Immigration Clearance in Thailand

Immigration Clearance In Thailand

A visa normally provides clearance for a foreigner to enter Thailand and to remain in the country for a specified period; given the constraints associated with the type of visa issued, this is referred to as Immigration Clearance. A few of these constraints include but are not limited to:

  • The time frame for entry
  • The amount of time the visa holder is permitted to stay in the country
  • Prohibition against employment

When considering immigration, Thailand often comes up for foreign nationals who dream about Southeast Asia and all the delights that life in Thailand has to offer. When considering immigration to Thailand, however, you should remember that it will be up to the Immigration Bureau and Thai immigration officials who must abide by the Immigration Act, whether immigrant status can be granted or not.

It is, therefore, important that you understand the application procedure and know what documents need to be provided by foreigners who want to move to Thailand. If you are unsure how to apply online then you have come to the right place. Juslaws & Consult can offer support with your e-Visa application to the Immigration Bureau.

Visa Does Not Guarantee Entry

A visa does not necessarily guarantee that a foreigner will be granted entry by immigration authorities at the port of entry. These officials make the final determination whether the entry will be allowed, and in some cases, they may even cancel a visa if they determine that the foreigner may not abide by the activity restrictions placed on the type of visa held.

While Immigration Offices have a lot of sway over who is granted a visa and what kind of visa they may have (for example, only a tourist visa), the final decision does not always lie with them.

Additional Issues

If a foreigner is found to have entered Thailand without a valid visa, they may be detained, fined, and deported from the country. If someone engages in activity not covered by the type of visa they hold, they can also be considered in violation of their visa, fined, and possibly deported. In other instances, an attorney may be needed to assist with immigration clearance issues, such as problems arising when the foreigner attempts to leave the Kingdom.

This means that applicants need to be entirely transparent with the immigration office throughout the entire process. If you find that a tourist visa is no longer required and you now need a work permit, then it is essential to send a notification to the immigration office so that you do not exceed the limits of your current visa while waiting for a new form of visa.

You also need to remember that a passport is enough to allow you to stay in the country. You must submit a new application and present a case to authorities to convince them that the new kind of visa is acceptable.

You can track the status of the application on the official e-Visa website and will need to wait out the period as specified before duties relating to the new visa can be undertaken. It is important the date of the activities in question take place after the new visa has been issued. The process must thus be complete, and the status online must reflect the complete status of the application. If you are living in Bangkok, you can make an appointment to see a representative at the Chalermprakiat government complex in Bangkok to confirm information if needed. The address is readily available, and they are generally open Monday - Friday during working hours. But we do strongly urge that you make an appointment before arrival.

Summary

Juslaws & Consult have years of experience with all types of visas and immigration clearance issues, plus in-depth knowledge of Thailand's immigration laws and procedures. We provide wide-ranging services to individuals applying for visas and permit-to-stay extensions. Contact Juslaws & Consult for more information.

We will be happy to address any issues and concerns that you've had to date on any specific law. Our offices are generally open Monday - Friday and have kindly requested that you phone to make an appointment before arriving in person.

We have in-depth knowledge of any Thailand Act you may need help with. Click on a link below for some information on another page related to our services. We carry a large number of professional lawyers who form a cohesive team that can press cases on a large variety of laws. We address a great many of the services that we offer on our blog pages. Feel free to browse around, send us a mail, or inquire about an account. If there is a case or a subject that you would like us to address then please send a notification or contact with us today. Please note that response times could vary depending on the load of incoming messages. Once you contact us, we will attend to your notification as quickly as possible.