Showing posts with label Visa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Visa. Show all posts

Tuesday 13 August 2019

Thailand tightens the screws on TM30 reporting, petition ongoing


Nearly 5,000 Thai expats have now signed a petition pleading for modification or abolition of the TM30 immigration form. The well-organised petition calling for changes to the form is an unusual step for expats who, most of the time, keep their head down and out of the daily operations of the Land of Smiles.

For its part, Thai Immigration says it is simply robustly applying Sections 37 and 38 of the Thai immigration act to “strengthen security” and keep tabs on foreigners whilst in the country.

But the ‘robust application’ is causing headlines the Immigration Department would rather not see and is prompting panel discussions, YouTube interviews and online pleads from well-known bloggers and long-termers. There is one discussion planned for the Foreign Correspondents Club this Thursday.

The petition, whilst politely written, is not likely to succeed. The inconveniences to some locals needing to report their whereabouts when changing their reported address, will be outweighed by the need for national security.

That a group of foreigners could possibly change Thai laws to make things more convenient and useful, is also inconceivable. Even if there was some minor adjustment to the laws it could take years.
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Bottomline, don’t get your hopes up.

In the meantime, the inconvenience of Section 37 will remain a clear and present annoyance. There has been no shortage of people spraying the internet with their individual problems and examples and the 24 hour reporting will certainly affect some expats more than others, especially travelling business-people whose movement around Thailand is just part of their work.

Tourists are not affected as the onus of reporting locations whilst on holiday is the responsibility of hotels and landlords.

The issue is being presented in the international media as a nail in the coffin for long-term living in Thailand. The reality is that expat numbers continue to rise although the demographic is evolving to the chagrin of many European, Australian and American expats who seem particularly aggrieved by the enforcement and have made their voices heard – through signing the petition and sharing their strongly-held feelings on various forums online.
The other issue angering or confusing expats is that, like many other immigration laws, the enforcement of the clauses continues to be patchy around the Kingdom – they really don’t know how, or if, it’s going to be enforced in their case. For the short-term we would recommend you play by the rules to avoid any unpleasant fines or surprises. If you have any queries it is best to visit an Immigration Office and ask questions to find out how it applies to your visa and situation.

Don Ross from ttrweekly.com shares some thoughts on how the laws could be changed…
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“The director-general (usually the chief of police) can make changes to clauses 3 and 4. The DG can also through the Immigration Commission recommend a new ministerial regulation that updates the two clauses to make them more in tune with today’s online realities.

One possible change would be to stipulate that clause 4 reporting only kicks in after 72 hours away from home, rather than 24 hours. It would allow thousands of expatriates who are long-stay or retirees to visit other provinces for up to three days without triggering a clause 4 reporting hassle.”

If you want to read and sign the petition click HERE.

Source - The Thaiger

Wednesday 7 August 2019

Thailand set to introduce visa-free travel for Chinese and Indians


Thailand to open up visa-free stays

BANGKOK, 7 August 2019: As China and India emerge as priority targets for Thailand’s latest tourism promotions, visa-free-travel is back on the table for urgent consideration.
Last week, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, told Prachachat Business he intends to introduce visa-free travel for Chinese and Indians later this year.
Currently, citizens of both countries need to apply for a visa-on-arrival although the THB2,000 service fee has been waived until October this year.
The new minister says all that might change with both countries joining a long list of countries that enjoy visa-free entry for a stay of 14 days, possibly as early as 1 November.
This year’s target for tourism revenue, including domestic travel, has been set at THB3.4 trillion. Earnings from international tourists will reach around THB2.2 trillion while tourist arrivals should exceed 40.5 million.
The move is part of a broader policy to increase tourism revenue and reverse the slow down in the tourism growth rate.
Pipat says the Chinese market could still deliver as many as 11 million tourists this year up from 10.5 million. While tourist arrivals from India in 2018 reached 1.5 million, making it the sixth-largest source of visitors. The growth rate was an impressive 27% over 2017.
The latest proposal will introduce a one-year pilot project offering Chinese and Indian tourists visa-free entry starting 1 November, a day after the current Visa-on-Arrival project ends.
Pipat told Prachachat Business: “This time I would like to propose visa-free travel, not a free Visa-on-Arrival. I believe it would stimulate the tourism industry and result in a much stronger conclusion for the high season later this year.”
Source - ThaiVisa

Friday 30 October 2015

Thailand's 6 Month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is Official

Thailand's 6 Month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is Official 

But good news, We've gotten a hold of one of the first official documents explaining the new METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) and it's not only official, but it's even better than we thought it was going to be. (for some people) This is the new solution for a lot of us and could be the new Digital Nomad Visa for Thailand. Keep reading to see the official announcement below.

