Visas, tourist, retirement, other

[Coss]

I couldn't find a current thread dealing with visa policy of the those that govern in LOS.

MORE PAPERS REQUIRED FOR VISA EXTENSIONS DUE TO ‘NATIONAL SECURITY’

By Tappanai Boonbandit, Staff Reporter

 

 - Boonbandit? really?

 

April 2, 2020 2:50 pm

A sign posted at the Immigration Bureau’s main office inside the Government Complex in Chaengwattana telling visitors to be patient. Photo: @CKucway / Twitter

BANGKOK — Nine separate documents are now required for foreigners stranded in Thailand to extend their stay for up to 30 days, the immigration said Thursday.

Immigration spokesman Phakkhaphong Saiubon defended the inconvenience on the grounds of “national security.” New requirements include land deeds, rent contracts, and even selfies of foreigners with their accommodations, even as scenes of disarray and massive queues at immigration continue unabated.

“Indeed, we are requiring more documents than usual because there are those who want to exploit the opportunity,” Col. Phakkhaphong said. “We are doing our best to provide the best service, but bearing in mind that national security is our utmost priority.”

The new regulation was brought to public attention in a photo posted yesterday by travel blogger and longtime British expat Richard Barrow.

 

Richard Barrow 

 

Will this madness ever end? We are in the middle of a global pandemic and the Immigration bureau are still insisting for stranded foreign tourists and expats to jump through hoops to extend their stay. This is the latest list released by Trat Immigration. Look at No. 10 #Thailand

 

Apart from the usual TM7 application, copies of their passport, and applicant’s photos, the new rule requires a certificate from their respective embassies, a copy of rent contract, document confirming their stay at the accommodation, a copy of landlord’s ID card and house registration, and a map showing the location of their residence.

The landlord is required to accompany the applicant in person when submitting the documents. The applicant must also take at least four photos with their accomodation to prove their residency.

The spokesman said these new regulations are issued in accordance with the immigration protocols.

Speaking by phone, Col. Phakkhaphong also shot down news reports that the Cabinet has approved automatic visa extensions for foreign tourists.

In fact, the matter “is still being deliberated,” the colonel said.

[Coss]

for those that need:  2 photo 4 x 6 cm. Alien photo (not more than 6 months).

Here are two Alien photos 4 x 6 and this one is a baby, only 5 months old.

 

  

[Coss]

Automatic visa extensions for tourists in Thailand “just a matter of time” - details being ironed out: govt spokesman

 

The Thai government is continuing to iron out the details of a proposed new policy that would allow tourists left stranded in Thailand to be granted automatic visa renewals.

Speaking to Thai PBS on Friday evening (3 April), deputy ministry spokesman Natapanu Nopakun provided an update on the proposal to grant automatic visa extensions to foreign tourists stranded in Thailand due COVID-19.

He said the government understands the situation and that granting foreigners automatic visa extensions is “in the pipeline”.

Mr Natapanu said the details are “being ironed out” and “frankly, this is on the agenda”.

Mr Natapanu added that the prime minister is aware of the situation but it may take a little time before the policy is implemented.

The proposal to grant automatic visa extensions to foreign tourists came in response to thousands of foreigners forming lengthy queues at immigration offices throughout Thailand in a desperate attempt to renew their visas.

While other countries had waived visa requirements for foreigners left stranded due to COVID-19, Thailand said foreigners had to renew their visas at their nearest immigration office but only after insisting those affected obtain a letter from their embassy. 

But it wasn’t just the embassy letter that was needed for people to renew their visas.

Popular Thailand based blogger Richard Barrow recently tweeted that a total of nine separate documents were requested at one immigration office, as well as the “interrogation” of the visa holder’s landlord. 

There have also been similar reports from people posting on Thaivisa of immigration offices still demanding housebooks, copies of ID documents from landlords and even a map.

On Friday, Cambodia announced it would grant automatic visa extensions for tourists stranded due to COVID-19.

THai Visa https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1157672-automatic-visa-extensions-for-tourists-in-thailand-“just-a-matter-of-time”-details-being-ironed-out-govt-spokesman/?utm_source=newsletter-20200404-1258&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news

 

[Coss]

Via Thai Visa

Thai Immigration announce changes to TM30 reporting

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1169664-thai-immigration-announce-changes-to-tm30-reporting/?utm_source=newsletter-20200624-0553&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news

 

 

[think_too_mut]

This is an old post. Bumping it up.
Just found, there is a visa (eVisa), can be obtained online, that gives you 3 months stay. Can be done from anywhere, printed out and shown upon arrival to Thai.
Important is, to open a bank account in Thai, you need some visa other than 60 days stay stamp.
No visa agency would tell you that.

You need a bank account to deposit 800K THB into it.
The funds have to sit in there for 2 months.
The last month (of the 90 days visa), you can apply for "O" retirement visa.
No police report from your country of residence, no health insurance needed, almost nothing.
The funds statement can be from your bank from wherever you live.

This is the site where you go, the screenshot below is what you get:

https://www.thaievisa.go.th/visa/non-immigrant-o
 

[Mekong]

Surely it would be better for you to go for Supporting Family Member Visa (aka Marriage Visa) since the bank deposit is only 400k and not 800k 

Also when on a Non Imm O (Retirement or Marriage) the funds have to remain in the bank account for 3 months after visa issued and then. 50% can be withdrawn, this is a requirement which is checked for second and subsequent renewals. 
 

Before these money before and after rules were introduced  do only had to show funds on the day people would all con together their money with friends or take out a short term loan, the stricter requirements are to counter this 

[think_too_mut]

18 minutes ago, Mekong said:

Surely it would be better for you to go for Supporting Family Member Visa (aka Marriage Visa) since the bank deposit is only 400k and not 800k 

Also when on a Non Imm O (Retirement or Marriage) the funds have to remain in the bank account for 3 months after visa issued and then. 50% can be withdrawn, this is a requirement which is checked for second and subsequent renewals. 
 

Before these money before and after rules were introduced  do only had to show funds on the day people would all con together their money with friends or take out a short term loan, the stricter requirements are to counter this 

Important is, with that visa,  that I can open my bank account in Thai without anyone (agencies) .
Put 800K THB in it , on my own.
I own my home in Bangkok, the property deed is in my name.
I have Thai wife, 21 years, she is irrelevant here. She has been with me in Japan (the whole family, are permanent residents in Japan) since September 2007.
I will not go "marriage visa", I can be on my own.

[Mekong]

2 minutes ago, think_too_mut said:

I own my home in Bangkok, the property deed is in my name.

Same here, that is one thing I will never understand, why not allow property to be used  to show that you have money?

I have x Million Baht Property with Chanote in my name and Yellow Tabien Baan yet they still want to see money in the bank 

[think_too_mut]

15 minutes ago, Mekong said:

Same here, that is one thing I will never understand, why not allow property to be used  to show that you have money?

I have x Million Baht Property with Chanote in my name and Yellow Tabien Baan yet they still want to see money in the bank 

They are asking for money in my bank. The property is for my certificate of residence (yellow book). That is not something of a show stopper.

[Mekong]

I know that, re read what I posted, why the fuck do they need money when you have property 

Scenario a Retiree with own property but say 750k in Bank, no visa

A Retiree who is renting @25k / month with 800k in Bank Visa granted, but after rent he only has 500k left compared to the property owner 750k. What I am saying is that if you have the Chanote immigration should take that into consideration