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Can I extend my COVID visa in Thailand, or do I need to leave the country?

Thailand VisaVisa ExtensionCOVID Visa ExtensionTourist VisaVisa RulesExpat Advice
Nov 2, 2022
2 years ago
Reece *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi advice needed!

We have a covid extension which is about to expire on the 9th November does this mean

a) we need to leave the country on the 9th November and come back in on a 45 visa exemption (U.K. passports)

OR

b) apply for a tourist 30 day extension at an immigration office as this was a covid extension

I’m a bit confused it’s not a huge deal as we can fly to a neighbour country for a few days but it of course is easier if we can get the 30 day tourist extension.

Thanks everyone!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual is seeking clarification on their options regarding the expiration of a COVID-related visa extension in Thailand. They are uncertain whether they need to leave Thailand by the expiration date and return on a visa exemption, or if they could apply for a 30-day tourist visa extension at an immigration office. Various community responses suggest that they cannot extend their COVID extension and need to leave the country. Some advise obtaining a long-term tourist visa from a neighboring country, while others mention potential scrutiny upon re-entry due to the COVID extension stamp. It is also noted that proper documentation, such as proof of onward travel and accommodation, may be required when re-entering Thailand.
Nick ************
I have a long term Visa but one covid extension stamp and they questioned me so with 13 I think there might be a problem.
2 years ago
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Reece *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ***********
 can I ask what they said
2 years ago
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Nick ************
@Reece ******
 the main issue was that an agent got it for me as they had my passport for renewal. I needed it because my new passport took so long to arrive.
2 years ago
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Nick ************
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John **********
I would avoid flying and instead cross a land border. Make sure you each have 20k baht in cash and tickets out of Thailand booked along with accommodation
2 years ago
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Reece *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 we’re not doing a visa run 🙂 we will go on traveling I wasn’t asking this I just wanted to know if I could get 30 days or would it have to be 45 on arrival when we do travel back to Thailand 🙂 thanks anyway John! 🙂
2 years ago
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Reece *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I said ‘come back in’ but yes I see how that could look like a
*****
hour border run but I didn’t mean that… we will most probably in this case travel somewhere in Asia for a week or two and then come back to Thailand rather than this ‘border run’ everyone mentions to quickly get back in 🙊
2 years ago
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John **********
@Reece ******
 my answers also applies to "a week or two".
2 years ago
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John **********
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John **********
@Reece ******
 that conflicts directly with what you posted. If you're going off traveling elsewhere without returning to Thailand fair enough. But you said you were planning to return after a few days which is why I responded as I did
2 years ago
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John **********
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Shayne **********
Where are you currently? It will help us provide suitable options and advice.
2 years ago
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Alistair **********
You should've already gotten a 30 day extension before you got a covid extension. If you only have one covid extension and haven't been here to long, then it might be okay to fly back in. But no guarantee. Otherwise using a border run company will get you another 75 days here.
2 years ago
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Reece *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alistair *********
 yes only have 1 🙂
2 years ago
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Reece *******
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Will ************
Ideally you should come back in on a proper longterm visa if you intend staying in Thailand. If you try to come back in on a 45 visa exempt they will want an exit ticket from Thailand within that 45 days the same with a 60 day tourist visa.
2 years ago
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Reece *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Will ***********
 yes that’s no problem anyway as we have plans for Xmas 🙂
2 years ago
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Reece *******
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Peter ****************
THINK
@Reece ******
, y'r best chance is to get a real Tourist visa (allowing 60 days in Thailand and one time extendable with 30 days) in e.g. Laos with a border run. So buying a tourist visa at the Thai embassy/consulate in vientiane or savannakhet. And then fingers crossed. Border bounce/hop (leaving Thailand, go into other country, and come back immediately) is asking for trouble with a 45 days visa exempt. Also take in account, 20,000฿ per person in cash, proof of hotel booking and onward travel out of Thailand. If this is not working, then it's time to go home for a while I guess. The covid extensions where there with reason "unable to travel home". Now almost every country is open. Good luck I would say 🤞
2 years ago
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Reece *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter ***************
 there’s no problem regarding travel etc (we got 2 covid extension so only 4months) when it’s been going on over 2 years - like I said I just wasn’t sure if I could update it with a tourist 30 days at the immigration here or had to leave cheers anyway Peter! 🙂
2 years ago
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Reece *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just checked we actually only got 1 covid extension! 🙂
2 years ago
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Reece *******
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Bobby ********
@Peter ***************
 Good solid advice
2 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Russell *******
Didn't you get a tourist visa extension before your Covid19 extension ?
2 years ago
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Bobby ********
How many covid extensions have you had, and how long have you actually been in Thailand?
2 years ago
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Reece *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 just 1 🙂
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Bobby *******
 my gf has all 13 Covid extensions, 6 months amnesty and was on ‘visa on arrival’ after a border bounce. Will be fun to see what happens 😂
2 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Todd ********
 I think it all depends on location and who you strike on the day. The silly border at Poiphet has been refusing 45-day exempts, and sending people to Siam Reap to get TR visa and to fly in. So a mini-van company in Pattaya has jumped in on the show and is now do border runs to Poiphet guaranteeing a new stamp. Now I wonder how that's working? 🤣
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Bobby *******
 looks like Phuket companies having much success at Satun border. Not a big deal either way. Nice holiday in Malaysia is fine if TR visa is needed. I see lots of good results for Laos also 🤷‍♂️
2 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Todd ********
 Laos is never a problem, although I've only ever used Chong Mek when kicking the OA out for its second year. They even let me without the silly health insurance. They're cool
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Bobby *******
 that’s interesting too! AmaZing how different they all are
2 years ago
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Todd *********
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Brandon ************
You cannot get a tourist extension from a covid extension. You would need to leave the country and attempt to re-enter on visa exempt. You are highly likely to have problems though as anyone with a covid extension in their passport is receiving a large amount of scrutiny and possibly being denied entry.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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