Reviewed 2026-11-04. General independent information; check current official immigration, financial and medical guidance before acting.
Expert take — Cost of Asia editorial team An agent can prepare your file, but it cannot take the legal risk off you: if a bank statement or stamp in your application is forged, you are the one refused, arrested or deported. In August 2026, police raided a Bangkok visa consultancy accused of forging bank statements for European visa applications, and The Thaiger noted that applicants stay responsible for documents filed in their name. The same logic applies at Thai immigration, so drop any agent who offers to "arrange" your funds.
A good visa agent saves you time on translations, document checks and appointments. A bad one can leave you without a passport, with an invalid stamp, or facing a ban. This page is for anyone paying for help with a DTV, retirement extension, marriage visa or re-entry permit.
We don't name or recommend agencies. These are five checks you can run on any agent yourself.
At a glance
| Check | What to verify | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The company exists | Active record on the DBD register | No company name, or the number doesn't match |
| 2. The lawyer is licensed | Lawyers Council license and office license | "Lawyer" who can't show a license |
| 3. You appear where required | Which steps you must do in person | "No need to go to immigration" |
| 4. Your documents are yours | Real statements, real funds, no guarantees | Offers to supply funds or guarantee approval |
| 5. The money and passport trail | Itemized quote, official receipts, return date | Cash only, vague fees, passport held for weeks |
How we chose
- Can be done in a day, using public information
- Addresses a problem reported by Thai authorities or the press since 2020
Checked on 4 November 2026.
1. Check the company exists and is active
Thailand's company register is held by the DBD. CompanyData explains that its free DataWarehouse+ service (datawarehouse.dbd.go.th) shows a company's status, registered capital and 13-digit number, with directors and address on the Thai-language record only. It warns that fake copies of the site exist, so type the address yourself.
Ask for the company's legal name and number, then check that it is active and that the address matches the office you visited.
2. If they claim to be lawyers, check the license
Many agencies call themselves a "law firm." A 2017 Pattaya Mail report on a Thai attorney's advice says lawyer licenses come from the Lawyers Council of Thailand (a pink card valid two years, or a blue card for life), that law offices hold a separate office license, and that only Thai nationals can be licensed. A foreign "visa lawyer" may be a consultant, but cannot act as your lawyer.
Ask to see the license of the lawyer who will file your documents, and check its expiry date.
3. Find out which steps you must do yourself
Some steps cannot be delegated. In 2020, The Thaiger reported the Immigration Bureau's warning about online sellers offering extensions without a visit: extensions must be done in person. In 2022, The Phuket News reported that more than 60 foreigners gave money and passports to a visa company that never extended their stays.
The DTV is filed online through the official thaievisa.go.th site, the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur explains, so you can often file it yourself. "You never need to see an officer," or filing through any other site, is a red flag.
What would this move really cost you?
Use your own rent, insurance, transport and visa assumptions. Compare options before committing.
4. Make sure every document is genuine and yours
The money test is where corners get cut. The Bangkok consultancy raided in August 2026 allegedly charged about 40,000 THB per client for forged statements and stamps, The Thaiger reported. In a 2025 altered-stamp case reported by Pattaya Mail, Thai Immigration warned that holders of forged stamps face arrest, prosecution or deportation.
Distrust "guarantees." In June 2026, The Star reported a police inquiry into brokers allegedly charging up to ten times normal fees to secure entry at Suvarnabhumi. Officials said travelers with the right visa and complete documents should face no problems.
5. Get the fees, receipts and passport timeline in writing
Ask for a written quote separating government fees from the service fee. For reference, Thai university guidance lists 1,900 THB for an extension and 1,000 or 3,800 THB for a re-entry permit. Ask for the official immigration receipt, not just the agent's invoice.
Agree in writing how long the agent will hold your passport, and get a receipt for it. When it comes back, check the stamp dates. If anything looks wrong, go to your local immigration office before your permitted stay ends.
What to check before you decide
- Company name and 13-digit number checked on DBD DataWarehouse+
- Lawyer and law office licenses seen, if the agent claims to be a law firm
- A clear list of the steps you must attend in person
- No offers to provide, lend or "season" money for your bank statements
- An itemized quote, official receipts and a passport return date
FAQ
Do I need a visa agent in Thailand?
Not usually. DTV applications are filed online, and extensions are done in person. Agents mainly help with translations and complicated files.
Is it legal to use a visa agent in Thailand?
Using a registered company to prepare your paperwork is normal. What is illegal is forged documents or stamps, and you can be prosecuted if they are in your passport or file.
Where can I report a visa scam?
In 2020, the Immigration Bureau gave the hotlines 191, 1599 and 1178. Also file a report at the local police station and keep copies of payments and messages.
Related guides
- Thailand cost of living
- Immigration and visa support
- Top 5 visa mistakes expats make in Thailand
- Best Thailand visas for long stays
- Thailand retirement visa
- Destination finder
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