Long, long wait for annual immigration stamp in Phuket!

[geoffphuket]

Quite, hence, why would you want PR or citizenship in such a place?

That's a good question. Some people have family here and can't move easily. For those it would have only upsides, no downside.

Generally speaking, there can be a multitude of reasons why people want to stay here but limit the amount of bullshit they have to endure.

Enduring the never ending BS is the bitter pill that has to be swallowed, trying to stay here with a Thai family. There should be a straight forward and automatic right to remain, for those that have renewed their extension stamp for a number of years - and technically there is. One look at the basic application form for permanent residence appears to be simple, but actually completing the process is made nigh impossible by a list of un-tabled requirements. It worries me how I'll cope with the bureaucracy in old age - assuming I live that long.

[Bulldozer Dawn]

<snip>

Moreover, I would not like to be living here full time (and with a Thai partner who I care about) with less than 800K in emergency funds. Before the protests I had about 15 million here in Thailand, it was always my plan when I moved here full time to have a chunk of my net worth in Baht to hedge against any collapse in my home currency, but due to the uncertainty I transferred the bulk of those funds out to my US dollar account in Hong Kong.

Good move ... I too shipped much money out of Thailand during the 'uncertainies'. I moved to Singapore banking system over 5 years ago. Have a multicurrency account, move any Thai baht 'profits' straight to Singapore by internet banking. Going off topic now ... sorry mods ...

Interesting that you used internet banking to transfer aboard. I would like to hear more on how you achieved that.

Personally I had a great deal of trouble transferring the funds. I have many accounts with 5 different Thai banks and had to shop around between these to find a branch where they would work with me. I had to do a number of telex transfers and fill out the one page form stating where the money came from and where it is going and what currency will I be transferring in. I transferred just under 20KUSD each time and did a serious of transfers over several weeks as the problems in Bangkok escalated.

[LeungKen]

This is getting off topic.

Open a thread in the appropriate section if you wish to discuss financial transfers.

Thank You

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/13-jobs-economy-banking-business-investments/

[NamKangMan]

Quite, hence, why would you want PR or citizenship in such a place?

That's a good question. Some people have family here and can't move easily. For those it would have only upsides, no downside.

Generally speaking, there can be a multitude of reasons why people want to stay here but limit the amount of bullshit they have to endure.

Enduring the never ending BS is the bitter pill that has to be swallowed, trying to stay here with a Thai family. There should be a straight forward and automatic right to remain, for those that have renewed their extension stamp for a number of years - and technically there is. One look at the basic application form for permanent residence appears to be simple, but actually completing the process is made nigh impossible by a list of un-tabled requirements. It worries me how I'll cope with the bureaucracy in old age - assuming I live that long.

I think that old saying, "The Thai's want your money here, but not you here" is quite true for those that have lived here a number of years, married a Thai, bought or built up a business and /or bought a property, and possibly raised children here.

Provided that foreigner has no criminal history in Thailand, there should be some sort of simple 5 year multiple entry marriage visa, similar to Vietnam, or perhaps a fast track to PR. This demographic of foreigner should be given some consideration.

As mentioned, the way it is now, my tourist visa gives me the same rights as any other visa holder here, and I have zero assets here, and I am single.

I suppose it simply comes down to the fact we are all "farang" no matter what sticker / stamp is in your passport.

[geoffphuket]

Quite, hence, why would you want PR or citizenship in such a place?

That's a good question. Some people have family here and can't move easily. For those it would have only upsides, no downside.

Generally speaking, there can be a multitude of reasons why people want to stay here but limit the amount of bullshit they have to endure.

Enduring the never ending BS is the bitter pill that has to be swallowed, trying to stay here with a Thai family. There should be a straight forward and automatic right to remain, for those that have renewed their extension stamp for a number of years - and technically there is. One look at the basic application form for permanent residence appears to be simple, but actually completing the process is made nigh impossible by a list of un-tabled requirements. It worries me how I'll cope with the bureaucracy in old age - assuming I live that long.

I think that old saying, "The Thai's want your money here, but not you here" is quite true for those that have lived here a number of years, married a Thai, bought or built up a business and /or bought a property, and possibly raised children here.

