Foreigners in Thailand eagerly await clarification regarding visa amnesty

[webfact]

Foreigners in Thailand eagerly await clarification regarding visa amnesty

 

File photo

 

Foreigners in Thailand are eagerly awaiting clarification from the Thai government as to whether the current visa amnesty will be extended.

 

The visa amnesty, first announced in March, was brought in to help relieve congestion at immigration offices in Thailand from foreigners who were desperately trying to extend their visas having been left stranded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

The current amnesty is due to end on 31 July and at the time publishing it is not known if the amnesty will be extended.

 

Last week, Khaosod English quoted Immigraiton spokesperson, Col. Phakkhaphong Saiubon, who said that an extension of the visa amnesty is “unlikely”, although as of yet an official announcement is yet to be made.

 

Also last week, it was announced that a temporary immigraiton office located at the Impact Muang Thong Thani exhibition centre in Bangkok would re-open from Monday (13 July), leading some to speculate that this was in preparation for the visa amnesty ending.

 

Expats - don’t wait, renew your extension of stay, 90 day report

 

If you are an expat who stays in Thailand on an extension of stay based on either marriage, retirement or being a parent to a Thai child, and your extension is about to or already has expired, you are urged to apply for a new extension of stay as soon as possible. 

 

If you have delayed renewing your extension of stay because of the visa amnesty, do not wait until after the 31 July. All immigraiton offices in Thailand are open and are now much quieter than usual. 

 

Thaivisa has received multiple reports from expats who have commented about the application process taking much less time than usual given that their local immigration office is all but empty.

 

But that won’t be the case after 31 July, should the visa amnesty not be extended.

 

The same applies for anyone who has delayed doing their 90 day report due to the visa amnesty.

 

Do not wait until 31 July, do you 90 day report as soon as possible either online or in person.

 

Tourists - clarify your visa situation

 

If you have been staying in Thailand on an expired tourist visa, or if your tourist visa is due to expire soon, you should now be planning in case the visa amnesty is not extended.

 

Firstly, you should visit your nearest immigration office as soon as possible and discuss your own situation with an immigration officer. Ask them to clarify what is needed for you to extend your visa. 

 

If you can extend your visa, you will need to submit a number of documents as part of your application. Make sure you prepare all these documents as soon as possible. 

 

Alternatively, you need to be making plans to leave Thailand if your visa has expired and in the event the visa amnesty will not be extended.

 

Should the visa amnesty end on 31 July, any foreigner in Thailand whose visa or extension of stay has expired will be on overstay and face being fined.

 

Fines also await anyone who submits a late 90 day report.

 

It is hoped that official clarification on the matter will be issued imminently.

 

Until then, do not leave your visa status until the last minute. Take responsibility now and begin planning the possibility the visa amnesty will not be extended. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-07-14

 

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[keith101]

What about those like myself who need to exit and re enter to do the 90 day report if they haven't opened up the borders ?

 

I already did a 60 day extension before the amnesty .

Edited July 14, 2020 by keith101

[unamazedloso]

and what if u have a valid visa until the end of the year but cant do border runs every 90days?

[Fromas]

Asked and answered:

Foreigners in Thailand eagerly await clarification

[bradiston]

48 minutes ago, unamazedloso said:

and what if u have a valid visa until the end of the year but cant do border runs every 90days?

Online

[sotsira]

What about all the expats who are currently outside of Thailand when the borders closed 

and can't return to renew their extension of stay based on marriage/retiremant?

 

What will be required for them to re-enter if their current extensions expired during 

the lockdown?

With the Thai Embassy not answering their phones, how are they supposed to return??

I won't hold my breath............it's as clear as mud.

 

[Kadilo]

The message seems to be if you can renew it don’t wait. 
 

If you can’t, you’re in for a nasty surprise. 
 

 

[Kadilo]

Just now, sotsira said:

What about all the expats who are currently outside of Thailand when the borders closed 

and can't return to renew their extension of stay based on marriage/retiremant?

 

What will be required for them to re-enter if their current extensions expired during 

the lockdown?

With the Thai Embassy not answering their phones, how are they supposed to return??

I won't hold my breath............it's as clear as mud.

 

You would hope you could get it extended at the Thai Embassy where you reside, but I’m not holding my breath. 

