30 Day visa exrensions to be severely curtailed.

[Rhoel 2]

Spotted this news item in the Bangkok Post.

 

The days of unlimited renewal look like they are over - 90 days to be the limit. Hello Cambodia.

 

Bangkok Post 2006-09-10

 

Rhoel

Edited September 10, 2006 by Rhoel

[whitespider 1]

yep - anyone doing 30 day visa runs looks like they could be b******d. re-enty limnuted to 90 days after whcih you must spend 90 days min' out of the country - watch the Laos, Kampuchea economy boom lol

 

Like lots of things this has its good and bad points.

 

I can't say I blame them as the system has been abused far too long. If you are working or retired here then NOW is the time to get the correct visa as it takes effect October 1. It aint rocket science and it aint difficult.

 

With any luck it will remove the scammers and the legitimate ones will be left in peace - indeed it might even be easier for those here on legitimate purposes.

 

What IS interesting is the list of 41 countres affected, USA, UK etc - goes to show the who the frequent offenders are IMHO of course.

[travlling 0]

Spider,

Where did you get your information about having to stay out of the country for 90 days before returning?

 

travlling

[travlling 0]

This is what I found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, so I don't see where spider gets "41" countries from, and this only applies to Visa on Arrivals, according to the article, not tourist visas or visa exemptions for 30 days.

 

VISA ON ARRIVAL

- According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements, passport holders from 20 countries may apply for visas at the immigration checkpoints for the purpose of tourism for the period of not exceeding 15 days.

- The applicant must possess means of living expenses at the amount of 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly.

- The applicant must present full paid ticket which is usable within 15 days since the date of entry

- Visa on arrival is provided at 23 designated international checkpoints and applicants should submit the application form duly filled out and to which his/her recent photograph (2 ½ inches) is attached. The application fee is 1,000 Baht.

- Visitors who enter the Kingdom with Visa on Arrival generally cannot file an application for extension of stay except in special cases such as illness which prevents them from travelling, etc. They can submit an application at the Office of Immigration Bureau , Immigration Division 1, Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120. Tel. 02 287-3127 or 02 287-3101-10 ext. 2264-5 or at website http://www.immigration.go.th

 

 

List of 20 countries is as follows :

 

1. Bhutan : Kingdom of Bhutan

2. China : People’s Republic of China (including Taiwan)

3. Cyprus : Republic of Cyprus

4. Czech : Czech Republic

5. Estonia : Republic of Estonia

6. Hungary : Republic of Hungary

7. India : Republic of India

8. Kazakhstan : Republic of Kazakhstan

9. Latvia : Republic of Latvia

10. Liechtenstein : Principality of Liechtenstein

11. Lithuania : Republic of Lithuania

12. Maldives : Republic of Maldives

13. Mauritius : Republic of Mauritius

14. Oman : Sultanate of Oman

15. Poland : Republic of Poland

16. Russian Federation

17. Saudi Arabia : Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

18. Slovakia : Slovak Republic

19. Slovenia : Republic of Slovenia

20. Ukraine

 

 

The article mentioned, only stated "Visa on Arrival".....if i am confused, can someone enlighten me please....

 

travlling

[redwood13 56]

The link to the Bangkok Post article doesn't work for me, but if it's the one I saw yesterday it was really badly written. Here's the article George on thaivisa posted which is sourced from forbes.com:

 

 

 

Immigration confirms the end of border runs from October 1, 2006

Thailand tightens visa rules for tourists to cut illegal workers

 

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will tighten entry regulations for tourists in a bid to crack down on illegal foreign workers, the Immigration Bureau said.

 

The move, which takes effect October 1, would affect tourists from 41 countries including Australia, the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the US, said Suwat Thamrongsrisakul, the head of the bureau.

 

Currently, tourists from 41 countries can enter Thailand without visas and stay in the kingdom for up to 30 days.

 

They can extend their stay by checking out of the country, mainly by crossing the borders of neighboring Cambodia and Laos, and returning with new entry stamps.

 

'Under the current rules, people from those countries can stay in Thailand as long as they want. Some even stay here for one year,' another bureau official said.

 

The bureau had learned that a growing number of foreigners from the 41 countries worked illegally in Thailand, Suwat said, adding many were employed in bars and restaurants in the popular seaside resort of Pattaya, east of Bangkok.

 

'Tourists are taking advantage of the visa exemption law. Instead of sightseeing, they are doing business here,' Suwat said.

 

From October, tourists from the designated countries can still enter Thailand without visas and stay for up to 30 days, but their entry stamps will be renewable twice at most for a maximum stay of 90 days.

