padthaininja

2 hours ago, Bradmeister said:

Tourist Visas? What? I don't know one Ex Pat that is currently here on a Tourist Visa? 

 

Do you mean for nationalities who were trapped here and were granted extentions multiple times, because they're respective countries government could not get them home?  Covid 19 emergency extentions? 

 

The people that fell through the proverbial cracks? 

 

Even expats who were doing Visa runs for 90 day Tourist Visas for over 30 years were forced to do long stay 1 year Visa's. 

 

Learn something new everyday I guess.

 

 

 

 

Me and my gf are still here on tourist visa... (10 months)

21 hours ago, balsgaard said:

That's odd. Was it the german old guy who likes to talk who gave the queue numbers and told you to come back later? Because yesterday he told people to come this week because number 30 would be packed and immigration would probably be open until late.

No, short Russian lady. I'll be there tomorrow for sure then.. Thanks.

5 hours ago, Fibonaqi said:

Here's a report from Phuket Town I/O on COVID 60-day extension, OP says to go there ASAP, long wait and limited queue numbers. I'm a bit confused. Was originally planning to go on Monday Nov 30 so as not to lose any days but now am inclined to go sooner rather than later. Why the diverse reports I wonder?

 

Ah guess I'll go this Friday. If anything goes wrong I'll have Monday to fix things up. Thanks for the heads up.

On 11/22/2020 at 4:23 AM, Fibonaqi said:

I heard the main I/O at Phuket Town is much better than the one at Patong. Also there has been reports that the extension will start from the date of application rather than the date of expiry of your current stamp, Nov 30 for most. Please do let us know how it goes with your extension next week. I'm planning to go either Friday or Monday the 30th.

Headed to Phuket Town today and was told to come back end of month because like you said, extension will start from the date of application.

Looks like it's going to an easy extension. No embassy letters or any fancy papers needed. ????

On 11/19/2020 at 12:55 PM, Fibonaqi said:

I'm hoping that Phuket Immigration is equally generous and understanding. I previously got an extension to Nov 30 from MTT. Please share your experience with Phuket Immigration for Covid 60 day extension, anyone?

I have to extend in Phuket as well, we'll see next week... Getting the extension the first time was a mess, hopefully its way easier this time around.

Soo... we don't have to go back and get stamped?

15 minutes ago, Benitostacos said:

There was a poster on a FB group who said he went to Phuket Town immigration last week to extend his tourist visa, and they told him an announcement would be made this week for another 2 month extension and would not accept his application. Seriously, what's up with these Phuket IOs?! 

I was in Phuket Immigration yesterday and it was packed. You would think during a pandemic they would have safer ways to go about this..

6 hours ago, pookett said:

Have you done a proof of residence before i.e. you have the slip stapled into your passport?

Never.

4 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

have to travel to Chiang Mai, Samui, Mae Hon Song (including Pai) or Ubon Ratchathani where the IO does provide them with that regular 30-day extension of stay they are entitled to.

I do have an Embassy letter. Phuket to Samui, a little trip I would've done if covid didn't exist.. ????

2 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

I can't think of a single country who would of allowed this amnesty for this length of time of stay with invalid visas. And now we have those gaming the medical extension through an 'agent'. In many countries without a valid visa you would be put into detention till deportation. Most real 'tourists' would of never been stayed on for there were options (for I had friends use them) to leave. Thailand I believe learned a few things through this and trusting foreigners is not one of them.. 

But then we have Vietnam who's been letting foreigners extend 1-3 months by simply paying for it. Why hasn't Thailand implemented something similar?

5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The people mentioned are getting a under consideration stamp with a report back date of October 15th to get the remainder of their 30 day extension requested by a letter from their embassy.

Are you applying for a 30 day extension of a visa exempt or tourist visa entry which does not require the letter from your embassy?

Were you submitting a TM30 form and supporting documents for it from your landlord.

We were both submitting the TM7 + STM2 forms.

There are people getting extensions until October 15 without having to provide proof of residence but me, & others getting asked to bring a ton of extra paperwork. We're in line, my gf provides her paperwork, all good, she was given a ticket, told to wait for her number to get called up.. "Next" I hear, walk up to the counter, provide the SAME EXACT paperwork my gf gave them, and guess what, they tell me I have to get my landlord to provide proof of residence and more.. this Monday will be my third time heading there as they keep asking for new requirements every damn time we go.. What is going on?

Moreover, from what I've read around the web, I never got a 30 day extension, this will be my first, do I have the right to ask for a 'normal' extension instead of getting the 2 week "Covid" extension they're providing us in Phuket Immigration? Cheers.

How'd you get extension until November 15? I thought 30 days tops.

Thank you so much German man for sending that letter.

insight

9 hours ago, BritTim said:

I shall try to get across the nuances of what is going on here, but you are probably not going to have a clear feel without fairly extensive prior history of dealing with Thai officialdom.

 

A visa and extension of stay as a volunteer implies that you will be assisting an NGO (or similar) with charity work. In this case, what is happening, is that the agent has a relationship with a registered NGO that has very influential contacts able to approve any "volunteer" put forward by the NGO. Several senior officials in different offices are involved in getting all the approvals.

 

Whatever the agent may say (and you should be able to work this out for yourself) you are not going to be spending any time assisting the charity that has taken you on a a volunteer. Indeed, you very likely will not even know which charity you are "helping". However, these kinds of arrangements are endemic in Thailand. With several senior officials involved, the paperwork and stamps will be sufficient to get past any kind of cursory examination. It is 99.99% certain that you would never have a problem. The only time you would (very unlikely) be in any danger is in the event of a power struggle involving one of the key officials who signed off on your visa/extension. You could then become collateral damage.

Ah I see.. great insight. Thank you.

18 hours ago, BritTim said:

It is clearly shady, but your risk is minimal. You will end up with legal stamps audited by senior officials, and immigration will have plenty of juicy targets to go after come September 27.

Can you elaborate on "my risk is minimal". They seemed pretty trustworthy and showed me the requirements/documents I needed to bring. Google reviews are preety good as well. I'm just asking if it's legit because online I'm reading you need to show you're actually volunteering but multiple Visa agents tell me you don't have to volunteer... don't want to get into trouble but it's the best offer I've found.

I hit up the local Visa agent here in Phuket for a Volunteer visa, they told me I don't have to do any volunteering/no income requirement. 15 month visa for 65,000baht.... guess it's a Covid special but is it legit? ????

I'm trying all I can to not go back to the East coast until after the election. Things are looking real dystopian out in the states, especially NYC. Best of luck.

I'm on Visa amnesty, is it possible to fly to BKK from Phuket ?

5 hours ago, BritManToo said:

They only announce amnesty extensions 2 weeks before the current one runs out.

The sensible thing to do is wait until the 15th September before taking any action.

I'll be waiting as well. Bali should open up to tourists on Sep. 11, and hopefully, other Asian countries open up as well. I don't see Vietnam opening until 2021 but I have my eyes on it..

51 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

If you went to these guys, you probably just wasted a ton of money.
...

 

Crazy, everyone's been recommending them too...

I'm interested in the Volunteer visa as well.. does anyone know of any agencies in Phuket?

Also, is it possible to fly to Bangkok now? (from Phuket)

Waiting...

Meanwhile in Vietnam they are letting people pay and extend up to 3 months (no limit) I've read some who have already extended 3 times already! Why doesn't Thailand want my money?

Do tourists have to do 90 day reporting??