Foreigners in Thailand eagerly await clarification regarding visa amnesty

[GroveHillWanderer]

52 minutes ago, CNXexpat said:

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

 

Why do you need to exit?

Because they have a non-immigrant O, one year multiple-entry visa. This type of visa requires the visa holders to exit and re-enter Thailand every 90 days.

Edited July 14, 2020 by GroveHillWanderer

[AgentSmith]

1 minute ago, vermin on arrival said:

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?

No idea. I'm not a diplomat. ???? I'm still waiting for an answer from my embassy. When I get it and they hand out letters I'll post it here.

[vermin on arrival]

3 minutes ago, AgentSmith said:

No idea. I'm not a diplomat. ???? I'm still waiting for an answer from my embassy. When I get it and they hand out letters I'll post it here.

What is your nationality? So far I have heard, like Germany, US, UK, Australia and Canada are not...I think.

[anchadian]

Even if the amnesty is extended for say another month until 31 August, we will still get a further report on 'Foreigners in Thailand eagerly await clarification regarding visa amnesty'.

 

And so it continues.

Edited July 14, 2020 by anchadian

[freesudani]

I guess my embassy can provide a ltter since the borders of my  country is shut

[RubbaJohnny]

I think the author is in error.

Most people I know are not eager but bored, tired, frustrated and some angry  waiting for their lives and that of their loved ones to be decided by uncaring people who like pavlov's creature only act from hope of reward or fear of punishment.

 

I never expect special or lenent or cheap treatment travelling the globe but in none of over 30 nations I have worked and lived is there such poor policy, tramsparency, consistency and implementation.

[beavenlen]

those people on non imm.'o' visa. normally would do a border bounce, i.e. cross the border then return within the hour or some other short period,who hold a currently valid visa but have had amnesty from border hops,seem never to be mentioned on here,surely i'm not the only one in this position,

[robsamui]

9 minutes ago, Guderian said:

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

Yes - people have lost the ability to use words. "Eagerly awaiting" is what you do coming up to Christmas or a birthday or the start of an annual vacation. 

Instead, here, the vibe is one of pure dread, not excitement.

So maybe the headline should have read . . . "Foreigners are anxiously awaiting their clarification with fear and loathing in Thailand".

[AgentSmith]

1 minute ago, RubbaJohnny said:

I never expect special or lenent or cheap treatment travelling the globe but in none of over 30 nations I have worked and lived is there such poor policy, tramsparency, consistency and implementation.

Try Indonesia... ???? Second worst healthcare in the world, possibly the slowest immigration processes. Covid numbers going through the roof. I'm really glad I'm here tbh.. Don't judge Thailand too harshly. It's a pretty good place to be and in most cases, even now, there will always be a solution. People were able to stay here for quite a few months without having to do absolutely nothing. Keep in mind these are very 'special' times and governments everywhere struggle with finding new policies.

[steve2112]

is anyone even booking flights out of here? my friend booked 2 times and both times the flights got cancelled. are airlines going to start running flights to get expired visa holders out of thailand and then have to return the planes empty? i doubt it.

 

[Ireland32]

1 hour ago, Kaopad999 said:

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

Well I used to do it 4 months here 4 months work 

[david555]

My personal guess is : …. they not give another  amnesty . BUT a 30 day 's to settle your stay ,by  visa ext. or whatever document  has to be arranged , with maybe possible temporary solutions not needing a border hopping for it ,and  in last resort leave Thailand in the 30 days

[Zikomat]

 The immigration is not the right source for the information regarding the amnesty. I remember them asking me a personal photo of myself in the bathroom as well as 10 other ‘important’ documents just a couple of days before the amnesty was declared.

 

[vermin on arrival]

3 minutes ago, david555 said:

My personal guess is : …. they not give another  amnesty . BUT a 30 day 's to settle your stay ,by  visa ext. or whatever document  has to be arranged , with maybe possible temporary solutions not needing a border hopping for it ,and  in last resort leave Thailand in the 30 days

I could see that and work with it now that it appears that no travel bubbles are happening and that the country where my residence is, Taiwan, is not opening up for people in my situation any time soon. I hope they make some announcement soon so people can sort things out in a more timely fashion

[Percy P]

1 hour 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.

Yes. You My be able to get out but it's getting back in. My visa run is either Penang or Bali and both boarders are closed. Where is their to go. I'm on Amnesty extension until the 31st July.

[steve2112]

5 minutes ago, Zikomat said:

 The immigration is not the right source for the information regarding the amnesty. I remember them asking me a personal photo of myself in the bathroom as well as 10 other ‘important’ documents just a couple of days before the amnesty was declared.

 

did they specify ber nung or ber song?

[NightSky]

2 hours 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 ?

 

I already did a 60 day extension before the amnesty .

 

Be like water my friend..

 

Be like water.

 

[JeffersLos]

What does one need to get a 60 day extension based on family?

 

A silly letter from the embassy saying they're Covid free?

 

Or just their marriage certificate, with wife's house book and ID card and signed copies of all? 

