10 minutes ago, Coronazorro said:

Time to run! Any cheap Covid test in Bangkok? Airlines are requiring it for boarding 

Not all, but some.  If you transit in Dubai or Qatar you'll need it.  Even for transit. 

I would like to thank the moderators and some other senior members here for their sincere efforts to help. However, I don't understand why many long term expats keep scolding newbies for not being able to fathom that bribe money is the law of the land here. I'm far from new to Thailand, but never stayed long enough to need a long term visa. I worked in three other Asian countries and came here for vacation or healthcare. I never would have guessed just how outrageously corrupt it is. I am a perfect candidate for a retirement visa now, but when I asked at my local IO they said either I had to leave the country to start the process or "Wait, the government will make an announcement." What they can't say, but is true, is "You're not getting anything without an agent." And now it's too late unless I find a way around the going from an embassy letter extension to a visa mess. People are very upset and stressed, and if your one big accomplishment in life is knowing how to game Thailand's immigration system and then flaunt it, I feel sorry for you. I'll never feel the same about this country or many of the expats it attracts again.

8 minutes ago, JacksSmirkingRevenge said:

Not all, but some.  If you transit in Dubai or Qatar you'll need it.  Even for transit. 

Actually Qatar Airways only requires it for departures from the following countries:

 

Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Iran, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines Russia and Sri Lanka

20 minutes ago, JacksSmirkingRevenge said:

Not all, but some.  If you transit in Dubai or Qatar you'll need it.  Even for transit. 

Qatar was only requiring it for certain countries, and Bangkok was not on the list.

4 minutes ago, FlyingThai said:

Yes it's corrupt. And the corruption is still cheap which is the beauty of it. It wasn't worth it to you to pay 55,000 Baht ($1,800) to get your visa affairs in order because you "feel" like you're the perfect retirement candidate for Thailand and hence they shall except you on the spot?

 

In other words you were too cheap to pay up when it was time, hoping something would swing your way. Newsflash: Thailand doesn't care about your feelings.

This will get pulled off here, but at least I'll get to say it. You should get a life. What I meant was I have the money, but didn't want to get scammed, didn't know who to trust and had already read about some visas not being legit. All I asked the IM for was a list of the requirements and those were the answers I got. Why are you on here? You're not helping anyone. You're just being abusive.

50 minutes ago, BritTim said:

That is not my recollection. Indeed, by the second week of July, I was predicting an extension of the amnesty, or at least an easy way to stay, based on the lack of a clear announcement either way. Now, there is a clear announcement that those on short term permissions to stay must leave by September 26. There is a small chance that the cabinet could reverse themselves, but it is unlikely.

I don't find the news which i have in mind, but back then there was a news with an immigration quote which said something like "you either have to get an extension or leave before 31st July" in a quite direct manner.

But i came across this news: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1173372-thailand-to-offer-grace-period-for-foreigners%E2%80%99-visa-extensions/

So in the middle of July immigration said they propose a grace period. Me and probably many other people would have understood this as: The cabinet will either accept this proposal, or if they decline it the regular rules will apply. But the result was that the Cabinet granted a further automatic extension. So even if in this case they didn't say it directly, many people probably understood it as the "amnesty" is going to end.

If 6 weeks ago after the automatic extensions a grace period made sense, shouldn't then now the next step be a grace period instead of switching back to the regular rules immediately?

Quote

Cabinet approves long-term tourist visas 90x90x90

on the news lately, these are for new tourist coming into Thailand and willing do 14-day quarantine, i'm curious to know what about the tourist that is already in Thailand, i believed that they will allow tourist that's already here to get 90 days ext and so forth.

2 minutes ago, vinci said:

on the news lately, these are for new tourist coming into Thailand and willing do 14-day quarantine, i'm curious to know what about the tourist that is already here.

You are in the wrong thread, have a look here:

 

I don't expect there will be an extension of the amnesty so I finally bit the bullet and went to CW yesterday to apply for my extension. Of course I understand this is not an option for everyone, but in my case I should be eligible for a 1 year extension, and while I went with the expectation of having to return with more papers, it was a bit of a roller coaster, but in the end they were reasonable and accepted my application and I left with the 30 days "under consideration" stamp. 

16 hours ago, lovesthespicy said:

I would think if its coming it would be today. I can't imagine they wait till next Tuesday and say oh yeah everyone your good to stay dont go home in 3 days! 

 

Their was a recent statement about not waiting to the last minute to go down to immigration to extend or change visas.. Seems like most embassies are already giving letters. They may just leave it as a get letter and extend for 1900 for 30 day thing. That could be why so many consulates changed their stance on giving letters.

Why can't people return home? Yes, there are a few countries where flights are difficult or non- existent. Anybody from Europe can return. But it may be more of a "don't want to" as many never were genuine tourists. 