Provided that foreigner has no criminal history in Thailand, there should be some sort of simple 5 year multiple entry marriage visa, similar to Vietnam, or perhaps a fast track to PR. This demographic of foreigner should be given some consideration.

As mentioned, the way it is now, my tourist visa gives me the same rights as any other visa holder here, and I have zero assets here, and I am single.

I suppose it simply comes down to the fact we are all "farang" no matter what sticker / stamp is in your passport.

I agree with one exception - your tourist visa doesn't give you the same rights! You can't work here, or technically open a bank account, staying on a tourist Visa.

[geoffphuket]

Getting back to topic, this coming week will see my third visit to immigration to see if the paperwork's been returned from Bangkok (or Hat Yai). From experience, how many weeks, months and visits is it going to take? Anyone?

[phuketrichard]

Getting back to topic, this coming week will see my third visit to immigration to see if the paperwork's been returned from Bangkok (or Hat Yai). From experience, how many weeks, months and visits is it going to take? Anyone?

for which extension?

Marriage i guess

[LivinginKata]

Getting back to topic, this coming week will see my third visit to immigration to see if the paperwork's been returned from Bangkok (or Hat Yai). From experience, how many weeks, months and visits is it going to take? Anyone?

January 2015 application took 10 weeks. Longest ever. Previous year was 7 weeks.

[NamKangMan]

@ geoffphuket

I've always viewed work permits as being a seperate authorty to a visa to enter, and remain in Thailand.

A foreigner can live here on a visa, but the same foreigner would then need a work permit to work. It's not the case that foreigners are only allowed into Thailand to work.

With most occupations reserved for Thai's only, there is not a broad range of industries in which foreigners can work in Thailand.

I opened a bank account whilst here on a tourist visa - no problem at all.

[merijn]

Just for your information.

Extensions based on marriage are not approved in Bangkok but send to Hat Yai.

Person will receive a 30 days under consideration stamp in their passport.

Unfortunately due to high amount of applications Hat Yai is overwhelmed and therefore it is possible that the application is not ready within the 30 days.

As Phuket does not know when the paperwork will return from Hat Yai they will ask people to return after 1 week again.

This does not cause a overstay situation and no fine will be given.

Also Phuket is now following the general rule of 2 months seasoning (only for extensions based on marriage) regardless for first time or consecutive extensions.

The rules for a extension based on retirement have not changed a lot except for the signed and stamped bank transfer statement if bank account is used, and if people have all the required paperwork they should not have any issue with the application.

As everybody should do the address registration within 24 hrs after arriving in Thailand this should not be a issue when applying for the extension.

[Old Croc]

Just for your information.

Extensions based on marriage are not approved in Bangkok but send to Hat Yai.

Person will receive a 30 days under consideration stamp in their passport.

Unfortunately due to high amount of applications Hat Yai is overwhelmed and therefore it is possible that the application is not ready within the 30 days.

As Phuket does not know when the paperwork will return from Hat Yai they will ask people to return after 1 week again.

This does not cause a overstay situation and no fine will be given.

Also Phuket is now following the general rule of 2 months seasoning (only for extensions based on marriage) regardless for first time or consecutive extensions.

The rules for a extension based on retirement have not changed a lot except for the signed and stamped bank transfer statement if bank account is used, and if people have all the required paperwork they should not have any issue with the application.

As everybody should do the address registration within 24 hrs after arriving in Thailand this should not be a issue when applying for the extension.

Is there any sensible reason these extensions can't be processed by a senior, competent officer in Phuket (or any Immigration office where the applications are made)?

After all they are only temporary extensions of stay, very similar to retirement extensions which can be authorised locally.

It's not as if they are applying for PR or citizenship.

[merijn]

Just for your information.

Extensions based on marriage are not approved in Bangkok but send to Hat Yai.

Person will receive a 30 days under consideration stamp in their passport.

Unfortunately due to high amount of applications Hat Yai is overwhelmed and therefore it is possible that the application is not ready within the 30 days.

As Phuket does not know when the paperwork will return from Hat Yai they will ask people to return after 1 week again.

