ANDREW999

Spain and Italy not giving

18 hours ago, jackdd said:

It has always been written in the "amnesty" (this is a misleading term, it's actually just an automatic extension), which can be found for example here:

Some immigration officers just lied to people, telling them that they were no longer on a valid permission to stay, in an attempt to extort money from them.

 

Now you can also get a stamp at an immigration office which will formally confirm your extension until 26th September:

 

There hasn't been any freebie from immigration so far, and i doubt there ever will. Immigration just tries to give people as many problems as possible in an attempt to fill their pockets.

I know exactly what you mean. All my papers were ready for a legit non b for a couple of months, my university tried to support me a lot, but IO blocked the application several times with the excuse of being "under amnesty". At the end I got tired and I decided to go together with an agent, I paid a lot of money for it (almost 30k), and it was solved in 24 hours.

They never spoke to me about a free permission to stay stamp, possibilities with an embassy letter, or anything related. They only kept saying that I needed to leave the country to get the non B and come back. 

10 minutes ago, bwpage3 said:

A professor should be able to figure this out?

I need a PhD in thai jurisprudence, focused on costumary law

5 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

Give it a go then, my neighbor did not have 400k in the bank long enough last year, she just put 1k in her passport and it was over looked.

Ah, you meant handling the bribe myself. I thought you meant pushing them to just process it in the normal way. 2000 is the price for the non b. I misunderstood you.

I'd rather not to do this myself. 

6 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

Why not cut out the middle if you think it's legal and pay immigration direct? all an agent does is fill out the form and pass on the payment.

I'd gladly pay them 2000 if they accepted to process my non b in an ordinary way. 

6 hours ago, audaciousnomad said:

You are correct in your assumption. You will not even get a receipt for that 25K. Most likely you will just get a receipt for the official application fee of THB2000, along with a shiny new stamp in your passport.  Any money above and beyond the app fee gets spirited away and the agent and immig will appreciate that you don't ask too many questions about "hush" money you paid.

I didnt get a single receipt. I saw the senior taking the money, keeping it, and putting 2000 with my papers.

I didnt say a single word. I just wanted to finish as soon as possible. Luckily it only took me 5-10 mins. Scan your finger here, picture here, take your mask, and not even a goodbye.

3 hours ago, pixelaoffy said:

It's a legit visa whatever office it's from . CW. Jomtien. Korat  etc and it is 'proper' whether you attend or don't !

 

it certainly wasn't proper the way they passed the money in front of me in CW through a 3rd party, looking to right and left all the time. i felt like in the middle of a minor drug operation. But I was later relaxed to see that there were 2 imm officers processing the non b in front of me (besides the senior, that only took and kept the money). I am just surprised that they handled the money thing in front of me. And I wonder how they justify later to their boss processing a non b to a guy under amnesty (if they have to, via a report of the daily activity, for example). 

6 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

Most schools are now saying  Ed visas are only valid for one year from the date of entry.  I have personally spoken with many schools about this.

This is correct. Pro Language branches said so to me.

31 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

If your documents are in order and the problem at CW is the amnesty, then 25k is way to much to pay. That's the amount you might have to pay to an agent if you don't meet several requirements. Then the agent pays immigration.

The problem was just the amnesty status. All documents are in order.

Im sure IMM is not getting the 25k. I calculate that the agency takes, at least, 10k. 

I havent been directly offered this "vip" service by IMM, so the agent's piece of the cake is well deserved, in my opinion. 

2 hours ago, visarunner said:

Yes, they have to use the Office where the Non B will be processed. They will only accept paperwork if 100% completed by the Employer. This is not like the retirement route.

That is true. The agency checked and rechecked every single paper and stamp, including passport (looking for any overstay). I think there is no option to process it through this "route" if you have any history of overstay. It must be the condition that imm imposed.

