Thaivisa.com to meet with Immigration Commissioner

[pinkpanther99]

What visa would type would Immigration recommend for someone who is under 50, not married to Thai, not studying in Thailand, does not work in Thailand but who has enough finances from overseas to support themselves for a long term stay in the country?

 

 

[Quack]

Not sure if this has already been asked, but is there any chance immigration might consider issuing some special visa for online workers (freelancers who can't afford to set up a company), or at least make it somehow easier for us to stay here long-term? I'm sure many people in my situation would be happy to pay taxes and freelance here 'legally' if it was possible.

[craighj]

My question is.

Will Thailand ever have more reasonable permanent resident requirements or indeed promote permanent residency, like more enlightened Asian countries?

Craighj

[kanomsugar]

1) Would you consider extending the 7-day visa extension period when changing employers? (It is usually not possible, or very difficult, to arrange all paperwork within 7 days when losing a job! However, it would be illegal for an employer not to cancel the work permit immediately after an employee is leaving the company. It is difficult enough for people when losing a job - and is getting even more difficult when having to leave the country immediately!)

2) After a single / double or triple entry tourist visa: Is it allowed to apply for a new tourist visa immediately after the last one expired? (if yes - are there any restrictions?)

[96tehtarp]

Are there any plans to upgrade the immigration bureau's IT infrastructure so as to reduce the number of photocopies that are so often required?

 

Are their any plans to make 90 reporting possible on-line?

[alocacoc]

Is working online and generating money offshore (no Thai customers) defined as 'working illegally' in Thailand

 

If yes, would this also include stock/equity trading on a foreign exchange?

Edited August 6, 2014 by alocacoc

[galerita]

Does the Commissioner understand the problem and concern of having to carry one's passport on their person at all times?

 

Does the Commissioner realise the high risk of losing one's passport, having it stolen or damaged if carried at all times and not kept in a safe place?

 

Does the Commissioner realise that, for a foreigner to replace their passport entails a great deal of effort and expense which can take many weeks (or months)?

 

Does the Commissioner realise that once replaced, the foreigner must then inform many jurisdictions both here in Thailand and abroad of the new passport details which is very tedious and time consuming e.g. informing Thai immigration and the effort that requires?

 

Therefore would the Commissioner consider the idea of an ID card (as mentioned above) or some-such other method for those who live in Thailand on a valid visa to not have to carry their passport at all times?

 

[terryp]

can you please ask why do so many immigration officers have an attitude problem against non thais?, for a Government agency that is there so serve the people (irrespective of nationality thats why they are immigration officers to uphold immigration law and assist with immigration problems and enquires)

[phanangpete]

Will having property, land legally purchased through a Thai Company, with a substantial value and the expat having lived here for a considerable number of yrs, ever be taken into consideration for a visa. ?  Outside the same expat having enough monthly income to meet the present requirements.

[sjaak327]

Two of my main questions would be

 

1) could you please end the confusion regarding overstay. and especially in cases of apprehension. The forms you have publsihed, or are making people sign, clearly states that in case of apprehension, any overstay "less than one year" leads to a potential five year ban, yet others seem to believe this only applies to people who have overstayed "more than 90 days". Including one officer from Sadao who was quoted saying words to that effect in a Phuket newspaper.

 

2) What exactly is your intention regarding visa exempt ? The requirements you are publishing talk about the nationalities that qualify, proof of onward travel within 30 days and a financial requirement of 10K/20K. Yet all of a sudden there seem to be an unwritten requirement which is geared towards people being suspected of "working illegally" without any clear indication as to what the criteria are which triggers such suspicion. One would think, maybe the amount of time already spend in Thailand would at the very least be such trigger. Yet, no such triggers have been communicated.

 

People showing up at your border, and complying with all the written requirements, should not be turned down, just because they are suspicious based upon criteria they have no knowledge off.

