Answered4 years ago

Can I apply for a Covid extension if I'm on a Visa Exempt entry in Thailand?

Covid extension Visa Exempt Immigration rules Thailand visa Visa extension Extension eligibility

asked Aug 23, 2022

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Just came from Suratthani immigration, apparently I can only apply for the Covid extension if I am already on an extention, not on my original Visa Exempt

Answer summary

The original poster (OP) learned from Suratthani immigration that they can only apply for the Covid extension if they are currently on an extension, and not just on a Visa Exempt entry. Several comments indicated that many immigration offices require all available extensions to be taken before applying for a Covid extension. There is a consistent understanding that this requirement has been reinforced in recent rules, though experiences may vary depending on the immigration office.

13 repliesnewest first

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Tod *********

And on that note we thank

@Riaan *********

for sharing their plight and we are done (y)

4 years ago

Andrew *********

The OP isn't entitled to one, case closed

4 years ago

Michael ********

This has been the case for a few years now.

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Michael *******

actually it only recently was written IN to the covid extension rules and it was on the previous one but not this current one, 😮

4 years ago

Michael ********

@Tod ********

it is has been in place officially or unofficially for ages. I went for one more than a year ago and it was the same then. :)

4 years ago

Michael ********

@Tod ********

Correct. Definitely office dependant. Luckily I have to use one of the worst ones, Chonburi. 🙄🙄

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Michael *******

that was office dependent and many offices were just as happy to hand out the 60 day covid extension as give you a 30 day regular one

4 years ago

Riaan **********

@Tod ********

most likely relying on the clause that it is up to the discretion of the immigration officer.

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Riaan *********

no actually it was spelled OUT in the previous 60 day covid program that you had to take any 'regular' extension available to your entry BEFORE you could do a covid one, wasn't at all discretionary for the previous program

4 years ago

Tod *********

did you already get your ONE 30 day regular extension that you are allotted on the 30 day visa exempt entry?

MANY offices make you take any extension your entry allows BEFORE you can jump on the "I want a covid extension" bandwagon 😮

4 years ago

Riaan **********

@Tod ********

jip, they are firmly on that on that bandwagon, so I only got 30 days instead of the hoped for 60

I am still on my original exempt, not extended it expires on 30th,hoped for 60 days insted of 30 for the same 1900Baht

4 years ago

John **********

@Riaan *********

now you have your 30 day extension you could always try for the 60 again tomorrow

4 years ago

Riaan **********

@John *********

its okay, I must do a border run for my Non-B in anycase, so I might as well do it in this month, thought I could postpone to later, go watch MotoGP in Malaysia and do it all at once

4 years ago