Documents now being required for 90 day reporting

[2lz2p]

Within the past couple of days, I have received information from several different people that Pattaya Immigration is asking for documentation to show you live at the address your are reporting (90 day report).

 

This morning, at the Pattaya City Expats Club meeting, the British Honorary Consul confirmed this information. He said that recently, Immigration caught someone reporting a false address (no, he didn't say how it came about). As a result, they are now requiring proof, which can be in the form of your "house paper" or recent billing from TOT, CAT, UBC, Sophon Cable, etc. (so long as it has your name and address on it). He said a photo copy was not required, they just wanted to see the document.

 

In one of the earlier reports, my friend said they told him it would be required "next time," whereas in another, they wanted to see the document.

[Gaybutton]

Immigration caught someone reporting a false address

 

There's always one jerk who manages to make things difficult for everyone else. To tell the truth, I'm surprised they didn't always require documentation. If you are living here legitimately, it should be no problem, as long as you don't forget to take the documents with you when you go in to submit the report.

[Guest gwm4sian]

Just a slightly subversive thought - would they accept there own proof of address if you had one made earlier for a bank or driving license?

[Gaybutton]

Just a slightly subversive thought - would they accept there own proof of address if you had one made earlier for a bank or driving license?

 

I'm guessing you are talking about the Residence Certificate. Assuming this requirement is being applied universally, it's something new to all of us. I've seen nothing about it on other web sites and have not heard anything other than what has been posted here. It's too early to know what is going on or what is and is not acceptable. It's going to take several people going and reporting their experience before that question can be answered.

 

For the moment, I would say to take it with you, along with other documents that are likely to be acceptable and ask. I would first try to report my address as I always have and see if they even ask for any proof. If they do, try the Residence Certificate. If they accept it, you have your answer. If they don't, then we'll know that alone is not enough.

[mahjongguy]

I went to Jomtien Immigration yesterday for my 90 day report. The officer stapled a notice to the report receipt that I should bring some evidence of my address next time.

 

Good Boy Scout that I am, I had brought along a copy of the title page of my house blue book. I gave it to her, pointed out that it showed my name (in phonetic Thai characters). She seemed pleased, asked if she could keep the copy, and apparently entered the fact in the database. So, I assume I will not need to provide any evidence next time.

[Gaybutton]

So, I assume I will not need to provide any evidence next time.

 

Thank you for the information, but why didn't you ask?

 

Also, I'm pinning this topic. Obviously this is now a requirement, so everyone who needs to report his address needs to be aware of it.

[Gaybutton]

An article in PATTAYA TODAY confirms this:

_____

 

Pattaya immigration 90 day rule change

 

PATTAYA immigration, Jomtien soi 5, has announced with immediate effect that long stay foreigners needing to report their address every 90 days must now bring written proof of their address. In the past, they have simply filled in a form confirming their present address and this was acceptable to the immigration officer.

 

In the rule change, foreigners must now bring a paper or document which illustrates that they are living at a specific address. Evidence could include a Thai driving licence, a utility or similar bill (if it names the foreigner), a rental agreement, proof of ownership of a condo, vehicle ownership document etc.

 

Only one such paper or document is required to show the immigration officer. The new rule has been brought in because, in some cases, foreigners at the 90 days check-in have apparently been giving an address at which they were no longer resident. "It is important that foreigners give us their up-to-date address where they are actually living," said one officer.

 

The main people affected are one year visa holders and those possessing a work permit, but the ruling applies to anyone who is still in Thailand 90 days after their previous registration. The fine for failing to register on time is up to 2,000 baht.

[Gaybutton]

Today, Thursday July 24, I stopped off at Pattaya's Immigration office and asked.

 

1. Yes, you are required to produce documents that show evidence of your actual address in Thailand. Someone on another board wrote that he just did his 90-day address report, but was not asked for any documents. From what I was told, that was an oversight and you can expect to be required to show proof.

 

2. You will have to show similar proof every time you do your 90-day address report from now on.

 

Two questions that had not occurred to me until later are:

 

1. You can submit a 90-day address report at any Immigration office in Thailand, no matter where you live. Given that, do other Immigration offices also have a proof-of-address requirement? If yes, then you better take your proof along with you if you are going to be out of town, but still somewhere within Thailand, when it's time to do an address report.

 

2. If other Immigration offices do not require proof-of-address, but see that your address is a Pattaya address, will they require proof?

 

I don't know the answers to either question.

[Guest fountainhall]

You can submit a 90-day address report at any Immigration office in Thailand, no matter where you live. Given that, do other Immigration offices also have a proof-of-address requirement?

 

As one who travels in and out of the Kingdom virtually monthly, I never need to make a 90 day visit because the Immigration chops in my passport are the equivalent of the 90 day address report. Does this mean I will have to take proof of residence with me every time I re-enter the country? If not, then I wonder why not?

[Gaybutton]

If not, then I wonder why not?

 

No. The reason is the only immigration office requiring proof is the Pattaya immigration office. If what others are posting on other boards is correct, then even Pattaya doesn't ask everyone every time.

 

Also, once again, you can submit your address report at any immigration office in Thailand, no matter where your residence is.

 

The whole thing is on my "I Don't Get It" list.

