automatic corona visa extension does not apply to non-immigrant visa says Integrity Legal

[pbrock]

 

 

Talking about the automatic corona visa extension https://immigration.go.th/content/visa_auto_extension

 

According to Benjamin W. Hart, Managing Director of Integrity Legal... Source...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqHXyHlgOMU

 

In the video comments he repeated:

 

As stated in the video, we have personally seen non-immigrant visa holders who have been deemed out of status notwithstanding the fact that their visa stamp expired in the March 26- April 30 window.

 

[ubonjoe]

That has been stated on this forum many times. 

Of course he is incorrectly calling extensions of stay a visa. That causes confusion. If on an extension of stay the automatic extension does not apply to you since it it does not require you to leave and reenter the country to keep your stay valid.

If on a multiple entry non immigrant visa of any kind it does fall under the automatic extension. You are affected due to not being able to leave the country and re-enter for a new entry.

[DrJack54]

As ubon stated. Folk have been advised in many threads, if you have extension due such as annual 12 month extension retirement then its business as usual. Attend immigration and apply for your extension..

[doctormann]

13 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That has been stated on this forum many times. 

Of course he is incorrectly calling extensions of stay a visa. That causes confusion. If on an extension of stay the automatic extension does not apply to you since it it does not require you to leave and reenter the country to keep your stay valid.

If on a multiple entry non immigrant visa of any kind it does fall under the automatic extension. You are affected due to not being able to leave the country and re-enter for a new entry.

There's a complication though for anyone with an O-A history who cannot get insurance because of age or pre-existing conditions.  Such people - and I am one - have been advised to do a border bounce and either re-enter with a visa-exempt stamp or to obtain a non-O from a nearby consulate.

 

As the borders are currently closed, it is not possible to do this.  Anyone with a Thai wife or family may be able to apply for a 60-day 'visit wife' extension - or maybe extend the O-A on the basis of marriage, rather than retirement as the insurance is not then required.  How easy this is probably depends on your local office.

 

It seems to me that there is no obvious solution for anyone on an O-A extension who doesn't have a Thai wife or family and can't get insurance.  if I am wrong then please educate me.

 

 

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, doctormann said:

It seems to me that there is no obvious solution for anyone on an O-A extension who doesn't have a Thai wife or family and can't get insurance.  if I am wrong then please educate me.

If you do not do your extension based upon retirement due to not qualifying for one you would techniclay fall under the automatic extension and could stay in the country until the emergency situation is over since you cannot get a new permit to stay unless you are able to leave and re-enter the country.

The issue is for those that think they do not need to apply for a extension will not be able to apply for a extension since the automatic extension would not be considered a non immigrant visa that is required to apply.

 

[Tanoshi]

27 minutes ago, doctormann said:

It seems to me that there is no obvious solution for anyone on an O-A extension who doesn't have a Thai wife or family and can't get insurance.  if I am wrong then please educate me.

You could apply for a 30 day extension under clause 3 of Immigrations original Memo of the Covid situation referring to criteria 5 of order 327-2557.

Quote

5. In the case where an alien applicant does not meet the full qualifications stipulated by the criteria herein or in other cases not specified in this Order but a competent officer equivalent to or higher than inspector is of the opinion that the alien has legitimate reason for staying in the Kingdom of Thailand, the application shall be forwarded to the Commander of the Royal Thai Police or an authorized competent officer for further consideration of the alien's application.

 

[doctormann]

3 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

You could apply for a 30 day extension under clause 3 of Immigrations original Memo of the Covid situation referring to criteria 5 of order 327-2557.

 

I'm sure that a suitable agent would have access to a 'competent officer - for a price!

[DrJack54]

Just now, doctormann said:

I'm sure that a suitable agent would have access to a 'competent officer - for a price!

I haven't seen a report of agent "getting around" the Thai insurance requirement.

 

[jackdd]

Sounds like a lawyer trying to scare people so they become his clients.

He doesn't provide any evidence for what he says, and just gives one very vague example. At which immigration office was the guy on the ED visa allegedly fined?

It also doesn't make much sense that the guy who was allegedly fined was in the immigration office to begin with, if he assumed that he is covered by automatic extensions.

