Scam near UK Visa Application Centre

[Governor]

I have seen the people from this office lurking at the top of the stairs or by the queue for the VFS looking for people who seem a little unsure of themselves, then gently ushering them into their office and then bamboozling them with science, it really is a disgrace.

 

There is really nothing difficult about applying for entry clearance and when you do, you then walk in confidently and you will not be bothered by these leeches.

[veritas]

ht up front were getting nowhere, after they had upset my girl friend for the second time we went to bangkok the next morning and picked up the visa the next day, no fuss no muss for straight forward applications it is easy especially if one takes the advice to get all the detail stuff built up over a period. we had all these but.after a brief glance at them most were handed back there and then good luck to all

[Thai Visa Express]

Most agents are not qualified to give advice we for example can attend embassy interviews if required and take notes.

 

No other agents can as they are not registered in the UK.

[qwelly]

whats the minimum an english bank account should hold and for how long does anyone know?

[Governor]

whats the minimum an english bank account should hold and for how long does anyone know?

 

 

There is no definite answer to this question I'm afraid as there are too many variables.

 

It depends on the type of visa the applicant is asking for and the length of the stay, the ECO will need to be convinced that there are sufficient funds available for the applicant to stay in the UK without recourse to public funds, whether it be from the applicant or the sponsor. It will depend if the applicant will be staying in the home of the sponsor or in hotel accommodation, I'm not sure that there is a specific figure they are looking for but you need to show a realistic amount in the bank to sponsor the trip if that's what you are doing, the lady isn't going to be at home all day watching television.

 

The requirement is for six months of statements to be submitted so obviously an account will be needed for that time, though in theory it doesn't need to be the same account there needs to be some consistency, they will be looking to see the amount of money coming into the account on a regular basis, these should be supported by payslips or accounts.

[Governor]

Most agents are not qualified to give advice we for example can attend embassy interviews if required and take notes.

 

No other agents can as they are not registered in the UK.

 

If you must use an agent to fill in the application form then you are certainly better to use an agent who is registered with the Office of the Immigration Commissioner, OISC, it is illegal for anyone who is not registered to offer advice in the UK, and whilst it is not illegal for agents not registered to offer advice in Thailand, the cowboys lurking around the VFS office are a good example of why you should use an accredited agent, if the applicant really thinks that assistance is required - it really is not that difficult.

 

Whilst it's good to see that registered agent can accompany applicants to interviews to take notes, you need to be aware that interviews are rarely required, if there is an interview the ECO will be looking for consistency between the application and the applicant, the agent will not be allowed to prompt. The ECO might call the applicant if there are any points they seek clarification. Whilst it might be good for the agent "to take notes" these will only be of use in the event of an appeal, and there is no right of appeal for a tourist visa, it's better to get it right first time and submit a robust application.

[LaaMok]

My girl got her visa today, everything was fine, nice and easy. We are flying out sunday!

[Newton]

The Visa Office next door Is nothing to do with The Visa Application Centre.

[Dr.Winston]

Visa Applicants are so vulnerable. The whole procedure must be a daunting prospect to a Thai, especially if their spouse is not with them throughout. It's easy to see how they might be tempted by the scare tactics, some of them might consider it easier to phone teerak for some more money than face doing the paperwork themselves.

 

I've seen some terrible scams over the years by companies and individuals making promises to desperate applicants and their spouses. The worst ones involve people who claim that they have inside contacts in the Embassy or Consulate section. A mate of mine was once told by a UK scammer that for 100,000 Baht his spouses application would be guaranteed because of his contacts, no visa, no money. My mate was really taken in by this guy and asked "what do I have to lose?" I pointed out how the scam worked. Let's say 50% of all applications are successful, that means that 50% of the time the scammer will get 100,000 Baht for doing nothing. The one's that do not get the visa will just be told that his contact was not at work that day!

 

Guess what, my mate's spouse didn't get the visa because the scammers contact had a sudden illness that day, but they were free to try again lol. Alarm bells should ring whenever anybody claims to have inside contacts!

[Captain Murgatroyd]

I had a similar experience yesterday when I, my wife and her daughter went along to apply for family visit visas for my wife and her daughter.

Outside the building, a young Thai man attatched himself to us, escorted us upstairs, and directly into the office next door to the Visa application office. Sit down here, he said... You'll need to change your Visa fee into a bank cheque... He took the money, and another lady returned with the two cheques, and informed me that I had to pay another 600 Baht for the cheques... by this time the young man had started to go through the paperwork packages that I had prepared... He couldn't find anything wrong with my wise's package, and started on her daughters package... Then he launched into a long speech in Thai to my wife, and said to me... "Maybe problem... we sort out for you... Only 50% cost... You come into The office and talk to my boss..." I stated that we had not requested any help from their agency, and that I had prepared all the paperwork myself according to the guidence notes from the Visa application office... So I had already done all the work... Exactly what they expected me to pay more money for, I've no Idea... but my wife and I left the office immediately. After My wife and daughter had gone into the application office, and sorted out their application, Biometrics and so on, my wife told me that this young man had said to her " You cannot get your visa in time for your date of travel unless you go through us... we have good contact inside, we guarantee you get your visas in 15 days only... no visa, We give your money back... you know this is the thai way to do business..."