???? 
https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2020/09/06/visa-amnesty-ends-september-26th-30-day-extensions-focus-long-stay-holders/

Yes a sad day indeed ????

First no amnesty extension yet.

2nd no follow up on the promises of 'updates on visa procedure easing due to continued covid' before 15th from bkk immi?

Instead the surprise incoming tourist visa approval which puts the ignored 'amnesty people' in even darker light ????

Inflammatory post reported and removed. 

 

23 minutes ago, worldfun said:

Yes a sad day indeed ????

First no amnesty extension yet.

There were repeated announcements that there will be no further extensions to amnesty and those currently under visa amnesty have until sept 26th to sort out their affairs - Nothing has changed. 

 

Why are people expecting further Amnesty ? wishful thinking has somehow been quoted as statements of fact on this forum by poster simply guessing. 

 

 

23 minutes ago, worldfun said:

2nd no follow up on the promises of 'updates on visa procedure easing due to continued covid' before 15th from bkk immi?

Was there ever a statement implying thee would be a follow up and easing of procedures? 

 

 

23 minutes ago, worldfun said:

Instead the surprise incoming tourist visa approval which puts the ignored 'amnesty people' in even darker light ????

Hardly a surprise, numerous news reports have been reporting on numerous ideas to bring in more tourists in a manner which can be accepted by the cabinet. 

 

'Amnesty people’ have not been ignored. Firstly, they were actually given amnesty, secondly they had amnesty for a good few months along with an extension and were then very clearly made aware of a deadline (26th Sept). Thirdly, those unable to make it out due to no flights or cancelled flights, or for medical reasons will be given further amnesty. 

 

I’m not sure where the darkness you talk of is. The information is quite clear. 

 

That said, some people have become stuck, but that is primarily because they have struggled to ’season’ money for visa’s etc. There is was still the ‘agent route’ which many took, but the deadline seems to be closing for that. 

 

I’m sympathetic to the genuine cases where people with family are getting caught out. But it also seems there are those who have gambled on further extension and may now get caught out. 

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, JacksSmirkingRevenge said:

Not all, but some.  If you transit in Dubai or Qatar you'll need it.  Even for transit. 

Yes, I contacted the airlines, also in Abu Dhabi 

58 minutes ago, Letseng said:

Why can't people return home? Yes, there are a few countries where flights are difficult or non- existent. Anybody from Europe can return. But it may be more of a "don't want to" as many never were genuine tourists. 

Why do you assume "home" is always someone's birth country?

Many were living/working in countries that have closed their borders to their foreign residents. Have you watched the news in 2020?

 

I have nothing to go back to in my "home" country, I've been living in Japan for a decade, my apartment, bank accounts and all my stuff is there, and still no way to get back in. My most likely chance to get back is via a travel/business bubble between Japan and Thailand. They are definitely not letting anyone from Europe fly into Japan this year so going back to Europe before that would make it even harder.

1 hour ago, Letseng said:

Why can't people return home? Yes, there are a few countries where flights are difficult or non- existent. Anybody from Europe can return. But it may be more of a "don't want to" as many never were genuine tourists. 

The plight of long-stay visa holders has, since the announcement that the visa amnesty would end on September 26th next and because of Thailand’s closed borders, raised anxiety levels among hundreds of thousands of foreigners living within the kingdom.

A key segment of this group is multi-entry Non-Immigrant B visa holders who up to the end of March last, regularly left Thailand for business or travel purposes and returned with a 90-day extension.

This has not been possible since then and indeed will not be possible after September 26th in all likelihood as Thailand’s borders remain essentially closed except under approved entry and strict quarantine procedures.

 

 

Earlier last week, a top immigration officer in Phuket, Lieutenant Colonel Udom Thongchin, who is the deputy commander on the island, indicated that some news for long-stay foreigners within Thailand is in the offing.

The normally prescient official told the Phuket News newspaper in Phuket that he expects some news from Bangkok prior to September 15th next.

One key concern for many foreigners with Thai wives or who live and work from the kingdom is that because of the Covid 19 crisis, they have been unable to leave the country and both their incomes and savings have been depleted.

This means that many may not be able to satisfy the strict income and deposit requirements which in recent years have been tightened.

Lieutenant Colonel Udom advised such people to hold off on submitting their visa applications to authorities until after September 15th as he expects that there will be some guidance on this from headquarters in Bangkok.

 

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2020/09/06/visa-amnesty-ends-september-26th-30-day-extensions-focus-long-stay-holders/

 

5 minutes ago, uberfarang said:

Why do you assume "home" is always someone's birth country?

Many were living/working in countries that have closed their borders to their foreign residents. Have you watched the news in 2020?

