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

[fakser]

On 7/25/2020 at 5:22 AM, zzzzz said:

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

I left Thailand on Dec 2019.

My Non Imm. O visa expired last week. Jul 17, 2020

Of course I could not extend it because I was unable to enter the Kingdom.

No one in Immigration or Thai consulate in my country can give me an answer, what to do.

Any one has an idea?

Thanks,

Fakser

[ubonjoe]

21 minutes ago, fakser said:

No one in Immigration or Thai consulate in my country can give me an answer, what to do.

Any one has an idea?

What was your non-o visa (or extension of stay) based upon (marriage or retirement).

Your visa or extension is invalid now. You can only apply for new one.

If married to a Thai you could apply for a certificate of entry at the embassy where your are located if you want to return to Thailand.

[BritTim]

24 minutes ago, fakser said:

I left Thailand on Dec 2019.

My Non Imm. O visa expired last week. Jul 17, 2020

Of course I could not extend it because I was unable to enter the Kingdom.

No one in Immigration or Thai consulate in my country can give me an answer, what to do.

Any one has an idea?

Thanks,

Fakser

I assume you were on an extension of stay, but it is unclear from your post whether this was due to retirement, Thai spouse or some other reason. If you have a Thai spouse and/or child, contact the embassy in your home country. It may be possible to arrange your return, though the process is involved and involves expense. If you are a retiree with no Thai family, there is currently no mechanism by which you can return. You will need to wait things out for a few months at least.

[webfact]

September 26 deadline for tourist and transit visa, VoA holders to leave country

By The Naion

 

 

The Immigration Bureau has said that foreigners with transit or tourist visas or visa on arrival (VoA), whose stay was extended due to the Covid-19 outbreak, must leave the country by September 26.

 

The Cabinet recently approved the extension of stay for foreigners stranded in Thailand until September 26.

 

Foreigners have to submit an application for extension or prepare for departure and make a 90-day notification of residence within the specified period of time.

 

1. Short-term visa holders (tourist visa, transit visa, visa on arrival) and those granted visa exemption have to prepare to depart the Kingdom by September 26, except if the following reasons apply:

 

1.1 In case of illness:

- Bring a medical certificate to contact a local immigration office

 

1.2 In case of having other obstacles such as no flights available or having an outbreak situation:

- Contact an embassy or consulate to issue a letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay and bring it to the local immigration office. Each permission will be granted for not more than 30 days.

 

2. Long-term visa holders have to submit an application for extension.

 

Application for extension should be submitted at each local immigration office. All types of visa extension will be effective from September 27. To avoid overcrowding, applicants have been urged to apply in advance.

 

3. Notification of residence:

- A 90-day notification of residence for the period March 26 to July 31 must be made from August 1-31, through specified channels.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30391961

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-07-26

 

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[Yorkshire Tea]

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

 

1. Short-term visa holders (tourist visa, transit visa, visa on arrival) and those granted visa exemption have to prepare to depart the Kingdom by September 26, except if the following reasons apply:

 

 

What an insane policy!  Kicking out tourists when they aren't being replaced.  Just issue 30 day extensions at 1900 baht a pop.  govt gets some income, local tourist business get some income & tourists avoid stress of flying back to countries with high infection rates.  Everyone's a winner, apart from the whining long term retirees who've jumped thru all the hoops to extend their stay ????

[CorpusChristie]

11 minutes ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

What an insane policy!  Kicking out tourists when they aren't being replaced.  Just issue 30 day extensions at 1900 baht a pop.  govt gets some income, local tourist business get some income & tourists avoid stress of flying back to countries with high infection rates.  Everyone's a winner, apart from the whining long term retirees who've jumped thru all the hoops to extend their stay ????

Tourists arent being kicked out though and any "tourist" who has to leave by September 26 th would have been in Thailand for at least seven months already 

[GeorgeCross]

26 minutes ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

What an insane policy!  Kicking out tourists when they aren't being replaced.  Just issue 30 day extensions at 1900 baht a pop.  govt gets some income, local tourist business get some income & tourists avoid stress of flying back to countries with high infection rates.  Everyone's a winner, apart from the whining long term retirees who've jumped thru all the hoops to extend their stay ????

