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Can I extend my tourist visa in Thailand after it has expired due to coronavirus?
Tourist VisaVisa ExtensionThai Immigration RulesCOVID-19 Visa PoliciesOverstay PenaltyBorder BounceAmerican Citizens Visa Issues
Mar 18, 2020
6 years ago
Eric ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERI'm not sure if I heard the right news. The immigration officers could extend a tourist visa more days after the date expired. You all already know because of coronavirus.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The question revolves around the possibility of extending a tourist visa in Thailand after its expiration, particularly in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The consensus among commenters is that extensions should be applied for before the visa expires. There are specific restrictions based on nationality and current circumstances, with some consulates issuing necessary letters for extensions while others are not. It is suggested that exceptions might be made based on proof of flight cancellations. The situation is fluid and recommendations may vary based on individual circumstances.
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Ivan ************
Eric best go ask Chiang Mai immigration. I have heard some offices will extend without the embassy letter if you can show them flight cancellations. This is all special circumstances and may totally change between now and May when you actually need it though.
Ivan ************
Update, as of today you cannot border bounce at Tachileik without a full Myanmar visa.
Eric ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERI have a flight ticket for Rome on June 1 to 9. I suppose to go to Thai embassy in Rome. I worry I will be trapped in italy for 14 days then other trap in Thailand for 14 days after Italy. I do not know if Italy will be ok before June 1, 2020.
Ivan ************
60 day visit family extension = June July. Border bounce Myanmar = August, extension = September. You MAY then be able to get another 60 day visit family as it's a new entry. I think this may depend on the office. If so that would be October November. Then 2nd border bounce gets you to 2021 and the 2 per year limit resets.
Eric ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERyou are right about may change in the future. I just would like to be prepared before my tourist visa expired.
Reply to
Eric ****************
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Tod *********
At this time I know of THREE consulates that are issuing the letter
China, Italy and South Korea. People with those passports can go to their consulate here and get the letter and get a 30 day unable to travel extension at the immigration office.
The consulates of USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia here all said there is no problem flying back, if you can't figure out a way to stay leave. They are NOT writing the letters for their citizens
China, Italy and South Korea. People with those passports can go to their consulate here and get the letter and get a 30 day unable to travel extension at the immigration office.
The consulates of USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia here all said there is no problem flying back, if you can't figure out a way to stay leave. They are NOT writing the letters for their citizens
Bauke ***********
@Tod ********
same with France and The Netherlands. They have stated to us in person they won't issue the letters. Eric ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERAlright then, I have no issue to travel out of Thailand before visa expired. It would be nice if I got an extension after my visa expired.
Reply to
Eric ****************
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Roger ********
Ask a question, reject the answers? Interesting approach.
Roger ********
Then listen
Eric ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERI always got those same answers for 4 years. It is nothing new. My point is just like to know to extend my visa because of coronavirus. That's all.
Reply to
Eric ****************
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Ivan ************
If you are an American the US is not issuing the required letter for a special coronavirus extension at this time. Have you already extended? You may be able to get a regular extension if not. If you are on overstay there will be a fine and the extension will be dated from your expiry. Alternately border bounce to Laos or Myanmar may be possible if you have not done 2 already this year. Cambodia is closed to Americans and Malaysia to everyone.
Terry ********
@Ivan ***********
I don’t think Malaysia is closed. I’m at the airport now and a couple was checking in for KL. Ivan ************
As of today Myanmar has stopped border bounces at Tachileik. You need a full Myanmar visa to enter.
Eric ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERAlright, thanks for the updated.
Eric ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERI just got my renew visa in Vietnam and am here in Thailand. :)
Ivan ************
If you are father of a half Thai child there may be a special 60 day "visit Thai family" extension that you can get. Ask Chiang Mai immigration about that.
There are also options for a guardian visa but there are financial requirements with that, you need some money in the bank. This would be preferable if you can qualify.
I know other people who have a Thai kid who have been refused entry for too many tourist visas, and had to look for another alternative. It's not a golden ticket.
There are also options for a guardian visa but there are financial requirements with that, you need some money in the bank. This would be preferable if you can qualify.
I know other people who have a Thai kid who have been refused entry for too many tourist visas, and had to look for another alternative. It's not a golden ticket.
Ivan ************
Ok, you do you. You may find out things have changed recently and that this is not viable any more. Besides anything else many of the countries in the region where you previously could have got a tourist visa (Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia) have banned Americans. Many of them have banned everyone. So you are down to Laos basically. Myanmar I believe is quarantining for 14 days Americans who fly in (does not seem to apply to land border). And I don't fancy your chances in Laos if you have been living here 4 years on tourist visas.
Eric ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERNah, I have no issue with a tourist visa. I always get a renew tourist visa all the time for 4 years. I am not interesting in any kind of visa ed, etc. I also told the immigration officers that I have a half Thai daughter. They then took a while to accept my renew visa. But thank you for trying to help me.
Ivan ************
As things are now, you can still do a border run to Mae Sai for a visa exempt entry, which you can extend. 2 of those per year = 4 months. You can also go to Vientiane for a new tourist visa but if you have been "living" here for 4 years on them they won't likely give you one. The two border bounces would bring you up to end September. Then maybe you need to consider other options like education visa etc.
Eric ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERI am US citizen and living in Chiang Mai for 4 years. My visa has 60 days extension by May 4. Then the last 30 days after May is June 3. I would like to be preparing before May 4th.
Reply to
Eric ****************
Reply
Garrett ***********
No, you need to apply for the extension before your're on overstay.
Eric ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Garrette ***********
of course I will go to the immigration office and require for the extension. Reply to
Eric ****************
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