[Any rejections with embassy letter?]

 

4 hours ago, misterphil said:

Yes,

 

I wrote about this yesterday. 
 

Quote #9

 

 

Sorry to hear about your situation. Some IO's can be a real pain in the ass. Hope everything works out for you.

[Any rejections with embassy letter?]

I was wondering if there have been any reports of people not receiving a 30 day extension (or consideration stamp) with a recent embassy letter (with a date)....and essentially told to go home.

[Amnesty Extension]

8 hours ago, stranded81 said:

Quick clarification - does one have to go to MUANG THONG THANI to get a new stamp to replace the "under consideration" stamp also in addition to applying for the extension with embassy letter?
Our "under consideration" stamp was valid till APRIL 20TH and we now have an embassy letter that will hopefully allow us to apply for a 30 day extension at MAUNG THONG THANI.

1. So can we go directly to MTT to get the new stamp (to replace the under consideration stamp) + 30 day extension stamp with embassy letter?
or
2. Go the government complex first where we obtained the "under consideration" stamp, have that updated and then go to MTT for the extension with the embassy letter?

Thank you

Why oh why did you wait so long to close out your under consideration stamp when the immigration offices have been empty for months.... I believe the normal procedure for updating the "under consideration" stamp is to go to the original location where you initially obtained the stamp. But since so much time has passed, I'm not entirely sure. You may even be able to by-pass this process and just apply for the 30 day extension in Bangkok directly. Perhaps you can try calling the immigration hotline? If you can't get a definitive answer I would probably just go to the original complex first just to be safe. ????

[Amnesty Extension]

1 hour ago, STD Warehouse said:

I’m pretty sure they will extend the amnesty. 
 

they (gov not immigration) will make announcement on 21st or 22nd about extending the amnesty.

 

i have no proof of this, only my personal view.

I sort of think something might happen as well. Maybe not a full out amnesty but some additional easing of immigration rules. There are still way too many people who will get screwed (e.g. no embassy letter) or have no actual home to go to if this amnesty ends. Just my personal view as well. BTW, epic name. ????

[New from US Embassy: "Official extension stamp" to change to long-term visa]

4 minutes ago, alw22 said:

Just got back from a small non-Bangkok immigration office and was given an under consideration stamp until Oct 16 and a promised additional 10 days if I return to their office on that date.

 

I arrived in January on a normal tourist visa exemption and already used my pre-covid 30 day extension.

 

I used the US embassy letter for this new extension.  They reviewed it carefully, but didn't require any additional documentation, just usual tm7 and 1900 baht.

 

Awesome, thanks for the update! Do you mind if I ask which office?

[Visa Amnesty ends 26 Sept]

9 minutes ago, FlyingThai said:

Hearing from whom?

Just hearsay and chatter on social media of what some IO's supposedly said, information from immigration hotline, and random news articles. Of course it could mean nothing. 

[Visa Amnesty ends 26 Sept]

47 minutes ago, FlyingThai said:

Probably because they got sick of people asking and complaining. Their letter is pretty wishy washy and only asks for assistance. It doesn't say the applicant can't go home and that the situation in the U.S. is so horrible that it's a danger. It also seems to be automatically generated without input of a consular officer or staff member.

 

If immigration accepts this then so be it but if they need specifics as they did before... no dice!

From the things I'm hearing thus far I think it'll be fairly easy to obtain the extension with any country's embassy letter. Some immigration offices however may require a few additional documents (e.g. proof of hotel or residence)...along with a little groveling. LOL

[Visa Amnesty ends 26 Sept]

1 hour ago, rimpsstar said:

From speaking with Thai people, I think the current situation of many people being stuck has come about through misunderstanding. 

 

Foreigners seemed to see the amnesty as "We get to stay in Thailand until Sep 26th, then we have to go home", Wheras the Thai's viewed it as "Foreigners have until Sep 26th to arrange their departure, which is plenty of time". Thais I speak with seem to not understand how anyone can still be having a problem given they have had so much time, and the fact there have been plenty of flights they could have gotten on since the Amnesty was approved.

 

Every Thai person I've spoken with thinks the amnesty should be extended. Guess it depends on who you speak with. ????

[Tourists to get unlimited 30-day extensions to stay after ‘visa amnesty’ ends]

2 hours ago, vermin on arrival said:

I called 1178 and they said only the embassy letter was needed. No explanation was required. Just bring the letter with the usual documentation for a 30 day extension, embassy letter and 1900 baht.

Someone posted this from Chonburi Immigration in a FB group, I swear it's like deja-vu from March all over again.

