Must Read Good news for Expats: New visa extensions online will take only three minutes - first for Thailand

[webfact]

Daily News Thai  Caption: Get your visa in 3 minutes

 

Thailand's Immigration Bureau has unveiled plans for an ambitious new online visa extension project.

 

Expats will be able to extend their visas within just three minutes slashing waiting times.

 

RTP national chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat said that the e-Extension would enhance visa services  as extension requests can be lodged online. 

 

The new service encompasses the whole process including fee payment via a dedicated website, Thaiextension.vfsevisa.com.

 

Damrongsak claimed that the new process will reduce application process times from one hour to three minutes.

 

The e-Extension comes after former Royal Thai Poliuce chief Pol Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk moved to modernize systems for the benefit of the public, reported Daily News yesterday.

 

A pilot project will run for expats living and working in Bangkok according to 12 reasons.

 

However, they must still show up in person to verify their identity and get a visa sticker at the main IB office at the Government complex on Chaeng Wattana Road. 

 

Plans are in the pipeline to expand the service to all IB offices nationwide in the future.

 

The 12 reasons/areas are for:

 

1. Tourism purposes.
2. Teachers at public schools
3. Studying at public schools
4. Working in government agencies
5. For original Thai people
6. Resident families
7. Mass media
8. Teaching and research in government agencies
9. Installing and repairing machinery
10. Medical experts.
11. Vehicle operators
12. Embassy requests. 

 

There are currently 200,000 requests under those 12 criteria annually and that is only going up especially in Bangkok. 

 

Applications can be made via phone or computer. 

 

According to Daily News the system has been in place since October 10th and has received rave reviews. 

 

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[richard_smith237]

Someone needs to tell these Immigration guys their stopwatch is screwed up….

 

…. these are the same clowns who told they are processing passengers at at rate of 45 second per arrival. 
 

 

[richard_smith237]

For original Thai people ???

 

they need an e extension? 

[richard_smith237]

11 minutes ago, webfact said:

However, they must still show up in person to verify their identity and get a visa sticker at the main IB office at the Government complex on Chaeng Wattana Road. 

so… a lot longer than 3 mins then..,

[lopburi3]

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

For original Thai people ???

 

they need an e extension? 

If they arrive on a foreign passport they do.  

[RandiRona]

20 minutes ago, webfact said:

However, they must still show up in person to verify their identity and get a visa sticker at the main IB office at the Government complex on Chaeng Wattana Road. 

Thailand loves technology!!

Hates Intelligence!!!

[blackcab]

 

https://thaiextension.vfsevisa.com/information

[MickTurator]

So an extension based on retirement is not covered with this new online service.

[brewsterbudgen]

15 minutes ago, MickTurator said:

So an extension based on retirement is not covered with this new online service.

No. Although "resident families" is rather ambiguous.

[redsongthaew]

So the OP states there are 200,000 of these types of visa issued per year in Bangkok.

 

Each applicant must pay 500 baht.

 

That is 100 million baht per year income for VFS for providing an online only service..

[bolt]

3 minutes ago, redsongthaew said:

So the OP states there are 200,000 of these types of visa issued per year in Bangkok.

 

Each applicant must pay 500 baht.

 

That is 100 million baht per year incone for VFS for providing an online only service..

Thats it in a nutshell

 

100m

[ubonjoe]

9 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

No. Although "resident families" is rather ambiguous.

I think that is extensions for family members of a person that has permanent residency.

[In the jungle]

If decisions are made within three minutes why are there fees for "express service" and "super urgent service"?

[hotandsticky]

38 minutes ago, MickTurator said:

So an extension based on retirement is not covered with this new online service.

Nor marriage.

[MadMuhammad]

10 minutes ago, In the jungle said:

If decisions are made within three minutes why are there fees for "express service" and "super urgent service"?

You tink too mutt mistah 

[GeorgeCross]

14 minutes ago, In the jungle said:

If decisions are made within three minutes why are there fees for "express service" and "super urgent service"?

express service 2 minutes

 

super urgent 1 minute..

