Automatic Visa extension now in force until September 26.
21/07/2020
VISA AMNESTY EXTENDED UNTIL SEP 26/2020
The Thai Cabinet has extended the visa amnesty for foreigners so they can remain in Thailand during the Covid-19 global pandemic. This is the second extension to the visa amnesty and will be a huge relief for tens of thousands of people who have been in a visa limbo, some without many other options other than staying in Thailand whilst international flights remain limited.
A government spokeswoman, Traisuree Taisaranakul, says that the automatic visa extension will now be in force until September 26, as rumoured. Mandatory 90 day reporting for resident foreigners with ongoing visas will also be suspended until September 26.
At this stage there has not been any additional provisions or paperwork announced, other than a general extension of the current amnesty.
The announcement will assist tourists and visitors who found themselves stranded in Thailand due to travel restrictions, as well as providing extra time for people to make arrangements and take advantage of repatriation flights or opportunities to head home.
COVID-19 Thailand Visa Amnesty/Extension
What is a visa amnesty?
It is the visa relief or automatic visa extension for all foreign nationals staying in Thailand affected by the COVID-19 crisis as announced by the government on April 7, 2020 and the extension was announced on April 24, 2020 and again on July 21, 2020
Who are covered by the visa amnesty?
All foreign nationals who are legally staying in Thailand whether you are here on visa exemption entry stamps, tourist visa, non-immigrant visas or yearly extension of stays.
It was also decided to recommend an extension to the emergency decree beyond the end of July 31. The National Security Council and Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration have agreed to extend the situation and will present the proposal to the Thai PM. It is understood that the Thai PM is expected to sign the extension into law.
The decree gives the PM the executive power to declare further measures to contain coronavirus, including giving extra authority to officials and creating checkpoints to reduce people’s movements.
Opponents of the decree say the emergency decree is unnecessary now that Thailand has had 55 days without a single case of local transmission of Covid-19. As in the past, they’ve maintained that there are other acts and laws that can be used to handle repatriation of Thai Nationals and quarantining of visitors into the Kingdom.
In making the two major announcements today, theCCSA say they continue to be concerned that the pandemic is still “raging around the world” and a controlled re-opening, including border controls and strict quarantine will be necessary in the coming months.
They maintain that existing rules prevent them from properly addressing the situation and prefer to bring all the decisions under the one controlling body (the CCSA), rather than having to work through a number of departments, ministries and provincial governors.
MENZZOO MAGAZINE
July 2020
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