Thai immigration reminds foreigners: Time is running out to renew your visas

[webfact]

Thai immigration reminds foreigners: Time is running out to renew your visas

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Naew Na reported that Thai immigration was warning foreigners living in Thailand - both tourists and long termers - that they have just a few days to renew their visas. 

 

The amnesty extension comes to an end on 26th September. 

 

Deputy commander and spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Surapong Chaiyajan said that immigration chief Pol Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang was concerned for foreigners stranded in Thailand. 

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

But everyone must make sure that their papers are updated ahead of Saturday's deadline. 

 

Tourists can stay on but must present reasons such as sickness or obstacles to returning to their home countries  with evidence from embassies. They will be given 30 day extensions if they satisfy immigration. 

 

Those with no excuse on short term visas or no visas (TR, TS, VOA) must leave by Saturday. 

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

All long term foreigners residing in Thailand who renew will have their papers dated from September 27th. 

 

Naew Na said in their headline that those who have not done so should hurry up and extend.

 

Source: Naew Na

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-09-23

 

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[Adelphi]

Utterly ridiculous how they have posed for this photograph.  Although it says everything about how they view foreigners who are almost never violent even if they have overstayed.  They really are determined to make it clear that foreigners are the enemy.  Welcome to Amazing Thailand.  Over 30 years ago we used to refer to it as the land of smiles - what a joke that is now.

[Jack Hna]

One day someone with a brain will work at Thai immigration. Maybe not soon but you cannot have morons on it forever. Tides change.

[lkv]

The message is clear.

 

You overstay one day, we come, find you, shoot you.

 

See the first pic.

[Adelphi]

I never respond to trolls. Nothing upsets them more than being ignored.  

[mr mr]

the 2 fellows in black will be there to escort you to your 2 week quarantine as well.  

 

optics anyone ? 

[steven100]

Why are some complaining that the IO is telling people to make sure they have the correct visa.

The free visa period will cease .....    it's not rocket science  !!

[lkv]

2 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Why are some complaining that the IO is telling people to make sure they have the correct visa.

The free visa period will cease .....    it's not rocket science  !!

I guess it's just the message they are sending is a bit disturbing. With the AK47s.

 

But it would not be the first time, the did send the army in the airport before, to "welcome tourists and make them feel safe".

[watso63]

6 months sitting on their hands despite being given plenty of warning about what will happen post amnesty. Those taking advantage of the situation that never obtained further permission to stay are now crying like babies blaming Immigration for following the law of the land. One group I do have sympathy for however are those that have businesses here finding themselves in a virtually impossible situation, on the verge of losing everything and facing deportation to boot.

[CLW]

Ridiculous picture. I hope this is a stock photo.

If it was taken for this very press conference relating to the news topic, just shows what clowns in charge currently...

[stephen tracy]

4 hours ago, steven100 said:

Why are some complaining that the IO is telling people to make sure they have the correct visa.

The free visa period will cease .....    it's not rocket science  !!

I think some people dont meet the requirements to get one, flights are still being cancelled often enough to cause some worry, and people are apprehensive about jumping on long-haul, multi-stop flights to Covid-wracked destinations. There was also some hope that the government may extend amnesty. For me, although born in the UK, left when I was 6 years old so going back there is not really viable option for me. I've been trying to find flats to rent in southern Spain (where I was before Thailand) but the responses I'm getting back from landlords and agents is that, although happy to rent to me, they wont let me move in until I've stayed in a hotel for 10 days to 2 weeks and have a test. I'm just hoping the visa I've applied for gets approved. The first one I applied for turned out to be a visa agent scam. 

[JusticeGB]

There were messages to Thai Visa even a couple of days ago expecting that Immigration would be bound to extend Visas yesterday even though it's been made clear for over a month that 26th September was the final date. Just because it might be sensible to keep spending power in Thailand it doesn't follow that Immigration will take that into account. Tourists are not residents they come here with the expectation of staying for a limited period not for 6 months like many have had already. The idea that because covid19 is less virulent in Thailand than in your home country is not a factor that should concern Immigration. 

[Pattaya Spotter]

3 hours ago, watso63 said:

6 months sitting on their hands despite being given plenty of warning about what will happen post amnesty.

And they can still stay...just get a form letter from their embassy.

[stephen tracy]

1 minute ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

And they can still stay...just get a form letter from their embassy.

If they give you one. And if not, hope that your flight doesn't get cancelled. 

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 minute ago, stephen tracy said:

If they give you one. And if not, hope that your flight doesn't get cancelled. 

That's on the embassies...not Thai Immigration. 

[stephen tracy]

4 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

That's on the embassies...not Thai Immigration. 

I didn't say it was

[Kwaibill]

Had my application in since August.

Bottleneck at Chang Wattana according to the IO at Samut Prakan. "Get your papers in order", but they don't  provide the manpower to accomplish that.

At least the IO said no worries on the deadline since the paperwork was submitted on time. Hope he's  right.

[silverhawk_usa]

"All long term foreigners residing in Thailand who renew will have their papers dated from September 27th. 

Naew Na said in their headline that those who have not done so should hurry up and extend.

Source: Naew Na"

 

I have been on an OA Retirement Visa and extensions for 18 years. It always gave me permission to stay from Oct 2 until Oct 1.  I changed it to a Marriage Visa/extension last week and was surprised to see it was approved from Sept 27, 2020 until Sept 26, 2021.  I wondered why, and didn't really think about it much, until I read the above photo caption. Not a big deal, just curious.   

