Visa Extension During Flood

[takefuji]

This is like half complaining and asking for advise.

I am a Thai and my wife is Japanese and currently pregnant and going into the 7th month. Due to the flooding at my house I decided to move to a house rented elsewhere which is inconvenient and

with all the flood going on, this is stressing out my wife and as a result I decided to sent her back to Japan until things calm down.

The problem I am facing is she is on a O Visa and it expired on the 8th of November, early in October, I already made application for the extension which she was supposed to get it on the 8th of November.

I contacted the immigration office about the situation and they told me that it doesn't matter whether the house is flooded or my wife is pregnant, she will have to be in Thailand when the visa expires or else she has to go

through all the process again plus paying for all the fees. In addition they also told me that even the 8th of November is supposed to be the day to get the extension, they are delaying it also! Guess its a way for the immigration

office to make money out of foreigners

Currently there are thousands of Japanese expat who has sent their families home and some are facing similar problems. I am sure that many other foreigners are facing the same problem also and some are probably staying in

Thailand in all the floods until they get the extension done.

I haven't seen anything being done or announced about this issue except saying that foreigners in flooded areas which the immigration office are closed can go and get the extension elsewhere. Guess they expect them to swim through the

floods and go and get an extension.

I can't believe the arrogance of the Ministry or Foreign Affairs as Thailand is getting so much donations for flooding from foreign countries, but on the other hand the MOFA is doing nothing with the visa issues! Its like the Prime Minister saying " I would like

to have all the investors to stay in Thailand and we are thankful for all the donations, but don't worry we will definitely charge more money through visa fees and fines from all your expats and foreigners!

I really feel shameful being a Thai, when I was in Japan the immigration process and regulations were much more lenient to me and had reasons also.

Anyone has any suggestions for me or do I have to go through all the process again?

[Mario2008]

I'm sorry, but since she left the country it seems your wife indeed has to apply for a new non-O visa and go to the process of applying for an extension of stay again.

[lopburi3]

And the MFA only provide visas. Immigration is a police service under interior ministry. So wife will need a new non immigrant O visa entry at 2k and submit new TM.7 at 1,900 baht after return (and perhaps for child also). You/wife should check with Thai Embassy about birth registration paperwork as that will be required to establish Thai citizenship (if that is your intent) and believe normally easier to obtain in country of birth (but without you there it might not be so best to ask there advise). I don't know Japan policy on dual nationality.

[wayned]

I think that you should just sit back , relax a little and be THANKFUL!

Yes you'll have to start the procees all over again and be seperated from your wife and soon to be born child while all of the nonsensical paperwork is processed. Yes, it's going to cost you a lot of money that you hadn't intended to spend. Yes the Ministry of foreign affairs isn't being very forgiving in light of all of the donations that Thailand is receiving from other countries.

But, in spite of all of the above your child will be born in a clean and healthy enviorment and in the end you'll be back together as a family.

The flood is a natural disaster that is affecting many lives in Thailland, both Thai and Farang, but you had the ability to move your family back home to a clean and safe area. Just think of what it would have been like for you and your family if you had been living in Fukushima Japan in March of 2011. You might not have had time to do anything! You and your family might not even be here.

In the meantime do what you can to help others and be thankful that you are going to have a beautiful child and will be back with your family soon!

[takefuji]

Thank you for all the replies. Yes I agree that it was still better for me to have been able to send my wife back and compared to Fukushima it is better since I know how it is there because I have relatives in Fukushima also. I just feel that the Immigration Office is incompetent and

taking advantages over foreigners and myself as they don't seem to care about foreigners living in Thailand and all the process they have to go through for securing a visa to stay in Thailand.

I just feel there more has to be addressed on the issue if Thailand truly wants investments from foreign countries.

Well I guess I will have to stick with the regulation as the immigration has the card.

I think that you should just sit back , relax a little and be THANKFUL!

Yes you'll have to start the procees all over again and be seperated from your wife and soon to be born child while all of the nonsensical paperwork is processed. Yes, it's going to cost you a lot of money that you hadn't intended to spend. Yes the Ministry of foreign affairs isn't being very forgiving in light of all of the donations that Thailand is receiving from other countries.

But, in spite of all of the above your child will be born in a clean and healthy enviorment and in the end you'll be back together as a family.

The flood is a natural disaster that is affecting many lives in Thailland, both Thai and Farang, but you had the ability to move your family back home to a clean and safe area. Just think of what it would have been like for you and your family if you had been living in Fukushima Japan in March of 2011. You might not have had time to do anything! You and your family might not even be here.

In the meantime do what you can to help others and be thankful that you are going to have a beautiful child and will be back with your family soon!