 

Tourists who stayed for 90 days must leave the kingdom for at least 90 days before being permitted to re-enter Thailand, Suwat said.

 

--forbes.com 2006-09-10

 

-redwood

[elef 0]

Also discussed on thai360.com (old nanaplaza.com) in this thread

[travlling 0]

So will the visa runs for a 60/90 day visa still be allowed?

[elef 0]

You mean after 60 days I guess - yes, but I think you must stay outside Thailand for 90 days after such a stay in Thailand. Or at least your passport must, I start to suspect that if you have 2 passports you can still stay in Thailand for an unlimited time.

[wannabeexpat 0]

What if you stay in Cambodia for a week each visa run, instead of just a few hours. Would that be classed as a back to back visa stamp?

[casper_uk 12]

Once again i'm struck by the cruel 'baseball bat' of fate.

 

My forthcoming extended break in LOS was developing into a full blown 'one way ticket'. However, with this news it looks like this may not be possible.

 

I'm not 50 (8 years to go) so this rules retirement out, which leaves (as far as my limited knowledge goes) a full 'working visa' or a change of address every 90 days.

 

Hope this post develops with further information from experienced expats.

 

The sun is bright here in Italy, but the black cloud over my head is huge

[likeki 1]

This really sucks for those of us that could easily meet the retirement criteria except for the age. 9 years is a very long time.

[Owen` 2]

A suggestion. Rent. For 3 month leases. Go to Cambodia. Rent. For 3 month leases. You'll be "relocating" every 90 days, or you can just put stuff in storage for 3 mos each place and not "relocate".

 

I suspect some 3 month lease apts are going to appear near the border pretty quickly to support this.

 

Nothing convenient about it, but at least you don't pay for two living arrangements.

[PattayaPete 530]

Here's my take on the situation from a number of sources. I am sure this is correct.

 

If you come from one of the 41 countries that are entitled to a 30 day stay with no visa (these include Great Britain, USA, most of Europe, Australia and NZ) or the 20 countries that get 15 days (these include India, Bahrain and many other developing countries) and you do not have a visa the following applies.

 

ON arrival you will get 30 days (or 15 if from one of the 20 countries). You may extend your stay for 10 days at immigration after paying the 1900 baht fee. After that you MUST leave the country.

 

You may return immediatly and will be granted the same duration of stay. You can continue to do this (visa runs) untill such time as you have 3 visa on arrival stamps in your passport. Once you have 3 visa on arrival stamps you will not be re-admitted until you have spent 90 continuos days outside of Thailand or you have a visa issued to you outside of Thailand.

 

This means the longest stay possible without a visa and doing visa runs is 90 days (for the 41 countries) or 60 days for the 20 countries.

 

How to get around it if you want to stay for more than 90 days.

 

This new rule ONLY applies to those arriving with no visa. If you want to stay for more than 90 days then get a visa in your home country before you leave.

 

The best visa is a Non-Immigrant B or O, multi entry 1 year. Some embassies / consulates will hand these out but most will not. I believe Hull in the UK, Amsterdam in Holland, one of the small consulates in the US (forget which one) and sometimes Penang in Malaysia will give these. You need to check first as this situation is very fluid.

 

If you can't get a Non-Immigrant then the next choice is a 3 entry tourist visa. That will allow you to stay for up to 9 months. Failing that a double entry (6 months) or a single entry (90 days).

 

Note: With the tourist visas regardless of how many entries on it you will get 60 days on arrival, which can be extended at immigration for another 30 days on payment of the 1900 baht fee. You must then leave the country but if you have a 2 or 3 entry you can return immediatly and repeat the process, for as many times as you have entries.

 

Once you have used up all your entries you can either get a new visa at an embassy outside Thailand and start again, or start the process of visa runs with no visa in which case the 3 stamp rule will start to apply from your first entry into Thailand without a visa.

 

Other alternatives.

If you are over 50 you can get a 1 year extension to a Non-immigrant visa (which you must get outside of Thailand). You can get additional 1 year extentions inside Thailand as long as you meet the criteria which are basically a medical certificate and 800,000 baht in a Thai bank.

 

If you invest 3 million baht in a Thailand you can get one year extentions to your non Immigrant visa inside Thailand. You must prove that the investment is still valid. Your investment can be a condo BUT immigration will get a valuation of the condo (what you paid is irrelevant). There is an uncorabarated report on Thai Visa that this option will be withdrawn on 1 October. If you already have one though you may continue to renew it. I'm awaiting a confirmation on this from an official source.

