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IMPACT – MEDIUM
The Thai government has granted another 60-day visa extension to foreign nationals who are unable to leave Thailand because of COVID-related travel restrictions.
Key Points:
BAL Analysis: The 60-day visa extension helps foreigners with soon expiring visas to stay in the country legally. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Thai government recently extended the State Emergency Decree that was set to end on July 31 and granted another 60-day visa extension for many foreign nationals.
BAL Analysis: The COVID-19 virus, including variants, continues to spread in many countries across the region. The 60-day visa extension helps foreigners with soon-expiring visas to stay in the country legally. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
The Thai government introduced the Phuket Sandbox Scheme on July 1 to allow Thai nationals and foreigners the ability to enter Phuket from low- and medium-risk countries.
Pre-arrival requirements:
Post-arrival requirements:
BAL Analysis: The Phuket Sandbox Scheme is subject to change as the epidemiological situation evolves. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
The Thai government has extended the State Emergency decree for the country from May 31 until July 31 and opened a visa extension application for many visa holders.
BAL Analysis: The COVID-19 virus, including variants, continues to spread in many countries across the region. The 60-day visa extension help foreigners with soon expiring visas to stay in the country. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
Thailand’s government has announced additional requirements for 90-day report applications. Key Points:
Background: Under Thai Immigration Act B.E. 2522, a foreign national who is permitted to temporarily stay in Thailand must notify the Immigration office of his or her residence if he or she they stays in the country for 90 consecutive days or more. The notification is required without delay, upon the completion of a 90-day period and must be repeated at every 90-day interval. In practice, a foreign national can notify his or her 90-day report 15 days before or seven days after the due date.
The 90-day report requires: the original passport; immigration departure card (TM.6); receipt of previous 90-day reports (if any); notification for resident Form (TM. 61); and TM.47 form submitted to the local competent immigration office. If a foreigner and his or her sponsoring company meet qualifications of the One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSSC), his or her 90-day report can also be notified at the OSSC in Bangkok.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
Thailand’s Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a special tourist visa scheme for long-staying visitors.
· Effective from Sept. 30, until Sept. 30, 2021, the visas will be made available to long-staying visitors from countries with lower COVID-19 infection rates, as determined by the Ministry of Public Health.
· Visa holders will be required to comply with Thailand’s COVID-19 control measures and undergo a local state or hospital quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. They will have to present proof of payment for local state or hospital quarantine and one of the following: a hotel reservation for long-stay purposes, evidence of ownership of a condominium or a house or condominium rental contract.
· In addition, visa holders must have health and accident insurance coverage that covers the period of their stay in Thailand, with a minimum THB 40,000 coverage for outpatient treatment and a minimum THB 400,000 coverage for inpatient hospital and physician services.
· Eligible visitors can apply for the special tourist visa at Thai embassies and consulates worldwide. The visa will cost THB 2,000 per 90-day period and will be valid for a single entry. Requests for extension can be made twice, each for an additional 90 days. The special tourist visa cannot be converted to other types of visas.
Analysis & Comments: The special tourist visa scheme will allowed a limited number of travelers to enter the country. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
IMPACT – HIGH
Thailand recently extended its ban on inbound commercial flights to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Analysis & Comments: The travel ban extension and requirements for foreign national entry will restrict and slow movement into Thailand. Employers should take note and arrange plans for affected employees accordingly. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
What is the change? Requirements for local residence notification of foreign nationals with the Immigration Bureau or Provincial Immigration Offices have been updated.
What does the change mean? Landlords, property owners and hotel managers will only have to submit local residence notification for a foreign national once, if they are staying at the same residence address and under the same contract.
Background: Previously, notification was required within 24 hours of the foreign national having taken up residence. This was required even when the foreign national returned to the same address where he or she previously resided, regardless of whether the temporary departure was for domestic or international travel. The new regulation requires that it be submitted only once, within 24 hours of the foreign national’s taking up residence to begin a new term of stay (such as a new rent contract, or a new check-in at the hotel) at the same address, or at a new address.
Additional information: Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes or restrictions as information becomes available.
The Board of Investment has issued the process for a BOI-registered company to make a special request to bring foreign national employees to Thailand regardless of whether or not they already hold a work permit/permission to work (BOI Pre-Visa Approval). The process can take up to 20 working days.
The following documents are required for this process:
Additional information: Restrictions on international commercial flights to Thailand have been extended until June 30. Foreign national employees are still required to obtain the following before entering Thailand: a completed and signed “Declaration Form” obtained from the Thai Embassy/Consulate; a “Fit to Fly” Health Certificate issued within 72 hours before departure; a copy of their Health Insurance Policy with at least US$100,000 coverage for COVID-19 in Thailand. Upon arrival in Thailand, foreign nationals must go into 14-day quarantine in a government-designated Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) at their own expense and comply with all health regulations under Thailand’s Emergency Decree.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.
Thailand recently extended the suspension of all incoming international flights again to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Background: The temporary flight ban was initially implemented in April. The ban was extended 12 days later until the end of April. At the end of April, it was extended again until the end of May. It has now been extended until the end of June.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should anticipate significant disruptions to employee mobility and all but essential business. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.