 

9 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

You could apply for a 30 day extension under clause 3 of Immigrations original Memo of the Covid situation referring to criteria 5 of order 327-2557.

Did anybody here hear of any person who was granted an extension based on this? I think not, so while this might be theoretically possible, Immigration doesn't extend anyone based on this.

[rhodie]

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I haven't seen a report of agent "getting around" the Thai insurance requirement.

 

There are plenty.

[DrJack54]

Just now, rhodie said:

There are plenty.

Direct me to a post where someone has used an agent to avoid need for insurance.

Rather than type "There a plenty" post the name of ONE.

[Olmate]

13 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I haven't seen a report of agent "getting around" the Thai insurance requirement.

 

It costs around 1600 baht extra!

[Tanoshi]

5 minutes ago, jackdd said:

Did anybody here hear of any person who was granted an extension based on this? I think not, so while this might be theoretically possible, Immigration doesn't extend anyone based on this.

I've only read of 2 on TVF who are in such a situation.

Have either tried to apply for an extension under criteria 5 of 327-2557.

[rhodie]

Just now, DrJack54 said:

Direct me to a post where someone has used an agent to avoid need for insurance.

Rather than type "There a plenty" post the name of ONE.

I will try to find one. These type of deals are not normally posted, but I personally know at least 5 guys who use an agent for this extension starting at 12,500 in Pattaya.

[cleopatra2]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

That has been stated on this forum many times. 

Of course he is incorrectly calling extensions of stay a visa. That causes confusion. If on an extension of stay the automatic extension does not apply to you since it it does not require you to leave and reenter the country to keep your stay valid.

If on a multiple entry non immigrant visa of any kind it does fall under the automatic extension. You are affected due to not being able to leave the country and re-enter for a new entry.

He stated at the end of the video anybody with a Multiple Non O who normally do border runs are not covered by the amnesty.

 

 

[ubonjoe]

21 minutes ago, cleopatra2 said:

He stated at the end of the video anybody with a Multiple Non O who normally do border runs are not covered by the amnesty.

 

 

Just additional incorrect info.

It does not matter what category of visa you have that requires leaving the country to get a new entry does fall under the amnesty. People have already been told that by immigration.

[Tanoshi]

33 minutes ago, cleopatra2 said:

He stated at the end of the video anybody with a Multiple Non O who normally do border runs are not covered by the amnesty.

 

 

I wonder who's interest it's in to cause confusion, then state if you want to contact us, we'll be happy to provide what assistance we can.

I bet they will!

[cleopatra2]

27 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Just additional incorrect info.

It does not matter what category of visa you have that requires leaving the country to get a new entry does fall under the amnesty. People have already been told that by immigration.

Whilst I agree the wording of the amnesty does include Non O visa

 The person claims to have been told by immigration that it only applies to tourist status.

Early in the video the person also states that he is not referring to extensions and that extensions are not included.

The amnesty order is written as is but it would not be uncommon for immigration to resile on the subject

[Tanoshi]

7 minutes ago, cleopatra2 said:

Whilst I agree the wording of the amnesty does include Non O visa

 The person claims to have been told by immigration that it only applies to tourist status.

Early in the video the person also states that he is not referring to extensions and that extensions are not included.

The amnesty order is written as is but it would not be uncommon for immigration to resile on the subject

How many clients that contacted him should have extended their 'extensions' in the normal manner, but referred to them as 'Visas', thereby creating immediate confusion.

There is a significant difference between someone on 'permission of stay' from a Visa entry, and someone on 'permission of stay' from an extension.

 

He refers to 'Retirement' and 'Marriage' Visas, which of course do not exist.

90% of posters on TVF often refer to 'extensions' as 'Visas'

It's important to understand and use the correct terminology in this situation.

The lawyer appears to confuse even himself.

[jackdd]

3 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

There is a significant difference between someone on 'permission of stay' from a Visa entry, and someone on 'permission of stay' from an extension.

What is the difference?

[Peter Denis]

1 hour ago, rhodie said:

I will try to find one. These type of deals are not normally posted, but I personally know at least 5 guys who use an agent for this extension starting at 12,500 in Pattaya.

