visa & coronavirus

[thailandgr]

With Medical certificate and health insurance for Covid-19 required from Sunday, Thailand has effectively closed down it’s borders



Thailand-

Although avoiding the word lockdown or ban, with the new requirement for a medical certificate of being free of Covid19, which most countries will not give, and a 100,000 USD medical insurance for Coronavirus, which most companies will not cover, Thailand is effectively closing it’s borders to travelers as of Sunday.

Currently, Thai nationals are also required to have the certificate but that could change as many have expressed outrage at this as many countries will not test for the virus or give a certificate.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha was careful in not using the words “lockdown” or “ban” but the new strict measures, which will also be implemented at land borders, essentially shut down travelers to the country until the Covid19 coronavirus issue is resolved.

Thai Public Health Minister and Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul said that the measure is designed to ensure as few foreigners as possible enter the country and potentially spread the virus to the Thai people.

The new measures apply globally, to every country, and were previously just for disease infected zones as labeled by the Thai Government.

Image: CAAT

Correction Notice: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the minimum for health insurance was 100,000 baht. The amount is 100,000 USD. This was an error.

[thailandgr]

[thailandgr]

[thailandgr]

Immigration Is Allowing 30 Day Extensions Of Entries (memorandum dated 18/03)


Number 1 of memo is to allow more than one 30 day extension for those with tourist visa or visa exempt entries under clause "2.4 In the case of tourism purposes" of police order 327/2557.

Number 2 is for those that have entered using a non immigrant visa that can be extended for 30 days under clause "2.28 In the case of necessity, with certification or request made by an embassy or consulate:"

Number 3 is under this in the covering notice of the police order.

"5. In the case where an alien applicant does not meet the full qualifications stipulated by the criteria herein or in other cases not specified in this Order but a competent officer equivalent to or higher than inspector is of the opinion that the alien has legitimate reason for staying in the Kingdom of Thailand, the application shall be forwarded to the Commander of the Royal Thai Police or an authorized competent officer for further consideration of the alien's application."

 

[thailandgr]

Phuket Immigration confirms B500 a day overstay fines are being levied




PHUKET:-- Phuket Immigration has confirmed that B500 a day fines are being levied on any people who remain in the country after their permits to stay have expired.
Phuket Immigration Deputy Chief Lt Col Udom Thongchin told The Phuket News late this afternoon (Mar 23) that his office has no authority in the matter.
“Everything is up to the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok,” he said.


Full Story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-immigration-confirms-b500-a-day-overstay-fines-are-being-levied-75405.php

[thailandgr]

Covid-19: No papers or insurance - you can't come into Thailand, even returning Thais facing travel restrictions



Thai media is awash with stories that travellers are being denied entry into Thailand because they do not have the required documentation.
There are also reports that this not only applies to foreigners but Thais are not being allowed to board planes and return home.
The documentation currently required includes fit to fly papers and travel insurance for foreigners. Thais need the fit to fly documentation and letters from their embassies abroad as well.
Media in Thailand has reported that on Sunday 100 people were denied entry at Suvarnabhumi, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Don Meuang airports. These were cases from 4,533 passengers.
Seventy were immediately deported and four Thais at least were taken into compulsory quarantine. Others were on watchlists.
It was not clear how many, if any, of those not permitted entry or were deported were Thai nationals.
But reports on Facebook from an industry insider indicated that hundreds of Thais wanting to come back home from New Zealand were left stranded after they were not permitted to board a Thai Airways flight in Auckland.
Daily News reported today that 55 foreigners were denied entry and four Thais were placed in quarantine as they flew without the required documents.
INN carried a report saying that measures at Thai airports to restrict entry were being ramped up.
Manager reported that on Monday 30,688 travellers used Suvarnabhumi airport both inbound and outbound.
A total of 17,341 were international passengers - 15,213 outbound and just 2,128 inbound.
There were a total of 13,347 domestic passengers on Monday with 100 less flights at the airport than normal.
Manager described it as very quiet at Bangkok's main airport.
The news comes as the nation holds its breath for an impending announcement about what the just announced State of Emergency will mean.
Speculation is rife that like India it will include measures as serious as widespread curfew. 

[thailandgr]

Stranded Foreigners Ordered to File for Extensions at Immigration


People queue up in front of the Immigration Bureau in Chaengwattana Government Complex on March 25, 2020.