1 hour ago, bwanajohn said:

My understanding of this is .. There no existing procedure to convert amnesty status to any  visa one may qualify for. However since we cant leave the country and re enter with  a status that there is an existing legal procedure to convert from, or go to a consulate or embassy in another country. Immigration has found a way to do it but its a special service and costs 25k . This service has been offered in some offices  to applicants without being represented by an agent. Unfortunately some ungrateful applicants reacted badly to this offer saw it as a bribe and rip off and did not hide there feelings. 

 So immigration is reluctant to offer with out being repped by an agent. Personally although it would be nice to have it free I'm happy not to have to buy an airline ticket to a third country or  home to Canada

to renew my visa so 25k is a reasonable alternative. 

That hasnt been offered in CW. I would have accepted without hesitation almost a month ago when they rejected my papers and told me to get the non b outside Thailand and come back. 

25 is way cheaper than going back to Europe and try to get back. Besides, not every company is willing to wait for you until you manage to come back, specially schools (except, maybe, the top tier ones).

3 hours ago, BritTim said:

The only thing to watch is ensuring that the extension does come from the correct immigration office. Agents have a nasty habit of processing extensions through offices where compliant officials are cheaper. Ask the question directly: "will my extension be processed through the Bangkok office (presumably Chaengwattana)". Actually, what you should expect from a good agent is transport to and from immigration, with VIP queuing so you do not need to hang around long. The extension is not strictly proper if you do not briefly attend immigration in person.

It will be processed in Chaengwattana. I made sure of this when I first contacted them.

Thanks for the last sentence, that is what i suspected and I was looking for a confirmation on it

37 minutes ago, FlyingThai said:

 

Honestly speaking you sound like a "problem customer" and as an agent I'd flat out refuse to take your business from the get go. Because there is a real danger that someone like this will throw a fit at immigration which will embarrass myself and the contact I use/bribe.

 

Leaving your passport with the agent for a few days is common. If that's not something you feel comfortable with (I get that sentiment) then so be it, dealing with an agent is not an option then.

 

There is nothing illegal or dangerous about applying for a "legit" visa/extension. The worst they can say is NO and send you packing as long as the amnesty is still running.

 

Why didn't you involve an agent when you had the issue the first time around? Maybe they could have solved it. Having all your documents properly prepared means very little at any Thai government office incl CW.

A few Other agencies told me I would go to CW to sign without even having time myself to ask about the process. So i might not be the only "problematic" or worried customer if they clarify this from the beginning. My passport, my money, my neck... I dont see how wrong is to try understanding why my university and I were refused in CW, and how now my papers are going to be accepted after paying 25k. Am I a naive to think that if you need to pay for something to dont know who, there might be something shady in the process that might get you in trouble? I just needed to hear some opinions from long time here expats about this simple question as I dont have an answer, and my university doesnt want me to deal with agents. 

8 hours ago, TonBrow said:

I am facing the same dilemma. I received a Non-Imm B visa and work permit during the first amnesty period. After a few attempts at extending the now expired visa, I was told I must leave the country to make a new Non-Imm B visa, so I've been researching all possibilities.

From my research, I have found this is not going to be an easy, nor cheap task. Thailand has embassies and consulates in a relatively limited amount of countries. Most are in countries that are not yet allowing visitors to enter. At one point, it looked like Nepal was going to be the best option, but now, they recently re-closed their borders.

Now, it appears that the cheapest way to do this is to go to Sri Lanka. Other optional countries close to Thailand having a Thai embassy or consulate would be Kuwait and Turkey (more expensive). Further off countries accepting arrivals from Thailand and having a Thai embassy or consulate, at this time are Germany, Switzerland, Greece and Mexico.

I can only hope that more nearby countries such as Laos and Malaysia will open before September 26, but then there is still the outrageous expense of procuring US$100,000 medical health coverage, which AXA here in Bangkok is quoting 62,000THB up front (although covid treatment in a private Thai hospital only costs around 100,000THB). And, the ridiculous quarantine in a 5-star hotel/resort requirement when returning to Thailand. That is going to cost on average around 80,000THB/15 days, if you can't get a booking in one of the cheap ones at 30,000THB/15 days.