 But here's the official announcement by The Royal Thai Embassy on behalf of the Thai Government themselves.


Summary of the new 6 Month Visa:

Multiple Entry


This means you can go to Bali for a weekend, Cambodia to see Angkor Wat, then go to Saigon to visit friends whenever you want and not have to worry about wasting of one of your entries on your visa. This gives travelers and digital nomads freedom to go where we want, whenever we want and not be stuck to a timeline.

6 Month Validity

This actually means up to 9 months if you time it right. Get the new visa 2 weeks before you leave for Thailand, then come and go as you please making sure you fly back into Thailand a day or two before your 6 months run out. That way, you get a full 60 days from that day, plus the option to extend it for another 30 days without leaving the country, giving you up to 9 Months in Total!

Example: If your 6 month visa is valid from January 1st to June 1st you can come and go as much as you like during that time for up to 60-90 days at a time, then just make sure you re-enter Thailand before May 31st, and you'll get 60 days from that day + an option to extend it for another 30 days, giving you close to 9 months in total.

Death of the Double and Triple Entry Visas:

Unfortunately, this is something no one knew about until just now, but with the introduction of the new 6 month multiple entry tourist visa we lose the option to obtain a double or triple entry tourist visa. We'll still be able to get single entry visas which are good for 60 days + a 30 day extension, but it rules out going to places like Laos to get a double entry.

My suggestion is to either get a new ME Visa before you come to Thailand, or just plan a trip home anytime after November 13th. Just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

By the way, if you're making location independent income and want to exclude your first $100,800 in earnings, check out the foreign earned income exemption. Having the new 6 month multiple entry visa makes it easy for us digital nomads to travel perpetually while allowing us to use places like Chiang Mai, Thailand as our home base whenever we want to take a break from island hopping and hang out at a coworking space. 

How to Obtain a New 6 Month Visa:

The only downside to getting the new 6 month visa is that you have to do it from your home country, or a county where you can prove residence in.

That means for most of us already traveling in Thailand or SE Asia, we'll have to fly back home to get the new visa. The good news is, if you use my 9 month plan I mentioned above, you'll only have to do it once a year or so, and can use it as an excuse to go to weddings, or see your family that I'm sure misses you.

The cost of the new visa is around $140 USD and in my opinion is a fantastic deal for a 6 month multiple entry visa  as it gives us both freedom of time and schedule. In my first book 12 Weeks in Thailand I wrote about how to live the good life on the cheap, make border runs and get by on $600 a month, but those days are over.

They were fun as hell and if you're in your 20's I encourage you to spend a few years working as a divemaster and training muay thai like I did, but if you're 30+ like I am, instead of counting our baht and trying to live as cheaply as possible, let's put in some hard work and all become Thai Millionaires to really live freely and enjoy all of Thailand and the rest of the world. 

Source: Johnny FD

*****


I was tempted to post something about the new 6 month multiple entry tourist visa for Thailand sooner as I'm super excited about it, but up until now it's all been hearsay and didn't want to spread rumors if they were untrue.

But good news, I've gotten a hold of one of the first official documents explaining the new METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) and it's not only official, but it's even better than we thought it was going to be. (for some people) This is the new solution for a lot of us and could be the new Digital Nomad Visa for Thailand. Keep reading to see the official announcement below. - See more at: http://www.johnnyfd.com/2015/10/thailands-6-month-multiple-entry.html#sthash.4kXylkbN.dpuf
I was tempted to post something about the new 6 month multiple entry tourist visa for Thailand sooner as I'm super excited about it, but up until now it's all been hearsay and didn't want to spread rumors if they were untrue.

