Questioner: John
Finally back to Thailand after 15 months? Since I'm stranded in Europe I can't manage to get a visa at the embassy and they aren't very helpful either.
Now a visa agent proposes to take a POR30 visa, does anyone have experience with that and will I not have any problems with it later? I have had a retirement visa since 2014.
Reaction RonnyLatYa
You don't say why you can't get a visa. I think there are plenty of options, as far as you can meet the conditions of course.
I have no idea what that visa agent means by a POR30 visa. Por Por 30 is a form used for VAT returns in Thailand, but I don't see what this has to do with a visa.
What is more obvious is that the Visa agent means a “Visa Exemption”. Maybe that 30 is right there. Recently possible again. You then enter Thailand without a visa. You will then receive a period of stay that was recently extended from 30 to 45 days to compensate somewhat for the quarantine period. You can normally extend that period of stay at immigration once by 30 days, or you had to have married/Thai children and then a maximum of 60 days.
However, according to that table from the embassy (see appendix), this is not possible at the moment. I'm actually surprised that this is not possible, but maybe it's a Corona measure that I'm not aware of.
If you enter Thailand on the basis of “Visa Exemption” you have the status of “Tourist”. You can convert that “Tourist” status in Thailand to a “Non-immigrant” status, which then gives you the opportunity to apply for another year extension.
At the time of application, at least 15 days of residence must remain. Keep this in mind, because the conversion does not happen immediately, but takes a few days. Usually a week.
The conditions are about the same as when applying for a year extension. You should check with your local immigration office, because local rules can also play a role there. If you are going to use a bank amount, it does not have to be on the Thai account 2 months in advance, but you can ask to prove that this money comes from abroad. When the conversion to Non-immigrant (you will then obtain category O) is allowed, you will first obtain a residence period of 90 days. Just as if you would have entered with a Non-immigrant O visa. You can extend those 90 days in the usual way.
In normal circumstances you can easily convert that "Tourist" status to a Non-immigrant and is usually allowed. Whether that will be the case in Corona times, I can't confirm.
However, according to what is stated on the website of the embassy in The Hague (see attachment), it should now also be possible, just like before. However, keep in mind that it may be less easily allowed and that extra conditions can now also be attached to it.
Please note that leaving with a “Visa Exemption” does not release you from a CoE and other supporting documents to enter Thailand, nor from the quarantine.
Readers who may know what a POR30 visa is can always let us know. I've never heard of it, but I can always learn of course. Maybe that Visa agent can also explain what this means.
Hi Ronnie,
thank you very much for this explanation and the information. Inquiries with the visa agent already confirmed your suspicion, it concerns a so-called éxemption. So now finally a flight and asq in Bangkok and arrange some other things to be able to go back.
Thank you!
The day before yesterday I entered Thailand without any problems on the basis of Visa Exemption. Of course with CoE. My ONVZ health insurance statement without specific amounts (fully reimbursed) was good for ASQ and CoE, but was examined several times upon arrival.
Hi Jean,
Very good to read that it can work. I was already worried... One of the reasons for the visa rejection was that there was no amount on the policy!
Thank you for your response!