Thai immigration clarifies situation for tourists and long term visa holders during amnesty period

 

 

 

Thailand’s Immgiration Bureau have released more details regarding the visa amnesty.

 

An infographic shared on Friday confirms the extension of the visa amnesty to 26 September 2020.

 

Immigration also clarified the situation for tourists and those staying in Thailand on tourist visas, as well as expats who are required to complete a 90 day report.

 

According to the announcement, short term visa holders - those staying in Thailand on tourist visas, visa exempt or visa on arrival - “have to prepare for departing the Kingdom within September 26, 2020”. 

 

There are a few exceptions to this, however, namely on medical grounds or not being able to get a flight home due to the COVID-19 situation, but any other tourist should now be making preparations to leave Thailand by 26 September.

 

For long term expats and those wishing to apply for an extension of stay, such as it being based on retirement, marriage or being a parent to a Thai child, you should apply for the extension at your local immigration office between now and 26 September.

 

Immigration also states that anyone who was due to do a 90 day report between 26 March and 31 July needs to complete one before 31 August if not already done so. 

 

Foreigners in Thailand should be aware that the penalties for overstay will come into effect on 27 September.

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-07-25

 

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as usual , every office will interpret all this their own way, sometimes it seems, simply because they cannot understand it

2 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

For long term expats and those wishing to apply for an extension of stay, such as it being based on retirement, marriage or being a parent to a Thai child, you should apply for the extension at your local immigration office between now and 26 September.

My annual extension (retirement) is due early November. 

When am supposed to do it? 

Prior to Sept 26? 

 

all makes perfect sense to me

if ur on an extension do everything as you have always done before, (yearly extension, 90 day)  

If you haven't done a 90 day since march 26th you have between August 1-31st to do so.

If ur on a VISA  get everything in line by sept 26th or be prepared to leave asap

If you need change to a Non B or...get ur paper work in order before Sept 26th

Edited July 25, 20205 yr by zzzzz

wow. it's looking like the party is over for those on multiple entry visas.

 

extend or leave, under the current circumstances, is harsh

 

i hope borders reopen soon i don't want to see families broken up

 

4 minutes ago, GeorgeCross said:

wow. it's looking like the party is over for those on multiple entry visas.

 

extend or leave, under the current circumstances, is harsh

 

i hope borders reopen soon i don't want to see families broken up

 

what party ?
i am on ME 
get a 60 day til end November and a 1 year if i must, it is no biggie

many on ME just have not had the need to get a 1 year extension until now
as many like myself simply do not usually stay here 90 days at a time 
(yes i can meet all requirements)

what is it on TVF with the descending attitude towards those on ME visas ?

just did my 90 day as normal , next january do my marriage visa ,easiest ,then there are no comebacks ,you know how it is ,every office different rules.

37 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My annual extension (retirement) is due early November. 

When am supposed to do it? 

Prior to Sept 26? 

 

you only need to do a 90 day report before Aug 31st
and that is only if you have not done your usual report by now (during the amnesty)
you are not on amnesty apart from 90 day reports
so next action would be to do yearly extension as usual

(now i see why you are bitter at those who stay on ME marriage visa's) ????

 

Edited July 25, 20205 yr by innosiem

5 minutes ago, innosiem said:

i am on ME 
get a 60 day til end November and a 1 year if i must, it is no biggie

Some ME folk have already used their 60 day extension. Some offices will not issue non o without permission of stay in passport. Those folk need attend immigration and check requirements.

Edited July 25, 20205 yr by DrJack54

What abt those with long term visa that expired (non b, extension stay) and will like to apply for another new long term visa, such as Ed visa or thailand elite?  

43 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My annual extension (retirement) is due early November. 

When am supposed to do it? 

Prior to Sept 26? 

 

On the due date. The amnesty only excused you 90 day reports but I would do any 90 day report when it's due.

8 minutes ago, innosiem said:

what is it on TVF with the descending attitude towards those on ME visas ?

It's a descending attitude toward all other farangs who aren't them. The Covid and amnesty situation, and their "get out!" response, have been quite telling.

 

I've heard it said more than a few times during my time in Thailand, be wary of the other farangs, for they may have had a good reason for leaving their home countries.

2 minutes ago, Wendynacchan said:

What abt those with long term visa that expired (non b, extension stay) and will like to apply for another new long term visa, such as Ed visa or thailand elite?  

Go to your local Imm' office and ask is the easy answer.

46 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My annual extension (retirement) is due early November. 

When am supposed to do it? 

Prior to Sept 26? 

 

No, why would you do that. You are already using a valid extension and not the amnesty. You will renew you yearly extension as normal. The only thing you have to care about is the difference about the 90 day reports.

17 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Some ME folk have already used their 60 day extension. Some offices will not issue non o without permission of stay in passport. Those folk need attend immigration and check requirements.

we all know what the requirements are and the few that used up their 60 day extensions, obviously need to apply for 1 year extension
really not that difficult to work out

for those who cannot meet the requirements.............????‍♂️
nothing i can say to them, they should have known this day may come even without C19
for myself it is not a concern
and what offices will and will not do is office by office
again anyone that cannot meet requirements should have been prepared
those who can meet requirements and have used 60 day already
just need to pay an agent as they must use a corrupt IO
there is no surprise here, and i will doubt you will hear many complaints from those in this situation

it seems people on retirement visa's complain more about these situations
than the few people that are in actually on ME marriage visa's and in the said situations ????
 

Edited July 25, 20205 yr by innosiem

I don't take a chance with my 90 days due to misunderstanding and report when it needed, take me 5 min. online...