This does not cause a overstay situation and no fine will be given.

Also Phuket is now following the general rule of 2 months seasoning (only for extensions based on marriage) regardless for first time or consecutive extensions.

The rules for a extension based on retirement have not changed a lot except for the signed and stamped bank transfer statement if bank account is used, and if people have all the required paperwork they should not have any issue with the application.

As everybody should do the address registration within 24 hrs after arriving in Thailand this should not be a issue when applying for the extension.

Is there any sensible reason these extensions can't be processed by a senior, competent officer in Phuket (or any Immigration office where the applications are made)?

After all they are only temporary extensions of stay, very similar to retirement extensions which can be authorised locally.

It's not as if they are applying for PR or citizenship.

I wish, but unfortunately this is dictated from higher up (Bangkok)

Phuket would like to do this in house but they are not the boss.

[geoffphuket]

Just for your information.

Extensions based on marriage are not approved in Bangkok but send to Hat Yai.

Person will receive a 30 days under consideration stamp in their passport.

Unfortunately due to high amount of applications Hat Yai is overwhelmed and therefore it is possible that the application is not ready within the 30 days.

As Phuket does not know when the paperwork will return from Hat Yai they will ask people to return after 1 week again.

This does not cause a overstay situation and no fine will be given.

Also Phuket is now following the general rule of 2 months seasoning (only for extensions based on marriage) regardless for first time or consecutive extensions.

The rules for a extension based on retirement have not changed a lot except for the signed and stamped bank transfer statement if bank account is used, and if people have all the required paperwork they should not have any issue with the application.

As everybody should do the address registration within 24 hrs after arriving in Thailand this should not be a issue when applying for the extension.

Pardon my ignorance, but by '2 months seasoning', you're referring to the bank deposit of 400K - yes? Question then remains, is it worth risking that in 12 months time the rules won't have reverted back? ... I can hear the officer now "bank deposit 3 months... Bai"

[LivinginKata]

Just for your information.

Extensions based on marriage are not approved in Bangkok but send to Hat Yai.

Person will receive a 30 days under consideration stamp in their passport.

Unfortunately due to high amount of applications Hat Yai is overwhelmed and therefore it is possible that the application is not ready within the 30 days.

As Phuket does not know when the paperwork will return from Hat Yai they will ask people to return after 1 week again.

This does not cause a overstay situation and no fine will be given.

Also Phuket is now following the general rule of 2 months seasoning (only for extensions based on marriage) regardless for first time or consecutive extensions.

The rules for a extension based on retirement have not changed a lot except for the signed and stamped bank transfer statement if bank account is used, and if people have all the required paperwork they should not have any issue with the application.

As everybody should do the address registration within 24 hrs after arriving in Thailand this should not be a issue when applying for the extension.

Pardon my ignorance, but by '2 months seasoning', you're referring to the bank deposit of 400K - yes? Question then remains, is it worth risking that in 12 months time the rules won't have reverted back? ... I can hear the officer now "bank deposit 3 months... Bai"

Might be the first time application is only 2 months money in the bank, although 3 months is often required. For sure subsequent extension must be 3 months. No idea where your 'general rule of 2 months' comes from. I would not risk only have bank funds seasoned for 2 months.

[merijn]

Just for your information.

Extensions based on marriage are not approved in Bangkok but send to Hat Yai.

Person will receive a 30 days under consideration stamp in their passport.

Unfortunately due to high amount of applications Hat Yai is overwhelmed and therefore it is possible that the application is not ready within the 30 days.

As Phuket does not know when the paperwork will return from Hat Yai they will ask people to return after 1 week again.

This does not cause a overstay situation and no fine will be given.

Also Phuket is now following the general rule of 2 months seasoning (only for extensions based on marriage) regardless for first time or consecutive extensions.

The rules for a extension based on retirement have not changed a lot except for the signed and stamped bank transfer statement if bank account is used, and if people have all the required paperwork they should not have any issue with the application.

As everybody should do the address registration within 24 hrs after arriving in Thailand this should not be a issue when applying for the extension.

