Automatic visa extensions for tourists in Thailand “just a matter of time” - details being ironed out: govt spokesman

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Automatic visa extensions for tourists in Thailand “just a matter of time” - details being ironed out: govt spokesman

 

 

The Thai government is continuing to iron out the details of a proposed new policy that would allow tourists left stranded in Thailand to be granted automatic visa renewals.

 

Speaking to Thai PBS on Friday evening (3 April), deputy ministry spokesman Natapanu Nopakun provided an update on the proposal to grant automatic visa extensions to foreign tourists stranded in Thailand due COVID-19.

 

He said the government understands the situation and that granting foreigners automatic visa extensions is “in the pipeline”.

 

Mr Natapanu said the details are “being ironed out” and “frankly, this is on the agenda”.

 

Mr Natapanu added that the prime minister is aware of the situation but it may take a little time before the policy is implemented.

 

The proposal to grant automatic visa extensions to foreign tourists came in response to thousands of foreigners forming lengthy queues at immigration offices throughout Thailand in a desperate attempt to renew their visas.

 

While other countries had waived visa requirements for foreigners left stranded due to COVID-19, Thailand said foreigners had to renew their visas at their nearest immigration office but only after insisting those affected obtain a letter from their embassy. 

 

But it wasn’t just the embassy letter that was needed for people to renew their visas.

 

Popular Thailand based blogger Richard Barrow recently tweeted that a total of nine separate documents were requested at one immigration office, as well as the “interrogation” of the visa holder’s landlord. 

 

There have also been similar reports from people posting on Thaivisa of immigration offices still demanding housebooks, copies of ID documents from landlords and even a map.

 

 

On Friday, Cambodia announced it would grant automatic visa extensions for tourists stranded due to COVID-19.

 

The interview with Mr Natapanu is from 25:30.

 

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-04-04

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

[greggraham]

I read that as "just a matter of time" for people who arrived after March 1st.

[darksidedog]

Given countries around the world have recognised the problem and found solutions very quickly, you have to ask why it is such a complicated and time consuming problem here? The current calls for stupid amount of documents and forcing many people to form a crowd at immigration when they should be social distancing is plain crazy.

This should be resolved immediately even if Prayut has to bring out and dust off article 44.

[ezzra]

14 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

“in the pipeline”

All it remain to see now how long is that "pipeline"...

[otherstuff1957]

Automatic?  I'll believe it when I see it!

 

It will probably be automatic after for a limited number of people who will have to go to immigration with a stack of papers 5 cm high.  Or will be offered with an online app that doesn't work 90% of the time.

 

They just can't bring themselves to do it right.  'National Security' you know!

[Thian]

Will they do the same for aliens like me? I'm not a tourist..

[RubbaJohnny]

Surely not just tourists need a no visit way to extend , online or at exit,$100 fee say 3300 withexit tax total 4000 to help fund Thai health crisis and all unemployed tourism sector.

 

Many other foreigners here are on all kind of visas many will be elderely or with pre conditions including respiratory conditions caused by the smog.

 

Amongst others

Teachers, Journalists ,missionaries, students, monks

Those married , employed , retired, bringing up families 

Those who can afford long term holidays who chose Thailand for its climate and friendliness.

 

Those whose loved ones die due to exposure including their taxi drivers Immigration, household staff and transport workers are unlikley to forget this cruel inhumane and unecessary treatment.Tha maids, gardeners and their families will die because Immigration forced long journeys to get what a stamp!

 

There are old people who visit clinics Drs, kids, jobs, funeral, wedding s in their home countries trapped here indefinately.

 

There is always a money issue, sure charge for overstay with no bans, blackmarks.

Or a special say 4000 baht exit fee which any genuine visitor would be happy to pay to end teh anxiety, just add it on to airport tax, sorted.

Allow all the Immigration Offcicers a well earned rest until it's over say December 31, or whenever unrestricted travel allowed to neighbouring countries.

