Reversal: Australian embassy will provide visa extension letters

[audaciousnomad]

It seems as the days inch closer to 31-July, we will start to get a more sincere position regarding embassy letters. US and UK have not yet reversed their stance, but our friends from down under who need letters to apply for extensions have a reason to rejoice!

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/expats/in-reversal-australian-embassy-will-provide-visa-extension-letters

“While there has been no announcement on the future of the visa amnesty to date, we understand many people have gone to Immigration to extend their existing visas (or to convert their visas) ahead of the deadline. Furthermore many have been informed that they require a letter from their embassy to do this.”
“Above all its our intent to ensure that we are not an obstacle in this process. As a result, we will be issuing letters (at no fee and via email) to those Australians who send their passport biodata page to c[email protected]. People should expect a reply within 1 – 2 working days.”

 

 

[DrJack54]

I seem to recall that Australia did not issue embassy letters when the emergency extensions were issued months back. 

[audaciousnomad]

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I seem to recall that Australia did not issue embassy letters when the emergency extensions were issued months back. 

Your recollection is correct. Per the article linked, the ambassador further clarified:

“I know previously we said that we would not sign these letters. That was at a time when we were trying to encourage everyone to leave Thailand, but now we can see that it is very hard to leave and we are happy to provide those letters.

[DrJack54]

AU embassy are weak as ****. 

I'm jingjoe.

 

[greggraham]

34 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

“I know previously we said that we would not sign these letters. That was at a time when we were trying to encourage everyone to leave Thailand, but now we can see that it is very hard to leave and we are happy to provide those letters.

I couldn't tell if you'd written this as a joke until I clicked the link and saw it was real ???? 

[Puchaiyank]

Very frustrating trying to get embassies and Thai immigration to make the visa process stable and uniform...

[greggraham]

Anyway, I imagine they will revert back to not issuing letters (at least for a while) now everyone is seemingly good until late September. 

[DrJack54]

54 minutes ago, greggraham said:

Anyway, I imagine they will revert back to not issuing letters (at least for a while) now everyone is seemingly good until late September. 

I think the only folk obtaining extension late September will be those that did not used a 30 or 60 day previously. There won't be any emergency extension available with embassy letter. Au embassy gave a useless non useable support to it's citizens. 

Publicity stunt. Pack of whimps.

[86Tiger]

1 hour ago, Puchaiyank said:

Very frustrating trying to get embassies and Thai immigration to make the visa process stable and uniform...

In my experience Thailand is the only country to put any requirement of action on other national embassies for visa.  It is kinda screwed up like they can't make a decision themselves.

[drbeach]

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I think the only folk obtaining extension late September will be those that did not used a 30 or 60 day previously. There won't be any emergency extension available with embassy letter. Au embassy gave a useless non useable support to it's citizens. 

Publicity stunt. Pack of whimps.

The way I understand it is, an embassy letter will be issued for the purposes of extending one's stay beyond Sep 26, if you can't extend it through existing Thai immigration options (like a 30 or 60 day extension you've already used, or you aren't eligible for a 1-year extension of stay).

 

Seeing that it won't be easy to travel to Australia until they remove the restrictions on incoming passengers, quarantines and current lack of direct flights (THAI is planning to resume service to Australia on Sep 1, assuming they can actually resume flights on that date), these letters will definitely come in handy for some.

 

I presume one can go in any time between Aug 1 and Sep 26 to get this initial 30 day extension using an embassy letter.

[drbeach]

5 minutes ago, 86Tiger said:

In my experience Thailand is the only country to put any requirement of action on other national embassies for visa.  It is kinda screwed up like they can't make a decision themselves.

It's far from the only one. Vietnam requires something similar. And so many others.

[damascase]

i think it is wrong to assume that the AU Embassy will re-start the issuing of income letters as that is a completely different issue........

[DrJack54]

3 hours ago, drbeach said:

I presume one can go in any time between Aug 1 and Sep 26 to get this initial 30 day extension using an embassy letter.

How do you presume that. 

If you have not used your 30day extension to visa exempt or setv etc then sure apply for extension. Also  ME married guys can apply 60 day to visit wife.

Otherwise party over.

No more embassy letter in my thinking.

[DrJack54]

3 hours ago, damascase said:

i think it is wrong to assume that the AU Embassy will re-start the issuing of income letters as that is a completely different issue........

The AU embassy will 1 zillion % not ever again issue income letter.

The "Stat Dec" they did previously was illegal. Au SD is only valid in Australia.

They were previously stuffing up as their normal MO.

[Dumbastheycome]

Where  such letters are and  can be  of assistance so they  should  given that  they have  made it  not so easy  for even Australian  nationals  to waltz on home even if they want to  or  have  to  !

[drbeach]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

How do you presume that. 

If you have not used your 30day extension to visa exempt or setv etc then sure apply for extension. Also  ME married guys can apply 60 day to visit wife.

Otherwise party over.

No more embassy letter in my thinking.

That's exactly what I stated. The wording in the Bangkok Post article is clear. You have until Sep 26 to get your affairs in order. Since 30/60 day extensions are starting on the date of application as long as you apply within the extended amnesty (because that's what it is) you'll be allowed to stay until October/November, respectively, if done in the month of September.

 

Embassy letter - required for extending a tourist or other visa stay where no other option for extension exists. Such as if you can't find a flight out. For 30 days at a time.

[Wongkitlo]

I thought Aus embassy not wanting to issue letters was diplomatic posturing. Why should they help Thailand Immigration demand more stupid paperwork.  How can the embassy be expected to go through each case and assess it's veracity. Just send out countless emails to help Thai Immigration add to their ever growing warehouses of paperwork. When Aus Embassy was semi sure there was going to be another semi amnesty they say they will sign letters. By then they are  not needed but diplomatically good sense. I'm sure the Ambassador has watched Yes Minister.

[jbob]

look like the there has been a reversal of the reversal (about the 4 min mark in video)

 

 

[Wongkitlo]

10 hours ago, jbob said:

look like the there has been a reversal of the reversal (about the 4 min mark in video)

 

 

They aren't needed till after September 26th.