[Guest Asmerom]

No. The reason is the only immigration office requiring proof is the Pattaya immigration office.

 

I'm glad I happened to read this thread as I arrived in Thailand in March 2008 and haven't reported anything to Pattaya Immigration office or any other office. I haven't set foot in the place.I was quite unaware of this ruling. I wonder how most people on a one year visa are made aware of it. Looks like an inevitable 2000baht fine.

 

I did ,fortunately, note that we had to renew the Visa every ninety days and this feat I accomplished without too much difficulty with a day trip to Cambodia (I think it was) and back.

 

 

 

[Guest gwm4sian]

I'm glad I happened to read this thread as I arrived in Thailand in March 2008 and haven't reported anything to Pattaya Immigration office or any other office. I haven't set foot in the place.I was quite unaware of this ruling. I wonder how most people on a one year visa are made aware of it. Looks like an inevitable 2000baht fine.

 

I did ,fortunately, note that we had to renew the Visa every ninety days and this feat I accomplished without too much difficulty with a day trip to Cambodia (I think it was) and back.

 

I think you may be getting a bit confused. The 90 day report is only required when you stay in Thailand for 90 days without a break. If you have been out to Cambodia, that resets the 90 day clock.

[Gaybutton]

This morning was my turn to see for myself. I submitted my 90-day address report. A friend was with me to do the same thing.

 

We both were asked to show proof of residence. I walked in with several documents, but the Immigration officer looked at only one, the one on the top of the little stack I had, which happened to be my Internet service bill from MaxNet. I had made a copy of the bill and the officer kept the copy and attached it to the report. She was interested only in seeing that you have at least something that documents where you live. The officer wants to see the original and wants to keep a copy, so go in with both.

 

She did say that one document, such as a bill in your name, is acceptable. You must bring your document and a copy of the document each time you submit an address report from now on.

 

This applies at the Pattaya Immigration office. I have no idea whether other Immigration offices in Thailand are asking for documentation.

[Guest joseph44]

Today, Thursday July 24, I stopped off at Pattaya's Immigration office and asked.

 

1. Yes, you are required to produce documents that show evidence of your actual address in Thailand. Someone on another board wrote that he just did his 90-day address report, but was not asked for any documents. From what I was told, that was an oversight and you can expect to be required to show proof.

 

2. You will have to show similar proof every time you do your 90-day address report from now on.

 

Two questions that had not occurred to me until later are:

 

1. You can submit a 90-day address report at any Immigration office in Thailand, no matter where you live. Given that, do other Immigration offices also have a proof-of-address requirement? If yes, then you better take your proof along with you if you are going to be out of town, but still somewhere within Thailand, when it's time to do an address report.

 

2. If other Immigration offices do not require proof-of-address, but see that your address is a Pattaya address, will they require proof?

 

I don't know the answers to either question.

 

Me neither, but I went to Sri Racha Immigration last Tuesday, and there was no sign of prove of address, they didn't ask and they didn't put a notice in my passport.

I only know (from other forums) that Hua Hin is also pretty tight on this kind of regulations.

 

Pattaya Immigration is just pretty paranoia and they find out the most ridiculous things to upset their 'customers'.

The point is, that there are national rules and regulations regarding the Immigration policies, but every single Immigration Office is allowed to apply, enforce or make rules as it suits them or the situation.

 

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I didn't find it to be such a hardship to take a copy of my telephone bill when I reported my address. I don't understand why people get so upset.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I recently (9-8-08) went for my 90 day check-in at the immigration office nearest Ubon Ratchathani, aobut 50 km east of the city. They didn't say one word to me...I filled out the form from a dispenser, handed them he form and my passport, and received back the form in my passport.

 

No words were exchanged about anything!

[Gaybutton]

I don't understand why people get so upset.

 

Neither do I. From what I understand, the Pattaya Immigration office wants proof of address because they've caught a lot of people cheating. There are a hell of a lot more farang living in Pattaya than there are out in the provinces, so I would imagine the Immigration office would encounter a lot more problems as a result, which is the reason why they want the proof.

 

I also don't understand why people would want to lie about their address, but apparently there are a number of people who do lie about it, for whatever reasons they have.

 

Of course, if someone really is trying to cheat, he can always go elsewhere to submit his address report.

 

[Guest joseph44]

Probably it's not the fact that the Immigration is requiring some proof of address, but the fact that one Immigration is not the other, what upsets people. Especially Pattaya Immigration makes up rules and regulations that won't be enforced by other Immigration Offices.

Just an example: For our customers we assist in getting a certain kind of visa. The applicants have to prove that they're actually living at a certain address by showing them pictures of their home, condominium, surroundings (of course with the applicant in the pictures). Even pictures of the interior are required. I'm pretty sure that no other Immigration Office is requiring this.

 

Basically, the whole process is not because they caught some foreigners lying about their address, it's more the fact that (especially in the tourist and other foreigner-areas) house owners don't report their guests/tenants as they should do. House-owners, hotels, guest-houses, etc. should pay some kind of tax over their income out of renting out their properties, rooms.

At some point, the Pattaya Immigration database has enough addresses of foreigners to perform some checks and raids in order to bust owners as mentioned before. This is a problem of the owners and not the tenants. If the owners don't report their tenats, they'll have to pay THB 2,000 (at least).