Visa amnesty 27th September

[Sundown]

Hey guys, how are you doing?

 

On 27th of September the visa amnesty will end. Do you think the govt will extend it? If not, what "stranded tourists" will do?

 

Have a good day

[ubonjoe]

It ends on September 26th not the 27th.

It is to early to predict whether it will be extended or not.

You have a choice of leaving or doing a extension of your stay of some kind. Getting a letter from your embassy to apply for a 30 day extension is one option.

[Kay McDonnell]

I was at immigration yesterday and today.  they said that tourists will 100% have to leave on the 26th September or apply for a student visa.

[AlfHuy]

student visa?? 555

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, Kay McDonnell said:

I was at immigration yesterday and today.  they said that tourists will 100% have to leave on the 26th September or apply for a student visa.

How would they know.

The government decides on such matters as amnesty not immigration.

[Caldera]

As immigration have put affected foreigners on notice that they need to either extend their "visa" or prepare to leave by September 26th, I wouldn't bank on any additional time to get out in case the government doesn't extend the blanket extension again.

 

What to make of this depends on your personal circumstances. Some qualify for extensions that could be applied for at the very end of the automatic extension. Others don't and might need weeks of preparation to extend their stay.

[Bikke]

49 minutes ago, Kay McDonnell said:

I was at immigration yesterday and today.  they said that tourists will 100% have to leave on the 26th September or apply for a student visa.

My understanding is that you can only apply for a student visa from outside the country?

 

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, Bikke said:

My understanding is that you can only apply for a student visa from outside the country?

 

Actually it is possible to apply for a 90 day non immigrant visa (category ED) entry at immigration to attend a school with the correct supporting documents if on a visa exempt or tourist visa entry.

[The33]

As many others, Im struggling with my visa-situation these days, and would appreciate all the help, input I can get.. Just got back from IO in Nonthaburi frustrated as ...., but I will try to stay accurate and avoid foul language..

I became a father in December, my partner is Thai, so my daughter is mixed, with for now, only Thai passport.. Our plan was to travel back to my home-country when she was big and healthy enough to travel, then covid came around, and my tourist visa expired just days before the amnesty came in to play, so I had to extend, had the paper from my embassy, everything in order to get my "emergency visa"-extension..

As I was talking with the immigration officer, he mentioned and convinced me that it would be better for me doing the 60 day extension to visit my daughter, rather than the 30 day emergency visa, which meant that I would have to go home, to return with my daughter the day after as she had to be there, photographed, etc... Which put me on 1 day overstay, but like the IO said, "its only 500 Baht, no problem for you.."

Well, today it is! As I had 1 day overstay when making that extension, I was told today that I cant transfer to a non o, or any other visa, and now having to leave the country before the 26. of September.. This IO have apparently ruined my chances of staying here taking care of my daughter which is now soon to be 8 months, and having to leave the country means I wont be able to see her for god knows how long...! 

According to the IO there is no option for me, no way of doing it, I would just have to leave the country because of what I look at as their mistake, if he had just given me the emergency visa, instead of his great advice, it wouldnt be a problem today..

This "helpful officer" hasnt been there since the transfer of the 2 allegedly corrupted officers at Nonthaburi not too long ago, which makes me curious if he was one of them, setting me up to make more money of me later on..? He must have known this was gonna create issues for me later on, for sure..!

So like every other frustrated and concerned foreigner on here, any thoughts or advice would be highly appreciated! (I am considering an agent, of course, I would do anything to stay  with my daughter, not miss out on her growing up, but is that 1 day overstay gonna be an issue using them as well..??) 

Usually Ive experienced the immigration at Nonthaburi as pretty helpful, and most of them even service-minded, but my experience from today wan the complete opposite, still got that smile, but still so careless and cold-hearted! 30 day extension using a letter from the embassy wasnt an option neither, as one nice IO-lady in the hallway suggested, but when I went back to ask by the counter it was a cold, fat, no! ???? What to do?? Appreciate all the help, advice that I can get..! Thanks!

[jackdd]

3 hours ago, Sundown said:

If not, what "stranded tourists" will do?

If you are really "stranded", your embassy will probably provide you a letter to request you an extension.