 

[Tourists to get unlimited 30-day extensions to stay after ‘visa amnesty’ ends]

5 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

Several people have already reported that the US embassy letter alone was accepted for an extension.  No other requirements were needed.

Do you have a link possibly to a person reporting a successful extension?

[Tourists to get unlimited 30-day extensions to stay after ‘visa amnesty’ ends]

6 minutes ago, Zikomat said:

I would be very careful in case you decide to go on overstay after 26 of September. The immigration will definitely start hunting the overstayers as never before. They are money hungry at the moment and getting caught as many overstayers as possible will be their main priority for some time. In places like Pattaya it will be dangerous even to go out for a walk if you are on overstay.

They'll start hunting 40 days after amnesty ends. That's when the maximum 20k baht overtime fine hits. haha

[Tourists to get unlimited 30-day extensions to stay after ‘visa amnesty’ ends]

20 minutes ago, JacksSmirkingRevenge said:

People with embassy letters that have gone recently were given a stamp of consideration?  Well, it was a stamp and they were told to come back on the 16th of September.  I wonder if this is done with.  I still think there is a chance of visa amnesty extension or the option to purchase a visa in country.  They're talking about a 270 day tourist visa now. 

I'm not sure about this time around, but the first round of covid embassy letters that were issued before the amnesty also resulted in a consideration stamp. Supposedly (according to the IO in KhonKaen), the paperwork was sent to the main office for approval, although as far as I know everyone got approved.

 

Looking back, jumping through the hoops to get that letter (as well as all the ridiculous paperwork) was pointless, because I actually went on amnesty along with everyone else about a week after I submitted it. 

 

[What’s your gut feeling on if they will extend the amnesty]

11 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

Unfortunately when reading the article, it becomes obvious that the 'unlimited 30 day extensions to stay' are conditional.

Gen Pornchai explained that any tourists unable to return home after Sept 26 due to illness are to apply for an extension to stay by applying at an Immigration office and presenting a medical certificate to prove they are unfit to fly.

However, those who are unable to return home due to lack of flights or other circumstances in their home country must present a letter from their home country’s embassy or consulate in Thailand requesting that the foreign be allowed to continue to temporarily stay in the Kingdom, Gen Pornchai added.

So nothing new, and a misleading header and intro, with the ugly monkey coming out of the sleeve later on in the article.

True, but it does seem (from the statements made in the press conference) that if one can get a letter from their embassy they should get the 30 day extension without any issues, where as before there was some doubt.

 

I'm not sure about the folks who can't get letters though. ????

[What’s your gut feeling on if they will extend the amnesty]

1 minute ago, Ganesh108 said:

Breaking news:

 

https://www.thephuketnews.com/tourists-to-get-unlimited-30-day-extensions-to-stay-after-visa-amnesty-ends-77201.php

Pay to stay, month by month, a win-win situation for all parties involved. ????

[New from US Embassy: "Official extension stamp" to change to long-term visa]

9 minutes ago, alw22 said:

I received my letter from the US embassy this morning.  I'll take it to an immigration office next week to see if it's good enough for a 30 day extension.

Please let us know how it goes ????

[New from US Embassy: "Official extension stamp" to change to long-term visa]

So, who is going to be the first guinea pig to attempt to use the embassy letter for a 30 day extension? ????

[Extend amnesty into 2021?]

55 minutes ago, finy said:

If you look closely a lot of airlines are leaving 100% of the time every day now.

 

Ones like Luthansea, KLM, Finnair, and most of the Middle East ones. All with transits to some great countries.

Actually the situation is still pretty fluid. I had a Asiana (star alliance) flight booked for Sept 27th 1AM (so technically clocking out with immigration on the 26th) from BKK to LAX. Flight was cancelled today through email, and I checked and it seems Asiana is only planning to fly out once or twice a week, if even that, from Bangkok (it was originally supposed to be 4 times a week in Sept when I booked last week). Not that I'm in a hurry to return to the states, but I've actually lost count at how many cancelled flights I've had now. LOL

[Thailand to offer grace period for foreigners’ visa extensions]

According to an article in the BK Post the IB chief had the following to say....

 

"He said the Interior Ministry's visa relief measures for foreign visitors would be submitted to the cabinet for approval next Tuesday. The bureau would later issue guidelines on how to apply for a visa extension.

He said those who planned to return to their home countries did not need to contact the IB but also had to leave Thailand by Sept 26."

