What are the pros and cons of using a visa agency to help obtain a visa and open a bank account in Thailand?

Jul 28, 2024
3 months ago
Kay ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello everyone, I hope you are all well. I have a question for anyone who has used a visa agency to get them both the bank account and the visa. I am probably going this route but I would like to know if anyone has had any real difficulties doing it this way? Apart from having to use the same agency for future extensions, is there anything else to be aware of? The agency is in Bangkok and they seem great, but I live in a different province (not too faraway) and I'm just wondering if I'll run into other difficulties. I have had so many obstacles put in front of me to open a bank account and then get the extension on a Non O visa that I am feeling (probably) overly cautious. Pros and cons? Thanks. Have a great evening.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around the experiences and concerns of using a visa agency in Thailand for obtaining a Non O visa and opening a bank account. Users share their opinions on the convenience and cost associated with using such agencies. Highlights include the relief from the bureaucracy, potential challenges if the agency operates out of a different province, and the importance of ensuring documentation is in order. Some participants recommend coordinating with local immigration offices, while others caution against high agency fees. Overall, it emphasizes the balance of convenience versus self-management in the visa process.
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Kay ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I tried one more time at Krungsri Bank in Bangkok, a couple hours before I had the appointment with the visa agency and they opened the account for me! After almost 3 weeks of trying everything under the sun, I finally got it and just in time to transfer the funds! A miracle. I thank you all for taking the time to give me some advice. I really appreciate it.
Steve *******
I used an agency for my initial visa in Pattaya, I already had a bank account. I did not need to use the agency for my renewal which was done with the help of a friend in Chumphon.
Fernando ************
@Steve ******
hi Steve, I’m in Pattaya now. Do you recommend your agency? and if so could you provide their info. Do you recall how much you were charged? Much appreciated and thanks!

Fernando
Fernando ************
@Steve ******
thank you Steve. Looking for long term Retirement. Will check them out.
Steve *******
@Fernando ***********
That covered a 90 day extension and a 12 month retirement visa. Not sure what visa you are looking for
Steve *******
@Fernando ***********
I used Key Visa and paid 29,000 baht.

*****************************************************************************************
Nick ************
@Steve ******
Chumphon. That is somewhere i want to visit.
Nick ************
I can only give you my personal experience. I used an agent for my non o based on retirement and the first two extensions. The agent also opened a bank account for me and put the required funds in to it for the first extension during covid when I did not have access to funds back in the UK. The procedure was slick and hassle free with no queuing BUT, and it is a big but, it was expensive and I did get problems at my local immigration office with a number of things particularly when it came to certificates of residence. My local IO made things quite difficult as they did not like the fact I had used an agent. I had to return to ba gkok several times for various issues one being transfer of stamp to new passport. On my third entry to Thailand I was stopped and the IO knew I used an agent and told me in no uncertain terms to do it myself next time. When the time came I gathered all the necessary documents which was not difficult and by then I had had the funds in the bank for the required three months. I got my extension fir 1900 baht. This year it was plain sailing and it took about an hour to get the statements from the bank and then get my stamp from local IO. They are much more co operative and helpful now. So, firstly it is not difficult to apply for and get the non o Visa for 90 days. If you have that already it should be possible to open a bank account. If you haven't then use the agent to open an account and do the rest yourself at your local immigration office. Secondly, if you use an agent this time there is no reason to continue doing so in future years. Talk with your local immigration officers, they are usually helpful and will explain what you have to do. Get them to write down in Thai what they require from your bank so that you get the right documents from there. I use Krungsri and it is possible to do the necessary at a branch where I did not OOEN the account. Other banks might be different. I now have a Bangkok bank account in my nearest city and will go the monthly income route next year. All is going well so far.

Finally, it is better to make the effort and do things yourself so you are sure that everything is above board and you will not get future problems. Everything from visas to buying a car and getting a driving license. The more you understand the easier it gets, trust me! Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Further tips of you use agent.

Use an agent who takes you to immigration to do the business. That way you know tge stamp is legit. Ask to pay half before and half when you have stamp in passport. Do not loose sight of your passport unless you are absolutely sure you can trust the agent.
Brian ********
Mike *******
following for info
Nick ************
@Mike ******
I hope my info is helpful.
Tim *********
Try to use an agent who will obtain the extension at your local Immigration Office. Then, if you choose to and can show the money (either lump sum of 800k or 65k a month), you can handle future renewals yourself for just 1,900 baht
Steve *******
If it's a visa and extention based on retirement and you are using your own 800k Thai Baht then you shouldn't have any problems using an agent
John ********
@Steve ******
Only reason to use an agent to get you a visa extension is if you don't have the 800k in a Thai bank account. This is what you are charged for by the agents.
Steve *******
@John *******
Then your visa/extention is fraudulent so good luck with that.

