Expats in Thailand confused by offer to extend visas online

The announcement by the immigration office that foreigners will soon be able to extend their visas online has raised many questions among expats.

See: Expats in Thailand will soon be able to extend their visas online

Currently, foreigners already in Thailand who wish to stay longer than their visa or initial stamp allows must queue at immigration offices across the country, bringing their documents and photos.

The new optional system described by Police General Damrongsak Kittipraphet is currently a pilot project available only in Bangkok , with the promise of national implementation later.

The software was not developed by Thai Immigration but by VFS Global, the world's largest outsourcing and technology services company specializing in governments and embassies worldwide.

All extensions of stay granted by Thai immigration currently cost 1,900 baht (51.32 euros), but using the latest system will cost 500, 1,500 or even 5,000 baht more online to process the application between 1 and 7 days.

Cash cows have not disappeared.

However, under the pilot project, the applicant must collect their new e-visa sticker in person at the Immigration Headquarters in Bangkok, Chaeng Watthana Road, by presenting their online receipt and passport.

The system is therefore not entirely electronic, but is limited to initial registration, submission of documents and payment of fees.

Official advertising suggests that immigration queues will be reduced from about an hour to three minutes, although this generalisation is certainly suspect.

The website's additional notes unsurprisingly point out that foreigners who have overstayed their stay cannot benefit from this program.

There is some ambiguity about which visas can actually be extended under the pilot.

Visitors holding a 30-day visa on arrival (VoA), a 60-day tourist visa or a 45-day visa exemption are clearly included, as are foreigners with a Thai spouse or dependents and prospective students.

Individuals seeking an annual extension of their stay due to retirement are specifically excluded, perhaps because the documents required for such individuals vary greatly depending on the responsible immigration office.

Certain work permit holders are specified, including teachers and people employed by government agencies.

The published details can be found on the website thaiextension.vfsevisa.com .

Optimists believe the pilot project is a first step in the journey to create a fully integrated online system.

They point out that Thai embassies around the world have now mostly adopted an online system that eliminates the need for most potential travelers to Thailand to visit the diplomatic mission in person or even submit their passport for examination.

Pessimists see the newly announced system as a bureaucratic mess based on confusing software that doesn't work properly anyway.

The history of electronics in Thai immigration procedures is mixed.

See :

The Endless Bugs of the Thailand Pass

Thailand Pass data hack: Beware of malicious emails

The online appointment system in offices across the country collapsed during the Covid pandemic and has not been resurrected nationwide.

On the other hand, the online system allowing expatriates to declare their address every three months is relatively effective in most regions.

Source: Pattaya Mail