These are just the expenses required to re-enter the country. You also have to consider the costs to travel abroad and stay for however many days it takes to arrange your visa and all the medical documents required for re-entry.

Here are some useful links that post updates regarding international border openings, travel restrictions, Thai embassies, etc.

https://www.officeholidays.com/coronavirus
https://www.journeysinternational.com/border-report-which-countries-are-open-for-travel-updated-weekly/
https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel/covid-19-guide-for-travelers-in-thailand.php
http://www.thaiembassy.org/main/

Spain has an embassy in Madrid, and the borders are open for europeans and arrivals from Thailand

At risk of repeating the same naive question again, I still need to hear your thoughts on my case. 

How illegal is (if it actually is) to get a legit Non B visa through an agent with the same IMM office in Bangkok that refused me & my University to process it due to amnesty status in my passport (TR Visa expired and already extended 2 times)?

My thought on this is that something that is not clearly stated as a law (am i wrong on this?), and it is open for interpretation (some people in my same visa status are being able to change to non b in other Imm offices, while i am not) is not actually illegal. Or can it be considered illegal something that it is interpreted in a negative way by a imm office, and i'm avoiding this 'official' interpretation of the amnesty / grace period by paying an agent to change their interpretation? In other words, what are the risks to my person of a bribe to a imm officer to get solved a visa that I'm eligible for? (I don't need to hear that bribes are a common practice in Thailand)

Im seriously scared of using an agent, I came to Thailand with all my papers ready to become a professor, paid for every single stamp, translation and so on not to be in this kind of situation. But thanks to covid-19, my time is now running out, i'm under amnesty, and there seem to be no other solution for me to stay.

I told the agency that the only way I will give my passport to them is if I go to IMM with them the day they give all my papers. They said I will go for sure.

Time is running out, I've got all the papers ready to change, but there seem to be no other way. If it is clearly illegal what i'm planning to do, and I there is a chance that I might be in some sort of risk of going to jail, I'd rather go back to an uncertain Europe. 

Volunteer, Ed visa for 3 months, is not an option for me. I do not feel comfortable with it. I'm trying to sort out papers to get married, but my embassy is taking their time to get me the free-to-marry certificate, and i'm not sure i will be able to get married before the end of September.

P.s.: can I disclose the name of the agency, in case someone heard of it? It is not thaivisacentre.

9 hours ago, BritTim said:

It is possible that some schools are able to present themselves as "formal" schools through a relationship with a university. I believe that has been done in Chiang Mai. In that case, on first application (if you are already on a non immigrant entry) or after the first 90 days, you will receive a full one year extension (no extensions every 90 days). It can be difficult to nail down exactly what they are doing, but important to be clear on this.

I guess that's why Pro Language school from Pattaya can offer me a 3 months ed visa, while CM branch assured me they can process a 12 months ed visa

18 minutes ago, vermin on arrival said:

Since I couldn't get to Taiwan on March 18, I lost all my income for the year. I am trying to economize if possible. Wish you luck on your non-b WP

22 minutes ago, vermin on arrival said:

Since you go through an agent, I believe it doesn't need to be justified. For me my thai is ok, I just need a reasonably priced way to stay here while trying to get back to Taiwan. 3 months may work until end of Dec and edu would only give me until end of Jan. @DrJack54 You laughed at my post. Please enlighten me. I am trying to figure out a way to stay here that doesn't break the bank until Taiwan opens up. Any advice you may give would be hepful and you are a visa guru. Right now my life is a wreck and constructive input would be appreciated. If you think that option is bad for me please give me a better option.

Isnt Taiwan allowing residents to come back (im assuming you are one)? I'd go back to Taiwan today if Taiwan was waiting for me (i presume it's not your case, since you said you are stuck here). No joking around, looks like a great place to settle down.

I understand what you mean about economising. paying 20 or 30 doesnt make a big difference to me at the moment as it is still way cheaper than going back to the chaotic and expensive Barcelona, where I have nothing left. Here a college is waiting for me. There, just a bridge as best scenario.

