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Answered10 months ago

Is it common for visa agents to request personal documents while offering their services for re-entering Thailand with a DTV?

Anonymous *************
asked Jan 4, 2026
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Recently, I had a somewhat strange interaction with a member of this group claiming to be a visa agent.

I have a DTV, and I plan to re-enter Thailand after a short tour of a neighboring country. I searched the forum's posts and on one post I found a comment of someone claiming to be an agent and willing to help out people. So I contacted this person with the intention of gaining information, in case I had overlooked anything.

However what sounded a bit weird was that this person, who claimed to be a visa agent, repeatedly insisted upon seeing my passport photocopy and my DTV, saying they will "check the prices" with their sister working at the checkpoint. When they asked my nationality and I told them I am from India, they said it will be quite expensive for me (the exact amount in the range of 7000-9000 baht) to re-enter.

Even after I told them several times that I have a DTV already, but they kept insisting that I avail their services, and I should share my passport stamp and bio, and DTV copy with them right now, because if I get stopped at the checkpoint later on it would be "considerably more expensive for India" - quote.

This left an overall somewhat shady impression, as if they were trying to gain information and attempt to stop a lawful entry in order to extort money under some pretext. Foolish of me to talk to an agent for something I could very well do on my own, but I have never had such a bad interaction with any agents before, so I thought it might be worth talking to an agent to gain more insights. I got none, though, only a warning that it will cost me money to re-enter, and a repeated request to see my passport and DTV.

Has anyone ever had interactions like this before? Is anyone being extorted by agents at land border checkpoints even if you have a DTV?
Answer summary
The user shared an unsettling experience with a self-proclaimed visa agent who insisted on viewing personal documents and quoted high fees for re-entering Thailand with a DTV. The community responded with various opinions, noting that it’s unnecessary to use an agent when possessing a DTV, as it allows multiple entries without extra costs. Many cautioned against engaging with such agents, labeling their behavior as potentially shady or a scam. Clarifications were made that legitimate visa agents would typically only assist in situations that may require additional information or if a potential client might have complications—pointing out that agents do not have influence over immigration decisions. Overall, it was advised to handle immigration matters independently when possible.
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
You’re a representation of this group actually. Taking something so simple and just making it complex. With quick research you could have easily discovered fast track services is with transportation services
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
I read many people's post about DTV getting rejected, and some of them due to small mistakes. What is simple and obvious to someone might be difficult and complex to others. There are many factors and time is one of them.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant This has NOTHING to do with application acceptance. He already was approved. It’s exactly what I said it is. Making something more difficult than it needs to be
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Ho *****
STFU, and mind your own business if you dont have anything positive to contribute, yeah?
Ho ******
Ho ******
Anonymous participant 551 exactly
Ge *************
Ge *************
Just do it alone. Don't make it complicated. Try to experience by yourself. We are waiting for your updates.
Winston ************
Winston ************
You're the one looking for trouble. First of all, you DON'T even need an "agent" to acquire the DTV, secondly: once you have the DTV, you're free to exit and enter Thailand anytime via the international airports (my preference). How do I know all this: because that's what I did throughout 2025!
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Winston ***********
I disagree with you, its not automatically looking for trouble if I ask an agent "Hey can I fast track this application, do I need to wait a few hours if I want to do same day re-entry, do immigration officers have shift do they change after few hours, do I need to book a hotel room even if I am just gonna return back immediately, do I need to step outside the airport, etc etc".

Its not about needing an agent. Its about doing things the right way. Agents handle these things everyday and I trust they know the situation better than I, a working individual with a full time job and not enough time on hand to look up everything.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
You ask stupid questions, of course they will scam you. You have DTV, no agent needed.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
Who on earth would use an agent for this?

Of course they’re going to scam you - you basically advertised you haven’t a clue…
Kenneth ***********
Kenneth ***********
Anonymous participant 782 some people are first-time international travelers...show them some grace
Robert **********
Robert **********
What you experienced isn’t unusual — and it’s not an extortion racket at the checkpoint. It’s just how agents filter clients.

Real visa agents only take cases they already know will succeed. That’s why they push to see your passport bio page, stamps, and visa up front. They’re not doing “checks with immigration” — they’re checking whether you’re an easy, low-risk file before they quote or take money.

A couple of things to be very clear about:

Agents do not have people “inside the embassy” or inside immigration making decisions. None of them do. At most, some have contacts who can move an application to the top of a pile or do a cursory document check. That’s it. Final decisions are made by immigration officers, and those officers are untouchable. They are not risking their careers for a few thousand bahts. It doesn’t happen.

The reason the agent kept pushing despite you already having a DTV is simple: once you already hold a valid visa, there’s nothing meaningful for them to sell you. So they switch to vague warnings, nationality-based “pricing,” and urgency to create doubt and see if you’ll bite.

Land border re-entry on a valid DTV is not something agents can influence. If your visa is valid, and you meet the conditions, you either get stamped in or you don’t — and no agent at Facebook-message level has any leverage over that.

The red flags here weren’t the request to see documents — that part is normal — it was the insistence after you made it clear you didn’t need a service, plus the theatrics about nationality and “it’ll be more expensive later.”

Bottom line:

You weren’t about to be stopped at the checkpoint.

You weren’t missing anything.

And no one can charge you to “re-enter” Thailand if you already hold a valid DTV.

If you don’t need a service, don’t engage. Immigration isn’t negotiable, and Facebook agents don’t control borders.
Rogerio ******
Rogerio ******
Robert **********
Robert **********
Please see my previous answer to the other trolls Sherlock.
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Robert *********
That is a good explanation for this. Thanks.