[DrJack54]

This thread offers ZERO new info to previous thread with same attention grabbing header.

"Automatic visa extensions to tourists....."

BTW only for folk arrive on/after march 1.

We will see how automatic it is when released. 

[GordyS]

Many outbound flights are now CANCELLED for at least three days due to CAAT prohibiting inbound international flights to Thailand. Please check with your airline.

[allencraig]

I entered on a VOA stamp before March 1, and had already received an extension. I extended again yesterday. Here's what I learned:

 

1. Anyone who ENTERED Thailand on or after March 1 gets an automatic extension. NO NEED to go to immigration or do anything.
2. Anyone who ENTERED before March 1, can get a 30-day "Covid extension", EVEN IF they've already received an extension. Just need to go to the temporary immigration area in Muang Thong Thani, with the regular paperwork PLUS the letter from their embassy. A B/W copy is fine. No other forms out of the ordinary are needed. (Or weren't needed in my case.) Cost is 1.900thb.
3. The temporary immigration processing area is in the new Central Intelligence Bureau parking facility. A bit of a pain in the ass to get to, but I found minivans there and back for 35thb each way. The wait should be about 4 to 5 hours. It's very organized but it just takes a while because there's a lot of people. There are food and drink stands set up, too. There are 8 or 10 people doing the actual processing.

[BillStrangeOgre]

3 minutes ago, allencraig said:

I entered on a VOA stamp before March 1, and had already received an extension. I extended again yesterday. Here's what I learned:

 

1. Anyone who ENTERED Thailand on or after March 1 gets an automatic extension. NO NEED to go to immigration or do anything.
2. Anyone who ENTERED before March 1, can get a 30-day "Covid extension", EVEN IF they've already received an extension. Just need to go to the temporary immigration area in Muang Thong Thani, with the regular paperwork PLUS the letter from their embassy. A B/W copy is fine. No other forms out of the ordinary are needed. (Or weren't needed in my case.) Cost is 1.900thb.
3. The temporary immigration processing area is in the new Central Intelligence Bureau parking facility. A bit of a pain in the ass to get to, but I found minivans there and back for 35thb each way. The wait should be about 4 to 5 hours. It's very organized but it just takes a while because there's a lot of people. There are food and drink stands set up, too. There are 8 or 10 people doing the actual processing.

Thanks for the update ????

[stuhan]

Problem being all immigration offices have different rules when you turn up,instead of every I.O in the whole country issued with one set of rules they must adhere to at all times.

[spiekerjozef]

1 hour ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

new policy that would allow tourists left stranded in Thailand to be granted automatic visa renewals.

So only tourist visa's get automatic renewals....

[lovesthespicy]

They've been saying this for weeks now. All we've seen so far is a absurd list of requirements for a emergency extension which grants you 15days and then its time to go back to immigration. The government is concerned with "security" not social distancing and risking the health of Thais and the visitors of this country.

[LNER4472]

I entered Thailand on the 7th of March, so those among you will work out that my 30 Days run out tomorrow. I when to immigration Yesterday afternoon and told them that I need an extension and because I cannot find work here as you all will know all the schools, colleges and universities are closed. I have lived here for 15 years and I have been a teacher of English in both Private or State Owned Schools. I was retired from my last job as the Labour Office told the school that they would not extend my Work Permit and The area Education Office also said they would not supply the necessary paperwork for extending Visa and work Permit. I am 63 years old. I do know that some Teachers who are older than me are still teaching, because the Director of their schools told the necessary departments that He or She wanted to keep the Teacher. So I am not working or being paid by anyone and when I read about the Automatic Visa Extension I thought they have thrown me a life line. But it turns out not yet. So as of tomorrow night I will be overstaying.  

[ubonjoe]

This topic just got shorter after I removed several off topic, Thai bashing and those about other countries posts. 

No further notice will given when post are removed.

[ubonjoe]

24 minutes ago, LNER4472 said:

I entered Thailand on the 7th of March, so those among you will work out that my 30 Days run out tomorrow.