Thanks for the good wishes! Same to you

27 minutes ago, vermin on arrival said:

Does anyone know anything more about medical extensions? Is 20k the going price through and agent? Can you get it more than once? How long does it take to do it? 3 weeks as it says here? Says edu starts at date of entry mine would give just 4 months and cost way more since I came in at Jan 30. Seems a waste for me. Or would a retirement from agent work better since I am 56. With Thailand keeping the border closed through 2020 and part of 2021, this will be a <deleted> show in terms of visa options. Forcing us all to agents, seems like real bs. Why don't they just let us apply and pay them for a special covid extension while this situation with border closures go on? I am happy to pay the government to stay here until I can get home to Taiwan.

 

Maybe I need to start a new thread on 90 day medical extensions. EDU is a bad option for me with the way they work the dates.

Ed visa with real online/offline classes sounds easier to justify. Actually, I really want to learn thai. 1 year course sounded great to me, for real. I mean, I had an appendix surgery in thailand a few weeks ago, but I think im already able to take a flight. My guts are not that big as to carry a passport with a volunteer or medical visa stamped on it. I'd rather go back to spain.

Money is not the biggest issue for me. Im just scared of being in the same situation after 3 months. I just need to get the d*mn non b and wp already ????

4 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

Pattaya didn't require you to provide a local rental contract? So you could keep living in Bangkok and just study with them online?

Pattaya branch told me this:

Actually immigration need it, they need lease agrrement ,copy of id card of the house owner and copy of the house registration (blue-book)
if you don't want to live in Pattaya we have 1000 charge for those require documents and you no need to rent apartment in Pattaya.

26 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

Sorry to hear that. You might have to go for the 3-month and pray the borders open soon. ????

Thanks for the empathy :). We are now planning to marry with my long time thai gf. We just didnt want to do it this way. And im still not sure everything will be ready on time so i can apply for a 60days permission to visit her, and then be able to change to non b without leaving the country. Maybe i should get this 3 months ed visa in case something goes wrong during the process

3 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

Rent in Chiang Mai....that's going to be an expensive route if you have to pay 2 rents. 

Yes. All my papers ready for a non b since March, and a gig in a University since july, and suddenly i have to pay two rents to stay in thailand as a student. 

22 hours ago, vermin on arrival said:

What was the cost all in?

25k for ed visa in Pattaya branch. For 3 months, which is actually the max i can legally get since my entry stamp is from december

27 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

Hi @Freedom44  thanks for the input!  So they allowed an ED Visa for your course via ZOOM?  That's great!   Do you have to reside in Phuket to register at the school? Or can I live anywhere in Thailand?  Reason I ask, is I find some schools will need TM30 with a residence in the same city in order to apply for the visa. 

I share you what i got from Pro Language school Pattaya and CM branches regarding to residence where you study.

Pattaya (they can grt it me ed visa for 3 months only):

Actually immigration need it, they need lease agrrement ,copy of id card of the house owner and copy of the house registration (blue-book)
if you don't want to live in Pattaya we have 1000 charge for those require documents and you no need to rent apartment in Pattaya
 

CM (they assure they can get 12 months ed visa):

You can remaining living in Bangkok but can you come to chiang mai every 90days to do the visa extension and residence report?

Also rent the residence in chiang mai because we need the documents to make the paperwork 

40 minutes ago, Fromas said:

On what visa did you enter LOS?
 

Are you certain you're not actually getting an initial 3-month ED which can be further extended?

I entered LOS with a 60 days tourist visa.

Well, that's what Pro Language school told me (I spoke with Pattaya, Bkk and CM ones). They can process a 12 month ed visa in CM branch (dont ask me how), but you need to do 90 days report there, and have residence there. They suggested me to rent some place there while I live in Bangkok, for the 90 days report. In Pattaya they can only arrange it until the end of my year in Thailand.

1 hour ago, CorpusChristie said:

Odd , What is the reason for that . logically it should start when your current visa expires .

   When did your permission to stay expire ?

It starts when you get inside thailand. My permission to stay expired in april 21st. But they say they can it do for 3 months (i arrived to thailand in december 2019)