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| Updated: 17 July 2024 Visit the PCEC’s Thai Visa & Immigration website pages for information on entry and extension of stay in Thailand as well as address reporting requirements.
This page contains the latest information we have on Thai Immigration matters that may be temporary or otherwise not included in our Thai Immigration webpages. |
The information presented here relates to requirements or practices of at the Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration Office. |
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CHANGES TO SOME IMMIGRATION RULES EFFECTIVE 15 JULY 2024
Click here for the Pattaya Mail article with charts showing the changes and requirements. We will be updating our webpages to include this information in the near future. VISA EXEMPT & VISA ON ARRIVAL The number of countries allowed entry will increase from 57 to 93 countries (Visa Exempt) and from 19 to 31 countries for Visa on Arrival – Most western and native English speaking countries were already included for Visa Exempt entry. The permission to stay upon entry Visa Exempt will be increased from 30 to 60 days. The permission to stay for Visa on Arrival entry will continue to be 15 days.
NEW VISA TYPE - Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) This will be for long-term immigrant workers and digital nomads, allowing stays of up to 180 days with a visa issuance fee of 10,000 baht and can be extended for an additional 180 days with another 10,000 baht fee. The holder may request to change the type of visa within the country, although this will terminate the DTV.  HIGHER EDUCATION Short-term visa measures for foreign students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or higher on a Non-Immigrant Visa. These students will be allowed to extend their stay for up to one year after graduation to work and travel, provided they have a valid certificate from the Thai Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation.
HEALTH INSURANCE FOR NON-IMMIGRANT O-A (RETIREMENT) VISAS REDUCED Before this change, to be eligible for this visa, applicants had to prove that they have health insurance with at least 3-million-baht coverage. This will be changed to require applicants to possess health insurance coverage of only 440,000 THB (400,000 for inpatient, and 40,000 for outpatient coverage). The information to date appears to be for applicants for this Visa – it does not mention if there will be a similar change in requirements for renewal of the one year permission to stay granted by the type of Visa. |
The Thai Cabinet has announced several changes to take place after 1 June 2024. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced that the changes will become effective on 15 July 2024 (the article notes that the Prime Minister still needs to approve and have the announcement placed in the Royal Gazette - these are an apparent formality and will take place.
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MANY PROBLEMS REPORTED ABOUT 90 DAY ADDRESS REPORT ONLINE
There have been many recent reports about Expats online reporting of their address being rejected with instructions to visit Immigration immediately. Upon doing so, the Immigration Officers cannot explain why the report was rejected (previously it was reported that the online system switched to being completely automated and submission no longer reviewed by an Immigration Officer for approval). It appears there is a glitch in this fully automated system that cause reports to be rejected). We will appreciate receiving reports from those that went to Immigration as a result of a similar rejection and visiting Immigration to do the report as to their experience on using the online system for their next following report. Please send your report to info@pcec.club. -------------- A member in this situation provide us with a photo of a sign posted at Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration which shows several reasons a report may be correctly rejected:
The sign says: For report 90 day online |
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TM.6 ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARD TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED AT ALL ENTRY POINTS - LAND, SEA, & AIR
The form was permanently cancelled for foreign travelers arriving by air since July 2022. For those entering at all international airports. Click here for the The Thaiger news article. Click here for the Pattaya Mail article. Many Immigration forms have a space for entering the TM.6 number - if you entered at an airport and were not given one, leave the space blank. |
The
Thai Cabinet has agreed to temporarily exempt the use of immigration
forms “Tor Mor 6” for foreigners entering and departing from Thailand by land and sea. The current period is for 15 April to15 October 2024
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ONLINE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM FOR CHONBURI (PATTAYA) IMMIGRATION
