Attempted Tourist Visa Extension at CM today

[Promula]

1 minute ago, JoseThailand said:

Then why did they extend the amnesty for such people?

Because they hadn't left and might have had embassy letters but couldn't get an IO appointment due to a lack of capacity. They've been given this month to get an appointment but may face the same stumbling block if they didn't obtain an embassy letter last month.

[Promula]

1 minute ago, 2530Ubon said:

Precisely, now that i fall under amnesty until the 31st my extension should be valid until the 30th Nov, no? Isn't that whats happening with the 30 day extension given to the embassy letters?

I don't see it that way. Only people who used a letter are extended to 30 Nov. Everyone else is 31 Oct.

 

Jose keeps on about "all extensions are valid until 30 Nov" but I haven't seen that. Can he link to it? He needs to raise that with the IO. No point banging on about it here.

[JoseThailand]

24 minutes ago, Promula said:

Jose keeps on about "all extensions are valid until 30 Nov" but I haven't seen that. Can he link to it? He needs to raise that with the IO. No point banging on about it here.

Whatever. 1900 baht + travel to Chiang Mai is not much of a loss, compared to ridiculous amounts of money people paid for corruption volunteer or education visas.

[Promula]

1 minute ago, JoseThailand said:

Whatever. 1900 baht + travel to Chiang Mai is not much of a loss, compared to ridiculous amounts of money people paid for corruption volunteer or education visas.

But they'll be able to stay a year. You've got three weeks left which you've little chance of getting extended unless you obtained an embassy letter, or follow their agency ideas.

[2530Ubon]

16 minutes ago, Promula said:

But they'll be able to stay a year. You've got three weeks left which you've little chance of getting extended unless you obtained an embassy letter, or follow their agency ideas.

The 2nd reason for applying specifically notes no embassy letter - see the picture of the form on my thread “60 day extensions.” It’s a broad range of reasons to cover anyone and everyone. All should be able to apply. 

[natway09]

The left hand knows what they want done, the right hand knows how to do it BUT ?

[Promula]

2 hours ago, 2530Ubon said:

The 2nd reason for applying specifically notes no embassy letter - see the picture of the form on my thread “60 day extensions.” It’s a broad range of reasons to cover anyone and everyone. All should be able to apply. 

Being able to apply for something is never a guarantee of getting it.

[Max69xl]

5 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

It will be so so unfair if it turns out that we just lost our time and money extending our tourist visas because of their scaremongering before Sep 26. 

How much money do you think it would have cost you if you have had to extend your stay 6-7 months pre-covid 19? ฿1,900/30 days extension with a border run in between and only 2 border runs in a calendar year. Doing border runs also cost money. So, what are you complaining about? You must have a very small budget if ฿1,900 is so "unfair". 

[2530Ubon]

1 minute ago, Max69xl said:

How much money do you think it would have cost you if you have had to extend your stay 6-7 months pre-covid 19? ฿1,900/30 days extension with a border run in between and only 2 border runs in a calendar year. Doing border runs also cost money. So, what are you complaining about? You must have a very small budget if ฿1,900 is so "unfair". 

Good point, although i think Jose was saying it wasn't fair that embassy letters were getting an extra 30 days on top of the original 30, and other extensions were not. That may not be the case anymore, there is a story on the nation that is clearer than this one; ALL visas applied for prior to the 31st of this month under the amnesty period will have a start date from 1st Nov;

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30395780?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=internal_referral

 

[Promula]

3 minutes ago, 2530Ubon said:

Good point, although i think Jose was saying it wasn't fair that embassy letters were getting an extra 30 days on top of the original 30, and other extensions were not. That may not be the case anymore, there is a story on the nation that is clearer than this one; ALL visas applied for prior to the 31st of this month under the amnesty period will have a start date from 1st Nov;

 

 

You're reading into that what you want it to say rather than what it actually says, which is "all visas extended on or before October 31 under the latest amnesty will go into effect collectively from November 1."

 

Why are you changing the words of that news report to broaden their meaning and include your situation? It's not going to help you. You didn't apply for an amnesty extension, you activated the second 30 days of your visa exempt stamp. 

[2530Ubon]

Again - amnesty is a time period, not a visa or extension of stay. I didn't change the words. It clearly says ALL VISAS APPLIED FOR - not amnesty extensions only (btw, there is no such thing as an amnesty extension)

Edited October 7, 2020 by 2530Ubon

[Promula]

5 minutes ago, 2530Ubon said:

Again - amnesty is a time period, not a visa or extension of stay. I didn't change the words.

Yes you have. You added the word "period". It's not in the news report. This gives the impression that anyone that applied for any type of extension last month will get one that begins on 1 November when it's already been established that this is only for people who applied with an embassy letter as advised to by immigration under the latest amnesty. That's my take on it, anyway. But please go back and try then let us know. 

