BritTim

No guarantees, but you could contact Mologic (https://mologic.co.uk/) and state that you are interested in being a subject for the validation testing on the cheap, rapid Covid-19 test under development that they hope to roll out across Africa beginning in June.

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

If they could qualify for an extension that is correct. But they did not apply or have not applied for an extension they are covered under the order.

As far as I know the special 30 day extension in their case could still be applied for if they do not qualify for the extension.

 

It does make sense since people on an extension were not affected by the emergency decree since they could still apply for a new one. 

Let's take the example of two people in Thailand on a Non O visa based on retirement.

1. Entered using the Non O in 2019, extended for one year expiring in April 2020. Intended to leave rather than applying for a further extension. When unable to leave, would most likely neither have maintained the required balance in the bank for the previous 12 months nor have the required 12 months of deposits of 65,000 baht every month into a Thai bank account. Changing his mind, and applying for the extension, without using an agent, would be impossible.
2. Entered using the Non O in January 2020. Intended to leave rather than applying for a one-year extension of stay. When unable to leave would probably be in a position to transfer 800,000 baht into a bank account (or could show two months of transfers into a bank account from abroad). Applying for the extension would be possible.

It appears that the decision has been made that the person unable to qualify for a one-year extension would not be covered by the automatic extension until able to leave. The person who is covered by the automatic extension would be in a position to apply for the one-year extension if necessary. I know your interpretation of the announcement, and you may be right, but I persist in my view that it is neither fair nor logical. Possibly, the poor guy unable to apply for a one-year extension can persuade his embassy to cough up the necessary letter to apply for the 30-day extension(s), and the local immigration office will decide to grant those extensions without the overseas landlord attending immigration. However, I would be very nervous if I was placed in such a situation.

14 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Those that entered the country using a non immigrant visa on or before the March 26th are included since they could not leave the country to get a new entry or apply for another visa. 

To play devil's advocate, those who entered on a single entry Non O have the same ability to apply for a one-year extension as those on an existing one-year extension of stay that is shortly expiring. In both cases, they would have the alternative under normal circumstances of leaving the country rather than applying for an extension. Indeed, those who had planned to leave rather than applying for an extension (and thus do not meet the requirements) could be in a dicey situation to which there is no obvious solution. There is not a lot of sense in treating the two groups differently. However, I have learned not to look for logical reasoning in the regulations that are promulgated. This situation, if you are correct in your interpretation, is just as logical as distinguishing between Non O-A and Non O (retirement) applications for extension of stay in respect of insurance. It is what it is.

17 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

Do you seriously believe that Immigration will give further 30 day extensions under the standard conditions of extensions after the amnesty ceases when borders reopen after probably already issuing 2/3/4 extensions.

No, I do not. However, I can see many people attending immigration to request an extension (denied) and getting seven days to leave the country. I think most who are eligible for the 60-day extension to visit Thai spouse/child will also avail themselves of that opportunity. What I do not expect is a lot of people attempting to do border bounces or visa runs to neighbouring countries. Those who do not return to their home countries will be attending immigration.

10 minutes ago, Tounge Thaied said:

You can count me out for a rushed likely ineffective "Inoculation"... You're still going to need insurance. 

Quite agree about insurance. I am not talking about what you need to protect your health. I am speculating about what might be needed to get a visa (not remotely the same thing).

We have no idea yet how effective any inoculation developed in the next year or two will be (or even if inoculations will be successfully developed). If inoculations that are, say, 60% effective are developed and deemed safe, I will get one. They will make at least as much sense as the inoculations for seasonal flu.

2 hours ago, johnny1966 said:

I think there's no question why the Amnesty is in place. The question which I think cannot be answered unequivocally is can one extend a non o visa for 60 days after the expiration date of an entry stamp, say for example mid April, (within the Amnesty period), or do a border hop giving a 90 day stay after such Amnesty ends and what restrictions if any are there on the above.

These are good questions. I believe border bounces for fresh 90-day permissions to stay or visa runs to neighbouring countries will initially be difficult or impossible. Both Thailand and the neighbouring countries will have entry requirements that make such ideas impracticable.

Whether you are allowed a 60-day extension to visit your Thai spouse/child may depend on the immigration office where you apply. There is a tendency for Thai officialdom to see keeping families together as a laudable objective, but no guarantees.

Here is an interpretation of the new rules that I consider logical based on what was written in the announcement:

1. Excluding those on border passes, if you were given a permission to stay that expired(s) on or after March 26, then regardless of the visa/visa exemption/previous extension your stay was based on, your current permission to stay is automatically extended until at least April 30.
2. If you only have an extension of stay under consideration, then you have not formally been given permission to stay in Thailand. You must attend immigration to have your extended permission to stay confirmed. However, that confirmed extension of your permission to stay will automatically be extended further (if necessary) until at least April 30.

Be aware that logic often does not govern what immigration offices will decide in practice.

2 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

2 hours ago, BritTim said:

There are a few dubious assumptions to your view.

1. As soon as borders reopen, you will be able to enter neighbouring countries without submitting to a 14-day quarantine and/or showing substantial health insurance.
2. Thai consulates in neighbouring countries will be issuing all categories of visas that they used to in the past without meeting difficult to obtain conditions.
3. It will be easy to return to Thailand. Before the current ban on foreigners entering Thailand, recall that they were requiring US$100,000 health insurance including Covid-19 cover plus other things

The OP is applying for an extension at Immigration, not crossing a border.

