Why the Check in to live in Thailand, I was asked.....

[Farang99]

My own opinion is that the 90 day report is no big deal, I do mine by post. It would be more of a problem if it had to be done in person.

What I would like to see would be something on the lines of a 5 yr or 10 yr visa issued for those that have married/family/children etc or have been residing in the Kingdom by whatever appropriate visa for more than 5 consecutive years can then get a "long stay" permit or something on those lines.

So would all of us, but it is never going to happen.

[micmichd]

Living/working here for over 15 years, still being referred to as non-immigrant in my visa status

A nonimmigrant visa is the visa issued to persons with a permanent residence outsiders 'Thailand' but who wishes to be in 'Thailand' on a temporary basis (i.e. Tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study.

I have no permanent residence, as probably many of you, outside Thailand. My permanent residence is Thailand..

Are we technically homeless??

Guess Yes.

I don't intend ever to go back to the country that issued my passport, I don't have and don't want a residence there anymore. I have an official paper stating that I am an emigrant - but nowhere an immigrant.

Guess the problem will come up when I need a new passport.

There might be a problem with health insurance.

Pensioners that emigrate to Thailand usually get kicked out of their national health security system and need a private health insurance instead. The problem with private health insurances is that they get more expensive the older you get, so beyond a certain age your pensions might not be enough anymore to cover the costs. So, some old Farangs might be forced to go back to their home countries just for the health insurance system. Which is rather non-productive, because medical treatment in Western countries is usually more expensive than in Thailand. Western countries should accept this as a fact and (in their own interest) should grant all pensioners abroad a choice whether they want to remain in the Western health care system or not.

I have practically never been sick in my life (apaet from some accidents) but contributed to the German social system for decades. Ridiculous to kick me out at an age when I might need it.

Edited October 2, 2015 by micmichd

[condobrit001]

I never was required to do a 90 day check in in Iran, Morocco, Malaysia, Taiwan or South Korea. There are no 90 day check ins in the USA unless you are a patrolled convict or in the EU for that matter. The only requirement for resident visa holders was to go to the local police station and register a new address.

I think this rule was just a whim that seemed like a good idea to give face to some minister and generate a little cash.

Dont know where the "generate a little cash" comes in as there is no cost to a 90 day report. In fact it just increases the admin for absolutely no gain that I can see.

Incorrect. I am sure that a large volume of cash is derived from late reporting fines.

I don't know why everyone does not report on-line - it is so easy!

[micmichd]

Maybe the question of health insurances for pensioners should be discussed in another thread.

The 90-days report to the immigration is no problem for me. I have a calendar to remind me, and I do it online or send a lawyer. Fortunately I don't have Alzheimer's (yet).

[Geordie59]

Many comments here all from the same view point.

So most people think they should be allowed to stay on a permanent basis with no checks once they have gained entry to Thailand.

Are you prepared to offer the same visas to everyone wanting to live in your home country?

Thought not.

[Psychic]

I understand Thailand wanting to check and verify marriages. There are lots of poor countries around with people who would like to live here. And there are lots of citizens of wealthy countries who would fake a marriage in order to stay here.

In every desirable location there are citizens willing to take money to fake a marriage to aid an immigrant.

Happens in most western countries and the authorities investigate there also.

Usually though when it becomes apparent that the marriage is real there is usually a roadmap for changing status to that of a permanent immigrant. Here you basically remain on the same footing as someone entering the country after even decades living here.

The financial requirements are a dubious question also. If, for whatever reason I can only show 350,000B after living here for years is it really in anybody's best interest for me to pack up and leave my family here with no money?

I'd like to see that change but don't expect it.

As far as retirees are concerned, I can see no reason they have to check in. They retire here, they have the funds to prove it and they have to do that every year.

[AlQaholic]

The 90 day reporting was just recently (in 1999 I think) enforced. Before that it was still a regulation but was never enforced.

[micmichd]

Many comments here all from the same view point.

So most people think they should be allowed to stay on a permanent basis with no checks once they have gained entry to Thailand.

Are you prepared to offer the same visas to everyone wanting to live in your home country?

Thought not.

The requirements for a Thai to go to Europe are incomparably high.

I tried to invite my gf to Germany in 2013, just ffor a week.

