Carolina Reaper
-
Posts
72 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Downloads
Posts posted by Carolina Reaper
-
-
59 minutes ago, Maestro said:
Some web pages of the Immigration Bureau say visa when they mean permission to stay and this is probably part of the reason why some immigration officials and some journalists and other people misunderstand the true meaning of the English version of the Police Order and the Immigration Bureau Order about the announced insurance requirement for foreigners who arrive in Thailand with an non-immigrant visa category O/A.
Historically, many folks here on TV have had endless difficulty comprehending what a visa really is (use Websters, not Oxford) and the fact that a visa can never be renewed, extended, or modified ... and that an expired visa is just that -- expired.
But perhaps even more perplexing is that, indeed, Thai Immigration themselves have become quite confused on the proper terminology (at least in English, but I suspect in Thai as well).
Luckily, in practice, as evidenced by the manner in which things are actually performed/enforced by TI (in terms of allowing entry, granting a stay, validity dates, verbiage in stamps in passport, etc.), the "proper" terminology ends up coming into play.
-
1
-
1
-
-
- Popular Post
- Popular Post
FYI, I was at Immigration in Korat last week. I must apologize to you all in advance for not asking about all of the nuances with 31 October timing, when/how compliance would be checked, etc. The visa authorizing my most recent entry and serving as the basis for my recent extensions of stay was not an O-A (but I assure you I wasn't trying to be selfish).
I specifically asked the top brass (mostly decent English skills) at that office a couple of basic questions about the health insurance requirement. I asked, "What about the health insurance requirement?" She said "O-A visa only." I then asked, "What about extensions like my retirement extension of stay?" She replied, "No extensions, only O-A visa. But maybe change for next time. We looking at that."
So, despite the fact that I will likely be accused of scaremongering here, and while I would certainly agree that there's enough stuff to worry about already without obsessing over what might come later, I can justifiably state that it would be quite foolish to be unprepared for the genuine possibility that in the foreseeable future health insurance will be required for all long stay visas and all marriage and retirement extensions of stay.
Don't think for a moment that I perversely like that possibility. I am an older fart with great international-except-USA-but-no-outpatient health insurance who would refuse to give that up in favor of a wimpy Thai plan that happens to include enough outpatient coverage to (maybe) cover stitching a deep cut on one finger at Bangkok Hospital (but yet would exclude my ongoing hypertension medications). Also, no international health insurance company will provide the necessary insurance coverage certification to satisfy Thai authorities. And I stand by my assertion that there is no such thing as a standalone outpatient plan let alone a reasonably priced one.
-
6
-
1
-
2
-
14 minutes ago, UncleMhee said:
Let's play semantics then. Your mate is telling porky pies!
https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_18
(5) In the case of parents, the father or mother must maintain an average annual income of no less
than Baht 40,000 per month throughout the year or must have deposited funds of no less than Baht
400,000 to cover expenses for one year.
For other necessary cases, the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of Immigration Bureau
is granted the authority to make decisions regarding approval on a case-by-case basis.
(6) In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income
of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in
Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year.I can't say for sure that what Mansell related -- nor what his friend apparently experienced and passed on to Mansell -- is reality.
But I can explain to you what Mansell said by taking the liberty of clarifying his wording slightly... I'd thought that Ubon Joe already had clarified that sufficiently, though.
"A friend went to Immigration to do a marriage extension. He had plenty of monthly income to meet that requirement. He was instead offered a retirement extension even though he didn't quite have the full THB 65,000 to meet the retirement extension financial requirement. Although a marriage extension is not rocket science, it does take more steps than a retirement extension, and paperwork must be sent to BKK for final approval. Retirement extension is easier, his wife said. So they made a deal...."
-
1
-
-
36 minutes ago, RockyMtnJay said:
A retiree can get a METV at Los Angeles. You simply put RETIRED on the visa application and provide proof you have the required US$7000 in the bank. I did it last week and last year.
Yup, and an ME Non-Imm O to "visit Thai spouse" needs evidence of only USD 700.00. Apparently the spouse is valued at USD 6300.00.
Also, on a more serious note, the 700.00 does not have to be shown as having remained in the bank for any number of months (as opposed to having to show the 7000.00+ balance sustained over 6 months). Just a point-in-time recent bank statement.
-
1
-
-
2 hours ago, jacko45k said:
My knowledge is the agent handles all needs, and the 'somebody' need not go to immigration at all.
Makes sense. But then it would seem impossible to break free of the agent because, on the next extension, the "post" seasoning from the last one will be seen as having been unsatisfied.
-
On 10/11/2019 at 6:14 AM, onera1961 said:
Most sensible comment so far. I was inclining towards agent.
But how would that work for somebody who doesn't live in Bangkok or Pattaya area? I assume a local-to-the-agent residence must be "provided" by the agent. And then how would that be reconciled against the actual residence location for 90-day reports, TM-30, possible future visits to the real local immigration office, etc.?? I think agencies are problematic for the many folks who live outside those areas.
-
2
-
-
6 minutes ago, Thaidream said:
Remember, the O-A just like any other Visa has an end date but can be extended by going to Immigration.