 

great idea, i'd be happy to go back to monthly renewals, parents too, thats 2M baht we could withdraw from Thailand straight away!! result!

 

[Yorkshire Tea]

2 minutes ago, GeorgeCross said:

 

great idea, i'd be happy to go back to monthly renewals, parents too, thats 2M baht we could withdraw from Thailand straight away!! result!

 

Not sure what visa you're on, but probably wouldn't work long term, I guess.  I just don't understand why they want short term visa holders out.  As long as they have money to be a long term tourist, why should anyone care?  Doesn't affect me.  I'm on non-O ME & will have to do 1 year extension.  

[samisaurus]

Not sure why government is hell-bent on getting rid of those that do border runs and such , especially since no one is coming in and doesnt seem like Thai borders will open soon. Given that China has had flare ups and Vietnam just had its first case out of nowhere in last few days, whilst Europe seems to be entering lockdowns again...makes sense to keep people around. If there's 200k aliens (a number i've seen thrown around) on let's say tourist visa , and if each spends $10 a day minimum... that's $2 million a day that they've just tossed out the country. That being said... I've started making plans to leave Sep 26th. 

Edited July 26, 2020 by samisaurus
Typo

[marvin1950]

The Nation newspaper is not an offical source of the Thai Cabinet minutes of proposed changes

 

I was told the official notification is published in the Royal Gazette.

for expats living in Thailand 90 day reporting is deferred until September 26

Edited July 26, 2020 by marvin1950
additional

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

apart from the whining long term retirees who've jumped thru all the hoops to extend their stay ????

I agreed with your post up till this rant.

You would be surprised how many "long term retirees" have assisted "tourists" in the past with ways of staying longer than "normal" in los. Cannot remember how many times I have advised inexperienced folk about such things as border entries 2 per year. Airports to avoid. etc etc.

The order to plan your one year+ stay.

Stop boring mantra.

Edited July 26, 2020 by DrJack54

[Yorkshire Tea]

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I agreed with your post up till this rant.

You would be surprised how many "long term retirees" have assisted "tourists" in the past with ways of staying longer than "normal" in los. Cannot remember how many times I have advised inexperienced folk about such things as border entries 2 per year. Airports to avoid. etc etc.

The order to plan your one year+ stay.

Stop boring mantra.

My comment was directed at the TV members that constantly post complaints about short term visitors "freeloading' on the visa amnesty, & hoping for them to be forced out.  Doesn't sound like you're one of them. 

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

My comment was directed at the TV members that constantly post complaints about short term visitors "freeloading' on the visa amnesty, & hoping for them to be forced out.  Doesn't sound like you're one of them. 

Yeah, I with you on that. Personally can't understand it. I so enjoy when I go Saigon (monthly) and talk to the backpackers. So many nice stories. 

Same my town Bangkok. Chat with tourists so much more positive than the old complaining folk. BTW I'm on extensions RE.

Might be wrong...did I read above your on ME marriage. What's your plan pre end of amnesty. Obtain extension then obtain non o marriage and annual extension?

 

[samisaurus]

I dont mean to hijack the thread but im here on tourist 60 day visa and had my extension already.... would seeking out an agent help in extending my stay. Is there a way to get some sort of visa without having to leave come September 26th?  

 

Just curious what my options might be 

Edited July 26, 2020 by samisaurus
Addition

[cheddarburger]

On 7/25/2020 at 6:43 AM, 0815 said:

That's why people should act early as possible now.
Find an immigration office that can help or an agent who can do it.

Can I go to any office in Thailand?  I thought have to go to office near where I live.  What are best offices?

[cheddarburger]

7 minutes ago, samisaurus said:

I dont mean to hijack the thread but im here on tourist 60 day visa and had my extension already.... would seeking out an agent help in extending my stay. Is there a way to get some sort of visa without having to leave come September 26th?  

 

Just curious what my options might be 

I am on similar situation but I did not use normal 30 day extension, but I think maybe it does not matter.