 

As others pointed out already, a further extension won't be decided by immigration, but by the cabinet.

The cabinet meets every Tuesday, here i explained how to look it up: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1170270-how-to-keep-yourself-updated-about-what-happens-after-july-31st/

Immigration was already against the last extension, they also make clear that they are against a further extension (the Cabinet doesn't have to listen to immigration and decide what they want, but i guess to some degree they still do), and considering that the total "amnesty" did last exactly 6 months then (26th march to 26th September), my personal opinion is that a further extension is unlikely.

 

If they should decide to extend it, this will most likely either happen on 15th or 22nd September. If they don't decide to extend it on 22nd September, it's certain that there won't be one. In this case (and if you can't get an embassy letter or a medical extension), you would have 4 days to leave (it should be possible to get a further 6 days by applying for some extension on Friday the 25th and having it denied, giving you "7 days to leave the country")

If you want to be certain to be able to stay, you will have to apply for a non-immigrant visa within the next two weeks (you need to apply at least 15 days in advance), if you are planning to get a non-ED visa, you better get in contact with a school asap, because it takes additional time to get the documents to apply for the conversion ready.

 

Edited August 25, 2020 by jackdd

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, The33 said:

Well, today it is! As I had 1 day overstay when making that extension, I was told today that I cant transfer to a non o, or any other visa, and now having to leave the country before the 26. of September..

The rules only state you cannot be on a overstay when you apply for a non immigrant visa not one in the past. I think they are misreading or twisting the rules as a excuse not to to it.

"DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED MORE THAN 15 DAYS BEFORE VISA EXPIRATION IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION FOR VISA OR VISA STATUS ALTERATION FOR 90 DAYS IF YOU HAVE OVERSTAYED, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR THIS TYPE OF VISA."

Source: https://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/07.pdf 

[jackdd]

15 minutes ago, The33 said:

What to do?? Appreciate all the help, advice that I can get..! Thanks!

They want you to use an agent.

[Zikomat]

1 hour ago, Kay McDonnell said:

I was at immigration yesterday and today.  they said that tourists will 100% have to leave on the 26th September or apply for a student visa.

Yeah, sure

[DrJack54]

19 minutes ago, The33 said:

Appreciate all the help, advice that I can get..! Thanks!

Given your situation and time constraints, personally I would be finding an agent asap. Your imm office has poor track record according to some reports on various threads. 

 

[The33]

Just now, ubonjoe said:

The rules only state you cannot be on a overstay when you apply for a non immigrant visa not one in the past. I think they are misreading or twisting the rules as a excuse not to to it.

"DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED MORE THAN 15 DAYS BEFORE VISA EXPIRATION IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION FOR VISA OR VISA STATUS ALTERATION FOR 90 DAYS IF YOU HAVE OVERSTAYED, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR THIS TYPE OF VISA."

Source: https://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/07.pdf 

Thanks UbonJoe, appreciate your reply, I do use this website a lot when Im wondering about something, noticed that you are up to date ???? Usually I would find the answer to what Im wondering about, but I would say this is a bit of a "special situation".. I guess they might be in the right anyways, as my extension is expired, and Im now her on Amnesty until the 26th? I guess I will just have to do what they seem to want me too then, using an agent... Trying hard not to make any remarks here, but the frustration.. And the lack of empathy from IOs is quite scary, they were gonna operate on a case to case basis now, from my understanding..? Well, they arent, they werent even considering my case, only that thanks to their advice, I had 1 day overstay on previous visa.. I hope you are right Joe, agent might cost me more, but as long as it can be done... The only thing that makes me unable to apply for the Non O, is a stupid advice from one of their own.. Still they arent even willing to listen to hat my case, situation is... My experience with Thai Immigration have always been ok, never had any issues with any officers or anything, but now I can kinda understand how <deleted> off people can get at the IOs at times...!

[jackdd]

1 minute ago, The33 said:

I guess they might be in the right anyways, as my extension is expired, and Im now her on Amnesty until the 26th?

What they told you is wrong, there is no rule against what you plan to do. Which is also why an agent shouldn't have a problem doing it for you.

The only reason for telling you that it's not possible, is to extort money from you.

