Are there agents in Thailand who can assist expats at immigration offices?

May 13, 2023
2 years ago
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is a add on to my last post about my passport and transferring my retirement stamp to another passport. Thanks for all those that responded with good advice.

My next question is, are there any agents out there who can just come with me to the immigration office and act as a mediator to help get things done quickly and without me ending up frustrated and confused!! When I contact these visa agency companies they always seem to think that I need a service that costs about 20-30k which seems to be for people without all the right credentials. I have all the correct paperwork and I’m just legitimately renewing for another year and just need someone experienced to spend a few hours with me, helping me through the in person process for a few thousand baht so I don’t end up there all day and wasting my time. Any ideas?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster seeks recommendations for agents who can accompany them to the immigration office to assist with the process of transferring their retirement visa stamp to a new passport. They express frustration with standard visa agency services that charge high fees for unnecessary help, as they already possess the correct paperwork. Suggestions from commenters include considering an interpreter, arriving early, and using translation apps; however, some emphasize that the immigration process often requires either time or money, and some respondents query the poster's actual location in Thailand for more specific advice.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Russell *******
Just go to immigration yourself, you will be surprised how easy it is
John ********
@Russell ******
he is a coward and I don't understand what is the problem he only has to book the appointment on line get there a few minutes before the appointment

The only thing I can think of is that he is telling lies
Andrew ********
No need to transfer a stamp all that's required is that you carry both passports with you. Been there done that.
John ********
@Andrew *******
wrong it's against the law to use two passports for England and in Thailand
John ********
John-Paul ******
@John *******
okay.... thank you very much for the correction and education. The US doesn't "cut" the old passport. Find it strange that the UK does as they didn't cut mine.
John-Paul ******
@John *******
That was not what the poster was asking. Also, if you have 2 passports... say 1 UK and 1 US you can pick and choice which you travel or enter/depart on. Though it would be wise to exit on the one that used to enter. I do all the time with my US and UK passports Born in US qualified for UK based upon marriage.
John ********
@John-Paul *****
I'm not saying anything but having 2 passport's from two different country's

I am talking about two passport's from the UK government

As I have said before once they cut your old passport it is invalid and you use your New passport

I don't care what you or anyone else has to say that is the law in Thailand and England
Andy ******
@John *******
wrong I have two passports as I travel international for my company ,I use one passport for Thailand and another for entry to the UK or other country if you don't need visa
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy *****
I’m the same as you Andy. I think I will follow your lead for all other countries.
Andy ******
@Darren ********
I've never had a problem mate and had 2 passports for the last 10 years
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy *****
I think I’ve had mine for nearly 20!!
John-Paul ******
@John *******
no it isn't.
Andrew ********
@John *******
you are not using two passports as the old one is cancelled. You just carry the old one to show the visa. Its not wrong I've done it in Thailand as advised by immigration there.

As long as the visa is valid for the time you are travelling.

I will be doing exactly that in a couple of weeks.

Example, passport expires with 6 months of a year's visa still valid.

New passport issued.

Travel with both cancelled passport and new passport. Show both at immigration at entry, no problem.
Paul *******
@Andrew *******
I've been told that if it's a visa issued outside of Thailand, you use both passports, no transfer necessary nor is it possible to do one. I've been in this situation several times - traveled with old and new passport. Old passport contained multiple entry visa (business or marriage).

Now I'm about to be in this situation but with an extension of stay. I've been told it's compulsory to transfer the stamp. Not sure if that's true, but I'll get it done as I've already applied for and paid for the expensive embassy letter, which my embassy doesn't issue for free. Some do though.
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *******
that’s interesting and would make most sense.
John-Paul ******
@Andrew *******
yes that can work. Done it myself last passport renewal. However ...not always without a conversation... explaining both common sense and the finer points of reality.
Graham ******
If you can't transfer a stamp you shouldn't be travelling long term, sorry
John-Paul ******
@Graham *****
wrong... renew passport... transfer stamp to new one.
John-Paul ******
If the poster is transferring a Non O (retirement/ marriage/Thai child/etc) or a O/A based upon whatever or a B visa you certainly can transfer the stamp from the old passport to the new. If renewed via a consulate/embassy the new passport will come with a letter asking that the Thai visa stamp be transferred (that is IF provided as some do and some don't). However, It has been known that if one carries both the old and the new and show them at immigration/passport control it seems to also work. Keeping photocopies on your phone of both passports is essential if you go that route. Some here have stated that the latter makes sense and I do know those who do it and travel all the time without issues (air and land). However as with most things in the Kingdom... "sense"???.
Graham ******
John-Paul Riva you missed my point
John-Paul ******
@Graham *****
what other point are you referring to
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
sure. Thanks Graham. 👍🙏
Lee ******
Get there right when they open and load a translation app on your phone. That’s what worked for me. Best of luck.
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lee *****
thanks Lee.
Chris *******
Where are you located????

Transferring between passports is simple, one form, letter if provided from embassy and copies.
Paul *******
@Chris ******
Is the service free?
Chris *******
@Paul ******
I cannot speak for every office, but should be free.

Definitely free in Phuket.
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ******
Sathorn.
Maxim ***********
You don't even tell where in Thailand...
Maxim ***********
You need an agent to hold your hand to immigration, right? But you don't tell us where you are located: BKK, CM, Krabi, KK, and so on. How do you expect anyone to help you or have recommendations without knowing where you are.
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
not sure what you mean Maxim?
John ********
It's not rocket science
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
yep. That’s why I mentioned that I have all the paperwork at hand. I just want someone to help with the queues and any adhoc requests that get lost in translation. Spending hours there is not my idea of fun and I have more productive things to do with my time I think.
John ********
@Darren ********
but get the about 30 minutes before the appointment
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
ok. Will do. Wasn’t aware you could make an appt.
John ********
@Darren ********
they will understand anything that you have to say once you are inside the office and point you in the right direction

Your much better to get there early or just make a appointment on their website
Don ******
Unfortunately you have to spend either time or money or both, and can still be a frustrating experience. They are not here for our convenience or wellbeing. Nobody is going to offer a cheap service when they can make a lot more money for doing the same job in less time then they would have to expend going to immigration with you.
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Don *****
I get you Don. I guess I’m looking for someone who’s not one of those agents I mentioned but a different kind of agent offering a different kind of service to those others.
Don ******
@Darren ********
ok I wish you luck. You’ll get slight differences in costs between agents and immigration officials but basically there all on the same page.
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Don *****
noted. 🙏
Gordon *********
Better get used to spending time and change your attitude
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gordon ********
been there before, so I know how much time I’m likely to spend there. Changing one’s attitude can be frustratingly difficult at times.
Mark ***********
@Darren ********
hi Darren I'm going back in to Thailand July, can you explain the process going through immigration with new passport no O/A visa stamp and old passport has the visa stamp. Thai immigration in Australia say just carry the 2 passport through and I'll be ok to get into Thailand .
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark **********
will do once I do it.
Mark ***********
@Darren ********
thanks mate
Alistair **********
@Darren ********
you've done it once before, the second time should be much easier and quicker now you know the process and documents required. Book an appointment online, that should speed up the process a little.

Foreigner services are always more expensive, even though labor costs are low.
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alistair *********
thanks Alistair. I wasn’t aware you could make an appt.

And yes, it always amazes me at the hike in labour costs when foreigner services are involved!!
Gordon *********
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gordon ********
cheers. 🙏
Jorge ****
How about an interpreter, not a visa agent?
Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jorge ***
yeah. That would work but still useful to have someone there who knows their way around the offices and has some connection with officers there.
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