 

Thai government has been very understanding to now.  I wish they continue.  Happy to pay 1900 baht fee to stay every month and spend my money here!  Best is pay for many months stay in one visit.  12000 baht for 6 month stay okay for me if it is offered.

[samisaurus]

Just now, cheddarburger said:

I am on similar situation but I did not use normal 30 day extension, but I think maybe it does not matter.

 

Thai government has been very understanding to now.  I wish they continue.  Happy to pay 1900 baht fee to stay every month and spend my money here!  Best is pay for many months stay in one visit.  12000 baht for 6 month stay okay for me if it is offered.

100% Agree 

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, cheddarburger said:

am on similar situation but I did not use normal 30 day extension, but I think maybe it does not matter.

You can obtain a 30 day extension that will be dated Sept 26 onward if you have not obtained 30 day extension previously.

If your under 50 or not married to Thai then that's your last option.

Apart from that you could look for creative agent and perhaps obtain Ed visa etc. That may run into big bucks. Or you can go back to own country.

Up to You.

[jacob29]

5 hours ago, samisaurus said:

I dont mean to hijack the thread but im here on tourist 60 day visa and had my extension already.... would seeking out an agent help in extending my stay. Is there a way to get some sort of visa without having to leave come September 26th?

I think you have options, provided you haven't had the '7 days to leave' stamp already (e.g. extension denied). At Jomtien immigration, agents near the queue were openly offering 1-3 month extensions to people waiting - quite pushy about it in fact. Prices started at 15-20k+ from memory. I don't know what kind of visa they use, but I feel it can't be so under the table to openly offer it like this to all and sundry. I read it maybe leverages a medical visa, technically legal but 'off label' so to speak - but really I'm not sure.

[samisaurus]

4 minutes ago, jacob29 said:

I think you have options, provided you haven't had the '7 days to leave' stamp already (e.g. extension denied). At Jomtien immigration, agents near the queue were openly offering 1-3 month extensions to people waiting - quite pushy about it in fact. Prices started at 15-20k+ from memory. I don't know what kind of visa they use, but I feel it can't be so under the table to openly offer it like this to all and sundry. I read it maybe leverages a medical visa, technically legal but 'off label' so to speak - but really I'm not sure.

Thanks Jacob, much appreciated 

[innosiem]

On 7/25/2020 at 8:30 PM, Max69xl said:

Many on ME don't meet the requirements for 1 year extensions. 

you may assume this
from what i see here and from those i speak with who are on ME, most stuck here can meet the requirements 
and i say "stuck" as those on ME visa's usually travel like myself
and do not really want to be here full time 365 days a year and never going anywhere else

TVF members on 1 year extensions (usually those on retirement extensions not even marriage)
just assume, EVERYONE that is not on a 1 year extension just like they are putting money in the bank like they did
must not be able to meet the financial requirements like them, which is completely false
yes there may be a few that cannot meet the requirements, they are the few
and they will need to do whatever they must do,
we are not really here to discuss how the few can dodge the legal requirements
but the steps people must take to remain here LEGALLY
so the exceptions are of no concern and not worth discussing.
and certainly not worthy of being brought into discussions by those who are not even on ME marriage visa's

[Phillip9]

13 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You can obtain a 30 day extension that will be dated Sept 26 onward if you have not obtained 30 day extension previously.

Has anyone actually reported getting this final extension yet?  I am in the same situation.  I arrived visa exempt and haven’t used my extension.  I am curious if there has been confirmation that I can extend once until October 26.

 

 

[DrJack54]

21 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

Has anyone actually reported getting this final extension yet?  I am in the same situation.  I arrived visa exempt and haven’t used my extension.  I am curious if there has been confirmation that I can extend once until October 26.

 

 

You can obtain extension to your visa exempt entry. 1900baht 30 day.

[Bangkok Barry]

16 hours ago, CorpusChristie said:

17 hours ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

What an insane policy!  Kicking out tourists when they aren't being replaced.  Just issue 30 day extensions at 1900 baht a pop.  govt gets some income, local tourist business get some income & tourists avoid stress of flying back to countries with high infection rates.  Everyone's a winner, apart from the whining long term retirees who've jumped thru all the hoops to extend their stay ????