11 minutes ago, CrunchWrapSupreme said:

It's a descending attitude toward all other farangs who aren't them. The Covid and amnesty situation, and their "get out!" response, have been quite telling.

 

I've heard it said more than a few times during my time in Thailand, be wary of the other farangs, for they may have had a good reason for leaving their home countries.

Most of the ones who get all mouthy about it in my experience are those on retirement extensions, bought through agents because they don't have the income or lump sum in the bank. 99% don't know the difference between a visa or an extension anyway. Some just get P'd off because they are stuck where they are and can't afford to do any travelling and enjoy a decent retirement.

They have to take it out on someone.

Clarify? Isn't this more or less the exact same information/wording as yesterday?

 

Why the need to clarify btw, cant get much clearer

Edited July 25, 20205 yr by MrMilk

If  you now have to do a 90 report by August 31, can you do it online?

 

The picture will be a lot clearer in the next 2-3 weeks when reports start to come in what's actually being done. Instead of the guessing games on the forum that's mostly being done.

If for example NON-O ME visa holders gets a second 60 day extension, that would be very noteworthy, but I guess also very unlikely.

19 minutes ago, stoicccc said:

The picture will be a lot clearer in the next 2-3 weeks when reports start to come in what's actually being done. Instead of the guessing games on the forum that's mostly being done.

If for example NON-O ME visa holders gets a second 60 day extension, that would be very noteworthy, but I guess also very unlikely.

Non O ME holders have been given the option to convert to an extension based on being married.

If they have used their 60 days they have until 26 Sept to apply for that extension ( lump sum or income proof )

Without the money or income proof they 'may' get 60 days, if they haven't used their 60 days, on 26th Sept or they 'may' get 30 days 

( with an embassy letter ).

They have to check with their local Imm' office.

Edited July 25, 20205 yr by overherebc

1 hour ago, CrunchWrapSupreme said:

It's a descending attitude toward all other farangs who aren't them. The Covid and amnesty situation, and their "get out!" response, have been quite telling.

 

I've heard it said more than a few times during my time in Thailand, be wary of the other farangs, for they may have had a good reason for leaving their home countries.

Tell me, I reckon that the TI's handling of the Covid situation makes perfect sense. Do I have a condescending attitude?

 

I still have not seen an "official announcement" from the Thai Cabinet published in Thai and translated to English published anywhere.

News coming from Immigration is not official.

Immigration just implements and enforces what the Thai Cabinet approves and is signed off by the Prime Minister.

Anyone have or seen such document?

 

1 hour ago, innosiem said:

you only need to do a 90 day report before Aug 31st
and that is only if you have not done your usual report by now (during the amnesty)
you are not on amnesty apart from 90 day reports
so next action would be to do yearly extension as usual

(now i see why you are bitter at those who stay on ME marriage visa's) ????

 

Well that is not what it says,  its what you think it says. Which isn't helpful. The long term description uses the conjunction "and" , which in essence means all long term visa holders needing and not needing an extension must extend by Sept 26. Of course that means a separate trip to immigration with thai translator because: a) immigration didnt clarify their clarification correctly b) TV didn't translate correctly.

57 minutes ago, marvin1950 said:

If  you now have to do a 90 report by August 31, can you do it online?

 

I don't think so.

I have been keeping my 90 days reports "up to date" and recently renewed online. I tried 2 days earlier than required ( 12 days before, instead of 10 days) and it wasn't accepted.

So I can imagine anyone whose 90 day report is overdue will not be able to do it online.

 

It is possible the immigration bureau has removed this restriction, but somehow I don't think they are so technically minded.

13 minutes ago, Curmudgeon1 said:

Well that is not what it says,  its what you think it says. Which isn't helpful. The long term description uses the conjunction "and" , which in essence means all long term visa holders needing and not needing an extension must extend by Sept 26. Of course that means a separate trip to immigration with thai translator because: a) immigration didnt clarify their clarification correctly b) TV didn't translate correctly.

You do know the difference between a visa and an extension?

If on an extension already all you have to do is a 90 day report before 31 August.

That is the only effect if on an extension already.

35 minutes ago, Curmudgeon1 said:

(snip) which in essence means all long term visa holders needing and not needing an extension must extend by Sept 26. 

Why would someone "not needing an extension" have to renew their extension by the 26th September? Your post is illogical, makes no sense and is incorrect.

Edited July 25, 20205 yr by KarenBravo

I’m on a METV and covered by the previous amnesty until July 31st. 
 

With new amnesty in place, does this imply I’m automatically on amnesty again until sept. 26?
 

My plan was to extend 30 days just before July 31st, but for now, does this mean I can wait to extend by Sept. 26 - right? 
 

That would then put me until Oct. 26 after 30 day extension.

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

My annual extension (retirement) is due early November. 

When am supposed to do it? 

Prior to Sept 26? 

 

No, do it when due (or up to 30 days before)

 

what is a bit unclear is the situation of anyone whose permission of stay already lapsed during the amnesty and did not apply for an extension before then. . It sounds like they would still be able to apply for an extension and that everyone will be treated as if their current permission of stay ran through Sept 26  but this is not fully clear and IOs may vary in their interpretation.

5 minutes ago, racket said:

I’m on a METV and covered by the previous amnesty until July 31st. 
 

With new amnesty in place, does this imply I’m automatically on amnesty again until sept. 26?
 

My plan was to extend 30 days just before July 31st, but for now, does this mean I can wait to extend by Sept. 26 - right? 
 

That would then put me until Oct. 26 after 30 day extension.

 

that is how I read it, but best to confirm with your Imm office.