BKKTRAVELER

How did you arrive in Thailand? 30 days exempt, tourist visa, ED visa, Non Immigrant O? 

Are you based in Bkk, Pattaya, Phuket?

These details will help others to answer you clearly.

9 hours ago, timendres said:

I have found immigration at Chaeng Watthana to be very "particular" in the past couple of years. In my case, they have been entirely "by the book", and have not thrown any curve balls or nonsense at me. But every document had to be provided, and exactly as required.

Agreed

As mentioned above, contact Elite directly. Address the issue of the volunteer visa with them and they'll be able to give you an official answer. Beware that applying for Elite visa can take many weeks in some case. So, if your Covid extension expires soon, you'll probably have to leave the country and return before you can get the visa affixed in your passport.

I haven't read reports of people leaving and being denied to enter back in Thailand in a long time. I believe immigration officers are less "rogue" due to Covid. 

Bon courage and don't forget to let us know Elite's stand on the matter. It can help others.

I never thought that I'd entrust my passport with any delivery services. But my agent has been sending it back through EMS and Kerry Express. Both worked perfectly. EMS took 1 day while Kerry Express delivered on the same day (Bkk to Bkk).

I won't lie, I was always nervous for something to go wrong though.. Although I never had issues with any delivery services yet for 14 years in Thailand now.

4 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

The restriction was to be taking them out of Thailand (there was a severe shortage here when Covid first started - masks were being laundered and resold as you may recall).

That would make more sense then. Thanks

4 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

 

Why would it be a problem to bring in more masks for tourists even if there is no shortage here in the first place? He should say: "we have a lot of masks here and we want you to buy them from us".

???? Land

5 minutes ago, noodleslayer said:

What country is your friend from that got the job at Big C, and do you know if he had a degree or not? Was his job entry-level like a cashier, or was it something higher up? You said he's paid well so I'm curious because apparently 60k thb is the minimum salary for US/Canadians to get a work visa in a non teaching job

He is French, working a management position. He is 42 yo and is paid 180k before taxes. He did work other jobs in Thailand before and had management experience for over 10 years.

From what I understand, his previous positions mattered more than his new Thai skills but it was an extra they considered positive.

Edit: I know he graduated from a French business school, so Master's degree.

12 minutes ago, noodleslayer said:

I should be pretty much fluent after 11 months of classes. Could you explain what non-teaching jobs I could do once I am fluent in Thai? In case it matters, my bachelor's is in Management.

Well, I guess you could apply for a management position... If you go to a language school, don't think you'll be fluent in 11 months though. Classes are usually messy and poorly organized. It depends on your current level and most importantly your determination. If you can't write and read yet, there are little chances you'll be able to do so properly next year.

Getting private classes seem to get the best results if it helps. I had a few friends doing that for extended periods of time and they managed to speak fluently, write and read quite ok within a few years. They did work their butts off though.

One of them got a position at Big C and is paid well. The other left back to his home country as offers didn't match his expectations.

Hope you'll manage to find a good career path.

You may have other options in 11 months.

Do your best to learn as much Thai as possible in the meantime, it might become useful to find a job here.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Your under consideration period means very little.

You 60 covid extension was virtually approved on January 19.

Returning for final stamp is just that..

 

Not much for non O guys to pin any hope on. 

 

Hopefully the government will wake up to the fact that this is a poorly thought through policy.

Until a land border opens covid extensions should be available.

 

Granted that the non O marriage and retirement guys do have an option and can use it..

Agreed, The OP applied before Jan 26th, so his post doesn't indicate any good news unfortunately.

Like you said, I hope the government will reflect on their policies. It might happen if the Test and Go is not a wild success.

6 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

"had applied for the 60 days on 19 February, received the usual 15 day under consideration stamp"

 

Unless you're a time traveller, do you mean 19 January, if so that means you were under the old extension rules so outcome would be expected?

 

I think that is what happened indeed and that would not bring any indications that the new rules have changed.

Just now, BKKTRAVELER said:

Doing 3 tests and doing 2 separate quarantine short stays doesn't sound attractive for most tourists who come for a few weeks (which is the case for most real tourists). And they'll probably have to do a 4th test upon coming back home for many countries. We'll see.

6 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Is that what happened last time the test and go was introduced? It is not my recollection. And this time the requirements for the return trips have been eased for many countries. 

Doing 3 tests and doing 2 separate quarantine short stays doesn't sound attractive for most tourists who come for a few weeks (which is most real tourists). And they'll probably have to do a 4th test upon coming back home for many countries. We'll see.

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The Thai Elite PE visa is in a category of its own but it is close to being a tourist visa and not a non immigrant visa.

Whether or not you can apply for a covid 19 extension will depend upon the immigration office where you apply.

Thanks Joe, I'll go check later on and will report in case it helps others.

Just asking, can people under Elite visa entries can apply to get a/another Covid extension? Got a couple of friends (and myself) wondering. I'm not sure if PE goes under the non immigrant clause or not. Thank you.

7 minutes ago, Caldera said:

Those with an actual tourist visa need to go to CW, not MTT.

I didn't know that. thank you

So, is it fair to say that CW is not doing Covid extensions anymore? Since tourists and exempt entries in Bangkok are being handled at MTT.

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

I was advised by Thai Elite that I need an proof on an ATK result to enter Chaeng Wattana Government Building (Immigratoin Division 1) with or without proof of vaccination. 

 

Sufficient proof was a photo of a recent ATK with your name and date written on the test.

 

 

Meanwhile others have reported that an proof of a negative ATK is not required if you have proof of vaccination. 

 

Others have reported that no one checks anyway !!

 

 

I suspect what’s official and what really happens is quite different. I also suspect Thai Elite may have covering their bases (backsides) ensuring everyone has a test, then they can’t be turned away. 

 

 

Best advice IMO - do a self ATK the day before, take a photo... No biggie.

 

 

Agreed, better play it safe.

1 minute ago, stevymac said:

They said 11k for 60

days . Seemed overpriced, considering I paid around 30k for year volunteer visa

Right now seems like it is a much cheaper price than going back home. Take it before it goes up (it sure will).

28 minutes ago, clearance said:

Yes, actually it was in letter from agent, not from Elite visa official representative, my bad.  

You should deal with Elite directly, cut out the middleman.

They are quite efficient and with perfect English.

Discard that advice if you already got your visa of course.