You can apply for the normal 30 day extension on Tuesday without being fined since immigration will be closed until then.

I assume you are not from a country that gets their 30 day visa exempt entry from bilateral agreement.

[Mavideol]

2 hours ago, Thian said:

Will they do the same for aliens like me? I'm not a tourist..

wishful thinking... we the "aliens" will have to visit the office and pay the fees, no free or automatic for us

[Abrax]

1 hour ago, allencraig said:

I entered on a VOA stamp before March 1, and had already received an extension. I extended again yesterday. Here's what I learned:

 

1. Anyone who ENTERED Thailand on or after March 1 gets an automatic extension. NO NEED to go to immigration or do anything.
2. Anyone who ENTERED before March 1, can get a 30-day "Covid extension", EVEN IF they've already received an extension. Just need to go to the temporary immigration area in Muang Thong Thani, with the regular paperwork PLUS the letter from their embassy. A B/W copy is fine. No other forms out of the ordinary are needed. (Or weren't needed in my case.) Cost is 1.900thb.
3. The temporary immigration processing area is in the new Central Intelligence Bureau parking facility. A bit of a pain in the ass to get to, but I found minivans there and back for 35thb each way. The wait should be about 4 to 5 hours. It's very organized but it just takes a while because there's a lot of people. There are food and drink stands set up, too. There are 8 or 10 people doing the actual processing.

 

 

Thanks for update.

Just to be clear, someone from the immigration office told you that if you enter after 1st of march you don't need to do anything. Not even a report to some entity? 

 

 

 

[Tim123456]

1 hour ago, allencraig said:

I entered on a VOA stamp before March 1, and had already received an extension. I extended again yesterday. Here's what I learned:

 

1. Anyone who ENTERED Thailand on or after March 1 gets an automatic extension. NO NEED to go to immigration or do anything.
2. Anyone who ENTERED before March 1, can get a 30-day "Covid extension", EVEN IF they've already received an extension. Just need to go to the temporary immigration area in Muang Thong Thani, with the regular paperwork PLUS the letter from their embassy. A B/W copy is fine. No other forms out of the ordinary are needed. (Or weren't needed in my case.) Cost is 1.900thb.
3. The temporary immigration processing area is in the new Central Intelligence Bureau parking facility. A bit of a pain in the ass to get to, but I found minivans there and back for 35thb each way. The wait should be about 4 to 5 hours. It's very organized but it just takes a while because there's a lot of people. There are food and drink stands set up, too. There are 8 or 10 people doing the actual processing.

It's great to see that update being posted thanks for that. It's really hard to believe that they ever get anything sorted out in a clearly defined manner. 

 

In regards to your first point. People who arrived after March 1st and needing their initial 30-day extension. Where is it written that you don't have to even show up at the immigration? 

 

I can't find such information anywhere. It would really help if you can post an official photo of the document or something. 

[allencraig]

15 minutes ago, Tim123456 said:

It's great to see that update being posted thanks for that. It's really hard to believe that they ever get anything sorted out in a clearly defined manner. 

 

In regards to your first point. People who arrived after March 1st and needing their initial 30-day extension. Where is it written that you don't have to even show up at the immigration? 

 

I can't find such information anywhere. It would really help if you can post an official photo of the document or something. 

It's not written anywhere as far as I know. I've heard of it for a few days, and I can only report on what I saw happen at immigration yesterday. I think people are "waiting" to hear an official announcement on this the gov't has said is to come...soon.

[theVenerable]

1 minute ago, allencraig said:

It's not written anywhere as far as I know. I've heard of it for a few days, and I can only report on what I saw happen at immigration yesterday. I think people are "waiting" to hear an official announcement on this the gov't has said is to come...soon.

Who wan'ts a bet the 'official announcement' will be vague, confusing, and also be of little help to 75% of the visitors currently in Thailand ?

[allencraig]

23 minutes ago, Abrax said:

 

 

Thanks for update.

