IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Thailand has introduced an online filing option for foreigners who are required to report to the Immigration Bureau when their stays in Thailand exceed 90 days.

What does the change mean? Foreigners may file through the online portal, but can only do so during a limited period before their notification due date.

  • Implementation timeframe: April 1.
  • Visas/permits affected: Temporary stay permits.
  • Who is affected: All foreign nationals staying in Thailand for longer than 90 days.
  • Impact on processing: The online process takes approximately seven days.
  • Business impact: Online filing may be a more convenient option for expatriate residents who would normally file on their own, but will not affect those who send a representative to file the report in-person for them.
  • Next steps: Foreigners who wish to report online may do so through the online portal, following specific instructions outlined below.

Specific Instructions: Foreign nationals must report their address to the Immigration Bureau if they stay for more than 90 days.

Foreign employees may now file online, but only during an eight-day period starting 15 days before their notification due date and no later than seven days before their notification due date. The notification due date is the date on which the foreign has stayed in Thailand continuously for 90 days. The portal will not accept reports during the last seven days before the notification due date because that is the period when decisions are processed. If their online filing is approved, foreigners must print out a receipt as proof and keep it in their passport in case they are stopped.

Foreign nationals opting to file in-person may continue to observe the longer period of reporting, starting 15 days before the notification due date and ending seven days after the notification due date.

BAL Analysis: The online reporting provides an option for foreign employees, but they should note the limited 8-day period during which they can do so. Foreign nationals may continue to send a representative to report for them in-person at the Immigration Bureau instead.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Thailand for additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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