Although for other than retiree extensions, when the person making the appointment arrived, they were told to get in line to get a queue number. Thus, to use it to make an appointment other than for Desk8 - Retirement offers no benefit. We now have 6 very recent reports regarding this service with 5 having positive results (retirees) and 1 having negative results (extension for Visa Exempt entry). The 5 reports from retirees going to Desk 8 to renew their period of stay is that their appointments are being honored - one noted that he arrived early and was told to return nearer his appointment time - the latest report:
On 27 May, 2024 I used the online appointment system, Retirement Purpose, to make an appointment for 28 May, 2024 14:00. The system seemed easy to use. I arrived at Chonburi Immigration at 14:10 and proceeded directly to Desk 8. I felt a little confused as I stood there, showing my appointment notice to any immigration person who looked my way. Everyone just smiled and went about their business. A few minutes went by until on officer indicated that I should proceed to the end of the desk where you pick up your passport the next day. The lady took all my paperwork and reviewed everything and gave me my ticket number to pick up passport the next day. We will appreciate continuing to receive reports from anyone using the system about their experience upon presenting their online appointment at the Immigration Office on Jomtien Beach soi 5. Please send your report to info@pcec.club. |
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CHONBURI (PATTAYA) IMMIGRATION OFFICE PROCEDURES FOR ADDRESS REPORTING (TM.30 AND TM.47) - INCLUDING REQUIREMENT FOR PROOF OF HAVING A TM.30 ADDRESS REPORT ON FILE FOR IMMIGRATION SERVICES & IN PERSON 90 DAY ADDRESS REPORTING NOW REQUIRES COMPLETED TM.47 & OTHER DOCUMENTS  Foreigners attending to do their 90 days address confirmation continue to report directly to Building “A” without prior registration. All other immigration customers first-of-all now report to Building “B” to obtain a ticket number for further service. Depending on the specific service they need, the ticket number will direct them to the immigration main building (all visa extensions for example) or to Building “A” (for TM30 address registration). Building B is also the air conditioned waiting room until your Queue number is called. Click here for the Pattaya Mail article.  TM.30 Address Reporting Requirements Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration at their Jomtien Beach Road Soi 5 and Sri Racha offices want to see evidence that a TM.30 is on file before providing services. 90 Day Address in person reporting procedures have changed
Chonburi Immigration Office now requires a completed TM.47 - 90 address report form - and other documents. This sign was reported on 19 October 2023 for those filing their 90 day address report in person. Note, you will most likely also need evidence of your address, e.g., utility bill, lease, etc. UPDATE - Report received on 4 May 2024: Docs required for 90-day report in person... 1. Completed TM 47 (Application Form) 2. Photo-copy of Passport 'Face' page 3. Copy of current Visa (or Extension) 4. Copy of Last airport entry-stamp to Thailand 5. Copy of TM30 (Address report) 6. Passport
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REPORTS REGARDING APPLICATION FOR NON IMMIGRANT O VISA FOR RETIREMENT
PURPOSE AT THE CHONBURI (PATTAYA) IMMIGRATION OFFICE
Although the Immigration
rule for such application has no "seasoning" requirement, it
appears that the policy at Jomtien Immigration Office is to require
the 2 month seasoning of the 800,000 baht in a Thai bank before they
will accept an application for the Non-Immigrant O Visa (retirement
purpose). |
We
received several reports from applicants for the
Non-Immigrant O Visa for purpose of retirement.
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THAI IMMIGRATION TESTING ONLINE SYSTEM FOR EXTENSIONS OF STAY (CURRENTLY ONLY IN BANGKOK)
Note: It DOES NOT include extensions based on retirement. Click here for the Pattaya Mail article, Click here for The Pattaya News article. Click here for Barry Kenyon's article in the Pattaya Mail giving a reason for retirement extensions not being include. |
Thai Immigration is setting up an online system for extending one's stay in Thailand, but it currently is being tested only for those using Bangkok Immigration with an expectation for future roll out to other locations.
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OBTAINING AN EXTENSION OF STAY AFTER ENTERING WITH AN e-VISA
This email should be retained after arrival in Thailand. A copy is required by the immigration bureau if and when a foreigner applies for an extension of stay. Click here to read the article. Click here for Ministry of Foreign Affairs eVisa portal. |
In the past, visas were a sticker which the applicant placed in his or her passport. But this system has been replaced by a new e-visa which is sent to applicants in a detailed email prior to flying to Thailand.
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