Some immigration offices set to open on Saturday, September 26, as visa amnesty looms

By The Thaiger

 

PHOTO: Pattaya Immigration queues yesterday morning - Richard Barrow in Thailand

 

With September 26 just a day away, Thailand’s Immigration offices have never been busier. Many expats and visitors, who have been either stranded in Thailand, or decided to wait out Thailand’s outbreak of Covid-19, need to get their visas sorted out, officially, by September 26. Whilst many foreigners have left things to the last minute, here’s the latest in the situation.

 

Many Immigration offices will be open on Saturday as well, due to the enormous demand, mostly people wanting to get a 30 day extension to their visa. Some offices say they will open until 3pm, others 10pm… it is not a uniform time for the additional opening hours on Saturday. So check you local immigration. The Thai immigration office in Samut Prachan, for example, says they will open on Saturday between 9am – 3pm.

 

Many of the immigration offices stayed open late every day this week to work through the appointments that had been made. We should at least applaud the work ethic of the officials as they are doing their best to apply the Government’s immigration rules and are open extra hours to help foreigners. Be assured the officials are probably as stressed as you. Smile and say ‘thanks’ when you get you stamp!

 

Also, because the amnesty finishes on a Saturday, you will legally be able to go in on Monday as well to sort out your lapsed visa, or roll over onto a 30 day extension, if you are eligible.

 

In most cases, it needs to be stressed, you will need to make an appointment before going to immigration. Don’t just arrive there with a handful of documents and your passport and hope for the best. The link to the Thai Immigration website is HERE. It is not particularly easy to navigate so be patient.

 

If you don’t have a visa extension or a new visa by the end of Monday, or a visa pending, by the close of business on September 28, you will living in Thailand illegally and will face hefty fines, arrest and possible deportation.

 

The social media on the matter has been just as busy, with people sharing their views on the amnesty and the Thai government’s reluctance to further assist the foreigners that have remained in the country since the borders were closed in April. Different Immigration offices, different stories. (We’ve fixed up some of the grammar and spelling)

 

“This is absurd and insulting. People that are here, healthy and contributing to the economy, and they have no easy way to remain. All the while the government is trying to attract people to come here. Let those who are here stay and continue spending money.”

 

“Thai immigration did not create this problem. It was created by everyone who waited till the last week. Self fulfilling karma.”

 

“In Bangkok it takes the travellers who are stuck here about 2 hours to get there and people who do get there without appointment send home to make one and there are no new appointment up to the 26 any more so no choice for people to be illegal soon.”

 

“Not to state the obvious, but anything can change last minute here in Thailand. You never know…”

 

“Here in Chonburi immigration they only allocating 100 que numbers per day. About 500 waiting with no que number. Official look to close off processing before lunch time leaving the office closed for business. Amazing Thailand indeed.”

 

“It really doesn’t help that UK (embassy) in Thailand decided, with total disregard for the Thai immigration system and the British citizens it serves, to wait until the very last minute of the amnesty to grant TV extension letters. Flooding the system at a time when it is already significantly overstretched.”

 

“Many here in Phuket went before and were told to come back this week!”

 

What are your thoughts and experiences with the amnesty and your extension, or failure to secure an extension?

 

 

Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/some-immigration-offices-set-to-open-on-saturday-september-26-as-visa-amnesty-looms

 

-- © Copyright The Thaiger 2020-09-25

 

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No comment seems to be the best thing to say here.

Edited September 25, 20205 yr by Tropicalevo

It's at times like this that I realize just how lucky I am that I only have to do my 90 day reporting. 

I don't have much sympathy for them as many are not 'stuck' and have had the option to leave.

A lot of the so called stranded people are also the ones that used to do the border runs to effectively stay here illegally. Those people are many of the ones the Government wants gone. Others were stupidly waiting for a non existent extra extension of the amnesty which Immigration made clear since last month just wouldn't happen. 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

 

With September 26 just a day away, Thailand’s Immigration offices have never been busier.

I'm predicting knife fights, stomp downs and cannibalism. 

4 minutes ago, JeffersLos said:

I'm predicting knife fights, stomp downs and cannibalism. 

They could open Sunday an extra day, with a free bus ride to IDC. Sorry but flights out should have already been booked. Maybe someone will make a You Tube video on Sept 27th.

13 minutes ago, JusticeGB said:

A lot of the so called stranded people are also the ones that used to do the border runs to effectively stay here illegally. Those people are many of the ones the Government wants gone. Others were stupidly waiting for a non existent extra extension of the amnesty which Immigration made clear since last month just wouldn't happen. 

No, they're not "effectively" staying here illegally. You can either stay in Thailand legally or not. 

 

People who do border hops to get 90 days are taking full advantage of the visa. If immigration don't like this, then the rules have to change and they have to clearly state how many days you're actually allowed to stay in the country within a certain timeframe. That way the rules can be stated quite clearly and there's no ambiguity on either side. It's fair to everyone involved. 

 

If immigration don't want to make it easier for people to stay here, that's fine. They can make it as hard as they like. All I would ask for is have set of clear rules for people to follow. That way either party can state the rules clearly and there can be no misunderstanding. 

Next week i can sure you, police stop every farang what they see! They think "coffee money" flow like river!

49 minutes ago, 2 is 1 said:

Next week i can sure you, police stop every farang what they see! They think "coffee money" flow like river!

I agree, make sure you carry a copy of you permission to stay with you at all times over the next 4-8 weeks

Not sure if the 'you can legally go on monday' will fly.

 I wouldn't rely on it. If you go on sat' and it doesn't all get finished you might get a ticket for monday. On monday no ticket from sat' then maybe a no-go.

Just mulling.

Edited September 25, 20205 yr by overherebc

7 hours ago, JusticeGB said:

A lot of the so called stranded people are also the ones that used to do the border runs to effectively stay here illegally. Those people are many of the ones the Government wants gone. Others were stupidly waiting for a non existent extra extension of the amnesty which Immigration made clear since last month just wouldn't happen. 

Doing the border runs is not illegal.

7 hours ago, JusticeGB said:

A lot of the so called stranded people are also the ones that used to do the border runs to effectively stay here illegally

What will be the illegal part?

22 hours ago, webfact said:

There will be no more free extensions to the amnesty….

 

 

As might well have been expected, the operative word here is...’free’.

 

 

Edited September 26, 20205 yr by Hayduke

visa is extended, no need to queue anymore... until next month !