rickfarang Posted December 17, 2004 Report Share Posted December 17, 2004 Immigration boss explains new visas Much less paperwork for some farangs PATTAYA: -- Head of Pattaya?s immigration bureau, police colonel Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai, has announced that the foreign holders of some long visas will no longer have to provide mountains of paperwork every year. Once registered, they will be cleared for entry and exit for up to five years on a case by case basis. However, they will still need to obtain a re-entry permit if they do decide to leave the country. To qualify for the new fast track facility, foreigners must hold a non immigrant visa, any type, and show that they have been ?living? in Thailand for the past three years. The most obvious way of demonstrating this is to have held consecutive one year extensions authorized by the immigration bureau. Police colonel Ittipol said there were six categories of people eligible to transfer. These included farangs with a Thai spouse, those with a Thai dependant, retirees, substantial investors, work permit holders and special categories including diplomatic personnel. Ittipol added it was not compulsory for eligible people to change to the multiple years? option. They could continue making annual applications as in the past. Although the detail is still settling down, it is understood that applications for the multiple year visa can be made only in the Bangkok immigration headquarters in Soi Suan Plu (Sathorn). However, Pattaya immigration officers will be able to provide further details of the new system which bears some similarity to ?green card? options operating in some parts of the world. Applications have to lodged in the second half of December 2004. Otherwise you have to wait until late next year. Police colonel Ittipol explained that the fast track notion was designed to simplify visa life for long term farangs who had shown by their immigration record that they were contributing significantly to Thai economic and financial strength or had ongoing family responsibilities. He concluded that it was the aim of the immigration bureau to create a safe environment for all foreigners in the kingdom and that included a privileged status for the long stay residents as defined. --Pattaya Today 2004-12-16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 17, 2004 Report Share Posted December 17, 2004 now that would be brialliant news indeed. :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lembeh Posted December 17, 2004 Report Share Posted December 17, 2004 >Applications have to lodged in the second half of December 2004. Now why do they do that. It means you have to do it NOW, get all the paper work etc, and do it right away. Particularly pissed off as I qualify, but leaving Thailand for three weeks tomorrow!!! -j- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limbo Posted December 17, 2004 Report Share Posted December 17, 2004 Is it just TRT propaganda before the elections? Will it be available next year? What's the price of the new visa? Just received my 3rd extension, can I apply? Lots of questions nothing sure yet. I believe it when I see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lembeh Posted December 17, 2004 Report Share Posted December 17, 2004 >Is it just TRT propaganda before the elections? I don't think so. Simply as we can't vote.....(OK, spouces could, but even then, would think the numbers are too low..). I get a tiny, tiny feeling that what is going on is a "refining" of entry policies. I think the "valuable" members (I make no value judgement here myself) are going to find thing easier over time, but the others are going to find it harder. Those relying on "visa runs" etc are just going to find life getting more and more difficult over time. I agree lots of questions remain to be answered. But hey, this is thailand. Whoever said it was gonna be simple? -j- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted December 17, 2004 Report Share Posted December 17, 2004 Hi, "I get a tiny, tiny feeling that what is going on is a "refining" of entry policies." I think you may have a point there, as this would obviously only benefit those who are 'valuable' to the country (i.e. those paying taxes, or those living of external funds). Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 17, 2004 Report Share Posted December 17, 2004 Yes, and there is a substantial fee involved with this visa. It sounds like the perminent residence visa that is allready established. Look on the thai immigraition website for further details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted December 17, 2004 Report Share Posted December 17, 2004 Hi, "there is a substantial fee involved with this visa" Damn, should have guessed they'd spoil it again Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 More to come! Wait and see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasmine Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 Methinks strongly that there will be a "large sum: involved in this. The present government has been always looking for ways to get more "foreign" money. Sorry to be negative, just watch and see. Jasmine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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