Can I apply for a COVID extension at a different immigration office in Thailand after starting my application in Jomtien?

COVID-19 visa extension Thailand immigration visa exemption immigration office procedures 30-day extension relocation for visa application expat advice in Thailand

Mar 23, 2022

3 years ago

Kissa *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello everyone, this is my first time in Thailand, hope you guys can give me some ideas on my covid extension :

I have visa exemption for 30 days. I landed on 18 March and tried to apply for covid extension in Jomtien on 21 March, got told to come back on 25 March (I read it somewhere that it's the deadline for covid extension). 

Can I switch to another immigration office in another city to further my application ? Or must I stick with Jomtien once I started it there ? So far no stamps given, no forms collected whatsoever. 

I wanna travel around Thailand in the next few days already, dun wanna stay in pattaya for three more days just for this application if I can redo it somewhere else.

Any advice will be appreciated, thank you all for help !

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The individual is seeking advice on their COVID extension application process in Thailand. They arrived with a 30-day visa exemption and attempted to apply for a COVID extension, but were advised to return to the office in Jomtien. They are considering whether they can switch to another immigration office in a different city to continue their application. Commenters clarify that they need to have applied for a 30-day regular extension before qualifying for the COVID extension and that switching offices is unlikely to benefit them since the procedure is regulated.

Tod *********

IF the answer to that question is no, you haven't gotten your 30 day extension yet, it doesn't matter what office you try 😮 no one will issue you a 60 day covid extension UNTIL you have your 30 day regular extension ;/

The current covid program (which is set to run out Friday the 25th) specifically states that people who entered visa exempt or on a tourist visa entry must take their 30 day regular extension before they are to be considered for a 60 day covid extension. <- that's actually written in to the covid program rules this time around.

I think no matter what office you try you're gonna get the same answer,

3 years ago

Tod *********

The real question IS,

Did you already apply for your 30 day regular extension you can get from a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp?

3 years ago

Kissa *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Not yet, I just landed in Thailand for 6 days

3 years ago

Kissa *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Does this I mean I have to leave Thailand before 25th April or..What exactly does it mean by "under consideration" ?

Thanks again for advice

3 years ago

Ben *****

@Kissa ******

you need to go back on that date to the same office to get another 30 days. I'm really surprised they didn't tell you to get the regular 30 day extension which would've been added to the end of your current visa exempt date.

3 years ago

Kissa *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ben ****

Yeah I'm shocked too, it's a pain to go all the way back to the same office.. just for that 30 days that they could have granted me today. Queued up for 4 hours..

3 years ago

Ben *****

@Kissa ******

yea it's a pain but you have to do it if you want the remaining 30 days. You also technically lost over 20 days of your visa exempt status as well. 😞

3 years ago

Kissa *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ben ****

Yes that's true. I think those 20 days I lost was because I applied for the extension too early. My original 30- day visa exemption expires on 16th April..

3 years ago

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Kissa *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

3 years ago

Kissa *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello again, sorry for more questions.. I got a stamp today like this :

3 years ago

Kissa *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for your advice :)