 

I have nothing to go back to in my "home" country, I've been living in Japan for a decade, my apartment, bank accounts and all my stuff is there, and still no way to get back in. My most likely chance to get back is via a travel/business bubble between Japan and Thailand. They are definitely not letting anyone from Europe fly into Japan this year so going back to Europe before that would make it even harder.

 

 

All foreign nations with the status of residency in Japan are permitted entry into Japan, i.e. if you are holding residency or a re-entry permit. 

 

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001074.html

 

As Japan is your home for 10 years, do you have residency or at least a re-entry permit to re-enter?

IF not...  you may have trouble re-entering Japan until it opens up to those without residence status, i.e. tourists.

In your shoes I too would be holding out to re-enter Japan from Thailand rather than Europe. 

 

If you can show proof of address, bank accounts, bills, vehicle etc... all in Japan then it seems there is reason for your Embassy in Thailand to grant a letter requesting extension based on the fact that you are unable to get to ‘your home’ in Japan. I’m not sure if the Embassy need to see a ‘resident visa status’ though. Have you tried ????

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 minutes ago, khhainuui said:

 

Earlier last week, a top immigration officer in Phuket, Lieutenant Colonel Udom Thongchin, who is the deputy commander on the island, indicated that some news for long-stay foreigners within Thailand is in the offing.

 

It may look like this immigration officer may have been confused what was in the offing by cabinet. The news has come out, but it is for long stay tourists that want to travel to Thailand for a holiday. 90 day ++ visa.  Some limited requirements have been posted in the Thaiger.com but I bet a lot more requirements to follow. This won’t help those stuck here in Thailand to become in status with their visa, but will help those stranded from their families overseas. 

8 hours ago, Russell17au said:

What about the IO that ignores the Police Order and rejects the extension application that has all the requirements but the IO makes his own rules

Give me some examples please. Not examples where the extra papers they ask for are missing, or where one month transfer or seasoned money can not be showed.

4 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

There were repeated announcements that there will be no further extensions to amnesty and those currently under visa amnesty have until sept 26th to sort out their affairs - Nothing has changed. 

 

Why are people expecting further Amnesty ? wishful thinking has somehow been quoted as statements of fact on this forum by poster simply guessing. 

Actually they wanted to make people to not expect it, and they succeeded. People who could leave did it, others payed agent money for visas. For the rest, there may be an amnesty at the last minute.

21 hours ago, MrMilk said:

Will they come with a new announcement if the amnesty is not extended or will it only happen if a new extension is given?

They've given a date of Sept 26th and made it clear after that you're in trouble.

8 hours ago, DaftToPutRealName said:

 

I'd love for you to explain which bit of "prepare more than the regular requirements" which is common sense, since presumably you would not know what extra documents an IO may feel like including from one case or day to another. Does it vary on what he or she had for breakfast? Maybe a fella who looked like you made a pass at his gik or he's still a bit salty from the night before?

Perhaps I'll change my line group request to divining classes. Maybe you can help me read some tarot or we can split the next winning lottery numbers?

He can ask for anything that has to do with or have a relation to your extension. For example. If the requirements say 4 pictures, just bring 12 pictures instead. Just one example, but I think you get the picture.

Not going on with this with you no more. It´s something that everybody knows by know. One who wish to stay in Thailand, better stop complaining and take it as it is. Otherwise there is other places in the world. Like it or not. Thailand have a lot of differences and corruption. If one can´t accept that, one have a lot of problems.

17 hours ago, FlyingThai said:

Nobody is getting blacklisted unless you have an overstay of more than 3 months.

If one is arrested or prosecuted a single day may be enough for a 5 year blacklisting. The only way to be sure of avoiding that would be get an extension, or keep your head down until one can turn up at the airport with a flight booking and the 500/day fine up to 20,000.

16 hours ago, Walker88 said:

and I tip generously.

First time in LOS? 

  

 

1 hour ago, Matzzon said:

Give me some examples please. Not examples where the extra papers they ask for are missing, or where one month transfer or seasoned money can not be showed.

What part of "made up requirements" do you not understand?  The "extra papers" which are NOT listed on Bangkok Immigration's official-requirements are arbitrary - aka "Used to Block Legit Extension Applications" - encountered more by those with Thai Family, than anyone else.

 

And "12 months transfers" for first-time applicants for a long-term extension is not only insane (w/o a time-machine), it directly violates the example-case immigration provided. 

 

1 hour ago, Matzzon said:

For example. If the requirements say 4 pictures, just bring 12 pictures instead.
...
It´s something that everybody knows by know

The pictures one is easy - that's not where the story ends.  Anyone paying attention - what everyone "should know" - is that immigration is corrupt, and blocks LEGIT applications, while giving the VIP treatment to those who pay them through agents.