[Phillip9]

1 hour ago, Bikke said:

My understanding is that you can only apply for a student visa from outside the country?

As others have said, you can get a student visa without leaving the country, but you need to apply immediately.  We have already passed the deadline to apply at many language schools.  It takes 2 weeks to get your application approved by the ministry of education and then you need to apply for your visa.

[The33]

9 minutes ago, jackdd said:

They want you to use an agent.

I assumed the same... One IO that I got in contact with down the hall, told me to ask them about 30 day extension, having a letter from my embassy and so on, seemed like it was an option, but didnt really seem like that were something they would consider providing me with, a big fat no, again.. So I guess they need more money coming in.. Who knows, maybe I will have to move for a month, just to have more pleasant IOs..

But thanks, looks like an agent is my only way of doing something that shouldnt have been an issue in the first place... Thai immigration really needs to separate how they treat a 19 year old tourist coming here for fun wanting to extend, and people having families to take care of here..! ???? 

[Jeffro008]

It was mentioned to me to try for a visit wife and family visa extention this month and not next month, so i went to Puthumthani Immigration today and they looked in passport and said you have 1 more month before you need to apply.

I came in as torist visa then applied wife and family visa then had a Thai Work Permit then company not extend it and then emnesty 

Note - yes it was said the 26th September NOT 27th ok. 

I live and base here but do work around in many countries 

Hope this helps some

[teacherclaire]

2 hours ago, Kay McDonnell said:

I was at immigration yesterday and today.  they said that tourists will 100% have to leave on the 26th September or apply for a student visa.

Can you study TVF posts that make not much sense? 

[Tanoshi]

58 minutes ago, jackdd said:

If you are really "stranded", your embassy will probably provide you a letter to request you an extension.

Immigration deciding what the Embassies should do again!

 

When certain Embassies had this Infographic information brought to their attention they flatly refused to bend over and comply. It's Immigrations problem, not the Embassies.

[Tanoshi]

40 minutes ago, teacherclaire said:

Can you study TVF posts that make not much sense? 

No, that privilege is reserved for teachers only.  ????

[Jeffro008]

50 minutes ago, JeffGroves said:

It was mentioned to me to try for a visit wife and family visa extention this month and not next month, so i went to Puthumthani Immigration today and they looked in passport and said you have 1 more month before you need to apply.

I came in as torist visa then applied wife and family visa then had a Thai Work Permit then company not extend it and then emnesty 

Note - yes it was said the 26th September NOT 27th ok. 

I live and base here but do work around in many countries 

Hope this helps some

Built/construction errected most of the bridge Railways and motorways here since 2005 just for info

 

[JackThompson]

3 hours ago, The33 said:

my tourist visa expired just days before the amnesty came in to play, so I had to extend, had the paper from my embassy, everything in order to get my "emergency visa"-extension..

As I was talking with the immigration officer, he mentioned and convinced me that it would be better for me doing the 60 day extension to visit my daughter, rather than the 30 day emergency visa, which meant that I would have to go home, to return with my daughter the day after as she had to be there, photographed, etc... Which put me on 1 day overstay, but like the IO said, "its only 500 Baht, no problem for you.."

Well, today it is! As I had 1 day overstay when making that extension, I was told today that I cant transfer to a non o, or any other visa, and now having to leave the country before the 26. of September.. This IO have apparently ruined my chances of staying here taking care of my daughter which is now soon to be 8 months, and having to leave the country means I wont be able to see her for god knows how long...! 

A 1 day overstay is no reason to deny anything.  You paid the fine, and got the extension. 

 

3 hours ago, The33 said:

The only thing that makes me unable to apply for the Non O, is a stupid advice from one of their own..

Without that, they might have denied you for a different reason - such as being on the covid-extension - even w/o the 1 day overstay.  They want agent-money - invented a "new reason" to deny "list price" service. 

 

They do this in many cases - but going nuts at some offices with "covid leverage" to extort us.  Some offices are refusing extensions just because you are on the covid-extension - while others don't. They all make up their own rules.  There is no meaningful oversight.

 

3 hours ago, The33 said:

Thai immigration really needs to separate how they treat a 19 year old tourist coming here for fun wanting to extend, and people having families to take care of here..!

