Grandiose offer from Thai Visa Center?
On Facebook, the advertisement shown here came by from an agency that calls itself Thai Visa Centre. The text reads approximately as follows: “Problems with your visa and are you 50+? We can arrange a “retirement visa” for you for 1 year”. You will also see in the advertisement that no information about bank and / or income data is necessary.
The ad was posted on Facebook earlier in January and generated more than 100 responses with additional questions, such as what the costs are. Invariably, the people who responded received the answer that Thai Visa Center is happy to help and then invited the questioner to contact them via the chat box. So no additional information on the Internet, because I once read as an answer “Every case is different”.
I have my doubts about the reliability of this advertisement and about Thai Visa Center, which has no website, only a FB page. No address either, the only answer to a relevant question was that they were located in Bangkok.
The offer for a retirement visa is not according to the normal procedure and I cannot imagine that this agency is able to legally circumvent the procedure. Probably costs a lot of money, you may also get a visa stamp for this, but whether it is legally valid is doubtful. All consequences are of course for the holder of the passport.
I thought it good to warn you. I may be completely wrong and it would be nice if a blog reader has already gained experience with Thai Visa Centre.
I know a Belgian who lives in Chayaphum and who got a visa that way. Cost; 12.000 bath. Only to be paid when the visa is arranged.
I have also seen this advertisement on Facebook several times and to be honest it seemed interesting to me but still a feeling of doubt.
There are several of these agencies that claim to be able to circumvent the income requirements, also by borrowing the necessary funds.
In about 7 months I will be ready to apply for a retirement visa, but I think I will stick to the official route, with or without the help of a trusted agency on site. I'll look for something when the time comes for me.
Rob,
If you follow the official route, you don't need help from a "trusted" agency. The cost is only 1.900 bath and maybe a few baths for an extra copy. Go on time and certainly not on the last day.
Cost you a lot of money and a lot of problems.
And the candidates are evicted.
Could say a lot about it, but not here……if you still get the length to post your e-mail address, I will contact you.
The requirements for a valid visa are known to everyone. I also read this ad on fb and immediately sent it to the trash. Hopefully no one falls for that…
Hello Gringo
I personally have no experience with Thai Visa Center, but there are several Traveling Shops here in Pattaya
who simply offer the same per advertisement. You really don't have to give an address, you don't have to have an income or any kind of benefit. Also no money in the bank (800.000,00) the total picture will cost you 12.000,00 baht and everything will be arranged for you.
Stacks of passports are sent to immigration in Jomtiën soi 5 to arrange a “retirement visa” for 1 year.”
And to think that if you are two days short under normal circumstances with the money that has to be in a bank for 3 months, you don't stand a chance.
I think only senior immigration officials are well lubricated here!!!!
Greetings from Cor
At immigration in Jomtien, the office to the left of the entrance asked me 30000bath.
Ronny, cost is Baht 20000-. Then this “office” will take Baht 10000-. Earned quickly.
Yes, that's right, a few years ago I was unable to apply for a visa in time, so I had to go back specifically to apply for one, because I was short of many days.
Went to inquire and yes, it would work if I picked up my passport and bank book. At 13.30:17.00 I handed over everything with my debit card. At 1 pm I neatly had a visa with multiple entries for 800.000 year in my hand. My debit card and bank book had also been XNUMX baht richer for an hour. I have been in and out three times without a single problem, also transferring to a new passport went without a problem.
Was an emergency measure, which I would not do again, but then 12.000 is cheap and I believe also possible.
Think it was a year extension with Multiple Re-entry. Normally costs 1900 Baht for the extension and 3800 Baht for the Multiple re-entry.
Otherwise, it seems strongly to me that immigration issues a Non-immigrant “O” with Multiple entry, especially since this is not allowed to be issued in Thailand. Only embassies and consulates are allowed to do this.
And to arrange all this with an embassy or consulate in 4 hours seems pretty strong to me.
If so, please provide a photo of that visa. Would like to see what it says at the place of issue….
Eduardo,
I'm very curious about what you have to say about this. Please contact sojaroht ad hotmail dot com
A good visa support office will set you the same requirements as immigration, some practical problems they can of course solve for you for a fee (I'm thinking about address or something), but if you don't have to meet an income requirement, it seems clear to me that something isn't right here.
Hi Cor, which company does it for 12000 baht?
eduard, none as the "cost" is Baht 20000-. Be careful with that because I suspect that for Baht 12000 you will get a self-made (i.e. fake) stamp in your passport. Baht 12000- can't, impossible.
Cambodia travel in soi buakhow in pattaya
Big nonsense I can see several people who have been doing this for several years without a single problem.
They even solve it if you NORMALLY have to go to Bangkok with a new passport to have it legalized. They also arrange that for you, no problem at all!
Since when must a passport be legalized in Bangkok?
And what is the purpose of that legalization?
In bkk there was a guest at the market, he had business stickers and business cards.
He said he could also provide driver's licenses, ID cards, etc.
Stamping was also no problem…..
M.vr.gr.
I've also seen this ad pop up a few times while using facebook.
I wouldn't even start it.
I think it's another advertisement just like those so-called call centers, and let's just hope that someone has the instinct that after having paid first, they will never hear from them again.
