Bellacissa
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Posts posted by Bellacissa
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So, just to be clear...
My final extension of stay ends on December 28th. If I leave on or before that date and I fly out of BKK, I do not need any additional paperwork or to cancel my extension. I can just stamp out and leave, right?
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I meant people aware of the all palaver to get extensions...
They do sign up?
Yep. There are signs on every entrance and in every classroom that spell out the requirements for extensions of stay. You can't miss them. That's how I knew about the changes before I went to immigration this time. And people still sign up.
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Pardon my French but they have you by the short and curlies.
Amazing what people are ready to do to study Thai lol !
And there are people still signing up, fully aware of these palavers ?
Oh, yes. We usually have a least one person come to observe each class to see if he wants to sign up. And they're always down at the registration desk right after class filling out the paperwork.
I do love our teacher. She's really good and has a fantastic sense of humor. It's a lot easier to learn the language when you enjoy the class.
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So that's 2200 THB, 4 trips to immigration, one of them with landlord/friend, for 3 months extension correct?
Correct. Oh, and no immigration officers ever showed up to check on me at the school during my 15 day under consideration period. That's not to say they won't do random checks for others, I just wasn't one that they chose to look in on.
And in your school, no one minds having to go through all that ordeal?
Well, it's not like we're all jumping for joy. It's a right PITA. But, if you want to stay, you have to play along and do it this way. Until they change it. Again.
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So that's 2200 THB, 4 trips to immigration, one of them with landlord/friend, for 3 months extension correct?
Correct. Oh, and no immigration officers ever showed up to check on me at the school during my 15 day under consideration period. That's not to say they won't do random checks for others, I just wasn't one that they chose to look in on.
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Final update: I went to immigration today to get my remaining 75 day stamp. They sent me straight back to desk 6 (no number slip) and I gave the lady my passport. She said to come back at after 1:00 to pick it up, so I killed a couple of hours at the mall and came back. Picked up my passport and walked right back out. No interview, no quizzing in Thai, no waiting, nothing.
So there you go. How to get an ED extension of stay in Jomtien from start to finish. -
Simple solution: Get a TM30 filled out by the owner (Thai or farang) and bring it with you if you are doing an extension of stay at Jomtien. Then, you're covered if they ask for it. If they don't ask - no harm, no foul. Hang on to it for your next extension. It's one form and really not that big of a deal.
I have my handy dandy receipt now and I'm keeping it in my wallet just in case anyone ever asks for it again.
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I've never had a problem with them either. But, at least in regards to the ED extensions of stay, they have changed the procedure several times:
- It started with 1900 baht to get an automatic 90 days.
- Then it went to 5000 baht "VIP Service" to get an automatic 90 days OR 1900 baht to get a 15 day "consideration stamp" before getting the remaining 75 days.
- Now, the 5000 baht VIP Service has been canceled and everyone gets the 15 day consideration stamp before getting the remaining 75 days.
All of this has happened in the span of the three extensions of stay I have applied for since the beginning of the year. It wasn't a problem for me because my school made sure I was prepared with everything that I'd need, but the office hasn't exactly followed the immigration act over the course of the past year.
The "under consideration" period is entirely legal and is used in other categories of extension.
In the case of "Ed " extensions, as I suspect you know, the under consideration period allows the immigration officer(s) to check if an individual is actually attending school/classes.
I totally agree. The consideration stamp is completely within the boundaries of the immigration act and that's exactly what they use it for with the ED extensions of stay.
That 5000 baht VIP Service (with a 1900 baht receipt) is the part that I'm talking about when I say they weren't following the act. It was well documented a few months ago and I think (but don't quote me on this) that Bangkok was doing it as well.
Now, they seem to have gone back to following the letter of the act in response to the recent crack downs.
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Is the OP suggesting that the person renting has to get a copy of the receipt from the owner to submit to immigration?
To clarify (even though I'm not the OP), yes, I'm the renter and I had to get the form filled out by the owner and then bring the form with me in order to submit the paperwork for my extension of stay. You're also required to bring the owner or someone that can verify where you live with you to the immigration office on the day you submit your paperwork. I brought a friend of mine and she had to answer questions regarding my address, phone number, how long she had known me, where we met, etc.
​For what it's worth, the Jomtien immigration office staff seems to be somewhat notorious for doing things their own way. It doesn't shock me AT ALL that this isn't the normal procedure according to the actual immigration law.
"​For what it's worth, the Jomtien immigration office staff seems to be somewhat notorious for doing things their own way. It doesn't shock me AT ALL that this isn't the normal procedure according to the actual immigration law."
Nonsense.They're probably the most reasonable immigration office around. I've never experience a problem or surprise there in years of dealing with them.
I've never had a problem with them either. But, at least in regards to the ED extensions of stay, they have changed the procedure several times:
- It started with 1900 baht to get an automatic 90 days.
