The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand has recently instructed the Embassies and Consulates of Thailand across the world to review the visa fees in order to reflect the effects of exchange rate fluctuation between Thai baht and other local currencies during the pass three years (2003-2007). As a result, the Royal Thai Embassy in London has learnt that the value of the Thai baht in comparison with the value of the British pound has been increased approximately 10%. In this connection, the Embassy will adjust all categories of visa fees in order to reflect the above-mentioned loss of exchange rate between Thai baht and the British pound which will be commenced from 2 July 2007 accordingly :

1. Transit Visa 17 pounds 2. Tourist Visa 28 pounds 3. Non-Immigrant Visa, single entry 45 pounds 4. Non-Immigrant Visa, multiple entries 100 pounds 5. Non-Immigrant Visa (3 Years), multiple entries 200 pounds.

Royal Thai Embassy, London June B.E. 2550 (2007)

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UK embassy tightens up visa system
source: The Nation

People wanting to visit the United Kingdom will soon require high-tech biometric visas.

Applicants aged five and older will from June 21 need to visit the British Embassy visa application centre run by VFS Thailand.

Applicants will have their fingerprints electronically scanned and a digital photograph taken.

“The process is relatively simple and should take no more than five minutes. There is no additional charge,” an embassy statement said.

The embassy is bracing for complaints from those accustomed to the old, more relaxed rules. The changes, the embassy said, were necessary.

“The British Embassy apologises to customers for any inconvenience the move to this new visa system may cause. The addition of biometric data is necessary to combat visa fraud, including identity theft, and to improve security for all visitors to the UK.

“Biometric visas for the UK have already been introduced in a number of other countries in the region and are being introduced worldwide,” the embassy said.

Applicants’ fingertips need to be free from any form of decoration, abrasions or other markings, and facial cuts and bruises must be healed or unnoticeable.

They may prevent acceptable fingerprint scans and photographs. Digital photographs cannot be taken with applicants wearing dark glasses or coverings hiding the face or neck.

All applications for UK visas will be suspended and the VFS office closed from this Friday until next Wednesday inclusive so equipment required can be installed and staff trained to use it.

Biometric data is mandatory for all applicants except for holders of diplomatic passports and accompanying dependants travelling on official government business and holders of official passports travelling on government business in the UK.

UN officials holding UN travel documents travelling on official business do not require the biometric visa. Neither do Commonwealth and NATO armed-forces personnel posted for service in the UK or holders of a certificate of entitlement confirming right of abode in the UK.

Exceptions may be granted to applicants who for genuine medical reasons cannot provide fingerprint scans.

For more information visit the embassy website www.ukvac-th.com or email it at info@ukvac-th.com or call 02 800 8050.

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NEW IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS

There has been an important change to the supporting documents required to extend Non-Immigrant Visas Category ‘B’.

With effect from Friday, 4 May 07 Thai Immigration requires all applications for the extension of a non-immigrant visas category ‘B’ (the visa which supports the retention of a Thai work permit) to be supported by the following documentation:

. A photocopy of the employing company’s Affidavit and Shareholders’ List certified as a true copy of the original by the Ministry of Commerce.

. A photocopy of the employing company’s most recent Annual Financial Statements certified as a true copy of the original by the auditor who audited it.

. A photocopy of the employing company’s most recent Personal Income Tax Return (PND1) with the Revenue Department’s receipt plus a photocopy of the applicant’s most recent Annual Personal Income Tax Return (PND91) (if they have one) certifi! ed as a tr ue copy of the original by the Revenue Department.

. A photocopy of the employing company’s most recent Social Security Fund monthly return certified as a true copy of the original by the Social Security Fund Office.

Photographic evidence is now required to support the Initial Application to extend a Non-Immigrant Visa Category ‘B’.

With effect from Wednesday, 16 May 07, Thai Immigration requires the first application to extend a non-immigrant visa category ‘B’ to be supported by photographs of every employee in the employing company and each photograph is to be taken showing the employee at their place of work (e.g. sitting at their desk or working at their piece of machinery or sitting behind the steering wheel of the company vehicle, etc.).

