Visa as a monk

[gbikshu]

Hi.

I'm from Brazil. I entered Thailand with a 90-days visa exemption (bilateral agreement) on January 23. It'll end on April 22.

Today I tried to apply for a Covid-19 Visa but I unfortunately found out that my embassy isn't giving permission for this visa anymore. 

I'm considering getting a tourist visa. Do you think this is possible?

I became a monk days ago. Despite the Ajahn of the monastery is helping me, I'm the only and the first foreigner to ordain here, so this stuff is a bit obscure to them. If you know what I should do to stay in Thailand, I'll appreciate your help.

Thank you very much.

[sallecc]

Since you entered on visa-exempt, you should have no problem getting standard 30 days extension first (no additional documents needed), and then you can see what to do later (some says that after 30d extension, you can apply for 60d Covid extension then).

[gbikshu]

Just now, sallecc said:

Since you entered on visa-exempt, you should have no problem getting standard 30 days extension first (no additional documents needed), and then you can see what to do later (some says that after 30d extension, you can apply for 60d Covid extension then).

Hi.

I apparently can't apply for the 60-days Covid-19 extension since the immigration requires a permission from my embassy, but my embassy said to me that they don't do it anymore. So, this is not a possibility to me.

What visa is left for me?

Thanks.

[sallecc]

Hi, as I said, first apply for 30 days (normal) extension, for this one you should be totally eligible and no additional documents needed... Then after you use that 1st 30 days extension, you can try to apply for 60 days (Covid) extension, others said it's workable like this.

[DrJack54]

20 minutes ago, gbikshu said:

I tried to apply for a Covid-19 Visa but I unfortunately found out that my embassy isn't giving permission for this visa anymore. 

I'm considering getting a tourist visa. Do you think this is possible?

You don't need an embassy letter.

You cannot obtain tourist visa inside of Thailand.

You can obtain a 30 extension to your visa exempt entry.

After that you can obtain 60 day covid extension. You will tick a box on affidavit form.

The covid extensions will (guess) continue to be issued after end March.

 

[BritTim]

2 minutes ago, sallecc said:

Hi, as I said, first apply for 30 days (normal) extension, for this one you should be totally eligible and no additional documents needed... Then after you use that 1st 30 days extension, you can try to apply for 60 days (Covid) extension, others said it's workable like this.

 

Those with the 90-day visa exemption based on bilateral agreement are not eligible for a 30-day extension.

[gbikshu]

Just now, DrJack54 said:

You don't need an embassy letter.

You cannot obtain tourist vise inside of Thailand.

You can obtain a 30 extension to your visa exempt entry.

After that you can obtain 60 day covid extension. You will tick a box on affidavit form. They will (guess) continue to be issued after end March.

 

Yes, I need it, that was what the immigration of Udon said.

I'm asking an alternative to this covid extension.

[sallecc]

3 minutes ago, BritTim said:

 

Those with the 90-day visa exemption based on bilateral agreement are not eligible for a 30-day extension.

 

Didn't know that, sorry... Seems OP has limited options then... Better to consult an agent.

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, gbikshu said:

Yes, I need it, that was what the immigration of Udon said.

I'm asking an alternative to this covid extension.

Why can everyone else obtain a covid extension and you cannot. Perhaps they are meaning you need apply for 30 extension first. 

Failing that use one of the agents in Thani to assist to at very least find out what the problem is.

Edit: just read post from BritTim. Was not aware of that.

[gbikshu]

Just now, sallecc said:

 

Didn't know that, sorry... Seems OP has limited options then... Better to consult an agent.

Do you know any?

 

[sallecc]

4 minutes ago, gbikshu said:

Yes, I need it, that was what the immigration of Udon said.

I'm asking an alternative to this covid extension.

 

I suggest you either try another immigration office, or consult an agent (to get try to get a visa for a monk, or  volunteer visa like many of us did)

[gbikshu]

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Why can everyone else obtain a covid extension and you cannot.

 Because the Brazilian embassy doesn't want to give permission to do so.

[sallecc]

2 minutes ago, gbikshu said:

Do you know any?

 

I know only in BKK and Phuket... Maybe somebody else here can help with agents in Udon, anyone?

[gbikshu]

4 minutes ago, sallecc said:

 

I suggest you either try another immigration office, or consult an agent (to get try to get a visa for a monk, or  volunteer visa like many of us did)

Yes, the monk visa would be the ideal one. It's one year afaik. The Ajahn talked about it with me. But I'm not sure if I can obtain it while in Thailand... I hope so.

[sallecc]

1 minute ago, gbikshu said:

Yes, the monk visa would be the ideal one. It's one year afaik. The Ajahn talked about it with me. But I'm not sure if I can obtain it while in Thailand... I hope so.

 

I PM'd you.

[gbikshu]

2 minutes ago, sallecc said:

 

I PM'd you.

I didn't receive it.

[jackdd]

7 minutes ago, gbikshu said:

 Because the Brazilian embassy doesn't want to give permission to do so.

You don't need anything from the embassy, the immigration officer was just lying to you.

[gbikshu]

3 minutes ago, jackdd said:

You don't need anything from the embassy, the immigration officer was just lying to you.

If true, it's still not under my control anyway.

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, gbikshu said:

Yes, the monk visa would be the ideal one. It's one year afaik. The Ajahn talked about it with me. But I'm not sure if I can obtain it while in Thailand... I hope so.

You can apply for 90 day non-r visa entry at immigration and then a one year extension of stay with the correct supporting documents.

Requirements for the visa are here. https://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/12.pdf

[sallecc]

3 minutes ago, gbikshu said:

I didn't receive it.