Many people use an agent just to push the paperwork
John ********
@Steve ******
Keep your accusations to yourself. I don't stay in Thailand, so how do you work out that I have a fraudulent visa extension. Also, why aren't you condemning the agents, or is that too uncomfortable for you. Just another keyboard warrior. Seems Thailand is full of righteous farangs. Maybe people like you are on a mission to clean up corruption. Good luck with that 😆
Steve *******
@John *******
Give it a rest. You haven't got a clue what you're talking about!
John ********
@Steve ******
piss off prat
Kay ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
Hi Steve, thanks for the comment. What difference would it make if the 800k is mine or not?
Steve *******
@Kay *****
If your visa and extention of stay is based on 'retirement' without your own 800k then it will be fraudulently obtained by the agent. If based on marriage then being female you dont need to prove any financials.

You can use your own funds and just get an agent to push the paperwork, this perfectly legit
Kay ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, I realize I will be stuck with them until I go back to EU and request an OA visa. I am a little concerned that they deposit the 800k and won’t let me transfer it. I cannot open the bank account by myself. I have tried in every way possible and it is just not happening. There’s another agency in Bangkok (Thai Visa Expert) that says they can help me open the bank account and then I can do the visa myself, which would be preferable for me but I worry he might not be legit.
THAI ******************************
@Kay *****
This is a common misunderstanding.

You can apply using your own funds just by ensuring you have properly seasoned funds, and have filed your TM30 correctly.

We assist customers with this all the time. If an agency, or officer says you must go back to the agent or cannot apply on your own when you fully meet this requirements this is wrong.
Borune ***********
@Kay *****
then you can do it yourself next time and save a lot of money. It's actually quite simple. If it's not your money then you stucked to agent's.
John ********
Seems there's a lot of copy & paste on these visa FB pages 😂
Henrik *****
Nothing wrong with copy & paste, if the informations correct and cover most aspects.

Since many post the same questions again and again, instead of search or scroll through allready answered questions.
John ********
@Henrik ****
Don't understand why people who are obviously on these FB pages regularly have to keep replying to the same old questions several times. I just read shoot then move on and don't copy & paste answer/replies to questionnaires.
Terary **********
I have had some difficulties opening a bank account at one branch and trying to conduct business at another branch. I think some people have not had these difficulties.

Hence, you will likely want to open account at a branch near you.
Jan ******************
You’ll need to provide the documentation for the agent yourself anyway and biggest con is paying 15-25K baht for something with an actual cost of 2000baht. If you use an agent to bypass formal legal requirements, there are several more cons.
Kay ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
thanks for commenting. I am not bypassing anything illegal. All of my documents are good but because I live in Nakhon Pathom, it has been a nightmare trying to do it by myself 😊
Jan ******************
@Kay *****
Ok, I understand. The biggest issue is to open a bank account on a tourist visa. If you’re from Italy (I see you write in Italian on your FB) your embassy in Bangkok offers to provide you an affidavit letter. If you can meet the requirements of 65K baht income a month, you’ll don’t need to prove any funds in a bank for your initial Non O visa and you might manage to get the visa without a bank account as well. Letter from embassy is an alternative to funds in a bank.
Jeffrey ************
As long as you have the money in bank and the visa is legit I would go with agency.
Todd *********
I have used
@THAI *****************************
from another province in the past. No issues at all
Evelyne **********************
@Todd ********
fantastic service from day 1
Rich ****
@Todd ********
If you want to pay 65,000 they can help you. Please stop recommending them.
John-Paul ******
@Rich ***
65k? You have no idea it seems. Average is around 24k
Todd *********
@Rich ***
and well worth it for first time. Much cheaper for renewals. Why do you think these agencies are booming around Thailand Rich? I think the reasons for using an agent are very clear. If you don’t want to… don’t. Everybody has a choice. And 1900 baht makes sense for many also
Rich ****
@Todd ********
Yes renewals are much cheaper. $2000 USD to start seems a bit steep. Is that mainly to get the Thai bank account and/or bypass the 800,000 required deposit?
Todd *********
@Rich ***
I’m not sure the 65k you quoted is accurate. A few years ago, it was half that, but I agree, 65k baht is fairly steep for sure. And yes, I believe most use agents for one of two things. 1- convenience and no annual hassles at banks and immigration 2- keeping the 800k at making 5%+++ which would earn more than the cost of annual renewals.

I wonder if the new DTV will draw some attention from retirees who suddenly become digital nomads or cooking students?
Kay ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
Thanks Todd!
Pete *******
Do it yourself = cheap + hassle

Use Agent = expensive + hassle free

Up to you….
Kay ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pete ******
I am way past the hassle limit. It has proved impossible 😂
David *******
My only concern is if the agent gets your extension from Bangkok and not from the province where you live. If they get it from your ‘home’ Immigration Office then that’s fine, if not it would just niggle at me a little.
Kay ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
I know and I agree but it would cost way too much and they said they can do the 90 day report in Bangkok for a very reasonable price. Thanks for commenting 😊
Christopher ********
It's better to use an agency because you have to prepare many things and do a lot of running around to get those things. The agency will do everything for you. It will obviously cost some but it will save you a headache and a lot of time in the end.
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