Edited October 7, 2020 by Promula

[2530Ubon]

14 minutes ago, Promula said:

Yes you have. You added the word "period". It's not in the news report. This gives the impression that anyone that applied for any type of extension last month will get one that begins on 1 November when it's already been established that this is only for people who applied with an embassy letter as advised to by immigration under the latest amnesty. 

Amnesty is a time period, not a visa or extension of stay. Therefore i am correct. I didn't "quote" (do you see any quotation marks in my post) the article so i didn't add anything. I posted the link for people to read themselves. You completely made up your own rules when typing;

 

"it's already been established that this is only for people who applied with an embassy letter as advised to by immigration under the latest amnesty."

 

I'm bored of your trolling now, such bitter grapes from someone who overpaid for a non o volunteer visa.

 

P.S I like how you cheekily edited the last bit after posting because you realised you made up your own sh--t

"That's my take on it, anyway. But please go back and try then let us know. 

Edited 8 minutes ago by Promula"

Edited October 7, 2020 by 2530Ubon

[Dart12]

If it makes anyone here who "wasted 1900" feel any better, I paid 20,000 to get an additional 3 months when I could have just p1id 1900 for 2months. 

Sigh. they said I HAD to do it now to get a real visa conversion for long term stay.  

Live and learn.

[Promula]

1 minute ago, Dart12 said:

If it makes anyone here who "wasted 1900" feel any better, I paid 20,000 to get an additional 3 months when I could have just p1id 1900 for 2months. 

Sigh. they said I HAD to do it now to get a real visa conversion for long term stay.  

Live and learn.

Yep, don't believe them. They're not interested in what's best for you. They just want to scare you and then take as much of your money as they can. 

[Promula]

33 minutes ago, 2530Ubon said:

P.S I like how you cheekily edited the last bit after posting because you realised you made up your own sh--t

 

Huh? I always go back and proof read my posts within two minutes of them appearing, because I'm dyslexic and often have to make a couple of corrections or add something I missed.

 

No idea why you're lashing out at me with these angry and incorrect assumptions..... 

Edited October 7, 2020 by Promula

[2530Ubon]

I emailed immigration ([email protected]) to ask if tourist visa extensions applied for prior to the 26th of September are eligible for the 30th November stamp, or if it only applies to people who had an embassy letter. I shall post any update as soon as it comes in. Pointless arguing between ourselves when we can ask immigration directly!

[n00dle]

7 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

It will be so so unfair if it turns out that we just lost our time and money extending our tourist visas because of their scaremongering before Sep 26. 

how did i lose time or money, i went in hoping to get an extension until october 26th and got one for November 30th.

I have other plans in motion but its nice to know they dont need to happen this week

[ubonjoe]

15 minutes ago, 2530Ubon said:

I emailed immigration ([email protected]) to ask if tourist visa extensions applied for prior to the 26th of September are eligible for the 30th November stamp, or if it only applies to people who had an embassy letter. I shall post any update as soon as it comes in. Pointless arguing between ourselves when we can ask immigration directly!

I think immigration may not be able to understand what the immigration announcement says.

I have read a English version and have found it confusing.

[SAcanman]

30 minutes ago, 2530Ubon said:

I emailed immigration ([email protected]) to ask if tourist visa extensions applied for prior to the 26th of September are eligible for the 30th November stamp, or if it only applies to people who had an embassy letter. I shall post any update as soon as it comes in. Pointless arguing between ourselves when we can ask immigration directly!

Thanks 2530Ubon!!!

[2530Ubon]

25 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I think immigration may not be able to understand what the immigration announcement says.

I have read a English version and have found it confusing.

Very confusing! Hopefully i'll get an answer in the morning. The wording 'all visas / under amnesty" seems to be causing a lot of problems. I've even read about retirement extensions getting extra time, so all fingers (and toes) crossed for some good news!

Edited October 7, 2020 by 2530Ubon

[Dragonboat Ronin]

8 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Another office changed a person's stamp to November 30th but they called him to return to the office and they cancelled it. He was told he did not qualify for that stamp since he had extended his original entry from a tourist visa. He was then told he could only apply for the 60 day extension.

Apparently only those that got 30 day extensions from a embassy letter qualify to get stamped to the November 30th.

On Sep 23rd i went to Immigration with an embassy letter in hopes of using it for a 30-day extension. I was told i didn't need to use it as i had not done any extensions yet, and was given the one time 30-day extension that is generally granted with a 1900 baht fee. But what is strange is the officer then told me directly i could extend another 30 days if i returned before then with my embassy letter. This makes my classification very confusing; almost like being on tourist, then amnesty, now back to tourist, and then possibly back to amnesty? I'm wondering if different status levels between tourist visas vs amnesty may be the source of confusion to immigration. 

[Caldera]

1 hour ago, 2530Ubon said:

I emailed immigration ([email protected]) to ask if tourist visa extensions applied for prior to the 26th of September are eligible for the 30th November stamp, or if it only applies to people who had an embassy letter. I shall post any update as soon as it comes in. Pointless arguing between ourselves when we can ask immigration directly!