Sources have told us that if a company has many Thai employees then the application should be supported by photographs of several of the employees as long as the number exceeds the mi! nimum requ irement of four Thai employees to match each foreign employee. However, the reason the photographs are required is to enable an Immigration inspection team to match the photographs against the actual employees and their workplace if they pay a surprise visit.

The Immigration Bureau has warned that it is now a policy of theirs to conduct surprise visits to newly registered companies that employ expatriates who require work permits.

The aim of the inspections by the Thai Immigration Department would appear to be to determine whether the information supplied by companies employing expatriates is correct insofar as:-

a. Capitalisation;
b. Business activity and nature;
c. Location of business;
d. Number of Thais employed as a ratio to expatriates; and,
e. Existence of Thai employees.

We have been informed that all new companies registered that employ expatriates may be subject to a visit by the Immigratio! n Departme nt. To avoid breaching the legislation with respect to work permits and visas, companies are advised to adhere as a minimum to the following:-

a. Fully paid up registered share capital. Baht 2 million per work permit for non-BOI companies;

b. Employ FOUR (4) Thais to every expatriate and those Thais must be current employees of the company, be paid a salary and have written contracts to support their employment for non-BOI companies;

c. Business operated by the company should comply to the objects in the Articles of Association; and,

d. The place of business should have the appearance of a proper place of business even if it is operated from an expatriate’s place of residence.

The Immigration Bureau has also issued a warning to applicants, employing companies and appointed representatives of applicants for extension of non-immigrant visas.

If it is found that the information provided in supporting ! documentary evidence is not correct then the applicant’s visa will be cancelled and they will have to leave Thailand. As well, the principals of the employing company and the agency handling the application (if one is used) will be reported to the police for further action.

We recommend that if you have any questions with regard to these new regulations that you consult a professional company specialising in immigration procedures.

We would like to thank Barry Petersen of Lang Suan House Co., Ltd. (tel. 02 652 2757) for contributing the above information on the new regulations.

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Thai Immigration Clarifies 90-day Rule Change

PHUKET: — Following a spate of complaints from confused foreigners entering Thailand on “visa exemptions”, Pol Capt Krissarat Nuesen of the Phuket Provincial Immigration Office has made a statement to clarify the 90-day rule and how it was changed, effective April 1.

Visa exemptions, commonly referred to as “visas on arrival”, allow tourists from certain countries who arrive at the border without a visa to have permits-to-stay, typically for a period of 30 days, issued by Immigration officials.

“People who enter Thailand on a ‘visa exemption’ are permitted to stay only 90 days in a six-month period,” he said, adding that the six months is calculated as a 180-day period starting from the first day that the foreigner enters Thailand on a visa exemption.

“From October 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007, we counted all the days from the foreigner’s first day regardless whether the foreigner was actually in Thailand or not.

“Also, foreigners were not permitted to stay in Thailand after their 180-day period had expired [counted from the foreigner’s first day], regardless whether the foreigner had stayed a full 90 days in Thailand or not,” Capt Krissarat said.

“However, the rule has been changed. From April 1, we now count only the days the foreigner has stayed in Thailand – and foreigners are now allowed to stay past the 180-day period,” he said.

The number of consecutive visa exemptions allowed is no longer limited to three, he added.

As for foreigners who complain about discrepancies in the counting of days, K. Krissarat reminded those who choose to enter on multiple visa exemptions that it is up to the discretion of the Immigration officer on duty how many days to grant the new arrival, provided it is 30 days or fewer.

Capt Krissarat stressed that the 90-day rule does not affect people who have been issued a visa from the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate.

“If you want to stay longer, then apply for a visa from a Royal Thai Embassy outside Thailand. That way the rule will not apply to you,” he said.

Regarding parents bringing children into Thailand to attend school, Capt Krissarat said, “Foreign parents whose children will study in Thailand can apply for non-immigrant ED visas for their children at any Royal Thai Embassy outside Thailand.

“The parents can apply for non-immigrant O visas for themselves so they can enter the country and care for their children here, and then they can apply for permits to stay at the Immigration office after entering the country.

“Alternatively, if the parents are not going to be staying in the country long, they can get a tourist visa from an embassy or enter on a visa exemption,” he said.

“Many international schools in Thailand help parents prepare applications for permits to stay,” Capt Krissarat said, adding that children under 14 years old are not fined for overstay.