Its true I dont need an agent, I even have more than 500k in bank for over many months, 90-day report, etc etc, so I practically have no danger of being refused a re-entry, even if the officers were to scrutinize to the maximum extent under law. And I have no overstay stamps or anything like that. My inquiry with the agent was to simply avail fast forward / understand ground situation in case I miss some small details - such as the dollar bills for any VOA for border-bounce must be in mint condition, otherwise they refuse. etc etc. Also, had heard a few reports of entry refusals on Reddit, but none of them had DTV. And all my previous experiences with agents have been quite informative and insightful, except this one.
David ******
David ******
you have been talking to someone from Scambodia lol
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@David *****
Haha, could be :D
Upadhyay *********
Upadhyay *********
You wouldn't need FasTrack immigration or any such airport/immigration service from an agent, unless you used illicit methods to obtain DTV.
Jonas *************
Jonas *************
Don't wear your gold chain on the beach while talking to ladyboys... Don't buy magical hair water... Don't ever ask a guru if you need a guru... Don't use or talk to an agent unless you want to cheat...
Justin ********
Justin ********
You were looking for trouble, i can't even comprehend what you were trying to ask about. You have a DTV you have no need of dealings with anyone
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Justin *******
No I wasn't "looking for trouble". I was asking for a fast-track.

It is normal to do your research before attempting something for the first time. And I am quite extensive with my preparation for the process because I dont want to waste the IO time if anything is missing. Preparation is always good, and I have always interacted with visa agents, even during my original DTV application, in a positive manner. Maybe if you had a "not-so-privileged" passport, you would understand why preparation is important for some nationalities, such as mine.
Ho ******
Ho ******
Anonymous participant fast track through tbe airport and Visa agents are completely different things. You had no reason to contact an agent.
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Ho *****
And who made you the judge on if I reason to contact or not? F off
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
Anonymous participant if you just want fast track, then you don't need an agent. There are a bunch of services available online
Justin ********
Justin ********
Anonymous participant Yeah if you'd said fast-track clearly early in the post I may have interpreted your post differently man. Your wording confused me to the point that I thought you were asking if reentries on a DTV are allowed at all. I don't feel like rereading the whole thing so maybe it is my reading comprehension at fault, but I'm guessing not lol 🙂 Have a good one man, don't get too worked up about aggressive facebook posts from crazies (me) lol
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
Its alright! I have also admitted that maybe it was foolish of me to contact agent, but hey, first time for everything.

Have a good day mate :)
Nattha *****
Nattha *****
first of all if you have a DTV you already must have all information from the agency when you applied for it or you already should have gathered all information. DTV is for 5 years and every 180 days you need to go out and re-enter and this is free. if you have gone out anytime other than this also it does NOT cost anything as DTV comes with multiple entry permits.
Kurt *************
Kurt *************
Sounds like someone is trying to sell you their services. And that their sister works in the airport at immigration.

If you dont need that service then just dont need to respond anymore to that person really. Or just answer i dont need your service.
Pete *******
Pete *******
You have a five year multiple entry visa. Come and go as you please.
Amornrat **********
Amornrat **********
@Pete ******
not all DTV has provided real documents, been a lot of fraud going on. The IO holds the key to let you enter the country
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Amornrat *********
Hows the visa business these days? I see you run visa-run services. And you are here saying I am a fraud?
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
There has indeed been some fraudulent VISA applications, I know a few under workation category.

However I hold soft power with a well-known cooking school, and I still maintain a 500k balance and all necessary documents. All my documents are real and I have held a Non-IB with Agoda before I was on my DTV.

So your insinuation that I needed to contact a visa agent because I am a fraud and perhaps because I am Indian, is wrong.
Benjamin *********
Benjamin *********
I dont understand anything. Why do you need agent?
Elías ********
Elías ********
@Benjamin ********
some people here is agent-addicted. They even pay agents for filling TM-30 and TM-47s
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
I do 90-day and tm30 with agents.

I have a full-time job and I would not want to accidentally miss out important details because I did not have proper prep-work. Agents do a very important role in handling small details, and they often have good insights as to which checkpoints are better for what purpose (when they are not being racist or anti-India), they can be quite useful and worth the bucks they earn.
Benjamin *********
Benjamin *********
@Elías *******
well i also pay agent to do tm because i dont have time. But i dont understand the probleme here
Benjamin *********
Benjamin *********
Participant anonyme 782 do whatever you want with your money and your time. I feel very nice not living as cheap charlie and not having to care about this.
Jonas *************
Jonas *************
Anonymous participant 782 to go to immigration in Bangkok to do a 90-day report takes about 3-5 hours all-in-all of your day and it's a real hassle.

Other provinces have a drive-in and you're done in minutes.

I don't understand why they can't make it easier and why we can't do it in other locations then far out in the immigration office
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
@Benjamin ********
takes about 30 seconds. You must be terribly busy
Johnny *******
Johnny *******
If you already have a DTV why would you even contact an agent?
Amornrat **********
Amornrat **********
@Johnny ******
believe it or not there's been a lot of fraudulent DTV applications. It's just a matter of time or it will take one major incident and Immigration will start to look more closely. Recently Immigration had a go at visa free although these people didn't do anything wrong. First Thailand invited them to come here without any restrictions and suddenly they were wrong.
Johnny *******
Johnny *******
@Amornrat *********
absolutely nothing to support this theory. It’s pure speculation on your part. Stop making things up.
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
There has indeed been some fraudulent VISA applications, I know a few under workation category.

However I hold soft power with a well-known cooking school, and I still maintain a 500k balance and all necessary documents. All my documents are real and I have held a Non-IB with Agoda before I was on my DTV.

So your insinuation that I needed to contact a visa agent because I am a fraud and perhaps because I am Indian, is wrong.

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