But good news, I've gotten a hold of one of the first official documents explaining the new METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) and it's not only official, but it's even better than we thought it was going to be. (for some people) This is the new solution for a lot of us and could be the new Digital Nomad Visa for Thailand. Keep reading to see the official announcement below.
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Thursday 6 August 2015

Multiple-entry visas for all travellers could soon be a reality, #Thailand


Good news travellers, multiple-entry visas for all visitors to the kingdom could soon be a reality after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha gave the go-ahead to a proposal for six-month visas.

Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the new visa will allow holders to come into the country more than once and it will cost THB5,000.

Currently, citizens of 30-40 countries can enter without a visa, but some other nationals are required to pay about THB1,000 for a single-entry, 30-day visa, reported the Nation.

The proposal was made as part of a plan to try and boost tourism and help the country’s ailing economy.

Thailand hopes to attract 28 million visitors this year.

The proposal will go into effect within 60 days of receiving cabinet approval.

The ministerial regulation under the Immigration Act of 1979, approved by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday (August 4), will allow tourists to get a visa enabling them to make multiple entries into Thailand during a six-month period.
The multiple-entry visa costs B5,000, while a visa for a single entry is B1,000.
Multiple entry will become available 60 days after the regulation is published in the Royal Gazette.
Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the multiple visa was a new measure to boost tourism, as more tourists will visit the country.
Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, agreed with Ms Kobkarn, saying it would benefit those who often visit Thailand.
"It's a good start, although even the six-month period may still be short for some visitors," he said.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry earlier proposed the cabinet approve the multiple visa for a 12-month period.
"We hope this multiple visa measure will promote Thailand as a destination for weekend vacations and that business people will visit Thailand more often," Ms Kobkarn said.
Meanwhile, Areepong Bhoocha-oom, newly appointed tourism permanent secretary, said his ministry would propose a strategic tourism development plan to the National Tourism Policy Committee next Monday (August 10).
Under the plan, the country will focus on generating tourism revenue, particularly for local communities, and try to attract more quality tourists. The plan comprises three strategies – tourism product and service development, tourism management, and marketing.
"We want to upgrade the quality of life of people in tourism destinations nationwide and make them stronger for sustainable tourism development. Self-sufficiency is key to our goal," Mr Areepong said.
Read original story here.
- See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/multiple-visa-a-trade-boon-say-operators-53529.php#sthash.xVMs7caM.dpuf
The ministerial regulation under the Immigration Act of 1979, approved by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday (August 4), will allow tourists to get a visa enabling them to make multiple entries into Thailand during a six-month period.
The multiple-entry visa costs B5,000, while a visa for a single entry is B1,000.
Multiple entry will become available 60 days after the regulation is published in the Royal Gazette.
Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the multiple visa was a new measure to boost tourism, as more tourists will visit the country.
Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, agreed with Ms Kobkarn, saying it would benefit those who often visit Thailand.
"It's a good start, although even the six-month period may still be short for some visitors," he said.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry earlier proposed the cabinet approve the multiple visa for a 12-month period.
"We hope this multiple visa measure will promote Thailand as a destination for weekend vacations and that business people will visit Thailand more often," Ms Kobkarn said.
Meanwhile, Areepong Bhoocha-oom, newly appointed tourism permanent secretary, said his ministry would propose a strategic tourism development plan to the National Tourism Policy Committee next Monday (August 10).
Under the plan, the country will focus on generating tourism revenue, particularly for local communities, and try to attract more quality tourists. The plan comprises three strategies – tourism product and service development, tourism management, and marketing.
"We want to upgrade the quality of life of people in tourism destinations nationwide and make them stronger for sustainable tourism development. Self-sufficiency is key to our goal," Mr Areepong said.
Read original story here.
- See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/multiple-visa-a-trade-boon-say-operators-53529.php#sthash.xVMs7caM.dpuf
The ministerial regulation under the Immigration Act of 1979, approved by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday (August 4), will allow tourists to get a visa enabling them to make multiple entries into Thailand during a six-month period.
The multiple-entry visa costs B5,000, while a visa for a single entry is B1,000.
Multiple entry will become available 60 days after the regulation is published in the Royal Gazette.
Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the multiple visa was a new measure to boost tourism, as more tourists will visit the country.
Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, agreed with Ms Kobkarn, saying it would benefit those who often visit Thailand.
"It's a good start, although even the six-month period may still be short for some visitors," he said.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry earlier proposed the cabinet approve the multiple visa for a 12-month period.
"We hope this multiple visa measure will promote Thailand as a destination for weekend vacations and that business people will visit Thailand more often," Ms Kobkarn said.
Meanwhile, Areepong Bhoocha-oom, newly appointed tourism permanent secretary, said his ministry would propose a strategic tourism development plan to the National Tourism Policy Committee next Monday (August 10).
Under the plan, the country will focus on generating tourism revenue, particularly for local communities, and try to attract more quality tourists. The plan comprises three strategies – tourism product and service development, tourism management, and marketing.
"We want to upgrade the quality of life of people in tourism destinations nationwide and make them stronger for sustainable tourism development. Self-sufficiency is key to our goal," Mr Areepong said.
Read original story here.
- See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/multiple-visa-a-trade-boon-say-operators-53529.php#sthash.xVMs7caM.dpuf
The ministerial regulation under the Immigration Act of 1979, approved by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday (August 4), will allow tourists to get a visa enabling them to make multiple entries into Thailand during a six-month period.
The multiple-entry visa costs B5,000, while a visa for a single entry is B1,000.
Multiple entry will become available 60 days after the regulation is published in the Royal Gazette.
Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the multiple visa was a new measure to boost tourism, as more tourists will visit the country.
Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, agreed with Ms Kobkarn, saying it would benefit those who often visit Thailand.
"It's a good start, although even the six-month period may still be short for some visitors," he said.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry earlier proposed the cabinet approve the multiple visa for a 12-month period.
"We hope this multiple visa measure will promote Thailand as a destination for weekend vacations and that business people will visit Thailand more often," Ms Kobkarn said.
Meanwhile, Areepong Bhoocha-oom, newly appointed tourism permanent secretary, said his ministry would propose a strategic tourism development plan to the National Tourism Policy Committee next Monday (August 10).
Under the plan, the country will focus on generating tourism revenue, particularly for local communities, and try to attract more quality tourists. The plan comprises three strategies – tourism product and service development, tourism management, and marketing.
"We want to upgrade the quality of life of people in tourism destinations nationwide and make them stronger for sustainable tourism development. Self-sufficiency is key to our goal," Mr Areepong said.
Read original story here.
- See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/multiple-visa-a-trade-boon-say-operators-53529.php#sthash.xVMs7caM.dpuf