[Thailand to offer grace period for foreigners’ visa extensions]

52 minutes ago, bestie said:

The article by Reuters is more interesting. It says, “we will allow visa requests from 1 August to 26 September”. This suggests that rather than an extension of the amnesty, people will be able to buy new visas without leaving the country. ‬

‪

Again, this is NOT official yet. ‬

 

Source: Richard Barrow in Thailand

Although nothing is official and this is all speculation thus far, it does seem the government is "mulling" towards the right direction, so I do have some hope. *fingers crossed

[Visa-exempt-entry, then amnesty - Can I get normal 30 day extension?]

1 hour ago, Wallabi said:

Interesting question.

I'm in a similar situation, I have a 30-day visa exemption, like you, except I've already used my 1-month extension back in April just before the amnesty (unlucky). So from what I understand, this means that if the amnesty isn't extended, I'm basically screwed and I have to leave. Is that correct?

I'm in a similar situation as yourself but with a 60 day tourist visa, I used a 30 day extension as well as the covid extension (although I didn't have to use that one technically). I'm just waiting for an official announcement from the Thai government regarding the amnesty, but preparing myself to leave just in case.

[Unofficial visa amnesty update]

38 minutes ago, GeorgeCross said:

 

wife was following this story from the thai side and last night said the feeling is that internationals (i don't want to say the f... word) are not the target of immigration reopening but neighboring countries citizens are. there's a worry that they are struggling to support themselves and find work in the current climate.

 

probably going home and blabbing that they caught covid here didn't win too many friends either lol

 

anyway just passing on her opinion.. one more for the pile

 

 

I do remember reading an editorial awhile back about a country by country implementation of the amnesty possibly being a solution, although it would be nearly impossible for this government to probably draw up. LOL

[Extension of Amnesty Unlikely?]

If you look at the daily flights actually leaving BKK, the cancellation rate is over 95 percent. You can book a ticket, but boarding a plane may not necessarily happen. Not to mention a lot of airline companies aren't even refunding your ticket but issuing vouchers/credit, which can get awfully expensive when trying to rebook. I've actually had 4 flights cancelled the past few months and as of right now I'm all set for a flight on the 30th, but I have no idea if that will actually happen. There is clearly not enough flight capacity to handle all the tourists that are currently stuck before the end of the month. Plus I wonder what the government plans on doing with the tens of thousands of people (non tourists) who need to do a border bounce for their respective visas. I predict thousands (or more) of potential overstays coming up if this amnesty ends.

[Is this a sign they not gonna extend the visa amnesty ?]

48 minutes ago, andux said:

After going through the comments, the arguments for extending the amnesty/granting extensions vs the arguments for kicking all foreigners out on July 31 are very clear:

 

Reasons for extending the amnesty/granting extensions: Logical arguments related to the difficulties of certain people to go back to the countries where they work or live, as well as the fact that land borders are closed. Other arguments are related to the fact that the lack of tourists in Thailand is somehow compensated by the monetary contributions of the foreigners stranded in Thailand.

 

Reasons for kicking foreigners out: People who had to jump through hoops are angry and want the rest of the foreigners out.

 

We'll see what side immigration takes.

 

Sums up everything pretty well. I really don't understand this resentment from several posters on this forum against people under the amnesty. I too am currently under the amnesty and I am grateful to the Thai government for allowing me to stay here while cases in my hometown of Los Angeles appear to be skyrocketing. Nevertheless if I have to go home, I shall....and I've already booked a flight for the end of the month. It is what it is. However, there are a lot of people under the amnesty who fall under a wide range of circumstances that are much more complicated, I see various questions and scenarios asked all the time in Facebook groups and forum sites, and I truly feel sympathy for these folks. Some of them are literally between a rock and a hard place.

[Do you think they will extend the amnesty if they are not allowing inbound scheduled flights from August onwards?]

It's impossible to say what the government will do, but I haven't heard any news about the visa amnesty topic being discussed at this point. I booked a ticket for the end of July back to the US, but I too am hoping for an extension and at the very least hope that the government makes an announcement about the amnesty by the middle of July.

[31st July Anmesty - extended until September?]

3 hours ago, BritTim said:

Travel bubbles are based on the idea that you only allow people to enter Thailand just after they leave another Covid-19 free country. Your passport is irrelevant. There may be restrictions based on xenophobia, but there is absolutely no logical reason why someone who has been through quarantine in Vietnam should not then be allowed to travel to Thailand, assuming a travel bubble is in place.

I totally agree that this is how things should be done. However, before Cambodia locked down their borders, they were refusing admittance to US passport holders (but not Thai citizens) coming from Thailand, even though these passengers clearly had not been in the US for a long duration of time. I was informed of this by the US embassy when I was attempting to travel several months back from Thailand.