Pardon my ignorance, but by '2 months seasoning', you're referring to the bank deposit of 400K - yes? Question then remains, is it worth risking that in 12 months time the rules won't have reverted back? ... I can hear the officer now "bank deposit 3 months... Bai"

Might be the first time application is only 2 months money in the bank, although 3 months is often required. For sure subsequent extension must be 3 months. No idea where your 'general rule of 2 months' comes from. I would not risk only have bank funds seasoned for 2 months.

Until now Phuket always had the 2 months for first time and 3 months for consecutive extensions.

Now they are using 2 months seasoning for either first time or consecutive extensions.

( this is only applicable for the 400 K Bank account option for marriage extensions)

But as always nobody knows how long this will last as (local) rules are changed many times,

Personally i would make sure that the 400 K is at least 3 months in my account just in case they change their mind.

[Old Croc]

With the imminent opening of an Australian Consulate General on Phuket I am considering changing from the 800,000 in the bank method, to having my income certified by the new office. This would free up funds for more efficient investment.

For people already using this method, Is there any downside?

[oncearugge]

With the imminent opening of an Australian Consulate General on Phuket I am considering changing from the 800,000 in the bank method, to having my income certified by the new office. This would free up funds for more efficient investment.

For people already using this method, Is there any downside?

Not really but be prepared to be able to support your income affidavit with evidence which supports the 'sworn' income

[Old Croc]

With the imminent opening of an Australian Consulate General on Phuket I am considering changing from the 800,000 in the bank method, to having my income certified by the new office. This would free up funds for more efficient investment.

For people already using this method, Is there any downside?

Not really but be prepared to be able to support your income affidavit with evidence which supports the 'sworn' income

I think it will be a simple matter of getting my on line pension statements certified by the office?

Depending on exchange rates, the total is around 100,000 pm.

I didn't want to go this route previously because it involved travelling to Bangkok.

[oncearugge]

With the imminent opening of an Australian Consulate General on Phuket I am considering changing from the 800,000 in the bank method, to having my income certified by the new office. This would free up funds for more efficient investment.

For people already using this method, Is there any downside?

Not really but be prepared to be able to support your income affidavit with evidence which supports the 'sworn' income

I think it will be a simple matter of getting my on line pension statements certified by the office?

Depending on exchange rates, the total is around 100,000 pm.

I didn't want to go this route previously because it involved travelling to Bangkok.

Much better to have original statements from the pension providers --- normally issued each year.

Neither the Embassy or Consulate will 'certify' online statements.

[Old Croc]

With the imminent opening of an Australian Consulate General on Phuket I am considering changing from the 800,000 in the bank method, to having my income certified by the new office. This would free up funds for more efficient investment.

For people already using this method, Is there any downside?

Not really but be prepared to be able to support your income affidavit with evidence which supports the 'sworn' income

I think it will be a simple matter of getting my on line pension statements certified by the office?

Depending on exchange rates, the total is around 100,000 pm.

I didn't want to go this route previously because it involved travelling to Bangkok.

Much better to have original statements from the pension providers --- normally issued each year.

Neither the Embassy or Consulate will 'certify' online statements.

I'm not sure they even send the letter out now, all done on line, like bank statements there.

I'll investigate further.

Presuming I get correct statements certified, are there any issues with Immigration?

[merijn]

I think it will be a simple matter of getting my on line pension statements certified by the office?

Not really but be prepared to be able to support your income affidavit with evidence which supports the 'sworn' income

Depending on exchange rates, the total is around 100,000 pm.

I didn't want to go this route previously because it involved travelling to Bangkok.

Much better to have original statements from the pension providers --- normally issued each year.

Neither the Embassy or Consulate will 'certify' online statements.

I'm not sure they even send the letter out now, all done on line, like bank statements there.

I'll investigate further.

Presuming I get correct statements certified, are there any issues with Immigration?

The statement from the Embassy/Consul is sufficient for the immigration office. (financially requirements)

They can ask for supporting documents and online ones are normally accepted.

The question is if the consul will accept online statements.

[Old Croc]

Thanks for the input oncearugge and Merijn

I'll try the out this method when/if the new Consulate General opens.