– Phuket Gazette 2007-04-28

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Visa Extension over 50 to Support Thai Child (April 2007)
This is a true story of an expatriates experience to obtain a one year visa with no money in the bank.
Extension of Non Imm “O” based on Age Over 50 and Support of Thai Child

After an enjoyable visa run to Savannakhet, my wife suggested I go back and do an update and come back for another 3 months of wedded bliss. Being the detailed Bad Banking kind of person I am, I decided it was time to test the waters and try to get an extension of my Non Imm ”O” visa based on the new support of a Thai child clause. I have a British passport and have been a resident of Thailand since early 1988. Over the years I have had work permits and non imm “o” visas but always seemed to be overseas and lost out on the consecutive visas! At the moment I am a consultant and spend time in Europe working there, but not in Thailand.

As I am a masochist, and thanks to Sunbelt’s translation of the new act, it is very clearly spelled out in National Police Office Order 606/2006 that I was eligible to apply for, as the act says under :

“7.17 In case of the foreign national is the member of the Thai national’s family (Only for Father, Mother, Husband or Wife, ordinary child, adopted child or the child of the marriage couple.) Each time of permission shall be granted for the period not exceeding 1 year.”

7.17 (5) In the case of a parent, the said person must be 50 years of age or over;

It was very clear my situation fit the bill! I was turning the big 50 in the first week of April and my non imm “O” visa was expiring one the 17th of April!

Over the nearly 20 years of living in this country I have been to Soi Suan Plu many many times and have developed a friendship with 3 of the people who are the ones that actually sit at the desk and do the interview before recommending your extension.

In my present situation I thought of my old friend Officer Somchai* and went down on a Friday, 2 weeks before my 50th birthday, to make sure I was on track about the new extension law. Somchai is a very nice person who is always happy to see me! After the obligatory greetings, in Thai I said what is this new law about me using my son as a sponsor for 1 year visa extensions? His first reaction was is you wife dead or are you divorced. I said no it is this new law that lets me support my son, you know Order 606/2006 7.17 (5) that was issued last year says this can be done.

Big mistake! Khun Somchai like most of the people at immigration, it now seems are not fully conversant (read ignorant) with the new laws and do not understand how you fit in to them. So off we went to talk to another one of the front line officers that screen everyone visiting the dreaded room 101. Somchai gives his buddy the wrong info who says no you have to show the monthly income and that is the only option now open to you!!!!!

I realized by this time that I had done a no no and that was to ask someone who did not know the answer who had the wrong info, who then gave the wrong info to his buddy, who gave the wrong answer to me. Beware! At this point in time I could see myself sitting in Savannakhet drinking more large bottles of very good Lao Beer at 25 baht per bottle.

Wait a minute I don’t drink …. it interferes with my ability to calculate compound interest and thus diddle some poor widow of her due compound interest.

Let’s get out of here and look at the illustrious thaivisa.com website again!

After much study, it is not a figment of my compound interest banking imagination, it has been and can be done. Back I go again on the next Monday morning and this time I am all primed and prepared! I have the following documents:

1. Copy of the National Police Office Order 606/2006 in English and Thai
2. Passport and photocopies of main page, entry stamp page and visa page
3. Original Thai Birth Certificate of son and photocopies
4. Original Thai Marriage Certificate and photocopies
5,. Original Letter from doctor on Hospital Letter Head confirming he delivered my son
6. Copies of House Registration certificate of wife and son
7. Copy of wife’s Thai ID card

All photocopied documents need to be signed by the people they pertain to, thus legally verifying that they are true copies of genuine documents.

So the next Monday I go back again to Suan Plu and ignore dear fiend Somchai! I wander up to the counter and ask for an extension form for a non imm “O” visa. They give me a form and a queue number and I wait for about 30 mins for my turn.

Finally the waiting is over and by chance one of the very nice ladies I that has worked with me before is the one fielding my inquiry! I state to her I am going to be 50 in a short while and wish to apply for extension of my visa based on support of a Thai child. She kindly immediately confirms that yes this is possible can I see your passport and documentation.