Division 1 immigration (MTT) did not issue tourist visa extensions last month, so don't be surprised if they will find your question confusing.

 

This issue concerns only those immigration offices that actually still did issue such "regular" tourist extensions (Ubon, Chiang Mai, a few others?).

[Promula]

8 minutes ago, Dragonboat Ronin said:

almost like being on tourist, then amnesty, now back to tourist, and then possibly back to amnesty?

Not almost like that, it is like that. You were on a tourist stamp, then were granted an amnesty to overstay its expiry date, then you activated the 30 day stamp extension option by paying 1900 baht, and then can return to amnesty status when it expires. It sounds like immigration allowed some people to stay in Thailand that way this month if they couldn't get an embassy letter, but as you had one, it's a bit strange.  

Edited October 7, 2020 by Promula

[ubonjoe]

42 minutes ago, 2530Ubon said:

Very confusing! Hopefully i'll get an answer in the morning. The wording 'all visas / under amnesty" seems to be causing a lot of problems. I've even read about retirement extensions getting extra time, so all fingers (and toes) crossed for some good news!

I have been studying the Immigration Announcement some more and it does appear to say that it does not matter how you applied for the your extension it should be valid until the November 30th.

The only difference is that the date of the extension has to be revised to change the date it ends. I think the some offices are confused about doing that.  For those that have a under consideration stamp the extension will be stamped to November 30th. For those that did not get a under consideration stamp (as in your case) they will they have to revise the date on the extension stamp or do a new extension stamp after voiding the existing one.

[Promula]

10 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

 For those that did not get a under consideration stamp will they have to revise the date on the extension stamp or do a new extension stamp done.

So although everyone is likely entitled to it, they could potentially charge another 1900 baht for a 30 November stamp for those without an under consideration stamp, in exactly the same way as everyone is entitled to apply for 30 more days on their 30 day visa exempt or 60 day TV.

 

If that's the case it'll be better to use the new form, when usable, and apply for 60 days beginning on 1 November instead. 

Edited October 7, 2020 by Promula

[ubonjoe]

44 minutes ago, Promula said:

So although everyone is likely entitled to it, they could potentially charge another 1900 baht for a 30 November stamp for those without an under consideration stamp, in exactly the same way as everyone is entitled to apply for 30 more days on their 30 day visa exempt or 60 day TV.

There would be no fee for the stay until November 30th. The announcement states you ask for the additional 30 days in the announcement.

The big difference between the two types of extension is how the were dated when they were issued. Those that got one for a tourist or visa exempt entry got the stamp on the day they applied and those with a embassy letter got a under consideration stamp.

 

44 minutes ago, Promula said:

If that's the case it'll be better to use the new form, when usable, and apply for 60 days beginning on 1 November instead. 

I am not sure it really exists. I think there was mix up between a extension and a total stay of 60 days when it was verbally stated by immigration in a news conference.

People are getting a total of 60 days by adding up the 30 day extension and the 30 day amnesty this month.

[MrMilk]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

I think immigration may not be able to understand what the immigration announcement says.

Sums up the situation 

[Promula]

9 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I am not sure it really exists. I think there was mix up between a extension and a total stay of 60 days when it was verbally stated by immigration in a news conference.

People getting a total of total of 60 days by adding up the 30 day extension and the 30 day amnesty this month.

It could be, if the reporter got the bold bit wrong. 

 

Quote

 

Immigration Bureau Deputy Commissioner Maj Gen Pornchai Kuntee announced the news at a press conference at the Immigration Bureau headquarters in Bangkok today (Sept 29).

“Right now in Thailand there are two groups of foreigners: People who already applied for extensions before Sept 26, and those who did not,” Maj Gen Pornchai said.

“Today Cabinet will approve the second group of people to stay until Oct 31,” he explained. 
“But for the first group, the Immigration Bureau will extend their stay until Nov 30,” Maj Gen Pornchai said.
“However, these foreigners [already approved an extension of 30 days’ stay from Sept 27] must present themselves at their nearest Immigration Office to have the correct stamp entered in their passports,” he added.

After that, foreigners can apply to extend their stay for 60 days at a time,” Maj Gen Pornchai note“Not many documents will be needed [for the 60-day extensions]. Letters from embassies may not be needed,” he said.

 

Edited October 7, 2020 by Promula

[Ohyesuare]

3 hours ago, Dart12 said:

If it makes anyone here who "wasted 1900" feel any better, I paid 20,000 to get an additional 3 months when I could have just p1id 1900 for 2months. 

Sigh. they said I HAD to do it now to get a real visa conversion for long term stay.  

Live and learn.

If it makes you feel better, I paid 28,000 for a 3 month education visa because it was the most legit option and I do plan on taking the classes. I've been here since Feb so I can extend another 2 months max after the initial 3 months for another 5k.