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Thursday 31 July 2014

No need to worry says #Bangkok Immigration Commander.


He confirmed that foreign tourists and expats do not need to carry their passports with them at all times.

He said that tourists can of course leave their passports locked in their hotel safe and enjoy their holiday in Thailand without worrying about the need to carry their original passport.

Deputy Commander Voravat also said that for expats living here, a Thai driving license or photocopy of your passport can be used as a form of identification.

However, if Immigration Police suspect an individual to be overstaying in Thailand or being involved in illegal activity, then the individual would be required to produce their original passport promptly.

Deputy Commander Voravat referred to Section 58, which reads as follows:

Any alien who has no lawful document for entering the Kingdom under section 12(1);….under this Act; and has no identification in accordance with the Law on Alien registration, is considered to have entered the Kingdom in violation of the Act.

Entering or staying in Thailand without holding a valid passport and visa/extension is subject a fine and possible prison sentence.
 
“Making all foreigners in Thailand carry their original passports with them would be very difficult.”
“It’s about being reasonable and using common sense”


“But if we think a foreigner is involved in illegal activity then we will of course need to see their original passport, this is normal”, said Deputy Commander Voravat.

Deputy Commander Voravat is eager to avoid further misunderstandings and miscommunication regarding immigration matters and is happy to work with Thaivisa.com in the future in order to provide correct information to foreign tourists and the wider expat community in Thailand.


Thaivisa.com thanks  Deputy Commander Voravat for his interview and taking time to clarify the situation.

The idea of foreigners being able to get a copy of their passport officially stamped by Immigration is currently not an option. However, it is always a good idea to have a copy of your passport with you at all times while in Thailand.

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