I hand over the documents and wait with baited breath for her comment. She reads them and gets up and walks back to the next level of desk behind her and consults a senior for what seems about 5 hours and then returns after 2 minutes smiling. Yes she says all of your documents are in order can you please return the day after your birthday with your wife and son to do the extension.

I am shocked and taken aback and wonder how to thank God for his mercy in allowing such a simple process. I wai her and stumble out of immigration calling my wife at work to tell the good news.

This is the most painless extension preparation I have ever had to undergo!

The fateful day arrives and the whole family does the yellow shirt thing down to immigration. Get a queue number and sit for about 45 minutes while 15 other people get seen to.

Finally they call the number and we sally forth and sit down in front of the desk. One unanimous wai and a smile and a half joke about my son being too big. I explain in Thai with my wife’s support that I am applying for a visa under the retirement at 50 and support of Thai child condition of 606/2549 section 7.17 (5). She looks at us very blankly and says I can give you 60 days now or you will have to show 45,000 baht combined taxed monthly taxed income between you and then I can help you with a one year visa. My wife said it was obvious from what she said in Thai, that she was not at all aware of the conditions of the new law pertaining to support of a Thai child.

We say again there is a new law that was issued last year that allows a foreigner over 50 who is the parent of a Thai child to get a one year visa based on support of a Thai child. She seems amused at the thought and at that moment one of her colleagues walks by behind her desk. She offhandedly in a joking sort of way asks her if this is true? The officer says yes, if the child can be proven to be a Thai national, yes that is correct! Oh, our friendly officers say yes, of course the child is Thai; it is on his birth certificate in front of me;) Good face saving way of saying I am not a fool after all.

It is obvious that most of the front line officers in charge of dealing with you and I, in the day to day extension of visas STILL have no idea of the new laws pertaining to article 7.17 (5) and how they apply to your and my case!

When the penny dropped and she realized that it was possible, we were asked to pay the 1,900 baht fee and asked to have a seat while her senior did the final checking of our application documents. When I next saw the extension application form, it had “support of Thai Child” in Thai written in as the reason for extension on this section of the form.

About this time my wife was asked to sign a consent to sponsor form, the same form that she signed the last time she was my sponsor and we had to show 400,000 baht in the bank for a visa extension. All of these documents were given to a more senior officer and after 10 minutes I was personally summoned by her and asked several questions about the consent form. Things like what is your home phone number and what is the precise address of your residence, as my wife’s house registration like many Thais is at a different place to where we actually live. My son was than summoned and it seemed they wanted to see how he reacted to me as a father. Of course my 8 year old son just clung to dad and acted like any usual son when he has been in a tough situation for an hour or more, when can we go home? He wai’d the lady and we took our seats.

After I explained this, and the boss signed off on things, we were all summoned back to the initial officer and given a one month extension while the application was under consideration. As I was due to report for 90 days at this time the same officer also did this for me and gave me a nice shiny new reporting card.

During the time of my extension I noticed another gentleman with a child in tow and after introducing myself he also said he was changing over from a Non “B” to a Non “O” and would be applying under the support of Child 7.17 (5)!

Of course we left and went our own way to enjoy a holiday on the beach in Rayong to celebrate the extra month of family bliss and look forward to the next visit in 3 weeks to one month to get the final 8 months stamped in the passport.

I think the lessons to be learned from this extension process are:
1. Do your research on thaivisa.com very carefully
2. Go down to the local immigration office before you need to do the extension for a dry run, till you have everything okayed and in principle acceptable
3. Get an excess of documents prepared to support you extension and they will happy. Not enough and they will not be happy and delay things more
4. Present yourself well (dress, manner and attitude) and know what you want precisely
5. In a friendly and Thai way don’t take no for an answer but show a copy of the National Police Office Order 606/2006 in Thai with the relevant section highlighted
6. If the officer you are dealing with still doesn’t agree with you politely request, a more senior officials opinion and also show this officer the relevant section
7. Be thankful and show respect when you have been given an extension!

At this point in time I think it is appropriate for me to say thank you to George and the team at Sunbelt and thaivisa.com, for blazing the way ahead and being the ones who did it first and them told us all about it being possible. I think their support of this forum has more than any other thing, made visa extension more predictable and so life in Thailand a bit more pleasant.

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