Tourists arent being kicked out though and any "tourist" who has to leave by September 26 th would have been in Thailand for at least seven months already 

Yes, and spending money every day. Why does it matter how long they've been in Thailand? They are a plus for the economy, not a minus. They are being told to get out, no matter what, for no logical reason. none at all.

[CorpusChristie]

42 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Yes, and spending money every day. Why does it matter how long they've been in Thailand? They are a plus for the economy, not a minus. They are being told to get out, no matter what, for no logical reason. none at all.

We , I am one them them, been here on a visa exempt since January , we've been given two months to get proper visas sorted out or we have to go home , same as before Corona hit 

[BritTim]

46 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Yes, and spending money every day. Why does it matter how long they've been in Thailand? They are a plus for the economy, not a minus. They are being told to get out, no matter what, for no logical reason. none at all.

I happen to agree that keeping (most) foreigners here is a plus for the economy. Most senior officials in immigration look at things a narrower way. They see people here for many months or years as tourists as violating the conditions under which they were allowed entry into Thailand. Their view is "they said they were coming for a short visit, and refuse to leave". The mantra "no one should be a tourist for more than six months a year", actually shared by some members here, is very strongly held by many senior officials. They are going to press very hard for tourists to be out by September 26th.

[Bangkok Barry]

9 minutes ago, BritTim said:

I happen to agree that keeping (most) foreigners here is a plus for the economy. Most senior officials in immigration look at things a narrower way. They see people here for many months or years as tourists as violating the conditions under which they were allowed entry into Thailand. Their view is "they said they were coming for a short visit, and refuse to leave". The mantra "no one should be a tourist for more than six months a year", actually shared by some members here, is very strongly held by many senior officials. They are going to press very hard for tourists to be out by September 26th.

I agree that some abused the 'privilege' of being allowed to stay in Thailand spending money. But these are exceptional circumstances which, at present, show no signs of changing for the better. Quite the opposite, with just about everywhere that has tried to lift restrictions suffering from a rise in Covid cases. Thailand has done well in keeping the country almost free of the virus, but now they are perfectly happy to demand that anyone who was encouraged to visit the country as a tourist now return to countries that might be suffering hundreds or thousands of new cases a day. And for no reason at all except we don't want you in our country. Very nice of them.

[scoupeo]

Let's do nothing until September 25th and see if they jail + deport 300000 people ?

if foreigners had balls, we would be treated as we deserve !

#farangLifeMatters

[CorpusChristie]

7 minutes ago, scoupeo said:

Let's do nothing until September 25th and see if they jail + deport 300000 people ?

if foreigners had balls, we would be treated as we deserve !

#farangLifeMatters

We have been treated very well so far , (bar having to get Embassy letters for extensions )

If you want to go on overstay , you will get a 500 Baht a day fine and a possible blacklisting from Thailand , it will probably happen at an airport when you leave , so, there wont be 300 000 of you all together at once

[JackThompson]

On 7/25/2020 at 12:45 PM, triplez said:

I entered on a 1 year ME non-B visa (for conducting business), permission to stay expired in June, visa is valid until October. No work permit applied for yet. 
Do you think as per the new announcement, I will be able to get a new (extended) permission to stay based on the fact that I would like to apply for a work permit (and the employment office doesn't accept it if the permission to stay is expired, even if on amnesty)? 

The visa's expiration date means nothing unless you could use it (reasonably) to leave/return to Thailand. 

 

You would not be able to get a non-b extension only if:

1) Your are a teacher (new policy announced for them, per Richard Barrow)

2a) Your labor-office will issue a work-permit-approval letter, which could be used at immigration to get the extension.

2b) Immigration will issue an extension-of-stay from your Non-B visa-entry and work-permit-approval letter.

Lawyers advertise being able to do 2a and 2b without leaving Thailand - including a 90-day non-b "change of visa type," if one entered with a TR entry.