- Then it went to 5000 baht "VIP Service" to get an automatic 90 days OR 1900 baht to get a 15 day "consideration stamp" before getting the remaining 75 days.
- Now, the 5000 baht VIP Service has been canceled and everyone gets the 15 day consideration stamp before getting the remaining 75 days.
All of this has happened in the span of the three extensions of stay I have applied for since the beginning of the year. It wasn't a problem for me because my school made sure I was prepared with everything that I'd need, but the office hasn't exactly followed the immigration act over the course of the past year.
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Condo management submits the form. A few years ago manager at my condo made a big thing out of getting all the info to send into immigrations. Presumably that hasn't changed and if you haven't moved it wouldn't need to be submitted again ... but then who knows.
The O/P and others are talking about renewing or extending visas, which of course is impossible, so I wouldn't put much credence in the report.
Nope. I'm talking about getting a 90 day extension of stay at the immigration office for the purposes of education. Not extending or renewing a visa.
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It seems incredible that suddenly out of the blue, and in contravention of the law, they are holding farangs' visa extensions to ransom in order to obtain a TM 30 which is clearly not their responsibility. And to suddenly enforce this new requirement without any grace period to enable farangs to get their papers in order is really quite appalling.
I would like to hear of other people's experiences on this latest hurdle to be jumped at Jomtien immigration in order to continue living in this wonderful country...
See above for my experience. But, honestly, one thing I've learned in my whopping 10 months in this country is to just go with it. This is the third change in procedure at this office since I got here. You can't change it, so you either adapt or you have a rough time of it.
I just make sure that I go at least a week prior to my extension expiration so that if worse comes to worst and I'm missing something, I still have time to fix it without overstaying.
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Is the OP suggesting that the person renting has to get a copy of the receipt from the owner to submit to immigration?
To clarify (even though I'm not the OP), yes, I'm the renter and I had to get the form filled out by the owner and then bring the form with me in order to submit the paperwork for my extension of stay. You're also required to bring the owner or someone that can verify where you live with you to the immigration office on the day you submit your paperwork. I brought a friend of mine and she had to answer questions regarding my address, phone number, how long she had known me, where we met, etc.
​For what it's worth, the Jomtien immigration office staff seems to be somewhat notorious for doing things their own way. It doesn't shock me AT ALL that this isn't the normal procedure according to the actual immigration law.
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I had to bring the TM30 filled out by the owner for my ED extension renewal last week. This is the receipt that was given to me. I'm not sure about other extensions of stay, but I know for sure that you are required to bring it with the paperwork from your school for the ED extensions of stay.
My apologies for the crappy picture. My cell phone is sorely lacking in the camera department.
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And they still extort money, 300 baht to pay for the interviewer is just ridiculous. Hopefully people will switch to the new 6 month tourist visa and dump this ED visa. Less money on their piggy little pockets.
They do make a copy of all of the pages of your paperwork, so it's possible that part of the 300 baht is to cover that. I don't really know and asking for an explanation before I get my full 90 days worth of stamps seemed... unwise.
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Time for an update to my update:
I went to immigration today with all of my paperwork and my friend in tow. I was able to use her as my reference, but they did ask her questions like how long she had known me, if she knew my address and phone number, how we met, etc. I've known her well for about two years, so none of it was a problem for her. She was not asked to show id, but she did have to give them her name and cell phone number as a reference on the paperwork.
Also, you'll need an extra 300 baht (no receipt) for the first guy that goes through your paperwork and signs off on it. He is the one that will talk to your friend or condo owner. Then, you go through the normal procedure at desk 6 and pay 1900 baht for the extension. I go back tomorrow to pick up my passport with my 15 day under consideration stamp.
I've had one person tell me that there is an interview to assess your Thai skills when you go back for the remaining 75 day stamp, but I don't know anything about it or what they ask you. I'll report back when I get to that point.
This is madness.
What if you cant find an available friend or landlord to spend the best part of the day at immigration?
Also going 3 times (pay+ pickup passport+ come back for test and 75 days) is crazy
I'm guessing you either find someone or you don't get your extension. And it might be four trips to immigration. I may have to go back the day after the interview to pick up my passport. I'm not sure about that, though.
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Time for an update to my update:
I went to immigration today with all of my paperwork and my friend in tow. I was able to use her as my reference, but they did ask her questions like how long she had known me, if she knew my address and phone number, how we met, etc. I've known her well for about two years, so none of it was a problem for her. She was not asked to show id, but she did have to give them her name and cell phone number as a reference on the paperwork.
Also, you'll need an extra 300 baht (no receipt) for the first guy that goes through your paperwork and signs off on it. He is the one that will talk to your friend or condo owner. Then, you go through the normal procedure at desk 6 and pay 1900 baht for the extension. I go back tomorrow to pick up my passport with my 15 day under consideration stamp.