Not disputing this, but knowing that you can subscribe to the mandatory thai IO-approved health-insurance for as low as 6.000 THB to 11.700 THB when in the age bracket 50 to 70 (LMG thai IO-approved health-insurance policy), why would anyone use an agent 'starting at 12.500 THB' for dodging a requirement that costs less to comply with?

[Tanoshi]

19 minutes ago, jackdd said:

What is the difference?

You wouldn't understand Jack.

Are you still staying in Thailand on your TV's.

 

[jackdd]

In a newer video he is now also trying to scare people who got an extension based on an embassy letter (starting it 5:15)

 

[Olmate]

1 hour ago, Peter Denis said:

Not disputing this, but knowing that you can subscribe to the mandatory thai IO-approved health-insurance for as low as 6.000 THB to 11.700 THB when in the age bracket 50 to 70 (LMG thai IO-approved health-insurance policy), why would anyone use an agent 'starting at 12.500 THB' for dodging a requirement that costs less to comply with?

I assume your not fishing for info like a couple of others here? 

[Tanoshi]

4 minutes ago, Olmate said:

I assume your not fishing for info like a couple of others here? 

No, he's offering advice for those with an O-A Visa of an affordable approved Health Insurance Policy required by Immigration to obtain annual extensions from an O-A entry.

 

Terms and conditions, plus premiums here:

https://www.lmginsurance.co.th/en/Products/Documents/Universal - Long Stay VISA OA with Deductible Feb 2020.pdf

[Olmate]

12 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

No, he's offering advice for those with an O-A Visa of an affordable approved Health Insurance Policy required by Immigration to obtain annual extensions from an O-A entry.

 

Terms and conditions, plus premiums here:

https://www.lmginsurance.co.th/en/Products/Documents/Universal - Long Stay VISA OA with Deductible Feb 2020.pdf

Thanks for your answer to the question adressed to another member which doesn’t answer the question asked! Nice plug tho.

[Tanoshi]

16 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Thanks for your answer to the question adressed to another member which doesn’t answer the question asked! Nice plug tho.

Apologies, I though it was a general forum, silly me!

In the past when you've quoted other members and followed with a question, you haven't objected when I gave you an answer. However I will duly note your concern and in future refrain from answering your posts unless directly addressed to myself.

 

You could alternatively go back to bed and get out the other side.

[Peter Denis]

12 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Thanks for your answer to the question addressed to another member which doesn’t answer the question asked! Nice plug tho.

@Tanoshi is 100% correct.

I am not 'fishing' for info on agents. 

Just providing some advice for those that want to extend their 1-year permissions of stay on the basis of their original Non Imm O-A Visa for reason of retirement.  They are since October 2019 confronted with the $%^& thai IO-approved health-insurance requirement and LMG Insurance is the cheapest option for such - otherwise worthless - policy.

The better advice is of course to apply for a 90-day Non Imm O - retirement Visa and subsequently apply for the 1-year extension on the basis of that Visa.  The requirements/conditions for such 1-year extension are exactly the same for the Non Imm O - retirement Visa and the Non Imm O-A Visa (for reason of retirement), but a 1-year extension on the basis of a Non Imm O - retirement Visa does not require that health-insurance scam.

However, with borders being closed at the moment, those whose permission to stay based on their original O-A Visa is almost due for extension, might consider 'biting the bullet' and applying this year for that health-insurance.  And in that case I would recommend going for the dirt-cheapest option being the LMG Insurance policy.

[JimGant]

4 hours ago, doctormann said:

There's a complication though for anyone with an O-A history who cannot get insurance because of age or pre-existing conditions.  Such people - and I am one

Are you 75 years old, or younger? If so, I'll explain in a message why I asked.

[Olmate]

18 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

Apologies, I though it was a general forum, silly me!

In the past when you've quoted other members and followed with a question, you haven't objected when I gave you an answer. However I will duly note your concern and in future refrain from answering your posts unless directly addressed to myself.

 

You could alternatively go back to bed and get out the other side.

I don,t recall any of your previous replies to me ,not surprising tho! Mr Dennis was asking re why agents? Your reply was of no interest in that regard.perhaps you could answer the q,s adressed to you first and without the curt remarks!