They do.  They are MUCH Kinder when you are here as a "tourist" - in my experience.  When I got married, all of a sudden, the nastiness and made-up-bull reasons NOT to provide my 100% legit-extension applications appeared.  

 

Don't think for a second they care about your Thai family - if anything, that seems to make things harder with Immigration, because it gives them Leverage over you - cannot just "pick up sticks" and leave.  They make it MUCH easier to stay on retirement - including much lower agent-fees for agent-arranged extensions.

 

3 hours ago, The33 said:

Im now her on Amnesty until the 26th? I

You are on an "automatic extension" of your last permitted-stay stamp, which was 60-days to visit your Thai family.  It's not an "amnesty" - it is an "automatic extension" granted by the Thai Cabinet.

 

You might want to go to Chiang Wattana - pretending you now live in Bangkok (but don't have your lease, etc with you) - and see what your options are there.  If they will do it, you can temporarily "move" to the CW service-area to get the extension.  This might be a way to avoid an "agent-assisted" payoff-solution.  The only question is if they will do it, given you already "used" your 60-day extension. 

[Jack Hna]

3 hours ago, The33 said:

As many others, Im struggling with my visa-situation these days, and would appreciate all the help, input I can get.. Just got back from IO in Nonthaburi frustrated as ...., but I will try to stay accurate and avoid foul language..

I became a father in December, my partner is Thai, so my daughter is mixed, with for now, only Thai passport.. Our plan was to travel back to my home-country when she was big and healthy enough to travel, then covid came around, and my tourist visa expired just days before the amnesty came in to play, so I had to extend, had the paper from my embassy, everything in order to get my "emergency visa"-extension..

As I was talking with the immigration officer, he mentioned and convinced me that it would be better for me doing the 60 day extension to visit my daughter, rather than the 30 day emergency visa, which meant that I would have to go home, to return with my daughter the day after as she had to be there, photographed, etc... Which put me on 1 day overstay, but like the IO said, "its only 500 Baht, no problem for you.."

Well, today it is! As I had 1 day overstay when making that extension, I was told today that I cant transfer to a non o, or any other visa, and now having to leave the country before the 26. of September.. This IO have apparently ruined my chances of staying here taking care of my daughter which is now soon to be 8 months, and having to leave the country means I wont be able to see her for god knows how long...! 

According to the IO there is no option for me, no way of doing it, I would just have to leave the country because of what I look at as their mistake, if he had just given me the emergency visa, instead of his great advice, it wouldnt be a problem today..

This "helpful officer" hasnt been there since the transfer of the 2 allegedly corrupted officers at Nonthaburi not too long ago, which makes me curious if he was one of them, setting me up to make more money of me later on..? He must have known this was gonna create issues for me later on, for sure..!

So like every other frustrated and concerned foreigner on here, any thoughts or advice would be highly appreciated! (I am considering an agent, of course, I would do anything to stay  with my daughter, not miss out on her growing up, but is that 1 day overstay gonna be an issue using them as well..??) 

Usually Ive experienced the immigration at Nonthaburi as pretty helpful, and most of them even service-minded, but my experience from today wan the complete opposite, still got that smile, but still so careless and cold-hearted! 30 day extension using a letter from the embassy wasnt an option neither, as one nice IO-lady in the hallway suggested, but when I went back to ask by the counter it was a cold, fat, no! ???? What to do?? Appreciate all the help, advice that I can get..! Thanks!

I have been in very similar circumstances and am facing the exact plight you are on at present.

 

When our child was 6 months and I had to jet back to UK within 48 hours of realising I was needed there.

 

Got off the phone drove straight to bigC spent 18k on supplies so the Mrs did not need to do any chores and could concentrate on the child.

 

Was gone for 5 weeks but to be sure I primed her for 2 months before I left.

 

Our child is nearly 4 now and being home based I am privileged to have watched him grow up for the last 4 years and only been out of Thailand for 9 weeks in that entire time.

 

I used non O visa based on being a parent to a Thai child and all I had to get that was my name on birth certificate, copies of my woman's tabien bahn and our sons tabien bahn some other easy to obtain proofs of Mrs.

Sounds like a hurdle but it worked for me for years. Recently I had to show 400k in my bank (Vientiane Dec 2019) but that was a new rule as far as I am aware.

