Immigration update: Thailand | 14-day self-quarantine implemented by BOI (Board of Investment) due to COVID-19

14-day Self-Quarantine Implemented by BOI (Board of Investment) due to COVID-19

BOI will accept new Placement Approval applications after foreign nationals from COVID-19 infected areas have stayed in Thailand for at least 14 days after their arrival, effective from Mar 09, 2020.

Who will be affected?

Foreign nationals from COVID-19 infected areas applying for a new visa and work permit under BOI in Thailand.

Background

BOI is one of the promotional schemes offered by the Thai government to attract foreign investment in Thailand. Companies under BOI scheme will submit their visa and work permit applications to the BOI Authority.

Recently, the BOI Authority has started to put on hold new Placement Approval applications, until the foreign applicants from COVID-19 infected areas have stayed in Thailand for at least 14 days after their arrival. Placement Approval is the last online approval by BOI, and can only be submitted after foreign nationals have arrived in Thailand. This 14-day gap is meant as a self-quarantine period.

These 9 COVID-19 infected areas designated by the BOI Authority are: Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Italy, Iran, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. This designation applies to foreign nationals who are either holding a passport from these areas, or have traveled to these destinations recently.

Impact

New Placement Approval applications under BOI will be put on hold temporarily, until the foreign nationals have stayed in Thailand for at least 14 days after their arrival.

So far, we have not seen delays of renewal applications. However, since BOI is implementing this 14-day self-quarantine, we shouldn’t be surprised if they apply it to renewal cases as well.

Santa Fe Analysis

As COVID-19 continues to spread to more countries and infect more people, we recommend foreign nationals to practice hygiene and safety measures first. If you are applying for a new visa and work permit under BOI in Thailand, please practice a 14-day self-quarantine first after your arrival, before you can obtain your visa and work permit.

If you need further guidance, you can always reach out to your local Santa Fe Consultant for advice.

For more information or assistance, please contact the following :

Ada Zhou
​Immigration Manager – Thailand
​Santa Fe Relocation
Thailand
D: +66 2742 9890 ext.146
M: +66 98 267 6975
​E: Ada.Zhou@staging.santaferelo.com

Robert Day
Group Head of Immigration Operations
Santa Fe Relocation
London, UK
D: +44 7990 021125
E: Robert.Day@staging.santaferelo.com

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