I thought it may be of interest to report that some immigration offices are run efficiently and sensibly. BKK immigration office is a total nightmare in comparison.
Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
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dundrillin
- Guru
- Posts: 858
- Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 3:06 am
- Location: Buriram/HuaHin
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
Is Buri Ram teeming with ex pats on the levels of HH and BKK?
“Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.”
― George Carlin
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” -George Orwell.
― George Carlin
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” -George Orwell.
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
Types of Tourist Visa
Understanding Visas for Tourists Visiting Thailand
Visa Exemption
Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV)
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV)
https://www.tratimmigration.com/tourist ... formation/
Understanding Visas for Tourists Visiting Thailand
Visa Exemption
Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV)
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV)
https://www.tratimmigration.com/tourist ... formation/
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
Good information and update dundrillin,,i have friends who live there and have said the same.
Obviously not as busy as Bkk/Pattaya but can be extremely busy during a normal/regular high season of course.
Obviously not as busy as Bkk/Pattaya but can be extremely busy during a normal/regular high season of course.
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
Wouldn't be far off Hua Hin I would have thought. I have a friend living there. Same with Korat, many farangs, but it's a sprawling place and they are very spread out. I lived in Korat for 18 months when I first came to live here and had been visiting for many years prior to that. I even used to arrange meet ups with people from the UK I knew who were also visiting.
Talk is cheap
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
Hua Hin Immigration bedlam causes timeline of despair
With the chaos caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak in Thailand – visa horrors, cancelled flights, sealed borders – many tourists and expats alike are feeling the pain. The situation is clearly just as difficult for many immigration offices and officials struggling with a dynamic and congested situation, and panicked customers. We salute the officers that are doing their best at this time to sort out the visa needs of most visitors. But one intrepid resident in Hua Hin has chronicled his trials and tribulations to The Thaiger in what we’re calling the Timeline of Despair.
(The words are directly from notes sent to The Thaiger and include his personal opinions)
Day One 12:03pm
I’m (age hidden) and have lived and worked in Thailand for over 15 years. I’m between jobs at the moment and about to start studying Thai whilst on a break here. After waiting 3 hours to be seen I was refused a visa because I didn’t have photos of the house I am living in. The lady who checked documents downstairs when I arrived said they might let me email them but the lady who just saw me said she can’t check her email.
Day One 12:04pm
F@#king ridiculous esp when Phuket and some other immigration ask for nothing apart from the embassy letter. There’s no consistency.
Day One 12:15pm
FYI I met a family of four (couple with two very young children) who were there for the third day in a row before each day immigration introduced a new requirement. They were having to pay overstay fines each day! Immigration are putting people’s lives at risk unnecessarily.
Day One 12:17pm
I drove one and half hours here so now got to go home make those crazy photos and come back tomorrow again. I had all the other documents they asked for just in case I had to register (other documents) or whatever it is.
Day Two 10:45am
I came back to Hua Hin immigration today after being rejected yesterday due to not having photos of the house. Now they want even more documents including utility bills (but at least this time they said I can email them)! They only give 20 days by the way. I have to come back to immigration in 20 days to extend by a further 10 days! All because of covid-19! OMG… And it took over 2 hours to be seen despite being early in the blue queue! Amazing!
Day Two 10:49am
They have asked for the owner’s death certificate too as the house owner died.
Whatever bureaucratic quagmire you might be wading through at the moment, The Thaiger certainly hopes it isn’t as bad as this poor bloke’s, and wishes you the very best of luck!
https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/hua- ... of-despair
With the chaos caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak in Thailand – visa horrors, cancelled flights, sealed borders – many tourists and expats alike are feeling the pain. The situation is clearly just as difficult for many immigration offices and officials struggling with a dynamic and congested situation, and panicked customers. We salute the officers that are doing their best at this time to sort out the visa needs of most visitors. But one intrepid resident in Hua Hin has chronicled his trials and tribulations to The Thaiger in what we’re calling the Timeline of Despair.
(The words are directly from notes sent to The Thaiger and include his personal opinions)
Day One 12:03pm
I’m (age hidden) and have lived and worked in Thailand for over 15 years. I’m between jobs at the moment and about to start studying Thai whilst on a break here. After waiting 3 hours to be seen I was refused a visa because I didn’t have photos of the house I am living in. The lady who checked documents downstairs when I arrived said they might let me email them but the lady who just saw me said she can’t check her email.
Day One 12:04pm
F@#king ridiculous esp when Phuket and some other immigration ask for nothing apart from the embassy letter. There’s no consistency.
