Are COVID extensions available for Canadian passport holders in Bangkok, and what are the options for visa runs?

Thailand visas COVID extension Canadian passport visa runs Special Tourist Visa (STV)tourist visa immigration rules

Oct 7, 2021

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm planning to come to Thailand again mid November. I'd like to stay until mid April (5 months). A possible scenario would be TR visa 60days +extension (30days) +covid extension (60days). I am fully vaccinated with Pfizer.

If they end the covid extensions I will need a new plan.

Questions:

1. Are they giving covid extensions in Bangkok to Canadian passport holders? I got an extension in April I gave "covid" as the reason and was not asked for a letter from the embassy or anything else.

1. Are there any nearby countries open to fly to for visa runs again?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is planning to visit Thailand for five months and is exploring options for staying beyond their initial visa duration. They are particularly interested in whether COVID extensions are still being granted to Canadian passport holders in Bangkok and what nearby countries are open for visa runs. Responses indicate skepticism about the continuation of COVID extensions and suggest the user consider alternative visas like the Special Tourist Visa (STV) instead. Multiple comments express concerns over the feasibility of visa runs, especially given current travel restrictions.

Gooddy *******

And just to add, your chances of doing a visa run by air is seemingly highly unlikely for the foreseeable future.

3 years ago

Kimball *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Well I can always fly home to Canada and back but that would be a bit of a pain. My guess is as long as every other country in the region is closed due to Covid Thailand will keep extending the Covid extension provision. There are very few tourists coming so I think if they have an easy way of keeping the tourists that are here a bit longer they will do it. I got a Covid extension in April and when the immigration officer asked why I just said “Covid” and that was accepted. I could’ve flown home but I was trying to avoid the compulsory three day hotel quarantine. Canada kept extending that provision too so I ended up having to do it in the end. No one seems to want to answer the question about whether or not they are giving Covid extensions to Canadian passport holders I would appreciate it if somebody could send me a PM if they know the answer but don’t want to post it here.

3 years ago

Reply to

Kimball *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sorry I didn’t intentionally delete any comments or post my questions twice. Nothing is showing in my activity log so I’m not sure what might’ve happened. I did edit my post to clarify that I was only interested in border runs by air. Fly out somewhere then fly back. In the past I used Saigon but Vietnam isn’t giving out tourist visas at this time. I am still interested in getting answers to my questions:

1) Are they giving covid extensions in Bangkok to Canadian passport holders?

2) Are there any nearby countries open to fly to for visa runs again?

I don’t want to be stuck in one location for the duration so an STV won’t work for me.

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Kimball ****

>Are they giving covid extensions in Bangkok to Canadian passport holders?

As Tod Daniels said,

"I give you a slim to none chance to be able to stay until April, on a tourist visa, a 30 day extension and/or a covid extension IF they're still available.

If I was to guess (and looking at the thai government's opening of the country plans) I'd say covid extensions are going the way of the dodo bird sooner rather than later. That they even extended it until the end of November surprised me.

Good Luck, you have sound advice. You don't wanna go the "long stay" visa/extension route (based on retirement) either come in on a single entry tourist visa, take your 30 day extension and during that 90 days LOOK for another means to stay OR get a Special Tourist Visa from your country and you'll be set for 9 months"

When you qualify for a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19, it'll be around January, and I'll be surprised if they are still selling them past November.

>Are there any nearby countries open to fly to for visa runs again?

There are NO countries that are bordering Thailand (Myanmar, Lao, Cambodia, Malaysia) that accepts tourists. For the rest of ASEAN, I do not know. Check

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and see what the requirements

3 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

Tod *********

I give you a slim to none chance to be able to stay until April, on a tourist visa, a 30 day extension and/or a covid extension IF they're still available.

If I was to guess (and looking at the thai government's opening of the country plans) I'd say covid extensions are going the way of the dodo bird sooner rather than later. That they even extended it until the end of November surprised me.

Good Luck, you have sound advice. You don't wanna go the "long stay" visa/extension route (based on retirement) either come in on a single entry tourist visa, take your 30 day extension and during that 90 days LOOK for another means to stay OR get a Special Tourist Visa from your country and you'll be set for 9 months

3 years ago

James ********

Now you repost your question again.

As I stated the continuation of the Covid extension is doubtful as we enter 2022.

Get the STV visa or roll the dice when you are in Thailand.

3 years ago

James ********

I answered your question then you deleted my second reply which was as you are age 50+ get the retirement visa vs playing games with the long stay by way of precovid border runs and visa runs of past.

3 years ago

James ********

There are NO land border crossings OPEN ALL ARE CLOSED and not likely to open up any time soon.

The COVID extensions end November 27th...

Do not count on that being available in your planning.

Suggest you look at the STV visa as it will soon be available.

It will give you up to 270 days in Thailand. The requirements are strict... Read them closely.

3 years ago

James ********

And what SE Asian country is available for a visa to return to Thailand?

Possible fly to Dubai and obtain a new CoE to reenter Thailand... With its requirements of insurance and ASQ quarantine or sandbox in Thailand upon return.

3 years ago

Hans *************

@James *******

available,but requirements so ridiculous.

3 years ago

Reply to

Hans *************

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