Immigration: Beware online swindlers claiming they can extend your visa
After a wave of complaints, the Immigration Bureau yesterday issued urgent advice to tourists and visitors about extending their visas amid the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis.
While some immigration offices have requested that expats to file their 90 day residence reports reports online to promote social distancing and avoid crowded conditions, officers say fraudsters have been going online on Facebook and other social media platforms telling gullible users there’s no need to go to an immigration office for a visa extension, that it can all be done for you for a fee of 1200 baht.
This is false. You must go in person for a visa extension. But that’s going to be long grind, and potentially unsafe. Here’s a shot from the Chaeng Wattana Government Complex Immigration Centre in Bangkok.
PHOTO: Khaosod English
In the current crisis, with sometimes confusing information being published daily about rules, flights and visas, immigration chief Sompong Chingduang and his spokesman Surapong Chaiyajan say that Immigration officers are going after such swindlers for preying on tourists, .
They ask for information about fraudsters to be relayed to them by calling 191, 1599 or 1178.
“Those stranded in Thailand who need a visa extension must go to an immigration office in person with the required documentation.”
Meanwhile every stranded tourist or visitors with expiring visas are hoping like hell the government will announce a visa amnesty to avoid the stress, confusion and potential danger caused by packed Immigration centres around the country.