I sent again, pls check.

 

But as @jackdd said, immigration officer might be wrong or making up... Before go to agent route, I suggest you try immigration office again (different officer), if refused again, then can try other immigration office or province (I saw reports from BKK someone got 60d Covid extension after visa-exempt).

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, gbikshu said:

If true, it's still not under my control anyway.

No letter from your embassy is required. You only need to complete and sign this affidavit.

 

60 Day Covid 19 Extension Affidavit.pdf229.8 kB · 250 downloads

 

 

 

[sallecc]

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

You can apply for 90 day non-r visa entry at immigration and then a one year extension of stay with the correct supporting documents.

Requirements for the visa are here. https://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/12.pdf

 

Good stuff as always from @ubonjoe 

[gbikshu]

7 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You can apply for 90 day non-r visa entry at immigration and then a one year extension of stay with the correct supporting documents.

Requirements for the visa are here. https://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/12.pdf

 

7 minutes ago, sallecc said:

I sent again, pls check.

 

But as @jackdd said, immigration officer might be wrong or making up... Before go to agent route, I suggest you try immigration office again (different officer), if refused again, then can try other immigration office or province (I saw reports from BKK someone got 60d Covid extension after visa-exempt).

Thanks for those!!!

So, I think I'll try another officer somewhere else and a non-r visa.

[DrJack54]

32 minutes ago, gbikshu said:

 

Thanks for those!!!

So, I think I'll try another officer somewhere else and a non-r visa.

Definitely try your immigration office again. In ubonjoe post above he has provided a link the the affidavit referred to in this thread. I would suggest you do a printout and take it along. 

[gbikshu]

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Definitely try your immigration office again. In ubonjoe post above he has provided a link the the affidavit referred to in this thread. I would suggest you do a printout and take it along. 

Ok then.

I talked to the Ajahn and I think he can get the documents needed.

I hope we succeed.

Thanks everyone. ????

[KannikaP]

What makes a 'monk' any different than a normal falang?

 

 

Don't just look confused Jack, give an answer.

[gbikshu]

Just now, KannikaP said:

What makes a 'monk' any different than a normal falang?

Vinaya. ????

[KannikaP]

3 minutes ago, gbikshu said:

Vinaya. ????

Didn't know what that is, so Googled/Wiki-ed it, to find that it is a set of rules for Buddhist to follow, without which there would be no SAMGHA, and without this, SO IT IS SAID,(Quote Wiki) there is no dharma.

Who said it please?

 

[gbikshu]

11 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Didn't know what that is, so Googled/Wiki-ed it, to find that it is a set of rules for Buddhist to follow, without which there would be no SAMGHA, and without this, SO IT IS SAID,(Quote Wiki) there is no dharma.

Who said it please?

 

The monastics are the ones who preserved the Dhamma since the time of the Buddha. The Vinaya guarantees the survival of the monasticism in some ways, like the way laypeople look at us. If we don't behave, laypeople don't respect us, so they don't feed us. Simple like that.

The Buddha created the Sangha of bhikkhus with the purpose of keeping the Dhamma available for a long time, but he himself said it'll be corrupted someday, but it'll be preceded by the corruption of the Vinaya.

 

[KhemaKhema]

Dear gbikshu,

some more information would be helpful.
May i ask you in which lineage you have ordained?
The reason for asking is the name you have chosen on this forum, gbikshu.
In Thailand the common transliteration for Monk into English would be Bhikkhu, Bhikshu only being used with the Mahayana sect.
But i guess that you have ordained in the Theravada tradition?
Is this a forest monastery or a village monastery?
You do mention Udon Thani, is this the province you have ordained in?
There are quite a number of answers regarding the Covid extension already,
so here is what you need for the 1 year monks visa (called Non-Immigrant type R):

-a monks ID Card. This is usually given to monks at some point after their ordination (can be months), either by your preceptor, or the abott, or the DjauKana Tambon or the DjauKana Amphoe or the DjauKana Djangwat(Wat Bodhisomporn in UdonThani city).
Ask your abott where to get a "bai sutthi", that is the thai name for it.
Without this document you can not proceed.

-the completed form "Prawat, ประวัติ " (it is in Thai-language), signed by:
your abott and
the DjauKana Tambon and
the DjauKana Amphoe and
the DjauKana Djangwat.

-the form "certificate of residency" by your abott, confirming your stay at the monastery, in Thai หนังสือรับรองจากเจ้าอาวาส.
This is NOT a "certificate of residency" by the immigration.

-a formal letter asking to contemplate a "letter of recommendation" for immigration by the Udon office of SamnagNganPraPuttasasanaHaengChaat.
In Thai ขอหนังสือรับรองวีซ่าสำนักงานพระพุทธศาสนา.

-2 passport pictures, one for SamnagNganPraPuttasasanaHaengChaat, one for immigration.

the completed form Prawat and certificate of residency and a copy of your passport and a copy of your monks ID Card and 1 passport picture need to be taken to the Udon office of SamnagNganPraPuttasasanaHaengChaat.
They are very experienced there with foreign monks and CAN GIVE YOU EXAMPLE LETTERS of all the forms already mentioned here.

Therefore a visit is highly recommended, go there ASAP and ask for the process of applying for a monks visa.

The Udon office of SamnagNganPraPuttasasanaHaengChaat will then hopefully issue a letter of recommendation for the immigration to you, with which you then can go to immigration and ask for the process to start a Non-Immigrant visa type R.
Fee is 1900Baht.
Coming from a non-buddhist country you may then extend this 1 year visa another 9 times by doing almost the same process again, giving you a total stay of 10 years as a monk in Thailand.