 

You can get on-going one year extentions to your Non-Immigrant visa if you are married to a Thai and have 400,000 baht in a thai bank.

 

If you have a job in Thailand and apply for a work permit and get it (numerous criteria) you will be able to stay for various lengths of time depending on more criteria. You really need to do this through a lawyer.

 

**********************************************

 

The bottom line here is that the no visa, stay forever people are targeted by this new rule. There are numerous choices for those who wish to stay longer than 90 days, but no visa and 30 day trips to the border has been removed as one of those choices.

 

If you want to get one of the other visas mentioned above then be aware that every embassy in every country applies the rules differently. To get what you want you will have to shop around.

 

Post edited for change in investment visa

[elef 0]

Pete,

 

the 3 million visas will probably be stopped too Source

[sinkorswim 80]

3 million baht visas are being stopped but if you already have one it should be ok as long as you renew it every year without letting it lapse.

 

As for the marriage option. Go to KL get a 3 month non immigrant marriage visa (after you are married) then show you have 400000baht in the bank and you can get it extended yearly after that providing you are still married and have the baht in the bank. They will check that the marriage is real and provide you with 1 month extensions until your application is approved/declined. I did this yesterday and got a 1 month extension I should get my visa next month so I never have to do visa runs or leave thailand. Just report at immigration every 90 days. I have a 1 year multiple entry non B business visa which I got from Hull in th UK. I am not working so do not need a work permit to get a extension. If I do start to work.....which I doubt it I will then get a work permit and pay taxes. We are guest in their country you have to play by their rules.

 

If you cannot do none of the suggestions mentioned in this topic then.....GO HOME. Sorry but that is the simple fact. Thai poeple are sick of school teachers and others working with no work permits and not paying taxes. I know chiang mai will be quite next month as it is full of them. Even if you only visit for 2 weeks you will only be permited to enter 3 times within the 90 day period then you have to leave for 90 days before you can start again. Looks like people will be heading to Cambodia.

 

Alot of my friends are returning to the UK to get 1 year multiple entry visas.

Edited September 13, 2006 by sinkorswim

[PattayaPete 530]

Guys I am going to start a new topic in the members bar to deal with this fast developing situation. Please restrict comments here to long term visas (relevant to expats).

 

Checked Sunbeltasias comments on investment visa. Seems they have the good info but no alternative confirmation as yet.

[elef 0]

sinkorswim, if you follow the link I posted above they say:

 

"Not only will it NOT be issued, but you CANNOT renew your current investment visa on this basis."

[sinkorswim 80]

sinkorswim, if you follow the link I posted above they say:

 

"Not only will it NOT be issued, but you CANNOT renew your current investment visa on this basis."

 

 

sunbelt asia have started a new topic yesterday saying you can renew old investment visas.

 

here is the quote.

 

"4. Investment visa extension. For existing extension of stay holders of 3 million Baht, we are now being told this will now be grandfathered in and they will be able to get the extension forever as long as they renew. (Yes I know reversal from several hours ago but the government is aware that people bought condos before on this scheme and now will allow it.)"

 

Investment Visa

Edited September 13, 2006 by sinkorswim

[travlling 0]

If you have a long term visa due to marriage, are there any stipulations on leaving and returning to Thailand freely? Example> marriage visa in hand, it's valid, could I exit and return to Thailand or do I need to pay an entry fee?

Edited September 13, 2006 by travlling

[sinkorswim 80]

If you have a long term visa due to marriage, are there any stipulations on leaving and returning to Thailand freely? Example> marriage visa in hand, it's valid, could I exit and return to Thailand or do I need to pay an entry fee?

 

 

interesting point. I would be glad to know the answer.

 

I should see no reason why you could not leave and comeback within the validity of the extended visa but not to sure.

Edited September 14, 2006 by sinkorswim

[redwood13 56]

interesting point. I would be glad to know the answer.

 

I should see no reason why you could not leave and comeback within the validity of the extended visa but not to sure.

 

If you have an extension of stay based on marriage or retirement you can come and go as you please. You do of course have to purchase a re-entry permit prior to departure from Thailand to maintain the validity of the extension or have purchased a multiple re-entry permit.

[Shilo 371]

I brought this thread back up to the front because I was wondering...

 

As I understand the visa changes the Thai's were going to start counting days in the country so that you were allowed no more then 90 days over a six month period. And the "counting" was to start on Oct 1st of last year.

 

Well, it's been 6 months. Is anyone hearing of problems with doing visa runs?

 

 

Shilo

[MC_Ldop 40]

one of the small consulates in the US (forget which one)

 

I believe the Denver consulate is the one that gives O visas more readily than the others.