A visa can never be extended. A visa can never be renewed. Never. Ever. Any visa. Never.
-
I find it fascinating that when comparing the Pacific Cross Long Stay Visa super-duper Platinum 3 plan with their regular individual Ultima Plus plan, age 61-65, the premium difference is a mere THB 43,390/yr -- considering that the LSV plan covers very little (if something catastrophic happens and/or you stay at a private hospital) vs. the Ultima Plus which covers most everything up to THB 50M per disability/yr. The difference is only THB 12,106 if the THB 40,000 deductible is chosen. The Ultima Plus includes outpatient coverage, of course, and dental and vision, too. The claim-free discounts would probably seldom be seen by anybody over 60, though (due to periodic OPD claims for things like BP medications, regular MD checkups).
-
9 hours ago, Max69xl said:
Why do you think you can't extend an O-A visa?
No visa can ever be extended. Ever. Any visa. Ever.
No visa can ever be renewed. Ever. Any visa. Ever.
-
On 10/1/2019 at 2:51 AM, gk10002000 said:
And Social Security elibigle when I choose for another 30K a year ( I am 62 +).
You need to change that from "when I choose" to age 64+ if you're thinking of SS benefits amounting to USD 30K/yr. It is virtually impossible to have an individual benefit that large (in 2019) at age 62.
-
1 hour ago, Rick1812 said:
What's ho?
Assuming you don't mean the "ho" that's sometimes spelled "hoe", it would mean home office aka HQ.
-
6 minutes ago, denby45 said:
For me there would be a problem here because when I get the passbook updated they add a block sum (kasikorn). It does not show the individual deposits. I don't actually use this method however but if I did, I would have to remember to get the book updated every month. Worth thinking about.
Den
Maybe someone else can confirm, but I don't think Immigration wants the bankbook for the purposes of having all the same foreign deposit detail as what's reflected in the letter that itemizes them. I think it's more about showing that you have the bank account, under your individual control, that matches the account described in the itemizing letter and the account certifying letter.
-
13 hours ago, Neeranam said:
These days a medical certificate is not required, you wasted a trip and the associated stress.
In my prior post, I forgot to mention the medical certificate. I did have one because I knew I needed one. it is in fact required (specified in written DLT requirements at the highest level -- it's in "the binder"). I think some folks here happen (luckily?) to be taken care of by a "formal process challenged" employee.
-
1
-
-
19 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:
Yes it does, on the back. At least, mine does.
Mine does too.
-
19 hours ago, sumrit said:
With your yellow book and ID Card combined you can renew your Thai DL, you can't with your old DL.
With your yellow book and ID Card combined you can open a bank account, with a DL you can't.
False. Change "can" to "may be able to". In fact, I suspect there are more cases of "can't" than "can" countrywide.
-
13 hours ago, KhaoYai said:
That's news to me but thank you for that information. I don't actually have a Yellow Tabien Baan yet but I will be going for one once I become eligible again. I guess as with a lot of things it depends on the local rules or even the individual officer. I do know that they can actually do more or less what they want when It comes to documentation which makes you wonder sometimes.
For example, I know a staff member at Pak Chong DLT, I've had various things done there with very little of documentation that is supposed to be required.
However, if the binder in which its written 'don't accept it' was presented to me, I'd take a photo and report/challenge that at a higher level. The Yellow Tabien Baan is a legal document and as far as I know, it is every bit as credible as the Blue Tabien Baan issued to Thai nationals. In refusing such a document, the 'refuser' is going against the rules.
The binder of rules/policies originated at the higher (or highest level). Wife was there for translation purposes, and the policies essentially stated that proper evidence of residence address could be satisfied only by (1) Certificate of Residence obtained at local Immigration office; or (2) A notarized affidavit attesting to residence address obtained at Embassy or Consulate.
I believe the Yellow Tabien Baan is not every bit as credible as the Blue Tabien Baan -- not by virtue of any legal language that defined and gave rise to the former but rather by its routine (and increasing) lack of acceptance for its purported intended purposes. I'm seeing the same thing with the pink ID card. The once-genuine usefulness of both documents is being progressively diminished. A while back I presented my pink ID and yellow book for opening another account at the main Silom BKKB branch. The girl looked at the ID card with some curiosity, front and back, browsed through the yellow book, and then smiled and (according to wife) she mumbled something about this making things way easier when setting up the account. She was quickly overruled by senior level bank personnel, however, who indicated that for a foreigner a passport and visa establishing non-tourist status were required, as well as certification of residence provided via either of the two aforementioned methods applicable to DLT (and the official documentation from HQ was there -- in a cute binder of course -- to prove it). My yellow book and pink ID were returned to me and they started processing my application based on the passport, non-O, and the embassy affidavit certifying residence residence.
We will continue to see amphurs cranking these things out (1) because they can; (2) there are regulations governing them; and (3) foreigners still ask for them. But they are being relegated to the status of "paper prize in a modern box of cracker jacks". It's happening now and others here have reported their own anecdotal evidence supporting this belief.