They required a visa from her, a return ticket, a health insurance, a working contract and a paper from her employer that she was on vacation. From me, they required proof of income, proof that I had a flat where she could stay, and a guarantee that I would pay for anything - up to 20 million EUR in case of a terrorist attack (no joke)

She didn't have a working contract because she was self-employed. So they started questioning me really intensively about her profession, and they asked me if I have an extra bed for her. They ran mad when I told them "No, she's my gf and we can share a bed"

They began to get religious then and mumbled something about doubtful professions and contagious diseases, it took them so long without any decision that I found it easier to go to Thailand and visit her.

Edited October 2, 2015 by micmichd

[micmichd]

I understand Thailand wanting to check and verify marriages. There are lots of poor countries around with people who would like to live here. And there are lots of citizens of wealthy countries who would fake a marriage in order to stay here.

In every desirable location there are citizens willing to take money to fake a marriage to aid an immigrant.

Happens in most western countries and the authorities investigate there also.

Usually though when it becomes apparent that the marriage is real there is usually a roadmap for changing status to that of a permanent immigrant. Here you basically remain on the same footing as someone entering the country after even decades living here.

The financial requirements are a dubious question also. If, for whatever reason I can only show 350,000B after living here for years is it really in anybody's best interest for me to pack up and leave my family here with no money?

I'd like to see that change but don't expect it.

As far as retirees are concerned, I can see no reason they have to check in. They retire here, they have the funds to prove it and they have to do that every year.

They should take into account how much you've already invested. Maybe you've invested in your lady's business so she is not dependent on you anymore, or in education. Once you shown you're a reliable person, then visa requirements should be loosened gradually, in my opinion.

[IAMHERE]

Living/working here for over 15 years, still being referred to as non-immigrant in my visa status

A nonimmigrant visa is the visa issued to persons with a permanent residence outside 'Thailand' but who wishes to be in 'Thailand' on a temporary basis (i.e. Tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study.

I have no permanent residence, as probably many of you, outside Thailand. My permanent residence is Thailand..

Are we technically homeless??

Isn't the technical term 'Stateless'? Yes, you are Stateless by choice.

As far as the 90 reporting, it only applies to the honest falang. Others pay it no heed.

[hakuho]

if one is disturbed by the 90 day rule then don't do it....at the yearly immigration check-in just pay the 2000thb penalty....chump change. For years I used a VISA 90 reporting service; at 250baht per 90 day that adds up to 1000thb for the year...so just an extra 1000/year then you can avoid....I know several long-term 'visitors' to LOS who never check in; their philosophy is pay the 200USD when/if exiting the kingdom.....my lawyer at Ratchada Law firm, Benny Moafi, is Iranian-has no VISA, of course he spent 10 years in a Thai jail before getting his Thai law degree...now he seems untouchable....TIT.& 55555.

[mrfaroukh]

I don't mind it and love it. The only thing is they should treat everyone the same. They should not be hard on some because they are from certain countries and just let in others because of the same reason. They should respect all the nations.

[farangmick]

The 90 day report - easy.

Annual extension (CNX) - ridiculous. Appointment of visa agent basically mandatory unless you desire extreme pain.

Retirement visa - of course, I wish to stay here until death. Been here 13 years thus far.

PR - no, no for ol' farts.

Nothing I can do so grin & bear it one year at a time.

Phitsanulok Immigration not bad. Recently done my annual retirement extension and registered new passport at the same time. Took about an hour, and half of that was taken up with finding the myriad of rubber stamps needed. Also chance to do a bit of shopping as the choice of farang food in Phetchabun is crap.

[fang37]

farangmick

you are indeed a fortunate fella.

CNX I/O has the dubious reputation of being a disaster area.

no enjoyment at all.

[farangmick]

If you are married here I think you should be able to become a permanent resident, without the need for 90 day reports. Australia, UK and many other countries allow this.

I agree, but if there is a divorce or break up of the marriage, you should get your marriage visa (in whatever form) taken away.

I know there are many cases in the UK where the person marries someone from another country, they separate or divorce, and that

person from the other country has permanent residency to stay in the UK and after a short time has a UK passport. I think that is very wrong.

Yes. Sooner the mild irritation of Thai Immigration than the open door policy of Britain. Of course, the streets of Bangkok are not paved with state benefits for the dregs of the world.

[farangmick]

I never was required to do a 90 day check in in Iran, Morocco, Malaysia, Taiwan or South Korea. There are no 90 day check ins in the USA unless you are a patrolled convict or in the EU for that matter. The only requirement for resident visa holders was to go to the local police station and register a new address.

I think this rule was just a whim that seemed like a good idea to give face to some minister and generate a little cash.