[XpatMike]

As it is a legal (mandatory) requirement for aliens to report any and all changes of address, WHY is it necessary to do 90 day reports (on a retirement visa)? This is just (it seems to me) duplicating an already existing rule which, as a disabled veteran, I could well do without. Further, how is a postal report legal? Quite apart from never trusting my Passport to the postal system, according to other rules, I am NOT allowed to be without my passport - as it MUST be available on demand - by the Police, etc? Thanks, and kind regards.

[howsthat]

If you have PR, would the commissioner consider a work permit that allows Frangs with PR to do work overseas, using computers, ie to access computers in another country and perform work for that company whilst sitting in Thailand.

 

I believe that this would attract a lot of people to Thailand that would earn a good income and spend it all in Thailand, so it would help the Thai foreign currency reserves.

[Nbarch]

The Philippines (as an example) recognises the value that retired expats bring to the country and makes a real effort to attract and welcome them.  Their Philippine Retirement Authority offers a straightforward one-stop service for all the required paperwork e.g. obtaining driving licences.

 

They allow the retiree to bring in their household goods free of any custom duties.

 

Would it not benefit Thailand if it created a similar scheme?

 

 

[jpinx]

Thanks to Thailand for allow me to stay here, not every country is so welcoming.

 

Could the holders of 1-year extensions be allowed to carry a very basic ID card rather than the full passport?  A simple plastic encapsulation of a colour copy of their passport main page on the front and of the extension stamp on the reverse -- all reduced in size to credit card size.

 

90 day reporting is already conveniently allowed by post.  Could this be extended to an online service?

Edited August 6, 2014 by jpinx

[zaphod reborn]

The current immigration rules require a foreign worker to exit the country within 7 days of his work permit being resigned. This means that when a foreign worker changes jobs, he must exit the country and apply for a new non-B visa in his home country or a neighboring country. Isn't this unnecessary and actually an undue burden on foreign workers who are living in Thailand legally and contributing to the country's economy? Why not allow a foreign worker to extend his non-B visa for 60 days, if he can show he has a job offer from a new company which is in the process of applying for a letter of approval from Labor or the BOI for a new work permit? Don't you think Thailand should make the rules easier for foreign workers who are living in the country legally and trying to comply with the law?

[uptheos]

1. What exactly is the point of a re-entry permit (apart from big revenue), if someone has already been vetted and given a one year visa?

 

2. Are there any plans to increase the amounts of money required to obtain retirement/marriage yearly extensions and if so, will people currently paying the required amount be exempt from any new increases? 

[jayceenik]

Could the bank letter certifying the 800.000 baht deposit needed to extend the one-year stay permit be considered valid if dated a few days before applying for the extension instead of now needing to make an inconvenient last minute deposit/withdrawal on the very day of that extension request ? 

[up-country_sinclair]

Are tourists still granted a less than 24 hour grace period at Suvarnabhumi Airport?   My understanding is this was the policy in the past, and it may still be so today.   For example, if my passport is stamped for the fifteenth, but I pass immigration before midnight on the 16th will I be charged with overstay?

[swissie]

Any plans to issue immigration / visa procedures from a centralized "Immigration-Authority", issuing binding-rules to all immi-offices. Therefore eliminating individual interpretation avenues of rules & regulation by local "Immigration-Gods"?

 

Cheers.

[balkanbluerumba]

Will the Chiang Mai Immigration Office be reorganised soon? Lots of people are complaining about long waiting times. 

[stephen tracy]

I would also like to ask this question. I work freelance writing reports on a regular basis for two organizations, one in the UK and one in Istanbul.  My income is therefore generated outside Thailand but I would be happy to pay tax in Thailand if it would be mean I could stay without all this uncertainty.