[bluebluewater]

Yeah sure.  Anyone think they have the IT people who can put this together anytime soon?  The 90 day report took years and I'm not sure it is working on a regular basis even now.

[ikke1959]

OMG and than with the knwledge of the 90 days extension and fines if things go wrong, now a new program with what kind of not working modules in it?? Better go to the office everything will fine. We have read that 90 days reports online not always are known at local immigration offices sometimes.. Extensions with mistakes could give severe trouble 

[Liverpool Lou]

Another great opportunity for Thaivisa whingers to rant and speculate negatively about something that is a positive improvement.   Go for it, fill yer boots!

[SantikamSpinner]

28 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I think that is extensions for family members of a person that has permanent residency.

Agree. There is no mention of the financial requirement (B400K), or of home visits or several other things that make the annual extension process so much fun.

Mind, I would hesitate anyway before giving VFS (of all people) details of my bank.........

Glad I am not in BKK and have just done a year's worth - can sit back and watch this pan out!

[Will B Good]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

However, they must still show up in person to verify their identity and get a visa sticker

So still face a three hour round trip dodging the worst drivers in the world.......not much gained there then.

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, blackcab said:

 

https://thaiextension.vfsevisa.com/information

So the previous 1,900 paid for the visa and service at immigration, but you will now have to pay for that plus an additional 500 to use the website and still have to visit immigration?

 

I'm not entirely convinced that this is actually for the benefit of customers using immigration services.  It sounds more like it's going to make things easier for immigration officers and increase their income.

[userabcd]

1 hour ago, MickTurator said:

So an extension based on retirement is not covered with this new online service.

I'm guessing it will equally apply to those married to Thais on a NON-Imm visa and extensions since they are only in the country for visiting their families.

[Liverpool Lou]

16 minutes ago, SantikamSpinner said:

There is no mention of the financial requirement (B400K), or of home visits or several other things that make the annual extension process so much fun.

That's because those extensions aren't included!

[brewsterbudgen]

17 minutes ago, SantikamSpinner said:

Agree. There is no mention of the financial requirement (B400K), or of home visits or several other things that make the annual extension process so much fun.

Mind, I would hesitate anyway before giving VFS (of all people) details of my bank.........

Glad I am not in BKK and have just done a year's worth - can sit back and watch this pan out!

VFS are certainly expanding their services!

[Liverpool Lou]

1 minute ago, userabcd said:

1 hour ago, MickTurator said:

So an extension based on retirement is not covered with this new online service.

I'm guessing it will equally apply to those married to Thais on a NON-Imm visa and extensions.

Those extensions are specifically not mentioned or did you mean that they will equally not apply?

[BangkokReady]

23 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

something that is a positive improvement

And another chance for the crazies to loudly proclaim "This is unquestionably a good thing!  My opinion is fact, and anyone who points out anything negative about it in any way is actually proving they are wrong (and a racist Thai-basher to boot)!".  ????

[Liverpool Lou]

Just now, BangkokReady said:

29 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

something that is a positive improvement

And another chance for the crazies to loudly proclaim "This is unquestionably a good thing!  My opinion is fact, and anyone who points out anything negative about it in any way is actually proving they are wrong (and a racist Thai-basher to boot)!".  ????

If you're suggesting that I have ever posted that, then that says a lot about you.

[userabcd]

5 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

So the previous 1,900 paid for the visa and service at immigration, but you will now have to pay for that plus an additional 500 to use the website and still have to visit immigration?

 

I'm not entirely convinced that this is actually for the benefit of customers using immigration services.  It sounds more like it's going to make things easier for immigration officers and increase their income.

Thats what govt is all about, to extract increasingly more money from everyone for any and all services and increasing bureaucracy.

[BangkokReady]

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

If you're suggesting that I have ever posted that, then that says a lot about you.

It's hyperbole and not directed specifically at you.  Obviously I am not suggesting that you have ever posted that.