Thailand Directory

Moving to Thailand

How to check a visa or relocation adviser in Thailand

Questions that expose scope, accountability, fees, custody of documents, and claims that are too good to be true.

Short answer

Short answer

Ask exactly what the adviser will do, who is accountable, which fees are official versus professional, where your passport will be held, and which current official information supports the proposed route. Walk away from guaranteed outcomes.

Buy a defined service, not confidence

Immigration requirements and administrative practices can change. A responsible provider dates its explanation, distinguishes rules from experience, and explains which decisions remain with government authorities. No private adviser controls an official outcome.

Request a written scope that identifies the applicant, route being discussed, included forms and appointments, translation or courier work, response times, and support if the authority asks for more information.

Follow the money and the documents

Separate government charges from the provider's professional fees and third-party costs. Ask which amounts are refundable, when each payment is due, and whose receipt you will receive. Avoid paying a personal account without a documented business reason and matching receipt.

  • Legal business name and verifiable contact details
  • Named person responsible for the case
  • Itemized official, professional, and third-party fees
  • Written refund and cancellation terms
  • Passport and original-document custody process
  • Current official basis for time-sensitive claims

Recognize pressure signals

Be cautious when a provider guarantees approval, urges immediate cash payment, will not issue a contract, discourages you from reading official material, or asks you to misstate facts. A complicated process is not a reason to surrender control of your identity documents.

This is a due-diligence checklist, not legal advice or a statement of current visa eligibility. Confirm requirements with the responsible Thai authority or an appropriately qualified professional.

Save before deciding

Decision checklist

  • Written service scope
  • Named accountable contact
  • Itemized fees
  • Document-custody record
  • No guaranteed outcome
  • Current official information checked independently

Direct answers

Common questions

Can a visa agent guarantee approval?
No private provider controls an authority's decision. Treat guaranteed approval as a serious warning sign.
Should an adviser keep my passport?
Only hand over an original document when the process genuinely requires it and you understand who holds it, why, for how long, and what receipt or tracking record you receive.
Why does this guide not list current visa requirements?
Requirements can change and depend on individual facts. The guide focuses on checking providers; current eligibility should be confirmed with the responsible authority or a qualified adviser.