His concern was that as soon as the amnesty ends the TI offices will be full of tourists once again.

 

Your post merely confirms my own opinion that that will not be the case. Those on VE, TV and Non O's will be mostly heading for the borders, not the Immigration offices.

... and I was expressing my opinion that there will not be hoards of tourists and Non O visa holders headed to the border so they can begin a 14-day period of enforced quarantine in Cambodia or Malaysia. Those tourists that can will choose between a return to home country or trying for extensions of stay.

2 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

Why would the IO's be clusterf__ck at the end of the amnesty. The majority whom this amnesty affect will then be hightailing across the border to obtain a new entry or new Visa.

There are a few dubious assumptions to your view.

1. As soon as borders reopen, you will be able to enter neighbouring countries without submitting to a 14-day quarantine and/or showing substantial health insurance.
2. Thai consulates in neighbouring countries will be issuing all categories of visas that they used to in the past without meeting difficult to obtain conditions.
3. It will be easy to return to Thailand. Before the current ban on foreigners entering Thailand, recall that they were requiring US$100,000 health insurance including Covid-19 cover plus other things

1 hour ago, jonga80 said:

Hello, I am new here. I have a tourist visa until the end of may, I made the 30 days extension. I want to stay three more months in Thailand. How do you see getting a new visa on those dates? I mean in another asian country and go back to Bangkok. My plan would be go to another asian country at the end of may, and then comeback with a 2 months tourist visa, extendable for one more month. How do you see? Nowadays it would be impossible, but I hope in june will be different

We are all guessing about the situation two months from now. My own view is that it will still be very difficult to visit Thailand as a tourist in early June. At a minimum, I think you will need heavy health insurance, plus tests confirming you are Covid-19 free. Once you leave Thailand, I think you should assume it will be some time before you can return. Further, even assuming borders open, I can imagine neighbouring countries having similar strict conditions before you are allowed to enter.

2 hours ago, utalkin2me said:

Let's just say everything goes well. Wouldn't this mean a HUGE influx into immigration offices on the day the auto extension expires? It seems like auto extending one month from exit by date would have been much better. 

Those who are smart will go a few days before the expiry of the automatic extension to avoid the crush you correctly anticipate.

6 minutes ago, baansgr said:

It states at the bottom what is included...but what is P.30 P.90 etc

In context, I read P.30, P.90 etc. to mean 30/90 day permission to stay based on visa exemption.

To analyse his situation, we need some clarification. The Non B visa is irrelevant. What matters is his permission to stay in Thailand. Important questions:

1. Were you in Thailand on the initial 90-day entry given when entering Thailand with a Non B visa? If so, what is/was the expiry date of the permission to stay?
2. Were you in Thailand on an extension of your permission to stay based on working? If so, what was the date of the termination of your employment (the same as the end of your legal permission to stay)?

Based on the answers to these questions, we know whether his permission to stay ends before March 26 (the automatic extension does not apply) or on or after March 26 (he is fine to remain in Thailand without taking any action until April 30).

11 minutes ago, KeeTua said:

I plan to switch from the monthly 65k income method to 800k in bank. I understand the 800k needs to be there for 2 months prior and 3 months after.

As it won't be my first extension do I need to show a minimum balance of 400k for the 12 months prior to application for extension or will the 800k two months prior suffice?

According to the rules, you must have maintained a minimum balance of 400,000 baht for the entire year. If you had the required 65,000 baht per month transfers for the period when you had a balance beloww 400,000 baht, maybe you can talk them into overlooking the shortfall.

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

People that previously obtained an non O-A (retirement) and since then have been obtaining annual extensions have changed to the extension being based on marriage.

Interesting. According to the letter of the Police Order, that should, indeed, be allowed. However, I thought most immigration offices insisted on a Non O (and Non B, Non Ed and Non O-A were excluded). Offices tend to be very strict about marriage extensions because they are terrified of being overruled when the extension is scrutinised at regional level.

4 hours ago, Awinkl said:

I am currently "stuck" in Oz. Usually, when renewing a Retirement Visa "IN" Thailand, this can be done ONE MONTH before the Expiry date - is there also a 1 month time period for "AFTER" the expiry date available? My Expiration date is 20th July, but if travel restrictions still are in place by June/July, I will not be able to get back to LOS before the expiry date? A possible 1 month AFTER timeframe would give me more leeway?Can anyone advise?

There is no automatic extension of your re-entry permit. When you re-enter Thailand, if you lack a visa, you will be given a visa exempt entry. Even if you were in Thailand and going a month late to request your extension of stay, it would be very unlikely to be allowed, even if you paid the one month overstay first.

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

OP  is asking about an Extension. 

If you look at the title of this thread  0-A 2 or 3 months, I think you will find a reason to exclude tourist extensions, extensions of Non Ed, marriage extensions etc. I do concede that keeping threads on topic is a rule more honoured in the breach than the observance. However, it is irritating to be chastised for pointing out that an off topic post is off topic.

7 minutes ago, NightSky said:

wait to see what is announced this week. If nothing I will attend immigration as usual next week before Song Kran shut down

There is no Songkran holiday this year.