The following were issues that were discussed by all who attended the meeting.
1. Permanent Resident visa (types of and requirements for this PR). There is no PR for retirement. The PR's are for investment, business, and support of spouse. This is what we were told.
2. Conflicting information given by the immigration staff. This is about asking one staff member a question, getting the answer, then returning and asking the same question to another staff member but getting a different answer. The reason is, they don't get most up to date changes, a better way of saying, lack of communication between Bangkok and Nong Khai Immigrations.
3. Possibility of getting an annex of Nong Khai Immigration in Ampoe Muang, Udon Thani. They informed those who where from Udon Thani at the meeting, to put forth a petition signed by the foreigners here in Udon Thani for the return of the annex. Remember this, it won't happen over night. They said either later this year or sometime next year. They are attempting to do this now, but the petition would be a big help for them. They want the annex here to help the foreigners living in and around Udon Thani.
4. Meeting of 15 or more foreigners here in Udon Thani by immigrations for questions, answers and complains. The staff is willing to send 1or 2 representatives from Nong Khai Immigrations to meet with the foreigners, but must be at least 15 people and arranged a head of time with immigrations.
6. Mailing of 90 reporting (TM47). The mailing of 90 day reporting can be done. Mailed in at least 7 days from your reporting date (IMO 10 days would be better, and sent by EMS). In closed with the form TM47 filled out, copier of the passport (first page, visa, extension and reporting date slip). Make sure you sign the copies of passport pages).
7. Posting up to date changes on laws and regulations of visa requirements on the Nong Khai Immigration website. Nong Khai Immigration is working at getting their website up to date with all the changes pertaining the visas. The difficulty is the communications between Bangkok and Nong Khai. Once hey have ironed out this, the website should be pretty much up to date. This also will take a bit of time.
8. Having a special visa (this is what I understood) for people who have been here for 5 or more years. This is where the Permanent Resident came in to the discussion. Once they explained the PR, special visa was dropped and it was explained there the Permanent Resident was not a visa.
9. Tombian (yellow book for foreigners). They said that the tombian (yellow book) doesn't help with the decision of your extensions or visas. It does help though, when purchasing a car or motorbike in your name. It will also help with the decision of you PR if you apply for one.
On the Permanent Residence; it's good for life, you are in your wife's tombian, you can get a work permit, no reporting every 90 days, and you receive an ID card similar the Thais. The application is submitted in December, 100 per nationalities limit, initial 7,600 baht (non-refundable), testing and interview is done in Thai or English (in your best interest reading, writing and speaking will add points to the decision of approval), and upon being accepted for the Permanent Residence, you pay an additional 94,000 baht to 200,000 baht. The cost on acceptance for the Permanent Residence is based on which one you are applying for. THERE IS NO PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR RETIREMENT!!!!.
I have attempted to explain what went on at the meeting. I know many will have their little comments, good or bad. Many will have questions which I may not have answers too, but, will answer the best I can. Then there are those who have nothing better to do then make snide and derogatory statements to the above information or about Nong Khai Immigration (Please Don't, it's not needed nor will it help).
I would like to get a small committee together and draft a petition, no more than 5 persons will do. These people who are serious about getting Nong Khai Immigration back to Udon Thani. Please only those who are serious.
Thank You
Pop's
](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall"){kind=small}