It was extremely fortunate for them that we had already left the building, and we were on the way to get a pub lunch, and a much needed pint, otherwise I'd have lost it completely and gone to their office to raise hell... I despise the way they take advantage of people, and imply that it is only possible to obtain a visa if you use their service... If my wife and daughters visa are refused, and I have the slightest suspicion that Their fixer was in any way responsible, I'll be heading to the UK embassy to raise a stink about the inherent corruption... I'll also be contacting the UK papers : " UK Visas can only be obtained in Thailand if you pay money to a corrupt agency working hand in glove with the application office"...

Even the notice board outside is supplied by the agency... it's impossible to detect where their advice stops and the official Visa agency notices begin...

They state that all their representatives are uniformed... the young man who tried to con us wasn't in uniform.

[Thai Visa Express]

Anyone using Visa World or any other agents who are not regulated are asking for trouble as they are not fully aware of the Immigration rules, however things are about to change il post this when confirmed.

[LaaMok]

Azzey, what can I do to report this place. I went back home to see my sick mum and she ended up dying, if these scam artists had there way, my GF would have never got to know my mum. This was very important for me and my mum. These scam artists need to be closed down.

 

Fiddling money is completely different to affecting peoples lives.

[thaitiger]

well i dont know if i am very naive or weather i have been scammed or not now, my girlfriends 1st visa app was turned down so we spoke to these people, same as some of you say a man waiting until we open the envelope then inviting us to talk to the boss, well we were both upset so we did agree, after talking to her we decided to let them do it, i thought we got pretty good service to be honest and yes i paid 25000bht to them and she told us where we went wrong the 1st time and told us not to apply until end of july, (this was june by the way and it was for a tourist visa) but we put it in at the end of july and in 1 week we got the visa my g/f has been and had a lovely holiday for 2mths and gone back now so if it is a scam or not it worked for me, but i find all your comments very eye opening,

[hedonist]

I think a lot of these places thrive on farang ignorance as well

The old "they're going to think she is nothing more than a prostitute, and wont get a visa without a little book cooking and palm greasing happening"

A friend of mine got his (now wife) BG her initial visa to UK by using one of these agencies in Pattaya.

She never had a pot to piss in, worked in a beer bar, after coming from a village, etc, etc. Like 95% of all the girls we meet in Pattaya.

Anyway, he took her to this visa agent and told them their wish to get her a visa to UK and all her history. She morphed, within days, from a simple bar girl to a qualified beautitian, working in a high class salon, with all necessary documentation about her employment....certificates/diplomas, wage slips, etc......even a letter of recomendation from her "boss". Photos of her working at the salon were taken as further evidence of her being what she was to be coached to say she was, when the interview in the embassy in Wireless Road was conducted.

She got her visa.

I am NOT saying this as a method of getting a visa, but, just highlighting the farang ignorance side of this.

Because i am sure you CAN get a visa for a "simple bar girl" through the proper channels. You just have to try harder is all.

 

Hedonist

[Thai Visa Express]

Azzey, what can I do to report this place. I went back home to see my sick mum and she ended up dying, if these scam artists had there way, my GF would have never got to know my mum. This was very important for me and my mum. These scam artists need to be closed down.

 

Fiddling money is completely different to affecting peoples lives.

 

 

Use a registerd adviser with proven application ability i keep saying this, if you choose to do the application yourself you don't get the back up customer service.

 

I can write to the ECM Directly as im registered with the OISC and represent you on your behalf we are not expensive compared to other companies however you and others chose to go down another route.

 

And im sorry we escort and submit the application with you to avoid these scam agents.

[Thai Visa Express]

I have reported several people offering poor advice this is why we opened here in Thailand i simply made a choice i had a very good job in the UK however i enjoy Immigration work and actually seeing people break down in tears in my office when they get a visa is a brilliant feeling.

 

But the main thing here is use a consultant with proven ability with applications who can challenge the embassy directly we have had lots of poor decisions over turned recently again poor applications.

 

If i dont know the answer il contact an adviser who can help you its all about helping the client get the correct result.

 

And again lots of guys are more than capable of doing this if you want to use an adviser do your homework and choose the correct one.

[Thai Visa Express]

If you must use an agent to fill in the application form then you are certainly better to use an agent who is registered with the Office of the Immigration Commissioner, OISC, it is illegal for anyone who is not registered to offer advice in the UK, and whilst it is not illegal for agents not registered to offer advice in Thailand, the cowboys lurking around the VFS office are a good example of why you should use an accredited agent, if the applicant really thinks that assistance is required - it really is not that difficult.

 

Whilst it's good to see that registered agent can accompany applicants to interviews to take notes, you need to be aware that interviews are rarely required, if there is an interview the ECO will be looking for consistency between the application and the applicant, the agent will not be allowed to prompt. The ECO might call the applicant if there are any points they seek clarification. Whilst it might be good for the agent "to take notes" these will only be of use in the event of an appeal, and there is no right of appeal for a tourist visa, it's better to get it right first time and submit a robust application.

 

 

A little more to what you say not every case is straight forward maintenance and accommodation must be met plus the 1985 housing act may also be an issue etc.

 

Not everyone is an easy case you need to demonstrate this to the ECO i have had lots of clients who could not of gained a visa without professional help.

 

Every case is unique.