Support Extension (not Just For Thai Wife) Grandfathered?

[bilky]

From a phone conversation I had last week with immigration, it seems that any family support reason (not just wife) is grandfathered. I was told that wife, child, parent etc. are all fine as long

as an extension was granted before the new Oct. rules went into effect - the same rules as

before would apply next time. He seemed very clear about what I was asking and his answer was very clear as well.

Can Sunbelt confirm? It would be good to get further confirmation on this.

[Oleg_Rus]

I spoke at immigration office 2 weeks ago. Can support child in school ( your child), relative in hospital ( as long as he needs admittance there).

That's for sure - I saw docs.

[bilky]

I might need to clarify.

It seems to be generally thought that the only support 'reason' that has been "grandfathered" (meaning generally no change in rules for those who were in the system before new rules came into effect) is to support a Thai wife.

I was just recently told that any previous family support 'reason' (wife, child, parent) is fine as long as an extension was granted before the new rules (have to be over 50 to support child etc.) came into effect.

I was told that for the next one, I'll need exactly the same as the last one (400k in bank, etc).

[chv]

From a phone conversation I had last week with immigration, it seems that any family support reason (not just wife) is grandfathered. I was told that wife, child, parent etc. are all fine as long

as an extension was granted before the new Oct. rules went into effect - the same rules as

before would apply next time. He seemed very clear about what I was asking and his answer was very clear as well.

Can Sunbelt confirm? It would be good to get further confirmation on this.

From what I was told, this is accurate but I can't yet confirm first hand.

[Sunbelt Asia]

From a phone conversation I had last week with immigration, it seems that any family support reason (not just wife) is grandfathered. I was told that wife, child, parent etc. are all fine as long

as an extension was granted before the new Oct. rules went into effect - the same rules as

before would apply next time. He seemed very clear about what I was asking and his answer was very clear as well.

Can Sunbelt confirm? It would be good to get further confirmation on this.

Even though it is not mention in the National Police Office Order No. 606/2006. Immigration is stating in Bkk they will allow the “grandfather clause” on these cases where a foreigner had the extension of stay based on support of a Thai national prior to Oct 1st, 2006. They will do additional renewals.

For anyone that wants to live with their Thai child on this basis, after October 1st, 2006,( never had the extension prior to Oct 1st 2006) they will not allow a one year extension if you are under 50 years old.

Unfortunately Immigration won't grant an extension even if you have a Thai court order and custody of your Thai daughter or son. They will only issue an extension of one year on this basis if you are over 50 years old. They do point out; you can visit your son or daughter 60 days every year however or get a job and get an extension that way.

The other option is simply to get a one year multi entry visa at the Thai Embassy in KL or Singapore.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[astral]

They do point out; you can visit your son or daughter 60 days every year however or get a job and get an extension that way.

Uh!!!!

Have they moved the goal posts again, to only one tourist visa a year??

Even the visa runners get 90 days 3 x 30 days.

[Sunbelt Asia]

They do point out; you can visit your son or daughter 60 days every year however or get a job and get an extension that way.

Uh!!!!

Have they moved the goal posts again, to only one tourist visa a year??

Even the visa runners get 90 days 3 x 30 days.

This is Immigration inside Thailand talking about extension of stay permits.

Visas obtained outside Thailand or tourist visa exemptions are different.

By the way, I know it sounds crazy to talk about visiting you son, that you have court custody over, that you only can get a extension of stay permit, just 60 days per year! Something is wrong with this picture. But they are adamant this is all they can give in reference to a father and child.( over 50 years old or you had a extension before Oct 1st, then this is a different story)

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[bilky]

"Something is wrong with this picture."

You bet there is

I can't imagine that they would ask a small child's only parent/guardian

who has sufficient income from abroad to leave his child to go on visa runs or remove his child from school every three months to go on visa runs with him.

They would have to consider this per case and look at the circumstances

and I bet there is something that can be done relating to the child being in school. AFAIK even parents of non-thai children can stay here if their child is in school here.

[Sunbelt Asia]

"Something is wrong with this picture."

You bet there is

I can't imagine that they would ask a small child's only parent/guardian

who has sufficient income from abroad to leave his child to go on visa runs or remove his child from school every three months to go on visa runs with him.

They would have to consider this per case and look at the circumstances

and I bet there is something that can be done relating to the child being in school. AFAIK even parents of non-thai children can stay here if their child is in school here.

True but no category in the Police Order for being a dependent of a Thai child going to school., only a farang child as this is a dependent visa off another extension of stay ( the child).

The Visa lawyers have told me that their have been very heated arguments with people in this category of the father being under 50 years and not allowed an extension. Review the Police Order on the new visa laws and you'll find no category in reference to this as well . As far as we know, no exceptions have been made unless you are "grandfather in"

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[bilky]

I am "grandfathered in" but the topic is important I think. I need

to say something about it and although saying it here will be unlikely

to accomplish anything - at least I get to say it.

I'm sure there are some very heated arguments as I think every Thai

has the right to have a parent at home? My opinion means nothing (of course)

but I think some of those people will have some very compelling

arguments to take proper care of their children and provide them with

a stable home environment. In nobody's opinion do "visa runs"

constitute a stable home environment for a child when there is only

one parent. In almost any scenario I can think of in which a foreign

parent would be given custody there is something traumatic for the

child involved (one parent passing, abandonment, etc.) and this would

only add to it. There is nothing benefical for a child about it.

Some might say that "Immigration" (the system - not the people) does

not care about this but I think that it is just an oversight since no

doubt foreign single parents of Thai nationals is a minority and may

have not even been thought of when the rules were made. Although I

have only looked at the translation of the police order (which could

be inaccurate and/or incomplete) it seems to "assume" that there is

more than one parent in the picture.

Other government agencies do care. Child Services (or whatever the

proper name of that department is) bases its decisions (at least in

my experience) on the welfare of the child. They are very careful to

be sure that the parent will be home (income from abroad and not

having to go out and work a bonus it seems) to take care of the child, that the

parent has income, and what the plans are for the child's future

including whether or not they plan to stay in Thailand. That

recommendation is then given to the court for even further scrutiny

before a custody decision is made. I don't think custody is ever

granted to a foreign parent arbitrarily.

I'm just giving an opinion here but I think this goes beyond the controversial

"rights" of foreigners in Thailand and headlong into the undebatable rights

of children (anywhere) to have a stable home environment. Any law firm that steps up

in regard to helping to get this issue rectified (hint... hint) are heroes in my eyes.

As mentioned, at this time this issue does not effect my children

but I can't put into words how scared it made me when I first read posts

on this topic (and some of the replies) when I thought my children might be

affected by this. They have been though enough and none of it was their fault.

Many single parents everywhere spend a great deal of time being scared.

Anyone who thinks I'm being overly dramatic about this is not a single parent.

The decision to try to re-build a life in their country (rather than mine

that they have never even been to) was not one that was made easily or offhandedly.