Dont know where the "generate a little cash" comes in as there is no cost to a 90 day report. In fact it just increases the admin for absolutely no gain that I can see.

Incorrect. I am sure that a large volume of cash is derived from late reporting fines.

I don't know why everyone does not report on-line - it is so easy!

I'll give it a try on line, but I am not hopeful. I can't even figure out how to get an avatar in the corner of my posts. Best leave it to my seven year old son to sort out.

[Geordie59]

I never was required to do a 90 day check in in Iran, Morocco, Malaysia, Taiwan or South Korea. There are no 90 day check ins in the USA unless you are a patrolled convict or in the EU for that matter. The only requirement for resident visa holders was to go to the local police station and register a new address.

I think this rule was just a whim that seemed like a good idea to give face to some minister and generate a little cash.

Dont know where the "generate a little cash" comes in as there is no cost to a 90 day report. In fact it just increases the admin for absolutely no gain that I can see.

Incorrect. I am sure that a large volume of cash is derived from late reporting fines.

I don't know why everyone does not report on-line - it is so easy!

I'll give it a try on line, but I am not hopeful. I can't even figure out how to get an avatar in the corner of my posts. Best leave it to my seven year old son to sort out.

g

So what type of visa did you have when in all those countries?

I know that on a UK passport you only get 90 days on arrival and this is supposed to be non extendable.

Are you saying you just breeze up to immigration in Iran or Morocco and stamp you in with a smile for as long as you want to stay?

Something is missing here.

[farangmick]

Many comments here all from the same view point.

So most people think they should be allowed to stay on a permanent basis with no checks once they have gained entry to Thailand.

Are you prepared to offer the same visas to everyone wanting to live in your home country?

Thought not.

The requirements for a Thai to go to Europe are incomparably high.

I tried to invite my gf to Germany in 2013, just ffor a week.

They required a visa from her, a return ticket, a health insurance, a working contract and a paper from her employer that she was on vacation. From me, they required proof of income, proof that I had a flat where she could stay, and a guarantee that I would pay for anything - up to 20 million EUR in case of a terrorist attack (no joke)

She didn't have a working contract because she was self-employed. So they started questioning me really intensively about her profession, and they asked me if I have an extra bed for her. They ran mad when I told them "No, she's my gf and we can share a bed"

They began to get religious then and mumbled something about doubtful professions and contagious diseases, it took them so long without any decision that I found it easier to go to Thailand and visit her.

Many hoops to jump through to get my wife, then girlfriend, a 6 month holiday visa for England years ago. The hardest part is providing evidence that they will leave before the visa expires. Many do a runner, and others are put to work in "massage parlours" by their BF. Easier in those days to buy a ticket to France, lose the passport, hop on the axle of a Eurostar and claim asylum. As a bonus, she would get a council flat that you could illegally sub let.

[micmichd]

Not a good idea to treat a whole part of a population (Isaan girls or whoever) as general suspects because a few (did or might) abuse the regulations. People tend to act according to the labels imposed on them, and improved control density does the rest.

Not long ago people got shot when they tried to leave East Germany, and "socialism" was considered an unquestionable religion in the GDR. Now there are refugees in West Europe again, and some people there want to shoot them for religious reasons again.

What would Farangs say if Thailand would treat them just the same like Asians are treated in Europe?

[csabo]

I go to Phuket with a warm smile on my face freshly showered and well dressed. Greet the volunteers pleasantly and then get my number ticket. Then I get called up to the same grumpy prick every time to go through the sign, tear and staple process. Do I mind? Not so much. But it sure seems like the I/O is sick of this paper generator. If they could just get the online reporting going here I would gladly avoid going in. I think I'll try the post next time.

[Old people]

On October 1, 2558 BE at 8:58 PM, CharlieH said:

My own opinion is that the 90 day report is no big deal, I do mine by post. It would be more of a problem if it had to be done in person.

What I would like to see would be something on the lines of a 5 yr or 10 yr visa issued for those that have married/family/children etc or have been residing in the Kingdom by whatever appropriate visa for more than 5 consecutive years can then get a "long stay" permit or something on those lines.

With all the new changes to ninety-day reporting, could someone please give me step by step, what people need to send to immigration when sending ninety-day reporting by mail.

 

I would imagine copy passport, return envelope, and I don't know how many forms you have to get from immigration, but maybe the same forms need to be sent in by postal, copy TM30, and what copy’s of passport-which pages,please correct me?