[Kaopad999]

for those people who were on tourist visas and then transferred to the amnesty visa should have already planned their trips back home or out of Thailand.

Edited July 14, 2020 by Kaopad999

[Zikomat]

8 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

for those who were on tourist visas and were then transferred to the amnesty visa should have already planned their trips back home or out of Thailand. 
Waiting and hoping for another amnesty is ridiculous. 

Nothing is ridiculous about it. Things have not changed a lot since the last amnesty. People like you gave the same “smart” advice in the March. And many of those who have left in a hurry are now unable to return back to their families.

[CNXexpat]

1 hour ago, unamazedloso said:

and what if u have a valid visa until the end of the year but cant do border runs every 90days?

Why do you need border runs if you have a valid visa? 

 

1 hour ago, keith101 said:

What about those like myself who need to exit and re enter to do the 90 day report if they haven't opened up the borders ?

Why do you need to exit?

[bristolgeoff]

everyone waiting to see if i go or stay for awhile longer.many of my friends are in that boat

[Kaopad999]

10 minutes ago, Zikomat said:

Nothing is ridiculous about it. Things have not changed a lot since the last amnesty. People like you gave the same “smart” advice in the March. And many of those who have left in a hurry are now unable to return back to their families.

People living here on tourist visas with  their families ?  Is that not a little irresponsible?   

Edited July 14, 2020 by Kaopad999

[Bender Rodriguez]

1 hour ago, unamazedloso said:

and what if u have a valid visa until the end of the year but cant do border runs every 90days?

welcome the idea to be 28 days in quarantine per 90 days ?

 

14 days in other country + 14 in thailand

[AgentSmith]

13 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

for those people who were on tourist visas and then transferred to the amnesty visa should have already planned their trips back home or out of Thailand.

That indeed seems to be the adage according to many, especially here on TV. But in this day and age many people don't necessarily have a 'home' to return to. I've been roaming the planet for the past 15 years. Always strictly following the visa rules wherever I go. I've spent quite a lot of time in Thailand, and because I also have family here I chose to stay before the lock-down happened.

 

There is no 'home' in the classical sense to return to for me. My 'home' country is the worst candidate with the average waiting times for rental homes between 10 and 20 years. Plus 1001 rules making it a virtual nightmare for me just to get a house or an apartment. And apart from all the hassle I simply don't want to live there.

 

So with that ruled out what are the alternatives? Yes I can leave Thailand but what would be the destination? Basically all countries in the area are still very much in lock-down with their borders closed to foreigners. I've met people stranded here because they weren't allowed back in their country of residence (China for example withdrew all existing work visas for people who happened to be abroad) and they also can't simply return to the country that happens to be in their passports, for very similar reasons.

 

All of us would basically have to go live in no man's land. I could try to make a sequel of the movie The Terminal. Perhaps Steven Spielberg is willing to pay me a couple million too. ;)

[julot]

Here is a clarification from US embassy.

 

It should be pretty clear by now, that there will be no amnesty extension, and you have two weeks to apply for a new visa/extension, or get a letter from your embassy (US embassy won't do it anymore). If you can't get those, you have to leave Thailand or you will be considered on overstay starting August 1st.

 

I would personally not bet on a miracle, especially with the new cases in Rayong and the rampant xenophobia around Thailand, and instead take action today by contacting your embassy/immigration office.

 

[ThailandRyan]

18 minutes ago, CNXexpat said:

Why do you need border runs if you have a valid visa? 

 

Why do you need to exit?

Possibly like I do, and that is to reset my O-A visa for another year and keep from doing an extension of stay.  However, worse case scenario is to convert my O-A Visa to an extension of stay in 4 months.  At least I have a few months to get things in order where many others are just on a short leash.  Living one day to the next without knowing what the Government is going to do is a major quandary.  

[crazykopite]

45 minutes ago, sotsira said:

What about all the expats who are currently outside of Thailand when the borders closed 

and can't return to renew their extension of stay based on marriage/retiremant?

 

What will be required for them to re-enter if their current extensions expired during 

the lockdown?

With the Thai Embassy not answering their phones, how are they supposed to return??

I won't hold my breath............it's as clear as mud.

