Can I apply for another Covid extension before my current one expires in Thailand?

March 21, 2021
4 years ago
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My current Covid extension expires on 29 April. I applied for it 27 January, it was under consideration until 15 March so I only got it around a week ago. I'm almost ready to extend my one year O-A visa but another interim Covid extension would really help buy a little time to get a couple more months of deposits into my account...

My question is: Can I go to Immigration on or before 30 March and get another Covid extension "stacked" on top of the one I already have which expires on 29 April? I thought I had read that the current Covid program is in effect through the end of May.

Thanks, I appreciate your advice.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquired about applying for a second Covid extension for their visa before the current one expires on April 29. The community clarified that while an application can be made before the expiration, it is subject to the discretion of Thai Immigration. Additional comments highlighted confusion regarding the user's visa status, emphasizing that they are currently on a Covid extension, not an O-A visa, and outlined the requirements for extending a one-year visa based on having a Thai child, including financial requirements.
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James ********
Thank you Dan ...

Re your comment reply re Chiang Mai not allowing monthly deposits of 40,000 Thb for the Child support extension. Only a 400,000 in your Thai bank balance.

I deleted your reply comment as we do not allow any AGENT reference.

But...

"Requirements in obtaining the Child Support visa for foreigners in Thailand: Fully completed application form (TM7) ... Proof of financial capability – the applicant should be able to provide his personal Thai bank book showing funds with at least 400,000 baht, or an accumulated income of at least 40,000 baht per month."

I am surprised Chiang Mai said cannot use the 40,000 Monthly. But if they allow it...it must be 40,000 for 12 prior full months with proof of international transfers.
James ********
Dan ...fyi

The 400,000 Thai baht in Thai bank is needed only to get the one year extension.

Has to be in the account two full months before application made...(
@Tod ********
is there a seasoning requirement for it ...???)

But...

No minimum balance required after you get it.

Just have to have it topped up to 400,000 two months before your next one year extension renewal date.

Think about borrowing 400,000.Thai baht using one of your credit cards or current US bank/financial accounts...get the one year stamp...repay yourself afterwards... ????

Yes. You can cancel your existing COVID extension and get a one year extension of stay based on raising half-Thai children.

Different immigration offices have different requirements.

To get a one year extension of stay based on raising half-Thai children, you will need the following:

1. Your passport and a copy of:

- Your data ("picture") page

- Your Non-O visa

- Your entry stamp

- Your departure card

2. Your child PHYSICALLY next to you, and

- Her ID card and a copy of her ID card (OR passport, OR houseboat)

- Her housebook, and a copy of the first page

3. To meet the money requirements, which are:

- 400K THB in a Thai bank account, *NO SEASONING REQUIREMENTS) OR;

- 40K THB in income OR;

- a letter from your embassy saying you make 40K THB a month

4. Proof of custody rights (either the rose border certificate, OR a translated copy from your home country OR court documents showing parental rights)

5. The application form

6. 2x passport pictures

7. 1,900 THB for the processing fee.

Different immigration offices have different requirements, and this may include:

- A copy of the TM30 filed where you live

- A hand drawn map to your house

- Witnesses or interviews with neighbors

- Rental contract (if renting property or a condo)
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
no seasoning requirement for the Thai child visa. Money has to be deposited in the morning, and after consideration of up to a week....can be withdrawn.
James ********
@Dan *********
thank you for the clarification.

But be careful with what
@Tod ********
said in reply.

Good Luck...

Commenting closed.
Tod *********
@Dan *********
you will get a 30 day under consideration stamp when you apply for an extension based on raising a half thai child AND some offices require you keep the funds in the bank during that time, update your bank book and provide a copy when you go back to get the year extension inked in
Bobby ********
How can you extend an OA visa if you're on a covid extension? You can only be on one visa/extension at any time.
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
see above.
Bobby ********
Dan Nebenzal. I think you've got your information wrong. Your OA has already expired, so you can no longer extend it. Perhaps you misinterpreted what immigration have told you. If you meet the financial criteria you can probably get a non-O retirement or married to a Thai extension.
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
I may have misworded the info about extending the visa. Perhaps I meant to say "apply for a new visa".
Tod *********
@Dan *********
you aren't gonna be applying for ANY visa :/ You entered on an O-A and got stamped in for a year, and you've been using amnesty, embassy letters and now covid extensions to stay since that stamp ran out BUT you never left so all you'll do is apply for a NEW yearly extension (by meeting the financial requirements for that extension)
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
that is what I said above but I was told by members of the group that I was wrong.
Tod *********
@Dan *********
it's going to come down to the immigration office you deal with as far as IF you can get ANY extension off an O-A entry stamp other than one based on being over 50 (retirement) and by meeting the 800K baht banked or 65K baht monthly transfer AND the mandatory health insurance requirement.

SOME offices make you get at least the first extension for the reason you got that O-A visa (and it wasn't for raising a thai or being married to one :/ it was based on being over 50) :O

AND almost all immigration offices require a full 12 months of previous international monthly transfers to allow people to use them for a yearly extension.

Check with your immigration office to see what they will allow and if you can apply for another covid extension OR if you're gonna hafta go for your year extension when this current covid extension runs out
Bobby ********
Dan Nebenzal. No worries. After James explained your situation in better detail it's clear now. I'd be taking his advice and getting the marriage extension. The financial criteria is much easier, and you also have the luxury of being able to obtain a work permit on this visa.
James ********
@Bobby *******
he has Thai child. Is now on COVID extension. Needs 400,000 Thai baht in bank account for one year extension of stay. He is American.
Bobby ********
James Miller. Yes got that part. It was the OA extension that was confusing
James ********
The last day for a COVID extension application is March 30.

You can ask for a new extension.... It is the decision of Thai Immigration if they grant it or not.

More important question...

Why are you seeking to extend the OA if that is what you have?

Are you sure you do not have a Non O based upon being the father of a Thai child ?

As you have recently last November used the 60 day family extension ....and have been on COVID EXTENSIONS since.

You DO NOT HAVE ANY VISA

NO OA OR ANY OTHER VISA.

You now are on a COVID EXTENSION OF STAY.

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Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
thanks for your response. I've got an O-A visa which was up in July 2020. I've had Amnesty, visit family, and Covid extensions since. According to Immigration (which I have asked many times) both in English and in Thai, my options for the next one year visa are to extend the Retirement O-A visa, get a marriage visa, or get a visa based on being the father of a Thai child. I had to rule out the latter because there is no monthly bank deposit option for that one. I decided on the marriage visa using the 40K THB International transfers each month.
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