Day One 12:15pm
FYI I met a family of four (couple with two very young children) who were there for the third day in a row before each day immigration introduced a new requirement. They were having to pay overstay fines each day! Immigration are putting people’s lives at risk unnecessarily.
Day One 12:17pm
I drove one and half hours here so now got to go home make those crazy photos and come back tomorrow again. I had all the other documents they asked for just in case I had to register (other documents) or whatever it is.
Day Two 10:45am
I came back to Hua Hin immigration today after being rejected yesterday due to not having photos of the house. Now they want even more documents including utility bills (but at least this time they said I can email them)! They only give 20 days by the way. I have to come back to immigration in 20 days to extend by a further 10 days! All because of covid-19! OMG… And it took over 2 hours to be seen despite being early in the blue queue! Amazing!
Day Two 10:49am
They have asked for the owner’s death certificate too as the house owner died.
Whatever bureaucratic quagmire you might be wading through at the moment, The Thaiger certainly hopes it isn’t as bad as this poor bloke’s, and wishes you the very best of luck!
https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/hua- ... of-despair
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
MORE PAPERS REQUIRED FOR VISA EXTENSIONS DUE TO ‘NATIONAL SECURITY’
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.
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 accommodation 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.
https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/cri ... -security/
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.
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 accommodation 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.
https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/cri ... -security/
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
No it isn't!In fact, the matter “is still being deliberated,” the colonel said.
That was approved on March 31st.Deputy ministry spokesman Natapanu Nopakun announced that the cabinet has responded with a move to grant automatic renewal of tourist visas for visitors who arrived in Thailand after March 1. The proposal was approved by the cabinet yesterday and is set to be officially announced sometime soon
https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/thai ... extensions
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
I have been renting the same house now and then for around ten years and don't think I ever had a written contract. I have read about house books and such but newer ever actually seen one.buksida wrote:New requirements include land deeds, rent contracts,
Now I'm really glad I left Hua Hin in the middle of March because I don't know what I would have done if I still where in Thailand in need of an extension. When other "organizations" relax their requirements due to the current situation, Thai authorities comes up with new strengthend rules... I just under why...
Stay safe everyone and hopefully this situation soon will be just a bad memory!
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
After considering missing my appointment with immigration for the 30 day visa exempt renewal, I decided not to take the risk. I went around 1.30pm. Maybe 50-60 people in all. It was more convoluted, compared to Blueport, but all the staff were very pleasant and efficient.
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
Just comparing the situation here against that in the US. My daughter is stuck in the US on a 90 day visa.
After checking, she can apply online to USCIS and she will get a 240 day extension based upon extreme situation. Covid19 has already been accepted in that category.
What a difference. Apply online. Doesn't leave the house. Gets a 240 day extension!!
After checking, she can apply online to USCIS and she will get a 240 day extension based upon extreme situation. Covid19 has already been accepted in that category.
What a difference. Apply online. Doesn't leave the house. Gets a 240 day extension!!
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
Once they realise the heightened risks of infection at overcrowded imm offices then they might consider a whole scale suspension of visa regs until the criais is over.
I shall now remove my rose tinted specs.
I shall now remove my rose tinted specs.
“Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.”
― George Carlin
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” -George Orwell.
― George Carlin
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” -George Orwell.
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
"It's about national security" immigration state. "Bad people may take advantage of the situation"
Translated: ---- "Money first"
Translated: ---- "Money first"
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd 
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Re: Covid19 - updates on immigration and visa extensions
I've read several application experiences on another forum (this doesn't count for HH immigration as far as I know).
People are getting a 15 day 'under consideration' stamp which requires a return in 15 days after it's approved by a senior officer.
Plus of course all the extra paperwork required.
People turned away (after hours of course):
Not have 3 or 4 pics at their residency/guesthouse/hotel.
If in a private residence, not having the owner accompany you in person.
One guy said that the Thai owner has died. "Then we need a copy of his death certificate".
There are many more obstacles.
BB, you remarked "Progress?" -- I don't think so.
How is it working at HH immigration. I've always admired the way things are handled here.
People are getting a 15 day 'under consideration' stamp which requires a return in 15 days after it's approved by a senior officer.
Plus of course all the extra paperwork required.
People turned away (after hours of course):
Not have 3 or 4 pics at their residency/guesthouse/hotel.
If in a private residence, not having the owner accompany you in person.
One guy said that the Thai owner has died. "Then we need a copy of his death certificate".
There are many more obstacles.
BB, you remarked "Progress?" -- I don't think so.
How is it working at HH immigration. I've always admired the way things are handled here.