BANGKOK — Due to the ongoing worldwide travel disruption caused by the coronavirus epidemic, the Thai immigration said it will allow foreigners marooned in Thailand to extend their stay for up to 30 days.
The catch? They must ignore the government’s call for “social distancing” and head to the immigration offices to apply for those extensions after acquiring a letter from their embassies.
“The bureau had previously permitted the extension to foreign nationals of 11 countries and territories, but we now granted it to every nationality,” Immigration Bureau spokesman Phakkhaphong Saiubonsaid said in an interview. “Those who wish to apply need to acquire a letter from their respective embassies.”
Phakkhaphong spoke on the day a massive queue reaching up to 3,000 people was seen at the Immigration Bureau’s main office at the Government Complex in Chaeng Wattana, as many foreigners are scrambling to extend their stays, file 90-day reports, and get other necessary stamps before a possible lockdown of the capital.
Massive queues in front of the Immigration Bureau office.
Col. Phakkhaphong said the bureau already responded to the overcrowding problem.
“The bureau was crammed with people today because they feared that a curfew would be imposed,” Col. Phakkhaphong said. “We are expanding the waiting area at our Chaengwattana office so that people can keep some distance from each other.
He added, “We are also looking for a larger space elsewhere to cope with massive queues.”
The spokesman also said most services such as the 90-day reporting are available online or via registered mail, though applications related to visas still require their physical appearance at the immigration office.
“Most foreigners do not need to come to the bureau in person,” Phakkhaphong said. “However, we still require them to report themselves in person in some cases such as applying for a marriage visa.
Foreigners who queued up for their documents at the Government Complex today said they had to wait in line for hours as queue numbers exceed 3,000.  Many were also told to come back on the following day.
“I was there today. Quite a dystopian experience and the queue numbers were finished,” user Manuele Mambelli commented on a Khaosod English news thread. “So lots of people will have to go back tomorrow.”
When asked about the emergency decree’s ban on large gatherings, Col. Phakkhaphong said his agency will deliberate on the matter.
“We understand the current situation and we are trying to provide the best service,” he said. “But our national security needs to come first.”




https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/03/25/stranded-tourists-expats-ordered-to-file-for-extensions-at-immigration/

[thailandgr]

Stranded foreigners in Thailand rush to apply for special visa extensions


Immigration Bureau officials provide visa extension services to stranded foreigners at the Muang Thong Thani complex temporary center


BANGKOK – Crowds of foreigners stuck in Thailand due to the Covid-19 pandemic rush to apply for a 30-day visa extension at immigration offices across the country.
To facilitate a large number of foreign travelers, Immigration Bureau has opened a temporary immigration center at Muang Thong Thani complex since Thursday.
Immigration Bureau Chief Pol Maj Gen Sompong  Chingduag said that the 30-day visa extension was given to foreigners who showed certificates from their respective embassies.
The center also provided other immigration services, he said.
Foreigners can apply for this special visa extension at immigration offices in the provinces they are staying.
One of the most crowded immigration offices is that of Koh Samui (Samui Island) in the southern province of Surat Thani.
The officials have eased crowding and facilitate social distancing in queues to prevent the spread of coronavirus. (TNA)


Foreigners are seen in a long queue waiting to submit 30-day visa extension requirement at the Immigration temporary center.

[thailandgr]

Thai govt and Immigration confirm second visa amnesty - no need to do 90 day reports or extend visas



The Thai government’s PR department and the Immigration Bureau on Wednesday morning confirmed the details of the second visa amnesty for foreigners.
The first visa amnesty was announced on April 7 in order to help prevent long queues forming at immigration offices during the COVID-19 pandemic,  allowing foreigners to stay in the kingdom until April 30.
On Tuesday, it was announced the amnesty would be extended by a further three months, allowing foreigners to remain in Thailand until July 31 without having to apply for another extension.



On Wednesday morning, the Thai government’s PR department confirmed on its website the amnesty had been extended.
The Immigration Bureau also confirmed on social media that foreigners in Thailand do not need to extend their visas or carry out 90 day reports between now and July 31.



Overstay fees are also waived during this time.
During the amnesty period, Immigration offices in Thailand will still be open.
Since the amnesty was first announced, Thaivisa has received multiple reports from expats who took advantage of the near empty immigration offices to apply for extensions of stay based on marriage or retirement, with the whole process taking much less time than usual. 

[thailandgr]

[thailandgr]

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said on Monday the decree will be extended to the end of May.
The means the night curfew from 10pm-4am will continue, no social gatherings allowed and only limited inter-provincial travel, among other restrictions.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and brought together all agencies to discuss the impact of the decree.

[halfway inn]

[halfway inn]

Thai immigration to reopen temporary visa centre at Muang Thong Thani

July 10, 2020



Thai immigration has announced it will be moving some service back to the temporary visa center at Muang Thong Thani from 13 July.

The temporary visa centre had been set up in March (before the visa amnesty) to help deal with the large numbers of foreigners who needed to extend their visas having been left stranded in Thailand due to COVID-19.

Muang Thong Thani is a sprawling housing estate a few kilometers from the Government Complex also on Chaeng Wattana Road.

There is currently a visa amnesty in Thailand until 31 July. It is not yet known if the visa amnesty will be extended.

A map to the temporary visa center is available by the QR code below.

[halfway inn]

Thai immigration urge foreigners to do 90 day/address reports by post or online to ease Covid-19 congestion

July 17, 2020

[thailandgr]

The Immigration Bureau has released an English infographic about what happens after 31 July.
It is clear that they want people, who have been taking advantage of the visa amnesty, to prepare themselves to leave Thailand before 26 September at the very latest.
If you cannot leave due to no flights or an illness, you need to get a letter issued by your embassy or a medical certificate from your doctor.
These extensions will be given 30 days at a time.
If you were supposed to do 90-day reporting between 26 March and 31 July, you now have to do this within the month of August. Obviously, those of us who continued doing 90 day reporting can continue as normal.



https://www.immigration.go.th/?avada_portfolio=ครม-เห็นชอบร่างประกาศ-มท&portfolioCats=31