 

Please stop telling people they "can be prepared" - when there is No Way to Know what they may demand - EVER.  I assume you have read my posts detailing the "change ups" which blocked my legit-application attempts.  Previously, I could deal with the MFA as a workaround.  But the last "change in requirements" means I will only be able to stay with my family as long as the embassy-letters hold out.

 

 

9 hours ago, DaftToPutRealName said:

I'd love for you to explain which bit of "prepare more than the regular requirements" which is common sense, since presumably you would not know what extra documents an IO may feel like including from one case or day to another. Does it vary on what he or she had for breakfast? Maybe a fella who looked like you made a pass at his gik or he's still a bit salty from the night before?

It varies by how much agent-money they have taken in recently.  The higher ups will breathing down their necks, if they have been "performing poorly" in graft.

 

Quote

Perhaps I'll change my line group request to divining classes. Maybe you can help me read some tarot or we can split the next winning lottery numbers?

You can find a lot of the extras here - but I have been the first to report "new requirements" here on multiple-occasions - when what "worked fine before" didn't, any more - and in each of those, others followed up with the same info - so it's not "just me." 

 

The reason for the change-up, is when folks find out their new machinations here, and are prepared with whatever documents/etc - agent-fees go down - so they have to add "new requirements" again.  We are always working against an upcoming permitted-stay, so enough "come back with X," demands, and we are "timed-out."

 

Yet still, some posters deny reality - or even call names ("cheap", "too poor to be here" etc) if another doesn't think "Commit a Crime for a Visa" is anything other than a horrible last-choice option.  One poster recently used the word "beauty" in the context of corrupt-offers available - Amazing.

8 hours ago, BritTim said:

That is not my recollection. Indeed, by the second week of July, I was predicting an extension of the amnesty, or at least an easy way to stay, based on the lack of a clear announcement either way. Now, there is a clear announcement that those on short term permissions to stay must leave by September 26. There is a small chance that the cabinet could reverse themselves, but it is unlikely.

While I also thought a "free" extension was unlikely, it is a bit much to assume, "The Professional Liars and Extortionists are Telling the Truth, THIS Time." 

 

This was the LAST time:

Quote

BANGKOK — Another round of visa amnesty for foreigners residing or stranded in Thailand is unlikely, an immigration spokesman said Friday. The amnesty, extended back in April, will expire at the end of this month.

Spokesman Col. Phakkhaphong Saiubon said there’s a need to “clear out people” as the situation of global pandemic starts to wind down

 - Khaosod English - 2020/07/10

 

Just 11 days later, the extension of the auto-extension was announced/official.  Then there was this ...
- also in reply to ...

  

5 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Was there ever a statement implying thee would be a follow up and easing of procedures? 

 

(already posted in this thread here: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1182560-when-to-expect-a-new-announcement/?do=findComment&comment=15819056 ) - Thai Examiner - 2020/09/06 
... An "easing of the financials" for those with Non-B / Non-O Visa entries.  So, not surprising many waited for "new news."

 

9 hours ago, uberfarang said:

When I asked my embassy in March, they said that such letters didn't exist, that embassies cannot decide who stays in the country, and that it was fake news spread on social media,

That is truly sad - literally gas-lighted you, "Don't believe your own eyes - they do not exist." 

While embassies are not "deciding" anything about our permitted-stay - and could credibly argue they should not have to do this - all they are being asked to do, is provide a generic-letter with your name inserted, which says, "Due to the ongoing situation with covid, please ..."  That's it.  Immigration accepts these.
 

 

9 hours ago, Terry B said:

However, hopefully it is not too late to change from an emergency-visa-extension-thingy to a proper-work-visa at this point in time if offered a job? I hope not! I just randomly ended up here in Thailand at the right time on a one month tourist waiver thingy,

 

So, from an auto-extended "Visa Exempt" entry.  As things stand, you will need an embassy-letter to get another 30 days, because 15 days must be left on your existing permitted-stay to apply for a "change of visa" to a non-immigrant type. 

That is assuming you school will pay the huge immigration-payoff to do that in-country, or your office will assist the school by not requiring the usual (50K+ Baht) payoff to change you to a "Non-B" in-country.  Pre-covid, people "went out for a visa" from the honest-MFA, rather than be extorted by corrupt-immigration.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

They've given a date of Sept 26th and made it clear after that you're in trouble.

Ooohhh, scary!

 

8 hours ago, PatrickC said:

8 hours ago, FlyingThai said:

How can someone be "married but not officially" ?

Either you're married or you're not.

Guess it means they've had a ceremony of some kind but have not registered their marriage legally.

 

If you get to know traditions here, many families consider the ceremony with the monk to be of paramount importance.  

The "legal" bit with the amphoe is just some paper-signing - often with the usual brown-envelope payoff routine, to not reject you over and over on nonsense. 

 

It's not just immigration doing this - ask you local Thai about the parts of the bureaucracy they have to deal with.