I've had one person tell me that there is an interview to assess your Thai skills when you go back for the remaining 75 day stamp, but I don't know anything about it or what they ask you. I'll report back when I get to that point.-
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Wasn't there a recent thread about someone getting unsolicited boiler-room type calls, and the author suggested it was related to telephone number registration. Well here is another potential source, perhaps there is money in selling active telephone numbers of foreigners residing in Thailand.
Strangely enough, I haven't received a single telemarketing call on my cell since the day I registered my sim. I used to get at least 3 or 4 robocalls per week. No clue if if the two are related, but if so, I'm happy to have registered.
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It was not needed by the girls in the line checking the cards so that is why I was wondering if it is just specifically if you have a Thai address rather than an hotel or something?
Possibly. You can never really be sure of the method to the madness around here. My husband and a friend are arriving for vacation next month. I'm just giving them my number to use in case they're asked.
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Arrived from HK into CNX last Friday. No one including me was asked for a 'phone number. I think like many things immigration related here in Thailand, it's just arbitrary' enforcement'.
When I came through at BKK, everyone had to provide a number. They would not allow you to get in the immigration desk lines until you wrote it on your arrival card. It could be specific to BKK, but if they're still doing it at now (three weeks after I arrived), it might be something at least semi-permanent there.
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I had to provide my Thai number when I arrived at the end of August as well. Good thing I have one.
I wonder what people that are coming here for vacation give? They won't have a number on arrival. The hotel number, maybe?-
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Here's an update on the procedure as of this week. I just received all of my paperwork and the "new" instructions from the school that have been handed down from immigration. It's highly possible that these are just the old procedures that are being enforced in light of the recent immigration crackdowns.
The "VIP Service" (5000 baht for a hassle-free extension) is no longer available. As of now, you pay 1900 baht and receive a 15 day under consideration stamp. You are required to get your landlord (assuming you rent or stay in a long-term hotel) to fill out a form attesting that you live on the premises. In addition, you'll need to bring your lease agreement and a copy of the owner's Thai ID. You also have to have the owner or someone that can verify your residence (supposedly a friend is ok, we'll see when I try it this week) go with you to immigration to give a statement about your address in person.
For the 15 days of consideration, you are required to attend 8 hours per week of classes - 2 hours per day, 4 days per week. If an official from immigration comes by and you are not in one of your scheduled classes, the remaining 75 days of your extension will not be granted.At the end of consideration period, you return to immigration and get a stamp for your additional 75 days. Provided, of course, that you have fulfilled all of the requirements.
How long will this process be in effect? Your guess is as good as mine. It's changed at least twice since I started getting these stamps in March.
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I've asked this once before, but I don't think there was ever a clear answer. My husband and I are both on the condo lease, but only I live here. He lives and works elsewhere and comes here to visit a couple of times a year. Does the landlord need to report him every time he shows up or is he covered because he's a resident on the lease? We turned in copies of both of our passports when we moved here in January.
It would be just my luck for the police to drop by while he's here and us be up the creek without a paddle because some form wasn't filled out.
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I agree entirely, the only issue she will have is persuading immigration officials at Manila airport that she is just coming to Thailand for a holiday,
they always jump to conclusions that any single girl leaving the country is an undocumented would be " overseas foreign worker" trying to leave the Philippines without the proper papers for overseas employment.
Strongly suggest that you provide her with an original letter of invitation, detailing her itinerary with a valid Thai address and your original signature.
that normally works, but just recently Philippine immigration have tightened their so-called inspections.
good luck !!
She has a university degree and has traveled extensively. I don't *think* she'll be on their radar for coming here to work. But, I'll check with her and see if she wants me to send her a formal invitation. Thanks for the idea!
It's odd to think that she'd have more trouble getting out of her country than she would getting into this one.
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I have a friend from the Philippines that will be coming for a 5 day visit next month. In light of the seemingly ramped up scrutiny at immigration, what additional hoops do you think she'll have to jump through on entry?
She'll be flying into BKK and she has not been to Thailand in over a year. I know she can get a visa exempt stamp, but I wasn't sure if there would be anything extra that she'll need. I guess I'm asking if the restrictions on Filipinos are more tightly controlled than they would be for a westerner.
I know she'll need proof of a return ticket, but what else? 20,000 baht in cash? Proof of employment in Phils? First born child?
Expect increased scrutiny of applications for extension
in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
Posted
If I remember correctly (it's been a little while since I read the article) ISIS is a spin-off group of Al-Qaeda. So, it's possible that some of the long term planning ideas from Al-Qaeda could be used by ISIS.
At any rate, I think we can all expect extra scrutiny with everything from immigration to traffic stops for awhile. I don't normally carry my passport around (although I do keep a copy on me) but, I'm considering carrying it when I go to town. Just in case I come across an officer that decides the actual passport is necessary. I realize that's not technically true according to the law, but not every officer seems to be too well versed in the law around here. ?