent.
• You should be able to get another in Laos.

[Kaalle]

Thank you.

[recom273]

So I have three SETV in a row from Penang, getting a fourth one is not gonna happen I presume? Laos it is then? Or an extended holiday in Cambodia.

If you believe that guy in banana GH .. No.

Read my previous post. It's as boring as watching paint dry - but you can go to Kota bahru - they will issue you at least one and warn you about the future.

Another point, I guess 99% of applicants coming from Penang also use the van service from Chulia guest houses arriving through Sadao.

A buddy of mine came back two weeks ago, with a non-b .. On the advice of the van driver, all the tourists put 200B in their passport, none had 20,000B to show. Native speaking holders of Non-B were let through without question, except one white South African who had a previous non-B visa was refused entry. The guy was a teacher in Chumporn. No reason could be established from the short conversation my buddy had with him, the guy was totally confused.

Not only do you have the Penang consulate to deal with, you also have Sadao immigration. Not worth the grief in my book - depends where you are based, but all vans run out of Hat Yai to both consulates.

[JackThompson]

Another point, I guess 99% of applicants coming from Penang also use the van service from Chulia guest houses arriving through Sadao. ...

Not only do you have the Penang consulate to deal with, you also have Sadao immigration. Not worth the grief in my book - depends where you are based, but all vans run out of Hat Yai to both consulates.

My advice - don't do the van to Sadao. A guy I met in the airport in Hat Yai was turned around, and had to go ATM shopping (maybe he didn't know about the 200B and/or 20K rule). I'd take the train or other transport to Pedang Besar, even if it means another night in a hotel.

As far as a van from Hat Yai to 'both consulates' - any details on where and when to grab a van to Kota Bahru? That might come in handy as an alternative.

Also, the 'correct way' to stay in Thailand is to be within your immigration-issued permission-of-stay stamp at all times.

[recom273]

Another point, I guess 99% of applicants coming from Penang also use the van service from Chulia guest houses arriving through Sadao. ...

Not only do you have the Penang consulate to deal with, you also have Sadao immigration. Not worth the grief in my book - depends where you are based, but all vans run out of Hat Yai to both consulates.

My advice - don't do the van to Sadao. A guy I met in the airport in Hat Yai was turned around, and had to go ATM shopping (maybe he didn't know about the 200B and/or 20K rule). I'd take the train or other transport to Pedang Besar, even if it means another night in a hotel.

As far as a van from Hat Yai to 'both consulates' - any details on where and when to grab a van to Kota Bahru? That might come in handy as an alternative.

Also, the 'correct way' to stay in Thailand is to be within your immigration-issued permission-of-stay stamp at all times.

Yes, agreed .. I don't even need a visa but I like to go to Penang, do some shopping, and grab an Indian curry. I will detour another 20km to come back via Padang rather than go through Sadao, but I'm riding a bike and I live in Hat Yai.

The trains are a little tricky, you need to stay another night and the train runs in the morning, if I recall.

To get to Kota Bahru, you get a van from the main HY bus station at 180B to the Sungai Kolok border, then walk over the border and walk to the bus station or grab a taxi to the consulate.

The timings aren't great, if you leave in the early morning then you can grab a taxi and get to the consulate after lunch and pick your passport up with a tourist visa ( maybe the next morning or for sure ) the next afternoon.

The hotels in town are pretty grotty, but cheap and have wifi, there's one Irish pub but on the whole I don't think you can buy alcohol anywhere. You can walk anywhere in town, there is nothing to buy. Chinese food is great .. Indian food on the local side.

[brendanmann]

Does any one know the latest I can give my passport to an agent on Churla street for next day vosa collection on tourist visa.  I am planning a trip to Penang.  

 

Is it true you now have to show a onward travel ticket from LOSm even if you use an agent

 

Thank you

 

Also can you to back to back runs to the same embassy.  My last visa was Vientienen, could I just go back there.

[PoorSucker]

Does any one know the latest I can give my passport to an agent on Churla street for next day vosa collection on tourist visa.  I am planning a trip to Penang.  

Application must be made before lunch and picked up next day after lunch.

So if you can make it to Penang in the morning one night is possible.

For tourist visa you will need proof of onward travel.

 

Back to back visas will be possible if you don't have a warning stamp from that consulate.

 

[brendanmann]

On 7/5/2017 at 11:09 PM, PoorSucker said:

Application must be made before lunch and picked up next day after lunch.

So if you can make it to Penang in the morning one night is possible.

For tourist visa you will need proof of onward travel.

 

Back to back visas will be possible if you don't have a warning stamp from that consulate.

 

Thanks, I went last year and did not need onward ticker.  Can you make the ticket for three months to include the 30 day extension?

 

Also does anyone know how much the visa will cost with agency fee (Tourist Visa)

[BritTim]

11 minutes ago, brendanmann said:

Thanks, I went last year and did not need onward ticker.  Can you make the ticket for three months to include the 30 day extension?

 

Also does anyone know how much the visa will cost with agency fee (Tourist Visa)

If they do not ask to see evidence of travel, with dates, into Thailand, there is no reason why they should not accept an onward flight 3 or even 4 months out. You might not be planning to use the visa for a month or so.

 

The tourist visa itself is 150 MYR. Different agents charge different service fees. The visa agent I use charges only 30 MYR, but most charge more than that (often because they are really sub agents taking their cut but using a real agent). Some agents can also charge more because they are well known.