[chilly07]

Really hope they extend as the earliest I can apply for my marriage extension is Aug 4 as Jomtien insist on 30 days prior to expiry and Bangkok never seem to be able to turn round my application within the 30 days. At 74 and high risk of covid I cannot queue indefinitely outside or inside the office 

[Percy P]

1 hour ago, CNXexpat said:

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

 

You can have a valid one year validity visa but the requirements is you exist the Kingdom every 90 days

If the visa amnesty isn't extended 

[RubbaJohnny]

14 minutes ago, Zikomat said:

 The immigration is not the right source for the information regarding the amnesty. I remember them asking me a personal photo of myself in the bathroom as well as 10 other ‘important’ documents just a couple of days before the amnesty was declared.

 

Brother a freelance plumber, sister does a bit of "freelance" grouting maybe, they are jsut trying to be helpful.

[Percy P]

1 hour ago, CNXexpat said:

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

 

Why do you need to exit?

You can have a one year validity use visa  but the conditions are that you leave the Kingdom every 90 days but the surrounding boarders are all closed . 

[lee b]

First of all there is no point going to immigration if you have an expired tourist visa and are taking advantage of the visa amnesty, as they dont know what will happen within the next 2 weeks.

 

Book a flight is the only real option at this point

 

[Peter Denis]

1 hour ago, CNXexpat said:

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

...

Your Visa validity date is not relevant once you are in-country.

What is relevant is the permission to stay (or the extension of it) that valid Visa provided you when you entered Thailand.

If that permission to stay date has expired during the Amnesty, you are now on an Amnesty extension. 

And if you are not eligible for an extension of stay (or you used up already the 30-day or 60-day extension of stay which your Visa-entry entitled you to), you will be forced to exit the country before the end of the Amnesty. 

Possible alternatives are:

- An Embassy statement confirming that you are not able to enter your home-country due to border-closures, on which your IO might issue you a temporary permission to stay;

- A 'last minute' extension of the Amnesty period, or a special 30-day extension application option for those unable to leave;

- Applying for an extension, the requirements of which you are not able to meet.  On refusal of that application you will normally be provided 7 days (or shorter) to arrange your things and leave the country.

[BoojamTheKind]

If the amnesty is not extended the real victims will be Thai people. The whole economy is already in a terrible slump. Most of the hotels in Bangkok are closed. All the businesses which cater to foreigners are in a bad way.

 

A decision to expel everyone on visa amnesty would be the last twist of the knife for many businesses. We should feel pity for the Thai people impacted by such an irresponsible and heartless decision, and not be so concerned about ourselves, because we have funds to survive elsewhere. Thai people will be left with nothing.

 

 

[todlad]

I have been here for a few years, on an annual non immigration O multiple entry visa. Renewed every year in Laos. Nice trip, family always went.

 

Now, though, I would like to extend my visa rather than leave Thailand and come back in again. I have been here since February, non stop.

 

Can I simply extend my visa for a year at the immigration office in Khap Cheong, my nearest office?

[Kaopad999]

54 minutes ago, Zikomat said:

 The immigration is not the right source for the information regarding the amnesty.

 

Okay, i will try the local fortune teller then...  

Edited July 14, 2020 by Kaopad999

[BernieOnTour]

1 hour ago, crazykopite said:

to pay for 14 days quarantine in some flea pit hotel that the Thai government have approved

What is the evidence, it will be a flea pit hotel?

 

100 m from my condo is a hotel, where they quarantined 3 bus loads of returnees.

It’s a “Mercure” - not a top hotel, but for sure also not a “flea pit” ...

[Peter Denis]

44 minutes ago, chilly07 said:

Really hope they extend as the earliest I can apply for my marriage extension is Aug 4 as Jomtien insist on 30 days prior to expiry and Bangkok never seem to be able to turn round my application within the 30 days. At 74 and high risk of covid I cannot queue indefinitely outside or inside the office 

You cannot apply at any IO, it has to be done at the IO of the province where you are residing.

Some IOs do allow to apply 45 days before permission to stay expiry.  Even if your local IO applies the 30-day as earliest date to apply for your 1-year extension of stay, they would most probably be lenient on you doing it earlier to avoid overstay after 31 July.  Best to enquire about your Visa situation at your local IO.

[taxin]

1 hour ago, beavenlen said:

those people on non imm.'o' visa. normally would do a border bounce, i.e. cross the border then return within the hour or some other short period,who hold a currently valid visa but have had amnesty from border hops,seem never to be mentioned on here,surely i'm not the only one in this position,

Just my 10 bahts worth of opinion. The immigration see us non O holders being in the same bracket as the tourist on 30 day visa exempt stamps, this may be why we are never mentioned, if the amnesty is not extended we also have to leave.
 

The only difference is the Non O holders will have a higher chance of being able to extend, as a lot will have family here, wives, kids etc.

 

Again just my opinion, but any visa exempt stayers who had at least one extension prior to the amnesty period will find it difficult. The immigration officials will be looking to weed these people out.