I also sometimes hear those stories of people who try to circumvent the rules in such a way.
Firstly, you are not sure whether that visa stamp is actually registered.
In other cases I am thinking of a kind of corruption in which a dubious immigration official certainly benefits financially.
Do you comply with the rules of the game and do it as it should be?
Then you also have the right to speak up if they ever want to be difficult.
I am not afraid anymore , when I go to immigration .
Jan Beute.
I think if you look at the advertisement carefully, you will find that a “non-immigrant” visa can be obtained. This is valid for 1 year and is necessary to apply for a “retirement visa” in Thailand. That's all. The only thing you can do then is enter Thailand within that year. Upon arrival at the airport you will receive a 3-month residence visa. During those 3 months you then have time to apply for a “retirement visa”, of course, according to the applicable rules. If you apply for a “non-immigrant” visa yourself at the Thai Embassy in Belgium, it will cost you less than 12.000 baht. And indeed, 800.000 baht is not required for the "non-immigrant visa", that only comes into play when you (!) go to immigration yourself to apply for a "retirement visa", cost 1.900 baht! The applicable rules for obtaining a “retirement visa” can be found on this blog!
You can find the ad on the following site:
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=thai%20visa%20centre
This link is about a Non-immigrant “OA” Multiple entry visa.
(A Single entry version of the Non-immigrant “OA visa does not exist)
For those who are not familiar with it, in short.
The Non-immigrant O-AIt is therefore a visa and not an extension of a period of residence
The validity period of this visa is 1 year.
With each entry, within the validity period of the visa, you obtain a residence period of 1 year. If you perform a last “border run” before the end of the validity period, you also obtain a final residence period of 1 year. So you can cover almost 2 years of stay with this visa (Border run included).
For an uninterrupted stay of 90 days in Thailand, or any subsequent period of 90 days uninterrupted stay in Thailand, make an address report
Be careful if you leave Thailand after the validity period of the visa and you want to keep that last period of stay. In that case, also first request a “Re-entry” before you leave Thailand.
(Single Re-entry = 1000 Baht, Multiple Re-entry 3800 Baht).
It is possible to apply for a year extension at the end of your stay at immigration on the basis of “Retirement” or “Thai Marriage” (1900 Baht), provided you meet the applicable conditions, of course.
You can only apply for this visa at a Thai embassy, and that Thai embassy must be located in the country of your nationality, or where you are officially registered.
Costs 5000 Baht (Netherlands/Belgium 150 Euro)
Basic conditions (more evidence can be requested)
– 50 years or + (note that higher age requirements may apply in the Netherlands/Belgium)
– Present a bank amount of 800 Baht (or equivalent in Euros), or a monthly income of at least 000 Baht (or equivalent in Euros), or a combination of bank amount and income amounting to at least 65 Baht (or equivalent in Euros) ) must be on an annual basis.
– Health declaration (Leprosy, Tuberculosis, drug addiction, Elephantiasis, third phase of Syphilis)
– Extract criminal record
How Thai Visa center does all this and what it costs? No idea.
In any case, none of this has anything to do with applying for an extension in Thailand.
Maybe they do too. No idea.
In any case, I would always be careful with such Visa agencies.
I personally wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Usually that goes well, until it goes wrong.
But everyone has to decide that for themselves.
Just this.
Working with a Non-immigrant “OA” is not allowed, ie applying for a work permit is excluded.
Indeed, a Non-immigrant “O” Single/Multiple can also be provided according to them.
However, here too there are financial requirements that you must meet in Belgium.
After my question what it costs and how the financial conditions of the Visa are met, I received the following answer:
If you already have a Non-immigrant visa “O” visa
I can provide you with a 1 Year Retirement Visa
We charge 16,000 THB
We do NOT require bank balance
We do NOT require boarding
We only need passport + photos, we are agency, and can get it done.
We can process in only 3 business days.
Our office is located at The Pretium Bangna building 91/11.
You can schedule an appointment here. (MUST HAVE APPOINTMENT)
Or call us to see if we can do the same day, +66 99-424-2411
—
Grace
PHONE +66 99-424-2411
LINE @thaivisacentre
Thai Visa Centre
Responded to it and got this as an answer
From: Grace [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Sunday 11 February 2018 15:40
To:
Subject: Re: 1 Year Retirement Visa for Belgium passport
If you already have a Non-immigrant visa “O” visa
I can provide you with a 1 Year Retirement Visa
We charge 16,000 THB
We do NOT require bank balance
We do NOT require boarding
We only need passport + photos, we are agency, and can get it done.
We can process in only 3 business days.
Our office is located at The Pretium Bangna building 91/11.
You can schedule an appointment here. (MUST HAVE APPOINTMENT)
Or call us to see if we can do the same day, +66 99-424-2411
If I read this again.
Another case with quite a smell to it.
Something is definitely not right here, that is clear.
Nice case for Prayuth and his cronies to pay attention to this.
They are already on the hunt for thousands of overstayers.
If it all goes as easy as they say at this visa center then they better close all immigration offices in Thailand tomorrow .
Only passport with photo, and what happens to your passport in the meantime?
Maybe he will turn up again somewhere in a distant airport, just like that Iranian last week who flew from Phuket to Bangkok with final destination London with a passport of an Englishman.
Jan Beute.