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

Thailand immigrationvisa assistanceexpat adviceretirement visaNON-O visavisa renewalpassport transfer
May 13, 2023
a year 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
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Russell *******
Just go to immigration yourself, you will be surprised how easy it is
a year ago
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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
a year ago
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John ********
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Andrew ********
No need to transfer a stamp all that's required is that you carry both passports with you. Been there done that.
a year ago
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John ********
@Andrew *******
 wrong it's against the law to use two passports for England and in Thailand
a year ago
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John ********
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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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
a year ago
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John ********
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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
a year ago
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Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy *****
 I’m the same as you Andy. I think I will follow your lead for all other countries.
a year ago
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Andy ******
@Darren ********
 I've never had a problem mate and had 2 passports for the last 10 years
a year ago
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Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy *****
 I think I’ve had mine for nearly 20!!
a year ago
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Darren *********
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John-Paul ******
@John *******
 no it isn't.
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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Paul *******
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Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *******
 that’s interesting and would make most sense.
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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John-Paul ******
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Graham ******
If you can't transfer a stamp you shouldn't be travelling long term, sorry
a year ago
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John-Paul ******
@Graham *****
 wrong... renew passport... transfer stamp to new one.
a year ago
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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"???.
a year ago
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Graham ******
John-Paul Riva you missed my point
a year ago
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John-Paul ******
@Graham *****
 what other point are you referring to
a year ago
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John-Paul ******
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Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 sure. Thanks Graham. 👍🙏
a year ago
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Darren *********
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Lee ******
Get there right when they open and load a translation app on your phone. That’s what worked for me. Best of luck.
a year ago
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Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lee *****
 thanks Lee.
a year ago
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Darren *********
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Chris *******
Where are you located????

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

Definitely free in Phuket.
a year ago
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Chris *******
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Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ******
 Sathorn.
a year ago
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Darren *********
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Maxim ***********
You don't even tell where in Thailand...
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
 not sure what you mean Maxim?
a year ago
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Darren *********
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John ********
It's not rocket science
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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John ********
@Darren ********
 but get the about 30 minutes before the appointment
a year ago
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Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 ok. Will do. Wasn’t aware you could make an appt.
a year ago
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Darren *********
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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
a year ago
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John ********
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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.
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Don *****
 noted. 🙏
a year ago
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Darren *********
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Gordon *********
Better get used to spending time and change your attitude
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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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 .
a year ago
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Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark **********
 will do once I do it.
a year ago
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Mark ***********
@Darren ********
 thanks mate
a year ago
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Mark ***********
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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.
a year ago
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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!!
a year ago
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Darren *********
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Gordon *********
@Darren ********
 good luck
a year ago
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Darren *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gordon ********
 cheers. 🙏
a year ago
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Darren *********
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Jorge ****
How about an interpreter, not a visa agent?
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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Darren *********
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