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What should I be aware of when using a visa agent for my retirement extension in Thailand?

Visa RenewalRetirement VisaThai ImmigrationVisa AgentsOverstay IssuesFinancial Requirements
Dec 18, 2017
7 years ago
Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just a "Be Careful". A good friend of mine just used for the second time his visa agent to renew his extension based on retirement. He just found out CW didn't accept the agent's '800k' part of the paperwork. He's now on 6 days overstay and off for a T. visa. Anyone else experienced this?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shares a cautionary tale about a friend who faced issues with a visa agent while renewing a retirement extension, resulting in an overstay. Several commenters discuss the pitfalls of using agents, the importance of meeting financial requirements personally, and the potential lack of acceptance by Chaengwattana for agent-based applications. The conversation highlights varied experiences with immigration agents and the complexities surrounding visa extensions in Thailand.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
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Tod *********
The way it usually works is paper-pushers will use Chaengwattana to get the 90 day Non-O visa (using the agents money), AND take the person out there to get his picture taken in section C-2 as well (the section you get a 90 day Non-Immigrant visas issued).

Then they keep the persons passport and send it to another immigration office to get the yearly extension and give the passport back to the person in a few days.
7 years ago
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Joe ***********
Some using agents should study / examine using the Income Method instead of Cash in the Bank. They may find they don't need an agent
7 years ago
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Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Mark Barron. Maybe but then it would seem many without the financials use this avenue. I've another friend who has twice,and no problems. They seem an extremely expensive way to go.
7 years ago
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Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I only know that his photo was taken at CW the first time. He's in Lao now hopefully getting a tourist visa so I'll ask him when he's back.
7 years ago
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Amornrat **********
@Jim ******
 let him check where the extension was issued. The Non O should or will be issued in CW, but extensions can vary from agent to agent. A reliable agent should know this...
7 years ago
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Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Interesting,as is the fact, that on his first experience he Was,taken out to the said CW for this service inclusive of having his photo taken there. One year and about 8 days ago.
7 years ago
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Amornrat **********
@Jim ******
 the passport holder.
7 years ago
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Amornrat **********
It is commonly known that CW does not do this service.
7 years ago
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Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *******
. Incidentally, who is potentially in trouble if anyone is caught?
7 years ago
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Mark ********
I appreciate why people go this route (and there but by the grace of the great spaghetti monster etc.) but just pointing out that there are potentially quite serious consequences if they get caught out (and hence explains why the costs of going down this route are so high)
7 years ago
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Mark ********
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Mark ********
Your friend is lucky they weren't blacklisted and deported for fraudulent paperwork so could have been worse
7 years ago
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Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Correct Tod. However he did on the first occasion.
7 years ago
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Tod *********
IF I was a betting man I'd bet the person who used the agent NEVER set foot out at C/W immigration office at all. :O They found out when the agent told them they couldn't do it. :/
7 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
Honestly, I haven't seen the bigger paper-pushers (agents) in Bangkok use CW for extensions based on retirement for a good while now.

In fact most of the stamps I see where people used them come from other provinces around Bangkok.
7 years ago
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Tod *********
The moral of this story is probably NOT to use agents to push paper for visa extensions :/ OR if you do use one, meet the financial requirements yourself. ;)
7 years ago
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Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
As do I.
7 years ago
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Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Robert A. Piccus. Agree,but,many are doing exactly the same, and as I said, his first time with the same company worked perfectly ok,so I guess one would logically think it would again for him,as has been the case for his buddy with a different agent but exactly the same needs and at the same time. Anyway, as I opened, I was only trying to give others a "Be Careful", which I thought may help some.
7 years ago
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Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tod,true but guess for those that don't have the financial requirements there's not much other choice. On top of that,he paid
*****
k to them the first time and this time was
*****
k.
7 years ago
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Jim *******
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Tero ************
Did your friend get his agent fee refund ?
7 years ago
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Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
At present Tero I don't know.
7 years ago
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Jim *******
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