There appear to be DLT and bank employees who, at the current time, fall into any of the following 3 generational categories:
(1) Never knew about or understood -- and still don't -- what the yellow tabien baan and pink ID cards are for (due to poor supervision, weak training, and/or individual learning challenges);
(2) Know by past training or experience the intended purpose of and policy formerly surrounding said documents but weren't properly informed of internal policy changes (due to poor supervision, weak training, and/or individual learning challenges);
(3) Know by past training or experience the intended purpose of and policy formerly surrounding said documents and are now aware of published internal policy changes concerning them.
When conducting business where there are documentation requirements that ought to be satisfied by the yellow book and/or pink ID card (by virtue of their respective purported intended purposes), and a foreigner is served by a category 1 or 3 employee, his/her yellow book and/or pink ID card will be returned and he/she will need to come up with alternative documentation. However, if the foreigner is lucky enough to be served by a category 2 employee, his/her yellow book and/or pink ID card will be accepted and he/she will post on this forum about how wonderfully useful yellow tabien baans and pink ID cards are. Unfortunately, the beloved category 2 employee is becoming extinct.
About a year ago, I did get the khon Thai price at Nakhon Ratchasima zoo upon presenting my pink ID card (as a visitor, not a subject animal).
-
2
-
-
20 hours ago, KhaoYai said:
Once you have a Yellow Tabien Baan, you no longer need to confirm your address - the Tabien Baan does just that.
Perhaps in theory, but not always in practice. The DLT closest to me does not accept the Yellow Tabien Baan. I think they used to but have stopped. The DLT employee had a binder with pages containing highlighted passages to be used as a script for the interaction with foreigner. Yellow book was in the script as "don't accept it". This is in Nakhon Ratchasima province. Others have reported here that indeed it is no longer accepted by their local DLT, perhaps implying that some rules have changed.
-
1
-
-
22 hours ago, thaiguzzi said:
Biggest advantage so far is that renewing your 5 year DL is much easier - don't even have to see an IO, let alone visit an office.
In Korat, yellow book was absolutely worthless for my 5 year DL renewal. Had to do COR with IO (I think I had to pay 500 Bt for that)... and they couldn't do that until my wife did another TM30 filing (even though I hadn't been registered anywhere other than at home).
Also, the yellow book was completely worthless for opening my Bangkok Bank accounts (in Bangkok, even at main Silom branch). They only wanted my passport with Non-Imm O visa (unexpired at the time) and COR (I used affidavit from embassy to meet that requirement).
So, absolutely, YMMV.
-
1
-
1
-
1
-
-
9 hours ago, Queenslander said:
or intra
That part is a fabrication. Misinterpretation by somebody, no doubt. Even the "inter" part was false for Korat as of 2 months ago.
-
On 8/5/2019 at 11:25 PM, pauleddy said:
It has never worked for me (I use a Mac), even after tips received from helpful members. I'm still clueless--I just get the second page, as above.
Almost always works for me on Mac (Safari) -- but sometimes the site is genuinely broken or overwhelmed. Try clearing website data (cookies, local storage, etc.) for immigration.go.th. Also, if you have any content blockers installed, be sure to whitelist immigration.go.th (and all subdomains thereof).
-
40 minutes ago, Somtamnication said:
The website states CERTIFIED copy of spouse ID and tabien baan. By certified they mean countersigned or?
Yes, copies of spouse's documents signed by spouse.
-
1
-
-
36 minutes ago, sniggie said:
The fact that you own a condo is of no relevance to the requirement to do a TM30 report.
I think it has some relevancy. If you own your own condo, then you are your own landlord and must bear the responsibility to do the TM30 filing. Otherwise, if you live in spouse's home or rent a condo, apartment, or house, then it is the spouse or landlord's responsibility to do the TM30, otherwise he/she is subject to a fine (NOT the foreigner). It's about the Thai "host" and not the foreigner. Now if, say, a landlord isn't willing to play ball on the TM30 (scared of fines for not having complied for years, doesn't want to get "involved", etc.), then the foreigner must take matters into his/her own hands and file the TM30 his/herself (as submitter and subject) if he/she wants to be able to proceed with extensions of stay, COR, etc.
So if you don't live in your own condo, and your spouse or landlord, whichever is applicable, is a decent, responsible person, then there is no TM30 for you, the foreigner, to worry about. Easy.
Otherwise, if you own your own condo, then you have to do your own TM30. A bit of extra pain. But I'd say the difference is indeed relevant.
-
- Popular Post
- Popular Post
4 minutes ago, giddyup said:If the world thought like that we'd still be using horse and carts.
Giddy-up!
-
3
-
11 hours ago, BestB said:
outpatient only cover
There is no such thing as outpatient only cover.
Absolute latest from Immigration on Insurance...
in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
Posted
Wrong? You have so beautifully illustrated my point...
"Extend your stay in the United States by filing a visa extension request" 555
I-539 is a change/extension of Non-Immigrant Status.
"Extend your Visa..." verbiage from wikihow. C'mon dude.