 

This has happened to my wife who is stuck in the U.K. i was getting different messages from my local IO however when I renewed my extension of stay a few weeks ago the iO told me that my wife would now have to apply for a O visa in the U.K. and upon arriving back she would then re apply for her retirement visa as my dependent . Trouble is getting the $100,000 insurance policy as well as the fit to fly certificate on top of this she would then have to pay for 14 days quarantine in some flea pit hotel that the Thai government have approved so reluctantly I have told her to stay in the U.K. in the meantime I am trying to sell our beach villa or if I can’t rent it out long term through a reputable agency and return to Europe to join her for at least a year in the hope that things improve.

 

Edited July 14, 2020 by crazykopite

[Eibot]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

If you are an expat who stays in Thailand on an extension of stay based on either marriage, retirement or being a parent to a Thai child, and your extension is about to or already has expired, you are urged to apply for a new extension of stay as soon as possible. 

 

If you have delayed renewing your extension of stay because of the visa amnesty, do not wait until after the 31 July. All immigraiton offices in Thailand are open and are now much quieter than usual. 

Do you mean your annual extension here? Why would people put that off?

 

Or do we mean the 60 day extension based on your current visa? If so, it's horrible advice to do that now...Why should you now use your extension when we're not sure if the amnesty is going to get extended? If you extend now, and there will be given a further amnesty, you basically threw away an extension that can safe your ass when the amnesty really ends and the borders are not open...

 

Who gives these advises?

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

If you have been staying in Thailand on an expired tourist visa, or if your tourist visa is due to expire soon, you should now be planning in case the visa amnesty is not extended.

 

Firstly, you should visit your nearest immigration office as soon as possible and discuss your own situation with an immigration officer. Ask them to clarify what is needed for you to extend your visa.

Meanwhile, we hear stories of people going to an immigration office and being told to await the news if an amnesty is being given.

 

Again, who gives these advises?

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

 

Until then, do not leave your visa status until the last minute. Take responsibility now and begin planning the possibility the visa amnesty will not be extended. 

Talking about responsibility is quite ironic here..People are now being forced to put everything to the last moment because Thai immigration is making it a "last minute grand finalee". 

The government should openly and timely let people know on time so they can take steps accordingly without it becoming last moment.  

[riverhigh]

 

The following is my expeience at the Jomtien Immigration office yesterday morning  - Monday, July 13, 2020

 

I was able to complete my 90 day report by 9am. I was the first to get to the immigration office and first to get my passport book back. They had separated those doing the 90 day report from the rest. The 90 day report people were to sit outside under a makeshift canopy tent  with 2 industrial fans. The passport books were collected and processed while the herd sat outside to graze.  There were couple of "senior" complainers who felt they should be allowed to sit inside the air conditioned office. There was one complainer who snuck in through the exit door but was quickly dispatched ... lol.  As there was no signage indicating what they intended to do, there was a fair amount of confusion. Fortunately the number of bufalos in attendance was small and manageable. However, when the numbers pick up next month I can foresee problems. Aside from the lack of signage of how the system works, I don't think they have enough room in the parking lot with  adequate tent canopy coverage to sit more than 60 - 80 people to meet the  social distancing requirement. This could result in sending people home by limiting the number of people to be processed (similar to the driver's license office fiasco a few years ago).  Keep in mind that the immigration office may have plans to overcome the problems I foresee.  Also, after people have read this article this may cause a stampede in itself. As to filling in the online form, I tried it on Sunday night and failed. As I was due to report on May 30 and was over 7 days late, I beleive the system rejected my application. The system  advised me to go to my local immigration office.

[Eibot]

34 minutes ago, CNXexpat said:

Why do you need border runs if you have a valid visa?

Because premission to stay expired - Non O multiple entry.

[fxe1200]

15 minutes ago, julot said:

Here is a clarification from US embassy.

 

It should be pretty clear by now, that there will be no amnesty extension, and you have two weeks to apply for a new visa/extension, or get a letter from your embassy (US embassy won't do it anymore). If you can't get those, you have to leave Thailand or you will be considered on overstay starting August 1st.

 

I would personally not bet on a miracle, especially with the new cases in Rayong and the rampant xenophobia around Thailand, and instead take action today by contacting your embassy/immigration office.

