Feedback On Farang Visa Questions

[george]

Feedback on farang visa questions

Grasping the basic points

There was a big response, 200 plus, to this newspaper’s [Pattaya Today] offer to answer questions on-line. So what were the general concerns? A first group wanted to know if the Thai government had lost interest in tourism. Far from it is the likely answer, but the immigration bureau is certainly determined to crack down on what it sees as abuse of the kingdom’s tolerant entry and stay requirements, in particular misuse of the 30 days on arrival stamp to be a kind of cheap residency permit.

A second group wanted to know more about their own situation on repeated runs to the Cambodian border. The limit of three such consecutive runs (30+30+30 days) before being able to resume after a further three months (90 days in 180) is clearly a worry to many people.

In fairness, it may be January 2007 before the full impact is felt. Immigration officials at the Pailin border crossing told us that the counting of days began on October 1 and would not take into account trips made before that date. But once a traveller must take a break from the border, where can he go? The most popular option seems to be Penang in Malaysia where 60 day tourist visas are being awarded by the consulate general there. In fact, the new regulations have given a new lease of life to Penang after a long period of the doldrums. But only single entries are being given out.

A third group of enquirers asked about prior tourist and non immigrant visas issued overseas, usually in Europe. Of course, there are no changes to how these visas may be used. A man who went back to UK for example and got a multiple entry tourist or non immigrant visa could come and go as he pleases in Thailand, so long as the visa remains valid.

A fourth group asked about the changes to the so called retirement visa and married man’s visa which are both extensions of a non immigrant visa. In both cases, the Thai authorities now reserve the right to check that the financial guarantee is kept in the bank for three months prior to application. In the past, some people had borrowed cash just to satisfy the requirements and then draw it out immediately after receiving the visa. If an applicant has only recently put the cash in his or her bank account, immigration will probably give only a “part year” visa and ask to see bank details again later on.

Incidentally, the requirement to have a medical letter for the retirement option has been withdrawn. The married man’s visa, unlike the retirement one, can only be granted in Bangkok although the application can be lodged in Pattaya. Again, there will be checks that money in the bank isn’t whisked away too suddenly and evidence of other income is sometimes being asked as well.

Immigration police may also visit the family home to check that man and wife really are living together.

So who do the new regulations affect most? Mainly, it’s the guys who repeatedly go to the border post to live in Thailand. Sooner or later, they are going to mix such trips with a visit to a Thai consulate in another country, or cease living here on a permanent basis.

Men over 50 may well consider changing from the one year married man’s visa to the retirement visa, the latter being less linked to red tape.

The ending of the investor’s visa – keep 3 million baht in the bank and you can stay a year – has certainly restricted the options for younger foreigners wishing to be based here. The immigration bureau would probably advise them to get a work permit in any case! If you are not in any of the above groups, then the likelihood is that the visa changes won’t affect you. But it is certainly going to take a few months before the situation is entirely clear and before it’s known whether there can be soft-pedalling of the rules next year. Visas are no exception to the plaintiff cry This is Thailand!

--Pattaya Today 2006-10-13

[briankk]

I have been told yesterday bhy my Thai lawyer that an announcement was made on Thai radio stating that they are reverting back to the 1997 rules and canvelling the 1st rules.My friend has been to Nong Kai (dont know if spelt right) today and he just sailed through and got a new 30 day tourist visa no renewl can u comment