Just to be clear, someone from the immigration office told you that if you enter after 1st of march you don't need to do anything. Not even a report to some entity? 

 

 

 

He indirectly said that, yes. He checked my date. I lastly arrived before the 1st. But right after me, he pointed at a page in someone's passport and said "after March first, you don't need to be here". But like you, I'd prefer clear, documented information, and I can't offer that.

[allencraig]

1 hour ago, LNER4472 said:

I entered Thailand on the 7th of March, so those among you will work out that my 30 Days run out tomorrow. I when to immigration Yesterday afternoon and told them that I need an extension and because I cannot find work here as you all will know all the schools, colleges and universities are closed. I have lived here for 15 years and I have been a teacher of English in both Private or State Owned Schools. I was retired from my last job as the Labour Office told the school that they would not extend my Work Permit and The area Education Office also said they would not supply the necessary paperwork for extending Visa and work Permit. I am 63 years old. I do know that some Teachers who are older than me are still teaching, because the Director of their schools told the necessary departments that He or She wanted to keep the Teacher. So I am not working or being paid by anyone and when I read about the Automatic Visa Extension I thought they have thrown me a life line. But it turns out not yet. So as of tomorrow night I will be overstaying.  

<deleted>, sorry to hear it. This is a perfect example of how immigration officials here don't seem to think through the policies they implement. It's like all the details evade them.

[Viezeman]

I entered the country on 10 march. Guess its going to be overstay untill they officially announce it.

[audaciousnomad]

9 minutes ago, allencraig said:

He indirectly said that, yes. He checked my date. I lastly arrived before the 1st. But right after me, he pointed at a page in someone's passport and said "after March first, you don't need to be here". But like you, I'd prefer clear, documented information, and I can't offer that.

A more important question is whether the "after 1-Mar" tourists will receive automatic extension ONLY ONE TIME?  Or it is indefinite until they can leave the country.  Knowing how things work here, after 30 days even these "auto-extended" tourists will have to join the standard Covid-19 Embassy Letter tourists if they need to continue beyond that first extension.

[lensta]

3 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Given countries around the world have recognised the problem and found solutions very quickly, you have to ask why it is such a complicated and time consuming problem here? The current calls for stupid amount of documents and forcing many people to form a crowd at immigration when they should be social distancing is plain crazy.

This should be resolved immediately even if Prayut has to bring out and dust off article 44.

" you have to ask why it is such a complicated and time consuming problem here?"

National security lol

[greggraham]

1 hour ago, LNER4472 said:

I entered Thailand on the 7th of March, so those among you will work out that my 30 Days run out tomorrow. I when to immigration Yesterday afternoon and told them that I need an extension and because I cannot find work here as you all will know all the schools, colleges and universities are closed. I have lived here for 15 years and I have been a teacher of English in both Private or State Owned Schools. I was retired from my last job as the Labour Office told the school that they would not extend my Work Permit and The area Education Office also said they would not supply the necessary paperwork for extending Visa and work Permit. I am 63 years old. I do know that some Teachers who are older than me are still teaching, because the Director of their schools told the necessary departments that He or She wanted to keep the Teacher. So I am not working or being paid by anyone and when I read about the Automatic Visa Extension I thought they have thrown me a life line. But it turns out not yet. So as of tomorrow night I will be overstaying.  

Rather than overstaying can't you get the standard 1900thb 30 day extension? 

[cornishcarlos]

Still no mention of people on Non Imm O multi entries...

Are they still required to go to get a 30 day and then a 60 day ?? Down to the local Imm office for a bit of social interaction !!!

[Abrax]

49 minutes ago, allencraig said:

He indirectly said that, yes. He checked my date. I lastly arrived before the 1st. But right after me, he pointed at a page in someone's passport and said "after March first, you don't need to be here". But like you, I'd prefer clear, documented information, and I can't offer that.

Well, it's more than i got from official sources. In light of this i will wait for the announcement and not renewing my visa. and let's hope.

Thank you very much