 

All that, got me was 90 days entrance and a further 60 days extension and rinse repeat every 5 months.

 

So now I'm on amnesty and I'm willing to wait until the last 72 hours before booking a flight anywhere. I'm keeping all options open based on a rapid change environment. 

 

It's worth the wait. 

 

Yes you could be outside Thailand for a prolonged period and that is going to be painful.

 

No it will not last as long as all seem to say but you have to wonder what their agenda is for stoking such fear.

 

Be prepared for the worst and be strong for you and the family.

 

Best of luck.

 

 

 

 

[The33]

22 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

a whole lot of points, that made sense...

Well, spot on what Im thinking, feeling here right now... Especially after more or less getting confirmed that it was a bull reason for not to... I have never had any issues dealing with extensions and visas on my own over the years, but it gets hard not to turn to an agent when they start to make up reasons to make you ineligible to apply...

Well, the moving part is tempting, at least giving someone else the agent-money, and not the ones working in this IO..

Guess there isnt any way around using an agent at this point, like you said, they know theyve got the leverage... They know that for most people, leaving your 8 months old child isnt an option... That would also mean that her mom would have to quit working as well, to stay home and take care of our daughter, without the father.. How about Impact Arena, the temporary office there, werent it mentioned that they would have a look at all applications by case-to-case basis..? Maybe thats where I should go, I do feel I have a valid reason to stay.. Talking about how to get foreigners back safely to Thailand, while splitting up families that are already here, safe and healthy..   

 

[The33]

11 minutes ago, Jack Hna said:

I have been in very similar circumstances and am facing the exact plight you are on at present.

 

When our child was 6 months and I had to jet back to UK within 48 hours of realising I was needed there.

 

Got off the phone drove straight to bigC spent 18k on supplies so the Mrs did not need to do any chores and could concentrate on the child.

 

Was gone for 5 weeks but to be sure I primed her for 2 months before I left.

 

Our child is nearly 4 now and being home based I am privileged to have watched him grow up for the last 4 years and only been out of Thailand for 9 weeks in that entire time.

 

I used non O visa based on being a parent to a Thai child and all I had to get that was my name on birth certificate, copies of my woman's tabien bahn and our sons tabien bahn some other easy to obtain proofs of Mrs.

Sounds like a hurdle but it worked for me for years. Recently I had to show 400k in my bank (Vientiane Dec 2019) but that was a new rule as far as I am aware.

 

All that, got me was 90 days entrance and a further 60 days extension and rinse repeat every 5 months.

 

So now I'm on amnesty and I'm willing to wait until the last 72 hours before booking a flight anywhere. I'm keeping all options open based on a rapid change environment. 

 

It's worth the wait. 

 

Yes you could be outside Thailand for a prolonged period and that is going to be painful.

 

No it will not last as long as all seem to say but you have to wonder what their agenda is for stoking such fear.

 

Be prepared for the worst and be strong for you and the family.

 

Best of luck.

 

 

 

 

Thanks, appreciate the advice and good thoughts! It will work out somehow at the end I hope, but it feels hopeless when the authorities are working against you, for no reason... My missus will have to stop working as well  if I leave, as I, just like you, am the one staying home, taking care of our daughter, as the missus works 6 days a week... The bigger issue with me leaving, is my daughter growing up without me being there, and it might be long until Im able to see her again, if I have to leave.. Just quarantine is 10 + 14 days, then the "waiting list" and applying to be allowed to enter...

Im positive for now, that I will find a solution, but its hard not to be frustrated by the way things are done here at times... 

Wish you all the best, good luck there as well, nice to have some good people helping out, giving advice, some good thoughts in these frustrating times, highly appreciated! I know, jai yen yen, I try, but not easy when everything that matters to you, are basically taken away from you, if even just for a shorter period of time ????

[Tanoshi]

@The33

You don't mention your nationality or age.

Such things can make a difference as to your options.

[Coronazorro]

Anyone considering Cambodia as a last minute resort? If I’m right the extra cost would be just 150 USD for the tests if you get lucky and nobody test positive in your flight.

[Maestro]

Removed a troll post (unhelpful comment)