While many expats would like to see it done away with completely, the 90-day reporting requirement is at least set to become upgraded.
According to a Nation Thailand report, the Immigration Bureau has re-launched a platform for foreigners to complete the requirement online, removing the need to show up and queue at the nearest immigration office.
Foreigners staying in the kingdom for longer than 90 days can now notify Immigration 15 days in advance by either writing an email or completing a form on the official website. Prior to this, expats would have to either go to their nearest immigration office, nominate someone to do it on their behalf, or do it by post.
Yesterday, January 22, National Police Chief Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai presided over a ceremony to launch the “90 days online notification project”. Ittipol says the new online service is in line with PM Srettha Thavisin’s policy to increase the number of foreign arrivals, including foreigners coming to conduct business in the kingdom.
According to Ittipol, the service will initially apply to investors with investment privileges from the Board of Investment, with plans to expand it to other visa types later. It will cover areas in Bangkok that fall under the jurisdiction of the First Immigration Division, as well as the provinces of Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Surat Thani and Chonburi.
This latest development follows an earlier decision by the Immigration Bureau to allow foreigners to extend their visas online.
More information on doing a 90-day report online can be found on the bureau’s website HERE.
An online reporting system has been in place for many years but has been glitchy with people either reporting that it was ‘easy’ or ‘never worked’.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