1) Could they review or come up with a visa that will benefit expats earning income from oversea and wishes to pay taxes and also call thailand their home away from home ? since getting PR status is a long and tides process

 

2) If NOT Will they review and maybe come up with a installment plans for ppl to purchase thai elite card (i know people will say there is gonna be ppl abusing this if so. Maybe come out with somthing like 3 mths review just like the ED visa. and for those who didnt made their payment the visa would be cancel ?) 

 

Above is the 2 question i would like to ask. Thanks !

 

[transam]

Why is there no consideration for farangs who take care of Thai children abandoned by their fathers not taken into consideration by immigration regarding anything......

[CRUNCHER]

1. Any chance of an ID Card for expats on ong terms stays?  (Could be tied in with extensions of stay)

 

2. Any chance of those on retirement or marriage extensions and have secure pensions (government miitary etc etc) not having to produce financial proof evry year.  Better still be eligable for longer extensions than one year.

[Asiantravel]

If and when it is decided to revise  the minimum amount required for an extension of stay for retirement purposes from 800,000 baht, will there be a transition period (as people currently have this money sitting on deposit for three months ready to lodge their re-application) from the old amount to the revised amount and if so how many months would this transition period be?

[Franky Bear]

I will add that any post that is not a question will be removed without notice,

 

 

Cheers ears.

Mine will be about us 28/28's that have no kids or family that basically like to live in Thailand on our 28 off, obviously under 50

[judgedredd]

Could we ask the Thai Immigration Officials to please re-consider age 50 as the "Magic Number" for applying for a retirement extension?

 

Firstly, as an issue of competitiveness, Thailand should consider matching all of the requirements in the "Malaysia My Second Home" programme.  But, that's neither here nor there, please allow me to present a case for a legally retired American, age 44.

 

The fundamental question is this - - if a foreigner, who wishes to retire in Thailand, is legally retired in their home country, and if their retirement income is portable, meaning they can receive all benefits offshore, then what is so magic about age 50?

 

For example, I have a friend who is age 44.  He served 20 years in the US Army, and then he served 2-years in the Los Angeles police department before being shot, wounded, and permanently injured.  (He has a little problem walking long distances, but other than that, he is OK, and he is not a burden on anyone)

 

In total, he receives a permanent retirement and disability package in excess of $6,000-USD per month, which includes his Army early retirement, plus his Social Security early retirement, plus his LAPD early retirement, plus his Social Security Disability Pension, and including his State of California Disability Pension.  (Again, the total is in excess of $6,000-USD per month)

 

Lastly, the man is age 44, in fair health, no drinking or drugs, he does not smoke, he has no criminal record, and he owns a small condo.

 

Approximately 2 years ago, when he first came to Thailand, he bought this little one room condo for 3-Million THB.  It's freehold, he owns it under Thai condo law.

 

This man is retired, but he has done back to back visa runs for the last 2 years.  He's legally retired.  He owns his condo.  He's squeaky clean and he is not a burden to anyone.  He has plenty of income.

 

But he's not yet age 50, he's only age 44.

 

What is he to do?

 

[FangFerang]

Does not allowing immigration officials to waive the rules on a case-by-case basis encourage bribery?  If not, what checks and balances are in place to prevent corruption?

[gskimbrell]

Are there any plans to change the age and/or financial requirements for obtaining a "retirement visa"/long stay extension for the purpose of retirement?

[wiesner]

i go to chonburi immig. what are the rules for services. seems there is alot of paperwork for every different task, 90 day, re-entry, residence and etc. why all of the duplicate paper copies? will there be uniform rules for all immig. offices.thank you

[freedom4life]

Greetings,

 

It is high time that regulations and/or policies regarding foreigners(farangs) who are married to Thai women change. I have been married for four years and my status should be altered for one such as me. Why should I have to go to immigration every appointed date to extend my time in Thailand? I have a home and soon to have a child. It is high time that Thailand gets inline with other countries on this matter. I deserve to call this home just as others who have made the same commitment  in other countries. I am sure there are many others who feel the same way. Thank you.

Edited August 6, 2014 by freedom4life