Visa Runs Over

[waerth]

Everybody seems to be on different pages. Even every border crossing within the same province does Which is why no one knows what the rules will be

[Flashermac]

Cav, I worked here legally in the 1970s and early 80s without a WP. The reason was I worked for the Thai government! They'd given me permission by hiring me. Then in 1983, my colleague and I went to Soi Suanplu to renew our visas as usual. To our surprise, the police refused. They said, "You no have work permit."

 

We went back to our university, who said (more or less) "WTF are they smoking. You don't need a WP. You are a temporary civil servant. WPs are for private businesses." They sent us to Din Daeng to the Labour Dept, who said ... "Oh, no, archan. You don't need a work permit." They showed us the Thai labour laws, where it specifically stated that direct employees of the Thai government were exempt. I asked them to photocopy the pages in both Thai and English, and we headed back to Immigration. We showed them that section of the Labour Law and told them the Labour Dept says we don't need WPs. A commissioned police officer glared at me. "We don't care what the law says. WE SAY you have to have a work permit!" Gulp ...

 

We went back to the university and told them what had happened. The rector of the university - a mom rachawong (member of the royal family) - called the Labour Dept and asked what to do. Labour told her they had no idea, since they couldn't give us a work permit unless we already had a visa. The police demanded the cart before the horse. We finally worked out a compromise, with Labour issuing us a WP for the few days remaining on our existing visa. Then we showed the receipt to Immigration. The police broke into big grins, since they had forced the Labour Dept to bend to their will. We got our visas. And throughout the 30+ years since then, all foreign teachers at government schools and universities have had to shell out for work permits they don't actually need.

 

Amazing Thailand ...

[Dexi]

Wonder if this applies to anyone with a TR visa leaving and re-entering using a double entry type visa ? These type of people can`t be classed as " Visa runners " surely

[Flashermac]

I expect it will only apply to those with new visas issued that day or the day before, not those with an existing multi-entry visa. Still, in LOS one never knows. As I've always said, "If Monte Python were a country ..."

[Mekong]

What is the purpose of this crack down? There mjust be other ways to deal with the issue at hand. So many surrounding countries make it soo much easier to settle.

It doesn't feel good.

 

Limbo,

 

I can only mention the experience I have of Vietnam as a surrounding country, and trust me it is far more difficult to obtain a work permit over here than it is in Thailand but once issued life is a damn site easier.

 

What happens here is once the Work Permit is issued ,it took me over 9 months to obtain mine and that is working for a foreign company with registered office in Ha Noi seconded to a Socialist Peoples Republic of Vietnam Company, one can then apply for the Temporary Residency Card. TRC replaces the need for a Visa and passport is not even stamped exiting / entering VN. Valid between 1-3 years, depending on Validity of Work Permit and no requirement for 90 day reporting. Furthermore Mrs Kong can also get a TRC based upon my W.P. As stated as rare as rocking horse shit to obtain but once in ones sticky mitts something to be treasured.

 

 

Flash

 

Last time I renewed Non Imm-O (Family Support) the 400K THB was only required in the Bank for 90 days prior to the application and I am sure the same rules still exist, I have not renewed since Jan 2013 since my trips back to Thailand are for less than 30 days at a time so I just get a 30 Day Visa Exemption stamp upon arrival, no point in wasting time and Money at Chaeng Wattana for a Non Imm-O and multiple exit re-entry stamp.

 

Now if the mooted 1,600,000 THB / 160,000 per month rule came into affect that would hit a lot of retirees hard, not many retirees have $50,000 they have lying around or a pension of $5,000 per month, I know many expat retirees who have purchased property and can happily live on $3,500 per month with is above the current $2,500 minimum but the increase would price them out of Thailand. One thing I have never been able to understand is why a single retiree would require twice as much income as a married / supporting children person, it just does not compute in my mind.

[baa99]

Why didn't the 90 days in within 180 days rule not work?

[cavanami]

Looks to be another knee jerk, no thought thru reaction from the Thai Immi...

[waerth]

Well they are sure reaching their objective. Many people have left, that I know off, many are planning to leave and a number will not return for this years shooting (movie, commercial) "high season".

 

It will be interesting to see how this works out.

[Flashermac]

One thing I have never been able to understand is why a single retiree would require twice as much income as a married / supporting children person, it just does not compute in my mind.

 

And the fact that my Mrs has her own income of 45,000 baht a month (high level civil servant) doesn't figure into that either. Actually, when the retirement visa came out around 1999, it required only 400,000 baht in the bank. Plus as an alternative, you could own a condo or townhouse, plus even bonds and stock counted. When Takky doubled the amount, he took away they alternative. Now only money in the bank matters.

[robaus]

Ironically, when tourists try to do the right thing obtaining a visa, you can only use it as a back to back type visa run.

 

A double entry visa issued by any Thai consulate in Australia must have the 2^nd entry activated within 90 days of issue. On the net I found the consulates in LA and Cardiff, UK allow 180 days for activation...lucky you if the websites info is up to date.

 

· Visa issued 14 days before depart home country as recommended in their advice notes..need 3 business days to process...meter already ticking

· 60 day tourist visa used..16 days left before 90 day expiry to tour other SE Asia countries

 

So pointless getting a double entry if you want to spend >16 days outside Thailand in between. And, you’ll have to waste another 3 days in some other nearby country filling out the same form over again to obtain a new tourist visa.

 

But for the visa runner working illegally maybe...no worries

 

· Activate the first visa..then spend a couple of days enjoying another Asia city, so as not to attract in/out attention

· Activate 2^nd visa

· When next 60 days expire, get a further 30 day extension from immigration

· Fly out for a few days to obtain another double entry visa.

 

TIT