 

....same as the German Embassy.

[crazykopite]

I get the funny feeling that there are going to be 1,000s who will take the risk of overstaying as they know that should they do a border run there is no guarantee that they won’t get back in for three reasons , 1, unable to get $100,000 insurance policy ,2, health clearance certificate to re enter , 3 14 days quarantine as stipulated by the government in one of there recommended hotels. I might be wrong but I already know of people who have said they will take the risk and just overstay and hopefully not get caught . I would imagine the IO detention centre in Bangkok will be bursting at the seems from 1st August onwards.

[nausea]

Prepare for a worst case scenario, I say. It will certainly be a money generator if tons of guys are trying to sort out their status at the last minute. 

[Kaopad999]

7 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

I get the funny feeling that there are going to be 1,000s who will take the risk of overstaying as they know that should they do a border run there is no guarantee that they won’t get back in for three reasons , 1, unable to get $100,000 insurance policy ,2, health clearance certificate to re enter , 3 14 days quarantine as stipulated by the government in one of there recommended hotels. I might be wrong but I already know of people who have said they will take the risk and just overstay and hopefully not get caught . I would imagine the IO detention centre in Bangkok will be bursting at the seems from 1st August onwards.

exactly, and i think that Immigration are going to keeping a very watchful eye on those who overstay this amnesty.

Edited July 14, 2020 by Kaopad999

[AgentSmith]

4 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

I get the funny feeling that there are going to be 1,000s who will take the risk of overstaying as they know that should they do a border run there is no guarantee that they won’t get back in for three reasons , 1, unable to get $100,000 insurance policy ,2, health clearance certificate to re enter , 3 14 days quarantine as stipulated by the government in one of there recommended hotels. I might be wrong but I already know of people who have said they will take the risk and just overstay and hopefully not get caught . I would imagine the IO detention centre in Bangkok will be bursting at the seems from 1st August onwards.

The chances of getting caught are minimal. I've never been checked over the years. That said, I'd strongly advise against overstaying your visa. It's most likely possible to get another extension with the help of your embassy. That's what I'm aiming for now. Get another 30 day extension of my tourist visa at immigration with a visa support letter. Shouldn't be too hard.

[Guderian]

"Eagerly awaiting"? More like "shaking in their boots" if you ask me.

[Kaopad999]

2 minutes ago, AgentSmith said:

The chances of getting caught are minimal. I've never been checked over the years. That said, I'd strongly advise against overstaying your visa. It's most likely possible to get another extension with the help of your embassy. That's what I'm aiming for now. Get another 30 day extension of my tourist visa at immigration with a visa support letter. Shouldn't be too hard.

Did you see this? 

[vermin on arrival]

1 minute ago, AgentSmith said:

The chances of getting caught are minimal. I've never been checked over the years. That said, I'd strongly advise against overstaying your visa. It's most likely possible to get another extension with the help of your embassy. That's what I'm aiming for now. Get another 30 day extension of my tourist visa at immigration with a visa support letter. Shouldn't be too hard.

Which embassy do you know is giving letters? Every embassy that people have said they have contacted has said they are not giving letters. If the US embassy, which has a huge epidemic is not doing it, who is?

[robsamui]

A first world nation is one which has reduced, simplified and streamlined bureaucracy and red tape to a minimum. An emerging nation is one which sees a mass of red tape and complexities as a sign of of their own status and self-importance.

Over the last few years Thailand has been so wrapped up in creating *very important* classes and subsclasses of Aliens and of making multiple rules about rules for 50 different shades of white so that Aliens can be firmly filed away in the right drawers . . . so much so that now that now Immigration is forced to stand up and take responsibility, they can't.

Because they've made such a complex mess of it all that the now can't remember every single visa contingency that they, themselves, have created. 

 

They are so obsessed with tourists and tourism that all the farang residents (living, working or retired here) are unimportant and a nuisance. 

 

So, tough, if you're tangled up in the red tape of extensions and 90-day exits of the the country or stuck abroad because right now you can't return or worried because with no amnesty you are forced to leave Thailand (and then get stuck outside) - this is because of what an important nation Thailand is and they need all these multiple rules and regulation to prove this.

Because they're the best nation in the world and you are only an mere Alien. So there.