[worldfun]

1 hour ago, stephen tracy said:

I think some people dont meet the requirements to get one, flights are still being cancelled often enough to cause some worry, and people are apprehensive about jumping on long-haul, multi-stop flights to Covid-wracked destinations. There was also some hope that the government may extend amnesty. For me, although born in the UK, left when I was 6 years old so going back there is not really viable option for me. I've been trying to find flats to rent in southern Spain (where I was before Thailand) but the responses I'm getting back from landlords and agents is that, although happy to rent to me, they wont let me move in until I've stayed in a hotel for 10 days to 2 weeks and have a test. I'm just hoping the visa I've applied for gets approved. The first one I applied for turned out to be a visa agent scam. 

interesting that landlords in spain have similar sense or xenofobi to not accept new renters direct lol. kinda how it was as I first got stuck on my travel in south thailand as country was hastily locked down & interprovincial travel banned thus I couldn't get back up north & was refused rents locally. in fact kicked out from a hotel/residence after 1 night whilst day before she said i could rent monthly no problem ???? 

best of luck with your agent visa I'm waiting also apparently due for taking pics at immigration friday...

[worldfun]

59 minutes ago, JusticeGB said:

There were messages to Thai Visa even a couple of days ago expecting that Immigration would be bound to extend Visas yesterday even though it's been made clear for over a month that 26th September was the final date. Just because it might be sensible to keep spending power in Thailand it doesn't follow that Immigration will take that into account. Tourists are not residents they come here with the expectation of staying for a limited period not for 6 months like many have had already. The idea that because covid19 is less virulent in Thailand than in your home country is not a factor that should concern Immigration. 

yes tourist have to stay at least 90 days & preferably 270 days. pls get yourself up to date!!

[holy cow cm]

They want tourists but not the 150,000 already here. Don't figure.

[steven100]

It is of my opinion that the current visa amnesty period will be extended, and I would anticipate it to be another 2 months.

This is based on the current economic conditions going forward and the uncertainty regarding COVID numbers outside Thailand. 

 

This is only my opinion.  

[biplanebluey]

When I see news like this it makes me wonder. Ok now I have a long time visa and you tell me I have 4 days to renew it.This is a retirement visa for 12 months from last April and so lasts til April next year.I cannot believe I am in this same category,so can somebody please explain to me who are these people that only have 4 days---- thank you

[El Matador]

Well people who didn't plan that can't really complain after a 6 months amnesty. There was plenty of time to prepare to come back home.

 

On the other hand, if they really want some tourists without risk they should focus on the remaining ones instead of trying to attract a few ones who would enjoy a golden prison. A special longer extension would have been a clever move instead of those special crazy visas they are planning.

[Kwaibill]

2 minutes ago, biplanebluey said:

When I see news like this it makes me wonder. Ok now I have a long time visa and you tell me I have 4 days to renew it.This is a retirement visa for 12 months from last April and so lasts til April next year.I cannot believe I am in this same category,so can somebody please explain to me who are these people that only have 4 days---- thank you

I have read from several people in other threads, including Ubonjoe, that if your existing paperwork is in order then the amnesty and its expiry do not affect you. So no, you do not have just four days. Neither does anyone else, for that matter. I have been in on the amnesty scheme from its inception, and when its expiry was announced started jumping through hoops to get my visa squared away.

I entered on a no visa required status as a US citizen, so have been without until applying in August. Still without, actually, but local IO says to not worry because my paperwork is submitted and was checked before submission up the line to the apparently overwhelmed authorization department.

So I am one of those "four day" people. I think you are safe to continue on with your existing permission.

 

[biplanebluey]

I forgot to mention that I have been here 14 yrs,I have my house vehicles and a wife for almost all that time. I initially disregarded all this as I thought and read it to be just a problem with yhose that were initially stranded due to Covid 19 but some replies seem to be referring to people who are in my exact position--- long term visas!!!!!! Well OK that's me !!!!!

[biplanebluey]

5 minutes ago, Kwaibill said:

I have read from several people in other threads, including Ubonjoe, that if your existing paperwork is in order then the amnesty and its expiry do not affect you. So no, you do not have just four days. Neither does anyone else, for that matter. I have been in on the amnesty scheme from its inception, and when its expiry was announced started jumping through hoops to get my visa squared away.

I entered on a no visa required status as a US citizen, so have been without until applying in August. Still without, actually, but local IO says to not worry because my paperwork is submitted and was checked before submission up the line to the apparently overwhelmed authorization department.

So I am one of those "four day" people. I think you are safe to continue on with your existing permission.

 

Thank you for that Kwaibill,I only hope you're right.

[brewsterbudgen]

3 minutes ago, biplanebluey said:

I forgot to mention that I have been here 14 yrs,I have my house vehicles and a wife for almost all that time. I initially disregarded all this as I thought and read it to be just a problem with yhose that were initially stranded due to Covid 19 but some replies seem to be referring to people who are in my exact position--- long term visas!!!!!! Well OK that's me !!!!!

It doesn't affect you, assuming you are on an annual extension of stay.

[Kaopad999]

These so called "tourists" have had plenty of time to get their visas in order. And Thailand has been extremely generous by providing an additional 6 months stay for them at no extra cost! 

Question is if they wanted to stay here longer, then why not just sort out some sort of long term visa? 

I do however feel sorry for people who  are on long term visas that have been effected by this this. 
 

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, holy cow cm said:

They want tourists but not the 150,000 already here. Don't figure.

They want them too if they qualify for any of the many in-country visa options that are available. If not, they are likely low spending visitors that are likely pretty tapped-out after a 7 month holiday and should head back home.