Thread: Warning. Credit card needed in Pattaya Migra Offid

Yes, it is true and it has been confirmed. Pattaya Oficina de la Migra is now requesting credit card numbers as part of the Non Immigrant visa application.

NEW VISA RULES CHANGES - Pattaya Immigration bureau has introduced the following rules regarding one year Visa’s and extensions of Visa’s.

Applicants for one year retirement visas must now show and make copies of the back and front of any currently valid ATM or credit card issued in their name. The copies must be signed by the applicant. It does not matter whether the card was issued in Thailand or overseas. This is intended as a further check on an applicant's financial health.

Applicants for extensions on short visas, for example a request for the maximum allowed 7 days on a “Visa on Arrival” or for the maximum 30 days on a “60 day Tourist Visa” issued abroad, must now show proof of their onward travel plans after the extension has expired, by having in their possession an air or electronic airline ticket, or a bus ticket with clear dates printed on it. This requirement is to assure Immigration that the visa holder does indeed plan to leave Thailand at the expiration of his extension. This information is also on the PCEC website at http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/modul...le&sid=1039

Wow, did they say you have to have a credit card or else no visa?
What if I have no credit card?

Sounds a bit dodgy to me.. and I can't see people being too happy about doing it either...

Is this for Non-Immi B's?

Originally Posted by AjarnYaiMak

Applicants for one year retirement visas

seems its a niche market

Originally Posted by AjarnYaiMak

Yes, it is true and it has been confirmed. Pattaya Oficina de la Migra is now requesting credit card numbers as part of the Non Immigrant visa application...

I see the following scenario: someone points out that this is idiotic. But it then is introduced around the country so that the officer who implemented it doesn't lose face...

I got in the other day without showing an onward ticket

^ Getting in is okay on a proper Visa as far as I know mate and even at some borders and airports without a proper Visa.

I've heard of the return ticket being asked for in Bangers for an extension....was around a week or two ago!!! Not sure if it's a sometimes will ask, sometimes won't at the moment though (for Bangkok that is).

^ Plus it could be maxed out or out of date???

So how does having a current bank/credit card show financial health? There could be sod all in it or way over the credit limit. Its difficult enough for me to get info from my bank never mind Thai immigration without express written consent!

I don't know anyone else, having my credit card copied(with the signature panel) and kept in a file that they are bound to lose makes me feel very uncomfortable. I'd get advice before doing that with my credit card company and make sure that they would cover the charges that are bound to be made.

Let's see...a local enterpreneur gets wind of this and proposes a clandestine business arrangement to an accomodating immigration official (through intermediaries, of course, to save face) for all the credit card information he/she needs to start the manufacturing process. The "new" cards are sold to a waiting group who run up all sorts of charges in different locations. The duped owners complain to police who immediately open an investigation to nowhere and the credit card copying practice is suspended until an urgently formed committee can assess the ramifications, repercussions, and liabilities of this innovative program.

This committee will then travel at government expense to selected major European capitals (avoiding London for obvious reasons) to gather input on credit card fraud and its remediation. The report, postponed several times, is finally delivered to relevant authorities who discover that the personnel at the initiating immigration office have long since retired to their beach houses in Krabi or mountain retreats in Kao Yai and who humbly deny having had anything to do with such a hare-brained scheme. They sue the government for libel, tearfully protesting their innocence, and immediately check themselves into hospitals in Singapore and Los Angeles.

The whole affair is relegated to an oversight panel with instructions to perform a thorough review of all events and provide a report when their research is done. In the meantime, Immigration officials are now requesting signed checks made out to Control And Security Headquarters (just write the initials to save time) to be held for visa renewal applicants as guarantees against possible criminal activity.